Jutia-san had told me that I was Loved by Nature. While it was true that I liked nature and was even tending to the World Tree, it wasn't as if I were more intimately connected to the environment than the Elves or other similar races. Given that, I wondered if Shallow Vernal-sama's Blessing was the primary factor behind her evaluation.
"Is the fact that I'm Loved by Nature really just because of Shiro-san's Blessing?" I asked.
"It might play a part, but I don't think that's the whole story!" Jutia-san replied. "As I said before, being Loved by Nature is something felt through pure intuition, so I can't be one hundred percent certain... but in my experience, I feel like Kaito is much, much more Loved by Nature now than when we first met."
"So you're saying something happened between our first meeting at the White God Festival and now that made this feeling grow stronger? Hmm, I can't think of anything specific..."
Jutia-san herself admitted it was a matter of intuition, making it impossible to quantify. Still, since she was so adamant about it, I must have become significantly more "loved" since the festival.
But if so, what was the cause? Shiro-san's Blessing hadn't grown stronger during that period, nor did I recall any significant events related to nature.
"Listen, listen—this is just my own theory, and I haven't exactly proven it, but... I think the sensation of being Loved by Nature fluctuates based on how much the person is liked by Spirits and Fairies."
"And that means?"
"As I mentioned before, the Spirit Race and Fairy Race are all essentially fragments of nature itself. It's hard to put into words, but... I think we're all connected at our very roots, in some deep, subconscious way. That’s why, when someone is liked by many Spirits, we perceive them as being Loved by Nature as a whole."
It was a persuasive argument. If Spirits and Fairies were extensions of the natural world, then their individual favor would naturally aggregate into a broader sense of being Loved by Nature. That would certainly explain Jutia-san's observations.
Between the White God Festival and now, I had become acquainted with several of the Seven Princesses. I had also interacted with many Spirits and Fairies involved in the Harmonic Symphony, and we had socialized further during the Tea Party afterward. I liked to think I had made a good impression on them.
If intimacy with Spirits and Fairies was proportional to the feeling of being Loved by Nature, then the increase since the festival made perfect sense.
"So, I do think the Blessing of Shallow Vernal-sama is related," she continued. "It gives you an aura and a magical signature that Spirits and Fairies find easy to like. But that's only the catalyst! It's Kaito's own kindness and personality that truly draw them in. Because you've won over so many Spirits and Fairies, you feel exceptionally Loved by Nature."
"Well, hearing you say that makes me happy. I've made quite a few friends among the Spirits and Fairies recently, and they've all been wonderful people. I hope we can stay on good terms for a long time."
"Mm-hmm, exactly! Being close is a wonderful thing! Anyway, you should have confidence in yourself. It's not just the benefit of the Blessing of Shallow Vernal-sama; I can say for sure that it's Kaito's own charm that makes us like you. After all, as I've spent time with you, I've become one of the people who loves Kaito very much myself!"
"Oh, thank you."
I knew she meant it purely as platonic affection for a friend, but being told she loved me with such a radiant smile was still deeply embarrassing. Still, being liked felt good, and I could feel a warmth spreading through my chest.
Serious-senpai: "No, she definitely means something else! It's just hard to tell because she's the type who conveys her feelings in a refreshing and straightforward way, but Jutia definitely likes Kaito in a romantic sense. I'd bet she's even aware of it herself... And besides, look at that logic. If Jutia's theory is correct, then the more intimate he gets with one Spirit, the easier it is for other Spirits to take a liking to him. It's basically a system where winning over one person gives you an Affection Level Boost with the entire race... It's terrifying!"