Pure Misunderstanding
On the way to the chapel for morning worship, Marie and I walked side by side down the corridor, chatting.
"Fairies?"
"Yeah..."
I gave her a quick rundown of what had happened at dawn.
"Ah... I see. That makes sense. Hmm... Actually, I've heard some of the nuns complaining lately that spirits and weird fairies have been gathering around the monastery."
"...Is that okay?"
I asked uneasily, and Marie yawned nonchalantly, brushing it off like it was no big deal.
"No need to worry too much."
"Really?"
"Yeah... Spirits and fairies are everywhere—they come and go as they please. The ones gathering here aren't the type to harm humans or cause real trouble, from what I've heard. They're just these pointless little things. The nuns who can see them say they're a bit annoying, though..."
I could kind of understand that.
"By the way, it's surprising that Lessa could see the spirits. You're something special, alright. Are any around us now?"
Marie looked at me with sparkling, expectant eyes.
"No, not right now. I got mad at them earlier, so they ran off and haven't come back."
"Hehehe... They must've really gotten on your nerves to make Lessa mad. What a shame. I wanted to see your cute angry face too."
Marie's face lit up with delight.
This girl sure makes it sound easy when it's not her problem.
I turned to her and shot her a glare.
"!"
Marie flinched like she'd sensed killing intent, quickly cupping her cheeks with both hands and taking a step back.
"Tch."
"Tch?"
I clicked my tongue in disappointment and changed the subject.
"Can't other people see them?"
"...Huh? Oh, yeah... Usually not. People who can see fairies or spirits are pretty rare. Most of them are known to be incredibly pure-hearted folks."
"Are there people at the monastery who can see fairies or spirits?"
"Yeah, a few. And one of them is someone you know well, Lessa."
Someone I know well?
"Who?"
"Sister Vanessa."
I nearly stopped in my tracks from the shock.
"...Didn't you just say seeing fairies means you're super pure?"
"Yeah. So only someone as pure as Sister Vanessa can see them."
"..."
"The fact that you can see fairies too means... you're as pure as Sister Vanessa. You're amazing, Lessa..."
Marie said it with such an innocent expression. No malice there.
Anything but that... I don't want to be compared to Sister Vanessa in terms of purity.
I stared at her in disbelief and shot back.
"Isn't that info wrong?"
"I don't think so? Sister Vanessa, you... Everyone I know who can see fairies is pure-hearted and kind."
"..."
She seemed to have a serious misunderstanding.
...
..
.
At lunchtime, after eating, I headed to the garden to return the book I'd borrowed last time... and to see her.
"..."
Sure enough, there she was on the garden bench, looking all pure and innocent as she read her book.
Fraud... Marie must've fallen for that act too.
Just as I approached her, something like a black fly landed on her shoulder while she read quietly.
What's that...?
It was that "black bean" fairy I'd met before.
Their conversation drifted over.
"Boss, regular report."
"Got it."
I blinked in utter bewilderment.
Boss? What is this, a spy movie?
On instinct, I ducked behind a nearby flower bed and held my breath.
"The target did her training again at dawn today."
"She's so diligent and consistent."
Vanessa flashed a faint dad-smile from behind her book.
"But... there was a little skirmish with her."
"A skirmish?"
"Yeah, while we were surveilling the target... she noticed us and suddenly attacked."
Vanessa's eyebrow twitched up slightly.
"In the heat of battle, to protect my comrades, I had no choice but to make myself a hostage."
Meanwhile, I was floored by the fairy's shameless exaggeration, my jaw dropping.
"I managed to escape using my wits, but... I think the target might be able to see us now."
"No way... suddenly?"
"We don't know the details. Anyway, about that compensation you promised..."
"Oh, right... here."
Vanessa pulled a small piece of chocolate from her pocket, and the black bean's eyes lit up as it took it with both hands.
"Hehehe... Thank you, boss."
"Keep up the good work."
"You got it."
The fairy started chomping on the chocolate right there. Then, as if remembering something, it grinned slyly.
"...Oh dear... Almost forgot some important info."
"What else?"
"Hehehe... About her secret tastes."
Vanessa looked intrigued, setting her book down to stare at the black bean.
Sure enough, the book was some steamy erotic novel.
"Secret tastes?"
"Yup. Info from the kids who spotted her acting suspicious on the bell tower roof last night."
Last night? No way...
Was it talking about my bath?
"Looks like she has this weird fetish for exposing herself to others."
"For real?!"
"Yeah, last night she was wandering around naked... Mmph!?"
I bolted out and clamped the black fly's mouth shut.
"Uwak!!!!"
Then I grabbed it and hurled it high into the sky.
"...T-Teresa!?"
I slowly turned to Vanessa, who averted her eyes.
"It's nothing."
"...It's fine, Teresa... I, uh, I get it."
These were words I never wanted to hear from the perverted nun who secretly read erotic novels in the garden every lunch.
"No!"
"Still... e-exhibitionism is something to be careful about... If someone finds out, it can't be undone..."
That was the last straw—my pent-up emotions exploded.
"I said it's not! I just took one bath on the bell tower roof!!"
My voice echoed loudly through the garden.
"On the bell tower?"
"Eek...!"
Too late, I realized my mistake, but it was out.
"Bathing on the bell tower roof at night is pretty suspicious too..."
"...U, uu..."
My mind went blank; I couldn't think of any excuse. Frustration and injustice welled up, tears pooling in my eyes.
"Sorry..."
Vanessa suddenly apologized to me.
"Haa..."
She glanced around to make sure no one else was in the garden, then continued softly.
"Sorry... I must've put you in a tough spot. I won't pry about what you were doing on the bell tower."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. And honestly, I don't really think you have that kind of hobby. I was just teasing you since I spotted you hiding behind the flower bed... Guess I went too far. Forgive me?"
"...Uu..."
I peeked up cautiously; her face wore a bittersweet, apologetic smile.
"There, there~ Calm down and come sit here."
As I shuffled over hesitantly, she reached out naturally, pulled me gently into her lap, and sat me down.
"Aigoo~ Your pretty hair is all standing on end."
"..."
She stroked my hair like she was combing it, several times.
"Good girl~ Such a good girl~"
It felt... a little soothing.
"Feeling better now?"
"Yes."
Once I'd calmed down a bit, questions started bubbling up in my mind.
"Sister Vanessa."
I called her as calmly as I could.
I heard her tense breathing from behind.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Have you been having the fairies spy on me this whole time?"
"Haha... Don't get too mad. I just asked them because I was worried about you... And like you heard, the info they bring is all useless nonsense. Never helpful when it matters."
Even so, I couldn't fully shake the lingering suspicion.
"Hmm..."
"Haha... Anyway, what brings you here today?"
She was clearly trying to change the subject, but I let it slide.
"...Haa~"
I let out a big sigh and pulled the books from my bag.
"To return these."
"Already finished? I picked easy ones, but still—for someone who just started learning letters, you read fast."
Not entirely her tastes, then?
"Mnya..."
"As expected, Teresa's smart. Picks things up quick."
Somehow, that made me feel good.
Am I... weak to praise?
Vanessa gently stroked my hair.
"...U, uu..."
"Who'd you take after to be so pretty~ and cute~ and smart~ and sweet~?"
"...Hehe..."
Before I knew it, I was in a great mood.