From that day on, Stella began to do nothing, just let herself fall, not even cut her hair, not even her beard.

Even the fallen leaves in the courtyard are not swept away.

If you sweep it, it will fall, and if you drop it, it will wither.

Is it done?

I can't finish sweeping.

So what are you doing with it???

If this is the rule set by the gods, then wouldn't it be nice if you just continue to go with the flow like this?

........................

Is this what makes Father Stella so powerful?

This is his love...... Is it?

For the sake of the dead wife...... Is it?

No, it's too far from the secret in him, the cross he carries.

[The gods have their own arrangements. 】

When God closes a door for you, He will open a window for you.

In front of Stella, who spits on the gods and does nothing all day long.

Someday.

A young girl appeared on the side of the street.

The gravitational pull between people triggers the encounter.

And that encounter will bring miracles.

The story of Father Stella was also just beginning at that time.

It was a light rainy morning.

The decadent Stella was walking aimlessly down the side streets.

Known as the closest town to paradise, it was no different from a filthy sewer in his eyes.

His heart has been taken away, and there may be no more joys and sorrows in this life.

He held a yellow rubber umbrella and listened to the rhythm of the rain lapping to his heart's content.

His mood was as melancholy as the rain.

Calm town with few people on the streets.

So, 'that' is particularly conspicuous to him.

In the grass on the side of the street, there stood a blonde girl with blue eyes.

At first glance, Stella was intrigued.

【Glimpse】

The girl's cheeks were as white as snow.

And more importantly...... She looked so much like her dead wife.

To say what's the difference.

It's the garbage look in the girl's eyes.

The girl stood alone in the rain with her empty eyes, letting the wind and rain lap her tiny body.

The thin clothing on the body was also soaked to the point of being almost transparent.

Afraid that her decadent appearance would frighten this innocent girl, Stella asked as gently as possible.

"Little girl, what's your name?"

There was a glimmer of light in the girl's eyes, and she looked at Strata's stubble-laden face. Whispered.

"My name is ...... Alice. ”

Seeing that the other party was not afraid of herself, Stella also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alice, where are your parents, why are you here alone?"

"This ............"

The petite girl lowered her head, as if there was something unspeakable.

(Such a cute girl shouldn't have anything to do with a decadent person like me, it's better to keep her safe as soon as possible.) ）

"So, will Uncle take you to your parents?"

A hint of panic crossed Alice's eyes, and that was when Stella mentioned her parents.

"No...... Don't ......"

The tone was a little trembling, and now Alice was like a frightened little animal.

"It's not cold...... Is it?"

Alice, who was still shivering in the rain, looked up, as if she could answer questions that had nothing to do with his parents.

"Cold. ”

With a warm smile as much as possible, Stella said softly: "If you continue like this, you'll catch a cold, so come home with me first?"

"Hmm. ”

Back at home, Stella turned on hot water and warmed up the little girl who was outside in the wind and rain.

Although he didn't mean to, he still saw Alice when she undressed.

There were red scars on the back of the petite one.

(so many wounds...... Was it abused...... poor little one...... ）

Alice showed half a cute little face from the bathroom door, and said a little timidly, "That...... Clothes ......"

"I'm sorry, but it's just my clothes. ”

Alice was wearing Stella's shirt, which was so out of shape that she showed off half of her freshly washed shoulders.

"That's cute...... Come on, it's time to eat. ”

"It's hot, you have to blow it before you eat it, you know?"

Well!

Alice's eyes sparkled, as if she was very satisfied with the hamburger patty.

She gently picked up a piece with her fork, put it to her mouth and blew it.

After that, I enjoyed it and put it in my mouth.

"It's delicious!"

Stella laughed, he liked the child very much, and not just because she looked like his dead wife.

This gentle smile seemed to heal his grief-stricken heart.

Can...... After all, this kid is someone who has nothing to do with him.

"My name is Stella, Miss Alice, how old are you?"

"Eight years old. ”

A lonely smile appeared on Stella's face.

"You're eight years old, so young, I'm thirty-two years old. ”

Alice looked surprised. She opened her small mouth slightly before she could swallow something.

"Wow, Stella, you're an adult!"

"You're ten years older than your mother......"

The smile disappeared from her face, the original surprise turned into a pool of stagnant water, and her eyes stared at the table, and Alice swallowed the food in her mouth.

..................

"Tonight, you can sleep here. ”

(That's fine, girls like this shouldn't be with people like me.) ）

"But you're going home tomorrow, okay? Your mother must be worried about you. ”

Alice didn't look up, just replied listlessly.

"She didn't have ............"

"Then your dad will be worried, too. ”

"I don't have a father......"

Stella didn't know what to do, he just looked at Alice with her head down.

Alice didn't speak, she clenched her little hand into a fist, and wrapped it in her other hand.

Just like that, he pressed against his forehead.

"You...... What are you doing?"

"I'm praying. ”

The child's words, which had not yet changed their voices, said what they never wanted to do again.

"God...... I want to be with Stella all the time......"

Strana's already worried expression pursed his lips slightly after hearing this.

(It's useless, praying to the gods or something.) ）

(No god will listen to our prayers.) ）

(No one will grant our wishes.) ）

(at least...... Nobody fulfilled mine. ）

Stella, who realizes that she has the ability to fulfill the wishes of others, figure it out.

It's like pretending to be Santa Claus and giving gifts to your children.

As long as he goes to fulfill her wish.

"You...... You can stay here for as long as you want?"

Hah——!

Alice's face brightened again.

"Thank you, gods, thank you, Stella!"

Stella used to be lonely.

He wanted to be alone forever.

But the appearance of this girl made him no longer lonely.

"Oh, it's Mr. Stella......"

"Who is this lovely little guest?"

On the morning of her day off, Stella scratched the back of her head in the clothing store and said with embarrassment, "She's my niece, she's going to stay with me for a while, come, Alice, say hello." ”

Alice cowered a little, hid behind Stella, only poked out half of her head, and said timidly, "You...... Good ......"

"I'm looking for what she can wear...... Do you have any here?"

The elderly clerk covered his mouth and smiled, "Of course, you can wait for me." ”

After a while, Alice tilted her head and walked out with her hands crossed and naturally hanging in front of her.

Her yellow and white striped stockings set off her snow-white skin and blonde hair.

Inside the white pleated dress is a sky blue dress.

The bow on her head made her look even more cute.

"Ahh ”

"Super cute, we bought it. ”

Looking at Stella's thumbs up, Alice was still a little uneasy.

"Ah, by the way, I want this too. ”

Stella picked up a small object, pinned it to Alice's forehead, and tucked away the long hair that was falling naturally.

"It's a hairpin, alas. ”

"You're wearing it beautifully. ”

The flower on the hairpin is called irise, and the transliteration of its genus name is commonly known as "Alice".

"Pretty similar to your name, right?"

Alice blushed a little and covered her mouth with her shy hands.

"Also, yes, the flower language of iris is [messenger of love], and also, you [are my baby] meaning. ”

Oh..................

Alice froze for a moment, then hugged Stella like a hungry tiger.

Her head was only up to Stella's waist, and her arms, which were not fully clenched, barely stayed next to her navel.

Stella was a little overwhelmed and could only touch her head.

"Alright, good ......"

In this way, the days passed, and the neighbors also knew about Alice of the Stella family.

Alice has also become a cheerful and lively girl who is different from the beginning.

On this day, Stella returned home.

Alice was still sitting at the table praying.

"You're really religious, it's okay, even if you don't ask for any gods, I will always protect you. ”

Alice opened her eyes and shook her head. The blonde hair swayed with it.

"Mmmm~ There's no such thing, compared to that, Stella look, look!"

She held up the paper on the table, on which was drawn a man with short blond hair and some stubble, and a big smile.

At her age, she already has a good drawing.

"Look, I drew you!"

Oo............oo

Stella didn't know how to react for a moment.

After all, he hadn't had children yet, and the feeling was too new for him.

(or not...... Just give back the gift, right?)

He walked to the corner and pulled out two music boxes from the drawer.

"Mr. Stella, what's that?"

Stella's expression was a little nostalgic.

"This is a gift that my wife exchanged when I got married. ”

Alice looked curious, and innocent and mischievous.

"Well...... Mr. Stella's wife...... What kind of person is he?"

Stella twisted the strings of one of the music boxes, revealing a moving sound. It was his wife's favorite melody.

Dream wedding.