What about the sound, the smell, the feel?

It would be nice if I could see such swirling snow someday. These days, I can sit outside for about ten or twenty minutes. It’s chilly, so I have to dress warmly.

Would you laugh heartily, saying it’s practically summer if you came? I wonder how you would feel about Iota’s winter.

A few things happened while I was choosing what sentences to write to you.

One, Rosette has been teaching me math for several days. She said since it’s vacation and she doesn’t have to go to school, she’ll give me lessons directly during that time.

Seeing just this, it seems she doesn’t hate me that much. But I can’t figure out what her ulterior motive might be.

If it were me, I’d jump into the sea I love so much or play with friends during that time. There are plenty of people who would run to her doorstep without even wiping off the salt if Rosette called.

Today she asked if I had any thoughts about going back to school. Adding, “You don’t collapse frequently these days, after all.”

I said I wasn’t sure, and since then, Rosette has been preaching about “the benefits of going to school” every time she comes.

Two, I got new clothes made. Since I’ve been going out more than in previous years, Grandfather called one of only two tailors on the island to make them for me. It was mostly just slightly altering ready-made clothes, but thanks to that, I fortunately didn’t have to go to the clothing store—which is far by my standards.

It’s been a while since I had new clothes made for me instead of altering Aila’s clothes.

A cream-colored blouse with puffy sleeves, a chestnut-colored skirt that comes down to my ankles, a light green dress for outings brighter than my hair color, knee-length cotton stockings, chestnut-colored boots and dark green shoes.

Plus a wheat-colored hat with a wide brim!

Grandfather was excited and didn’t refuse anything the tailor recommended, and I let Grandfather spend money lavishly.

Thanks to that, I’m now writing you a letter wearing my new chestnut-colored skirt. After sending the letter, I plan to take a walk with Grandfather.

Three, Grandfather’s acquaintance is coming for vacation next month. We’ll probably clean up Aila’s room and give it to the guest. He’s coming with a son about my age, which makes me a little nervous and very tired.

What kind of conversation should I have with someone I’m meeting for the first time? They’ll surely urge us to get close since we’re similar in age! Of course, if I show a little discomfort, Grandfather will immediately send the guests away.

But this is almost the first time I’ve seen him so excited! He’s been quite lonely since Aila left, so I absolutely couldn’t say “I’m uncomfortable” and spoil it.

Grandfather is already humming and guessing what kind of person the son will be. Saying if he takes after his mother, he’ll be tall, he’ll be handsome……

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not looking forward to it. All the faces on the island look pretty much the same. The best among them, Bash, has been dating Rosette for several months.

That’s not to say I want to date someone. But most kids date one person, break up, and wish for romantic “romances” with vacationers.

There must be a reason why others think it’s good, right?

What do you think?

January 21

Sent by Asha]

[To Asha with lots of new clothes

Clothes that aren’t hand-me-downs are truly precious! I want to grow taller if only to avoid wearing my brothers’ clothes. If I were even a head taller than my brothers, they wouldn’t give me pants with worn bottoms or vests with just the buttons changed.

Mom isn’t normally frugal, but she becomes stingy when it comes to clothes. She generously has several outfits made on “special days” and that’s it.

The real problem is that these “special days” don’t just come.

My birthday, you ask? If it were my birthday, I wouldn’t be complaining like this. Notable examples include the day my younger brother entered the academy, graduated, and was hired by the royal guard.

My older brother is a completely different story.

Since there’s no one to pass clothes down to, he’s only worn new clothes until now.

Only the pitiful third son has to wear shirts with droopy sleeves or coats with frayed embroidery. Fortunately, a skilled servant mends the clothes neatly.

Still, there’s as stark a difference between clothes bought to my taste and clothes my brothers have worn as between Kasoche and Iota.

Mom doesn’t understand, saying “Why buy when you already have clothes?” Just wait, when I live alone, I’ll fill an entire room with clothes I want.

I’m still the same.

Nothing changes during this period. I still try hard not to meet that person, mostly shutting myself in the study or endlessly staring at the paintings lined up in the hallway.

Would it have been better if there was school?

As you said, it would be useless now since it would be vacation time. Mom and Dad don’t care about clothes but consider education important.

They even call a tutor from the neighboring village to help with my studies. If they were truly enthusiastic, they would have sent me to an academy in the capital, or at least a major city.

They think I don’t need to study ‘that much.’

From a young age, my older brother was brilliant and helped with the merchant guild even before coming of age, while my younger brother stood out remarkably in this small village. Just like a chestnut in its burr.

Do you know that the burr surrounding a chestnut has sharp spikes? If you touch it carelessly, your palm will hurt for two days.

Like that chestnut, my younger brother stood out. Even Mom, who used to say all he needed to do was swing a sword, hurriedly submitted an application to an academy in the capital.

I’m not considered to be at that level.

With two brilliant sons out of three, they seem to feel the youngest just needs to grow up healthy and strong. It’s comfortable for me, but……

It feels like they expect nothing from me, want nothing from me. Just to live docilely like flowing water.

Hmm.

I don’t understand my own feelings well. Am I reacting too sensitively? Perhaps an inferiority complex I didn’t realize has clouded my vision.

Though I have some grievances, they haven’t been entirely negligent in feeding and educating me. Compared to other village children, I’m on the better side.

I think being unable to go outside has made me irritable. I hope the snow stops soon.

Do you know? Kasoche has mountains piled upon mountains. So non-human beings often come down, and sometimes live together in the village.

Curious fairies, or werewolves struggling to make a living. They say there are fewer in the capital, but what about Iota?

Your faithful friend, Carol

P.S. You said you were born in winter. When?

P.P.S. You might make a new friend. I would be excited too. But don’t neglect me, okay?

P.P.P.S. You must tell me everything interesting that happens! Well, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to tell me everything. I just hope the person is nice.]

[To Carol

You’re adding postscript upon postscript again this time. I understand that feeling well. After finishing a letter neatly, more things keep coming to mind.

If we lived in the same village, we would have stood between each other’s houses having endless conversations as thoughts kept occurring to us.

For the past few days, I’ve been unwell and confined to my bedroom, unable to go outside. I was too weak to meet anyone and declined Rosette’s visit. Fortunately, I had enough strength to read your letter and reply.

Grandfather picked up the letter that had fallen in the hallway and gave it to me. A suspicious envelope without an address lying in the hallway might raise questions, but Grandfather didn’t ask anything.

Does Grandfather also know the secret of the painting? I’ve never seen the moment when the mailman from the painting crosses into our house painting.

Whether day or dawn, when I go to the study to either wake myself up or kill time, I discover a letter placed neatly.

If I brought the painting into my room, could I meet the little mailman? But I’m afraid that might break the fairy’s prank or an ancient spell.

Adventures are enough in books. I’m neither a protagonist nor a hero. Someday I might ask Grandfather if there’s magic on that painting in our house.

For now, it’s fine. I’m not that curious.

Your letters are coming straight and steady without straying.

Werewolves and fairies are terms I’ve only seen in textbooks. Iota is a very small island, and we don’t interact closely with other creatures. Or rather, they’ve never taken root here?

They say sea fairies have different tendencies than those living in forests or mountains. I’ve heard they rarely show themselves to humans.