Chapter 14: Teach Us, Ayame-sensei!

[Worldview]

Generally, the term refers to what kind of world an individual inhabits, but in the world of manga, anime, and games, it is often used to refer to the world in which the work takes place. This includes things like magic, monsters, and so on. Many might find [setting] a more fitting term.

Needless to say, explaining this worldview to viewers and readers and sharing it without any omissions or exaggerations is extremely important in creative works. This is especially true for works set in fantasy worlds and other worlds that differ significantly from the real world; it is a paramount objective.

However, HOWEVER!

As the saying goes, "easier said than done," explaining this worldview is extremely difficult. Especially to do it naturally without sounding like an explanation, and without boring the reader or viewer—that's an almost impossible task.

Personally, I enjoy reading and hearing about other people's settings, so I don't mind lengthy explanations.

In fact, I'm confident I could listen to a setting about a sickly heroine all day long.

However, I understand the argument that too much explanation slows down the pace. It's certainly boring to be told things endlessly.

Thus, deciding what to convey and what not to convey within a limited number of words and scenes, and how to present the chosen information, is a headache-inducing problem for many creators.

I've gone on at length about this, but what I'm trying to say is...

'Teacher character is really convenient, aren't they?'

★★★

"Ayame-sensei. Thank you for your help again today!"

"Today!"

"Well... I say this every time, but while I am indeed a Sensei, that refers to my position as a Doctor, not as an educator or anything like that."

"But Ayame-sensei's teachings are always interesting and informative!"

"Informative!"

"Well, I mean... haa~... Just a little bit, okay?"

"Thank you, Sensei!"

"Sensei!"

"..... It's at times like these that I really think, children are strong, aren't they?"

"I'm sorry, Sensei. Please don't force yourself too hard."

"Oh, it's fine, I'm not forcing myself. I just feel a little embarrassed teaching someone something, but it's not that I dislike seeing the two of them having fun like this.

Besides, I tend to be a bit stiff during examinations, so it's genuinely nice to see these two acting normally. Has Chiharu-kun been like that all the time lately?"

"Yes. He follows Chitose-sama around, imitating her words and actions like this. It's pretty much all the time."

"Oh my! It's almost like Chitose-chan is his mother, fufu~"

"Is it safe to assume that this indicates growth?"

"Yes, yes. All children learn things by imitating someone like that. I think it's a good sign. And Chitose-chan seems happy about it too."

"Well, that's true, but it's becoming a bit of a problem that she's trying too hard to impress him..."

"Haha..."

Yes, Chiharu-kun is so cute, isn't he?

As the seasons shift from winter to spring, Chitose-chan continues her steady progress down the path of a sickly heroine.

Lately, she's been mostly teaching Chiharu-kun how to read and write, and how to live at the Onjōji household.

'These daily, steady efforts are essential for him to become the ideal protagonist.'

Chitose-chan cultivates her own ideal lover.

It's a natural courtesy for a heroine.

After all, I want him to be a kind and good boy!

.....

'..... Well, I suppose I'd be excited if he were the arrogant type too.

There's something nice about a delicate and frail girl like Chitose-chan dating that kind of guy...

Right now, Chiharu-kun is following Chitose-chan around, and with those beautiful eyes... What should I do!!

My imagination is running wild!!

It won't stop!! Ahhhhh!!'

"..... They look so happy. Thanks to Chiharu-kun's Yang energy, Chitose-chan's condition is more stable, and it really feels like a fated encounter for those two. It's truly a miraculous story."

"Right. For Chitose-sama, it must be truly fateful."

"Absolutely! ..... Yes. Well, then, let's talk about that today. Chitose-chan, Chiharu-kun. Shall we begin the lesson now?"

"Yes! Please do, Ayame-sensei."

"Please do!"

"...You seem to be enjoying this quite a bit, Sensei."

'Oh no, oh no!'

I almost lost consciousness imagining all sorts of things happening with Chiharu-kun, who's grown into a bit of a wild type. 

Well, even then, Chitose-chan's expression is always that of a fragile, sickly heroine. The expressions she doesn't usually show are reserved for special occasions, and shouldn't be shown so carelessly in a place like this.

The contrast between a girl who's always made a gloomy face and her beaming smile, that's what creates emotion.

Now, today is the day of Ayame-sensei's regular house visit, which has become a regular occurrence.

The only difference from a little while ago is that Chiharu-kun has joined us. Thanks to Chitose-chan's Yin energy, Chiharu-kun is able to go about his daily life, but both of them, in a past life, would be like patients with a designated intractable disease.

Just because they're stable doesn't mean it's okay. That's why they're both being cared for by Ayame-sensei.

I really hope she comes to Chitose-chan and Chiharu-kun's wedding, and maybe even examines their children in the future.

I'm truly indebted to Ayame-sensei; I can't thank her enough.

..... Actually, there's no one around Chitose-chan that I can thank enough!

"Now then, in our world of Onmyōji, what do we call people with unbalanced energy like you two?"

"People like Chiharu, who are biased towards Yang, are called Solar, and people like me, who are biased towards Yin, are called Lunar. Is that right?"

"Is that right?!"

"Yes! Well done!"

This is another point that makes me feel indebted to Ayame-sensei.

Chitose-chan has, of course, received a decent education, but due to her age and physical condition, it's really just the bare minimum. Of course, she's been taught the history of this world and so on thoroughly, but for someone like me who loved reading small columns in textbooks in my previous life, it's too bare-bones and not enough.

That's where we turned to our esteemed teacher, Ayame-sensei.

Ayame-sensei is incredibly intelligent and possesses a wide range of knowledge; she teaches us all sorts of interesting legends, customs, and worldly matters of this world. In addition, perhaps because of her position dealing with patients, she's also a great conversationalist, which is a blessing.

I once begged Onii-sama to tell me an interesting story, but... well... I'll just say that Chitose-chan felt like she didn't want to hear it again. Never again.

I suppose it can't be helped since his work as Imperial Guard, an office responsible for maintaining public order, but I really think it's a bit much that 90% of the topics he talks about with his cute younger sister are about the cutthroat action he experiences on the front lines.

That's why I've asked Ayame-sensei, a Doctor, to pretend to be a school teacher for me.

Ayame-sensei really teaches me all sorts of things. She teaches me about the nature of Yin and Yang energy, and all sorts of techniques that use them, including real-life examples, which is really helpful for someone like me who used to pore over game setting materials in my previous life. It's exciting to read the unnecessarily elaborate background settings in dating sim games and stuff like that...

"Some people, like the two of you, are born with that constitution, while others develop it for various reasons later in life, such as overuse of magic. Well, examples as extreme as the two of you are rare, though.

Incidentally, as you both know, the treatment involves sending in opposing energies, or using foods and medicines that activate Yin and Yang energies."

"That's what your master and Otou-sama always do for me, right?"

"That's right. As I mentioned before, sending energy to someone to change their physical condition is one of the basic Yin and Yang techniques."

"If I may add, a technique using only Yin energy is called Yin-jutsu, a technique using only Yang energy is Yang-jutsu, and using both simultaneously is Yin-Yang-jutsu, right?"

"Correct. As expected of Sakura-chan."

"Sakura is amazing!"

"Amazing!"

"...W-Well, this much is only natural for a Lady-in-Waiting like me."

"Back to the topic. We can see this when we look at Chitose-chan and Chiharu-kun.

The energy of only one side is far too powerful. That's why we Onmyōji basically use the energy of both sides to balance it out and use our techniques safely. There's no need to cut off an injured person for a small cut, right? Well, we might use it when someone is hovering between life and death, though."

This is something you really understand when you look at Chitose-chan and Chiharu-kun.

Yang energy is active, Yin energy is passive; if you only have one or the other, that characteristic becomes too strong.

In terms of my past lives, Yin-jutsu and Yang-jutsu by itself would be like potent drugs or poisons, while Yin-Yang-jutsu is like ordinary medicine.

It's like taking a strong painkiller for a minor bruise; you'll suffer even more from the side effects.

However, it's also true that Yin-jutsu and Yang-jutsu are often more powerful than Yin-Yang-jutsu, and apparently some even spread death like a curse.

'That's scary!

....Well, from an outsider's perspective, Chitose-chan, who's covered in that Yin energy, is probably scarier! Hahaha!'

But more importantly, Sakura-chan blushing from everyone's praise is so cute. I could watch this trio forever.

There's something nice about a boy-girl childhood friends trio.... Wait, what should I do?

A "Gomen Chitose-sama" scenario, or "Gomenchito" for short, seems quite possible... 

'No, Sakura-chan wouldn't do that!!'

That's a misinterpretation!  

But I'd like ten copies please!!

That's a threat, not a request!

"Now!.... Up until now we've been talking seriously, partly as a review of what we learned before, but from here on, let's talk about something a little more mundane, shall we? It would be boring if we were serious all the time, wouldn't it?"

"Mundane?"

"Yes. Everything in this world can be divided into Yin and Yang. We humans are no exception. I'm sure you all know that men are assigned Yang and women as Yin.

Related to that, let's talk about the emotions between men and women, specifically, how to confess your feelings."

"Hah?!"

"Wow!"

"??"

"I've mentioned that people with unbalanced energy like Chitose-chan and Chiharu-kun are called 'Lunar' and 'Solar,' but as you know, Lunar and Solar also have the more common meanings. They refer to the sun and the moon. 

Naturally, these are also divided into Yin and Yang, with the Moon being Yin and the Sun being Yang.

That's why women are called Moon and the men became Sun.

Also, apparently, it's become popular recently to confess to women by saying, 'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?' I suppose it's because both the moon and women are Yin, but it's such a roundabout way of putting it."

"Well, that's none of our business."

"But Sakura, you'll do something like that someday, won't you, or will it be done to you?"

"W-well, I don't know anything about that!"

"Hm??"

"Haha. Maybe it's a little too early for our Chiharu-kun."

I love Ayame-sensei because she tells stories like this!

I like situations where someone confesses their love directly, but it's also nice when someone conveys their love through unexpected words or gestures...!

And it's even better if the other person gives a nice response!

'I'm looking forward to it, Chiharu-kun! Let's create the best confession scene together!'

★★★

As the sun set and the moon shone brightly in the sky, three sets of footsteps echoed down the corridor of the Onjoji residence.

"Don't you think Ayame-sensei's story was wonderful, Sakura?"

"I think it's still too early for Chitose-sama."

"Hmm. I don't think Sakura is one to talk."

"..... More importantly, even though it's spring, the nights are still quite chilly. Going out at night is...."

"You're blatantly changing the subject... Besides, it's fine. Ayame-sensei said it too, didn't she? Thanks to Chiharu-kun, I've been feeling really good lately."

"Even so...!"

"Just for a little while. The moon is so beautiful tonight, I really want to show it to Chiharu."

Onjōji Chitose led the way, with Hojo Sakura gently admonishing her beside her, and Chiharu diligently following behind them.

The three proceeded down the corridor in a formation that had become a familiar sight to the members of the Onjōji household.

"See, it's really beautiful tonight!"

As she said this, Onjōji Chitose turned around and smiled, and behind her lay Sakura tree illuminated by moonlight. 

These were the same Sakura tree planted in the garden that the three had seen regularly recently.

However, now, instead of the usual strong sunlight, the soft moonlight illuminated them in the darkness, faintly and quietly looking down upon the three of them.

"I like the Sakura in the daytime, but I also like the Sakura at night. That's why I wanted Chiharu to see them. And... The moon is beautiful, isn't it? That's why I wanted to see it with you two."

"Hah?!"

"...Hehe. I'm just kidding, Sakura. Besides, this is all backwards. If anything, I should be the one to receive it."

"Chitose-sama!!"

"??"

Amidst the flurry of Sakura trees, the girls began their usual playful antics, their voices echoing like the fluttering of sparrows.

The boy simply watched, overflowing with emotions he couldn't put into words. Anyone who saw him would have told him that it was the feeling of being captivated.

The wind scattered the Sakura tree, and the fluttering petals enveloped the boy and girl.

This was a spring memory.

A precious, precious spring memory for the boy.