Sera ran to Yuni.

“Where is the director?”

“Sera. Wait a minute… Can you help me with this?”

“Uh… Hold on, I need to find a place to put this bouquet…”

Sera placed the bouquet on the floor for a moment and took the blanket handed to her.

Yuni handed the folded blanket to Sera and picked up the next one.

“Let’s finish folding these and go together. We were both called.”

After folding and putting away the blankets, Sera and Yuni headed to the director’s office.

“Oh!! Wait a second. I left the flowers Kyle gave me.”

Sera went back to retrieve the bouquet she had forgotten.

“What’s with the bouquet?”

Yuni asked, looking at the slightly wilted, clumsily arranged white bouquet.

“Kyle gave it to me earlier. He meant to give it to me for my birthday yesterday, but I guess he couldn’t because we went to the temple.”

“Hmm… I don’t really like him. He’s too gloomy.”

Yuni grumbled.

“Huh? Kyle is timid, but I wouldn’t say he’s gloomy…”

Sera was a bit taken aback by the criticism of Kyle.

“Ah… Sera, you might not know. He’s so cold to others and me. He only talks warmly when you’re around. He acts differently in front of you. That’s what I mean by gloomy.”

“What? I can’t believe it… That shy and cautious Kyle??”

Sera thought Kyle didn’t fit the cold image at all.

“Remember when you first came, Sera? When we were kids. That’s the real Kyle.”

“…There was a time like that. He did have a prickly first impression.”

“He started following you around at some point… Anyway, when we were kids, he seemed to adore you like a real older sister, but things have changed. Kyle’s coming-of-age ceremony is approaching, right?”

Yuni spoke seriously with a rather grave expression.

“Kyle’s birthday is on January 1st, right? About six months left… It seems a bit early for a coming-of-age ceremony. Why? Has something changed?”

“Hmm… really? Well, who knows? He might have an incredibly strong pheromone. I’ve been feeling something different, some kind of emotion, you know? Earlier, when Kyle looked at you, I got that feeling.”

Sera felt puzzled by Yuni’s words.

“So, you’re saying Kyle looks at me with those kinds of feelings? I’m still…”

‘But I haven’t even had a pheromone manifestation yet…’

“Sera, do you feel nothing at all?”

“Uh, um… I never thought of Kyle that way… Well, earlier, when Kyle’s lips lightly touched the back of my hand, it tickled a bit… Hmm. It felt like something was tickling below too? And then, when you said Kyle looked at me with different feelings, my heart started to race a bit… Is this what it is?”

Sera explained in a roundabout and lengthy manner. Yuni, nodding continuously, replied.

“You never felt this way before, right? Looks like you’re becoming an adult too, Sera.”

‘Phew… I managed to talk my way out of it. Please! Let the pheromone manifestation happen normally today!’

The two chatted about this and that, placed the bouquet in the room, and headed to the director’s office.

.

.

.

As they reached the entrance of the director’s office, which was open, the director saw them and spoke.

“Ah! There you are. Sera, Yuni. Come over here and sit down.”

The director, with hair darker than Sera’s and calm moss-colored eyes, welcomed them with a gentle smile.

Marquis Lafjehill, who had visited two days ago, was sitting on the sofa in the director’s office.

Behind the sofa stood Yuni’s dinner appointment partner. Roman’s green-tinted black eyes were staring into Yuni’s light crimson eyes.

As their eyes met, both blushed and quickly averted their gazes.

Sera and Yuni sat side by side next to the director, facing the Marquis.

“This gentleman is the Marquis Seian Lafjehill, who sponsors not only Seren but orphanages nationwide. Please greet him.”

With black, sturdy hair and red eyes. In stark contrast to his pale, almost white skin, he wore a black jacket, black shirt, black pants, and black shoes. Dressed in black from head to toe, Seian sat with his legs crossed and arms folded, seemingly uninterested.

‘He must really like black… Is it a family of black? Anyway, he’s quite handsome…’

Feeling Sera’s gaze, Seian looked at her with a frown.

‘Yikes. His gaze is intense. Just like last time, he still seems displeased…’

Startled by Seian’s gaze, Sera stammered as she greeted him.

“Ah, hello, Marquis. I’m Sera.”

“Hello… I’m Yuni.”

The director smiled gently at the two and said.

“These two will become adults this year. They are children who have long been supported by the Lafjehill family.”

The director continued.

“Sera, Yuni! The Marquis has given you a wonderful opportunity!”

Seian spoke as if it were a bother.

“You’re nearly adults and still haven’t found work? Come to the capital and work at the estate.”

Sera and Yuni’s eyes widened.

“What?!”

At that moment, another knight who was outside hurriedly came in and whispered to Seian.

Marquis Lafjehill frowned even more as he stood up.

“I’ll send a carriage tomorrow morning. It will take you to the capital. That’s all I needed.”

Seian quickly walked out.

Roman gave Yuni a nod and followed his master.

“Teacher..? What on earth is going on?”

Sera asked, bewildered by the sudden situation.

“It’s exactly as the Marquis said. I had asked you two to stay because I needed you here in Seren… but now, you’ve been given such a great chance to move to the capital. You must take opportunities when they come, my dear.”

The director spoke with a slightly smug tone. Yuni was silently watching Sera.

Sera spoke, looking a bit downcast.

“It’s all… so sudden.”

“It’s sudden for me too. The Marquis showed up without warning… And if you both leave right away, how will the orphanage manage? Thank goodness Kyle will still be here at least.”

Yuni opened her mouth.

“Sera, it’s really a good thing! Actually, I might have left for the capital following Roman… but now that you’re coming too, it’s really great!”

Sera looked at Yuni with surprised eyes.

“What? Have you already promised a future with Sir Roman? I haven’t even had my pheromone manifestation yet… Oh…”

Sera quickly covered her mouth with her hand, realizing her slip.

The director and Yuni looked at Sera with surprised faces.

“Wait a minute. From what I’m hearing… Yuni, you haven’t had your birthday yet, but you’ve already had your coming-of-age ceremony? Well… I guess it makes sense with about a month left. I didn’t even get to congratulate you. But Sera… what do you mean you haven’t had your pheromone manifestation?”

“Exactly. I thought you had your pheromone manifestation, Sera. Wasn’t it?”

“Well… actually… something went wrong. The pheromone manifestation didn’t happen. So I was planning to visit the temple again this evening.”

“I didn’t even know… I-I’m sorry… because of me yesterday… you couldn’t even ask properly.”

Seeing Yuni at a loss, Sera said.

“Geez. I was planning to go alone today, knowing this might happen. Don’t apologize. I’m fine, really. Whether I asked yesterday or go later today, it’s just a day’s difference.”

“Still…”

The director spoke with a worried expression.

“I’m sorry. Given the situation, I didn’t expect you’d have to leave suddenly tomorrow. I’ll take care of the children, so go to the temple right away. Come back and tell me what happens.”

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for, teacher. Thank you for your concern. Then, I’ll be off!”

Leaving the director’s office, Yuni grabbed Sera’s arm with a determined look and said.

“Anyway, Sera. Think of it as a good opportunity. If you can’t find an answer at the temple today, let’s visit the temple in the capital! The capital’s temple is bigger and might have more information, right?”

“…Yeah! But the best thing would be to resolve it at the temple now. I’ll be back.”

Sera headed straight to the temple.

Arriving at the temple, Sera carefully walked towards the platform where the priest was.

“Um… is anyone here…?”

As Sera stepped up, she saw Emil dozing off with his head bowed behind the platform.

‘Oh. He’s asleep… What should I do…? I feel bad waking him.’

As Sera approached and looked closely, Emil, sensing her presence, quickly stood up, pretending he hadn’t been asleep.

“Ah, ah, oh… you came last night…”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“Oh, no! I wasn’t sleeping. Ahem. You’re here because of the pheromone manifestation, right? I’ll go get Priest Sherburn!!”

Emil exclaimed in a flustered manner.

“Wait..!!”

Sera urgently grabbed Emil, who was about to leave to fetch Sherburn.

“If you leave like this, you might get scolded.”

Sera took out a handkerchief and wiped the drool mark Emil had left.

Emil quickly covered his flushed face, turned his head, and ran off as if fleeing.

“Th-thank you!”

‘His face turned red. Ah, I got into the habit of doing this for the kids… Now that they’re adults, I should avoid unnecessary contact.’

A moment later, Priest Emil returned with Priest Sherburn.

“Let me introduce myself again. I’m Sherburn. I’m in charge of the Periel Temple.”

The previous day, in the chaos, she hadn’t noticed, but now that she looked properly, Sherburn had a tall stature, long ash-gray hair, and blue-tinged gray eyes. He had a relatively cold impression but quite a handsome appearance.

“Ah, hello, Mr. Sherburn. I’m Sera.”

“Yes, Ms. Sera. Would you follow me?”

Sherburn showed a gentle smile, unlike the previous night.

As they exited through the back door of the temple, the garden they had seen from afar unfolded before them. Following Sherburn’s lead, Sera walked alongside Emil.

Emil whispered softly.

“Um.. I’m really sorry about yesterday. Your friend was too strong for me to retrieve the pheromone with just my ability. Is your friend okay?”

“Yuni? Yes, she’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“Phew.. that’s a relief. After you two left yesterday, I got quite the scolding… asking why I didn’t call for help sooner.”

“Haha. It’s all in the past now. Don’t dwell on it.”

The garden was spacious. Here and there, small buildings were constructed like huts.

‘I didn’t know there was such a space behind the temple. Is it a prayer room? Or maybe the priests’ quarters..?’

Sherburn entered one of the small buildings. Inside was a statue of the deity, smaller than the one in the main temple, with only a bed and a table.

‘It seems to be a living quarter.’

“Please have a seat here.”

Sera sat in the chair Sherburn indicated, and he instructed Emil to bring tea before closing the door.

Being alone with a stranger, even if he was a priest, in a narrow space with a bed made Sera a bit nervous.

‘He’s a priest… nothing’s going to happen.’

Sera glanced at Sherburn.

“It seems a bit chilly today. Warm tea will be served.”

Seeing Sherburn sitting with a gentle smile, Sera swallowed hard.

‘Even if something… were to happen, it might not be so bad.’

“I heard your pheromone manifestation didn’t occur yesterday.”

Contrary to Sera’s thoughts, Sherburn’s still formal tone brought her back to her senses, and she replied.

“Oh. Yes… I offered prayers for the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday, but why didn’t it manifest?”

“Your name is Sera, right? Do you have another name besides Sera? Prayers must be offered under the name registered at the temple for the pheromone to manifest properly.”

Sera thought deeply and then seemed to remember something.

“Ah!! I do have another name… but I thought it was registered as Sera at the temple…”

{Se…ria… that’s your original name. But Sera. You… must live as Sera. Do you understand what I mean..?}

Sera recalled her late mother’s words.

“Hmm. Just in case, would you like to offer prayers again under the other name?”

When Sherburn pointed to the statue of the god, Sera placed her hand on it and prayed again.

‘God… I am Sera. I pray for the pheromone manifestation as I become an adult…’

When there was no response despite her prayer, Sherburn looked at Sera with an expressionless face.

“Stop.”

When Sera opened her eyes, Sherburn stood up and approached, placing his hand on her head.

…

Nothing happened. Then Sherburn took off the necklace with the black bead that was hanging around his neck and put it on Sera.

“Do you feel anything?”

“…Not really?”

As she spoke, Sera’s body suddenly felt hot. She felt her heart pounding.

“Uh… what?”

“May I kiss you?”

Sera, flustered by Sherburn’s calm question, asked back.

“What..? No, I mean… suddenly?”