Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051601476634937
The carriage rocked gently.
Outside the window, the blue sea was gradually receding.
The sound of the waves, which had been audible until yesterday, was now barely audible.
Lilia gazed out the window, saying nothing.
Watching her profile, I smiled slightly.
“Are you sad to leave?”
“……What?”
“The ocean.”
“It was your first time seeing it, wasn’t it?”
Lilia thought for a moment.
And then.
“……I guess so.”
She nodded slightly.
“It was more beautiful than I expected.”
“Right?”
“Yes.”
Silence lingered for a while.
Only the carriage rocked back and forth in a steady rhythm.
“Let’s come back again.”
I said casually.
Lilia looked at me.
“Again?”
“Yeah.”
“It doesn’t have to be for work next time.”
“We could just come for sightseeing.”
“There are hot springs, too.”
“And the seafood is delicious.”
Lilia gave a small laugh.
“So it’s all about the food, isn’t it?”
“It’s important, isn’t it?”
“I won’t argue with that.”
It was a rare, gentle smile.
“That time, too…”
Lilia spoke quietly.
“Together?”
I was a little surprised.
“Yeah.”
“If our schedules line up, that is.”
Lilia turned her gaze back to the window.
“……It’s a promise.”
Her voice was very soft.
◇
It was past noon.
The carriage pulled up at a rest stop along the highway.
We got out.
A cool breeze blew through the shade of the trees.
“Want to take a little walk?”
“Sure.”
We walked side by side.
We didn’t have anything in particular to talk about.
Still, strangely enough, it didn’t feel awkward.
“Lilia.”
“What?”
“About the dungeon.”
Lilia paused for just a moment.
“…Never mind.”
“I see.”
“Yes.”
I didn’t ask any further.
Lilia didn’t say anything either.
But.
We were both looking at the same scenery.
“Alt”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
It was sudden.
“For what?”
“For coming with me.”
“It’s just a survey, right?”
“Even so.”
Lilia smiled slightly.
“If I’d been alone…”
“I might have felt a little lonely.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“That’s an unusual thing for you to say.”
“Forget I said that.”
“I can’t.”
“…Shut up.”
Her ears had turned slightly red.
◇
Evening.
We climbed back into the carriage.
The pleasant rocking continued.
“If you’re sleepy, you can go ahead and sleep.”
“…I will.”
As soon as she said that,
Lilia slowly closed her eyes.
A few minutes later.
I could hear her steady breathing.
I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“She must have been pretty exhausted.”
Careful not to wake her, I looked out the window.
We were just a short distance away from the capital now.
◇
The days after we returned to the capital passed peacefully.
In the mornings, I headed to the Research Tower.
I’d transcribe manuscripts.
I’d organize documents.
I’d transport ancient texts.
I’d help manage the chemicals.
“Alt.”
“Could you take care of these documents?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s have lunch when you’re done.”
“You’re being pretty cooperative today.”
“…Just this once.”
Even those casual conversations…
had somehow become part of our daily routine.
Even the work that had initially felt like a mountain to climb.
Now my body moves on its own.
Lilia has also started smiling a little more than before.
She’s still not very cooperative, though.
Even so.
I felt like we’d grown much closer than we were five years ago.
◇
Before I knew it.
The month and a half we’d agreed on had flown by in the blink of an eye.
That evening.
Having finished my work, I stood up from my seat.
“Well, I’m heading home.”
“Okay.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“…Okay.”
The door closed.
Lilia was the only one left in the lab.
Lilia channeled her magic into the crystal.
A faint light glowed.
A blurry image of Alt appeared.
“…He’s gone home safely.”
She smiled, looking relieved.
But then.
Just then.
In town, a woman approaches Alt.
She’s carrying shopping bags.
She seems to be asking for directions.
Alt answers with a smile.
Seeing this, Lilia’s expression changes.
“…Who is that?”
She leans closer to the crystal.
The woman bows repeatedly.
Alt smiles back and waves.
Lilia says nothing.
A few seconds later.
She puffs out her cheeks slightly.
“…Being kind is…”
“It’s one of Alt’s good qualities, though.”
There’s a brief pause.
“But still.”
“To another woman.”
“You don’t have to laugh like that.”
She taps the crystal lightly with her finger.
“…Really.”
“He’s just not aware of it.”
And then.
She smiles faintly.
“I don’t intend to tie Alt down.”
“…But.”
She lowers her gaze slightly.
“The truth is.”
“I don’t want to let him go to anyone else.”
“I want him to look only at me.”
The room was quiet.
No one could hear her.
Those were Lilia’s true feelings, known only to her.
Eventually.
She gently pressed the crystal to her chest.
“Just a little longer.”
“I’ll hold back for now.”
“But.”
“Someday, for sure.”
“I want him to look only at me.”
The sunset illuminated the lab.
Lilia smiled quietly.
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