032
“Yes!”
“But the name of the Spirit King must be discovered by the person who wishes to make the contract. I do not know it precisely either. However, I can give you a hint.”
Hearing the word ‘hint,’ I perked up my ears. The grandmother, who had her eyes closed as if conversing with someone, soon began to explain it to me softly and clearly.
“The new Water Spirit King is the being closest to you. A one-of-a-kind existence that cannot be separated from you, no matter how hard you try.”
“Huh, a partner?”
“A partner? Hmm, I’m not sure. But one thing I do know is that it’s the name of someone who will give you infinite love.”
So, is it Bijou’s mate?
I tilted my head in confusion. I then tried to observe the reaction of the Water Spirit King, but there were no sparkling words in response.
Everyone was still silent!
Because of that, I wasn’t sure if I had given the correct answer or not.
‘I’ll have to think about it more carefully.’
Playing in the sea was truly fun.
The grandmother shared more than just that story. She told me that if I formed a contract with a Water Spirit, I would be able to breathe underwater.
Low-level spirits allow for 5 minutes, mid-level spirits for 3 hours, and high-level spirits for 12 hours.
And… if I made a contract with the Water Spirit King, I would gain the same traits as the lineage of Pashayen.
‘Then I’ll definitely make a contract with the Spirit King.’
I mean, I really liked how they always called me “my child, my child.’
“Miss, you look happy today.”
“Really? I am happy! Lina, are you happy too?”
“Of course. Thanks to you, Miss, I’m always happy.”
That night.
When I returned home, I hugged the seal plushie the admiral had given me tightly and fell into a deep sleep.
Even in my dreams, I was swimming with dolphins.
Chapter 4. What Happened at the Spring Festival
I got a new little sibling.
They were so tiny that I almost fell over in shock the first time I saw them.
They were so small and fragile that it felt like they’d be torn apart by a mermaid’s sharp claws if they fought one.
No, forget mermaids — they looked like they wouldn’t even stand a chance against a turtle.
“Kyaaa!”
“Hey, you’ll fall!”
Thud.
On top of that, it seemed like they had absolutely no sense of balance. They fell about five times while chasing butterflies.
“Uwaahh, I’m sinking, I’m sinking!”
“Grab onto me! Grab me and kick your feet hard!”
“I can’t do itttt… Uwaahh!”
Even though they played so well in the water, when I tried to teach them to swim, they sank like a rock more than 10 times.
Now, they can at least float. But that’s all they can do — they can’t move while floating.
“Brother, are you sleeping?”
“I’m not.”
“Then play with me.”
And if I lay down for a nap under a tree, they’d come looking for me — so persistently that it got annoying.
More than four times a day.
If I didn’t play with them, they’d keep pestering me until I did.
Anyway, this new little sibling was different from Elzen in many ways.
Maybe because they’re a little sister?
“You’re so chubby and cute. If you get lost, someone will take you away. So don’t let go of my hand, and don’t wander off just because something looks fun, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Yeah, you’re only good at answering properly.”
Time passed, and finally, today was the day.
The Spring Festival of Pellun had arrived.
It was the biggest festival held in the domain of Pashayen.
***
So, at first, it was definitely fun.
“Look, a plushie claw machine!”
“Oh, it’s shaped like a jellyfish. How did they make it so quickly? As expected of Brother Leviwood.”
While walking around, we discovered a magic claw machine filled with plushies, and there was already a crowd of people gathered in front of it.
The machine was shaped like a large jellyfish made of glass that had a soft pink hue similar to my hair color. Inside, it was packed with plushies.
There were starfish, turtles, fish, sharks, sunfish, dolphins, and more.
Children were trying their hardest to grab the plushies and drop them into the slot, but it wasn’t easy.
Well, that’s only natural — it was probably their first time seeing such a machine!
“Ah, I dropped it again!”
“Move aside. It’s my turn now!”
“Aaaaah!”
…Hmm, but is this really okay?
When you insert a coin, you get one chance. A claw descends from the ceiling.
The children’s eyes sparkled as they focused intently on the claw, but they kept failing.
‘Ugh, so frustrating.’
That’s not it!
No, not there — move a little more to the right!
“Let me do it.”
A few minutes later.
I couldn’t hold back anymore and decided to step up.
Everyone had to have at least one plushie in their arms!
I just couldn’t stand watching them all looking so gloomy because they hadn’t been able to win even one.
“Who do you think you are… Lord Mikard?!”
“Hold on a second. My little sister knows how to do it. This, it’s a trick our youngest at home figured out. Leave it to her.”
When brother Mikard stood behind me, the kids gradually stepped back to watch.
Then, the kids’ parents gathered around too, and suddenly, a large circle of people had formed around the machine.
‘Phew, I have to do this right.’
I steadied my mind.
Following my memories… a swoop here, a snap there!
“Wooooaaah!”
With my tongue slightly sticking out in concentration, every time I moved the claw, a plushie fell into the collection box.
“Here, this one’s for you.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah. Chuu already has one.”
The one the admiral gave me — a pink seal plushie.
That’s all I need.
“Here, this one’s for you too.”
After that, I handed out every plushie I won.
The funniest-looking one was a seaweed-shaped plushie, but luckily, there was a kid who wanted that one too.
“Ahem.”
“Huh?”
It was when about half of the plushies in the claw machine had disappeared.
Brother Mikard, who had been silently leaning against the machine, cleared his throat.
“Ahem, ahem!”
“Hmm…? Brother, does your throat hurt…?”
“Ahem, ahem. Well, there are still some plushies left.”
I knew that.
Not understanding why he was acting like that, I tilted my head, and suddenly, glowing orange letters appeared. It was Yupyrhos.
[Oh dear, oh dear. Young participant! Did you perhaps forget something? ๑◕‿‿◕๑]
Forget something?
[The Fortune Spirit King ‘■■■■■■’ whispers shyly.]
[It seems Mikard also wants a plushie.]
Huh, brother? Wants a plushie?
But he’s already grown up!
I widened my eyes in surprise, and then the Spirit King of Emotion explained.
[It’s because it was won by his cute little sister. All the other kids got one, but he didn’t. Don’t you think he might be feeling a little jealous?!]
“……!”
Oh no, I hadn’t realized.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ points to one of the plushies.]
[That pufferfish plushie over there would be nice. If you give it to him, he’ll cherish it. Mikard is that kind of person.]
Even a grown-up brother wants a plushie too.
Having learned something new, I also thought about brother Elzen, who would be at home.
Even though she’s a bit annoying, I also thought of Angela.
“Then… three.”
Fortunately, I had plenty of coins.
Before I left, the butler had given me a pouch full of coins!
“Three? Why three?”
“For brother, for brother Elzen, and for Angela.”
“What? Angela? Why are you giving her one? She’s not even family!”
Brother Mikard jumped up in protest.
To be honest, I didn’t really want to give one to her either…
“Then should I just give it to Lina?”
“Yeah, give it to Lina instead. Angela will just rip it up anyway.”
“That’s too harsh.”
Alright, then I’ll give it to Lina.
I eagerly moved the claw and successfully grabbed a crab plushie, a seaweed plushie, and a pufferfish plushie. Then, the thought of the admiral popped into my head.
“A crab….”
“Oh, I’ll take this one. The pufferfish plushie is cute.”
“Do you think the admiral would like plushies too?”
“What? Dad?”
I nodded seriously.
Brother Mikard, with the pufferfish plushie on his head and the crab and seaweed plushies tucked under each arm, scrunched his nose.
“I don’t think he would.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So just give them to me, Elzen, and Lina.”
“Okay!”
Well, since it’s brother’s opinion, it must be true.
With a wide grin, I quickly ran off.
There were some sparkling words that floated in the air, but I didn’t stop to read them.
[The Spirit King of Emotion ‘■■■’ expresses anticipation for what’s to come.]
[Diagon might get sulky.]
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ looks away.]
[The problem is that we’re absolutely sure he will…]
“You’re going to fall! Slow down!”
“Okay!”
But there’s something strange.
I’m definitely running, and brother Mikard is just walking, but somehow our paces are the same.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t run ahead of brother Mikard.
“Oh, cotton candy! Fluffy, do you want to eat cotton candy?”
Thud!
“From Chubby to Fluffy!”
