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CHAPTER 31: THIS IS THE SACRED NITROGLYCERIN BLESSED BY THE GODDESS (1).
"Sota! Welcome back! What were you talking about with Grandfather so early in the morning?"
Sota was welcomed by Ayahi as he returned home. He was surprised to see her at home, as she was usually out working.
"Are you... okay with taking care of the livestock?"
"The animal shed also caught fire pretty badly. There aren't many livestock left to take care of."
"Oh, I see... was that the case? I'm sorry."
――What am I asking? I should have figured it out with a little thought.
Seeing Sota's clouded expression, Ayahi offered him a reassuring smile.
"Oh, don't worry, Sota! You shouldn't mind too much! Leaving you at home, Grandfather had his own reasons for it, you know! Mother didn't seem to get it, but in my opinion, there must be someone targeting Sota because of his amazing power, right? Am I right?"
"...Because of that, I ended up causing trouble."
――I realize I need to protect not just people.
Sota had a stern expression on his face.
Seemingly sensing this, Ayahi encouraged Sota in an almost forced cheerful voice.
"You know, Sota. You protected them. The baby at Candy's house on the outskirts of the village, everyone was thankful. If the village vigilantes hadn't made it in time, who knows what would've happened. And the food storage. I don't know the details since Mom and other capable villagers rushed there, but they were probably in danger if they had been any slower. You're amazing, Sota. I'm proud that you're our teacher."
"You too... might be targeted. If I'm being targeted, you and Asugi might also be in danger for sheltering me."
"That's true. But I'm not scared. You and everyone in the village will protect me. Well, trying to become a wandering minstrel all the way to the capital might be a little tough as things are now..."
"I'll figure something out. There's no way I'd let your dreams get messed up because of me."
Sota thought of Nui.
――Stealing someone else's dreams is wrong. It's the worst.
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Unaware of his thoughts, Ayahi laughed cheerfully.
"Ahaha, you sound like a teacher."
Ayahi heated up the wheat porridge, Kykeon, in the kitchen and prepared two servings.
The scent of the unfamiliar green spice that she couldn't even name but drifted nose, along with the faint sweetness that spread in her mouth. It was now the taste of daily life.
"But you know, it doesn't have to be singing. Being a scholar as Sota's top disciple is great too! Can you become one?"
"I can. I can become one, but well, you should still aim to be a wandering minstrel. Your song yesterday was really good."
"Really? Oh, I see~! So I did have talent!"
――I didn't understand the lyrics of the song you sang back then.
But I decided not to say that. I might get scolded.
"It's there, your talent."
――Children are cute.
――For the sake of this smile, I can do anything.
The meaning of Assam's words "sanctuary" became slightly clearer to Sota.
A last refuge that keeps his heart from turning completely black, that's what it meant.
"You could praise me a little more."
Unaware of Sota's inner thoughts, Ayahi innocently laughed.
"Alright, then as a thank you for letting me hear something nice. If you like, use this."
Sota handed a small music player to Ayahi. It was a gift from the goddess after he became the deputy village chief. It wasn't directly useful, just a tool to record music, designed to be nothing but a present.
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"What's this?"
"It's a device to record music. There's no other like it, so be careful not to break it. Let me know if the sound stops working."
"Ah, thank you... Oh, hey Sota."
"What's up?"
"W-what's it like with... with Mother?"
"Well, you know, she's busy, so we haven't had much time to talk..."
Sota placed the Kykeon dishes in the sink. He pretended not to notice the slightly relieved yet complicated expression on Ayahi's face behind him.
――As long as we're teacher and student, as long as it's just imitating parent and child, things won't delve deeper.
――She's at ease. She can stay peaceful. No matter what I do from now on, no matter what I become.
It's a terribly selfish thought, but her presence was his sanctuary.
"Is there something wrong?"
"It's nothing! I-I mean, it's not like that at all! I just thought, you know, you should get closer now that you're also a deputy village chief! And you might even become the village chief eventually."
"I have a feeling I might. But if that's the case, it's even more..."
With a lonely expression, Ayahi looked down.
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Sota reached out to touch her head, and Ayahi blushed when she looked up at his large arm.
"...You're treating me like a child."
"Because you're a student."
――It's not just the way you treat a student.
Before Ayahi could retort, he quickly changed the topic.
"If something comes up, call me. I'll be working on something a little dangerous in the hut for about a week starting today, so don't suddenly open the door, okay?"
"I'll remember that. Oh, if I manage to do it well, will you teach me?"
"Yeah, I'll teach you. Another time."
He smiled.
――I won't let her be involved in what I'm about to do.
――I want her to stay as far away from these matters as possible.
――Not just her. All the children in this village.
Sota had decided to handle the upcoming task alone with the goddess.
"Sota."
"What is it, Ayahi?"
"I actually... kind of like you."
"I feel the same way. It's like you're becoming almost like a daughter to me."
"I see. But at least, I wish you'd think of me as a little sister."
――I must never let her get involved.
It's a discussion about killing people.
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