Real Title: I'm Nine Years Old This Year
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Serina brought me a message.
Since I had not gone to the safe house recently, Mine used special means to contact Serina. After asking about my situation, she had Serina pass along a message to let me know she was safe.
"Sensei should also find some time to visit the captain," Serina said gently. "Until Seia-sama fully recovers, the captain still refuses to disclose her exact whereabouts to anyone other than you, and she stubbornly refuses to use communication devices. If sensei does not go see her, she will really feel lonely."
Only then did I realize that I had unintentionally neglected Mine. Feeling both embarrassed and ashamed, I told Serina that I would definitely make time soon to visit Mine and Seia.
However, in that case, there was still something I needed to prepare beforehand.
As expected, the injury I got while testing my new ability had fully healed after a night's sleep.
It made me reflect on how vast the gap between abilities could be, almost as large as the difference between pink-haired girls in Kivotos.
Now that my mobility was no longer restricted, I should take care of things as soon as possible.
So, the next morning, I headed to Shanghaijing Secondary School, the Eastern Alchemy Society∼
The Dream Potion needed to actively connect with Seia and enter dreams together was nearly depleted. If I wanted to comfort Mine while also visiting Seia, I needed to replenish it. I also heard that Saya had recently developed a more portable concentrated pill version, and I was curious about its effectiveness.
At the same time, after realizing that even with the Shittim Chest, I could still get injured by accidents, I wanted to take this opportunity to consult Saya, an expert in pharmacology, about common medicines. Maybe she could recommend some that were affordable and had minimal side effects.
"Excuse me."
However, when I arrived at Saya's laboratory, the mouse-eared girl I had arranged to meet was nowhere to be seen.
Although I could contact her through Momotalk, there happened to be someone I could ask in the lab...
A very young student.
She looked about eight or nine years old, with a delicate and adorable appearance. Black hair, green eyes, animal ears, wearing a qipao with white stockings and small leather shoes, carrying a long rectangular case wrapped in cloth on her back.
From her appearance and clothing style, she bore some resemblance to Shun, the instructor from Plum Blossom Garden.
As I wondered whether Shun had another younger sister besides Kokona, or perhaps a distant cousin, I put on a gentle smile.
"Hello."
"Sensei!?"
The unfamiliar girl seemed to recognize me instantly. "W-what are you doing here…"
Was she a child I had looked after when I helped at Plum Blossom Garden before? But if that were the case, with such a resemblance to Shun, I should have remembered her.
And for some reason, her attitude toward me felt slightly nervous.
After a brief moment of thought, I arrived at a surprising yet most reasonable conclusion...
So my admirers even include elementary school children now?
Well, true overwhelming charm could naturally be recognized even by innocent children.
Just like when I worked as a temporary instructor at Plum Blossom Garden. After just one day, my popularity had already far surpassed Kokona's and almost matched Shun's.
Moreover, at that age, children tend to imitate older students. If older students around them became my fans, it was only natural that younger children, lacking independent judgment, would also develop admiration for me.
With that in mind, I walked over, crouched in front of her, and smiled even more warmly.
"Little one, did you come from Plum Blossom Garden?"
Plum Blossom Garden and the Eastern Alchemy Society were close in location and often collaborated. When children at Plum Blossom Garden felt unwell, they usually came here for medicine.
However, children rarely came alone. They were usually accompanied by an instructor.
"Th-this appearance is because… huh?"
The unknown little girl blinked her green eyes, looking confused.
Just as I thought she might be too overwhelmed to speak from seeing her idol, she suddenly put on a sweet smile and introduced herself:
"Y-yes! I-I'm nine years old this year, a new member of Plum Blossom Garden… I-my name is Sh… Shunling!"
She spoke with a slight stutter. As expected, she was excited to see me. And she was new to Plum Blossom Garden…
Definitely my fan.
The girl calling herself Shunling continued, "I was taking a walk around Shanghaijing with Shun-nee, but we accidentally got separated…"
"I see…" She was probably related to Shun after all. I continued, "Shunling, have you seen Saya?"
If she had wandered here after getting separated, Saya might have found her. Then Saya probably went out to look for Shun.
The logic was flawless.
However, Shunling said, "Ah, ah! I didn't see Saya-nee. Maybe she went out for something?"
I frowned slightly, feeling that things were becoming a bit strange.
If Saya did not know there was a lost child here, then she likely had something else important to attend to. Although it was not yet time for our appointment, I was not sure if she would make it back in time.
But that could be considered later.
"In that case, I'll contact Shun to come pick you up first."
As I spoke, I took out my phone and made the call.
Shunling froze for a moment, then said urgently, "…Eh? W-wait, sensei, please wait!"
In the next instant, a melodious ringtone sounded from her body.
So I froze as well.
An awkward silence lingered for several seconds.
"Ah, ahaha!" Shunling laughed awkwardly. "Um, Shun-nee lent me her phone to play games, and when we got separated, she forgot to take it back, so…"
"…Shun?"
I called out tentatively.
"Shunling" held up Shun's phone. "Wow∼ wow∼ Shun-nee is so nice! Mobile games are so fun!"
"…Elixir?"
I could not help but ask.
"Eh? S-sensei, what are you talking about? I'm just a nine-year-old child, I don't understand at all!"
"…Mm, I see, Shunling. Sorry, I misunderstood."
I looked at the girl in front of me, who was most likely Shun affected by Saya's half-baked elixir, now visibly relieved, and decided it was better not to expose her.
After thinking for a moment, I added, "So, Shunling, what are you planning to do next?"
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