Regarding Miku’s charm abilities, there’s no need to rush to investigate.
For now, unlike with Peach, she isn’t using her powers indiscriminately, and it’s only when Miku is playing the Streep that we think there might be something.
Moreover, outside of playing the Streep, she’s no different from an ordinary child.
If anything, making a fuss and escalating the situation would be worse.
Since it hasn’t been confirmed, it was decided to proceed as things are.
Of course, it wasn’t just Kousuke and Peach who made this decision; it was the result of discussions with the other wives.
The deciding factor was Mitsuki’s statement, “At least for now, there are no negative effects.”
Besides, we’ll be traveling together for a while, so Miku won’t be playing in front of strangers.
When playing inside the self-propelled wagon, it only affects Kousuke and the others, so it was concluded that it would be alright.
However, we would realize that this outlook was too optimistic about two days before entering the town of Nansen in the southwest of the continent.
Foundation is important for everything.
Naturally, the foundation is also important for Miku’s Streep practice.
Specifically, on the first day, it involved remembering the positions of the strings with their bodies.
Since it was just about making sounds, it wasn’t developing into a concrete song.
The person practicing was being very serious, so it was natural for Seiya and Shia, who were listening to Miku’s practice from the side, to continue listening without complaint.
Of course, Seiya and Shia weren’t solely listening to Miku’s practice sounds.
Just like during their journey so far, they would get excited looking at the outside scenery or enjoy conversations with others.
We learned this while heading to our campsite for lunch.
Kousuke had mentioned that it would be alright to continue traveling together after Nansen without returning to the tower, and after Seiya and Shia rejoiced, Shia casually said,
“That’s good. I bet the Spirits are happy too.”
“That’s right,” Seiya nodded in agreement with Shia.
Kousuke, standing next to them, almost let their conversation slide due to its sheer naturalness, but he quickly confirmed.
“Hmm? The Spirits are happy?”
“Yeah, ’cause they’re happy listening to Miku’s performance, right?”
“If Miku goes back home, they won’t be able to hear it.”
As they said this, Seiya and Shia looked at each other and nodded.
Kousuke was stunned for a moment before hastily looking at Colette.
Seeing Kousuke’s gaze, Colette quickly shook her head from side to side.
With that gesture, Kousuke understood that Colette also couldn’t see the Spirits that the two were claiming were happy.
Then, so as not to be overheard by the children, he confirmed via Divine Power Telepathy.
“What does this mean?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if they’re seeing Spirits that I can’t see, or if they’re seeing something other than Spirits.”
“You can’t see them either, can you?”
“Yes. There’s no mistake about that.”
Kousuke fell silent for a moment, hearing Colette state that with such certainty.
Colette, and for that matter Kousuke, couldn’t see the Spirits that Seiya and Shia were talking about.
He also looked towards Kouhi and Mitsuki, but they didn’t nod in response.
This meant that they also couldn’t see the “Spirits” that Seiya and Shia were referring to.
As Kousuke pondered what to do, Colette hesitantly spoke.
“I can’t see them, but perhaps Esena might know something?”
“Esena? ‘…I see.”
As a World Tree fairy, it wouldn’t be strange for Esena to see what Colette couldn’t.
Colette suggested that Esena would be the quickest way to confirm things regarding the Spirits.
Esena would appear if Kousuke called out to her, but they could also communicate through voice alone.
This time, since they didn’t want the children to overhear their conversation, they decided to speak only.
“Esena, I want to ask something without showing yourself, is that alright?”
“It’s alright, but is something the matter?”
“Ah. Esena, can you sense the presence of Spirits without seeing them?”
Kousuke knew he was asking something unreasonable, but he confirmed it first.
“Without seeing them? ‘…No, I’m afraid…’ ”
Esena replied apologetically, and Kousuke immediately shook his head in his mind.
He didn’t know if Esena could feel it, but it was a matter of intention.
“Ah, no, no, it’s fine. Just confirming. In that case, can you come over here without being seen by others?”
“If that’s the case, there’s no problem.”
“I see. Then, please do that.”
“Understood.”
As Kousuke said this, Esena replied immediately, but her form was not visible.
However, to Kousuke’s surprise, he could sense Esena’s presence right in front of him.
Relieved, thinking it would be alright, Kousuke was astonished by the next moment’s event, which surprised even Esena.
“Wow, something amazing is coming!”
“It’s big.”
Seiya and Shia said this while clearly directing their attention to where Esena was.
Looking in the direction of their gazes, it was evident that they had noticed Esena’s presence.
“…I see. Is this what you wanted to confirm?”
Perhaps thinking there was no point in hiding, Esena appeared without Kousuke’s permission.
Then, she looked alternately at Kousuke and Colette with admiration.
“As expected of Brother and Sister Colette’s children. They seem to be able to sense beings that humans cannot.”
Thanks to Esena’s words, Shurein and the others, who had not been part of the conversation until then, seemed to understand the situation.
They listened silently to Kousuke and Esena’s conversation.
“Is that so?”
Esena nodded clearly in response to Kousuke’s question, tilting his head.
“Yes. However, that doesn’t mean anything in particular. But, in that sense, their sensitivity to Spirits is higher than Sister Colette’s. ‘…Care must be taken in how they are raised.'”
Esena spoke the last words as if for Colette to hear.
In response, Colette nodded with a serious expression.
“Understood.”
Kousuke wasn’t knowledgeable about Spirits.
While he was more knowledgeable than the average person due to his connection with Esena and Colette, it wasn’t enough to guide children.
Of course, Kousuke also had things to teach the children, so Colette didn’t feel pressured and considered it a division of roles.
Esena shifted her gaze from Colette to Miku.
“And this is also the case.”
“Miku?”
“Yes. You’ve noticed the Spirits gathering, haven’t you?”
Esena asked, looking at Seiya and Shia.
From what had happened earlier, she was certain that they hadn’t noticed the Spirits gathering around Miku.
“It’s like this even when she’s just making sounds that don’t form a song, so I’m looking forward to what she’ll do in the future.”
Seeing Esena say this with a smile, Kousuke was inwardly relieved, thinking it wasn’t a bad thing.
As if noticing Kousuke’s feelings, Esena continued.
“Regarding Miku, it seems to be more than just Spirits, but if you wish to know properly, why not ask the Gods?”
As Esena added this, Kousuke responded with a wry smile.
“…I see. So that’s how it is.”
“However, since all three are still children, even the Gods might not be able to say for sure.”
Esena continued, explaining that their abilities would stabilize as they grew, and until then, even the Gods couldn’t make definitive statements.
Ultimately, thanks to Esena, they were able to learn about the children’s abilities.
However, the adults discussed that since these powers were still uncertain, they would carefully watch over them.
Since the talk was about Miku, it’s now Seiya and Shia’s turn.
Although, Miku is also touched upon.
For the next few chapters, Seiya and Shia will be the main focus… or they should be.
