If you go out, eventually you have to come back.
It’s just the natural order of things.
Not long before sunset—probably around three in the afternoon—we packed up and got ready to head back.
「That was a nice spot. Let’s come again sometime.」
I said, watching the sunlit lake glittering in the distance.
「Hmm. Next time, we’ll explore even more. Right, Mint?」
「Uuu! Next time, go other way around!」
Said Mint, leaning into Karen, who was holding her from behind.
「We’ve got a few snacks left from lunch; how about a little mid-journey treat?」
Mother suggested mischievously, taking the reins in hand.
「Kiyurururu!」
「Bark bark!」
Pochi pulling the carriage and Chocola trotting along, we retraced our steps down the road.
The winter breeze had grown sharper. There’s a touch of melancholy in heading home, but also something comforting. The same longing that makes me miss this outing is also what makes the thought of home feel so warm.
「By the way, Sui-kun, did you see any other good spots aside from the lake when you looked around?」
「Hmm… not sure there’s anything with a view that could top this. But there were some rocks for climbing, open fields for running—lots of fun places, really.」
「That sounds wonderful. It’d be nice to change it up each time; we might get bored if we always go to the same lake. I’ll do a little exploring next time too.」
「Good idea! We didn’t really explore the deeper areas much either. I’m sure there are plenty of hidden spots we haven’t found yet.」
Mother and I chatted about that.
「Sui, I want to try fishing too.」
「You, Karen? You really want to give it a go?」
「Hmm. What, you don’t want me to?」
「No, no, that’s not it at all. It’s just… I mean, if you start on a whim and end up catching something better than me…」
「No worries. I don’t even know how to bait a hook.」
「That’s exactly the kind of person who catches a giant fish out of nowhere would say!」
Karen and I laughed about it.
「Here, Mint, say ‘ahhh.’」
「Ahhh… mmm, tasty!」
「We’ve sure worked up an appetite since lunch, huh?」
「Yes! Oh, Sui, on the right, saw huge spider! It saw Mint, it ran away!」
「A spider…?」
「It fluffy! Really cute!」
「Ah, I see… think I’d like to see that? Maybe…」
「Hey, hey! Next time, bring Hanaikada and the others?」
「Good idea! I think they’d enjoy a ride in the carriage with us.」
I smiled, listening to Mint’s endless chatter.
「Pochi, mind if I ride on your back for a bit?」
「Kyurruu!」
「You sure? Not too heavy? Just let me know if it is… alright, here we go.」
「Kyururuuu!」
「Haha, so high up! And so strong. Pochi, you’re amazing as always.」
I played around with Pochi as he pulled the carriage.
「Bark! Bark bark!」
「Hey, don’t go wandering off too far. Oh… a stick?」
「Grrr… snort.」
「Wow, what a nice stick… it’s got a cool S-curve to it.」
「Sniff, kwuunn…」
「Wanna battle? Think you can take on my sword?」
「Bark! Bark!」
「…And he just drops it.」
I continued playing with the wandering Chocola.
「Mint, don’t eat too much, or you’ll be too full for dinner.」
「But so yummy…」
「At this rate, she’ll be asleep before we get home. Might be a good night for a lighter dinner.」
「Kwuunnn」
「Look, Sui, Viole-sama—Chocola’s sitting up front on the driver’s bench. Seems he’s taken a liking to it.」
「Has he now… It’s probably a good view, seeing Pochi’s back from there.」
「Kyuruuu?」
「Bark!」
「Oh, he jumped down!」
「Shocola, going? Mint too!」
「Looks like we’ll make it back right around sunset at this pace. 」
「Kyururuu…!」
「Yeah, Pochi here’s unfazed by nightfall, huh.」
「He always walks us through the night without complaint. Thanks, as always.」
「Bark bark!」
「Of course, you’re watching out for him too, aren’t you?」
「Uuu! Pochi, Shocola, amazing!」
「Hmm, they really are. Good job, both of you.」
Our conversations never seem to run out.
With laughter and the carriage’s tracks marking the forest trail, we head home.
Once we’re back, first comes dinner prep.
No, actually, I’ll need to light the stove in the stable first. I’ll ask Karen to fire up the boiler for the bath.
Right, and make sure the lunch boxes are thoroughly cleaned…
※※※
The sun begins to dip, and the western sky is tinged with a faint red.
Karen sits on the driver’s bench, holding the reins.
Pochi walks on proudly.
「Tired of waaaalking, fufu-fuunnnn-fufufu-funnn…」
Mint is singing.
She’s on the carriage’s roof, watching the scenery, though she can’t seem to remember the lyrics and soon hums along instead. It’s adorable.
Chocola strolls at his own pace beside the carriage.
Mint’s song was something from Japan.
It’s a beautiful melody, a bit wistful, tender enough to tighten your chest.
The song title, if I recall correctly, was…
「…‘Home Sweet Home.’」
-0-
Inside the carriage, Sui sleeps on Viole’s lap, gently mumbling in his sleep.
With Mint’s humming and the gentle rocking of the carriage as his lullaby, he breathes peacefully, like a child.
——To a mother, a child will always be this way.
「Viole-sama, the scenery looks familiar now.」
「Does it? How much longer?」
「Not half an hour. …Shall I wake him?」
「Yes, well…」
Viole stroked his dark hair as he slept, shaking her head slowly.
「No, just a little longer. Let him stay like this.」
——————————————————
That was Volume 8 – The Warmth in the Freezing Winds
This volume was a glimpse into the characters’ daily lives without any major events, but even in the quiet of daily life, a lot can build up.
For Sui and the others, I’m sure this winter will be a lasting memory.
Now no one can say this isn’t the slow life they’ve been aiming for…!
Next, we’ll begin Volume 9.
The title is “Castle in the Sky, Elf Child”.
As the title suggests, we’ll finally get a closer look at the elf kingdom of Alfheim…hopefully!
It might be a bit of a long haul, so we’ll try to sprinkle in some daily life here and there as we go.
I hope you’re looking forward to it.
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