＊＊＊
When I awoke, I was enveloped in something oddly warm.
“Sniff! He’s gone... My spirit’s gooone! I finally got a spirit, and now... Otakuuuuu...”
We were in the plaza, which was still pitch-black.
Stella was hugging me and sobbing like you’d expect from a girl her age. The falling tears got me wet. I waited for the right timing, then called out.
“Don’t cry, Stella. I’m still here.”
“HAAAAAH?!” she shrieked, leaping to her feet. “What?! You, what?! No way. You were still in my staff?!”
Stella’s mouth flapped opened and closed, her eyes bright red and swollen.
“Feeling better now?”
“E-Excuse me...? How long have you been awake?!”
“Since you started crying because you thought I was gone.”
“I-I wasn’t crying! I would never cry over you, duh. Some dirt just got in my eyes, that’s all...” Stella hurriedly rubbed her eyes. A pitiful excuse, but... That’s what made her a tsundere. “More importantly, didn’t you meet the Goddess?! Why didn’t she turn you back into a human?”
“Well... I didn’t meet her.”
“YOU DIDN’T MEET HEEER?!”
“I hit the statue and got knocked out. When I came to, you were cradling me in your arms.”
“Awawawah! That was just the most convenient way to hold you. I mean, otherwise my wrists would get all tired...”
“Aaah, your excuses are so forced! But the fact you’re trying so hard to come up with them is so cute!”
“Shut up! Are you stupid? Do you know how hard I worked to bring you to the Goddess statue?”
“Yeah, and I’m grateful. Thank you.”
“I-It’s not like I wanted you to thank me or anything...”
“But naturally, I don’t intend to leave it with just an apology. From today on, I’m your spirit. I may be an otaku far beneath any Grand Spirit, but hopefully I can be enough.”
Stella froze on a dime. She looked at me; I could see my reflection in her teary eyes.
“Really? You’re my spirit?”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m here in your staff, no?”
The plaza was empty, save one girl and one staff.
Even the wind was considerate enough to quiet down, leaving us engulfed in a solemn silence.
My staff-body felt warm and cozy; the heat from Stella’s palm filled me.
Eventually, Stella gave one last mighty sniffle, then looked up. “Fine, then. I’ll make do with you, pervert or not, Otaku!”
Her voice was brighter than the words implied. She was like a blooming flower; her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled. Her beaming smile gripped my heart like a fist.
“Sounds good,” I replied.
Stella cradled me preciously and began skipping out of the plaza. We were returning to the dormitory. The countless twinkling stars in the sky lit her up with gentle light.
I’m glad I’m a staff. This way, Stella can’t see my expression.
Thinking about what came next, I could hardly be as excited as her.
✦ ✦ ✦
＊＊＊
It was time for good boys and girls to go to sleep.
As soon as she was back in her room, Stella slid into bed.
It was a four-person room, but she seemed to have no roommates. Apparently every other student had asked for a room change due to Stella’s peculiarities. Oh well. That just meant she got a big four-person room to herself.
The left side of the room had a study desk, while the right side had two bunk beds lined up. The back wall of the room had a window, and to its side was an ornate relief of the Goddess.
“Mnmnmzzzz... Mr. Spirit, waaait...”
Stella, who was resting on the bottom bunk, was murmuring in her sleep. Apparently she was dreaming. Hopefully the spirits didn’t hate her in her dreams too.
Praying time is over.
I steeled my resolve within the staff holder on the side of the study desk. My one chance was while Stella was asleep. I chanted under my breath.
“Deus est mors.”
The Goddess had given me divine power; the moment I finished the chant, I felt some kind of energy building up in my forehead.
I see...this is like some kind of laser beam. Just gotta focus and blast.
Now that I had a feel for what to do, I focused my mind, opened my eyes, and blasted the divine power with all my might.
There was a violent bursting sound.
And that was it. The room returned to its previous nighttime silence.
I was suddenly struck by the urge to laugh. I was tense. There was no going back now.
“Oh... Looks like my aim was a bit off. I’ll need to practice more,” I said. My divine power had destroyed the relief of the Goddess.
Your eyes will always be on me, huh? How about you don’t stalk us at all!
A cross-shaped scar was emblazoned on the Goddess’s forehead, leaving both of her eyes crushed. We were talking about a clearly evil Goddess here—it was best to suspect anything in her form was a pair of eyes.
Had the Goddess seen my rebellion? Would I be safe after defying the ruler of this world? Well, there was no point thinking about it.
I was an Otaku. I could turn my back to the gods, but not my own tastes.
Stella is an evil witch? She’s the one behind me being bound to a staff? So what. Stella is a tsundere...she’s still my idol!
Stella had lied to me. She’d told me her wish was to have a Grand Spirit. Even though she was fine with any spirit, even though I was more than enough to grant her wish...she’d lied.
That had to be because she’d learned my wish was to go back home.
Stella, out of consideration for me, had sacrificed her own wish and selflessly devoted herself to granting mine.
As a tsundere, she couldn’t admit she hoped I’d stay in her staff no matter how much she wanted it.
I’m an idiot for not noticing Stella’s lying. And there I was, lecturing the Light spirits as if I’m not just as bad! Tsundere girls do NOT go around asking for help.
Stella never would have honestly asked me to stay in her staff forever.
“Zzz... Mr. Spirit, don’t go...”
Stella rolled in bed.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Like I said: Otaku live for their idols.”
For some reason, the Goddess of this world wanted Stella dead, but I wasn’t about to let that happen. Kill the tsundere witch? You asked the wrong guy, Goddess. As an otaku, I’d protect my idol with everything I had.