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Chapter 6
Section 4: Right?
When I opened the front door and stepped outside, a cold wind mixed with powdered snow brushed against my cheek.

“Hey, do you really need to leave?”

The door finally shut behind me. Toslin was putting on her usual mantle. Carol was already inside the carriage, and Rose-san had taken her seat on the coachman’s bench.

The Water Dragon’s Tail was still flowing through the sky overhead. The moon seen through the clear, flowing water was magnified as if you were looking through a crystal ball. Thanks to that, the road was much brighter than what it usually would have been during the night.

“Your home’s not an inn, and I’d feel bad packing so many people into it.”

“But, you’re my benefactors…….”

“If you’re going down that road, then you’re our benefactors. It’s okay, I already heard from your dad where the inn is, and we shouldn’t have any problem getting a room during this time of year.”

“But……”

“What, Iris. Are you going to feel lonely if we don’t sleep with you? Hyaa, cold!! So cold!!”

Carol stuck her head out from the carriage and laughed. But while winter might be coming to an end, the night air is still freezing. So she immediately jumped back inside.

“I-It’s not like that…….but……”

“…..we’ll see each other again tomorrow, so there’s no need to look so lonely. Right?”

When it was just the two of us, Toslin smiled, “Right?”…….and then started gently patting my head. With one hand Toslin managed to calm me down. Meanwhile my hand had grabbed onto the end of Toslin’s mantle so I could keep being selfish. What is the difference between us? Where does that difference come from? Life experience? But she’s only two years older than me, so that’s a little hard to accept.

“O-Okay……sorry I said something so selfish. Well then, I’ll see you……tomorrow.”

Tomorrow everyone would be visiting the church. After that they needed to stop by the blacksmith and get their armor fixed. There was also the booty from the golem that needed to be sold.

That’s right. This isn’t goodbye. We’ll see each other again. Soon even. Thinking that way my heart started to feel a little lighter, and Toslin’s mantle naturally slipped out of my grasp.

“Right, see you tomorrow.”

“Then Iris-san, have a good night’s rest.”

“Night Iris”

Rose-san moved Goldmund’s reins, and the carriage started to move. Carol stuck out only her hand from the carriage and waved farewell. And so a new rut was cut through the lightly fallen snow across the cobblestone road.

“Goodnight everyone……”

Taking one last look at the carriage as it disappeared into the dark, I gave them a small wave before heading back inside.

*Splash* *Splash*…….I scooped up some of the hot water and unloaded it on my shoulders.

“Haa……..so warm……”

I guess everyone would’ve made it to the inn by now. They’re probably soaking in the tub, staring up at the ceiling while stretching out their legs. Even if I try not to think about them, it’s been so long since I’ve spent the night away from everyone that it just happens.

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