Chapter 43: The Bard's Work

For a moment, Bronya wanted to let go of everything and witness the scenery Venti had spoken of.

However, when her gaze fell upon the colorful lanterns hanging around and the empty houses in the town below, the sense of responsibility in her heart outweighed everything else. The whimsical thought had barely surfaced before she buried it even deeper. She knew that if she truly voiced it, Venti would not refuse her.

But if she did that, wouldn’t it make his trip here all for nothing...?

Though she felt regret in her heart, she curved her lips into a smile, untied her headscarf, and revealed her long, silver, spiral-like curls.

"——Haaah. This really feels more comfortable."

She seemed to answer a question that hadn’t been asked.

Venti tilted his head, then showed a hint of surprise.

"Oh my, have I been rejected by the same person twice now?"

At first glance, it seemed like the bard who appeared to never work had been turned down after asking the duty-bound girl out on a date. But the teasing glint in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Yet Bronya was neither angry nor annoyed. She simply responded with an equally gentle smile.

"Can I take this as Venti's wish?"

If I could fulfill it, would you be willing to stay here for me?

Even though she knew the bard would never stay for such a reason, she couldn’t help but play this little trick.

Venti, too, put on a troubled expression, crossing his arms and pondering.

"Hmm... Although I’d like to say yes, if this wish were granted, I’d start thinking about having another wish fulfilled tomorrow, and another the day after."

As if amused by his own words, he burst into laughter.

"Even I would feel embarrassed if that happened!"

"Is that so... How unfair. I’ve already told you my wish."

Bronya replied with a hint of melancholy.

After that, a period of quietness ensued, not dull but rather exceptionally pleasant.

The two of them sorted through their thoughts and what they had gained from this journey, while also waiting for one of them to bring up the topic of parting.

Until, at a certain moment, a drowsy yawn that shouldn’t have appeared at this time sounded, causing Bronya to turn around in surprise, as if her hidden tail had been stepped on.

There stood a small child—no, it should be said that, at some point, the area had become crowded with children.

Their bodies were not solid but rather ethereal, like spirits, and their eyes, big and small, were filled with anticipation.

The boy who had yawned earlier was now being pinched on the cheek by a girl, making muffled noises.

"Yaaah! The bard noticed us, everyone run!"

The children scattered in an instant, with the girl even dragging the boy along as she sprinted away.

They passed through the playground equipment and then silently disappeared around the corner——

"They..."

Bronya blinked in confusion, as if she thought she was hallucinating.

But the next moment, she saw a few little heads peeking out from another side, eagerly watching her.

It was as if they didn’t want to miss this rare spectacle.

After seeing Venti’s guilty expression and the decorations she had noticed along the way, she suddenly spoke up.

"Did you bring everyone back here?"

"Ehe?"

The bard of the wind attempted to play dumb.

However, what greeted him next was an unexpectedly soft embrace, accompanied by the children’s gasps.

"——Thank you, Venti."

She whispered softly into his ear.

The sensation was like the softest feather brushing against his ear, making him feel somewhat embarrassed.

Knowing he couldn’t hide it any longer, the bard honestly confessed.

"Sorry. I saw them lost in this town, so I thought of at least bringing them home..."

"No, there’s no need to apologize. We should be the ones thanking you..."

Bronya wasn’t foolish. At first, she had thought Venti had simply set up the lanterns for the atmosphere, but she had never imagined he was hiding so many secrets——

It was precisely because of this that the emotions welling up in her heart led her to act in a way that was unlike her usual self.

But she was happy... truly happy.

That those who had been abandoned could be guided home by someone as gentle as you.

...

After that, the girl poured out all her thoughts and feelings to the bard.

The things she hoped to accomplish in the future, the answers she had arrived at through her own contemplation, and the many, many words she had wanted to say.

Until drowsiness gradually crept in, and the girl, who had been running around for too long without rest, reluctantly leaned on the bard’s shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

Venti remained motionless, only slightly tilting his body to make her sleep more comfortably.

Then, toward the boundary between reality and illusion, where ripples began to form, he placed a finger to his lips, making a "shush" gesture.

Only after the girl had fallen into a deep sleep did he let out a long sigh and turn to Seele, who seemed to be in a bit of a huff.

Knowing he had kept her in the dark for too long, he whispered, "Um, would you like me to offer a lap pillow? I haven’t tried it myself, but it should be better than the stone floor."

"Hmph. Stop pretending. I’m not some upper-district lady. My record is staying awake for seven days straight."

As if out of spite, Seele stuck out her tongue at him.

But seeing that he didn’t argue and only gazed at her gently, she soon grew flustered and, reluctantly, sat down beside him, muttering.

"Tell me. Is she really that great, worth you doing all this for her?"

"Well, hasn’t Seele already formed her own opinion?"

Venti didn’t think her appearance here was a coincidence. Clearly, she had been worried but couldn’t bring herself to admit it, so she had circled around and followed them the whole way.

This tsundere behavior fit his impression of Seele perfectly.

Hearing this, Seele pursed her lips and said,

"Hmph. I’m not like you, always spoiling her... If it were up to me, I’d have scolded her awake long ago, so she wouldn’t keep overthinking things."

"That’s true. Thanks to you, Seele."

It had to be said, Seele had given him quite a few assists during this trip, or else the journey would have been much duller.

Seele, on the other hand, proudly hummed and accepted the bard’s praise without hesitation.

"Of course. You can just trust me——"

"Because we’re partners who’ll make the wind blow through the stagnant seasons, right?"

"Nonsense! We’re the ones who’ll burn the injustices from the upper district and the rift monsters to ashes—the Wildfire!"

Seele immediately interjected.

"Alright, alright. Although Wildfire’s color scheme doesn’t really match me, if Seele says so, I can’t disagree."

Venti didn’t mind letting her take the lead, but Seele was no ordinary girl.

After sizing him up for a moment, she somehow seemed satisfied and simply lay down on her side, comfortably resting her head on the boy’s lap.

"Huh...?"

"——Don’t talk. Let me nap for a bit."

To this, Venti could only nod obediently, staying silent as he leaned back slightly, feeling the breeze brush against his face.

It seemed the bard’s work could take a brief pause for now.