Heroes in the Moonlight
Page 23
“Sorry. You’re worrying about something you needn’t worry about, so I couldn’t help myself.”
“...That’s not true. Girls the same age as me have already married, and I’ve spent these last years in my research lab whenever I’m not teaching. Even I know my research life is rather dull,” Celia said, laughing at herself scornfully.
“That’s just the way you are. What’s wrong with that? Also, I had a lot of fun in the time I spent with you in your research lab. Are you saying you didn’t?”
“P-Putting it that way isn’t fair. Of course I did...”
Of course she’d had fun. Celia blushed and avoided Rio’s gaze.
“Of course?”
“O-Of course I’ve had fun. I’m having fun right now,” Celia replied shyly.
“Thank goodness. If you were all withered and dry, then I’d be the same.”
Rio beamed with a happy smile. Outside of his time studying and training, he was practically always underground with Celia in her lab.
“...I think you could act your age a bit more, Rio. You’ve got an oddly philosophical view on things when you should be more like other boys your age.”
“Even if you tell me to act like the other boys...”
“For example, is there something you want? I wanted to give you a present to celebrate the new school year, but I didn’t know what you’d like,” Celia said.
“No, but I appreciate the thought,” Rio refused reflexively.
“See? That’s what I mean. Normal children would be using this chance to beg for something... You don’t need to hold yourself back. Try saying what you want honestly, just for today. If I can get it for you, I will. You’re always taking care of me, so it’ll also be thanks for that,” Celia insisted.
“Even so...” Rio still tried to refuse, but it didn’t seem like Celia was willing to accept that right now. Rio thought about what he wanted in his current situation.
Then, after a moment—
“...In that case,” he started.
“In that case?” Celia watched Rio’s face expectantly.
“Could you give me some of your time in the future, Professor? To spend like this, drinking tea and chatting,” Rio requested, staring back at Celia’s face. Celia blinked blankly for several moments.
“...B-But that’s what we always do! Asking for it in the future is...!” she shouted shrilly, cheeks turning red.
“Then please give me even more of your time. I want this time to be routine for us... Because I consider that to be a great luxury. Is that okay?” Rio said, peering at Celia’s face closely.
“Uh...”
It was almost like a confession, but Rio himself didn’t realize it. Despite understanding that that wasn’t how he’d meant it, Celia couldn’t help but blush.
“...A-All right. If you’re fine with something like that, then I’ll give you my time.” With her pride and dignity as an older woman, Celia bit down on her lip and maintained a calm disposition as she nodded.
“Thank you very much.” Rio looked quite happy as he gave a bright smile.
Elemental ☆ Princess Service!
On Earth, in Japan, somewhere in the city...
One afternoon on Christmas Day, Haruto, Miharu, Suzune, and Rikka were visiting Celia’s house in the suburbs.
“Okay, we’re here!” Suzune announced when they arrived before the gate, having visited many times before.
“Every time I see it I’m impressed...” Miharu muttered, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the mansion. She had visited several times with Haruto before, but it was still far too big for a single woman to live in alone. However, two girls had moved in just recently, bringing the total number of residents up to three. Today, they had been invited to a house party for Celia to introduce the two newcomers to them.
“Amakawa-senpai, was it really okay for me to be invited along too?” Minamoto Rikka—Haruto and Miharu’s middle school underclassman—asked rather worriedly. She had become acquainted with Haruto by chance just the other day at the school festival, after which Haruto realized they took the same bus from school and started talking to her more. However, Rikka and Celia had never met directly before.
“Of course. One of the girls here will be joining your grade after the new year, having moved here from overseas, so we hope you two can become friends. I haven’t met them before either, so there’s no need to be afraid.”
“Oh, really? What is she like?”
Haruto and Rikka chatted like that in a familiar manner for a while. Meanwhile, Suzune rang the doorbell and waited.
“Hi! We’re here waiting. Come in, come in.” Celia’s voice came out of the intercom and the gate opened. Suzune led the way from the electric gate to the front door with familiar footsteps, everyone else behind her.
Celia stood waiting in front of the door to the residence. “Welcome everyone. You must be Rikka. I’ve heard a lot about you from Haruto. It’s cold outside, so let’s all go in first.”
Thus, they entered the residence and followed Celia to the living room where the party was being held.
“I’ve told you about how two girls are moving into my place, right? Their names are Christina and Flora, and both are from my homeland—and a fairly distinguished family at that. But they’ve asked that you treat them casually. Lady Christina’s out at the moment, but I can introduce Lady Flora to you first. I’m going to open the door now,” Celia explained on the way there. But when she opened the door to reveal what was waiting in the living room on the other side...
“Huh...?”
It was the young beauty Flora, dressed in a mini-skirt Santa costume. Haruto, Miharu, and Rikka were all rendered speechless.
“Wow, how adorable!” Suzune said, her eyes sparkling.
“I-It’s nice to meet you. I’m Flora Beltrum,” Flora said, bowing her head.
“Nice... to meet you...” Haruto and the others slowly returned the bow.
Why is she dressed as Santa? They all wondered to themselves.
“Umm, Professor Celia said dressing like this at Japanese Christmas parties would make the guests happy, s-so it was embarrassing, but I did my best.” Flora seemed to be able to gather the thoughts behind their gazes, as she blushed furiously.
“Yup, Lady Flora said she wanted to give everyone a proper welcome, so I discussed it with Suzune and researched it,” Celia boasted smugly.
Professor, the information you found was probably wrong! Haruto and the others thought to themselves.
“Hehe, what do you think, Haruto onii-san? Don’t you want to see Celia, Miharu, Rikka, and me in Santa costumes too?” Suzune asked boldly despite her shy smile.
“Ahaha, I’ve actually prepared them for everyone...”
Apparently, they had planned things out together with Suzune, as Celia offered outfits to everyone.
“Ah, no...”
Haruto was at a loss for words. He looked at Miharu and Rikka standing beside him for help, but the two of them were watching him for his reaction instead. Celia seemed to be a little embarrassed before Haruto, while Suzune was looking at him expectantly.
How do I reply to this?
Haruto, being a man, was cornered into an agonizing decision.
Professor Celia’s Way of the Fluff
In the Galarc Kingdom, inside the stone house...
It was the day after Rio had brought Miharu and the others out of the spirit folk village and met up at the house.
“Ehehe, it always feels so good when Onii-chan pets me...”
Latifa was clinging to Rio adoringly, as usual. They sat on the living room sofa together with her head in Rio’s lap, grinning happily as she was being petted. It wasn’t particularly shocking to Miharu and Sara’s groups, as they were familiar with how close the two of them were, but that wasn’t the case for Celia, who was witnessing it for the first time.
Sara shot Latifa an envious glance before explaining things with a sigh. “This is normal for the two of them.”
/> “Oh, really...” Celia looked at them once again. Rio looked like he was petting her out of obligation, and it wasn’t as though they were flirting romantically, so it did seem like they were just sharing the moment as siblings.
Well, she was a little bothered by how Aishia had taken up a spot next to Rio and was pressing closer... Even so, seeing Latifa’s deep happiness was enough to deter her from putting a damper on things. And, most importantly—
Oh, she’s so cute!
Latifa’s tail flickered as her ears twitched. Each time Rio petted her, Latifa’s fluffy ears and tail moved around happily, stealing Celia’s gaze. The night before, when she had touched Sara’s tail in the bath, it had also been delightfully bushy, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Latifa’s tail felt like.
I want to touch the fluffy...
Celia followed the movement of Latifa’s tail intently. Rio noticed her gaze.
“Is something the matter, Professor?” he asked.
“Huh...? Ah, umm...”
Celia’s mind went blank for a moment, but she soon gathered her courage and gulped. “Can I fluff the tail too?”.
Thus began Celia’s progression down the way of the fluff.
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Copyright
Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles Volume 9
by Yuri Kitayama
Translated by Mana Z.
Edited by Joi
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 Yuri Kitayama
Illustrations Copyright © 2017 Riv
Cover illustration by Riv
All rights reserved.
Original Japanese edition published in 2017 by Hobby Japan
This English edition is published by arrangement with Hobby Japan, Tokyo
English translation © 2020 J-Novel Club LLC
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.
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Ebook edition 1.0: April 2020
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