Though their reactions left a lingering sense of unease, I didn't press the issue. Instead, I settled into some light banter with the three of them, Noin-san included.
After a bit of idle chatter, Fia-sensei brought the conversation back to the original topic as if she'd suddenly remembered it.
"So, Miyama-kun? What was it you wanted to see me about, anyway?"
"Well, since Noin-san is here, this might be a redundant question, but..."
"Hmm?"
Noin-san was part of Kuro’s family, so she definitely had an invitation already. If she and Fia-sensei were best friends, it wouldn't have been strange if she’d already invited her to the Six Kings Festival. Still, there was no harm in asking, so I decided to extend the invitation anyway.
Fia-sensei tilted her head curiously and started to stand up, teapot in hand, to fetch a refill of herbal tea. That was when I told her the main reason I’d come.
"The Six Kings Festival is coming up on the 24th of the Month of Light. If you'd like, Fia-sensei, would you go with me?"
"……Eh?"
A moment later, the teapot slipped from Fia-sensei’s grasp. It hit the floor with a sharp crash, shattering into a thousand pieces.
What... what was that? What is this reaction?
This storm of emotion...
The second I spoke, my Sympathy Magic caught a volcanic eruption of feelings pouring out of her. Fia-sensei’s expression hadn't changed; she looked only mildly surprised. But the emotions I felt through my magic were like a violent, muddy torrent.
Regret, terror, anger, grief, anxiety, a desperate urge to flee... A darkness so deep and turbulent roared out of her that I nearly recoiled. I was left utterly speechless.
Suddenly, Noin-san stood up and moved to Fia-sensei’s side.
"Oh, honestly, Fia... This is just like you, but you're as clumsy as ever."
"A-Haha, yeah. Sorry. My hand just slipped..."
Clumsy as ever? Was that really it? Because to me, it looked like Fia-sensei hadn't just accidentally let go—she had dropped it because she was profoundly shaken.
Even from Noin-san, I felt a frantic, defensive energy, as if she were desperately trying to smooth things over. Her face was calm, but I felt as though I had inadvertently touched something that should never be disturbed.
"……Miyama-kun."
"Eh? Oh, yes!"
"I'm sorry. It’s very kind of you to invite me, but I have a lot of patients scheduled for house calls around then. I’m afraid I won't have the time."
It was a lie. I knew it without even needing Sympathy Magic. But I couldn't say a word.
Fia-sensei had to know her lie was transparent in this state. The fact that she’d chosen to lie anyway was a clear signal: Don't dig into this any further.
"I see... I'm sorry for being so pushy."
"No, no. I'm truly happy you thought of me. Thank you for the invitation."
I didn't understand. How had things gone so wrong? I had only wanted to invite her to a festival.
Why did she smile like she always did while radiating such profound sadness? I couldn't ask. I felt like if I did, it would break her.
The atmosphere remained awkward after that. Conversation didn't exactly flow, so I eventually found an excuse to return to the mansion.
That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn't stop the events of the day from replaying in my mind. Fia-sensei’s emotions had been so cold and dark they’d made my heart ache. It was impossible to reconcile those feelings with the gentle woman I knew.
Part of me wanted to know the truth; another part felt I should never step across that line.
It was likely related to the "sin" she had mentioned before. I’d always been skeptical of her claim that she’d killed as many people as there were crosses in that church. I’d assumed they were patients she simply couldn’t save despite her best efforts.
But seeing her today... my gut told me it was something else entirely.
It made even less sense now. Why would someone as kind as Fia-sensei take a life without reason? She wouldn't. I wanted to believe she wouldn't.
But I didn't know the reason, and no matter how much I agonized over it, the answer wasn't going to present itself.
I sat up, clutching my head in frustration, when a glowing bird of magic appeared before me.
"A Hummingbird?"
It was the magical equivalent of an email, a staple of communication in this world. Who would be messaging me at this hour? I touched the bird, and glowing script drifted into the air.
『Sorry it's so late. Could you come to the church? —Fia』
Short and concise... yet there was a palpable weight behind those few words.
I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, and activated my teleportation tool. Since I visited the clinic often for Noah-san’s treatments, I had a waypoint registered right outside.
In an instant, light enveloped me and deposited me at my destination.
Inside the dim church, Fia-sensei stood before the altar, bathed in moonlight filtering through the stained glass. She wasn't praying. She stood perfectly still, face tilted upward as if watching the moon through the glass. She looked ethereal, almost hauntingly beautiful.
"I’m sorry... for calling you out so late."
"No, it's fine."
Her voice echoed through the silent hall. When she slowly turned around, her expression made it look as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
Dear Mother, Father—Fia-sensei is a kind, cheerful, and occasionally airheaded woman. She’s easy to talk to, but looking back, there was always a sense that she was carrying a heavy burden. Now, I’m certain of it. Whatever she is about to tell me... it is a secret she has kept hidden all this time.