A few days passed since Celia came to the stone house, in those several days she and Rio taught Miharu and company about this worldâs language.
Yesterday, it was almost one month since he started teaching those three the basics, then he performed a Spartan training with Celiaâs cooperation.
At the same time he also assisted in Celiaâs research.
Like that, Rioâs everyday life became really busy.
Till early morning on that day
ăNâŠâŠă
The refreshing morning sunlight entered the room through the small gaps of the windows of the rock house, Rio opened his eyes absentmindedly.
The color of light reflected in his eyes from the opening in the ceiling.
Since Rioâs goal is to get a peaceful sleep, towards that goal he built this rock house, last night he also slept well.
Above the wide bed specially made by Dominique, Rio slowly moved his hands to turn the bed covers and blankets.
And then, at that time.
His hand touched a soft object.
It was not a blanket or bed cover.
Nor was it the bed mattress.
It had more elasticity.
The object in his palm is a little cold.
Moving his hand a little, it somehow felt good in his hand.
What is this?
Rio moved his hand awkwardly, trying to discern the objectâs true nature.
And thenââ.
ăNâŠâŠă
A rustling sound along with the small charming voice of a woman was heard.
ăSu~âŠâŠ su~âŠâŠă[Note: SFX of sleeping sound]
It continued, the calm sleeping sound from his side, a bit confused, Rio glanced to his side.
And there, one girl was sleeping peacefully beside him.
Somehow her age is similar to Rioâs age.
Is her existence a thin one?, or her transparent feeling a strong one?, the result of her mysterious atmosphere and beauty.
A beautiful girl with long pink colored hair.
No, she is an earth shattering beauty.
ăNâŠâŠă
The girl squirmed restlessly, tightly gripping Rioâs gown.
Just like that, her face is moved closer to Rio.
He can feel the girlâs breath in his ear.
Rio consciousness immediately fully awakened.
ăâŠâŠâŠâŠă
He looked at that girlâs face in amazement from point-blank range, exerting all the power from his body once again.
He closed his eyes once again.
(It must be dreamâŠâŠâŠ. Iâm still sleeping. Yeah, there is no mistake about it)
Thatâs how he tried to escape from reality by doing some self-suggestions.
Because even if he was sound asleep, he should have woken up immediately when he sensed an unknown person getting close to him.
Maybe he had become senile because of this little peace.
No, in the first place Rio canât feel any reaction of an outsider getting caught in the intruder detection magic surrounding the house.
And yet he failed to notice it, this is surely not a dream.
He mustered more strength to close his eyes while thinking about that.
Opening his eyes slowly after one minute, timidly turning the blanket by hand hoping for it to be empty.
And there, an impossible scene spread again before himââ-.
A woman with snow white skin, extremely balanced and smooth proportions, soft tender bulgesâ.
In other words, itâs a beautiful girl in her birthday suit.
ăEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?ă
Rio let out a horrified shout.
The beautiful girl next to him snapped from her sleep.
This kind of experience is the first time for him in his two lives.
Awakened by Rioâs voice, the girl moved her body.
That movement was unusually erotic, Rioâs face flushed, then quickly averted his gaze.
ăNâŠâŠă
That girl expressionlessly looked at Rio.
Rioâs body was covered with cold sweat.
Why?, how can it be?, Iâm sleeping with a beautiful girl in the nude?.
Shouting like that in his mind.
ăWha, whatâs wrong! Haruto-san?ă
And then, the confused Miharu entered the room.
Though this is a soundproof room, the door was a little open, so all the people living in this house could hear Rioâs scream.
Thinking that it must be hard for them to only receive his favor, Miharu woke-up early to help him prepare breakfast.
Her appearance which is wearing an apron above her tunic suited her very much and was really lovely.
But, now itâs not the time to be fascinated by Miharuâs lovely appearance.
Miharu had a flabbergasted expression, looking at Rio in his gown and the beautiful nude girl.
In his confusion, Rio slowly covered the girlâs naked body with the blanket.
ăKi, Kyaaa!!!!ă
Now, itâs Miharuâs voice that resounded inside the room.
Thatâs natural.
That seemingly honest benefactor of hers, bringing in a woman without telling her and spending a night along with her.
Though Rio isnât that kind of person, the Miharu right now couldnât see that fact.
ăN, no youâre mistaken! Mi-cha~, Miharu-san! This isââă
Itâs the worst.
Rio tried to explain to her in confusion, but he couldnât say anything.
In his confused state, he almost called her name with the way he called her in their past.
Because the pink haired beautiful girl tightly embraced Rio with a blank expression.
Snuggling closer to Rio, Miharu looked at that scene with a wondering expression.
Looking at that scene, Miharuâs face became flushed.
ăI, Iâm sorry! For rudely opening the doorïŒă
Lowering her head in confusion, Miharu closed the door.
ăYouâre mistaken âŠâŠă
Rio apologetic voice echoed vainly in the room.
Only Rio and the pink haired girl remained.
Rio hung his head in a heartbroken state.
ăWhat happened, Rio? For Miharu to scream like thată
And then, this time its Celiaâs turn to come into the room with a still sleepy expression.
It looks like she stayed up all night till dawn.
The panicking Miharu tried to stop her from behind.
While frantically saying clumsy wordsăno, you canâtăwith a desperate expression.
But, it looks like she was one step too late.
The appearance of those two people perfectly entered Ceciliaâs field of view.
ăHa-haha âŠâŠ. ă
Rio stiff laugh vainly resounded in the room.
The beautiful girl, whose body was covered only by one thin blanket, cuddled her body closer to Rio above the bed.
Her bare skin that peeped from the gap of the blanket triggered Celiaâs wild delusion.
ăFu, fufuâŠâŠ.ă
Though her face was flushed red, Celia smoothed it with a smile on her face.
As a result, the two people mysteriously laughed in harmony.
However, each of their laughs had a different meaning.
ăPlease excuse me for disturbing, now you can continue to enjoy your timeă
Celia closed the door while leaving those words.
Though heâs anxious what kind of atmosphere happened between Miharu and Celia outside of the door, now is not the time to worry about that.
ăâŠâŠ. Uhm, who are you?ă
Rio asked with a magnificently cramped face.
Though his really wanted to chase after Celia and Miharu, he couldnât just blatantly ignore this strange girl.
Though he didnât know what he should ask since his head was still in chaos, he couldnât just throw a vague question.
ăIâm the spirit that made a contract with Haruto you know?ă
The girl answered with a thin voice that sounded like a transparent drop of water while tilting her head.
Though it seemed somehow inhuman, her voice was beautiful.
ăEh, Ah âŠâŠ. Contract âŠâŠ I see, Contract Spirit. You âŠâŠă
Rio head instantly cooled down with those words.
Rio stared at the girlâs face and then her expression instantly changed.
When he looked again, her face was strangely well-ordered.
Itâs like the creation of a first class art which wonât come be even if the artist bet his entire career.
Her beauty was illusory, as if she were transient, he felt that itâs not strange even if she vanished at any moment.
Though he had never been fascinated by any girl except for Miharu up till now, if he didnât have a strong will, he might have been spontaneously entranced by her beauty.
ăMay I ask why are you just awakening at this time?ă
[ââBecause the time has come.]
In that moment, he somehow noticed as he heard the voice of the girl in front of him.
Rio stared at the girl with an amazed face.
But, sheâs shaking her head slowlyââ.
ăI donât knowă
Was her answer.
Though she seemed as expressionless as ever, her voice seemed lonely.
Then, she reached with her hand to seize Rioâs hand.
[ââItâs warm.]
He noticed that he could hear such muttering.
Her face looked as if she feels relieved.
ăEuhm, then may I hear your name?ă
ăI donât know my nameă
The girl answered with her deep crimson pupils seemingly sad and shaken.
ăYou said that you donât even know your name. Then, anything that you might remember? ă
Rio asking with clearly bewildered expression.
ăIâm always on Harutoâs side. Thatâs why I want you to give me a nameă
(Always by my side)
Maybe thatâs different from the usual case since she is Rioâs contracted spirit.
Though even the person himself didnât notice it, Rio felt that he accepted this girl being with him as if natural, thatâs why he couldnât hold any antipathy.
Besides, he canât give a name due to compassion.
But, itâs an unacceptable answer of the question.
Well, Rioâs also at fault for asking such vague question.
ăYhm, itâs not unusual, I want you to tell me why you made a contract with me and, what kind of spirit you areă
Of course, though he expected that he couldnât get an answer even if he asked her, itâs her duty who became his contracted spirit before he knew, to explain it to him.
But, her troubled atmosphere told Rio that she really didnât know anything.
Rio sighed a little as he looked at that girl.
ăYour name is âŠâŠ Come to think of it, how did you know my name? ă
Now he noticed that the girl was calling him with âHarutoâ since the very beginning.
(Why did she call me with that name?)
With that kind of thought, Rio asked why she knew the name âHarutoâ.
ăBecause Haruto is Haruto right?ă
ăNo, I donât mean that âŠâŠâŠâŠă
The girl answered as if it was natural.
Rio gazed quietly at the girl.
She also stared back at Rio in silence.
Maybe because theyâre staring at each other for a while, the one who averted their eyes first was Rio.
ăUhm, so you want a name, a name that comes from me?ă
The girl nodded as her answer.
ăEven if you say that âŠâŠ.ă
Rio found himself at a loss for words.
No one will easily come up with a name if theyâre suddenly asked for it.
Moreover, he feel that it seemed to not be such a simple matter.
But, heâll certainly be in trouble if he didnât come up with name right now.
ăCan you let me think for a while?ă
Rio asked as if being troubled by it.
ăUhmă
The girl nodded.
ăWell then âŠ.. Uhm âŠâŠ though I think itâs obvious, why are you not wearing any cloth?ă
Rio asked with a flushed face as he unintentionally could imagine her naked body under the quilt of the bed even now.
ăClothâŠâŠă
After muttering that word, a dim light suddenly appeared in the room, then the girl suddenly turned over the quilt and blanket.
ăWa- WAïŒă
Rio become flustered and averted his line of sight from the girlâs eyes.
And just like that, staring intently at the wall â
ăIs this alright?ă
Rioâs timidly moved his neck as he heard those words coming from his side.
Turning his line of sight to the girl as if prodding in something unexpected, reflected in his fleeting glance was kimono-like clothing.
At that place was a spirit girl who wore a nice and tidy black one piece with frills on it.
ăEh, howâŠâŠ?ă
To be honest, he thought that she was really cute.
But, he felt an even stronger problem.
Before he noticed, the girl seized Rioâs hand â-.
ăI knitted it with odo and manaă
She said with a bit emotionless voice.
ăEh, ah, so this is the light that came out from the futon just now is âŠâŠă
He readily gave his consent.
But, even Rio didnât know how to do that.
(Making a cloth with odo and mana.)
(Is that even possible?)
Though he was puzzled with that question, now he had some bigger problems that he had to settle immediately.
ăFirst, Mi âŠâŠâŠâŠâŠ I want to solve the misunderstanding with Miharu-san but, can you help me to explain my circumstances?ă
When he thought back about the incident from some time ago, his feelings instantly became heavy, so he muttered in a low voice.
Though she wants to cooperating with him, while they might be coming together, itâs mainly Rioâs job to explain the situation.
ăâŠâŠOkayă
Though thereâs a few seconds of pause, the girl nodded slightly when she noticed that Rioâs troubled.
(It seems sheâs not a bad child)
ăUhm, Though Iâve yet to hear why you know about my name in my previous life, please keep it as a secret for now. Since Iâll tell them myself somedayă
Rio told the girl while sighing a little.
Why was the girl knowledgeable about himself in his previous life.
Itâll become trouble for Rio if she carelessly told Miharu about that.
ăUnderstoodă
The girl answered with a emotionless voice.
(Did she really understand?)
(Well she doesnât seems to be a bad child, so itâs okay, maybe)
Thinking like that, he decided to trust the girl.
Or rather, he had no choice but to believe her.
ăWell, shall we go thenă
Rio accompanied the girl walking to the lounge.
When they left the door, reflecting in his eyes are the figure of Miharu awkwardly cooking in the kitchen.
Celia was enjoying the aroma of the black tea brewed by Miharu on the sofa of the living room with a friendly smile floating on her face.
Though her hand that held the cup was trembling if one took a good look at her, not even Rio had the composure to notice that.
Somehow, Aki and Masato hadnât woken up yet.
ăEhm, guysïŒ Good morning! ă
Rio greeted them with waay too stiff voice.
ăGood morning, Rioă
Celia answered with the same friendly smile as ever.
Though he couldnât read what she was thinking of, it might be just his imagination that he shivered a little.
ăG-Good morningïŒ Uhm, Iâm currently preparing the breakfast, will you wait for a while?ă
Following right after Celia, Miharu answered Rioâs greeting from the kitchen without even looking at him.
When she made a blushing face,.he instantly understood.
ăUhmïŒ Will you hear my story for a while? Itâs about heră
Rio said that awkwardly towards Miharu as his line of sight moved towards the girl who was reserving herself behind.
Following that, he said the same thing to Celia.
And then, Miharu and Celia line of sight gathered toward the spirit girl. [Ce: So big, beautiful, and cool⊠Mi: So beautiful and graceful]
Maybe because they were unintentionally fascinated by her beauty, they looked at her with their eyes wide open.
The stillness made a silent atmosphereââ.
ăUhm, and what is it?ă
ăYeah, of course I would like such informationă
After a while, they regained themselves and each of them replied in a different language.
Miharu aside, Celia was looking at Rio with scornful eyes.
(Now unless I explain it clearly)
With that kind of decision, Rio opened his mouth and took a deep breath.
Part 9
ăFirst, is it okay if I start the explanation from Miharu-san?ă
He asked Celia permission for the order of the explanation.
ăYeah, sheâs the first witness after all. Please give a CLEAR explanationă
Maybe because sheâs dumbfounded by the lifeless atmosphere of the girl, Celia answered while sighing as if feeling tired of this event.
After telling his gratitude to Celia, Rio faced Miharu.
ăI believe that I already made a brief explanation regarding the existence called spirits before, sheâs one of themă
ăShe is âŠâŠâŠâŠ A spirit?ă
Miharu was looking at the contracted spirit girl.
Though she exuded an otherworldly beauty, no matter how you look at it she couldnât be seen as anything but human.
Their line of sight intersected.
ăMiharuâŠâŠă
And then, the spirit girl called Miharu name.
ăAh, Yeah. My name is Ayase Miharu. Uhm, and you? ă
ăI have no nameă
After muttering with a lonely voice, the girl was staring enviously at Miharu who had a name.
ăAs you hear, she has no name. Somehow or another sheâs been continuously sleeping inside my body but, even I donât understand what kind of existence she isă
Though he himself had no clear grasp on his own situation, Rio was frantically explaining to Miharu.
ăWhat I know is that sheâs somehow connected by a contract with me before I noticed. When she awakened this morning, she materialized on my side. This is my best explanation for the current situationâŠ. Can you understand until this point? ă
After finishing his explanation, heâs looked timidly at Miharuâs face.
ăUhm âŠâŠ Somehow but, I think I understand the general situationă
Thereupon Miharu chose her words carefully.
ăYouâŠâŠâŠâŠ. Believe me?ă
ăYes. Somehow I understand when I look at that childâs appearance. Moreover, I know that Haruto-san isnât the kind of person to lie without any reasonă
Miharu answered bashfully.
ăT-Thank you very muchïŒ I-Itâs definitely not a guilty conscienceïŒ ă
Rio said that passionately while turning his line of sight towards the spirit girl.
Especially for the second part.
And then Miharu giggled.
ăYeah, I know thată
Then she agreed.
Finally Rio felt relieved.
He stood still for several seconds and felt that power leaked from his body in relief.
ăUhm, nevertheless, she really is an extremely beautiful spirit rightă
Miharu spoke to the clearly exhausted Rio while sending a fleeting glance towards the spirit girl.
And then, the girlâs silently tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
ăItâs clear then?ă
Somehow the girl asked the question by using Japanese language.
Which reminded him that she spoke to Rio with Strahl region language after first making her appearance.
And yet, now sheâs also speaking in Japanese.
ăEh, you, understand our conversation?ă
Rio stared at her with a dumbfounded expression when he noticed that fact.
ăYeah, I can speak in all languages which Haruto masteredă
The girl answered with a nonchalant expression.
ăâŠâŠă
Rio was completely taken aback.
He wanted to ask the reason very much but, somehow he knew that her reply would beăI donât knowă.
ăSpirits are awesome right âŠâŠă
Somehow Miharu had the conception that it wonât be strange in what she could do if sheâs a spirit, it was a pure admiration.
Rio sighed a little.
ăUhm, theen, Iâve to explain it to Celia-sensei next. Please wait for a while too âŠâŠ. Miharu-sană
After saying that.
The spirit girl nodded.
Miharu also nodded back at her.
ăAh, Yeah. Then Iâll make breakfastă
Was her answer.
ăIâm sorryă
After apologizing to Miharu, Rio changed his line of sight towards Celia.
ăIt seems your conversation has ended. Now, will you give me a satisfactory explanation? ă
Celia showed a sullen expression while folding her arms.
ăPlease forgive me, since Iâll give a full explanation of what I understandă
Rio unintentionally smiled wryly.
Maybe because the explanation to Miharu ended safely without any accident, the confusion till some time ago vanished, Rio regained his calmness.
(And yet he explained it hurriedly to Miharu)
Celiaâs cheeks puffed a little as she felt a little vexed to that fact.
ăYeah, please thenă
Even so, Celia faced Rio while showing the façade of a daring smile.
Celia thought that herself who canât show anything but this kind of attitude isnât cute.
(I wonder what Rio feels about Miharu? Eh, No, I shouldnât think about it. Or now I wonât learn anything about this child)
Even when her thought incidentally straying from its path, Celia put her consciousness back to the spirit girl.
Though what Rio felt about Miharu is important, the absolutely beautiful girl who suddenly appeared was even more important.
In the first place, what is her relationship with Rio?
Celia face blushed when she recalled the girl lascivious figure under the blanket that she saw a while ago.
Thereupon, on that place.
ăFirst, sheâs a spirită
Rio started with his explanation.
ăEh âŠâŠ?ă
Celia line of thought halted.
Itâs just like being defeated by the pitcherâs first winning pitch.
ăSpirit, could it be that sheâs the high ranking existence that you said from before?ă
But, should it be better to say as expected, after regaining herself she instantly thought of the possibilities, so she asked that question to Rio.
ăYes. Yes, sheâs the existence that you are imagining right now. Though I think that thereâs almost no human who even sees the spirits, some of the spirits make contracts with humansă
ăContract?ă
ăItâs something like a link to strengthen the connection between human and spirit. Spirits receive odo âŠâŠâŠ theyâre receiving magical power from humans, and the human receives the help from the spirit as a paymentă
ăThough you put an interesting story for now. Judging from the flow of the story, this child should be the spirit that is contracted with Rio right? ă
ăThatâs right. As expected of senseiă
She instantly understood the point of his explanation just by revealing a bit of information.
Truly a genius conversation partner.
ăJ-Just because you flatter me, donât expect that will help youïŒ So, why was this child in your room with that kind of appearance? ă
Though she almost got herself coaxed by Rioâs words which made her happy, she has yet to get the explanation for the reason why the girl was inside of his room with that kind of appearance.
ăEven I didnât know the reason for that. This child was always in a deep sleep state even while under a contract with me. And before I noticed, she just suddenly appeared on my bed this morning âŠâŠâŠ.ă
ăHo~h, REALLY?ă
Celia sent a sharp gaze to Rio.
ăI sweară
Rio gave a clear answer.
ăItâs not because of a GUILTY conscience right?ă
ăO-Of course itâs not âŠ..ă
Though the feeling of the girlâs breast and naked body is waaay too vivid in his fleeting thoughts, which was after all an act of God.
Rio was drenched in cold sweat as he tried to persuade her.
ăHu~mâŠâŠă
Celiaâs looking at Rio with a piercing line of sight.
ăAhahaâŠâŠ Well, after that there is nothing but to believe me. Please ask the story for this child herself if you canât believe meă
ăâŠâŠItâs okay. I believe youă
Celia muttered in a low voice turning her face as if sheâs sulking.
She didnât have any intention to doubt Rio.
Because she knows that thereâs no way Rio would force his way on that girl against her own will.
But, even if she trusts him, an unpleasant matter is still an unpleasant matter.
Though Celia somehow understood that this feeling is jealousy, itâs the first time in her life that she finds it difficult to comply with that feeling.
ăWell, when I think about it, the situation is just too ridiculous indeedă
Celia sipped the black tea that Miharu made to calm her mind and then managed to say that.
(Could it be that Iâm the jealous type of girl? U~h, I canât do it. I canât calm my heart)
Thatâs what she though while taking a deep breath.
ăWell then, I wonder whatâs the name of this child?ă
Celia inquired the girls name.
ăThe truth is, she doesnât have a nameă
ăIs that so?ă
ăYes. Since the person herself said thată
ăU~hm, but isnât it pitiful to have no name. You canât do that, think of a nice name for heră
ăIâm also thinking about it since it seems she wants a name tooă
ăIt seems she herself is conscious about something like a name. More or less, come with something easy and befitting for her. Though I think thereâs no need to think so hard about it. What name do you think is fitting for you? ă
Celia asked while sending a fleeting glance at the spirit girl.
The girl fell into silence for a while.
ăAnything is okay if itâs a name from Harutoă
Was her answer.
ăShe really likes you doesnât sheă
Celiaâs looked at Rio with half-opened eyes.
ăAhahaă
Rio replied with an awkward laugh.
ăUhm, though Itâll be a great help to me if you tell me something that you likeă
And then, Rio asked the girl.
ăâŠ.. I like Haruto, youâre the most important thing to meă
So the girl answered.
ăLike me and, most important thing âŠâŠâŠă
What came first into his mind was Miharu.
Maybe because of that.
He immediately recalled of one name.
ăAishia[ăąă€ă·ăą] âŠâŠâŠâŠ how about that name?ă
Aishia was a word in ancient Seirei no Tami language which meant âWarm Springâ.
Itâs from the word âHaru[æ„]â of âMiharu[çŸæ„]â as a reminder of that name.
Her hair color is a light pink colored hair like that of sakura petals which made him think that the name was strangely fitting for her.
ăAishia. Okayă
And then, the girl immediately replied.
ăAre you okay with that? Though I think we can think of other options if we think with the others âŠâŠ.ă
ăUhn. Aishia is goodă
The girlâs didnât show that much emotion on her face after awakening.
But, only this time she felt an unusually strong will from the girl.
ăWell, if youâre okay with that name butâŠâŠ.ă
Rio looked at the girl a little surprised.
And then, itâs just an instant, Rio saw that girl smiling delightfully.
ăWell, best regard then, Aishiaă
ăYeah. Best regard. Harutoă
Aishia nodded back at him.
ăMy name is Cecilia Claire. Best regard, Aishiaă
ăBest regard. Celiaă
Aishia returned Celiaâs greeting with her beautiful and transparent-like voice but with the same inhuman-like tone as ever.
ăWell then, Iâll introduce everyone again during breakfastă
Thereâs still two dwellers who had yet to meet Aishia.
He has to introduce her to them if sheâll be living in this house from now on.
ăYeah. Aki and Masatoă
ăYou know about them âŠâŠâŠă
What Aishia knew, or what she didnât know.
Thereâs a need to confirm it a little.
While thinking that, Rio who was about to throw a question to Aishia.
ăGood morningă
Was interrupted
Aki appeared in the living room with a drowsy face.
ăMorni~ngă
And Masato followed her almost at the same time appearing in the living room.
ăEh, that person isâŠâŠ?ă
Aki immediately spoke with questioning words when she noticed Aishia.
ăAh, sheâsââă
When Rio tried to introduce Aishia to Aki-tachi.
At that time.
ăThe meals are ready, Haruto-sană
Miharu called that the breakfast is done.
ăAh, so Aki-chan and Masato-kun have already woken up. Good morningă
ăGood morning. Miharu-oneechană
ăMorni~ng. Miharu-neechană
This is the usual morning and that was the usual spectacle.
Though the dwellers in this place will increase by one person after today, this habit wonât change.
Rio was looking at that scene with a smiling face.
Before he knew, Aishia who was standing beside him sent him a fleeting glance at his face.
(Thereâs something that I donât quite understand but)
Right, after all, There are still many things about Aishia that he has yet to understand even though she awakened.
Though there were so many things that he wanted to ask when she awakened, the world wonât just easily let that happen.
But ââââ.
ăStill, itâs not bad eitheră
Rio muttered with a face that was full with a delighted smile.
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