I’m currently sitting on the ground.
“…”
“…”
Reina is looking down at me, and the girl is holding her leg.
As for Katima, who came back with me, she’s choosing to not get involved, and took refuge away from us.
“Well then, can you explain what is going on?”
“Before that, I want to do something about this whole composition and the misunderstandings that are going on in it.”
“Are there misunderstandings?”
“…”
Actually, what could be called a misunderstanding?
It all started when we came to the alfar village, and discovered that they were in danger because the great spirits disappeared.
We went to see them to figure out why, talked to them, and heard their situation.
A new great spirit was born, and they wanted to be the ones looking after her, but I took on that role, and the issue was settled.
They’re not back yet because Miss Sheryl is punishing them, but it’s a matter of time.
“Arata… What misunderstandings?”
“I guess there really aren’t any.”
It’s just that I also don’t see why she would be angry…
“Mommy, did daddy do something wrong?”
“No, daddy just likes to sit on his legs like that.”
“Wai…!?”
The girl then turns to me like she’s wondering if that’s true.
“Yes, actually… Hahahah.”
“I see!”
I laugh vaguely, and she accepts it.
It’s troubling, but I don’t have the words to explain this situation to her.
“I need to speak with Arata, I mean daddy, so can you go play over there?”
“…Uu…”
Reina says as she points to Katima, and the girl doesn’t look too happy.
Katima looks surprised, like she’s saying ‘she’s dragging me into it’.
“If you’re a good girl, we can play later.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Reina pats the girl’s small head, with the gentle air of a real mom around her.
“Then I’ll go over there.”
The girl obliges, and goes over to Katima.
Katima looks up at the sky, like she’s both feeling like it’s an honor to play with an esteemed great spirit, and like her life is in danger.
“Well then…”
“Sorry.”
“I haven’t said anything yet. Did you do something that warrants an apology?”
Reina turns her eyes away from the girl and to me, with her hands on her hips and an exasperated expression on her face.
“I’m not even mad in the first place, so you don’t need to sit like that.”
“Really?”
“You’re a grown man, don’t ask questions like that girl.”
“Uu…”
I guess that really was childish.
I know a grown adult shouldn’t be like that, but I can’t help it with Reina.
Anyway, she’s not mad, so I get up, and look at the girl and Katima.
“So, can you explain from the start?”
“Yes…”
I tell Reina everything about how we got to the temple of the darkness great spirit, and everything that happened there, and her face tells me she’s thinking ‘I knew it’.
“And that’s why I’m looking after this newborn great spirit. Reina? What’s that face?”
“Nothing, I’m just thinking about how you’re Arata everywhere you go.”
What does that mean? Well, I’m sure if I asked I wouldn’t like the answer, so let’s leave it at that.
“A great spirit… I’ve read about them and heard legends, but I never thought I would see one.”
“Is it that incredible?”
“I can’t even tell you how much. Anyone would assume I was lying if I said I met a great spirit.”
“…”
I feel like there’s a subtle bite to her words, but am I imagining it?
“You don’t seem that surprised.”
“Well, I’m pretty used to this island at this point.”
Divine beast people, ancient dragons, true ancestral vampires…
I guess everyone we’ve met on this island goes well beyond what Reina considers common, so she’s getting used to it.
“I’m more surprised about being called mommy… Not that I hate it or anything…”
She says quietly, like she’s kind of embarrassed.
Maybe I wasn’t supposed to hear it, but my ears are good…
“Anyway, I understand that you’re looking after her.”
“Sorry for not talking to you about it.”
“It’s fine. It looks like she’s taken to you, and I’d feel bad about tearing her away.”
I look at her, and the girl is laughing while pulling Katima’s thick hair.
Also, the ground beneath her feet is a bit frozen and looks unstable… Ah, Katima just slipped.
Tears well up in her eyes, but the girl thinks that’s funny and keeps pulling her hair while laughing.
It looks like she’s being a good playmate to her.
“So what’s her name?”
“Eh?”
“Eh?”
Then there’s silence.
Now that I think about it, I didn’t ask her name, or I guess no one there named her.
“A name is very important.”
She smiles, but her cheeks are twitching.
Ah, not good. This is what she looks like when she’s most mad…
“There were five people there, right?”
“Y-yes…”
Me, Katima, Miss Sheryl, Mister Guen, and Mister Giarth.
Maybe it’s not that important for beings that live long lives, like great spirits. But I guess Katima and I should’ve cared more.
“It’s not like you can’t give her a name, right?”
“Yes. I’m taking care of her, so I should be able to…”
We both look at the girl and Katima.
Katima’s on the frozen ground, being pulled like a sleigh.
At this point she’s just letting the girl do whatever, like she reached the point of enlightenment where she doesn’t care. The girl on the other hand looks like she’s having a lot of fun.
“…Let’s go to the elder’s home. Then we can give her a name she likes.”
“Agreed.”
Not to mention that I’m starting to get worried about Katima.
Even Reina, who was mad at her for not thinking about a name, is concerned.
We step on the frozen ground, and save Katima from being played with like a toy.
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