I can still hear an unknown melody coming through the window. I wonder if you know this song? I’m a bit curious.

July 7

From Asha

P.S. Have you ever kissed someone?]

[To Asha, who had an unexpected experience

Good morning! I’m not sure what time it will be when you receive this letter.

The weather in Kasoche is better than ever. My fingers don’t curl up from cold, and it’s fantastic to be able to play outside without all those layers of outer clothing.

My second brother recently returned home on vacation. Have I mentioned my second brother before? Even if I searched through my previous replies, I wouldn’t know what my past self wrote.

My second brother is the only one among my siblings who studied in the capital. He’s been serving as a royal guard since graduation. Quite impressive skills.

He’s also my father’s pride.

He’s still a rookie so it’s not easy for him to take vacation, but His Majesty the King granted his generosity for some anniversary or something.

Ah, not an anniversary but a reward-vacation.

I just chased my brother out for a moment. Really, why do my family members get so irritated by the fact that I have secrets? Or is it that they don’t trust me? Or do they find it amusing?

I’m not sure which it is, but I wish they would stop. In the past, I used to show my displeasure by throwing tantrums, but that only made them treat me more like a child, so I stopped.

Do people develop a habit of taking younger ones lightly as they age? I worry that I might display aspects of the “adults” I dislike. Though I’m more concerned about my brother discussing my letters at the dinner table.

If I say something, he’ll definitely sneer, “What secrets could our little one possibly have?” I’ve been through this several times already.

You probably experienced this less since you only have one older sister. That’s just my guess. It would be better if only my two brothers were like this. But with my mother, father, and my mother’s parents—my grandparents—all making a fuss, I get so angry my head spins.

Have you ever slipped and fallen on accumulated snow?

The cold of the ice particles instantly pierces your forehead, ugh!

Putting aside irritating topics, shall we return to more interesting subjects?

Your first—or nearly first—party. You had a good time. I’m not sure if it was truly “enjoyable,” but.

At least it seems better than being treated like a child, unable to get even one drink among adults. Though this is just my guess too.

I’m older than “real” children, those who just learned to walk and run and find it fun, but I’m not a “real” adult. As a result, my place at the table when all the villagers gather is always ambiguous.

It’s equally uncomfortable no matter where I sit. When alcohol gets involved, the situation smoothly deteriorates. I don’t desperately, terribly want to drink. But I don’t want to experience being left out while others talk about things only they understand.

Until I become an adult, perhaps even after I become an adult, this won’t change.

When I remember this fact, I feel a bit lost. My oldest brother has been treated like an adult since before he officially became one, learning our mother’s work, and my second brother left for the capital early.

In Kasoche, many adults have never been to the capital, so when my second brother returns for holidays, they’re eager to hear stories about the capital.

Will things change when I’m old enough to drink?

What will the first taste of alcohol be like? My mother says it’s sweet enough to make your tongue tingle, while the stable keeper says it’s bitter enough to parch your throat. My oldest brother says the more the better, and my father says there’s no reason to drink unless someone offers.

My second brother is already acting like an expert, making a fuss about how the first drink should be with an adult, and how you shouldn’t drink when you’re with someone you like.

Has he forgotten that I still have four years until I reach the kingdom’s legal adult age?

Grandmother says that in her youth, people our age would already be married. If it were the time when my mother was choosing a husband, I would only have two years left until adulthood.

But times have changed. Even before we were born.

It’s not that important anyway.

At least not compared to the “shocking” scene you encountered. If I saw someone I liked kissing, I’d want to go straight home too.

I give you high marks for not collapsing on the spot and returning home alone.

So, which one of them do you have feelings for? Rosette, said to be the prettiest on the island? Kind Bash? Oh, I don’t mean to take the storm that hit you lightly.

It’s just that depending on who it is, my focus on reading the situation will change.

As I’ve said several times, Kasoche is too peaceful a village for love triangles. If such disputes arose here, it wouldn’t simply be a problem between “lovers” but between “families.”

Anyway, I hope your first or nearly first party had a positive impact on you.

I would appreciate if you could also sympathize with my desire for “more detailed” stories.

From Carol, who will eagerly await your reply

P.S. I was going to pretend I didn’t notice, but I’ll just answer. A kiss? Like a goodnight kiss with my grandmother? Or with the bookstore’s youngest, who just turned two? I hope you remember that in Kasoche, there wasn’t even anyone my age to study letters with, let alone peers.]

[To Carol

You’ve made a completely absurd misunderstanding. I don’t “have feelings” for either of them. You seem to have seriously misunderstood my letter; I was just surprised because it was the first time I’d seen someone kissing.

Of course, I’ve seen Aila kiss boys in front of our house a few times…… I don’t need to explain this in detail, right? I don’t think you’re particularly curious either.

Unfortunately for you, who got heated up for gossip, there’s no love triangle you’re hoping for.

I don’t like either Rosette or Bash.

I mean, I feel personal goodwill toward them, but I don’t have the passionate, tingling feelings you’re hoping for. Rosette and Bash are just Aila’s acquaintances.

Of course, they’re both impressive enough to fall for. It’s difficult to stand out as much as they do on an island as small as Iota.

So just because they kissed, there’s no reason for me to be shocked “in that way.”

I was surprised. Until then, Rosette had followed Aila around but didn’t seem to have much connection with boys. Although everyone, regardless of gender, admired Rosette, she never specifically chose anyone to be with.

She was kind to everyone equally.

Except for Aila. Rosette grew her hair out like Aila’s and learned piano. She swam in the sea with Aila and collected pearls.

Thinking about it now, it’s not that surprising.

The two most popular people who used to follow Aila around ended up dating. Yes. Dating.

The day after the party ended, Rosette came by again. I was feeling okay despite having gone to bed late the night before, and she skillfully squeezed through the entrance just like Aila used to.

She smelled salty, as if she’d just come out of the sea. With salt-covered hands, she grabbed my wrist and declared, “I’ve decided to date Bash.”

At first I asked “Why?” but quickly changed it to “I see.” It’s ridiculous to ask for a reason from someone who’s decided to date. But Rosette started pouring everything out as if she’d been waiting.

Just like a friend would.

Isn’t that strange? There must be at least ten people who would congratulate her as if it were their own news, so what’s her motive for telling me first? We’re not even that close.

After Aila left, did you suddenly become curious about me? Are you trying to find traces of Aila in me that even I don’t know about?

That’s excessive imagination.

I know, it’s excessive imagination. Rosette lingered with her teacup before leaving. Before her purple hair had fully dried.

It’s raining.

A rain that won’t stop for a while. So violently that it soaks the entire island thoroughly and makes me wonder if it might sink completely.