/Komachi Perspective/
Today, the sky was cloudy with rain all day.
I like rainy days.
Because the world looks like it's sparkling.
Looking outside, raindrops on the window glass were illuminated by street lamps, shining in red, blue, and yellow.
Watching that, I thought, "It's like a jewel."
In the puddles reflecting on the street, it sparkled as if it had collected all the radiance of the world.
It's like a world of jewels.
A world of jewels that can never be reached.
But they were spread out in front of me.
I've always been a little different.
I see colors, animals, and shapes in people.
Maybe it's different.
Yes, it might be appropriate to say that images come to mind.
For example, a person who looks scary at first glance may be a kind person if someone imagines a yellow puppy. Conversely, a person who looks ordinary and can be found anywhere may be a very scary person if someone imagines a red snake when looking at them.
Yellow for a kind person, red for an angry person, and blue for a sad person.
Such images.
So far, I don't think I've been wrong.
I'm not confident though.
It's just an issue of images.
And when someone's death is approaching, they always see a faint black shadow behind them.
There are also colors, gloss, and shapes that come from that person's personality or magical power, or whatever it is that I don't know how to express.
It might just be a mere illusion.
Apparently, there is something called synesthesia, but I probably... have that.
In the pouring rain.
I got out of the passenger seat of a luxury car and lowered my head.
"Thank you very much. Uncle. Thank you for the delicious meal."
I forced a smile I didn't want to make.
"It's okay. It's okay. Tomorrow, you'll finally become 'family.' Don't worry about it."
A man with a balding head and a slightly obese figure said with a smile.
His name is Kaiun, a nouveau riche and a very dangerous mage named Magus.
He wears tasteless flashy suits and wears large gemstone rings on both hands.
From his dark skin and greasy face, an unhealthy atmosphere emanates.
He always wipes the sweat from his forehead and emits a stinking odor that pierces the nose, perhaps because he hasn't used breath care or deodorant all over his body.
Kaiun has a soft demeanor on the surface, but his eyes always reveal a lascivious gaze that seems to lick people.
When I see the orthodontic appliance attached to his upper and lower teeth when he smiles, my heart shrinks.
When he opens his mouth, saliva pulls threads and gives a unpleasant impression.
The image that this man projects is that of a lizard with green and purple colors, like a frog or something similar.
It's a very unpleasant and scary image, and in my experience, people who associate themselves with flashy-colored reptiles tend to be terrifying.
Furthermore, I've heard some very frightening rumors about Kaion.
Trying to dispel that fear, I force a smile.
"I'm looking forward to it."
I offer a rehearsed, 45-degree bow with a smile.
Did I do well?
I mustn't anger this man.
I mustn't oppose him.
I must show him my obedience.
My heart races with a gripping sense of nervousness.
"Uh-huh. Komachi-chan is truly a good girl-san. Well then, see you tomorrow."
It seems like things went well.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
The man, licking his lips, glances at my body with lecherous eyes one last time before getting into his car.
"Ugh... Disgusting."
Tomorrow, I will be adopted by that man.
No, "adopted" is not the right word.
Tomorrow, I will become that man's "pet."
Pet.
A subservient servant.
A dog that doesn't defy its owner.
It could be called a slave contract.
It's not explicitly stated, but it's that kind of contract.
Tomorrow, I will be bought by that man.
My ten years will be bought by that man tomorrow.
For the repayment of the huge debt left by my late father and mother.
I know. I can imagine.
That I will become that man's sex toy.
That I will be played with by that man. That I will become a comforter.
I'm sure I'll have a terrible time.
I'm sure I'll have a painful time.
My "first time" will be taken away by that man.
I can't seem to have a wonderful love.
I can't seem to have a wonderful youth.
I can't seem to make wonderful friends.
It's unfortunate.
It might be a sad thing.
But it's okay.
I'm sure it'll be okay.
I can do this.
For my only blood relative, my grandmother, my resolve cannot be shaken.
It's only ten years. I just have to continue playing the faithful "pet" to that man for ten years.
And then it'll be over.
I will be 25 or 26 at that time.
I'm not too old to start over in life.
I don't know what will happen after that, but I'm sure it'll work out somehow.
It will surely work out.
"I am prepared for it. But even though I should be prepared..."
I looked up at the sky and ran my fingers through my hair.
"But why? Why is it like this?" Tears started to well up inside me.
I realized that drops were trickling down my cheeks, separate from the raindrops.
The sky above me was a vast, white and transparent world.