shc45_C45:Chapter 45: Grown-up Concerns, Childhood Privileges

Chapter 45: Grown-up Concerns, Childhood Privileges

It didn’t seem like a terrible idea to leave the house when Regulus-kun went out, but it turned out that not being home when he returned caused quite the mess.

After I left for the concert, Regulus came back first from his own extracurricular lesson. The first thing he did was look for me.

Apparently, he had found a beautifully glowing stone during sword practice and had been so excited to show it to me. But I was out.

And that’s when the escape attempts and dramatic sobbing began.

Utsunomiya-san and Rottenmeier-san managed to calm him down somehow, but he was so full of energy they were both practically knocked out by the time I returned.

Toddler stamina is terrifying.

So after that, I gave dirt-covered Regulus-kun a bath, we had dinner together, and for some reason, he ended up sleeping in my bed.

Regulus-kun, you can sleep alone just fine, can’t you? Let’s do that.

I was so worried about rolling over and squashing him in my sleep that I barely got any rest myself.

By the way, that glowing stone he brought back turned out to be sea glass—glass smoothed and rounded by drifting in rivers or on the beach. Green, clear, even red and purple ones… I thought they’d be super cute if made into accessories.

Groggy from a lack of sleep, I let Regulus drag me by the hand on our usual morning visit to Her Highness.

As expected, Her Highness’s eyes narrowed sharply the moment she saw me.

“Did I not tell you to take care of your health?”

“Ah… I’m terribly sorry. There were some circumstances…”

Uh-oh. Now her brow is furrowing.

While I was wondering how best to explain, Regulus-kun let go of my hand, toddled up to Her Highness, and knelt politely before her.

“Ree… I slept in Anii-ue’s bed, so Anii-ue didn’t sleep well.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Well, as you can see, I’m not exactly small… I was worried I’d crush him in my sleep.”

“…Indeed. You are more delicate than you appear.”

Hmm… am I?

Sleeping with someone else is always nerve-wracking, if you ask me.

Still, Her Highness seemed appeased.

Taking the chance, I told her the whole story—from the incident with Maria-san to why I ended up sleeping with Regulus-kun. When I mentioned we’d shared the peach Her Highness had given me, her eyes opened wide.

“You… you shared the peach I gave you?”

“Y-yes…”

Wait—was I not supposed to?

When she said to share with Regulus, I thought she meant just that. I didn’t think she meant only with Regulus, just the two of us. Was it wrong to include everyone?

Just as I was about to apologize, Her Highness shook her head.

“No need to apologize. In fact… it may be I who owes you an apology.”

“Huh?”

Why?

As I blinked in surprise, Her Highness covered her mouth with her silk fan, looking deeply troubled. She was clearly shaken.

Her red lips, visible through the fan’s folds, trembled as she spoke.

“Hotaru… Did you truly not know what the peach I gave you was?”

“Um… I thought it was a delicious heavenly peach used in celestial liquors, great for health and healing injuries quickly…”

“…I see. I fear I may have treated you a bit too much like an adult. It completely slipped my mind that, as a child, there are things you simply wouldn’t know.”

Letting out a small groan, Her Highness lowered her eyes—not in anger, but in regret.

After a long pause, she spoke again.

“That peach is called a Sentō—a divine peach. In the human realm, it is said to grant immortality.”

“I-immortality!?”

“Indeed. In reality, even a single bite heals even mortal wounds, restores stamina and spirit, and draws out one’s hidden talents. It may even rejuvenate the body slightly. However, if you eat a whole peach, your body reverts to its prime—hence the illusion of immortality.”

“You gave me something that powerful!?”

“In the heavens, they are plentiful, so you needn’t worry. However… in the human realm, people have killed friends and deceived family over such a fruit. That is why, even though I said to share it with your chick”—she meant Regulus—“I assumed you’d only share it with him. I never imagined you’d give it to others as well.”

“I… I didn’t realize it was so special… It just tasted so good, I thought everyone should have some…”

“I am not blaming you. To me, it was no more than what I had explained to you. However, I knew well the value that Sentō holds for humans. I simply never imagined you’d share it so freely… In that, I underestimated you. I assumed no human child would give up such a treasure.”

So… I guess most people would keep such a powerful fruit to themselves.

Had I known its true nature, maybe I would have too. But not knowing, I just treated it as a delicious and healthy fruit.

Sharing it didn’t seem strange at the time.

Her Highness frowned deeply, lines creasing her perfect forehead.

“Well, I mean, if I’d known it was that amazing, maybe I would’ve kept it for myself!”

“Perhaps. Or perhaps you still would have shared it. Either way, the truth remains—I held an unconscious bias. I thought, ‘humans are selfish creatures,’ and I applied that thinking to you. Forgive me, I misjudged you.”

No, really, you don’t need to apologize!

As I flailed inwardly, she pointed her fan at me with a sigh.

“You are… dangerous.”

“Dangerous?”

“You are clever. You speak with adults as equals, and sometimes say things that even leave them speechless. Yet, you lack knowledge in crucial areas.”

“…Have I said something rude to you, Your Highness?”

Everyone—Her Highness included—always listens to me kindly. Maybe I’ve grown too used to that… Maybe I’ve been getting ahead of myself.

I fidgeted with the hem of my blouse. Her Highness gave a small, regretful shake of the head.

“No, not at all. In fact, the fault lies with the adults. Because you understand things so well, I forgot you’re still just a five-year-old. I assumed you knew what a Sentō was. That’s why I underestimated you.”

That… almost sounds like praise?

But it’s also kind of… not?

I was getting a bit confused.

Then, Regulus-kun, who had come back at some point, grabbed my hand tightly.

I looked down to find my own bewildered face reflected in his big eyes.

“Because you’re so bright, adults forget you’re still a child, and they expect you to behave like one of them. But you are still a child. It’s only natural you can’t do everything an adult can. But your cleverness hides that, and people stop seeing the child.”

“A mask… So being treated like an adult becomes a kind of mask?”

“Exactly. That cleverness of yours hides the fact that you’re still a child. And so adults begin to expect things from you they’d never expect of another five-year-old.”

I wasn’t sure.

I didn’t think anyone had asked me to do more than I could manage.

But Her Highness nodded solemnly.

“You are likely surrounded by good adults. Evidence of that is in the way you share with others. And even though you see me every day, no one makes a fuss. Your life remains peaceful.”

“Oh… that’s true.”

I may be a bit clueless at times, but I do know it’s rare to meet a god this often.

And yet, those who know don’t stir up trouble. They’ve chosen silence.

I was being protected without even realizing it.

Her Highness let out another sigh.

“You didn’t realize, did you?”

“No… I’m ashamed to say I didn’t notice at all.”

“It’s alright. You’re still a child. It’s natural not to realize such things. But that is also what makes it dangerous.”

“Dangerous… because I didn’t notice?”

“No.”

She shook her head.

Then what?

I tilted my head, but no answer came.

“The fact that you didn’t notice proves you are still a child. That’s not a bad thing. As I said—adults, with their longer lives and more interactions, are more likely to develop the ability to read the room. A child of five noticing something even a twenty-year-old might miss? That would be abnormal.”

“So… my reaction now isn’t strange for a five-year-old?”

“Correct. But if you were an adult, it would show a lack of consideration, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, yeah… Wait—huh?”

“Now do you see what I mean by ‘mask’?”

I only realized how much I was protected when it was pointed out to me. I lack awareness of others because I’m five—and that’s natural. But if I were an adult, it would be unacceptable.

And because I’m treated as more than five, people might expect adult reactions from me. If I react like a real five-year-old, they might be disappointed.

But Her Highness is saying that if anyone is disappointed, that’s their fault, not mine.

I don’t think the people around me would ever be like that, though.

Maybe reading my thoughts, Her Highness waved her fan.

“You are lucky to be surrounded by such good people. Cherish them.”

“I will!”

Yay! Romanov-sensei, Rottenmeier-san—everyone! Her Highness just praised you all!

…Wait, focus.

Then what exactly is this “danger” she spoke of?

I think it must be this:

“I didn’t know what the peach was. So I shared it with others. And that, in itself, was dangerous.”

“Yes.”

She snapped her fan against her hand.

Then, pointing it at me again, she smiled with a grace that shimmered like silk.

“This time, because you didn’t know what the ‘peach’ truly was, there was no uproar. But had there been one of those ‘despicable types’ I often speak of nearby… don’t you think it could’ve ended very badly?”

“Someone might have tried to use me… to get their hands on the Sentō.”

“Exactly. You are clever, but there are always those more cunning. A sweet smile may mask a devious intent. This time, you were lucky. But you may not always be. Do you know how to prevent that?”

“…Study more?”

“Correct. But studying alone isn’t enough.”

“Learning alone isn’t enough…”

Then what am I missing?

Frowning in thought, I felt Regulus-kun rub my forehead with his fingers.

Why do he and Romanov-sensei always smooth out my brow when I frown?

Is this… a ritual?

One I don’t know?

I took his tiny hand and gave it a gentle squeeze in return.

His bright laughter warmed my heart.

Ah… no! I’m getting distracted!

I give up.

“Your Highness, what should I do?”

“Exactly that—ask when you don’t know.”

“…Huh?”

“‘Huh?’ indeed. If you don’t understand, just ask. Consult someone. You’re a child—leave the hard stuff to adults. You’re surrounded by good ones. Rely on them.”

Wait… that’s the answer?

Stunned, I blinked at her.

Her Highness snorted gently.

“You once said humans are like plants, did you not? Plants take in nutrients from the soil—their mother—to bear fruit. Likewise, children draw nourishment from adults to grow. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I guess not…?”

“Of course not. Otherwise, they’d never grow at all. Mind you, if the mother dies, the plant withers too—so don’t push your luck.”

“That’s… dark…”

Her bluntness was kind of terrifying.

Clearing her throat, Her Highness covered her mouth with her fan again.

“Besides, you already have an elven mentor. Elves—because they live long—accumulate vast amounts of knowledge and experience. They’re the ideal guides. If not for their personalities, that is. Arrogant and insufferable, the lot of them.”

“…Didn’t you just casually insult elves?”

“It can’t be helped. They walk around like politeness and pride wrapped in skin. Elves look down on humans. Usually they won’t even give you the time of day. That’s why I thought—before I knew your household situation—that you must have had a very loving family to find one who treats you kindly.”

“May I ask why you thought that?”

“It’s obvious. Elves are few, and even fewer don’t despise humans. To find one like that takes effort—effort you wouldn’t make unless it were for someone you dearly loved.”

…I had no idea.

I really didn’t know anything.

No, I hadn’t even tried to know.

It’s true—my parents don’t love me.

But there were people who gave me more love than I ever realized.

And I hadn’t understood any of it.

A sharp pang struck my heart, and I clutched the front of my blouse tightly.

 

 Eun here: OKAY I TAKE IT BACK ONE MORE CHAPTER. C46 then I'M DONE. Why? CAUSE of C46's big reveal. kind of~

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