I became a friend of this child one autumn a few years ago.

That was Alice's first contact with Marisa, which happened one evening.

Her home is located in the depths of the Enchanted Forest. It was a quiet place that few people visited.

Of course, you don't need to expect to be a neighbor of your childhood sweetheart, and don't have any illusions about good interpersonal interactions.

But for Alice Margot Royd, it's beautiful, starry and, above all, tranquil. There is nothing more satisfying than this.

She doesn't hate the hustle and bustle, but she prefers quietness and prefers to be alone. Although it is unknown how she developed such a cold personality. But I guess the reason is nothing more than dignity or the reserve of a girl.

All in all, this home will serve as Alice's autonomous realm until the end of her life.

…… It was supposed to be like this.

However, this absolute, fact, has been shattered. And the most amazing thing is that Alice herself doesn't feel much bad about it to this day.

Because she's changed too.

The opportunity for change came on a rainy evening.

The summer rain makes people feel cool, but the autumn rain only brings a sudden depression. It is obviously the same phenomenon, but there is such a big difference, and the reason can only be attributed to the difference in seasons.

"Bang Bang Bang Bang ---"

There was a dull knock on the door in the air.

While wondering if it would be a lost human, Alice walked in the direction of the door without hesitation.

In fact, she didn't want to move, she just wanted her body to sink into the soft sofa honestly while reading attractive texts. However, just remember that there are people waiting outside the door for your help. She couldn't stay in peace.

-- That's the cuteness of a girl. It is undoubtedly a noble quality to have a kind heart that cannot be abandoned to those who lend a hand for help, although they are cold. But one day, it will also become her fatal wound.

…… But that's for the future. I won't go into too much detail here.

When she opened the door, it wasn't a traveler in need.

「…… Is there anything you can do? Uncle."

Alice asked the man with an attitude that could not be called enthusiasm even if it was a compliment.

The humid air from the rain and the chill that makes you shiver are not a comfortable environment. But she can endure it, Alice is not delicate enough to stand this level of harshness.

"I'm ashamed."

Although he said that he was ashamed, there was no shame on the face of a man who was so handsome that people mistook him for a god.

Alice couldn't help but squint her eyes, although the man in front of her was a unique warrior and a great hero, he would often make some actions that no one else did.

"I'm here for your help, Alice."

"Someone as amazing as you will need my help...... I don't think it's going to be saving the world or something."

While uttering words that almost mistook for sarcasm, Alice's gaze skimmed to the man's left.

There was a little girl she had never seen before.

Probably only 10 years old...... No, maybe younger, as small as a man's waist, and his beautiful blonde hair had long been wet from the rain, looking chaotic and embarrassed. I can't see my face clearly because of my long hair, but judging from my fair chin, I will undoubtedly be a cute girl as long as I tidy it up.

You don't have to think about it to know that the help in the man's mouth is related to this child.

"It's not as boring as saving the world."

Noticing Alice's gaze, the man smiled and began to explain.

…… Although there is a lot of criticism about his great cause of "saving the world" with a boring sentence, the girl knows that it is not something she should care about, and ...... That should be a joke, right?

"I'm going to talk about this kid -- I'll introduce you first, this kid's name is Marisa Kiriyu."

Then, the man said it all.

…… For Alice, all she learned was something that could not be easily accepted.

A girl named Marisa Kiriyu aspires to become a magician...... But her teacher was an irresponsible fellow. When he entrusts it to his friend, that is, the man, he does not know where to go.

Judging from the man's current behavior, the man wants to give the child to the girl.

It was a bolt from the blue. Even though she has a good heart to help others, Cute Lise is at a loss for how to get along with children.

However, before Alice could show her willingness to refuse, the man spoke.

"Don't worry, I'm not trying to make you babysitter for this kid. This child is only staying with you for a month. In a month, I will solve the problem of housing for her. I want you to give her some skills and knowledge about magic - until she becomes a true magician."

「……」

Well, if that's fine, it's okay. In fact, it is equivalent to having an apprentice of his own. As long as she is sensible enough, then the girl can accept it.

Her blue eyes flashed with helplessness, and she had accepted this challenging request. But at the end of the day, she still had a problem.

That's just a casual question, and it doesn't matter what kind of answer you get from the beginning.

"Why did you come to me for help?"

"Because I believe in Alice."

He smiled and gave the answer to the girl's sudden question without even thinking for a second. People can't help but feel that men are afraid that this is what they think deep down.

「…………」

The moment she saw that smile, the moment she heard that answer, Alice knew she had lost.

Maybe the man said this on purpose, which only proves that he is a cunning guy. But the girl knew that her heart had already made a decision.

That smile without any gloom and full of trust was enough to make all rejections unspeakable, and there was nothing more cheeky than this in Alice's opinion.

"Of course, there's another reason -- it seems to me that you can be good friends."

「…… Your words are a little too whimsical."

No matter what the man says next, it doesn't matter to Alice, who has already made a decision. But even so, she uttered a not-so-bitter sarcasm.

Is it because you are angry that you are so easily seduced by a man's smile, or because you don't believe in your heart that you can have a good relationship with a girl? Truth be told, even Alice herself didn't know until now.

"Then we'll wait a few years and come back to see it."

This was the only thing in response, and after that, the man said a few more words and left.

As for what he said. Alice doesn't remember much. After all, it was a memory that had been separated by a few years, so it must have been irrelevant. Otherwise, she would have remembered it.

However, Alice remembers the smile of the man who turned and disappeared into the rain at the end.

――――What does that mean?

Alice still doesn't understand.