Post-Juna
My na is Komari Corda. Im a human girl, seventeen years old.
I co from a farming family and I was born the second of six children. The family didnt have a lot of money, and to help put food on the table for my many siblings, from the ti I was fourteen, I started heading in to the capital, Parnam, to work at a business owned by an acquaintance of my father.
The business my fathers acquaintance ran was a restaurant, and I worked as a server there.
It was open from just before noon until around ten oclock at night, but... it was especially hectic during the nights. That was because a lot of custors were drinking during that ti.
Hey, Komari, wanna co here and have a little drink with ? a custor asked.
I-Im still working... I turned him down gently, because interacting with the custors was part of my job, and then I walked away from that custor. When I did, another custor slugged that drunkard who had invited to join him.
That was because the owner had made it clear that if anyone hit on , then they, and all their friends, would be blacklisted. There were so people I didnt know quite how to deal with, but the regulars were all good people, and I felt safe working that job. It could be a lot of trouble, but I had to work hard for my brothers and sisters back ho.
Now, that was all there was to say about my job, but I also had sothing I secretly enjoyed.
Komari, Ill give you a tip, so sing sothing for us, would you? one custor said, waving a coin back and forth.
Oh, sounds good! I wanna hear that, too.
Yeah. Let us hear the one that lorelei was singing on the Jewel Voice Broadcast the other day.
Like that, the copper coins that would be my tip piled up on the table.
...Okay, I said. Well then, please listen to this song that Nanna Kamizuki sang on the Jewel Voice Broadcast.
I began singing in between the tables. This was sothing I secretly loved doing.
I dont know when it had been, but at so point, I had been humming to myself while wiping the tables before the hour we opened, and the owner had heard . Hed liked it, and hed decided I should sing in front of the custors one ti. The custors had enjoyed my singing, and so, ever since, I had occasionally been asked to sing like this. The owner let keep the tips I earned this way as part of my inco, so I had plenty of motivation to do it.
When I finished the song, the custors erupted into applause.
Whew! Komari, no matter when I hear you, your singings always so good.
The loreleis singing is incredible, but I think I prefer Komaris more simple style.
They do that amateur singing contest on the Jewel Voice Broadcast, dont they? Why dont you try out, Komari?
Youre adorable, too. Maybe youd make a better lorelei than youd think?
N-No... , a lorelei? Its too great an honor for soone like ... I said, hiding my face behind a tray.
, beco a lorelei...? I could never. I had seen them on the Jewel Voice Broadcast, and all of the loreleis were so radiant. Especially the one they called the Prima Lorelei, Juna Doma. Her singing voice and beautiful face were one of a kind, and even a woman like myself was entranced by her. Only soone like her could stand on the stage like that. A simple girl from a farming family like had no place in that world... But...
Its okay to dream of singing in a place like that soday, isnt it?
While mulling that thought over, I went back to work.
It happened so ti after that.
The kingdom changed its na from the Elfrieden Kingdom to the United Kingdom of Elfrieden and Amidonia (the Kingdom of Friedonia for short), and there were many things going on in the world, but I was working as a server, the sa as ever, and was living my life with only the occasional request to sing.
But then one day, while I was doing my usual work as a server...
Excuse , is there a Komari Corda here? a woman who was sitting at a table off in the corner called out to . That woman wore a hooded robe, and I couldnt see her face very well, but she had a very clear voice with a gentle timbre.
Yes, Im Komari... I said, approaching her.
The woman put a gold coin down on the table. Could I ask you to sing a song for ?
Wait, is that... a gold coin?! I cant accept this much! I protested.
It was a hundred tis more than I was usually paid for singing. I couldnt sing anything nearly good enough to be worth that sort of money. I told her as much, but the woman gently said, Please. I want to hear you sing the very best that you can.
The sincerity she spoke with told this wasnt a rich persons whimsy. There was sothing about her... The woman had an aura that drew in those who looked at her. If she was going to be so insistent, I had to do it for her.
...Okay, I said at last. Ill sing with everything Ive got.
And so, I sang as hard as I could. It was a song that Juna Doma had sung on the Jewel Voice Broadcast before. I had heard that it was a song from His Majesty King Soumas country, but that Juna had written lyrics for it in this countrys language, or sothing like that. I thought the song was well-suited to Juna, who was quiet and gentle, yet still powerful.
When I finished the song, the woman clapped. That was followed by a torrent of applause from the rest of the custors in the restaurant who had been listening, and I felt a bit embarrassed.
Um... what did you think...? I ventured.
The corners of the womans lips turned up a little as she said, You were lovely. You have a good singing voice. Your technique is a little underdeveloped, though. I think the fact that youre self-taught and dont have any specialist knowledge plays a large part in that.
Urkh... Those words stung, but they were on the mark, so I couldnt say anything back.
However, being underdeveloped ans you still have potential, the woman said. If you build experience, and aim to go higher, its no dream that you could beco the greatest lorelei of this generation.
Now she was giving far more praise than I thought I was due.
No... , the best of this generation...? I stuttered. Its impossible.
Oh, my. Why do you say that?
Well, the Prima Lorelei is Ms. Juna Doma, right? For to overco her perfect beauty and singing voice... Its just not possible.
Hee hee. Im not that great, you know? The woman pulled back her hood.
Huh? ...Whaaaaaaa?!
There was Ms. Juna Doma herself.
I-Its really her?! Huh?! Why is she here?!
While I was still in shock, Juna gave a mischievous smile and said, Im sorry for testing you like that. I heard there was a potential lorelei with great potential here in this restaurant, and I ca to scout you.
M-?!
Yes. Im certain about it now that Ive heard you sing. You have the potential to beco a lorelei that every person in this country will love. What do you say? Will you co to the singing cafe, Lorelei, to learn how to sing and aim to beco a lorelei? I dont mind if you continue working here at the sa ti, of course.
B-But...
I looked around. The custors were all saying, Congratulations, Komari! Im so happy for you! Well need to have an advance celebration. Barkeep, give another one! and they gave their blessings. The owner gave a thumbs up from over in the kitchen, too.
Everyone... Thank you so much!
With all of their encouragent, I gave Juna a firm reply.
Yes! Ill be looking forward to working with you!
It was today, on this day, that I took my first step as a lorelei.
? ? ?
That mont, when Komari Corda took her first step towards becoming a lorelei, while Juna wore a gentle smile on her face, she was bursting with joy inside, even more so than Komari.
Ive found soone good. I couldnt ask for a better person to succeed .
Recently, Souma had told Juna, When more songstresses have gathered, and we have trained enough people that can keep the program on course, I swear, I will take you then.
Juna had said, Ill wait longingly for that day, sire, but she had never told him that she would actively work to make that day co sooner.
When this girl has fully grown, I hope youll co for like you said you would, Your Majesty.
While thinking that, Juna wore a mischievous smile.
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