Early morning at Saint Aurora Church, under the Radiant Church.
Many young nuns, summoned by magical messenger pigeons, gathered and chattered like sparrows.
Their main topic? Why the elderly priest had called them together.
“He must be senile! Completely senile!”
A lively nun complained, sparking soft laughter from the circle around her.
Emboldened, she added, “Ugh, why so early? I haven’t even had breakfast—I’m starving…”
“I’ve got pastries. Want some?”
“Thanks!”
Overall, the nuns were a friendly bunch, warm and caring toward one another.
Just then, Aisha—silent beneath Saint Aurora’s statue—caught the eye of a petite young nun.
“Sister Elsa, do you have any idea what this is about?”
Startled from her daze, Aisha flushed slightly. Whether from the breeze or the sunlight, a trace of red colored her cheeks. She tucked a stray golden strand behind her ear and whispered, “I… I don’t know either.”
*Mustn’t let them guess I was thinking about Roy!*
But her flustered expression didn’t escape notice. Aisha was Saint Aurora’s star—beloved by nuns and devotees alike. Many specifically requested her guidance, donating lavish gifts to the Church for the privilege.
“Aisha? You’re blushing,” an older nun observed with a smile.
“Eh? N-no! It’s just… warm today,” Aisha stammered, covering her cheeks.
“That sounds like protesting too much~” The petite nun grinned mischievously, exchanging a glance with another prank-loving peer.
The second nun cleared her throat and called toward the church entrance, feigning surprise: “Roy? You’re here! Bringing herbs again?”
At the boy’s name, Aisha jolted. “Roy!?” Her eyes darted to the doorway—only to meet a chorus of knowing giggles.
“Yuna! Sister Winifred!” Aisha cried, mortified. Their smug “*We see you~*” smiles made her heart sink.
*Has my feelings for Roy become this obvious to everyone?*
Her expressive face never lied. And Roy? He was every nun’s favorite. Whenever he delivered herbs, the sisters would swarm him, ruffling his hair affectionately. *A pretty boy is truly the Goddess of Light’s blessing~*
Yet Roy’s eyes held only his beloved “Sister Elsa.” Just as Aisha’s gaze held depths of unspoken care.
Long before either confessed, the nuns had already begun shipping the “older sister x younger brother” pairing. Some fiercely backed “Sister Elsa’s gentle guidance,” insisting she show him “heavenly bliss.” Others rooted for Roy’s “sweet-faced devil” charm to conquer her.
Though nuns vowed purity, desire merely shifted shape—in daydreams that brightened dull hours. They even shared a playful motto:
“Time for… *daydreaming*!”
What made Aisha enviable? She lived next door to the handsome herb-boy. For others, this romance existed only in fantasies. For her? It was daily reality.
*How utterly unfair!*
The teasing might have continued—but the elderly priest, his beard and hair snow-white, approached with the stern nun-instructor and a city guard. His expression was thunderous.
All fell silent, even Aisha.
The priest clutched a Bible chronicling the Goddess of Light’s deeds, his gaze sweeping the nuns like a judge hunting a criminal.
Yes—*criminal*. That’s exactly how his eyes felt.
Murmurs rose until Sister Winifred, respected and poised, stepped forward. “Father Amon, why summon us so early? Some haven’t eaten breakfast. We’re still hungry.”
Murmurs of agreement followed:
“Seriously…”
“This is unreasonable.”
“Silence!” The nun-instructor’s sharp command froze them. Though Father Amon held higher rank, this gaunt woman had trained most present. Even gentle Aisha remembered the sting of her ruler for daydreaming.
(Though she’d also gifted honey-laced pastries on feast days—a woman of balanced discipline.)
Father Amon finally spoke, voice icy. “Why? Because one of you has broken the Church’s sacred rules! *Gravely* broken them!” His face flushed, white beard trembling with rage.
Protests died instantly. Someone had truly erred.
And more than one pair of eyes slid toward a slender figure with sun-bright hair.
*Aisha… could she and Roy have…?*
*And did the Church find out?*
