When I entered the changing room for female teachers and staff with Sister Leanne, my first thought was, 'It's a bit dazzling'. The teachers' lockers were shining and reflecting in the sunlight.
I watch the fine shimmer of dust in the air and pull back the blackout curtains ahead of the sisters.
'Here you go'.
Sister Leanne, who has made sure that the room is no longer visible from the outside, suddenly hands me a white robe.
'Um, don't you take measurements?'
No, it's fine. It will fit you perfectly.
Sister Leanne replies in a matter-of-fact manner.
I see. The monastic clothes I have always been allowed to wear have been roughly adjusted to my size.
I accept the clothes obediently, although I have some doubts as to why she took the trouble to take my measurements.
'This is not something that is given to just anyone.'
Saying this, Sister Leanne points to the pure white vestments on my hands.
'These are nun's vestments given by the Church only to those who have the right to receive the blessing of the Goddess.'
It seems like a very valuable piece of clothing.
I haven't even joined the church yet, but I'm starting to get nervous.
'Oh, no, you can't just give me a ......'.
I have been watching you and your conduct. You are truly kind, you listen to the voices of those who come to your church, and you answer them with dedication.
Sister Leanne smiles and smiles.
It's just like the way of the 'Rainbow Goddess'. Now, please try it on.
' 'Yes, yes. ''
i had been taught how to put on the nun's uniform by Sister Leanne before, when i was imitating her, so i was able to put it on easily.
However, there were a few differences from the nun's habit she had worn before.
Firstly, the fabric is only white and gold. The one I wore in church had a lot of black and only a little bit of white around the edges.
'The clothes are basically similar to the vestments worn at official ceremonies. As I told you earlier, it is a religious garment given by the Church only to those who will receive the blessing of the Goddess.'
' Yes.'
And the veil on her head was also different.
The previous one was a head covering so that the hair did not stick out too much. This vestment, however, only has a veil with thin platinum lace woven into it.
'Your hair colour is ...... 'It is a colour that even the gods could not create. To hide that silver thread is nothing. With awe, gratitude and friendliness, I have lost the hat part.'
I don't know about you, but I felt a little grateful.
I felt a little grateful, even if I didn't know what it was, because I had been feeling a little uncomfortable in the hat that held my hair up.
And this is the object that denotes your rank.
The Sister showed me a rosary with a silver circular ring on it.
It was connected to a thin chain and, on closer inspection, there was a single small blue gemstone embedded in the metal.
If you decide to become a member of the Church of the Rainbow Goddess Arco Iris, you will first be given the rank of 'reader'. However, your vestments indicate that you are at least a 'deaconess'. In some cases, your rank may even be that of 'Deacon Deacon'."
Um... ...... Are we talking about a rank within the church?
I mean, you look like the equivalent of a 'Deacon Deacon' or something like that, but you're actually a 'Reader', right?
'Sister Leanne. What is a 'reader'?"
'A reader who reads the teachings of the Rainbow Goddess.'
I see. So, um, ...... What are the doctrines? I'd like to hear more about the rules and precepts. ......
'There are no precepts.'
' Huh?"
Even though it's a religion?
'There is only one doctrine: "To guide people in the right direction". That's all."
......
'I'm sure you already understand that, don't you, Shoutarou Jintarou?'
[...... Start listening to the penitent zange.
Indeed, I listened to the flower-loving youth, Yurachi-chan, Shizuku-chan and my sister, and expressed my opinion in my own way, hoping that it would go in the right direction.
Simultaneously, I was also able to create an opportunity to face the seeds of my own smouldering worries.
There was a synergistic effect. Perhaps.
In other words, is that what I'm saying?
They are helpful, taking advice on people's problems.
That seems to be all there is to it.
So what am I supposed to read to them as a 'reader'?
Well, do I have any obligations as a 'reader'?"
'Not really, but if I had to, I would probably tell them old stories about the 'Rainbow Goddess'. If they are interested, I tell them a story. You don't necessarily have to tell them the story."
The story about the colour goddesses in the game?
What was it?
Sister Leanne explained it to me on my first meeting with her, but I don't remember much about it. Let's see, first there was the black and white god, and then the morning and night god, right? Those two got married, and then the grey god was born. ...... Then I remember that the rainbow-coloured goddess was generated by collecting gods of different colours, like blue and red, and then the rainbow-coloured goddess was generated ----.
So between the rainbow-coloured goddess and the grey god, the being who inherited the ten colours, the great source of human beings, was born?
I asked Sister a question as I was still hazy on the subject when I unravelled my vague and ambiguous memory.
' Read the myth to her: ...... 'I understand,' she said. Can I have a book or something with those myths in it?'
'Of course.'
Then you can rest assured.
I'll read it to you later.
Then, Shoutaro Jintaro-san. Since this room is air-conditioned, let's actually touch the outside temperature to find out what the temperature feels like.
"'Uh, yes?"
'I mean, is it hot enough for you to wear that nun's habit?'
Sister Leanne murmurs softly to me: 'And we don't want you to fall ill from heat stroke as we did when we met you.
' And if you find it difficult to move, or if you feel uncomfortable with the length or size of your clothes, please report it to me.'
' "Yes."
I go out into the corridor as the Sister asks me to.
'Are you going to be all right?
' 'Yes, I'm fine. Yes, it's cool enough'.
I don't know why. I wonder why I don't feel the summer heat, even though I am sure that the fabric is sewn very tightly. Is it a cool biz style, cool material? Or is it made of a material that dissipates heat easily?
'After all, is it the "Queen's Egg" with the blessing of the Goddess ....... Now then, please actually take a stroll around the area and report back to me later if you find anything uncomfortable in your clothes."
She turned her back on me and started walking down the corridor.
'Eh, ah ...... Yes, ah. Where is Sister Leanne?"
I ask her, who has implied that we are going our separate ways.
She stops at my question, turns around and approaches me again.
'I'm going to see the chapel that is currently under construction here at the school. It's next to the tennis courts and I need to see the progress with my own eyes.'
'Let's see: ...... 'Is a church going to be built in this school?'
'It's not a church, but the chairman of the school is a devout and pious believer. Apparently, they have applied to be part of the 'Arco Iris' church.
......."
Well, it's not unusual for high schools to incorporate the spirit of religion as part of their education.
There are many schools that incorporate Christian and Buddhist concepts.
Is that normal?
It is surprising that the high school I go to is moving in that direction, but I don't feel bad about it. At the same time, the new school is also a good place to learn about the history and culture of the country.
''You seem to have a special attachment to this school, don't you? You can go your separate ways from now on, but please report back to me later on how your nunnery clothes are doing'.
Yes.
I'm just telling you to take a walk as you like.
I feel that the 'Rainbow Goddess Arco Iris' church has a lot of freedom or liberalism as a whole. It seemed like a convenient sect for me.
'oh, and ......'
Sister Leanne took out a yellow stone ・・・・ colo... and said.
'In case of emergency, use this.' '...... Huh?"
There is a reason why I sounded so stupid.
Because, without any context, the stone that Sister took out, which was nothing out of the ordinary, was indeed a familiar object.
it was certainly something I had seen before.
Moreover, it was only recently.
Sister picks up the unmistakable object with her fingers and holds it up so that I can get a good look at it.
'Strike this hard against something hard. 'Then the intensity of the light that burns out your eyes will illuminate the tramps who try to lay their hands on the messenger of the Goddess and rob them of their sight.'
Sister Leanne speaks enthusiastically of the stone's true nature.
In Clan Clan, it was the very 'flashlight flash stone' that I had created with alchemy.
The 'flashlight stone', which was made by combining 'sun yellow' and 'hard stone', was very useful in discovering the underground city of Jörn, where the giants were hidden. The light generated when it was used momentarily slowed down the movements of the 'Huge Zombie, the Corpse of the Giant Genealogy' and saved the day on numerous occasions.
Such a thing is now in ...... Sister Leanne is holding in her hand?
'This is ..... Isn't this an item that turns your vision completely white for ...... three seconds?"
'It's not that simple. It literally produces light to the extent that it can damage a person's... eyesight. You have to close your eyes before rubbing it in.'
"...um, ......"
"You won't be able to see properly for an hour. After that, some people may be left visually impaired... in varying degrees."
Oh, come on, you're giving me that kind of noise ...... I mean, what's going on?
Why is there a 'flashlight'?
It's a very similar shape and appearance.
Could it be that ...... Are the Clan Clan items based on real objects and used as items in the game?
'Sister Leanne, ...... 'May I ask the name of this, stone?
'Yes, Shuntaro Jintarou-san. This stone, which contains the power of the Goddess Mother, is--'
She slowly opens her mouth and says the name of the stone.
The sister's shapely lips moved in what seemed like slow motion.
'The name is called the 'Flash Dancing Stone'.'
I stared at her face as she spoke proudly.
'May the Goddess bless you, my dear.
'Oh, no, ...... Sister Leanne, is this ......?
'What are you surprised about? It's just a security item. Here in peaceful Japan, it may be minor, but in less secure areas, it's a standard ore used by the faithful for self-defence.
''Ha, ha.''
Is there such a crime prevention goods?
Are there any real-life Clan Clan objects?
No, that kind of thinking is wrong. In turn, the Clan Clan is merely appropriating something that exists in reality.
In the same way that games often incorporate stories and settings based on existing religious motifs, the Clan Clan is probably using a similar approach.
As a good example, as Shizuku-chan explained before, the Clan Clan has a track record of incorporating the belief in the minor religion 'Arco Iris, the Rainbow Goddess' into its games.
Yes, that should be the case.
"'You will eventually awaken to the blessing of the Goddess..."
Blessing ......?
With a deep smile, the Sister turned on her heel and walked away from me.
I am going ...... to the chapel. I think she's on her way.
'............'
The chapel under construction is certainly of interest. I had the option of going with Sister Leanne to see it, but I wasn't in the mood for that right now. Besides, the proximity of the tennis courts means that we would be outside the school building, which means that we would be in the public eye.
If that's the case, I'd rather not now.
With a strange feeling of discomfort in my heart, I look down the long corridor.
'Let's walk a bit, ......'.
I rolled the 'flashlight flash stone' that had become strangely familiar in my hand, and I somehow turned my steps towards my classroom.
----
----
I wanted to calm down in various ways.
I wonder if it was because of that.
Somehow I found myself in the classroom of Year 1 Class 2, a class I had naturally become accustomed to going to.
'I had to call my sister or something.'
I told my sister on line, 'I'm in my own classroom, so if anything happens, tell me immediately', and she said, 'It's going to take a bit more time over here. Taro, I know you know, but don't wander around too much. If you don't need me for anything, come back,' she replied immediately.
'I'll be back in a while,' I sent, and tucked my phone into the pocket of my monastic clothes.
'Phew. ......'
I stare quietly at the classroom.
My everyday life.
I almost lost it.
When I think about it, I'm terribly glad to be in this space.
These days, I exchange casual conversations with my classmates here, and joking around with Kouya and Yuuki.
I watch my favourite girl Akane from afar, and when I see an opportunity to talk to her, I feel a sense of excitement and elation. Her smile is as bright as a sunflower, blooming in this classroom.
she is Miyanochi Akane.
I have made a Un confession to her.
Bitterness remains, but I still want to see her again, if I can.
I never thought I would realize how important the days I spent at school were after I became like this.
I think about this when I hear the voices of the students working hard in their club activities, faintly audible from outside.
'Was I like this then, too? ......'
I remember the time when I was waiting for Akane Akane-chan, just before I confessed to her.
'Just a little.'
Somehow, I wanted to catch a breeze and I went out onto the balcony.
The midsummer sun was shining down on me. But thanks to my cool monastic clothes, I was not affected by the heat and humidity.
Satisfied with the cool vestments, I looked around at the scene below.
Then I closed my eyes.
The shouts of the baseball and football teams, the whistle sound of the swimming team starting off.
I listen carefully to the tunes played by the various instruments of the brass band.
'...... If my sister gives me the OK, I'll belong to the 'Rainbow Goddess Arco Iris' church.'
What I have found here is a strong desire to continue as a student here by all means.
'This way, one thing at a time, I'll know.'
There's still so much I don't know.
I don't know how I feel, I don't know what's going to happen.
I don't know about the church, about this illness, about how to deal with my friends.
In reality and in games.
Even the rough stone I hold in my right hand.
'A flashing flashlight stone, or ...... I didn't know such a thing existed in real life.'
The yellow stone in his hand, he stares at it and mutters quietly.
At that moment, there was a rattling sound of a window opening behind me.
I hurriedly turned around and there was a male student there.
In the game, Yuji was a small, blue-haired bishonen, but in reality he was a chubby, but muscular around the shoulders - a lover of bishojo.
'Your Excellency Kakka ......?'
He wears a swimming cap and goggles, and dripping water runs down his cheek cheeks, neck, chest and protruding belly. Whether it is sweat or pool water cannot be determined.
But one thing can be said.
The way he stares at me, in his heavily encrusted sea pants, is...
He is a hentai being who deserves to use the 'flashlight flash stone'.
Just then, the guy who wanted to use it appeared. ...... Is it really a coincidence? Or is it a fate that only God knows ...... Or is it a fate that only the Goddess knows?
The most important thing to remember is that you can't just take a chance on a person.
I pretend to be someone else.
'From the poolside, I saw you on the balcony, and I immediately rushed over to see you. ...... 'I knew it, Lord Taro, you're a real cunt, aren't you? Butsafutsu, inquired Jintaro: ...... Your Excellency."
But I can't escape the question from Yuji.
I move only my head giggly and smile awkwardly at him.
'Ha ha ha ......'
This seems to have been done.
What should I do?
There are so many things I really don't know.