SHC07_C7 When in the Presence of Power, Wrap Yourself Up Without Shame

 

C7_When in the Presence of Power, Wrap Yourself Up Without Shame

The sky was clear and bright—it was a perfect morning for gardening.

It was early summer now, and the very first morning glory of the season had just bloomed. After finishing my chores in the vegetable garden, I went out for my usual morning stroll.

As I walked, I sang the same cheerful tune I always did. Birds fluttered down to listen, and even a curious fox and tanuki poked their heads out from behind the hedges.

The truth is, the Kikunoi estate is pretty deep in the countryside—about a ten-day carriage ride from the Imperial Capital.

Most of the locals here are farmers, living almost entirely off what they grow. The second-largest “industry,” oddly enough, is adventuring.

Calling it an “industry” might be a bit of a stretch, but aside from farming, the only other way to make a living here is slaying monsters in the forest or dungeon crawling in the nearby mountains. It’s a rough life.

Still, the dungeon in the Kikunoi territory occasionally yields a rare metal called Hihi’irokane. Even if you don’t find that, there are magical stones, monster hides, meat, bones—plenty of valuable resources.

If you're lucky, you could strike it rich.

That’s why so many aspire to be adventurers here.

But does that mean the town prospers from all the adventurers?

Not really.

Despite being boring and remote, this territory apparently has heavier taxes than most rural areas. So once adventurers make some money in the dungeon, they pack up and leave for other towns.

So no, the guilds and inns aren’t exactly booming. What a waste.

As I wandered through these thoughts, I reached the farthest corner of the garden—Hyakka Koushu’s usual place.

The wild roses were gone today. In their place, a single peony swayed gently in the breeze, its luxurious scent carried on the wind.

“So you’ve finally come. Making a goddess wait—how disgraceful, you little brat.”

“My deepest apologies.”

“Hmph. You were off admiring the first morning glory of the season, weren’t you? That was the flower spirit paying respects to me.”

She spoke proudly—if this were my old world, I’d say she was smug.

As I gave my usual uninspired responses (“oh,” “I see…”), she jabbed her elegant fan at me.

“Now sing. A hymn to the gods first.”

“U-Understood…”

The song I chose was from a musical in the other world, where a bar singer on the run from bad people finds shelter in a convent. In exchange for food and protection, she teaches the nuns how to sing.

It’s a hymn honoring a holy queen.

It was meant to be sung in chorus, so my solo version lacked impact—but I always thought the melody was beautiful.

When I finished, the goddess smirked faintly.

“Hmm. Not bad. But your pitch is weak, brat.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Well, I suppose I can overlook it, since you haven’t had proper training…”

What did I do now? Did I offend her?

My heart pounded until she waved her fan gently.

“Your magical nerves have settled. Try singing while being aware of them. You should be able to adjust your pitch better.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

“Sing the hymn again.”

I did. Then again. And again.

By the fifth try, she was scowling.

Did I mess up that badly?

But then she said:

“It’s not you, so relax.”

“…Huh?”

Wait, it’s just us here, isn’t it?

I looked around—and suddenly, clouds gathered over this one corner of the garden.

The rest of the sky was still a flawless blue.

What’s happening?

Then she beckoned me.

“Come, child. Are you curious about the heavens? I wouldn’t mind taking you there…”

Her lips curled up—but her eyes did not smile.

Oh no. This is scary.

But refusing a goddess feels even scarier.

I was spiraling into panic when the bushes rustled behind me.

Between the branches, I spotted pointed ears and golden hair—

“Professor Romanov!?”

His emerald eyes, usually so relaxed and teasing, now looked sharp and serious.

How long had he been hiding in the shrubs?

While my thoughts spun in confusion, the professor dropped to one knee and bowed deeply to the goddess.

It was absurd how good he looked doing it—like a painting.

“Please forgive my intrusion. I am this child’s tutor.”

“Oh?”

She raised one brow and glanced my way, silently asking for confirmation.

I nodded quickly.

“And what does a mere tutor want?”

“Earlier, I overheard that you were considering bringing my student to the heavens. I feared for their safety and dared to appear before you.”

“You were skulking around even before that. Were you trying to spy on me?”

“I swear, that was never my intent. Last night, my student told me about receiving your blessing. But they looked… uneasy. I couldn’t get that look out of my head…”

“Uneasy, were they…”

She waved her fan again, releasing a delicious floral scent.

Her gaze pierced me, and I couldn’t look back.

I couldn’t tell her the songs were from another world! That would be a disaster!

As I nervously fidgeted with my shirt hem, she lightly tapped my forehead with her fan.

“I see. You were worried about something so small? Silly child.”

“…Huh?”

“He was worried because I had him sing songs from another world.”

“Another world…?”

Romanov’s expression froze.

Well, yeah. “There’s a goddess, by the way” is one thing. “She knows about parallel worlds” is another.

She pointed her fan directly at him.

“I adore music and art. That’s why I have ties to gods from other worlds. I learned some of their songs and taught them to this child. He’s not much to look at, but his voice is good. Untrained, yet talented—I saw potential.”

“I see…”

“But the little brat had the nerve to say he didn’t know who I was.”

She laughed mischievously. Romanov paled.

I’M SORRY FOR BEING A DUMB KID, OKAY!?

“That was… our failure as adults. He bears no fault.”

“He admitted he never listened to adults before. But that’s fine. He’s thoughtful enough now to be afraid of singing without permission.”

“…Yes, he’s that kind of child. That makes sense…”

While I silently watched the conversation ping between them, it started swinging in my favor. Lucky!

…But I couldn’t enjoy it. Because I was deceiving him. And letting the goddess cover for me.

Guilt. Crushing, unbearable guilt.

She must’ve sensed it—because she bonked me lightly on the forehead.

“Stop overthinking. I said I don’t mind, didn’t I? Don’t get all tangled in nonsense.”

“S-Sorry…”

“No need to apologize. I’m having fun. But—I do require an apology from this elf for his rudeness.”

Her chin lifted with commanding grace.

Romanov bowed deeply again, forehead to the grass.

I just stood there uselessly between them, eyes darting back and forth.

Then the goddess winked at me.

“Elf. From now on, you’ll say you taught him those songs.”

“…May I ask why?”

“If word spreads that I taught him, there’ll be a fuss. But if an elf taught him, no one will question ancient songs. He needs to train publicly, and a divine backstory would attract too much attention.”

“So… you wish me to guide him in refining his talent.”

“Precisely.”

“…Understood.”

Romanov gave a solemn nod.

The storm clouds dissipated instantly.

Sunlight sparkled once again over the garden—and Hyakka Koushu was already gone.

Thank you!

I shouted the words silently in my heart.

Then—squeeze.

I flinched as warm fingers gripped my hand.

Romanov smiled gently, his hand enveloping mine.

“Let’s return to the house.”

“Okay…”

His hand was big, warm, and gentle. I didn’t remember this feeling well.

Maybe… this is what it feels like to hold a father’s hand.

That thought made my mouth go all wobbly.

We reached the manor hand-in-hand, only for Ms. Rottenmeier to rush in, face pale, holding two sheets of paper.

“Urgent news! The Master and Mistress are returning!”

Whaaaat!? Now!?

Eunie: Thanks for reading~

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