Published: September 9, 2025
“Lady Mia, today’s performance was wonderful as always.”
“Seriously, I never get tired of hearing Mia’s music no matter how many times I listen.”
“How many times do I have to tell you to say ‘Lady’ properly?!”
“Both of you, stop making a fuss in front of Lady Mia.”
As soon as the performance ended, the fairy tribe children and the children of the long-ear tribe started making noise.
I wanted to bask in the lingering emotions of the music, but I just couldn’t.
Such troublesome kids. Really, it’s troublesome, you know?
It would be enough if they just smiled gently and softly clapped like the grandpas and grandmas who were listening.
Even the noisy feather spirits of the Forest of Boruenan stay quiet as if dozing off after a performance. They aren’t actually sleeping, you know?
Because when I asked them, “How was the performance?” they said things like, “Today was insanely exciting!” or “It was such a happy melody, like being in a dreamland.” So they definitely weren’t asleep, right?
“Mia-chan, you must be thirsty. Eat this melon cooled with well water.”
“Mm, thanks.”
I took a bite of the melon my grandmother gave me.
It was sweet. A refreshing sweetness filled my mouth with juiciness.
Just a few chews, and the coolness traveled deep down my throat, leaving only a faint aftertaste.
The watermelons from the Forest of Boruenan are delicious, but the Selbira Labyrinth’s melons are just as good.
“Mia-chan, teach me how to play the grass whistle.”
“Teach me.”
The little children held up leaves of Fesheka Grass, which is used for grass whistles, and begged.
Humans don’t care about the names of grasses. They lump both Fesheka Grass and Chemirana Grass together as just “weeds.”
That’s a bit sad. Just a little, you know?
◇
“Listen to my song!”
Arisa strummed a strange lute and shouted that.
I think it was just noise, but don’t tell anyone, okay?
“What?”
“This is called a guitar. My Master made it for me.”
“Hmph.”
I think it’s unfair that only Arisa gets one.
“Satou.”
“Shall I make something for you too, Mia?”
“Mm.”
If I ask nicely, Satou will make it right away.
After all, he’s my fiancé. He’s completely smitten with me. Absolutely!
“What kind of instrument do you want?”
“A pipe organ.”
“A pipe organ? That’s way too big, so maybe a piano or an electronic keyboard would be better?”
I wonder if even Satou can’t make a pipe organ.
Satou can make legendary weapons and mysterious magical artifacts, so he should be able to make a pipe organ easily.
“No?”
I used the “puppy eyes” technique Arisa taught me to plead with Satou.
Hero Daisaku apparently told Aze that “the pipe organ is the best instrument.”
When I told Satou that, he said, “Got it, leave it to me!”
—I’m happy, but it’s complicated.
No cheating, okay? Absolutely!
◇
“Now, Mia. Try playing it.”
“Amazing…”
In the underground laboratory of Ivy Manor, the pipe organ was set up.
Several golden pipes lined up, shining brighter than sunlight filtering through summer trees.
The depth of sound was different from the piano Satou made for practice.
I was engrossed in playing music on the pipe organ.
—The sound falls from the sky.
I tried playing pieces I heard on Satou’s “garakei” like Wagner and Mozart, and the Boruenan Symphony arranged for piano.
…Something was strange.
Although music is supposed to be fun, it was crying.
“Mia.”
Satou wiped my cheek with a handkerchief.
Was I crying too? Really?
“It was a wonderful piece.”
“Mm.”
Next time, I’ll invite the grandpas to Ivy Manor and play for them.
Of course, I won’t leave out the fairy tribe children or the children of the long-ear tribe either. Probably?