While Aillen sorted through the items she had brought into the kitchen, Seren remained where she had been shown, quietly taking in her surroundings.

The window stretched across more than half of the wall and was blurred slightly by traces of early-morning dew. Nevertheless, it did nothing to block the sunlight gently streaming into the room. An intricately patterned tapestry hung on one wall — its design exotic and unfamiliar; not southern in style, nor native to this country. Of that, Seren was certain.

Aside from the sofa, almost all of the furniture was made of wood, including the rocking chair by the window. It seemed likely that Adina had crafted it herself.

The atmosphere was rustic, but it had the kind of warmth that only a truly lived-in space could have. She imagined that Aillen’s room must feel much the same.

She had only just had that thought when she became aware of someone standing behind her.

“What do you think of the house?”

“It resembles Aillen.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“That was how it was meant.”

Like children who had played a small prank and were waiting for the reaction, the two of them laughed together.

“Your aunt?”

“She had something to finish up, so she’ll be back in a moment.”

“At first, I imagined someone much older. She looks far younger than I expected.”

“There’s quite a big age gap between her and my mother. She feels more like an older cousin than an aunt. An older cousin, albeit with a rather large age gap.”

Now that I think about it—

Aillen’s eyes widened slightly as she continued at once.

“You said you have an older sister. What is she like?”

Hmm.

Seren paused to choose her words. Speaking about a person was always difficult—but when that person was family, it was all the more so.

“Let me narrow it down for you. Does she resemble you?”

“In appearance, somewhat. But in personality, not at all.”

“In what way?”

“She’s far more lively… and louder.”

“A lively and loud Seren? I can’t imagine it.”

Her expression was completely serious, with no hint of apology. In response to what wasn’t quite criticism, Seren let out a laugh of amusement.

“Am I that heavy?”

“Not exactly… light.”

“So. You mean that’s a… bad thing?”

“Oh—no! Absolutely not. I just mean I can’t imagine it! Ah, that went too far. I think I phrased that poorly. I’m sor—”

“I was only teasing you, so no apologies. At this rate, I may have to change my name.”

They spoke over one another, weaving their conversation together like threads on a loom. Aillen rolled her eyes.

Who makes a joke with such a serious face?

But if she said that aloud, Seren would surely tease her again under the guise of another solemn joke. So Aillen decided it was better to say nothing.

It wasn’t that she disliked it.

“I learned about delivering kittens from my sister.”

“Your sister must be quite skilled. She knows a great deal.”

“She simply can’t sit still. Always wandering about.”

Although the remark sounded sharp, there was affection beneath it. Aillen’s lips curved into a faintly teasing smile. Her blue-grey eyes shifted slightly.

“Come to think of it, I never asked what you do. May I?”

“It’s nothing remarkable.”

“Hmm.”

Aillen tilted her head slightly, as though the decision were hers to make. Sinking back onto the single-seater sofa, she swung one foot idly. This posture was completely different to how she had carried herself at the inn.

Perhaps because she wasn’t working, she looked far more relaxed.

Seren raised an eyebrow.

As if in answer, Aillen smiled faintly. Afternoon light streamed in behind her, turning her hair almost golden.

“Well, if you don’t want to say, you don’t have to. You know what I do, after all.”

“I help with household matters as well.”

“Oh.”

A glimmer of admiration lit up her green eyes. Seren offered a small smile, as though to say.

“There, you see?”

It wasn’t the sort of work she was reluctant to share, nor was it particularly challenging. And yet, for some reason, her instincts were telling her firmly, ‘Don’t tell Aillen — not now, at least — about your work or your family.’

Suddenly, Seren found herself recalling how she had come to meet Aillen.

More precisely, how she had got to know her.

A tightness seized her chest at the sudden sense that something was going wrong.

“May I guess? A teacher? No—that doesn’t seem right. Hmm… politics?”

“I see what sort of image you have of me.”

“So—did I guess right?”

Her eyes shone with open curiosity as she followed Seren’s every movement. The seat beneath her suddenly felt far less comfortable, yet she found Aillen’s unwavering attention strangely welcome.

At the same time, however, she was gripped by an uneasy premonition — the sense that if she misstepped even once, she might tumble into something she had no right to enter.

“I would rather say that neither is correct. Now then — my turn. What is your hobby?”

Even as she shifted the subject, the guilt lodged in her throat refused to ease. She had not lied. She had only withheld the truth. And yet, even to herself, that excuse sounded painfully weak.

Not now. Someday — soon. When the time is right, I’ll tell Aillen.

Tell her what?

Suddenly, she was overcome by the urge to kneel at Aillen’s feet and beg for forgiveness. It was irrational. And yet, she felt as though she ought to.

While a storm churned inside Seren, Aillen marveled at something else entirely: Seren had asked a sincere question twice in one day.

Now that she thought about it, Seren did seem a little pale.

“A hobby? Um… nothing in particular these days. Seren, are you warm? Shall I bring you something to drink?”

“No, I’m quite all right.”

An abrupt silence fell between them. Aillen blinked in confusion.

Seren drew in a deep breath, as though steadying something within herself, and then broke the silence lightly.

“Let me guess. Dancing—or singing.”

“That’s right.”

Aillen seized on the words at once. For some reason, she felt she must not let it show that the silence had unsettled her.

“And you, Seren…?”

“My hobby is painting.”

As though declaring that she had solved the riddle, Seren promptly gave the answer. Although Aillen had secretly enjoyed drawing the words out of her, she felt a flicker of disappointment when she heard the reply. Without meaning to, her voice rose.

“Painting?”

“That was unexpected, I see.”

“Unexpected would be an understatement. Of course, I don’t mean that in a negative sense. I simply don’t know anyone else who can paint. Now that I think about it, though, painting does involve sitting still, so it makes sense. I was going to guess reading, though.”

“I do enjoy reading as well.”

“Right? Ah, I enjoy reading too. Hard as that may be to believe.”

Color gradually returned to Seren’s pale face. Her thin lips parted, and a quiet laugh slipped out.

“I believe you.”

“I’ll believe you too—about painting being your hobby.”

This time her laughter rang out more freely. Relieved, Aillen leaned back into the sofa instead of hovering toward her.

“Then I ought to paint something for you one day. It would serve as fine proof.”

“In that case, come to a bookstore with me sometime. That would be good proof as well.”

“Oh my, aren’t any of you thirsty? Honestly, there’s hardly room to interrupt.”

Just as Seren’s soft laughter blended with hers, her aunt appeared carrying a tray of orange juice. Soot was smudged along her chin from whatever she had been working on.

Aillen beamed and gladly accepted the glass.

“I was just about to dry Seren out.”

“Let’s call it mutual.”

“You two do seem to suit each other.”

Her aunt pulled up a chair and sat beside them. The ice in the orange juice clinked together with a bright, clear sound.

***

Even after that, they finished three more glasses of orange juice.

“I bring you liquor, and you drink all the juice instead?”

Adina grumbled, though the smile never left her face. Aillen grandly declared that it was payment for running an errand.

As Seren stepped aside, reminding herself not to marvel at the southern weather that allowed for iced drinks even in winter, Aillen said her goodbyes to her aunt.

“Take care.”

“You speak as though we won’t see each other for ages. You can always come visit me.”

“I’m terribly busy, you know.”

“Busy—or pretending to be?”

Her aunt’s laughter rang through the slightly chilled air. Hiding her reluctance, Aillen offered a small smile.

When the laughter faded, a look of amusement flickered across her aunt’s face.

That expression—she only wore it when she had found something new to tease.

“Why?”

“You like that person, don’t you?”

The words struck like a sudden punch. Aillen’s ears flushed bright red. She knew reacting like this would only invite more teasing—but she could not help it. It was a reflex.

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

At her raised voice, Seren called from behind.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

Aillen replied quickly, shooting her aunt a glare.

Her overreaction revealed just how much the words had hurt her. However, it was much more difficult than one might think to stay calm and collected in a moment like this.

“Well, perhaps you simply like her as a friend. Why are you getting so angry?”

“As if anyone would believe you meant it like that.”

“Are you sure you’re not feeling a little guilty?”

“I’m not! Truly, I’m not! I’m just flustered!”

When she glanced at Seren, she saw that the other woman was quietly examining one of her aunt’s indoor plants. Living in the middle of a forest yet still tending to indoor plants was curious in itself.

“Seren is just a guest at the inn. I mean, she’s a guest who has become a friend.”

She spoke Seren’s name carefully, her voice unintentionally lowering. Even as the words left her lips, Aillen knew that the subtle current flowing between them could not be reduced to something so simple.

She was not a fool. This was not the first time she had felt this way.

Perhaps Seren knew it, too. Then again, maybe that was just wishful thinking.

Either way, Aillen had no intention of confessing anything. If she ignored her feelings, they would fade on their own. Just as Calix had once whispered at her bedside, maybe she was simply intoxicated by the atmosphere.

If she wanted to preserve this memory, she would have to keep her distance.

Aillen was determined to guard that boundary as firmly as a sentinel standing watch at the border.

“Hm.”

Her aunt let out a meaningful sigh.

“You must be wise about this, Aillen. You need to know exactly what you want. Even if attaining it isn’t easy.”

“As if that were easy.”

The quiet retort slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

The advice applied even beyond Seren. Recently, she had been feeling uncertain about what she truly wanted and what her future was meant to look like.

It was as though a thin mist had settled over her entire life. Nothing seemed clear anymore.

Yes, Seren was kind to her. She seemed principled. Reliable. Perhaps Aillen had simply mistaken admiration for something deeper.

It was a reasonable explanation, she told herself.

“That’s right. And that’s why I’m living the way I am.”

Her aunt grinned and patted her shoulder.

“Take care of yourself—and promise you’ll visit often.”

“Even if I’m busy, I’ll come to confirm you’re still alive. Don’t worry.”

“Ah, and if you see any strange people, be careful.”

“Do I look like a child?”

“You are one. That aside, I’ve heard there’s been someone suspicious about lately. A swindler, or something of the sort. In any case, be cautious.”

Her aunt regarded her with such gentle eyes that Aillen found herself grumbling despite herself.

“How do you always know what’s happening outside when you never leave the house?”

“Information finds its way in somehow. Otherwise, how would I endure the boredom? In any case, you really should go now. Seren, it was lovely meeting you! I hope we’ll see each other again.”

When her aunt called out to Seren, Aillen flinched for no apparent reason.

“I enjoyed meeting you as well. It was an unannounced visit—thank you for your hospitality.”

“You needn’t be so formal. While you’re staying here, feel free to come by anytime.”

Seren nodded briefly. Aillen watched the two of them, their glances shifting uneasily between them. The mischievous smile lingered on her aunt’s lips, and Aillen feared an ill-timed remark might follow.

Contrary to her expectations, her aunt merely nudged her shoulder and left a light kiss on her cheek. Aillen quickly returned it before stepping out of the cottage.

The forest was beginning to darken. They needed to leave before nightfall.

“Let’s hurry. If the sun sets, we might be forced to spend the night in that dreadful cottage.”

“One moment.”

Seren stopped her.

Backlit by the sunset, her eyes appeared almost black. Looking into those dark depths for too long felt dangerous; it was as though she might fall straight in. Aillen blinked quickly.

In a movement so natural it startled her, Seren gently took the hat from her hands and replaced it on her head.

For the briefest instant, their fingertips touched.