To have said something like that in front of someone who was a churchgoer… Suimei was regretting his disrespectful choice of words when Lefille smiled warmly.
“Haha, I know, right? That said, it’s better to be careful. I personally don’t mind, but if you were heard by someone particularly pious, you’d be in for a loooong sermon.”
“I’ll watch myself. I was a bit hasty.”
“That’d be best. However, it’s not like I have any right to talk, having raised objections myself after receiving this kind of oracle.”
“Oh…?”
Suimei blinked in surprise. Perhaps that “loooong sermon” she had mentioned had been experienced firsthand.
Lefille laughed again, mocking herself.
“Honestly. Having something like this happen after praying for so long… I’m running way behind schedule because of that.”
“You have my sympathy.”
“No need, I did it to myself more or less. The fruits of my own foolishness, so to speak.”
“Let that be a lesson to me,” she added as Suimei posed a question of his own.
“So that’s been going on all day?”
Understanding the question implicit in his words – “You’ve been asking people like this all day?” – Lefille nodded strongly.
“Yeah. You’re already the tenth person today.”
“Wow. That’s awful.”
“Tell me about it. Once I mention the oracle, the predominant reaction has been to treat me like some kind of weirdo… but there’ve been a few who thought I was flirting with them.”
“Ahh…”
Suimei expressed his understanding of the situation as she sighed gloomily.
Although he wasn’t quite sure just what kind of weirdo they imagined her to be, but the other kind he more or less understood. If someone as beautiful as her were to ask for someone’s name, then all men – not just those with ulterior motives – would likely think she was flirting with them.
That heavy sigh was an indicator of just how many times this must have happened already.
“So, how about it? If it’s not a problem, would you mind telling me your name?” Lefille asked once more, adjusting her posture.
What should I do about this…? To be honest, it wasn’t really a big deal. As described by the oracle and her, perhaps this once-in-a-life-time chance meeting was really something more.
Just revealing his name would be harmless, so he answered.
“I’m Suimei Yakagi.”
“Yakagi-kun, is it? Sorry for bothering you over something like this.”
Seeing her apologetic look, Suimei shook his head.
“It’s not a problem at all. On that note, can I ask? Are oracles from the Church of Salvation a common thing?”
“I don’t think so. I’m a pretty frequent churchgoer, but this is my first time experiencing anything like this. It might be common for people more pious than myself though.”
“I see…”
He replied in a tone of mixed interest and disinterest. So the Church of Salvation has oracles about individual lives, and not just governmental affairs, huh? Is this all part of some greater plan or just a hobby of the person giving the oracles?