NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38 - Chat Time with the Spirit-san
Chat Time with the Spirit-san
“Spiwwit-shan?”
『Spiwwit-shan? Spiwwit-shan?』
“What kind of spiwwit-shan are you?”
『What kind of spiwwit-shan are you?』
Are you an echo?
Right now I’m Meg, currently at a loss for words, unable to have a proper conversation. But at least the spirit was responding without fleeing, so was this progress? I was dying to know what kind of spirit this was.
『Spiwwit-shan? Spiwwit-shan?』
The spirit floated around me, its light flickering playfully, while I was pondering with my arms crossed, “Mmm…” Its light seemed to be getting brighter. It looked like it was having fun, maybe that was why?
『Do as you like! Do as you like!』
“!”
The spirit’s voice suddenly changed. Until just now, it had been mimicking me, using my voice, and now it was mimicking Reki, using his voice. I couldn’t help but glance at Reki.
“…What?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Flustered, I averted my gaze and returned to observing the spirit. Wait, could this be… that spirit? But does such a spirit even exist? It didn’t sound familiar…
But for some reason, I felt like I had to say it. Maybe this was what Schlie-san meant by “you’ll understand when the time comes.” So, following my heart, I said to the spirit,
“Are you the ‘Voice’ spiwwit-shan?”
『! 』
A surge of joy washed over me. And the spirit’s light intensified, swirling around me as it flew. Whoa, beautiful…
“What the—!?”
Perhaps sensing the change, Reki went into battle mode, so I hurriedly explained,
“The spiwwit-shan is… just happy! It’s okii!”
Hearing my words, Reki raised a single eyebrow skillfully. He couldn’t see spirits, so he probably didn’t understand what was going on. He still seemed a bit tense, but he seemed to accept it for now.
『Happy! Happy! Thank you! 』
“Th-That’s the first time I’ve heard… your voice…”
I was touched that the voice, which had been mimicking others until now, was now speaking with its own voice. Was this communication?
『Yep! I’m so happy it got through! We spirits can communicate if someone can guess what kind of spirit we are!』
I-Is that so? Does that mean that the spirits always floating around me could talk to me if I could just guess their names?
『Yes! Yes!』
Wait? Are you reading my mind? I tilted my head, and it replied, “I can kinda tell!” Spirits are amazing.
Hmm? Does that mean… it could also tell that I was mentally in my late twenties? Would it realize that my mind and body were different?
I glanced at the Voice Spirit and then at Reki. I wanted to ask it about this, but I needed a change of scenery. It would be better to do it in a private space, just the two of us. …But that’s not possible. I doubt they’d leave a little girl alone. Everyone was a little overprotective, in a good way.
『Meg, you’re different. But both your body and your heart are yours. But I can’t tell you the details… unless we make a contract!』
The Voice Spirit said this just as I was struggling. S-So that’s how it is? The part about my body being mine was what confused me. But I don’t remember being born in this body…
I tried to deny it in my mind, but the Voice Spirit just kept repeating, “It’s yours!” Well, maybe because this body’s name was “Meg,” that made it mine?
But a contract, huh? Meaning it might know the details if it was my first contracted spirit. My first contracted spirit… As I looked at the pale pink light, the Voice Spirit suddenly dimmed it. Eh? Did it dislike that spirit?
『I don’t dislike it! But… it’s no good!』
“Why not?”
I asked, but the spirit only repeated that it was no good. Hmm, wouldn’t it tell me why? I wasn’t planning on choosing it right away, but there was no denying that it was the one that had caught my attention from the beginning. So I thought it was the most likely candidate.
『It’s scary… It’s no good. I’ll get scolded!』
“Scolded? By who?”
『The elf! The male elf! 』
Huh? There’s only one male elf I know. As soon as that person came to mind, the Voice Spirit let out a scream, “Kyaa!” and flew away.
“It’s… gone…”
I was so confused… But I did learn a few things. Or rather, I understood how to learn things. This is getting complicated…
Firstly, I needed to choose a spirit to form my first contract with. Because I might gain some insight into my situation once I did. Spirits seemed to be able to sense a person’s heart, their true nature. I’m not entirely sure, though.
Secondly, it seemed like I should consult with Schlie-san about the spirit I should choose for my first contract. The Voice Spirit had said it was scared of Schlie-san and even let out a “Kyaa!” but it felt less like fear and more like the emotions you’d direct towards a boss, teacher, or parent.
It would be best to ask Schlie-san, considering all that. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Schlie-san today. He’s probably busy with work.
“Are you done?”
I was still sitting there, spacing out after the spirit left, when Reki spoke. That’s right, I was keeping him waiting.
“Yesh. It’s okii now. Thank you…”
I stood up, but the places where I’d injured myself when I fell earlier hurt, and I stumbled. I’d completely forgotten about it, about the pain, so I was startled. How careless can I be?
So, when I stumbled, naturally, I grabbed onto something nearby, right? I was relieved that I didn’t fall. And then, I looked up to see what I was holding onto…
“…………”
…And locked eyes with Reki, who was glaring intensely! Eek! Of all things, I’d grabbed onto his thigh! You’re quite muscular! Wait, no.
“I-I-I-I’m sho shawry—Hyaa!?”
I tried to apologize, but before I could finish, I felt myself being lifted and let out a silly shriek. Wh-What’s happening!?
“It’s a bit early, but since a certain idiot got injured, we’re having lunch.”
Saying that, Reki started walking briskly. And me? I was being carried under Reki’s right arm… my arms and legs dangling.
This was his way of being considerate, right? R-Right…? But this carry was a recipe for disaster if it was after a meal. A Carry Master’s worst nightmare! However! I was in no position to complain to Reki right now. No point in resisting, I’d just be quiet and well-behaved…
And so, I was carried, dangling precariously, by Reki to the cafeteria. Ugh, I’m starting to feel nauseous…