Orphanage

···In the end, we came. The Church.

If it were just Anastasia and me coming here, I wouldn’t feel this uncomfortable.

I kept stealing anxious glances at Orca’s expression.

I just couldn’t gauge how she was feeling right now.

Alright, maybe I should just ask directly.

“Why do you keep staring?”

“…Well, I was wondering if you’re uncomfortable.”

“Ha. Is that what you call asking? Of course I’m uncomfortable.”

“I knew it…?”

The fact that she’d be uncomfortable – I knew it, she knew it, Anastasia knew it too.

Well obviously. Because she’s a demon possessor.

Just as demons instinctively feel disgust toward humans, they also feel disgust toward the Sacred Power wielded by clergy.

Of course, there are differences between the two.

The disgust demons feel toward humans contains aggression – a desire to eliminate irritating beings.

But the disgust toward Sacred Power is slightly different.

It’s more similar to the emotion humans feel when seeing filthy sewer rats.

Though not a true demon, for Orca as a demon possessor, the Church must be an extremely awkward place.

Even knowing she wouldn’t feel good, I still don’t fully understand why she came.

“…If you’re uncomfortable, maybe we should go back…”

“No.”

“Ah, okay.”

Well, even if I don’t understand, what can I do?

She says she wants to stay despite the discomfort, and it’s not like she’s doing anything bad – she came to help with volunteer work. No reason to stop her.

“I really think it’d be better for you to go back.”

“I said I’m not going.”

“I respect your personal will but… This is the heart of the Church. The concentration of Sacred Power here is different from other places.”

“…”

“Yes, yes. Understood.”

Stubborn as a mule.

Despite coming to a place that should be grating for a demon possessor, she showed no signs of backing down, as if driven by some sense of mission.

“Tch. Why is the Watcher-nim with someone like that…”

“Shh. She might hear you.”

“Let her hear. This is the Church. Part of me wants her to make a scene.”

“True enough.”

“…Shouldn’t we move quickly? The children are waiting.”

The problem wasn’t just the ambient Sacred Power.

The residence of the Pope. True to its name as the headquarters of the Church, all clergy here were deeply devout.

There were moderates like Anastasia who believed demon possessors were victims too… but

Due to their overflowing faith, many harbored strong hostility toward demon possessors.

With both sides finding each other unpleasant, conflict could erupt at any moment.

Anastasia quickened her pace, trying to leave the area.

“I’m sorry, Orca. Our sisters didn’t mean any harm…”

“Don’t care. I’ve always been in a position to be rejected.”

“…”

“What are you doing? Hurry up. This isn’t the orphanage, is it?”

“…No. We’re almost there.”

There had never been a single case where a demon possessor coexisted peacefully with their demon, or where a demon possessor fought and defeated their demon.

That’s why everyone reacted with sharp, wary looks as if observing a ticking time bomb.

I could understand it… but

Seeing Orca being rejected like this still left a bitter taste.

“It’s okay, Orca.”

“…What is?”

“Someday you’ll become someone who doesn’t receive those kinds of reactions.”

“What nonsense.”

She didn’t seem to believe it.

Well, having lived her whole life discriminated against. If I don’t do anything, she’ll continue living that way.

She’ll live accepting discrimination as normal.

I didn’t like that.

Of course, I understood why others avoided her – because Orca was dangerous.

It’s true that when demon possessors rampage, they cause massive damage.

Even if I told everyone not to discriminate against or reject demon possessors, no one would listen.

That’s why I want to make her friends.

Friends who won’t discriminate against her, who can embrace the discriminated Orca.

Preferably, I’d want the children I like to become her friends.

The most likely candidate right now… would be Leo.

Having spent more time together than others, they must have grown somewhat closer.

…I wanted to believe that.

“We’ve arrived. This is the place.”

“So this is…”

“What do you think?”

Had I been lost in thought too long?

While walking absentmindedly, we suddenly arrived before the orphanage, and Anastasia asked for my impressions.

With an expression that seemed proud.

I thought I understood why she wore that expression.

Despite losing their families in an instant, the children playing together had bright smiles on their faces.

How much effort had she exerted to protect those smiles? I couldn’t even begin to guess.

As someone who could only help a few students by borrowing hypnotic powers and future knowledge, it would require unimaginable time and effort.

“…It’s nice.”

“Right? …Kids! Long time no see!”

“Ah, Watcher unnie! Hello!”

As Anastasia clapped her hands and called out cheerfully, the children playing among themselves swarmed around her.

She’s loved here.

This wasn’t a reaction you’d get unless you took good care of the children.

“Who’s that unnie? She’s super tall!”

“Why is only this part of your hair white? Is it gray?”

“W-wait a minute…”

“She looks scary. Is she angry?”

“I’m not angry!”

“Kyaa! She says she’s angry!”

…Orca wasn’t as scary as I thought she’d be to them.

Despite her sharp eyes and slouched posture that would make academy students panic,

Maybe because they’re children, they had no fear.

They were touching Orca’s body all over in ways that would horrify academy students.

“Wow…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“Pretty…”

“…”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry. Our children can be quite honest.”

What’s with this difference in treatment?

Though I sometimes surprise myself with how pretty I look when glancing in mirrors…

By that logic, Orca and Anastasia are equally pretty.

Why am I the only one getting this reaction?

“Kids. Stop bothering our guests and gather around for a moment?”

“Okay!”

At Anastasia’s call, the children swarmed around her instead.

Orca, who’d had her cheeks pinched and hair pulled, already looked completely drained.

She seemed weaker against children than I expected.

“Now, let me introduce you. This is Orca, my friend from the academy, and Teacher Ophelia who works there.”

“Hello!”

“Yeah, hi.”

“…Friend?”

Orca blankly repeated the word “friend.”

Could a single word like “friend” feel so awkward?

Though she couldn’t show it openly with children present, she seemed deeply confused.

…Maybe Anastasia could become her friend before Leo.

I hadn’t considered it since their relationship didn’t seem particularly good.

This felt like an unexpected gain.

“They heard how fun your games are and were curious. Can you let them join?”

“Okay! Since they’re Watcher unnie’s teacher and friend, we’ll make a special exception!”

“Thanks. You’re so kind.”

“Hehe.”

I’d guessed she was familiar here from seeing her rapport with the children, but she must have visited frequently.

Otherwise she couldn’t handle the children so skillfully.

Realizing the strangers had come to play with them, the children crowded around us shouting.

“Hide and seek! Let’s play hide and seek!”

“No! We played that last time! Today we’re doing treasure hunt!”

Huh? Wait.

As the children raised their voices arguing about what game to play, I urgently turned my head upon hearing certain words.

Hide and seek. Treasure hunt.

There was someone here who shouldn’t hear those words.

D-did she hear…?

“Orca?”

“…”

As if her earlier irritation and subtle smiles at the children’s brightness had been lies, Orca’s expression changed.

Damn. She heard. …I wish she hadn’t.

Is it because she’s a demon possessor? Unnecessarily good hearing.

“…Orca?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Wh-what?! But…!”

“Get lost. I don’t like this.”

The children seemed to sense the mood too, their excited faces now watching us cautiously.

This is maddening.

“N-now now…! It seems Orca isn’t feeling well! Teacher Ophelia and I will play with you! Should we start with hide and seek?!”

“W-we’ll stay long today…! We’ll play whatever you want! Okay?”

“…Okay.”

Forcing smiles, Anastasia and I busied ourselves calming the children, trying to salvage the mood.

But even then, my eyes followed Orca’s back disappearing down the hallway.

…I completely forgot. I should have remembered Orca might react sensitively when playing with children.

I should have stopped her from coming, even if I had to force her.