Chapter 164: Choose a path and walk on it firmly

　[The beginning of the story is self-explanatory. Under the guidance of the priest, you come to a church that serves as an orphanage. Here, you will get food, clothing, shelter, and friends.]

　　[Although you instinctively hate the priests and nuns here, you like the children here quite a bit... maybe it's because you are the same age? ]

(TL: Skip button haha Genshin could never)

[And you don't know if it's your illusion, but you always feel that their faces are very familiar as if you have seen them somewhere, or even seen them several times... You even know how to get along with them and how to take care of them, as if you have been with them for a long time]

[How strange, this should be the first time you meet them... But it doesn't matter, you don't really care about it]

[There is no need to say too much about what happened next. The priest took you to the police station as promised to help you find your relatives. While the priest was talking to the police officer, you looked around like a curious and lively child.]

[Although you always feel inexplicably repelled by this place, and the vague "intuition" that emerges makes you feel strange, you are still willing to believe in this "intuition". While running around in the police station like a playful child, you move closer to the reassuring place in your "intuition"]

[Maybe your childlike appearance is too deceptive, or maybe your politeness and cuteness made the police officers relax their vigilance. Unknowingly, you approached the place that made you feel at ease in your "intuition", and then...]

[You were caught as expected]

["Little guy, this is not the place for you." —A police officer picked you up from behind and said this]

[But at the same time, perhaps because he noticed someone outside the door, or perhaps because he simply wanted to leave the room to rest, the door in front of you was opened, and the person who was about to come out was suddenly stunned when he saw you and the police officer holding you.]

["Chief, I'm sorry, did I bother you? Um… I'm sorry that this kid is running around everywhere." The police officer explained awkwardly.]

[But you didn't care about it at all. Instead, you winked at the chief in front of you and tilted your head, as if you were thinking about something, and then greeted him happily.]

[You can sense that the feeling of peace of mind comes from him]

[Maybe it's because of your cute appearance, or maybe it's some other reason, the chief in front of you looked at you for a while and then smiled like you did, rubbing your head gently, indicating that he didn't mind it… but it's not good for children to run around everywhere, even in the police station.]

[Then, the chief casually asked about your condition. After learning that you came here with the priest, the chief subconsciously frowned, and then followed you and the police officer out with the excuse of "relaxing"]

[After you were brought back, the priest relaxed a little, but when he saw the chief who came with you, he subconsciously frowned, and a trace of annoyance flashed in his pupils... But soon, he was no longer in the mood to think about those things.]

[Maybe your politeness and cuteness earlier made the chief like you? Anyway, the chief showed that he cared about you. Not only did he talk to the priest about your situation, he also asked the police officer for a copy of your information and said he would help... Well, at the same time, he also asked the priest to take good care of you and the other children.]

[The priest just smiled, nodded, and responded gently]

[After a brief greeting, the priest took you away, and the chief watched you leave, looking thoughtful as he watched you leave... But halfway through, you seemed to notice his gaze and turned back to wave to him, which made him a little stunned for a moment, but he soon smiled and waved slightly, in response to you.]

[It was not until your figures completely disappeared from his sight that the chief fell into deep thought again... He felt that you looked familiar as if he had seen you somewhere before.]

[But you can't pay attention to those things for the time being. After returning to the church, you started your daily life.]

[After you came, there was a lively and happy child in the church... they often saw you running around in the church humming happy songs, helping out here from time to time, or playing with other children there as if you had endless energy]

[That's nothing, it's the vitality that belongs to children~ But what's more concerning is that there is always an atmosphere of "confidence" around you as if you are always full of confidence and have the confidence to do well in anything...]

[Although this is true, on the one hand, you can communicate and make friends with other children skillfully, even those "bad kids". You can talk to almost all children. As long as you are around, the children will not care too much whether the children around them are "good kids" or "bad kids". Everyone can play together.]

[On the other hand, you can also deal with priests and nuns expertly. Although you appear playful and lively, you are also very well-behaved when necessary and will help out whenever you are free, making it difficult for others to blame you.]

[In addition, you seem to be very talented in music. The melodies you hummed were quite popular with children and attracted several little "fans" at one point.]

[But you don't seem to care much about it, and you don't seem to be planning to focus on singing… Even though other children like the tune and melody you hum, you don't plan to focus on it.]

[No reason, you just don't want to… Although you also like songs and music, and you like that kind of pleasant melody, you don't want to develop too much in this area. You think… you should do other things.]

[All of this was seen by the priest]

[You can feel that the priest's eyes are looking at you more and more strangely, as if he wants to do something to you]

[But... unfortunately, he can't do it]

[If you want to know why, it's because someone from the church came. A priest who called himself "Enrique" arrived.]

[After that, the chief also came... The chief came to tell you the news. He told you that you might not have any relatives, and even if you did, it would be difficult to find them.]

[This is very sad news, but you don't seem to care too much about it. You just smile and thank him, and hum a happy melody for him as a thank you.]

[The chief saw this and felt even more sympathetic towards you. He also sighed that you are such a well-behaved child.]

[The chief's attitude naturally attracted Father Enrique's attention.]

[Father Enrique originally came to find you. As for the reason... "I must find the person I am supposed to find. I must rush to the destined person and guide him on the way forward." This is how Father Enrique explained.]

[So, because of you, the two of them became familiar with each other, which made the priest beside them tremble with fear... There was no reason, the priest just felt that if they continued, he would be dead.]

　[So, the priest decided to do something... However, because of his actions, he was inadvertently exposed, and was immediately discovered and caught by Father Enrique]

[Afterwards, Father Enrique quickly discovered many clues as if he had been guided, and then, as if he had done it many times before, he and the chief used their respective connections to investigate the church.]

[After that, there was a dazzling operation. In a short period of time, the past deeds of the priest and the nun were exposed, and then naturally attracted a lot of attention.]

[During this process, some unexpected things happened...]

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[Entry: Pious Person (Blue), has taken effect]

[It is easier for you to get help from the "church"!]

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[The church actually showed strong concern about this matter, and a nun who called herself "Teresa" also came here. She and Father Enrique are both well-known in the world, and the presence of both of them here is enough to prove the church's concern about this matter.]

[Afterwards, as expected, the priest and the nun received the due trial, and a series of events related to the incident were handled by dedicated personnel, and the children in the church were also liberated.]

[Especially the "bad kids", after knowing that the priest would never come back and they would never see him again, they cheered loudly and then threw themselves into the arms of Father Enrique and Mother Teresa, their cheers gradually turned into faint sobs... they were finally liberated.]

[And you are naturally the same... Although the priest did not do anything to you, you just hate him. Therefore, you were very happy when the priest and the nun received the judgment they deserved. When you saw the smiles on the faces of other children, you were even happier.]

['It feels good that I have changed something'——you unconsciously have this thought.]

['I will definitely change, um'——you have a firm belief in your heart.]

[Hmm... Is this an illusion? you feel like you are full of confidence this time, and your whole body is filled with a confident aura.]

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Tick-tock

It is the sound of rain falling.

The laughter of other children came from behind. On rainy days, children would stay indoors, feeling the moist and cool breeze while playing with each other.

There are also many children who like to play in the rain. After all, playing in the water is also a great pleasure for children. But every time this happens, Father Enrique and Mother Teresa will stop them, calling the children playing in the rain back with stern but caring words, and then wipe the rain off the children and their wet hair with slightly complaining and helpless words.

And Nozomi... is the same.

Of course, although he liked rain very much, he would not let Father Enrique and Mother Teresa worry, so whenever it rained, Nozomi would only stay by the eaves or the window, reaching out to touch the falling rain, but that was all.

"What's wrong, kid? You don't want to play with the others?"

"Ah, Father Enrique."

Nozomi turned around and looked at the person who came.

"Everyone is having a great time, why don't you join them?"

Father Enrique said with a smile.

"Um... no thanks."

Nozomi blinked, thought for a while, then shook his head and refused.

"It's nice weather, so I want to stay here for a while."

Nozomi turned his head, looked at the rain outside the eaves, and said softly.

"I see…"

Father Enrique nodded as if he understood.

After a slight pause, he suddenly said, "You can go if you want, okay?"

"…Huh?"

"You like rainy days, right? Then let's go."

"But... it will make you worry, right?"

"It's okay. If it's just for a while, it's fine. Well... after all, they are still children. It's okay to be a little playful."

Father Enrique said with a smile.

"Go ahead, I'll watch over you... um, but only for a little while, okay?"

"…Okay! Thank you, Father Enrique!"

After getting permission, Nozomi hesitated for a while, then walked out joyfully, strolling in the misty rain with brisk steps.

The slightly cool rain fell gently, bringing with it a soft breeze, cool and chilly, but all this did not make Nozomi feel uncomfortable. Instead, he felt particularly comfortable and liked it very much.

The raindrops hit the treetops, making crisp sounds like hitting piano keys.

The breeze moved the leaves, like plucking the strings of a guitar, producing a soft melody.

"Hmmm~ Hmmm~"

The joyful mood gradually filled Nozomi's heart, and he even hummed cheerfully unconsciously. The melody was as gentle as water and as warm as the wind.

With his eyelids slightly drooped, he immersed his thoughts in this pleasant atmosphere, letting the singing drive his body and dance steps, and with the blessing and help of the rain and breeze, he performed a beautiful dance.

Nozomi had not received any special training; he simply moved to his own singing and mood. But even so, he was beautiful at this moment. His melodious singing attracted everyone's attention, and his beautiful dance made everyone's eyes fixate on him. The atmosphere surrounding him, which was full of joy and confidence, made people unconsciously immerse themselves in it, causing them to raise the corners of their mouths and smile.

The rain falling from the sky and the hazy rain curtain before his eyes seemed to be his foil at this moment. The sound of raindrops falling around him seemed to be harmonizing with his singing.

At this moment, his figure and his clear singing voice quietly flowed into everyone's hearts, leaving a distinct mark.

"Hmmm~"

Nozomi was immersed in his own world, showing his [talent].

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[Entry: Blessing of the Water/Ocean (Blue), has taken effect]

You become more fond of water-related places and weather.

[Entry: The Twin Stars of the Era (the Pure One) (Color/Incomplete), has taken effect]

[Your talent in the field of art has greatly improved! Your talent in the field of music has greatly improved!]

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"Hmmm~"

Rain~ It's so nice. Nozomi likes rainy days the most. It's cool and comfortable. It will become cold under the wind, but he doesn't hate it at all~

'It seems that there is a sea at the edge of the continent. If I have the chance, I will go and see it!'

Nozomi was thinking while entertaining himself in his own world.

But without him noticing, his pupils had slightly changed... Well, in his dark eyes, there were flickering golden dots like stars, and the outer edges were also covered with a layer of light scarlet.

Tick-tock

The rain is still falling.

"Father."

Mother Teresa's voice sounded from the back.

"Hello, Sister."

Father Enrique then turned around, looked at the person who came and bowed to her politely.

"Hello, Father."

Mother Teresa also returned the greeting, and then the two stood side by side, looking at Nozomi who was happily "playing" in the rain.

"He's such a cute kid, isn't he?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"That's why he needs guidance... Otherwise, in the end, it will be a bad result for both him and us."

"Yes, it is true."

"So... what should he do this time? Does [He]... have any further instructions?"

"It is up to him to decide on this point."

Father Enrique said with a smile.

"Is that so... That's true."

Teresa smiled but didn't care too much. She just looked at Nozomi gently... Nozomi had had enough of "playing" and was walking towards the two of them.

"Is that all, kid?"

"It's okay now, I can't let you worry~"

"What a good boy."

Sister Teresa rubbed Nozomi's wet head, then covered his head with the towel that had been prepared in advance and helped him wipe the rain off his body.

"You seem to have a talent for singing and music, kid."

Father Enrique spoke up.

"Do you want to try to develop in this field in the future? We can try to contact some schools so that you can get more professional training."

"Um... no, I want to learn something else."

Nozomi tilted his head, following Sister Teresa's actions so that she could better wipe the rain off his body while responding to Father Enrique's questions.

"Are you sure? Kid, you might just waste your talent."

"Yeah! I want to learn more!"

Nozomi nodded firmly.

"I think... it would be more helpful if I learned something else!"

"...I see."

Father Enrique and Mother Teresa smiled at each other, then nodded without raising any objection.

"Then... leave it to us."

"Try to choose your own future path, and we will help you find the direction."

"Then, walk firmly on the path you have chosen."