We eagerly reached into the basket, popping the red fruits into our mouths one after another. It was so strange. These fruits were supposed to be bitter, but no matter how many we ate, they were all sweet. Once we came back to our senses after demolishing the lot, I glanced over at Serafina, but she was just smiling happily.
One of my friends had mentioned the other day that, very rarely, there could be some exceptionally sweet red fruits mixed in with the rest. But there was no way Serafina heard that and decided to treat us to them, right?
It has to be a coincidence. I mean, it’s not like she can understand the spirit language.
But just as I was thinking that, the spirit next to me posed the same question. “Did you pick the sweet red fruit for us because we were talking about it?”
I looked at Serafina. She’d stopped moving and was listening intently, like she always did when we talked. I was just thinking that she really did seem to be trying to make out the spirit language when she opened her mouth and made a sound only spirits could produce.
“Umm…yesh. I mean…yes.” The moment the words left her mouth, we all keeled over in shock.
“No waaaay!”
“Serafina?!”
“Were you a spirit all this time?!”
At that moment, an unbearable happiness welled up within me. Serafina could speak our language. It was an incredibly moving experience, a joy so profound it made my heart tremble.
But that was precisely why I was also upset with myself all at the same time. You see, lately I’d been able to understand Serafina’s words, and I even had a vague idea of what she was talking about. Still, I’d been skeptical if it was even possible to understand human speech, but during that same time, Serafina had been so diligent that she’d progressed to the point of speaking the spirit language fluently. I desperately wanted her to experience the same joy I felt!
Having made up my mind, I pushed myself as hard as possible for the next few months. As a result, after some time, I became the spirit with the best overall understanding of what she was saying.
Everyone was able to say her name, albeit how it was pronounced in the spirit language, because they probably could make it out. That meant their ears were becoming attuned to understanding her words. That competitive sense of urgency to eventually grasp more things seemed to have fueled my progress as well.
One day, Serafina was trying her best to use the spirit language like always.
“No…green…petals…must…find.”
But it appeared she was having a hard time stringing the words together, and she slumped dejectedly after finally getting them out. She looked glum as she spoke once more, but this time she was using human speech.
“Darn it. That was so bad I couldn’t even get my point across. I wanted to ask, ‘I’m looking for a bush with green petals, do you happen to know where one is?’ but it’s just so difficult.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s one a little further past the tree with the sweet red fruit.” I said casually, though my heart was pounding like a drum in my chest. Serafina’s jaw dropped in surprise. When she didn’t move, I got worried and waved my hand in front of her face, causing her to jolt back in response. What followed after was a barrage of excited questions.
“Huh? You understand what I’m saying? Really? Is something this awesome happening for reals?!”
I’ll be honest. She was so worked up and speaking so fast that I didn’t actually catch what she was asking, but her excited expression told me everything I needed to know. I nodded at her as if I’d understood it all.
“Of course. From now on, if there’s something you find difficult to say in the spirit language, you can use human words.”
“Really?!”
The smile that lit up her face was exactly the same as the one I had when she first used the spirit language the other day. Seeing it, my first thought was Serafina must be experiencing the same joy that I did. Now that was something to be happy about.
I nervously told her one more important piece of information. “Call me Seven from now on. That’s my name.”
“Oh my! I heard that a spirit revealing their name is a sign of ultimate trust!” Serafina sputtered, prompting me to grin.
“Yep! I trust you completely. I’m sure you’ll get bored of me one day when you grow up, but let’s be friends until then, okay?”
“Um… It’s true that I’ll grow up one day, but I’ll always like you, Seven, and we’ll always be friends,” she said solemnly. Hearing that, I felt like I’d just obtained the greatest treasure in the world.
Still…human lives were short. That’s why they didn’t stay attached to the same thing for long and why their attention was constantly drawn to new things one after another. But that’s what made them human; they couldn’t help it. I’d be prepared to accept it if the day ever came when she left. If she sincerely meant what she said in that moment, it would be my truth as well.
I would never ever forget these invaluable moments and those precious words. As I engraved the memories into my mind, I gave Serafina a broad grin.
“Serafina, may you be blessed by the spirits. Also, I hope you’ll continue to be my friend for as long as possible.”
The moment I said that, some of the sparkling light I’d created fell on Serafina. She seemed mesmerized by it before turning to me with a bright smile on her face.
“Always and forever! Seven, I love you!”
Now that she’d received the spirit’s blessing, Serafina was able to touch me. She reached out and pulled me into her arms for a hug. Her body was really warm, like most children’s were, and that warmth made me feel all cozy and happy inside.
“So that’s how it’s gonna be, huh? I can’t wait to find out how long forever is for you,” I said, smiling from the very bottom of my heart.