-- One day, in the forest on the leeward slope.

-- Walking on the thorny path, I fell again and again.

- As long as you're here, I'll be able to smile again.

――As long as you're there, you can get back on your feet no matter how many times you go.

- As long as I have you, I can move forward without fear, even if the world is on the brink of destruction.

“......”

The head is groggy.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a wooden ceiling. Outside the window, the sky glowed white.

The voice that faintly echoed in my ears could not be forgotten.

"Forget it......"

I pulled open the little drawer next to the bed and gently pulled out the delicate booklet in it. After turning a new page, a faint aroma from the log wafted in.

――Today is the fifty-fifth day of meeting Shion Igwini.

Since that day, he has lived a peaceful life.

I got dressed. Insert a silver dagger hidden under a pillow into a holster around your waist.

"Squeak-"

Try not to make too much noise as much as possible. I pushed open the wooden door to my room.

The room on the opposite side of the aster is still in a hidden state.

She's never been up earlier than I have since she arrived..................

I thought helplessly. I smiled wryly and slowly walked down the wooden staircase down the second floor. Come to the living room.

The glimmer of light outside the window is reflected in the room through the glass.

“...... All right. ”

Now it's time to start preparing breakfast. I took a closer look at the ingredients in the kitchen.

-- There are still some leftovers of the bread that I baked yesterday. Start by making a vegetable salad and omelette, then heat up the corn soup.

After making this decision, I started to get busy.

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

Once the salad and hot corn soup are served in a bowl, the whole room is filled with a warm aroma. It stimulates the appetite all the time.

I'm setting up the chairs and cutlery. There was the sound of soft footsteps around him. The girl with her long hair fluttering walked into the room.

"Good morning, Shion—"

“...... Early....... Above....... Good ............"

A sleepy-eyed reply came, and the girl threw herself on the table.

"Hey, wait a minute......" I said helplessly.

"Hmm............. Zzzz......”

“............ Have you washed your face properly?"

――“Zz......”

- I fell asleep.

--Completely asleep............

I just got out of bed and fell asleep at the dining table again............

"Shion, which one do you choose, eat breakfast or sleep?" I couldn't help but ask.

――“...... Eating while sleeping......"

“...... How is it possible for an average person to eat and sleep at the same time......"

“...... Ahh..................h Zzzz。 ”

“............”

"Alright, let's eat it while it's hot—"

- "Hmm....... ”

With great difficulty, she straightened up and took the knife and fork in her hand.

"I started ....... ”

With a confused expression on her face that ignored me, the girl gently slipped a piece of fried egg and took a small bite from the corner.

Obviously older than me, but like a child.

"Hmm...... I'm full!" Shion's voice was a little refreshed.

"Alan's cooking level is really high," the girl smiled on the side.

"Uh...... These are just the simplest ...... Anyone can do it. "I had to confess.

- "Huh...... But I still won't do it......" she muttered a little frustrated.

Not to mention the cooking that represents housework, even the daily small things are not good.

Shion Igwini, despite the fact that she seems to be elegant and perfect from the inside out. In fact, her ability to take care of herself is not so strong, but a little weak.

In addition, I can fall asleep no matter where I go, and the condition after waking up is also very bad.

"I always feel like I'm being stared at with some kind of pity, is it an illusion?" said Shion, who was sitting across the table.

But the mind is very smart, and the senses are also very sharp.

"Delusion....... That's all I had to say.

The aroma of black tea wafts through the room, and the scenery outside the window gradually blurs in the daylight.

"Then I'll clean up. I stood up and said.

"Ah, I'm here to help—"

“...... No, you just need to go upstairs and bring me the laundry that needs to be washed. I said.

"Alan, are you still angry at me?"

"-No......"

The guy ............ Not to mention the cooking that represents housework, even the daily small things are not good.

If she is left alone, there will be all kinds of accidents.

For example, after a busy day outside, I opened the door and found a broken plate............

Thinking of this, I shook my head firmly.

"Alan, it's so cold....... The girl said in an unconvinced tone.

I went to the sink in the kitchen and began to expertly wash the dishes.

There was a familiar aura behind him.

I just wanted to turn around, but I was gently hugged from behind. Slender arms as luxurious as snow wrapped around my shoulders. The girl's head rested lightly on my left shoulder.

“...... Hey............"

I turned my head and touched her low, pale emerald green pupils.

“......”

"Allen...... It's time to think about the future, right?"

"What's in the future?"

"To be precise, it should be Allen's future business. ”

"Why do you suddenly care about me?" I asked.

"You have your own life. The girl said word by word. "It must have been full of joy and happiness. ”

“... As you move into the distance, you will encounter all kinds of difficulties

Difficult and dangerous. ”

"But with your words, maybe there will be a way. ”

"--With the words of you who are as burdensome as me, you can still smile"

Shion looked up and looked straight into my eyes. Without a hint of confusion or hesitation.

"So...... Alan also ....... ”

"You don't need to give me that high rating. ”

― ............ Wait!" Shion said with some anxiety.

"No, with Aster Igwini. This is my most heartfelt and most ardent wish at the moment. ”

I solemnly declare it.

I knew she didn't want me to be tied down.

Maybe even I've seen through the fact that I've lost my goal.

However, I am here of my own volition.

So, in the midst of all the confusion, I didn't plan to leave her.

The girl's pupils slowly dilated in surprise, and something crystal was quickly floating into her eyes. I saw everything in my eyes.

Gently brush away the hair that sticks to the side of Aster's mouth. I smiled at her.

In the afternoon, take a walk with asters by the lake. Since coming here, her image is changing little by little. She used to be in the forest, dressed in gorgeous dresses.

Nowadays, the long flowing hair is spread out so casually, and it matches the shape of the baggy dress very well. In my eyes, it's not just a simple change in appearance that can be seen.

As Aster said.

It's been weird since I've been here.

There is no goal.

Don't know what to do.

I'm a little bit unaccustomed to living freely.

She said she often thinks about the past.

"Anything before?" I couldn't help but ask.

We sat down on the meadow by the lake and enjoyed the outing.

"-Yes, all sorts of things in the past. ”

Aster looked at the sparkling lake bathed in sunlight and hesitated slightly.

She seems to like the clear water here, and she is in a good mood today.

"Did anything happen before......?" I asked.

About her, it's still a blank slate for me.

"I, my own life, does not exist. Whether it's friendship, love ......"

She said softly, as if the air was vibrating softly and naturally.

"Just looking out the window at the world. There is no knowledge and no contact with other things. ”

"--You can't do anything just by looking outside, right?" I said, sighing.

"Well, I understand. Although understood...... I didn't expect anything from me, though. ”

Shion seemed to want to say something, but swallowed it back.