Source
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The next morning.
When I woke up.
The sky was still dim.
I looked up at the quiet ceiling.
For a while.
I didn’t move.
Because I was thinking back on yesterday.
Five years.
Just those words alone are easy enough.
But.
Even for me, who had actually lived through it.
It still didn’t feel real.
When I returned to the capital,
everything had changed.
My former comrades had been searching for me, and I’d caused them trouble.
And.
Everyone had aged five years.
Leaving only me behind.
“It really has been five years, hasn’t it…”
I muttered softly.
But.
Strangely, it still didn’t feel real.
Even Leona, whom I’d met just yesterday.
And Serena.
They were exactly the same as before.
Their faces.
Their voices.
Their demeanor.
They’d matured a bit, sure.
But to me, they were no different from the friends I’d parted ways with just yesterday.
That’s exactly why.
It felt even more strange.
Five years.
It should have been a long time.
Yet it felt like a continuation of yesterday.
I look out the window.
Morning in the capital.
There aren’t many people on the streets yet.
But.
The scenery before me was different from five years ago.
Buildings I didn’t recognize.
Wider streets.
A renewed cityscape.
Five years I hadn’t lived through were right there.
“Maybe I’ll get some exercise.”
There’s no point in just thinking about it.
At times like this, running is the best thing to do.
It’s always been that way.
Back when I first became an adventurer.
I started running to build up my stamina.
Before I knew it, it had become a habit.
No matter how busy I was.
No matter how tired I was.
I’d find time to run.
I quickly get ready.
I leave my room.
It’s still quiet inside the guild.
Emma’s probably still asleep.
It was a late night.
It would be strange if she were awake.
I leave the guild.
The cold morning air brushed against my cheeks.
I took a deep breath without thinking.
It was a familiar sensation.
And then.
I started running through the streets of the capital.
I loosened up my body a bit.
It had been a while, but.
My body remembered it well.
My stride was light.
“It really does feel peaceful.”
I chuckled softly.
The royal capital in the morning.
I’ve always loved this time of day.
There are few people around.
It’s quiet.
I don’t have to think about anything unnecessary.
But.
The scenery I saw as I ran—
it was, after all, different from the past.
There were some familiar buildings.
But.
There were more buildings I didn’t recognize.
The shops I used to frequent were gone.
On the other hand,
new shops have sprung up.
The adventurers I passed were all unfamiliar faces.
If this had been five years ago,
someone would have called out to me.
“Guild Master.”
“Alt.”
I used to hear voices like that.
But.
Now, no one knows me.
That made me feel a little lonely.
“Well, I guess that’s to be expected.”
I gave a wry smile.
Five years.
It’s only natural.
Still.
Something stirred just a little deep inside my chest.
I’d only intended to go on a journey.
For a month.
No.
I’d planned to come back much sooner.
But.
It ended up being five years.
Leona and the others had been looking for me.
Serena, too.
Lilia, too.
Mia, too.
For the entire five years.
Yesterday, the joy of seeing them again was what mattered most.
But.
The more I calm down, the more I realize it.
I’ve caused them an awful lot of worry and trouble.
As I ran, thinking about all that—
“Hm?”
That’s unusual.
It seems there’s someone else out running besides me.
Five years ago…
There were hardly any people out running at this time of day.
She’s getting closer.
Long black hair.
Delicate features.
And…
Those familiar purple eyes.
“Lilia?”
“Huh!?”
Lilia’s eyes widened.
She was clutching something crystal-like in her hand.
But…
The moment our eyes met.
She hurriedly hid it behind her back.
“G-good morning.”
“Good morning.”
Something’s fishy.
“What were you holding just now?”
“I’m not holding anything.”
“No, you definitely were.”
“It’s just your imagination.”
Her reply was immediate.
It just seemed suspicious.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Lilia seemed completely unfazed.
But.
I had a vague feeling her ears were red.
“Oh, whatever.”
“It’s not whatever, though.”
“Which is it?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Then.
Lilia glanced at me briefly.
And.
“You haven’t changed a bit, have you?”
“What?”
“Your morning runs.”
“Oh.”
I nodded.
“I’ve been doing them for ages.”
At that moment.
Lilia’s expression wavered ever so slightly.
Just for an instant.
But.
She also seemed somewhat relieved.
“I see.”
She murmured softly.
“You haven’t changed, have you?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Lilia smiled ever so slightly.
And then.
“I’ve been running lately, too.”
“Oh, really?”
I was a little surprised.
I’d never even imagined Lilia running.
“What’s with that reaction?”
“No—”
I couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
“I just had this image of you holed up in your lab.”
“That’s rude.”
Lilia puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.
“I do get some exercise.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I do.”
She seemed somehow full of confidence.
“Then let’s go for a run together.”
“I don’t mind.”
With that,
We started running side by side.
But.
Five minutes later.
“Haa…”
“Hm?”
“Haa… haa…”
I glanced over at her.
Lilia’s face was bright red.
“Hey.”
“W-what?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
She didn’t look fine at all.
She was out of breath.
Her footing was unsteady, too.
“Come on, you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
She was being stubborn.
Right after that.
Lilia’s legs wobbled slightly.
“Whoa!”
I hurriedly put my arm around her shoulders to support her.
“See? I told you so.”
“……”
“Want to rest on the bench?”
“I guess so.”
She replied as if she’d finally given in.
The two of them sat down on the bench.
The morning sun was slowly rising.
It was a quiet moment.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
But.
Strangely enough, it didn’t feel awkward.
“You really are back, aren’t you?”
She said it quietly.
Lilia murmured.
“We saw each other yesterday, didn’t we?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Lilia gave a small laugh.
“Five years.”
At those words.
I couldn’t say a thing.
For me, it had been two weeks.
But.
For Lilia and the others, it had been five years.
The weight of that time—
I could never even begin to imagine it.
“It’s been a long time.”
Lilia said, keeping her gaze forward.
“There were times I thought I’d never see you again.”
Her voice was quiet.
There was no anger.
No intention to blame me.
Just—
the five years that had passed.
“But—”
Lilia smiled ever so slightly.
“You’re back.”
“Ah.”
“I’m glad.”
Her voice was soft.
After saying that, she looked at me as if she’d just remembered something.
“Come to think of it…”
“Hm?”
“I’m actually five years older than Alt now, aren’t I?”
“Well… I guess so.”
Alt gave a wry smile.
“Before we knew it, all four of you had gotten older.”
She looked a little wistful.
Lilia fell silent for a moment.
And then.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Hm?”
“Whether five years pass or ten years pass—”
“You’re still you, aren’t you?”
“……”
“At least, that’s how I see it.”
Bathed in the morning sun.
Lilia gave a small smile.
Alt’s eyes widened slightly.
And then.
smiled, looking a bit flustered.
“Thank you.”
At those words.
Lilia looked away for a moment.
“Well then,”
Lilia stood up.
“It’s about time we go”
“Hm?”
Alt stood up as well.
“Where to?”
Lilia answered as if it were obvious.
“To the guild.”
“Huh?”
He didn’t understand.
Seeing Alt tilt his head in confusion,
Lilia let out a sigh of exasperation.
“I’m sure—”
And then,
she gave a small chuckle.
“The other three must be gathered there by now.”
“Huh?”
Alt had nothing but a bad feeling.
Lilia said nothing.
She simply.
Started walking, looking somewhat cheerful.
Watching her back,
Alt let out another sigh.
It seemed.
Today wouldn’t end peacefully either.
Thinking that,
Alt set off after Lilia.
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