Zephion brushed a light kiss against her cheek. It had cost a little more than they’d expected, but neither of them had much experience haggling in a market like this, so they hadn’t been able to bargain down the price. Even so, he seemed delighted, his fingers brushing over her ear.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yes. It feels like I finally gave Reina a real gift.”

“Ah…”

She nodded faintly. It was the first present he’d ever bought her with his own earnings. That alone gave it a weight of meaning she couldn’t deny.

“I’ll treasure it always.”

“Next time, I’ll buy you something even better.”

“Even if you do, this will still be your first gift. There’s only one.”

At her words, Zephion laughed happily, lowering his head to press a quick kiss to her lips before pulling back with an innocent look, as though nothing had happened. When Reina let out a disbelieving laugh, he blinked wide-eyed, feigning pure innocence as if to ask What?.

“People probably saw that.”

“So what if they did?”

“It isn’t exactly polite.”

“That’s why I kept it short.”

“Pipi.”

“Oh—look, they’re selling clothes over there.”

He quickly shifted the topic, scanning the stalls with his tall frame.

“I told you, no kissing outside, ah—”

“Maybe we’ll find something that suits you.”

“Are you even listening?”

“I’m listening.”

She eyed him, certain he’d let her words pass in one ear and out the other. She had meant to scold him more seriously—that it wasn’t proper to do things like that in public—but seeing his bright, boyish smile, she couldn’t help but smile herself.

Following the gentle tug of his hand around her shoulder, she walked with him, then suddenly stopped.

“Wait. Zephion, hold on a moment.”

“Yes?”

“They’re selling men’s clothes here.”

“Let’s get yours first.”

“I want to pick something for you. Don’t you want that?”

At her question, Zephion shook his head firmly. Reina turned back to inspect the clothes.

‘This is harder than I thought. Just finding something in his size is a challenge.’

Compared to others, his tall, broad frame made it difficult to find a proper fit. Until now, everything had always been tailored, so she had never really thought about his build. But seeing it now, it struck her all over again just how big Zephion really was.

She picked up a plain-looking shirt and held it against his chest.

“…I think this might be too small.”

“Mm, it is. Do you have anything larger?”

“Hm… maybe these.”

The merchant rummaged through a pile of clothes and pulled out a few more shirts.

“Which one do you like?”

“You said you’d choose for me.”

“Well then… what about this pink one?”

She held up a deep pink shirt with a serious expression. Zephion’s face stiffened in clear alarm before he forced a nervous smile.

“I—I like it.”

“Really?”

She held it to his chest. The size seemed close enough.

“It suits you so well.”

In truth, it didn’t suit him at all. If it had been a lighter shade of pink, it might have been nice,
but this was a shockingly vivid hue—so bold it was rarely used even for dresses. She couldn’t imagine where they’d found such fabric.

Reina struggled to hold back her laughter as she pretended to admire it. Zephion’s lips parted uncertainly.

“Do you really like this one?”

“Yes, I like it.”

“…Truly?”

“Why? You don’t?”

“N-no, I like it. I do…”

His face twisted into an expression so awkward and conflicted that laughter nearly burst out of her. She bit her lip quickly, but a small chuckle slipped through anyway. The moment he heard it, Zephion frowned.

“You are teasing me!”

At that, Reina finally burst into full laughter. He pouted, lips jutting out, then declared boldly—

“I don’t like this shirt.”

“Why? You said you did.”

“I don’t. Pick another one.”

Why couldn’t she stop laughing? Reina set down the deep pink shirt, laughing so hard she nearly lost her breath.

‘Ah… this is the first time I’ve ever picked out clothes for someone.’

She had never once thought to choose clothes for Kaelid, nor would she have. With Yuta, their relationship had never been that way. And Zephion—his clothes had always been left to the tailor.

‘So this is how people live…’

She was realizing, moment by moment, what it meant to live an ordinary life. And she liked it, living like an ordinary person. Choosing clothes, laughing over something silly, having conversations that didn’t matter.

She picked up a shirt in a plain, sturdy color. Since his sleeves wore through so quickly from constant work, something durable would be best. After checking the fabric, she held it up against Zephion’s chest again.

“This one’s good. Do you like it?”

“…You’re not teasing me this time, are you?”

“No.”

A soft laugh slipped out.

“I like it too.”

So they bought one shirt for him, and then one dress for her. Zephion had wanted to choose something a little fancier, but she refused.

She had accepted the earrings because they were his first gift to her, but since they would soon have to leave, it was better to save money. Besides, too many belongings would only be a burden.

After that, they simply wandered, looking around. They didn’t need much, but blending into the crowd like this felt new and oddly pleasant. Though the market wasn’t large, going back and forth several times left her fairly tired.

“Reina, you should rest a bit.”

Quick to notice her weariness, Zephion guided her gently toward the edge of the market. Only when she sat on a nearby tree stump did she realize how stiff her legs had become.

“Stay here. I’ll go buy something to eat. What would you like?”

“Anything’s fine.”

“All right. Wait here.”

She watched him as he disappeared back into the crowd. Thanks to his height—easily a head taller than most—it wasn’t hard to spot him. And it seemed Zephion couldn’t stop worrying about leaving her behind, because he kept glancing back at her again and again. Each time he did, Reina lifted her hand and waved.

He had brought back noodles tossed in sauce and a potato dish. The flavor was a little unusual—almost as if it carried traces of a foreign recipe.

Reina twirled the noodles around her fork, slipping a bite into her mouth as her gaze drifted into the distance.

How many more days like this would they have?

It felt as though there might be many, or perhaps almost none at all.

“What are you thinking about?”

“That it’s peaceful.”

“Ah…”

The thought crossed her mind that this calm might only be the calm before the storm.

‘Kaelid.’

Even just recalling him sent unease crawling into her chest.

‘It’s still fine. Zephion said there were no traces.’

She clung to the thought, fighting back the darker fears threatening to spread. A large hand drew her closer, wrapping firmly around her shoulder. She let herself rest her head against his solid chest without resistance.

Whenever she was with Zephion, she always wished time would simply stop here. When he was a boy, and even now, why had time never once allowed her to hold onto a moment like this?

“Let’s come again.”

“Yes, let’s come again.”

Though both knew there might never be a next time, they spoke as though that day would surely come. And so they quietly leaned into each other’s warmth, savoring the peace, as if aware such moments would never return.

On the way back, Zephion carried her again. At first, she had wanted to die from the embarrassment,
but now, the second time, it felt a little easier. The evening glow filled the world around them.

“When we get home, I’ll massage your legs.”

“Mm.”

“And I’ll kiss you.”

“….”

“Since it won’t be in front of anyone, I’ll make it a long one.”

Reina let out a soft laugh.

“Just a kiss?”

She looped her arms around his neck, whispering by his ear. The tips of his cheeks flushed faintly.

“No.”

“You’ve got a lot to do, Pipi.”

“Then I’d better hurry. I’ll be busy.”

His steps quickened. Reina laughed again, resting her cheek against Zephion’s shoulder.

“Pipi, thank you for the earrings. I’ll treasure them.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“The earrings?”

“I meant… you’re beautiful, Reina.”

“I know.”

He let out a light laugh. The cool autumn breeze wrapped around them, but with each other’s warmth, it didn’t feel cold at all. Pressing closer against his back, she could feel the steady thump, thump of his heartbeat.

For a long while, Zephion said nothing. Then, in a quiet voice,

“I love you.”

Her lips parted before she slowly replied,

“Mm, I love you too.”

The words I love you had begun to feel a little more natural now. Natural enough that she could say them without him having to plead for it.

The moment she spoke, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Can I run all the way home?”

“No, Pipi! Slowly!”

She clung tightly around his neck as he took off anyway, laughter spilling from him. Their laughter trailed behind them, long and bright, lingering in the air as they ran together.