Chapter 43

I am not able to converse with children of my age who are invited to my home.

“Shizuku-chan, you know, my mom got me these stickers.”

“I see. You don’t have to report to me. Also, could you speak more clearly?”

“Shi-chan, let’s play house together.”

“No thanks.”

“Ooooh, ooooh.”

“Why are you crying? Please explain why. If you don’t explain, I won’t be able to help you.”

I can have conversations with my parents and the servants who work in our home, but I don’t understand the incoherent behavior of children my age.

“Is there something wrong with me?”

The way I learned to speak from the adults around me is also “strange” to other children, they said.

That is not right.

The ultimate goal of children should be to speak and act like adults.

Why is it that children who speak and act differently from adults are more convinced that they are speaking and acting in a way that is right?

“I don’t understand ……”

My parents and servants praise and approve of my behavior.

Without a doubt, this choice must be the right one.

However, I cannot help but be bothered by their word “strange”.

That is when I met Kyobe-san.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Kyobe Hijiri.”

His speech was identical to that of an adult, unlike other children.

He tried to put on an act, but I could tell at a glance.

Just after we parted with the Kyobe family, my mother said to me, “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’m not sure what you mean by ‘acting?'”.

“Shizuku-san, would you please befriend Hijiri-san, who just greeted you. He has the potential to be the next leader of the Onmyoji world. We must seek his help for the Minamoto family, and by extension, the Abe family.”

I can understand what my mother means quite well too.

I too have only recently become able to fly a talisman, but the speed and accuracy when I do so is extraordinary.

If I had not spent my entire life practicing Onmyojutsu from the moment I was born, practicing every day, I would not be able to reach that level of performance at my age.

He could not possibly do so. Then, he is definitely a genius in Onmyojutsu.

He is an irregularity that could not have occurred except in a unique environment like the Abe family.

“I’ll invite them to an upcoming tea party, and I’ll ask them for a favor then.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Although Haruku-sama is much more mature in his speech, he is not rational in his actions.

Perhaps Kyobe-san could or–.

“After all, we’re the same kind of people.”

On the day of the tea party, I could tell just by observing him from a distance.

His words and actions are the same as those of an adult.

The way he took care of his younger brother was the same as the servant who takes care of me.

However, I do not understand why he is standing there alone.

Let’s ask him directly.

“Something on your mind?”

“No, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to play with.”

It’s a lie.

Kyobe-san in his eyes is not showing the slightest bit of interest in a children’s toys.

You are mistaken about something…….

“I haven’t seen you since the get-together. How are you doing, Minamoto-san?”

“Hi, Kyobe-san, I’m glad to hear you are doing well.”

You just now could not remember my name and chose my last name.

For a moment there was a waver in your tone.

“Thank you for inviting me here today.”

“No, I didn’t do anything. Everything was prepared by my parents.”

It’s happening.

My ideal conversation is occurring.

We’re having the proper conversation, like adults do.

He’s the same kind of person as me.

“This is sudden, but I have one question for Kyobe-san.”

“Ask me anything, I’m at your disposal.”

The current pleasantries are one that the children would never be able to imitate.

This is a comfortable flow.

“What do you think of all the children that are here?”

“What do you mean?”

You didn’t understand …… No, the question was too abstract.

There were too many answer choices in this case.

Let’s change it to two choices.

“Don’t the children here, or rather children of our age, seem to be too childish?”

This time he understood.

After all, he must have thought the same thing.

Otherwise, he would not have the expression he has now.

After a short pondering, Kyobe-san gave his answer.

“Yes, they may be childish compared to us. But isn’t that fine?”

That’s fine. …… So, you are saying that I should resign myself to it. ……

That this question doesn’t need to be resolved?

Then I would not have asked the question in the first place.

“……… you don’t think it’s weird?”

“It’s more like we’re the ones who are acting weird. So, I don’t think you need to worry about it.”

—

His answer changed my perspective.

There is not much of a problem with us … being weird. Even if we can’t have a meaningful conversation with them currently, it doesn’t create a major issue.

Although we can’t have regular conversations with children our own age, that’s just for now, it is a problem that will be solved when we grow up.

Then we shouldn’t worry about these differences and just wait for the time to come.

“I see, it certainly doesn’t sound like I need to worry about it.”

“I hope my opinion was helpful to you, Minamoto-san.”

It is absurd to ask others to change.

Looking back, why was I so concerned about such trivial matters?

Thanks to Kyobe-san, I was able to change my point of view.

“By the way, …. My name is Shizuku. Since you don’t seem to remember my name, I would like to introduce myself once again.”

“Oh, I’m …… Kyobe Hijiri. Thank you for your consideration.”

Not a problem.

If you have forgotten it, you just have to learn it again.

I then followed my mother’s instructions and completed the task of playing with and getting to know Kyobe-san under the watchful eyes of all the invited guests.

To my surprise, for the first time outside of family and other adults in my immediate family, a game of cards was played.

His last hand movement was clearly unusual, but there is no way to prove he was cheating.

Next time, however, I will not lose.

After parting with Kyobe-san, I headed to greet Ito-san, who was closely associated with the Minamoto family, being the most important of the invited guests.

“Ito-san, welcome to our tea party. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Eh? Uh, I’m having fun.”

“That’s good to hear. Please continue to enjoy yourself.”

“Eh, what?”

Let’s move on to the next guest.

The girl I was talking to earlier seemed to think I was strange, but there is nothing wrong with that.

It’s nothing to worry about.

As long as I understand what they are trying to tell me, that’s all that matters.

I will just do my thing until they grow up someday.