An odd and dull feeling, as if endlessly floating…… About to fall into familiar frustration, Asha blinked her eyes wide and snatched the package from Bash’s hand.

It was a weight someone else could hold in one hand, but Asha barely managed to carry it with both arms full.

Several new books, letter paper, ink, a map.

Recalling what she would do after returning home—specifically, actions different from yesterday—Asha opened her mouth.

“Thank you for helping.”

“You’ll come, right? To the party?”

“……Huh?”

“Rosie was hoping you would.”

“I hope you’ll come,” it was a refreshing statement like a breeze on a cloudless day. The boy, who revealed his desire inoffensively, smiled a smile that would flutter the hearts of his peers and waved his hand.

[To Carol

Today I left the village for the first time in months. Iota doesn’t have just one village. Though it might as well be just one.

They say capitals and big cities have clear districts, but Iota is a small island with no distinct divisions. The same goes for the people living here. The same goes for me too.

So, when I say ‘village,’ I mean I went somewhere I couldn’t see from where I live. You might ask, ‘What’s the big deal?’

Even in the widest plains, human vision has its limits. When you walk and walk, you easily surpass the range you can see while standing still.

But I can’t do that, or it’s not easy for me. This outing was quite rare. Usually, my grandfather always buys what I need. Sometimes neighbors bring things over too.

Since my grandfather can’t always take care of me, he worries. I want to tell him he doesn’t need to worry that much. I did faint once when Aila and grandfather weren’t home, but that was five years ago.

These days I don’t collapse without warning. I’m also more careful than I was then. But I can’t keep asking grandfather for favors and staying in my room forever, can I? Though it’s not like I choose to stay in my bedroom.

Until now I’ve been using the paper I had as letter paper to write to you, but this time I bought paper of a more standard size.

They say it’s commonly used for correspondence. The color is pretty but not very sturdy, so it’s insufficient for binding books. Still, it’s perfect for writing three or four pages. I’m using it now, and the pen glides so well. So much that it might slip and draw a long line.

The ink ran out at just the right time, so I bought new ink too. Doesn’t it sparkle when held close to light? The ink I used before dried quickly but wasn’t pretty.

Changing ink color doesn’t change the content of the letter, though. At a glance it looks black, but up close it has a blue tint.

Just like the night sea.

Did you know? Around midnight, the sea and sky become the same color. The sky you’re looking at now—if the sun has set and all lights are out—would be the same color as the waves rippling in Iota.

Do you like blue?

Blue symbolizes nature. It’s also an inseparable relationship if you live near the sea. The color mainly used by the painter who established the kingdom’s first specialized art academy was also blue.

Blueberries, Delling’s beach, the princess’s fabric.

I rather like it. Not for any grand reason, but because my eyes are blue. Not as clear or deep as midday waves, though.

They’re closer to a shaded navy. Still, they’re one of the things I own that I’m fairly satisfied with. Although I have to cover them with thick glasses because of poor eyesight. I used to hate the marks left on my nose bridge, but now I’m so used to them that I sometimes only realize I need to take off my glasses when I’m already in bed.

What was I talking about…… Oh, blue. Ink. Ink.

The ink color in your letters always changes, which I find quite interesting. Sometimes it’s black so deep it absorbs all light, and sometimes it gradually brightens as you write.

Do you collect ink as a hobby? Or perhaps you borrow ink from your family. Either way, you have many family members.

When I was very young, there were four of us, and right when I was born, there were five. Now there are barely two.

Thanks to that, I find myself looking forward to seeing what ink you’ll use next.

Ah, I played the piano for the first time. Following the diagram you gave me. I thought you only enjoyed viewing art, but you draw well too. I was impressed.

Did I mention? I’m quite clumsy with my hands. This isn’t just an assumption without proper attempts. I mostly have to sit or lie down, and I’ve tried all hobbies that can be done without moving my feet.

Even so, that’s just knitting, embroidery, and drawing.

Putting thread and needle in the right place was not just headache-inducing but fever-inducing. I actually got a fever.

Drawing wasn’t as complicated to the point of headaches, but after drawing a few times, I realized. Enjoying creation and creating are completely different hobbies.

To begin with, my aesthetic sense isn’t particularly excellent. The lines never draw as I think they should, and the colors never come out as I plan.

They all look like similar yellows on the surface, but with a slight difference, peach flesh turns into roadside excrement, which was horrifying. There was also the problem that the lines I drew didn’t look like a peach at all!

It was a bit funny, but not funny enough to enjoy the humor. So I quit.

Reading books or writing was much better. Aila stuck out her tongue saying I was strange. Maybe she thought it was better to quietly mess up the study than to create monstrosities—is “monstrosities” too grand a term to use?—and turn the house upside down.

But the hands and keys you drew, even though they seemed casually drawn, were clear and impressive. Despite the monotonous lines and only black color, they looked like they could be in a textbook.

The sheet music you gave me too. I’m glad you explained the finger positions and note names. Thanks to that, I was able to play the first page of the sheet music you gave me, albeit clumsily.

Very slowly, without using my left hand, and with terrible rhythm.

Actually, dusting off the piano was harder than playing the keys. You might wonder what’s so hard about that…… But you probably understand by now without further explanation?

Everyone has different amounts of stamina they can draw upon.

Aila played the piano decently, but she was too busy to pay attention to it before the wedding. So while grandfather was out at the beach, I had to cover my nose and mouth with cloth and clean the piano.

It would be troublesome if dust got into my nose or mouth! I only cleaned the parts where hands or feet touch, but I was sweating by the end. I worked hard without even changing out of my outdoor clothes, which is unlike me.

Grandfather was surprised when he returned, saying, “What’s this all about?” Even when I was small enough to reach grandfather’s waist, I never touched the piano.

I also strongly felt that the piano was ‘sister’s thing.’ Just, well.

Anyway, though it could hardly be called a performance, it was nice. Grandfather made a fuss saying the sound was really good. Even though I played terribly, I didn’t deny it.

The sound really was good. Good enough to show others if played properly. Grandfather asked what piece it was, but there was no title on the sheet music.

Can you tell me?

I won’t become skilled quickly, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to play often. But creating something with my own hands is usually exciting.

Is that why famous artists complete their works while setting fire to death? I can think of several painters and musicians right now.

Anyway, I’m using the newly bought paper to write to you first. You’re the only person I have to send letters to anyway.

Going out after such a long time, I also saw an unexpected person. Hmm, is it wrong to say unexpected? Either way, our houses aren’t far apart, and Iota is very narrow.

He caught me when I stumbled and carried my packages, so I could go to and from the bookstore more easily than expected. Both trees and boys grow rapidly when you take your eyes off them.

Do you grow rapidly like that too?

I’ll wait for your reply.

July 4

Sent by Asha

P.S. I think I’ll end up going to the party.]