Well, I mean, you're the human one, aren't you?
Yes.
'Oh!　Um, well, not that it's any good, but I think it's an unfortunate accident...
I'm really sorry. I'll be more careful from now on...
I'd appreciate it if you would.


　I apologize to Aries again. She accepts it too, and then gives me a faint smile.


''Well I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but...''
How can I help you?


　She looks down and mutters something in a small voice.

　I wonder what the hell it is.


'Shall I ask you a question?'
Yes. I don't mind.
What's going on in the human village?
A village?
Yes, sir.
...well...


　He stagnates. Because the place we live in isn't a village.


It's not a village that these people live in. It's a warded city.
'The Warding City?　What does it look like?
''Ummm ... a place that is dozens of times larger than the village here, and protected by wards.''
Dozens of times more than the village!
Yes. There are seven of them.
Seven?　Ya, I knew humans were amazing...
What do you mean "still"?
'The thing is, I was only sixteen years old and very young, but I had heard from other elves that humans are very intelligent and amazing. I had no idea what life was like now, but I was really surprised...
Maybe you'll be able to come over here when you get a chance?
Oh, really?
I don't think I'll be able to walk openly, but I'm sure it will be possible in the near future.
'Well I'm looking forward to it...'


　Staring somewhere in the void, Aries-san reminisces. Is she that interested in human life........


''Are you interested in that human?''
'Well, um... yes. I'm interested in this world itself, as well as the humans, but I'm also interested in this world itself. How far this wide world extends, and what lies at the end of the twilight... my interest is boundless.
...If you'd like, we can talk about the outside world?
'What?　I've heard that humans live in a localized area?
Actually, I'm crossing this continent for a reason.
Crossing!　So you know it from one end to the other!
Well, just in case...
I'd love to talk to you!　Oh, I live alone now, so I'd love to come home!


　Saying that, he firmly grabs both of my hands.


　



　◇


　A simple house.... or so I thought. It has fewer necessities than a human, or maybe it's just a desk and chair, and a bed in the corner. But it's a bit large for a person of this size. I sat down in the chair that was provided and decided to ask Aries-san, who sat across from me.


'It's a big house for someone who lives alone, isn't it?
"...a year ago, I had my father and mother...
Maybe....
'Yes. He went out into the twilight and died....
''Well I'm sorry, I'm sorry to ask you something so unnecessary...''
No. That's okay. I've already got it all sorted out. So, about that...



　I then avoided the core of the story and talked about life in the twilight. What kind of creatures are in the twilight and what kind of ecosystem has been built there? Every time she talked about those things, a smile broke out on her face. She must really be genuinely interested in the outside world...I could see it in her hands. She also told me that elves sometimes go to the twilight to hunt. But basically, they live in this village inside the wards all the time. No one ever thinks of going outside. They know they can't resist the dusk.


''It's been a very pleasant time...''
I hope you enjoyed it, too.


　I think it lasted about an hour. My story ended there. I talked about my life in the twilight, and since Aries-san's reaction was good, I couldn't help but get into it too.


''Then I'll take my leave...''
Well....well...
How can I help you?


　He's looking down, moping, as if he wants to say something. Is there something she forgot to say? As I think about it, she says something unexpected.


'Eh, and!　Well, would you like to stay at our house!
'What?　What does that mean...?
I mean, it's not like I have any ulterior motive.　I mean.........can't I just genuinely want to talk to Yulia-san more......?
....


　What should we do? If I don't return, it doesn't matter. Because everyone was already on the floor by the time I left. But even though I'm an elf, I'm a woman. It's a good idea for a human being to suddenly stay in the house of a woman close to her age who lives alone. But if he refuses here, then I feel sorry for him.......yes. Besides, thinking about the future, it's important to establish a friendship with the elves.


　Including such a calculated meaning, I decided to accept the proposal.


''........I understand. Thank you for your help.
Yes!


　She is so pleased. But I didn't miss the faint shadow on her face. It's as if she has some other intention, and she's sorry about it.......that expression.


　What is that expression? I would later find out what it meant.