The temperature is rising.

The snow on the streets is decreasing at a speed visible to the naked eye every day, and it seems that winter is about to pass.

So "that day" arrived.

"I got up quite early."

"Yes."

I suppressed the yawn that was about to come out, and Raya and I were getting ready to go out.

The light in the early morning was very poor and everything was dark. We buried our heads in our turned-up collars and walked silently.

Passing by the flower shop, Raya walked in, and I stopped a carriage and waited for Raya to come back and get on it together.

Just like this time of year, Raya held two bouquets of white flowers in her hands.

Today is Raya’s father’s memorial day.

......

Twenty minutes later, we got off the carriage.

There is no gloomy atmosphere in the cemetery in the morning. The daylight is getting stronger, and with the approaching spring, the soil around many tombstones has some greenery, but it looks prosperous.

Raya skillfully found the tombstone belonging to her father, placed the flowers next to it, then closed her eyes and muttered something, probably conveying something to her father.

I stood quietly behind her, looking at her little back.

Raya's father passed away five years ago.

At that time, the tailor shop was undergoing its first relocation, and he and I were helping at the construction site. Unexpectedly, an accident occurred, and he was seriously injured... and ultimately failed to survive the winter.

Raya’s mother passed away shortly after Raya was born, so I became Raya’s only relative.

The tailor shop was originally located on the edge of the town. Raya's father's wish was to open the shop in the center of the town in the future, so he worked day and night... It was a pity that there was a natural disaster.

Now Raya resolutely implements the second relocation of the tailor shop, largely to resolve her father's regrets.

I looked towards the small tombstone.

Hey, your daughter has fulfilled your dream for you~~

I murmured in my heart.

......

"Let's go."

With a sigh of relief, Raya turned around.

"Hmm."

When I was about to walk out of the cemetery, my eyes unknowingly stopped on a new tombstone.

Oh yeah...

After leaving the cemetery, Raya became much more talkative than when she arrived. She walked beside me and chatted with me about past stories...

The death of Raya's father caused the tailor shop to lose its source of income. During that period, I used the few savings carefully while trying to make money... including learning to be a tailor. There is no doubt that

As someone who knows magic, I am not as good as a random layman.

"At that time...I remember you being clumsy."

"Yes, and I always sew in the wrong place. I can't finish a piece of clothing for a long time, which makes me anxious."

"Thank you for persisting."

"Where...it's a blessing that the lovely Miss Raya can grow up so fast."

Seeing that the atmosphere was no longer solemn, I returned to my glib self.

Probably because she understood my unreliability, Raya quickly got over her sadness and took up the responsibility of store manager early, so that the tailor shop could be maintained.

"Nothing was accomplished in the end...it's really embarrassing."

"Really? I think it would be great if you could use it like that now."

"Eh~~"

I can't refute it.

Although there was not a single day when I could not make ends meet, I was indeed very diligent at that time.

What gave me the motivation? I think it must be to repay the kindness. The people who died were kind to me, and I should take responsibility...even if it is of no use.

......

"...It's not easy."

"It's not easy."

Our conversation ended with emotion.

Occasionally talking about the past like this always makes people feel "not easy". Sometimes I am even surprised that I have such rich experiences, which generates a small amount of pride and confidence to continue living.<

/p>

But I always only keep my memories at a superficial level.

After all, what I want to be sure of is not something that has become history.

"Ah~~little Raya has grown up too."

"The word 'small' is redundant."

"Okay~~Does Miss Naraya have someone you like?"

"...Why do you ask this suddenly?"

"Just asking. By the way, when your father was about your age, he already had a girl he liked."

"Is it mother?"

"Unfortunately, no. But they were as close as a family."

"That's it..."

Raya pondered for a while, then raised her head and smiled at me:

"It's almost the same as us."

"With us?"

"Yes, we are not related by blood, but you are my relative, aren't you?"

"...Yes."

Well, it's enough for me to know this.

"But it's not okay to accompany me to die alone, otherwise your father will curse me in heaven."

"I had no such intention in the first place."

"Oh~~ But you can't just find someone to marry. At least you have to discuss it with me."

"...Are you still treating me as a child?"

"How could that happen?"

"Don't treat me like a child."

"Okay... As long as Miss Raya orders me, I will do whatever it takes, even if it costs me my life."

"..."

Raya and I were talking aimlessly, a little absent-minded.

Blame it on that casual glance at the cemetery.

At that moment, the name that came into my eyes made me worry about someone.

......

"I'm so happy that you are willing to come again!"

The dean who was walking in front of me and was guiding me turned back and smiled cheerfully at me, with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"I'm very sorry for disturbing you and the elders."

"Look what you said! If you are willing to come, no one will refuse."

"Ha..."

"Why are you so reserved? We are obviously acquaintances."

The strange thing is that you are still as enthusiastic as ever when facing someone like me whom I haven’t seen for decades.

I could only reply vaguely:

"Maybe I'm used to it..."

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To be continued...