They say labor is the best way to clear your mind. Though I had plenty of time, I worked non-stop with my knife, wanting to free Hyperion as quickly as possible. Watching the cut vines pile up beneath the ladder, I felt I could rival any professional gardener.

Berke, who came to the greenhouse to bring food, kept marveling at my quick work and even offered his lodging for me to stay. Even Asrein, whom I expected to firmly refuse, said he would stay at the shelter throughout the banquet period.

A full day passed. After resting my head on the pillow from the exhausting work, it was morning when I lifted it. The small cabin serving as my lodging filled with the cozy scent of paulownia. When I went downstairs wearing the shirt and pants provided by the shelter, the first floor remained silent.

“Oh? Professor? …Mr. Berke?”

Until last night, I could hear their chatting voices through the floor gaps, but everyone seemed to have left early this morning. Did Asrein go to the greenhouse? Geez. If he planned to go, he could have taken me along.

While walking to the greenhouse with a long yawn, an uneasy feeling crossed my mind. Surely the Hyperion’s Seeds wouldn’t make any slip-ups while I was gone? The vivid memory of them giggling “stupid” yesterday sent chills down my spine.

I arrived at the greenhouse and peeked around the door. Unfortunately, the morning fog made the glass windows hazy, making it impossible to see inside from outside. I quickly opened the door and entered, and the scene beyond the pathway came into view. Just as I was about to speak upon seeing his flawless figure from behind, I drew in a short breath and stopped.

“…”

Standing alone before the great tree, he was surrounded by swaying leaves, enjoying a leisurely moment. Unlike his usual stiff suit attire, today Asrein wore a loose robe. Through the dense foliage, sunlight filtered through the thin fabric, faintly revealing his beautiful frame. His hair, flowing down to his waist, rippled like waves over the floating white fabric. When he slowly raised his hand, a small butterfly made of cotyledons landed on his outstretched index finger. The scene captivated me—I felt I had secretly entered a mystical space following a fairy’s whisper.

Standing in place, taking him in completely, I soon heard his quiet voice.

“Did you sleep well?”

His voice remained remarkably calm, suggesting he had noticed my presence long ago. Finally coming to my senses, I casually greeted him.

“Good morning, Professor. I thought I came early, but somehow I feel like I’m late…”

His diligence makes me feel self-conscious even though I came at dawn. As I awkwardly scratched my cheek, the Seeds hovering around Asrein immediately approached and grumbled.

[That’s right. You’re late.] [Tardy!]

To say I’m late when I came right after waking up. Just as I was feeling wronged, Asrein spoke with a sigh in his voice.

“The sun just rose. Don’t blame him.”

[But he’s so rude.] [Right.] [There are two elders here, yet he comes last.]

“He must have been tired after cutting all of this by himself.”

[…If you say so.]

The Seeds, who wouldn’t listen when I spoke, fell silent at Asrein’s few words. Just when I thought things had settled, as soon as Asrein turned his back, a maple-colored Seed quietly approached and lightly hit my forehead with its wing.

I mouthed ‘What?’ but the childish Seed flew away pretending nothing happened. While I remained helplessly dumbfounded by this treatment, Asrein spoke while looking at Hyperion.

“Thanks to your help yesterday, I can do it now.”

“What? Do what?”

As I rubbed my forehead and approached, his gaze turned to a bucket on the ground. The wooden bucket without handles was filled with clear water, almost overflowing at the slightest touch. I thought he might be giving water to Hyperion, but Asrein had an even grander plan.

“Magic.”

After this brief answer, Asrein extended his hand toward the bucket and slightly raised his index finger. Following his elegant gesture, a column of water suddenly rose from the rippling surface. Whoa! Even as I stepped back in surprise, I couldn’t take my eyes off the magic.

The water column, which rose toward the ceiling, soon split into five streams and wrapped around Hyperion. The tree, enveloped in a transparent curtain, created a fantastical atmosphere resembling the depths of the ocean. Before I could even marvel at this, another spell followed.

“Release the shackles.”

Once again, an impossibly short prayer sufficed. As he commanded, hundreds of hands extended from the water curtain and firmly grabbed the Phyllis stems. With a thud, they easily pulled off the Phyllis that had required cutting with a knife. The Phyllis, cut to uniform lengths, piled up neatly in the sack following the water stream. Afterward, the water that had completed its task stretched into the sky and fell as a light drizzle in the clear sky.

“Wow…!”

In the blink of an eye, Hyperion regained its true form. The branches stretching in all directions seemed to stretch comfortably after removing a stuffy green garment.

To finish a half-day’s work with such a light gesture… magic really amazes me. No, he amazes me would be more accurate. Looking at Asrein with sparkling eyes, I asked.

“So will Hyperion wake up now?”

“Well, I can’t guarantee that. The Phyllis absorbed considerable magical power, so I don’t know how long replenishment will take. However, since Hyperion commands numerous Seeds, it should wake up at least after we move it to the Kune Forest.”

“Ah, that’s such a relief.”

I slowly stroked the tree bark while letting out a sigh of relief.

“Tomorrow when the sun rises, moving Hyperion will create hectic conditions, so you should rest well today.”

“Yes, Professor!”

Even though it won’t wake up immediately, my heart felt much lighter. When Hyperion returns to the forest, it will bloom even more beautiful leaves. And if its heart allows, it will once again provide shade for people with nowhere to rest, if only for a moment.

Someday. I closed my eyes, waiting for the day I could sit beside Hyperion and feel the cool breeze. Then a child-like voice reached my ears.

[Hey.]

I turned my head toward the sound, and the Seeds came down to me, fluttering their leaves. Their proud demeanor from before had disappeared, and they seemed somewhat hesitant. Then one Seed with only its right wing tinted yellow approached and gently stroked my cheek.

[Thank you.] [It’s thanks to you after all.] [Thank you for helping our Elder.]

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad it worked out.”

[Don’t grin so much.] [You look stupid.]

“Mm… okay.”

It seems I’ve become quite close even with the Seeds that tried to drive me away when we first met. Suddenly remembering Nur who had spoken to me when I was struggling, I felt moved. When your eyes meet, interest grows, and when you touch, attachment forms easily… why is it so hard to detach from these feelings? Looking at the leaf butterflies clinging to my shoulders and hands, I felt the deep attachment that had formed in such a short time.

While stroking the rough leaf surface, Asrein quietly called my name.

“Tae-oh.”

“Yes?”

“Your hand.”

At his brief words, I thoughtlessly extended my hand to him. I hadn’t noticed while working, but now I could see small red cuts across my finger joints. After carefully examining the wounds, Asrein clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, I thought this might happen.”

“Haha… I guess I got careless trying to finish everything today.”

“Your hands are never uninjured.”

“They’ll heal anyway, so what’s the big deal.”

Though I meant it as reassurance, it only made his brow furrow more.

“I’m sorry.”

When I apologized out of habit, this time a deep sigh followed. Asrein took out a small container from his long sleeve and opened the lid. He carefully applied the solid ointment, which gave off a bitter smell, to each wound without flinching. Of course, his words remained as prickly as ever.

“You never know when to stop.”

“But… thinking about how Hyperion and the Seeds had been waiting to return to the forest, I couldn’t just take it easy.”

“You could have asked for help.”

“I could handle it fine on my own.”

“Is it stubbornness?”

“No. You thought the same way, didn’t you? That’s why you trusted me and stayed at the shelter with me… right?”

Even when I jumped into work suddenly, he didn’t stop me saying it was impossible but waited for me. So to repay that trust, to be of some help, I worked without rest. It completely differed from the past when someone forced me.

Though I honestly shared my thoughts, unlike expected, no immediate answer came.

After a brief silence settled. His neat lips slowly parted.

“…Perhaps this is why I like you.”

“…Pardon?”

He dropped a bombshell while treating my hand. What… you like me? Who does? …Surely not you? My eyes grew so wide they seemed about to pop out. Unlike my great agitation, Asrein, focused on treatment, calmly added.

“The Hyperion’s Seeds, I mean.”

“…Oh.”

“Not just this time. Dandel, Sainur too. Most magical creatures resonate with you.”

Asrein’s explanation continued after that. But I didn’t hear a word of it.

I must have finally gone mad. What kind of misunderstanding did I have? And why… did I feel disappointed? After meeting only strange people throughout my life, I finally met a proper benefactor. That must be it. Yes. My brain must have short-circuited from being too moved.

Suddenly, I remembered the playful words the Hyperion’s Seeds had said.

‘Do you like him? Should we tell him?’

No. Absolutely not. How dare I.

“The treatment is mostly done. For a while, the wounds… Tae-oh.”

I must have confused admiration with affection due to exhaustion these past couple days. Sometimes when respect becomes excessive, you want to follow that person with your eyes and want to follow them everywhere.

That’s exactly how I felt right now. Wanting to appear better today than yesterday, never wanting to disappoint, hoping they would trust me. So this must be respect.

Ah… I was so stupid to confuse my emotions. Feeling foolish at myself, I twisted one corner of my mouth in a self-deprecating smile. That’s when a gentle voice pierced my ear.

“Tae-oh!”

“Yes?”

“Are you alright? You seem to have a fever.”

Before I could deny it was nothing, a soft hand touched my cheek. As I slowly raised my gaze, I met eyes that were genuinely worried about me. What mentor would care this much about their student? Noticing his slightly furrowed brow, I waved both hands and smiled brightly. If it’s respect, it should be fine.

“I’m fine.”

If it’s respect.