Chapter 481: Unwavering Heart
“Well, since your gaze is following something and Ash has this oddly tense look with his knees up, I figured something was there. So, this is it,” I said, looking at the Daifuku nestled between my thighs.
The Daifuku had a white fur coat with a light gray undercoat peeking through. Its color scheme resembled a traditional Japanese sweet, with the red bean paste almost visible through the white exterior. Its nose and paw pads were pink, and it had a long tail and a soft-looking body. Whenever I got the chance to squish it, it really was soft.
It seemed that Ash had been showing the Daifuku in the shape of a Ball of Light or a cat, depending on its mood. Plus, the Daifuku had a habit of lying down in a way that made it unable to support itself, so it would sometimes lift its knees, quivering adorably.
I tried to support it with my hand, but it felt like I couldn’t touch it. I was probably just being toyed with by the Daifuku. So when it was with Ash, it would sit on his lap, and when it was with Retze, it would settle between his legs.
The Daifuku was in a good mood, getting its chin scratched by Retze. Was it Chris who said Retze was good at handling cats?
“…Can I touch it?” Retze said, surprised after petting it.
“Wait, does this Magic Circle have that kind of effect too?!” Haulon exclaimed, who had been lazily gazing at the Magic Circle, now wide-eyed as he looked at what was in his hands.
“Not really?” I thought. But I did wish for a good compatibility while drawing it, so maybe that had something to do with it?
“Anyway, I kind of understood what kind of world Gene is seeing. Given how things look, well… I guess he wasn’t as confused as I thought,” Retze said, reflecting deeply.
That’s right! The Spirit world is kind of fancy and free!
Even when we were having serious discussions, the Spirits would be nuzzling my chin or licking my side, which was really tough to handle.
I got used to it, though.
At first, I would look down to avoid their gaze. I did end up facing Dean’s scent fetish, though.
Now, it seemed like everyone except Dean was experiencing what I was, but the Spirit at Dean’s feet was probably just a foot fetish Spirit. No, no, that Spirit only shows its true worth when Dean takes off his boots…!
Dean, on the other hand, seemed to be quite taken with the Fire Lizard. I mean, if you see its tongue flicking at the corner of your vision, it’s hard not to be curious… I should look away.
Wait a minute.
“Does ‘not yet confused’ mean I was the weird one?” I asked, and Retze averted his gaze.
“That’s terrible…!” I said, realizing that if I looked at the wall, there were no Spirits clinging to people. I grumbled to myself.
“With all that visibility and having high-ranking Spirits around regularly, it’s no wonder your values get skewed,” Chris sighed, glancing at Retze’s chin, Dean’s side, and then at Retze’s knees.
“If you did this while not being able to see the Spirits, it would come off as a bit of a pervert, Haulon,” I pointed out.
“Well, it’s fine since I can see them! I mean, I recognized them as faintly glowing spheres! From now on, if I see a sphere, depending on where it’s attached, I might end up imagining the wrong things! What should I do!!!”
What started as complaints directed at me turned into a confused shout into the void. Haulon, get it together!
“…Shiva’s Spirits are sometimes clearly visible, so it should be fine. The children’s Spirits should be fine too… They don’t glow when using their powers… What if they’re visible when indulging in their fetishes…? Also, do Spirits always stay visible like this?” Dinoss lamented, cradling his head in his hands.
“Your husband definitely has Spirits at home… That must be tough,” Retze said sympathetically.
“Dean’s Spirit might be a bit special, but I’m just happy to meet my own Spirit!” Chris said, gently air-petting her Spirit, sparkling with joy.
So, you can’t touch them? I wonder if it depends on the Spirit’s strength and nature? Dinoss’s Fire Dragon is a strong Spirit, but it seems untouchable.
“My Spirit might be special, but yours is pretty unique too, you know…?” Dean said, half-lidded eyes and a low voice.
“Your Dragon is cool, and Haulon’s Spirit is unusual, but—no, two out of the four look like the Spirits I imagined. —Yeah, it should be fine,” Retze said, finally averting his gaze.
In the midst of our conversation, it seemed Haulon’s red Spirit had stepped on an Ittan Momen. So, more than half of them had strange traits, huh? Interesting…
“Retze, if you’re going to comfort someone, do it with more confidence!” Dinoss said, suddenly looking my way, giving up.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Excuse me, but I left a note. Has Ash arrived?” the Butler said as he went to open the door.
Had Ash been out hunting bears? I hope they’re not going extinct… Is he okay?
“May I come in? —Is something wrong?” Ash asked as he entered.
“Welcome. We created a Magic Circle that allows us to see Spirits better, and everyone was taking a look,” I said, making space for Ash.
For a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of the Butler’s Spirit outside the door. Was it attached to Ash, or had it been hiding outside all along?
“Is dinner ready?” Ash inquired.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
As I was answering, I served up croquettes, a new glass of wine, and freshly baked bread. Dean’s hand had stopped reaching for the bread, which he usually kept eating even after finishing his side dishes, so there was still some in the basket.
And I had Ash use the Magic Circle too.
“Hmm. The Spirit world is pure and free, without worrying about the eyes of others. Just like Gene,” Ash stated flatly.
Me!?
“That’s quite strong…”
“This unabashed world doesn’t waver at all…”
The legendary duo murmured.
Ash, you could show a little more emotion, you know?