Estimated reading time: 3–4 minutes
Side Story 1
The girl I found at the slave market this time was deaf.
Her name seems to be Iruna.
Iruna was born deaf, so she can’t really speak words well.
It looks like she can read and write though.
She communicated with the old slave trader guy by writing on a board.
I took Iruna home with me and immediately started preparing for treatment.
That’s when I noticed Iruna tapping out rhythms with her fingers.
She’s probably bored with nothing to do.
Even when she was chained up at the slave shop, Iruna would tap her fingers on the wall to make noise.
Of course, being deaf, Iruna can’t hear the sounds herself.
But honestly, the loud tapping bugs me while I’m trying to prepare for her treatment.
Come on, give me a break Iruna.
「Hey Iruna. Could you please stop tapping your fingers for a little bit?」
I gesture for Iruna to stop the finger tapping for a bit.
Iruna voices a disappointed “Oh…” but reluctantly stops.
Then, unconsciously it seems, Iruna starts to hum a tune.
Of course she can’t hear her own voice.
She’s probably making noise unconsciously.
Since Iruna can’t hear her own voice, her pitch is terribly off key.
To be blunt, she’s tone deaf.
But strangely, unlike the tapping, her humming doesn’t bother me at all.
「What a beautiful voice…」
Iruna’s voice is very unique – clear and crisp, yet full.
With singing lessons, she could become a great singer…
Unfortunately, being unable to hear herself makes her way off key.
Unfortunately, being unable to hear herself makes her way off key.
「Iruna, do you like singing?」
「Oh…」
I gesture the question to her.
It seems Iruna does enjoy vocalizing.
Even though she can’t hear the sounds, expressing herself through big voiced singing feels good physically.
Her body craves it, even without sound.
I became determined to heal Iruna’s ears no matter what.
「Here we go…! EXTRA HEAL…!」
I cast a healing magic on Iruna’s ears.
Then,
「Ahhhhh!!!!?」
Iruna was shocked to be able to hear her own voice.
She was overjoyed.
Though she still can’t form words properly, with Iruna’s intelligence she’ll pick it up quickly.
And Iruna immediately expressed her joy by singing for me.
Singing perfect pitch with a beautiful melody, Iruna’s talent amazed me.
「Wow… amazing… yes!」
I applauded her performance.
Though the lyrics were just la-la-la, something moving still came across.
Iruna conveyed her delight and gratitude to me.
She hugged me tight and nuzzled my cheek affectionately.
「Ha-ha… I’m glad. That Iruna can sing now.」
Iruna felt joy at being able to hear her own voice.
For a while after, she happily sang song after song.
Eventually, Iruna was purchased by a certain Count’s household.
They had heard her sing as background music at the shop and took a great liking to her talent.
They promised to properly educate her in language as well.
Iruna was bought as a maid and singer.
I hope she’s still there singing happily for the Count’s household today.
I later received a letter from Iruna.
She says she works in the Count’s home by singing and playing piano every day, bringing music to the household.
Her days are fulfilling, it seems – I’m truly glad for her.
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