We moved to the base of the mountain and found a small cave.
　It was hidden by grass and trees, and the entrance was in a place that was not obvious at first glance.

'It's so small...'
'Whew!　Who touched my tail!
I'm sorry, it's me. Of course it was me.
I'm sorry...

　It's hard to go deeper into the cave, as it feels like it's just barely enough for one person to walk through.
　Even so, there's no turning back as Sora and Luna say that there's a path leading to the Spirit Village at the back of this one.
　We proceeded carefully, being careful not to get injured.

　And so we walk for about an hour........
　We were at the bottom of the cave.

This is ...

　The deepest part of the cave was unlike anything he had ever seen before, and it was so large that he couldn't believe he was in a cave.
　It was large enough to be able to do a bit of sports, and also high enough.

'I wonder if this is something natural?'
Hmmm... that's hard to imagine. How often do you get such a perfect sphere?

　Tina gave that view to Tania's question.
　I agree with Tina.
　The square is a beautiful sphere, and it looks like it's just a man-made space.

　Nope.

　To be more precise, the hands of spirits, right?

'This is the entrance to the Spirit Village?
Hmm. That's right.
But it's funny I don't think there are any guards.

　Sola was right, there was no one in sight.

　But is there really no gatekeeper?
　It's just that you can't see them, but it's like....
　I feel a kind of oppression.

　And also ... a look.
　It's as if someone is observing me intently, and I feel that kind of gaze.

'Sola, are you sure there's no one else there?'
What?
What's going on, Lane?　As you can see, there's no one here.
Yeah, but I think... you know, I think I've got a feeling.
Hmmm ..........
What?

　Suddenly a voice rang out.

　I looked around hurriedly, but there was no one but us.
　And yet.........
　The voice continues.

The voice continues, "I have completely blocked out all signs of sight and sound, but you have the audacity to sense your mistress. I commend you. The girls, on the other hand, are so close together, and yet they don't notice you, it's quite shameful.
What's that voice?
Mom!

　Sora and Luna shouted in surprise.
　As if reacting to that, the space in the center of the cave shook like a mirage.

　The figure appeared to be a spirit race with light wings on its back.
　They were short and small, as if they were an even more compact version of Sora and Luna.
　They look like children, but...
　But strangely enough, I didn't feel like a child.
　It was a contradiction, but I felt older than anyone else in the room.

　Flaxen hair.
　White skin.
　Rolling eyes.

　She looks just like Sora and Luna.
　If they were called my two sisters, I would agree with them.
　But I'm not really their sister........

Mother...

　Luna rolled her eyes.

'Nah-na-na,'

　Seeing her daughter's surprise, Sora and Luna's mother nodded, somewhat satisfied.

'Long time no see, my girls. How have you been?
Mm. We were in good shape. Haven't you, Sola?
'Ha, yes. As you can see, we're doing fine, but...
That's good. I was worried when I heard you had abandoned your duties as a gatekeeper for the outside world, but it seems you've met a good match.

　I glanced at Sora and Luna's mother, who looked at me.
　She seems to have some idea of our relationship.

　There's no way we could talk about it beforehand so...
　Maybe he observed the place and came up with an answer right away.
　He's a quick thinker.

Um....
Are you their guardian?
'No. I'm not a parent, I'm a friend. My name is Rain Shroud. I'm an adventurer.
My name is Kanade.
It's Tania.
Uh, uh, Nina, sir.
That's Tina Holli. She looks like this, but she's a ghost.

　Everyone greeted each of them.

''Ho........the cat spirit race and the dragon race. And the god race is also together. And a ghost as well.......hmmm, this is an unusual party. They all seem to be connected to each other with this boy at the center.
You say that as if you've seen it all.
That's just a theory. You're ready to move and ready to defend the boy at all times, aren't you?　So, I just thought that the boy might be the center of it all. A simple deduction, isn't it?

　He's a real smart guy.

"Well...
Yeah, I'm sorry about that. He didn't tell me his name yet.

　When I wasn't sure what to call her, Sora and Luna's mother bowed her head as if to say no.

I am Al, the mother of Sora and Luna. I am the mother of Sora and Luna, and I am the gatekeeper of the entrance to the village here.
Mr. Al...?
You can call me Al, now, can't I?

　It's true that if it were just a matter of appearance, I think the 'chan' designation would be appropriate....
　As expected, I can't call Sora and Luna's mother by their changs.

'By Al,'
It's so boring. I think she's still young, but........ Don't Sora and Luna think so too?
Your mother is your mother. She's old enough to know better.
'I mean, I've lived for over a hundred years, but it's a bit of a mackerel to want me to look at you the same way as Sora and the others.
Mggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

　Al's lips twitched childishly.
　Childish and mature....
　I don't know who he is.

At any rate.
"Fluffy!
What?

　Al-san hugged Sora and Luna close to him.
　As it was, he put his face close to theirs, soaking in their warmth.

'I'm relieved to see you're doing well.
"...mother...
"...mother...

　Tears welled up in Sora and Luna's eyes.

'It looks like you were in a lot of trouble when I wasn't around. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. But I'm glad to see you're doing so well.
Ugh.
"Hiccup.

　Finally, they couldn't hold back anymore and Sora and Luna burst into tears.
　As it was, they hugged Al....

I'm going to give you some privacy.
Yeah, I guess so.

　Everyone nodded, including Kanade...
　We watched as the three of us spent time with the father and son.