“So annoyingly irritating.”

In the distance, Rosette’s faithful partner was running over with a thin towel. The prettiest girl on the island savored that loyal attitude with pleasure.

The way she smiled while wringing out her wet hair was provocative.

“Thanks, Luce.”

“Huh? Wha! Uh, it’s nothing, really!”

The lips that usually moved smoothly enough to seem excessive stuttered. Rosette calmly waited for that change, then subtly brought up the topic.

“You know, I’m curious about something.”

“Uh, yeah. About me?”

“Well, that too. What you said earlier.”

“Earlier?”

“That Asha is, um, interacting with someone I don’t know……”

When she deliberately blurred the ending, the flushed boy’s face filled with difficulty and hesitation. But his nature of not being able to look around when fixated on one thing soon erased that shallow loyalty.

“Um, ah, we really agreed to keep it secret……”

“Huh? I can’t know? We’re Asha’s friends. What if some strange person gets involved?”

“I don’t think it’s a strange person.”

“How would you know that, Luce?”

“Well……”

One step closer, so close the remaining distance seemed to disappear completely. Only their shadows overlapped almost perfectly, waiting for their owners’ actions.

“Well, Rosie, I’m only telling you because you’re really Rosie……”

Once opened, his mouth didn’t stop midway.

There are no perfect secrets in the world.

※※※

[To Carol

I had a really fun day. Maybe that’s why I kept thinking of you.

From when I placed my hands on the piano keys to when I was floating in the sea, constantly, in between moments. If I just say this much, you’ll grumble saying ‘tell me everything in detail from start to finish.’

I’ll spill everything I remember. That’s why I came home as soon as I finished the task given to me.

Like last year and the year before, Rosette helped me prepare. She came earlier than the time arranged with Lucio—Lucio eventually succeeded in his courtship. Though it’s laughable to call it ‘success’ for just one date, by the end of the party the two seemed completely smitten with each other—and entered my room.

I wore the light sky-blue dress I bought last year. It’s the thinnest outfit I own. Iota is getting hotter day by day.

It’s somewhat better after sunset, but when the sun is up, I feel like digging a cave and going in.

Anyway, Rosette helped me wrap the belt around the dress and even braided my hair herself. She just let her own hair hang long as usual, which was very much like her.

She has the power to make people turn around without trying to dress up.

Is that kind of talent something you’re born with? Aila is the same in being someone’s envy, but since she’s my sister, I can’t be objective.

After all the preparation was done, we—including Lucio—went outside. Lucio had begged the night before to please create opportunities for just the two of them to talk, so I deliberately walked one step ahead.

I could sort of hear their conversation behind me, but I didn’t pay attention so I’m not sure. One thing certain is that by the time we arrived where people had gathered, Rosette’s gaze had become more intense.

I can’t hastily conclude that intensity belonged to someone in love, but it’s true she started looking at Lucio more seriously than before.

I played simple solo pieces about three times to warm up my hands—all thanks to the sheet music you sent—and performed ensemble pieces with hastily coordinated bands seven times.

The process of various instruments layering over the sound of the piano was fascinating. Several elders who had been quietly watching the performance sang along with lyrics I didn’t know, and some children danced to the beat.

Stamping feet and clapping hands. Though it was closer to calisthenics than dancing.

Still, it was enjoyable. Though my back got scorched because I couldn’t use a parasol, I handed over my spot before collapsing.

Really fortunate. If I’d sat at the piano bench past noon, I would have melted on the spot and become one with the island.

I ate lunch with sandwiches sold by the philosophy teacher’s father and rested quietly.

Maybe because the surroundings were too noisy, just being in that space drained my energy. Still, it wasn’t hateful or annoying like before, so I was proud thinking ‘I’m enjoying the party well too.’

Maybe it was thanks to the gentle fragrance of peach tree leaves blowing over.

I was sitting against a tree trunk looking at passing clouds when an unexpected person spoke to me. Who do you think?

I’ll give you a hint—you already know them!

Not very close to me, but not an awkward relationship either.

That person was Bash.

Remember? The boy next door, two years older. The one who chased after Aila then dated Rosette. He’s apparently helping with his relative’s work in Delling now, but seems to have returned a few days ago for the party.

He’s still kind, and his dark skin has gotten a bit paler.

Whether intentionally or because there was no need, Bash didn’t mention Rosette at all and instead asked about grandfather’s well-being or talked about life in the big city.

I had no reason to talk about his ex either—at first I didn’t even know they’d broken up, but Lucio told me and I found out belatedly. I spilled all the strange bewilderment I felt then to you. But I think it was a decent gain to learn about the distance between me and Rosette because of it—so I quietly followed that conversation.

Bash patted my head like a very young sibling and stood up. Since the most handsome man on the island had returned, there would be many looking for him.

The hair Rosette had braided got a bit tangled, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It was Bash, after all.

Who on the island could doubt that person’s favor and goodwill? A kind, solid, handsome top marriage candidate. Most people in Iota probably believed Bash would marry Aila.

After Aila married that tremendous tycoon, they concluded it would be Rosette. The two had actually dated.

I also vaguely guessed ‘wouldn’t those two marry?’ Cases of marrying someone you dated around that time—around seventeen—are common. Though light meetings aren’t uncommon either……

I’m getting off track.

Bash seemed satisfied with his current situation helping his relative’s work. He didn’t talk about anyone he was seeing, but his descriptions of exotic cuisine he first tasted there and art galleries completely captivated me.

Words mixed with affection came across more vividly than ten travel books I’d read. I wish I could tell you everything, but it’s regrettable.

After parting with Bash, I looked around the wide-open market. There were cute thread bracelets and perfume that supposedly grants wishes.

The cloth doll said to calm the sea’s wrath had already been sold out.

Everyone looked happy. The laughter never stopped. Kids who never even spoke to me at school would occasionally throw out one or two silly jokes before walking away.

Looking back now, I think ‘I should have laughed.’ Back then I didn’t know they were really jokes, so I just blinked quietly.

They definitely thought I was a boring kid.

No, they certainly did. Though there’s nothing I can do about that.

For the first time in a while, no, really for the first time in ages, I went to the sea. Until then I’d only watched from a distance, but today for some reason I couldn’t stay still.

Most kids my age seemed to be playing at the beach. I walked along the coastline looking for familiar faces. The parasol handle kept slipping from sweat.

I finally found them when the pink sunset was falling. Rosette and Lucio. The two were lying side by side on the sandy beach having a quiet conversation.

I wondered whether to leave them alone, but I was also tired of being alone so I just spoke to them. They were startled when I came, probably because of whatever secret conversation they were having.

Lucio looked a bit disappointed but didn’t show any dislike toward me. Of course not—I’d listened to so much of his tearful—that’s sarcasm—puppy love.

Lucio really seems to have good skills. He shamelessly confessed his feelings using my letter as an excuse, then tried all sorts of things to get close to Rosette using me.

He won’t starve wherever he goes. Looking at his smooth lips gives me that confidence.

The sea was appropriately cool and nice. Other kids would have gone deep into the sea to play, but my lung capacity isn’t that good so I just floated around.

Did you say Kasoche has a lake? You once described snow you scattered over transparent water. Though I didn’t fully understand, I floated on the sea like a snowflake floating on melted snow.