Sepakai (GXG) (GIRLXGIRL) (GL)

43

Chapter 6
Section 7: Tikarodeka
Song, the vocalization of a prescribed scale.

Words have power, and that power is carried in every note. A note’s duration, pitch, melody, all of that originated in the world’s first song sung by the Goddess Illya…….it all came from the Psalm to All.¹

And there is still a place where you can hear this psalm, or hymn as it’s more commonly referred to today, even though a thousand years have already passed.

That’s right, the church.

“Hoh, what an incredibly magnificent church.”

The sound of the harp is both quiet and graceful accompanied by the sweet voice of the soprano which calms the nerves followed by a powerful contralto that carries you through. The sisters weaving their voices together in one unified chorus are fully dressed in deep blue robes. And on the hem, sleeves, and chest of those robes are white, embroidered flowers.

That flower is called a Tikarodeka. The name is drawn form the old language and translates to “Majestic White”.

The flowers are also a symbol of the church and can be found all over the city. Obviously they are especially abundant here.

“The church was built when the city was at its most prosperous. You could say it’s the oldest and largest building in the area.”

“Certainly, it is beautiful. Each pillar is adorned with decorations leading all the way to the ceiling…….”

The church has three spires, one of which carries a bell at the very top of it. It is equipped with a mechanism that rings the bell once during the morning, once in the afternoon, and again in the evening to tell the city’s inhabitants about the time.

A white marble floor reflected the light pouring through the prismatic stained-glass windows lined all along the walls. As such the sisters sang their song in a rainbow painted world. No matter how many times I visit, I always feel like I’m visiting another world entirely.

“Oi Carol. Please don’t do anything unnecessary.”

“I wasn’t going to do anything even if you didn’t tell me. Jeez, there’s no trust here.”

“If you want me to trust you, change your day to day attitude.”

“Right, that’s impossible.”

The heel of our boots echoes with each step we take. And with four of us walking together like this, a loud enough sound resonates throughout the church to start turning some of the sisters’ heads. The reason why I only say four is because I have no idea how Carol is doing that with her feet. She’s wearing the same exact boots the rest of us are, but I’ve never once heard any noise coming from her footsteps.

“Iris-chan”

That’s how most people in this town refer to me. It’s the same way even in a place I don’t remember visiting that often like this, so I turn my head back to the voice calling out to me.

“Ah, Aronda-san. Sorry it’s been so long.”

I was met with a white-haired woman wearing glasses. This is Aronda-san. She’s been a kind of town-wide onee-san ever since she was assigned to this church ten years ago, and us younger generation of girls have been able to come to her and talk about whatever problem might be bothering us. She is wearing a dark blue robe just like all the other sisters, but the design of her robe is slightly different. The Tikarodeka embroidered on the chest is also framed with gold thread.

“Yesterday, I came home for the first time in six months. I’m here today to deliver a report……”

I turned around and looked at Rose-san behind me.