Volume  4

Chapter 01: Melody of Autumn

A year has passed, and I’ve become a second-year student.

Time has shifted from summer to autumn.

It’s a three-day weekend in October.

Throughout this year, I actively participated in various events. For example, I enjoyed moon-viewing with Aya-chan, had Christmas parties, was invited to a Christmas party at Nina-chan’s house, and went to the first shrine visit of the year together.

As time passed, I continued to exorcise various monsters. While I felt that I had grown stronger, I feared that spending too much time away from battling monsters might make me forget that sense of strength.

I also made efforts to learn new magic. For example, I used my “Guiding Thread Silvate,” a technique I developed at the age of five, to control human-shaped models and learn swordsmanship and martial arts to fight against myself. I learned about “Ice Magic” from Aya-chan and the snow Princess and was taught “Fairy Magic” by Nina-chan.

However, I still cannot use “Ice Magic.” Perhaps it’s similar to my “Lightning Magic” and can only be used when resonating with monsters.

During this three-day weekend, I wanted to learn new magic, but unfortunately, Aya-chan was away on a business trip with Renji-san, and Nina-chan was out shopping with Irena-san. As for my mother and Hina, they had gone to look at school backpacks in preparation for Hina’s enrollment in elementary school next year. Time flies too fast.

I thought about when I went to buy Christmas presents… but buying a school backpack for Christmas is quite late. It’s surprising that they’re doing it now. Apparently, nowadays, you buy it a year in advance or something like that.

Left alone in my house’s yard, I practiced swordsmanship and tried out new footwork against a human-shaped model.

This diligent practice wasn’t just about getting stronger; it was also about not getting weak.

People can become weak easily. It takes a week of not using magic to lose touch with the sensation. It takes a week of inactivity to lose touch with the body’s senses. That time can be a deadly blow.

That’s why I wielded my sword to avoid forgetting the things I had accumulated so far.

As I practiced with the human-shaped model, I was called out from the side.

“You’re working hard, Itsuki.”

“Ah, Nina-chan.”

As I momentarily glanced away, the human-shaped model I controlled with “Lightning Magic” sprang up, and its wooden sword thrust straight at me.

Reflexively, I returned my gaze and dispelled the magic, narrowly avoiding the attack.

… That was close.

I breathed a sigh of relief and released the “Guiding Thread Silvate” from the human-shaped model.

Today’s practice was risky.

Being alone makes me a little careless, but even so, it’s dangerous to be complacent.

I used “Guiding Thread Silvate” to pull a towel from the veranda and wiped off the sweat as I turned back to Nina-chan.

Along with Nina-chan, Irena-san had come as well.

“Long time no see, Itsuki-san.”

“Y-yes. It’s been a while.”

I gave a slight bow, and Irena-san smiled. It seemed that the mother-daughter relationship had improved compared to last year, and they came holding hands.

“We came today because we have something to discuss with Kaede-san. Is she here?”

“My mom?”

Kaede is my mother’s name.

Well, it’s true that Irena-san is like mom’s friend, so it’s not surprising that she might have something to discuss, but… I wonder what it is?

“My mom went to see backpacks for Hina, so I don’t think she’ll be back yet.”

“…I see. When do you think she’ll be back?”

“Huh?”

I glanced at the clock, and it was 3 o’clock. She probably won’t be back until around 4 o’clock.

“I see. If you tell me, I could relay it to my mother.”

“Well… It’s something very important, and I wanted to tell Kaede-san properly.”

As Irena-san said that, she looked unusually serious.

It’s unusual to see Irena-san with such a serious expression.

Now that I think about it, I can’t recall a time when Irena-san looked serious about anything except related to Nina-chan.

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating.

… Huh? So, could today’s business be related to Nina-chan?

“Maybe my mom won’t be back for about an hour, so please come inside. I’ll make some tea!”

“Really? In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Saying that, I guided Nina-chan and Irena-san to the entrance.

“Can you make tea, Itsuki?”

“Y-yeah, well…”

I stuttered a little in response to Nina-chan’s question.

Because Nina-chan is an elementary school student who enjoys making tea as a hobby, while I used to be a working adult and have never even made tea.

Can I make tea? It’s hard to say.

I’ve only done it a few times in my past and current lives, right?

You just put the tea leaves in the teapot and pour hot water over it, right?

… That’s probably too simplistic of an assumption.

Still, I don’t know any other way, so I guided the two of them to what could be called the living room, where there’s a low table, and I filled the kettle with water.

While waiting for the water to boil, Irena-san came to the kitchen and looked at me with a worried expression.

It’s okay. I can do it.

… Probably.

As I turned on the gas stove and waited for the water to boil in the kettle, I and Irena-san stood in the kitchen, not knowing what to say. I didn’t want to stay in silence, so I decided to make small talk.

“By the way, I heard that you went shopping with Nina-chan today?”

“Yes, we went to look for winter coats.”

“Coats…”

Aren’t coats something that adults wear? Do elementary school students wear them too?

While I was experiencing a bit of culture shock, Irena-san continued.

“Everything was going fine, but suddenly, I received a work-related call.”

“… Work?”

I let out a small sigh.

Irena-san is a “Fourth Rank” exorcist.

She’s an exceptional talent.

That’s probably why she was chosen to deal with monsters that other exorcists couldn’t handle.

“So, I ended up coming to your house, Itsuki-san.”

I don’t get it.

Why would she come here because of that?

“Does that mean you have some business with my mom related to your work?”

“Yes. Actually, I have to fly out later this evening.”

Huh? Later this evening, as in just a few hours from now?

“I wanted to ask if you could take care of Nina until I come back from work.”

As Irena-san said that, the kettle whistled, signaling that the water had boiled.

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