Chapter Text
“...Ngh?”
When he opened his eyes, the cold hardness of the ground was the first thing Subaru noticed upon waking from his sleep.
It wasn’t the nice bed he used when he slept at night in his own bed.
It wasn’t the school desk where he sometimes dozed off either. No. It was a cold, hard, rocky floor… And uncomfortable.
“Huh? But what—? Where am I?”
His voice sounded more confused than nervous. He stood up and looked around, searching for some clue as to where he was.
The sun hit him directly in the eyes. That was probably what had woken him up in the first place. He could also see the large trees surrounding him. Trees much bigger and taller than him, several times over.
This definitely wasn’t his room. Though that should have been obvious the moment he woke up, after all. But still, it was something hard to accept so quickly.
“...Is that a village?”
Taking several steps along a small, long path, Subaru could see the end of the road. Instinctively, he couldn’t help but wish to go there and walk toward it.
As soon as he does, the village grows larger and more noticeable before his eyes.
There were no streetlights. No light bulbs either. It didn’t even seem to follow the traditional style of Japanese houses.
The walls were made of stone and wood. The ground was well-kept dirt instead of cement. They looked a lot like the medieval RPG games he used to play late into the night during vacation.
“...”
As if he’d come up with an idea to test, he brought two fingers to one of his cheeks. He pinched himself hard enough to let out a small whimper of pain. That alone was enough to confirm his thoughts.
“Well… This is clearly not a dream… Ah! This can only mean one thing!”
Raising his hands to his sides like a windmill, all the confusion, nervousness, and fear Subaru had kept inside disappeared as the wind began to blow strongly, making him smile from ear to ear.
“This is amazing! It’s another world! I’ve just been summoned to a fantasy world!”
He shouted with all the strength his lungs would allow. Encouraging himself for the incredible, great opportunity the world had brought him.
“I’ll be a hero! The hero of this world! Will there be enemies and dungeons? Will I have a fighting companion? Will I be able to use magic and fly? This is so exciting!”
Jumping and shouting, Subaru was more excited than ever about what seemed to be the start of his new adventure as a hero in a magical world.
“...Huh?”
Without noticing that there was a certain 12-year-old girl with orange hair watching his childish behavior with a slightly confused grimace.
Once Subaru finished his heroic and epic presentation to the air as the start of his adventure… He quickly realized there was no one by his side to guide him, like in anime or video games.
“So this is one of those special cases where the hero wakes up alone and has to find his own way, huh? I like it! Here I go, world!”
With that motivation, he started walking through the stone houses that filled the village. It was a medieval village just as he would have expected with his childhood knowledge… And it was great!
The houses. The wood. The roofs. The fences. The fountain in the center of it all… Everything was so impressive he couldn’t help but smile every time he explored unfamiliar ground.
In the distance he could see a giant mansion. But he didn’t head there immediately. He always looked for every possible Easter egg before moving to the next area in all his video games. That is, he wouldn’t abandon this village!
He walked and turned at every intersection that allowed it. Subaru had been going around in circles in the same area for almost 30 minutes. And he had just arrived back at the spot where he started.
Was his sense of direction that horrible?
“Yes!... I mean No! I’m just observing everything more than once!”
That’s what he would answer if asked… And while he certainly believed his own words, it was also true that he wasn’t very sure what to do once he’d fully explored the village.
Where was the girl who summoned him?... Or maybe he was the result of a ritual summoning from the past? A prophecy?
As much as he got excited about all the possibilities, he still couldn’t help but wish for a traveling companion. He was a very hyperactive kid. Spending 30 minutes walking alone would bore anyone, wouldn’t it?
“Helloooo! Your hero Subaru Natsuki is here! Any guide who wants to help him fulfill his mission?”
He shouted into the air. As if he expected someone to actually be summoned to his side and they’d get excited together to do something like go to a dungeon. Give him a weapon. Teach him magic. Or simply the ‘Skip Tutorial’ option.
The only response he got was the wind waving his clothes. Cute. But not the sign he was hoping for.
“Hmm. Maybe in these times the ‘Skip Cutscene’ mechanic didn’t exist yet.”
Letting out a small sigh, he walked toward what seemed to be the center of the village, easily recognizable by the flowing water fountain. Finally sitting on the edge, he put a hand to his chin, thinking over his options.
“Any minute now, someone has to appear and give me a quest,” he murmured to himself. “That’s how it works. The wise old man, or the mysterious girl, or the… Why isn’t anyone showing up?”
“Are you looking for someone?”
As soon as a voice that wasn’t his own made itself present in the air, Subaru turned his head. It was such a quick reflex movement that he almost fell into the fountain, but he managed to grab the edge at the last second.
A girl about his height had approached without him noticing. She was looking at him with one eyebrow raised and her arms crossed. As if she were confused and at the same time curious about the boy she had just seen.
“Who are you?” asked Subaru with a smile upon seeing someone else next to him. Standing up again, trying to regain his composure.
“I live right here,” she replied, pointing to one of the houses near the fountain. “I’ve seen you walking in circles for a good while, and I thought you might need help. Are you lost?”
“H-Huh!? I’m not lost!”
He said reflexively upon seeing the misunderstanding the girl had already created even before asking his name. He wasn’t lost. He was… Looking for the path! Yes! That!
The girl raised an eyebrow. It was a gesture that made her seem much older than she was. Subaru couldn’t help but think she didn’t believe his words.
“What? I’m sure I didn’t look that bad, did I?”
“You’ve been passing through this square for twenty minutes. You came in from the north street, left by the east, came back in from the west, and now you’re sitting on the edge of the fountain like you’re waiting for someone to find you… Are you sure you’re not lost?”
Subaru opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. He didn’t know what to say as he felt a girl his age was crushing his pride and dignity. Not the best start for a hero.
His cheeks were warming up and turning slightly red, as he tried to regain control of his emotions and at least get the girl not to worry so much about him.
“I wasn’t lost!” he insisted, though with less force. “I was looking for someone!”
“Really?... Well, then I can help you.”
The girl wasn’t entirely sure she could really believe those words. But it didn’t really matter right now. Not if she could do something.
“I’ve been living in this village my whole life. I know everyone here. Tell me, who were you looking for?”
“Ugh…”
The moment the girl asked, Subaru quickly thought of answers he could give to escape the embarrassment. He had to say someone cool so the girl would be impressed, or at least so he wouldn’t look lost.
“I, uh… Oh, yes! That’s right! I was looking for the mayor. I just arrived from very far away. And I think he could help me! I have very important matters to discuss with him!”
The girl looked at him skeptically and in silence for a few seconds.
“The village chief, Milde Arlam, lives on the main street. The one right next to where you started walking in circles.”
Subaru froze in place with a smile on his face for a few seconds. Then, as if admitting defeat or failure, he sighed and let his shoulders drop.
“I was lying. Yes, I’m lost,” he replied, looking at the ground.
The girl smiled. It wasn’t a mocking smile, but something softer, almost kind.
“I know,” she said, approaching the boy, wanting him to look up again. “Where do you come from? I haven’t seen you in the village before.”
“Uh, from very far away. That wasn’t a lie.”
That was Subaru’s response, not knowing how to explain right now exactly how he was, literally, from another world.
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes.”
The girl frowned. This time the boy’s words didn’t sound like he was lying. So it was normal for her to wonder if he was really okay in his current situation.
“Are you really alone? Without your parents? Without anyone?”
Subaru looked to the side, avoiding eye contact. Scratching the back of his head in an instinctive nervous gesture, not really wanting to think about it. Not now, at least.
“No,” his voice was a little weaker than usual. “I came alone. And I doubt my parents will come get me anytime soon.”
Petra fell silent. She wanted to help the boy, yes. But she thought he was just lost. Not that he was… Abandoned?
“...Petra.”
“Huh?”
“First, I think we should exchange names, don’t you? I’m Petra. Petra Leyte. And you?”
The girl said with a smile, trying to do something to cheer up the boy’s expression.
“...I’m Subaru. Subaru Natsuki!”
It had an immediate effect as the boy quickly got excited upon learning his friend’s name. She smiled back at seeing his excitement.
“Do you want me to take you to the chief’s house?” she offered. “Since you had important matters.”
“Ehh, I already admitted that was a lie. I don’t have anything to report yet… I haven’t gotten my first quest, so…”
“Your first quest?”
“Oh, yes! It’s like my objectives that I have to do to continue the story.”
“...Riiight... So, does meeting everyone in the village count as a quest?”
Petra really didn’t understand what Subaru meant by his quests. But she simply thought it might be some kind of game to have fun.
In that case, she could help with that too.
“Do you want me to show you the village? Like I said, I know everything here. And since you’re alone, you could have fun meeting everyone.”
Subaru looked up at her with excitement. His expression lit up even more, and his small smile and his eyes stayed etched in the girl’s mind.
“Would you?” He took a step forward by instinct from the excitement.
“Someone has to. And I also want to help. So, are you coming?”
“Of course! This will be my first quest!”
Subaru took her hand firmly. It was warm. And somehow it increased his happiness, excitement, and determination.
“Hehe. I’m glad! Let’s go introduce you to everyone, then.”
Petra smiled when Subaru trusted her, and she started walking, guiding him to one of the houses to the west, where most of the children their age lived.
“Hmm. Though now that I think about it, technically this would be my second quest.”
Subaru said as he walked, making Petra raise an eyebrow in doubt.
“Oh, really? So you already did one before talking to me?”
“Nope! It was when I talked to you!”
“Hmm?”
Those words made Petra doubt again. Had the boy done something special when they talked?
“I just completed my first quest! Get an ally! Get a friend! Right?”
“...!”
As soon as those words left his lips, she couldn’t help but be surprised for a second, while a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
“Silly… But okay. I guess we’re friends now, right?”
“Yes! We’re friends!”
The boy declared as if it were a decision already made, while squeezing Petra’s hand a little tighter.
She made exactly the same gesture back.
“Victory!”
“Victory!”
With Petra’s help and Subaru’s great social skills, the way he integrated with all the village children wasn’t really complicated.
The moment Subaru talked to the village children — Luca, Meyna, Dyne, Cain, Mildo — they got along almost immediately. Which surprised Petra with how quickly he made friends and got along with everyone.
Maybe he didn’t need her help to get to know the village after all. But she didn’t pay attention to that fact, but rather to the smile everyone shared while playing together.
“You’re awesome, Subaru!”
“That’s right! Subaru is Subaru! And Subaru is as awesome as you guys!”
It seemed the boy really enjoyed the words all the children directed at him as they ran and played together. And he channeled that emotion to give it back to them and make them laugh in return.
It seemed that what Subaru liked most after receiving praise and happiness was to give praise and happiness to everyone.
And Petra couldn’t stop smiling excitedly while playing with him. Maybe she was the oldest of all the children and that’s why she didn’t act as childish as them. But that didn’t mean she could help laughing while being with them.
“Petra? Where did you meet your friend?”
“Oh? Mom?”
While Petra watched the children play, she was having so much fun with them that she didn’t notice when her mother had approached from behind.
Usually her mother looked for her when she didn’t come back in time for lunch. Had that many hours already passed since she talked to and met that boy?
“I think I’ve had too much fun,” she thought with a smile.
“I saw him walking lost in the village this morning. I think he’s alone. We talked and became friends.”
“He’s alone? Hmm. That’s worrying.”
The mother couldn’t help but think of several scary scenarios that could make a child arrive at the village all alone without his parents.
“Does he have anywhere to sleep or eat?”
“Huh!?” she replied, surprised. “I… I don’t know.”
The truth was that Petra had intended to find out a little more about the boy. But the moment they both got excited talking and playing, plus all the children joining them, she had gotten carried away and forgotten to ask something as serious as that.
“Uhhh. It’s almost noon, right? Can we invite him to eat?”
“Sure. If he agrees.”
“Okay. Thanks, Mom. Let me go ask!”
After a small hug and a kiss on the cheek from mother to daughter, Petra quickly took several steps to approach Subaru.
Of everyone, he seemed to have the most energy. It wasn’t that the children were bored. It was that no one could match his brightness and energy. For Petra, that was enough. She knew how energetic all her friends were every day.
“Subaru!”
“Huh?” He stopped for a few seconds to look at the girl who was calling him. “Hi, Petra-chan!”
Subaru waved his hand in the air, greeting Petra who was standing on the ground. Unlike him, who had climbed onto the roof of one of the village houses.
“I only lost sight of you for a few seconds. How did you manage to get up there?”
Petra said more with amusement than real concern. The boy seemed to be having a great time doing… whatever it was he was doing.
“We were playing tag, and then I thought it would be a good idea to get to a place where no one could catch me. And it worked! Now I’m up here and no one can reach me.”
Petra looked to the side and saw several children trying to help each other reach the same height where Subaru was. She couldn’t help but laugh in reaction.
Though she quickly fixed her gaze on the boy who had somehow reached the top of a house all by himself. That was… pretty impressive, actually.
“And how did you get up there alone?”
“I’m really good at climbing. I usually climb trees very easily. And I only fall 3 out of every 2 times!... Or was it the other way around? Either way! It’s lots of fun!”
Subaru smiled after his brief confusion. Looking totally happy to have played with all the village children.
He had gotten along so well, in fact, that he felt he had completed most of the side quests involving the kids. And he felt like continuing to play with them.
“Hehe. I’m glad you’re having fun. But most of us have to go home for lunch now.”
Petra said, as she saw the children one by one wave goodbye to Subaru — a goodbye he also returned, shouting for them to come back soon — until slowly the place was almost empty, except for the two of them.
“Lunch? Oh, right. That makes sense. I was so focused on playing that I forgot I hadn’t eaten anything since last night.”
“Huh—?” Petra reacted as if she’d just heard something really worrying. “Y-you haven’t eaten anything? Aren’t you starving?”
At her concern, Subaru just reacted casually, while observing the height difference between the ground and the roof where he was.
“When I’m having fun, I usually ignore my own tiredness, time, and hunger. So I don’t know.”
Giving himself a little breath of courage, Subaru jumps forward, landing on his knees on the ground, a short distance from his friend.
“Perfect landing!”
He said as if expecting some reaction of surprise or admiration from Petra. Though she only gave him an amused smile, it was enough for him.
“Well, I think my mom wouldn’t mind giving you some of our food if you want to have lunch with us. You don’t have anywhere else to eat, right?”
“W-Wha?”
Freezing once more, Subaru didn’t respond for several more seconds. Remaining totally silent in the face of Petra’s question.
“Actually, I… I do have something to eat with me! Definitely!”
“...Really?”
Petra couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in amusement. She already suspected this was another little lie like the one this morning.
“O-oh, yes! I made sure to pack last night! I’m prepared for it!”
“And can you show me what you have to eat?” she said, crossing her arms.
“Ugh. I don’t have it with me right now… I must have left it in my backpack.”
“Backpack?” She frowned at the word she had never heard before. “Look, you don’t need to be embarrassed if you don’t have anything to eat and need us to give you some. I’m sure my mother won’t mind.”
“B-but it’s not a lie. Not this time! Actually, I’m… I’m going to eat right now. I’ll go get it!”
Declaring with determination, Subaru starts walking away from Petra, reaching the same path he had used to get to the village.
“H-hey, you don’t have to leave! We can eat together!”
Petra shouted one last time when she saw that the boy really didn’t stop, step after step, as he left the village and disappeared from the girl’s sight.
“It’s not necessary! But thank your mother for offering!”
He shouted back as a final signal, before moving far enough away that Petra could no longer see him or call out to him.
“That boy is so strange. He really didn’t need to leave… I would have liked to eat with him.”
She said in a slightly depressed tone, as she once again approached her home and explained to her mother that she would eat without the boy this time.
“...Could you prepare a portion for me to take?”
Still, she asked that favor of her mother. She simply couldn’t ignore her concern for the boy.
“Nghhh. He really didn’t have to.”
Walking alone with a lunch in her hands, Petra couldn’t help but say with her cheeks slightly puffed, as she headed off to find the black-haired boy to give him something to eat.
Her steps were taking her further and further from the village. Not to a dangerous level, but a bit more than she was used to.
“This is getting a little further from the village than I’d like… Why am I even doing this?”
Because her conscience wouldn’t be clear if she didn’t bring the boy food. And because she wanted to spend more time with him despite not having known him for long.
But she simply didn’t know why she felt that way.
“Huh?”
However, when she reached the end of her thoughts, she slowed her pace upon seeing a… something she had never seen before.
She had already entered the forest. Though not far enough for it to be considered dangerous, so no need to worry about mabeasts or anything like that. But that wasn’t the point.
Under the trees there was a kind of… house? Much smaller than it should be. Green and triangular. Definitely not something she had seen before.
“Uhh… Hello?”
She greeted the air, as if thinking that was an object someone had left behind. Her curiosity got the better of her caution, approaching nervously the little house in front of her, touching it with two fingers of her right hand.
“Is it cloth? It’s flexible, it’s soft. It’s…”
She didn’t know exactly what words to use to describe it. But she did know that she was very excited to find a house like this.
“Hmm? Are these little teeth?”
Moving to the front, she could see a kind of zipper that split the cloth in two. When she ran her finger between them, instead of getting a bite, she saw the teeth separate, opening the way inside.
“And this must be the entrance…”
Petra’s parents had raised her well enough to know that it wasn’t good to enter a stranger’s home without permission. But this time Petra was so caught up in her curiosity that she couldn’t help but take a few small steps inside.
“Wow! It’s so warm! And cute!”
The size was ideal for a girl her size. Maybe for an adult this would be very small. But she fit in wonderfully even while standing.
The temperature was perfect. There was no draft to make her cold, and the cloth let in just enough heat so she didn’t feel hot. It was the ideal temperature. She could sleep here.
Inside the little house she only saw a small object that seemed to have several pockets inside. Petra was more interested in the object itself than its contents.
But before she could get closer…
“Hey! Who’s there?”
“Kya!”
A shout behind her took her by surprise, making her jump reflexively, causing her to fall inside the tent.
“Uh? Oh, Petra!”
“Subaru?”
When she looked back nervously, she quickly felt happy to see the figure of the boy who had become her friend a few hours ago.
“You found my secret hideout!”
He said, pointing at her with his finger, smiling to see his friend again.
“Secret?... Well, it was halfway down the path, so… Uhhh. Look! I brought you some food!”
Trying to set aside the embarrassment of being discovered having entered what seemed to be her friend’s house, she extended the food toward him. He received it with a smile.
“Huh? It’s for me? Hehe. Thanks. Although I think I told you I already had something to eat.”
Subaru moved closer to her, sitting face to face inside his tent and pulling his backpack closer to himself.
“I made sure to bring some sweets in case of an emergency, see?”
Taking out a red bar from his backpack, he traded it for the bento with her.
“What is this…?”
“A chocolate bar! Look.”
He took it in his hand again, removing the wrapper around it, revealing the grid-patterned brown tablet.
“There it is! See? It’s one of the best chocolates I’ve ever tasted.”
“Oohhhh!”
Petra’s eyes became star-shaped as the sweet smell and color of the bar reached her senses.
“Can I eat it?”
“Of course!”
Petra grabbed the sweet one last time, before taking a bite from the top of the bar, making a face of delight.
“Ahhh! It’s so good!”
“Hehe.”
Subaru couldn’t help but smile at the expression of happiness his friend was making.
“Is this your house?” asked Petra, while still enjoying the chocolate in her hands.
“Hmm. Well, it will be from now on,” he proceeded to explain. “You see! Today I was supposed to be on a school field trip.”
“School? Field trip?” she replied doubtfully.
“Yes! Basically today I was going on a trip to the countryside with other kids. I was so excited that last night I fell asleep with my camping backpack all ready. So at least I have some supplies and food to count on,” he explained. “In fact, I took this tent out of there!”
“Huh!?” Petra couldn’t help but be surprised. “This whole house fit inside that bag? Isn’t it too big for it?”
“No, no. Not at all! This tent can be taken anywhere if you fold it properly… The truth is I forgot to set it up when I went to the village,” he said, scratching his head in embarrassment. “That’s why I came back quickly to set it up… It was harder than I thought, but I love the result.”
Subaru looked around, at the whole tent, as if proud of his hard work.
“I still don’t fully understand your thoughts, but if you made this house so quickly… It turned out amazing!”
Petra was genuinely feeling admiration for Subaru for having managed to create this little shelter all by himself. He just responded by puffing out his chest with more pride.
“Haha, thanks! I’m glad you like it. You can stay here as long as you want.”
“Really? I’ll definitely visit you!... Although maybe you could move it a little closer to the village.”
“Oh?” Subaru considered the idea that hadn’t occurred to him before. “Hmm. I’ll think about it! I’ll sleep here tonight! I have food for a few days, I’ll think about it later.”
“Will that be your third quest?” she said, remembering the little game the boy played.
“Probably! But the number doesn’t matter as long as the game is fun.”
He said while looking for something in his backpack.
“What else do you have in that strange compartment?” Petra couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Several things, actually. Like a… Oh, yes! A sewing kit!”
He says excitedly as he takes out a small blue, heart-shaped package. A gift from his mother that he had already grown fond of enough to put in his backpack.
“Sewing? Do you like to sew?”
“My mom taught me for a while. So I consider myself an expert at sewing. At least for making a few clothes and stuffed animals…!”
Subaru stops, looking Petra up and down. She just raises an eyebrow.
“Actually…” he interrupted himself, looking for several threads in the package. “Yep! Here it is! I have enough to make a doll of you.”
“Huh!? You want to make a stuffed toy of me?” she asked in surprise. “I’m not sure I’d be a great model.”
“Well, you’re a very cute girl. And you brought me a bento to eat. I want to give you something in return!”
“A-Ah!” It was clear she hadn’t expected a compliment or to receive a gift from the boy. She couldn’t help but blush a little. “S-sure, no problem. If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Not at all. I just need you to stay still and give me a few hours… Are you in a hurry to get home?”
“No. I told my parents I came to visit you. I’ll be fine if I stay a while.”
“Oh! Perfect! Then I’ll start right now.”
He said, crossing his legs and getting to work. Petra also sat in front of him, letting him see the ideal colors for her hair, eyes, and the rest of her body.
“You can tell you have experience.”
Petra’s sewing skill was enough to know Subaru’s more than decent sewing ability. She liked watching him, and he responded without stopping working, with a smile.
“Hehe. I told you. Do you know how to sew too?”
“...Don’t make fun of me, but my dream when I grow up is to be a seamstress.”
“Why would I make fun of that?” He raised an eyebrow. “I think if it’s something you love doing, you’ll do it wonderfully!”
He replied without taking his eyes off his hands as he sewed. Even so, his smile became clearer in the girl’s eyes.
“I hope so. Someday I’ll open a clothing shop in the capital. I’ll be one of the best seamstresses you’ll ever know.”
“In that case, I’ll be one of your best customers! Make sure you can make me some clothes that make me look super heroic.”
“Hehe. I’ll make sure to do it then!”
Petra smiled at seeing someone support her dream. At least she would already have a guaranteed customer in her dreamed future.
The two of them started talking for a long time about their own dreams and lives. Petra couldn’t believe everything Subaru told her, but she still loved listening to him talk.
Subaru kept sewing the whole time, but still couldn’t help but smile while talking to Petra and listening to what she wished for the future. He had made a great and very kind friend without a doubt. She would surely be the most reliable person he could have in the village.
“Phew... It’s done!”
He said satisfied, finishing the small stuffed toy in his hands. It was something small, but it perfectly captured the cuteness of the little seamstress in front of him. Without a doubt, he believed it was one of his best works.
“So? What do you think?”
“…”
Petra couldn’t help but blush seeing the boy with his eyes closed, smiling while holding a doll of herself in his hands… It was one of the sweetest scenes she had ever witnessed and so…
“It’s… perfect.”
She felt as happy as never before.
As the hours passed, the sky gradually darkened, until the great sun was no longer visible and was replaced by an infinity of small stars shining in the night sky.
The tent was now empty. As for the two children, they were lying on small blankets to sleep on the rocky ground that was no longer uncomfortable.
And both smiled as they looked upward with an expression of happiness.
“And that’s how our school expedition was going to be.”
He said, finishing a very excited and animated speech about everything he had planned to do during that week away from home. Making Petra have a certain excitement in her eyes as well.
“I understand why you were so excited about it. I would have loved to do it too.”
“In that case, let’s do this more often!” said Subaru, cataloging this as his favorite side quest. “Lying down looking at the stars together. It’s one of the best parts of a field trip!”
He said with excitement, without taking his eyes off the sky at any moment. Making Petra laugh at the energy Subaru put into every word. As if he meant it seriously. She truly had fun being with him.
“Haha. Then I accept. You’ll have to make room for me in your tent.”
“It’s our secret hideout from now on!”
“You’re still going on about the secret thing? Haha. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
“It’s not. A hero and a heroine need a place to meet. I thought it would be a good place,” he replied without hesitation.
“If you say so… I suppose it’s not bad.”
She didn’t argue as she lay down and watched the night sky.
“...Hey, Petra?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think beyond the stars there are other worlds?”
Petra was surprised by those words. She clearly hadn’t expected that question out of nowhere.
“Why do you ask?”
“Curiosity. And I want to know your opinion.”
He said without looking her in the eyes. Only at the moon.
“...I’m not sure if there’s anything out there. I don’t even know if there’s anything beyond the great waterfall… But if there is, I hope we can get along with it.”
“Hey! I think the same. Two worlds connected. Totally different beings yet so similar at the same time. Wouldn’t that be great!?”
Petra opened her eyes at the boy’s words… He really was someone too energetic and in a different way than she was used to… But she liked him quite a lot, to be honest.
“You really have a very active imagination… But I agree that I would like to meet and get along with someone like that.”
“Maybe you already do.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing, nothing. I didn’t say anything,” he said, taking the girl’s hand more confidently this time.
“…I’ll still have my tent here. So, can we meet again tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll tell my mom to make my favorite breakfast for the two of us.”
“Is it a promise?”
“Promise.”
She reaffirmed, squeezing his hand once more. Falling silent with the boy who had somehow become important to her.
Above, in the night sky, the stars shone brightly.
And below, on the ground, two children laughed holding hands, enjoying each other’s company.
And that… was more than enough for both of them.
