Shortly after 2:00 PM, the sky began to sour. Bellfried and the other pets retreated to their designated shed, leaving Nebula to drift through the hallways of Kaito’s home, watching the world through the glass.
While a bit of rain didn't bother her in the slightest, she had remained indoors simply because Kaito had been worried about her. The clouds broke soon after, and by 3:00 PM, a steady rain was falling—not quite a deluge, but significant enough to soak anyone caught outside.
(I find myself somewhat at a loose end. I cannot have Master fretting over me, so I ought to remain inside until the rain tapers off around 8:00 PM... but what to do? Master has a guest arriving this evening, so I cannot very well intrude on that. Perhaps I should look into indoor hobbies for the future.)
As Nebula stood by the window lost in thought, she spotted two figures walking toward the gate under the cover of an umbrella. Recognizing them immediately, she floated toward the room used as a linen closet, grabbed two fresh towels, and made her way to the entrance.
Just as Nebula reached the front door, it swung open. Kaito’s parents, Akari and Kazuya, stepped inside, shaking off the damp. Nebula greeted them with a bright, welcoming smile.
"Akari-san, Kazuya-san, welcome back! Please, take these."
"Oh, Nebula-chan! Thank you so much," Akari chirped.
"That’s a big help," Kazuya added. "Even with the umbrella, my shoulders got a bit damp."
They accepted the towels with grateful smiles and began drying themselves off.
"Still, I’m glad you told us it would rain before we left this morning, Nebula-chan," Akari said. "That saved us. It’s coming down pretty hard out there; it would have been awful if we’d forgotten our umbrellas."
"It really would have," Kazuya agreed. "We don't have things like weather forecasts in this world, after all."
"Weather forecast?" Nebula tilted her head curiously. "Judging by the sound of it, is that a system for informing people of the day's weather?"
Kazuya and Akari gave her a brief explanation of the concept. Since the idea aligned perfectly with Nebula’s own natural intuition, there wasn't much they needed to elaborate on.
"I see," Nebula said with a nod. "In that case, should you ever wish to hear a weather forecast, you need only ask me! I believe I can inform you of the day's weather with ease."
"Hahaha, that would be quite reliable," Kazuya laughed.
"Yes, it would," Akari cooed. "Nebula-chan, you really are such a cute, reliable, and wonderful girl."
"But of course! For I am an Absolute One!"
Nebula puffed out her chest proudly while floating in mid-air. Kazuya and Akari watched her with heartwarming expressions, continuing their pleasant chat as they moved through the house with her. Neither of them realized that Nebula’s offer was no mere boast; with her power, she could predict the weather with 100% accuracy.
As evening approached, Nebula made her way to Kaito's room. Upon entering, she tilted her head in confusion at the sight before her. She had been summoned to be introduced to a guest she had never met, yet for some reason, this person was huddled at the far end of the room, keeping a significant distance and wearing a look of profound anxiety.
"Maybe it would be better to move to the reception room," Kaito suggested, noticing the tension.
"Hm? Why is there a need for that?" Nebula asked, puzzled. "I thought a greeting could be performed right here."
She didn't quite grasp the meaning behind Kaito's words. Then, the woman at the edge of the room spoke up, her voice trembling with hesitation.
"...Um... Spirits are supposed to be... sensitive to magic... so... Nebula... aren't you... afraid... of me?"
"Afraid? I don't quite understand the point of your question. This is our first time meeting, is it not?"
"...Y-Yes... that’s true, but... I have... the Magic Power of Death..."
The woman—Isis—seemed just as bewildered as Nebula. After hearing about the new spirit from Lilliwood and Kaito, Isis had expressed a desire to meet her, but she had assumed they would either speak from across a vast distance or meet in a specially designed reception room that suppressed mana.
In truth, they had originally intended to meet in such a room, but Nebula had happened to pass by just as Kaito was heading out to find her. The greeting had simply happened spontaneously.
To Isis, this felt like a disaster. She had instinctively retreated to the corner to maintain as much distance as possible, yet she still feared she would terrify the girl with her aura.
However, contrary to her fears, Nebula showed no sign of distress. It wasn't an act; she looked genuinely baffled by Isis's concern.
(The Magic Power of Death? Ah, I do sense a particular mana signature that exerts pressure on the mind. Is that what this is about? It is a bit unusual, but hardly something to fuss over... Oh, I suppose for those in this world, an Authority-class power is rare. I see; she feared her magic would affect me. How insulting. As if such a trifle could ever hope to influence an Absolute One.)
Grasping the situation, Nebula nodded to herself and approached Isis with a reassuring smile.
"I believe I understand now, but please, rest assured. It has no effect on me whatsoever. To introduce myself properly: my name is Nebula. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"...I-I see... Ah... I’m Isis... Isis Remnant... It’s nice to meet you, too."
"The pleasure is mine, Isis-san!"
Isis froze in shock. Nebula had reached out and taken Isis's instinctively extended hand, shaking it gently with both of her small hands. To find someone who was not only comfortable in her presence but could actually touch her was a revelation. A moment later, a joyful smile broke across Isis's face.
"...You’re really... okay... You must have great power hidden within you... Is that why? ...Nebula... you’re amazing."
"For I am an Absolute One!"
"...Fufu... I see... Hey... if you like, Nebula... would you have tea... with us?"
"Yes! I happened to find myself with nothing to do, so if you and Master do not mind, I would love to join you!"
Isis laughed happily at Nebula’s proclamation—a phrase that was rapidly becoming her catchphrase. She reached out, scooped Nebula up, and sat the girl on her lap as she took her seat. Kaito watched the scene with a warm, satisfied expression as the three of them enjoyed a pleasant evening chat over tea.
Serious-senpai: "That one-meter-tall Absolute One has terrifying social skills... She’s a communication monster on par with Kuro or Razulia."
???: "She's a paragon of attentiveness, really. The fact that she does it all so naturally is why she’s such a perfect match for Pandemonium."