The welcome rain that fell that day.
Its influence reached far beyond anything anyone had imagined.
Ever since then, Roxy's standing in the village had risen to an unprecedented peak.
Before, the villagers had seen Roxy as "the Greyrat family's private tutor," someone worthy of respect, yet a little distant.
In fact, her hair color and her identity as one of the Demonfolk had kept her from being all that welcome.
Now, however, Roxy had all but ascended to become a merciful, beautiful "Water Goddess" who had descended from the heavens.
At first, the title had merely been something the children said in play.
But soon, the adults had embraced it with heartfelt sincerity.
The villagers felt genuine gratitude and affection for Roxy.
Those feelings were pure and simple, without a trace of anything else.
The villagers would willingly bring the freshest vegetables from their gardens;
Bread fresh from their earthen ovens, still steaming;
Or eggs gathered from the chicken coop that morning, still warm to the touch.
They would carefully deliver them to the Greyrat home.
And quietly specify that they were for "Lady Roxy."
Faced with such simple, enthusiastic generosity, Roxy always seemed a little at a loss.
"N-no, you don't have to. This really is too much..."
Roxy would wave her little hands over and over, a sweet blush rising on her pale cheeks as she tried to decline.
For the first time, the petite, adorable blue-haired Demonfolk girl felt kindness from this world and the people in it.
Yet the villagers only grew more enthusiastic.
They would put down their gifts, bow to Roxy, then hurry away with smiles.
Leaving Roxy looking both helpless and touched.
Gradually, Roxy learned to stop refusing.
Instead, she accepted their gifts with a smile and repaid that kindness in her