It had been over a year since I'd seen Renu.

　The last time I saw him was just before I left for the dollar continent, so I didn't expect to see him again here.

　I was surprised to see him.

I'm working here through a referral from Mr. Quilt.

　Renu spluttered.

(Heh~?)

　I can't help but look at the silver-haired lady.

'What, that guy from Pogo just needed a hand.

　And Kilt.

　'That was it.

'But then you should have told me.

　I complained.

　Mr. Kilt laughed in amusement.

'Wouldn't it be boring if I told you?　I wanted to see the look of surprise on your face.

　Huh?

　I'm dumbfounded by Mr. Kilt's big smile.

　Renu-san is laughing too.

　Then he returns to his expression.

'Thanks to you, I've been able to start a new life. I'm so grateful to Mr. Quilt and Mr. Pogo for all they've done for me.

　I said.

　Mr. Kilt laughed and Mr. Pogo looked a little embarrassed.

　Then Mr. Renu looked at me.

Of course, for Merle.
..........

　What did I do?

　Renu laughed happily at my scowling, "Hmmm.

　And then.

Okay, I'll show you to your seats upstairs. Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me.

　She thumped up the steps of the shop.

　Leaving me with a nod of my head, Mr. Quilt, Soltis and Poe start walking.

'Come on, let's go.'

　Illtimina pushed me lightly on my back.

(Uh-huh.)

　I start walking too.

　I'm going to have to get behind it.

Like me, I think Mahr owes Mahr a debt of gratitude for giving me a reason to live.

　I heard that voice.

(Huh?)

　I wanted to look back, but Illtimina-san was pushing me too hard, so I couldn't look back.

(............)

　Well, okay.

　Without understanding, I climbed the stairs with Illtimina-san.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Renu led me to the second floor of Mr. Pogo's shop.

'This way,'

　We were let through to a private room with a large table and five chairs.

　From the large window, we could see the streets of the royal capital.

(Ooh, nice view!)

　The long street was filled with shops and people of various races walking down the street.

　At the end of the street I could also see the Holy Shumurian Royal Castle.

　I took a seat by the window.

　Next to me was Illtimina.

　On the other side of the table were Kilt, Soltis and Poe.

"Yes, here's the menu.

　Renu handed us a menu list.

(Which one?)

　As I was looking at it, I suddenly noticed Renu-san's gaze.

　...........

　It's kind of gazing at me.

''Um, what's going on?''

　Restless, I asked frankly.

　Renu looked a little flustered, "Oh, no," she said, and then with a slightly embarrassed grin, she said

Mr. Merle, in the time we haven't seen each other for a while, you've grown up so much I'm a little surprised to see you.

　I said.

　Mature......

'Really?'
Yes, sir.

　That's the first time you've ever said that to me.

That's nice. Thanks, Mr. Renu.

　I laughed.

　Then Renu gasped and squeezed her hands in front of her chest.

(?)

"Kohon.

　Next to me, Illtimina-san suddenly clears her throat.

　Then she casually placed her left hand on the table - on her ring finger, the 'Mithril Silver Ring' I gave her is shining.

　Renu-san huffed.

''I'm sorry. I'll take your order.

　Then he made a note of our order and slipped off downstairs.

　Oops.

...I wish we could have talked more.　

　It was a shame, but then again, Mr. Renu was at work, so I guess that was not an option.

　And Mr. Kilt chuckled.

Irna has a hard time.

　I muttered.

(Huh?)

　Miss Illtimina's crimson eyes were down.

'Merle's a nice boy, you know. Well, these things happen.

　I exhale.

　.........what do you mean?

　Solstice said to me as I nodded my head.

'You're so unaware of what you're doing.
?

　I still don't know what it means.

　At my confusion, the three of them, except for Poe, looked at each other and let out a wry smile and a sigh, ''Oh dear,'' they said.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Hmm?　'Books' this year, huh?

　While eating the delicious food, Solstice let out such a comment on the birthday present I gave her.

　In the girl's hand, there was a thick book.

　On the cover, it is written as 'Theory of Magic, Part 5 by Columcude Resta'.

　Looking at it.

'So it's not Orichalcong like last year.

　And Solstice.

　No, no, no, you can't get an orichalcon that easily, can you?

　I said.

'I still had a hard time finding that 'book' in this one, you know?

　She had wanted Solstice before, so she ran around to all the bookstores in King's City and finally got it at the eleventh house.

　The girl cowered her shoulders.

''I know, it's a rare book with a small circulation. ........Well, thanks.''
..........

　........Response, thin.

　Mr. Kilt chuckles, "Stubborn,　

　I might as well add.

And this.

　I handed him a piece of paper rolled up with a ribbon.

'What?'
Portraits. This year's drawing.
..... Do they give it to you every year, or do I have to?

　Solstice, who says that, but takes it.

　Pella.

　I untied the ribbon and looked inside.

　Together, Kilt-san, Illtimina-san, and Poe also peeked in from behind.

''Huh?''
Well that's nice.
"Poe admires.

　The three of them complimented me with surprised looks.

''...........''

　Solstice, on the other hand, was silent.

　He stared at the profile of a girl trying to go from a child to an adult - a picture of herself - and then he rounded again.

'So this is what I look like to Marle.　

　I muttered.

　My cheeks are a little red.

(It's not like he didn't like it...)

　I'm glad.

　I was relieved to hear Solstice's reaction.

　The next person I gave a gift to was Poe.

Oh, a 'pressed flower bookmark'?
.......................

　At the orphanage, they sometimes sell the flowers they grow to tourists - and they used their experience to turn Po-chan's carefully selected flowers into a 'pressed flower bookmark' to match my gift.

　By the way, it was Iltimina-san's idea after Po-chan consulted with her.

　Solstice laughed.

'Thanks, Poe. It's a pleasure.''

　nudging

　She stroked the young girl's blonde hair.

　Po-chan looked relieved as she shook her neck from side to side.

　.........something different from my time, Solstice?

But that's great, Poe.

　In my mind, I smiled too.

　And next, a gift from Solstice's real sister.

'Wha?　'Clothes'.

　Solstice was surprised to receive it.

　It was a very stylish dress.

　I thought it was a bit too adult for Solstice, but Iltimina-san said with a calm smile.

''Sol is 15 years old, you're already an adult.
..........
From now on, you are an independent woman. I hope you'll become an adult who looks good in this dress, not just as an adventurer, but as a lady.

　........I see.

　It seems it was a gift of encouragement to Solstice, in Iltimina-san's own way.

　I wonder if she got it.

Irna, my sister...

　Solstice, too, with her eyes moistening.

　To such a sister, Illtimina-san was smiling at her sister, smiling like an adult woman.

　Lastly, it's Kilt-san.

　The gift given to me was a 'glasswork boar'.

''Beautiful........''

　Solstice let the sunshine shine through her and admired the glow.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

'You're old enough to drink, too. Wouldn't it be nice to have one of those things?'

　Then he snaps and closes one eye.

　Haha, that seems to be Quilt-san.

　By the way, when I asked him about the price, it turned out to be 1,500 rand--a high class product of 150,000 yen.

　Wow.........

　Although Solstice was also surprised, but

Thanks, Quilt!　I'm going to have a lot of good drinks with this one.

　I smiled so happily.

　........I was the one who was a little worried that the gluttonous girl would turn into a gluttonous drinker girl.

　Just like that, the gift giving was over.

　After that, we all had a dinner party.

　Pogo's food was delicious, and to my surprise, he had prepared a birthday cake for Solstice, which we all shared.

　It was a fun time.

　Everyone was smiling, and our lively dinner party continued until the sun went down.　


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


Ugh, it's a bit dizzying.

　In the evening, Solstice tried drinking for the first time in her life, and her footsteps were questionable, so she had Pogo's shoulder to lean on.

　The place was in front of Mr. Pogo's shop.

　Kilt-san, Illtimina-san, and Pogo-san giggled.

''Yes, please, Mr. Soltis.''

　Renu brought me a glass of water.

''Anngato~,'' the girl gulps.

(.........Is it okay?)

　I'd be worried that the magic in my blood would go out of control like Mr. Illtimina of old, but

That's not a problem.

　Iltimina said.

　She says that if you're not too tired or in bad shape, then yes, that doesn't happen.

　Mr. Kilt laughs.

'That was a pretty good drinking session. I'm looking forward to the future.

　...........

　Maybe it's because he promptly used his own gift, or maybe it's because he's about to make a drinking buddy, but Kilt-san is in a good mood.

(Kirt-san was drinking a lot too.)

　Still, it's a good thing she doesn't wobble on her feet like a little girl.

　Pogo-san is laughing, too.

'You'll have to come back, won't you?'

　Everyone nodded.

'The food was delicious. Thank you for the treat.

　I smiled at that.

　Mr. Pogo looked pleased.

Renu taught me a few of the 'Teteto Confederate Home-Cooked Foods' that were among the dishes. Renu was at the knife today, you know?
Is that so?

　I looked at Ms. Renu in surprise.

　Renu grinned shyly.

I'm glad you liked it.

　I said.

　I laughed.

'It was. It was really good, Renu. I'll be coming back for more.'
Oh, yes!

　Renu nodded happily.

　And.

"Kohon.

　I hear a cough from the side.

　I look over and see Miss Illtimina smiling beautifully and placing a white hand on my shoulder.　

''I'll be along for the ride then, won't I?

　.....................

　What is it?　I felt a bit of a chill.

　When I looked at it, Renu-san was also smiling awkwardly. .........hmm?

　Me nodding my head.

　Kilt and Pogo looked at each other and for some reason they were giggling at each other.

(Well, okay.)

　So we left Mr. Pogo's shop, with Mr. Pogo and Renu seeing us off.

　The five of us walked down the street at night.

　As expected of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Shumuria, there were still a lot of people walking down the street at night.

　The night breeze was a little cold.

　When I looked up, I saw a red and white moon shining in the night sky.

''........the moon is so beautiful.''

　I suddenly mutter.

　Cuk.

　My hand is held by someone from the side.

'It's true.'

　From next to her, a soft Iltimina-san's voice came from next to her.

(............)

　In front of us, Solstice walks by Poe's shoulders, and right beside him, Mr. Quilt is watching over us, ready to lend a hand at any time.

　From all around us, the voices of the people are bright and lively.

　And even at night, the light of the bright shops and streetlights gleams.

　To my left, the warmth of a loved one.

　........Oh, it's a good time.

　Or so I thought.

　Thinking that this kind of gentle time will pass for another month or so, I naturally smile at the thought.

　We walked through the night in the royal city of Mulia.

　--But I had no idea at the time that the next day would mark the end of our time of rest.