Acclimatization ✧ 5

The following days were full of novelty; every moment, every interaction turning into precious memories in our heart. Since I didn't have anything else to do in the city (and because I couldn't possibly contain all my excitement!) I would go and hang out with the circus troupe every day. During daytime, I'd help them with any tasks they might have needed a hand with, and when it was evening time, the performances that I never grew bored of no matter how many times I watched them would begin.

I would have assumed that Mimi would intensely protest coming here every day, and seeing the same show every single time—yet she was very involved and carefully watched everything and took a mental note of everything that might be useful later on.

One incredible thing to point out would be that no matter how many times or how abruptly we switched, no one really minded it. If anything, they found it exciting to see which one of us it would be during the times we got to interact. They were equally welcoming towards me and Mimi, though she had found some fans of herself.

“Heh, I must be that charming.”

“I can't deny it~”

On the day when I knew Nilsu was visiting to sign her contract, my heart beat nervously in its cage the entire time. However, I didn't get to see her myself, and later on heard from Ivone that she had gone straight to the Director. I hoped that this wasn't influenced in any way because of me…

“What do you even mean by that.”

“I mean, maybe she didn't come visit us here because she knew I'd be present…”

“Nah, how can she know that? Plus, maybe it'd be me that's present instead of you.”

“She doesn't have a problem with you, though…”

“You don't even know the reason for her attitude. Maybe it's just her personality.”

While it'd be a relief if that were the truth, I couldn't bring myself to believe it. She was definitely behaving way different during the day. Something… that I couldn't pinpoint must have happened during our visit to Director Emery.

The answer unexpectedly found its way to me the following day of Nilsu's contract signing.

I was helping clean up the spectator seats (and wishing that Mimi would switch places with me as soon as possible) when the knife thrower, Rokuta, approached me.

“That's the one with black hair, by the way. Ivone’s partner. You're welcome, Reader.”

Indeed, it was the knife performer with the many eyes all over their body. They had approached me with a simple “Hey,” and waved a piece of paper in their hand. I was rather surprised to see them, as they usually only interacted with Ivone due to the language barrier.

They closed three eyes on the left side of their face, keeping the ones on the other side completely open, and I deduced they were winking with that gesture.

Since they didn't know any of the languages I did, they had no way of telling me what this paper was about. Perhaps they couldn't even read it themselves. My only option was to accept it and read it.

With slight apprehension, I took the piece of paper and thanked them in Lartican.

“What does it say.”

“I'm very curious too, let's see…”

When I flipped the piece of paper, my eyes widened. It was Nilsu’s handwriting! I immediately set aside the cleaning cloth I had in my hand and sat down on one of the seats to get reading.

“Mirai.

I am sorry for my cold behavior that night.

To tell the truth, I got jealous of your beautiful and clear voice. It's difficult to explain… even though I had heard it earlier. When you talked with the Director, it's like something inside me snapped.

I am sorry. I really am. It's not your fault. I just felt inferior.

Will you still be my friend? Please, forgive me…

-Nilsu”

She had drawn a little penguin at the end of the note, possibly inspired by the black and white fashion choice of mine of that day. As a tailor, it was no wonder she had paid attention and even memorized it…

There wouldn't be a sufficient word in the world to explain the smile that bloomed on my face. I read the note over and over again. My heart felt like it'd burst from happiness and relief…!

“How many more times will you read it. Once wasn't enough? Do you need to go back to first grade?”

“Shush shush shush! She doesn't hate me! Do you see it too?”

“Yeah, I can comprehend words when I read them. I also couldn't help but notice how she did have some bad feelings regarding you at some point.”

My smile diminished a little. She was right, I had made her feel bad even if I hadn't intended such a thing at all.

“I must apologize when I see her again…”

Mimi loudly sighed with a groan. “Wrong! Incorrect buzzer. It seems like she's the emotionally volatile sort. It's best to be careful.”

I didn't really see anything wrong with it, though. It made perfect sense to me, to feel jealous over something that was likely her biggest insecurity, which was the topic of voices and self expression. If anything, I found it very mature that she was able to recognize her feelings and apologize about it clearly.

“Yeah, so don't you dare apologize to her when you see her. I hope it will be me, even. I'd like to have a talk with her myself.”

“No, I won't let you!!! You might be a meanie towards her.”

“What do you mean you won't let me. You don't get a saying in that.”

“I will… I will run away very fast!”

She didn't reply for a good five seconds. I knew exactly why, and I had no way of defending myself.

“I, uh… yeah, that wouldn't work.”

The dormant person had no way of accessing the limbs of our body. I had only said the first thing that had come to my mind, with that strong instinct of protecting Nilsu…

There was a rare tone of bewilderment in her reply. “Dear Gods… you've turned into a complete doofus. I don't know what to make of a near stranger holding this much influence over you.”

I didn't know what to make of it either…

That aside, I hastily wrote back a reply saying that of course we could still be friends, and that I was excited to see her again. When I appeared by the Director’s caravan to politely request if she could relay my message to her, I suddenly realized that the cool yet caring smile that I had seen on her face before was actually an uncommon occurrence. Her current expression, absorbed in work, emphasized her stern aura.

She didn't even lift her head up from her task, merely grumbling that I should leave it on her desk. Her fatigued eyes and flowing dark hair with white strands scattered around made me think that she must be leading quite the busy life. I felt like I shouldn't have taken her time for granted, and muttered a hasty apology and turned around to leave.

However, she raised a hand and told me to wait.

“I actually wanted to discuss something with you. It's Miss Rai right now, am I correct?”

She must have understood it was me from the tone of my flustered voice. While there was no hint of malice in her words, I started to wonder if I had done something wrong. Why did she want to talk to me specifically…?

“Just calm down and sit.”

Following Mimi’s rational instruction, I sat on the comfortable chair in front of her desk. Even though the Director was not looking at me, lost in her paperwork, I sat up properly.

“As you are aware, our next destination happens to be your country of residence. We will leave Balamur in four days, to the capital of Salen.”

Oh, Birann City…! I smiled wide.

“Oh, Birann is a beautiful place! I've visited there a few times for school trips.”

My nervous heart was easily replaced with a fluttered, excited mood. It was such a delightful city, and that was with me having to witness the entire class be friendly with each other and ignore us the whole time.

This time, I'd get to enjoy it with people who actually included me in their circle… ah, I couldn't wait to see their faces when they'd get to see the terrific fountain and water show in the city center—

“Focus.”

I tried to stop my mind from branching out to imagining everyone's faces eating the local dishes, and focused on the Director’s words.

“I wanted to suggest that you don't leave Balamur with us, and instead go back to your home and gather your belongings. You may have to be away from your village for quite some time.”

Ah, right. While I had some clothes and personal items with me here, they were only enough for a week or two. It made perfect sense for me to make a visit to Tarrin beforehand.

Me and Director Emery devised a plan about where I should go, and when. I would leave back to Tarrin, prepare my belongings, and then catch a bus to the capital. I was to first go to the FHN Office in Birann City for a health checkup, as apparently I needed to have some data recorded about myself before I could officially become a member. After that, I'd go to the building arranged for us to stay and practice in. The Director wrote the address down for me, while also reminding me that if I found it confusing I could just ask the doctor that would conduct my checkup.

The doctor… It had been a very long time since I had visited an Aberrant specialist, as my family didn't really deem it necessary for us after the diagnosis process. Some people had Aberrance types that required constant medical care, not to mention a lot of people reported mental difficulties as well. I didn't really face any major problems with Mimi. I didn't think that my particular Aberrance was of discomfort—rather, I figured that the world not accepting us as we are was the biggest point of nuisance.

It would be good to check with my parents before I left for the capital too. As the Director said, it was unknown how much time I'd be away from home. I couldn't help but tap my feet excitedly in my anticipation.

I could never imagine in a million years that my spontaneous deal with my aunt to stay in Balamur for a while would land me in the center of such grand opportunities…!