Chapter 8

As I stepped through the door of the orphanage, there was no mistaking it. There she was, the very image of Alyeno from those days, still retaining a hint of her youthful innocence. Her slender fingers and pale skin seemed as if they would crumble at the slightest touch. Her faintly glowing, light golden hair was neatly styled and tied up.

"Oh, Ruis! It's really you, Ruis. It's been a while, but you haven't changed a bit. Your cheeky attitude and your twisted ways are exactly the same!"

Hmm, something feels off.

I tried to figure out what expression I should make, and my tense face contorted strangely. Perhaps finding my expression amusing, Alyeno covered her mouth and broke into a smile.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Did becoming an adventurer take the fight out of you? That's not bad, but it's kind of boring."

From a position even lower than my already lowered gaze, Alyeno continued to talk rapidly. Her demeanor was both adorable and somewhat sarcastic.

But my thoughts were swirling with just one thing.

"Alyeno—san. No, did you used to be like this?"

"Hmm?"

The Alyeno in front of me looked at me with a puzzled expression. Her eyes, her appearance, and her figure were unmistakably Alyeno. But something felt off. At least, the Alyeno in my memory never used such harsh words. What did she mean by "hmm"?

"What are you talking about? It hasn't been that long since you left here. Have you forgotten your childhood friend's personality?"

Nines sounded thoroughly exasperated. She stopped putting away groceries and water from her basket and looked at me with a puzzled expression, just like Alyeno.

Right, or was it? The Alyeno who accompanied me on my quest to save the world was refined, modest, and full of compassion, embodying the image of a saint. Everyone couldn't help but follow her with their eyes. Even I, her childhood friend, was captivated by her appearance when we met again after a long time.

Thinking back, that image had overshadowed everything else, and I had applied it to her childhood self as well. But that was wrong. Yes, that was it. Indeed, when we were children, especially during our time at the orphanage, Alyeno was more lively and energetic rather than refined. She valued activity over modesty.

"It's fine if you've forgotten. But don't make that puzzled face when you see someone. Besides, you look like you've been through a lot. What have you been up to?"

Alyeno's gaze roamed over my body, and she raised an eyebrow. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under the strange looks from both of them.

"Nothing, really. Look, I'm fine."

I waved my arms and legs lightly, as if to brush off their gazes, and entered the orphanage.

The interior was much more spacious than it looked from the outside. It made sense, considering it had to accommodate many children and sometimes even their buyers. The only notable furniture was a large wooden table that could seat everyone, creaky chairs, and a cupboard. But as a child, this place had seemed quite luxurious.

Just as I was about to sit down in a nearby chair, as if it were my long-lost home, my left hand was yanked.

"Ow!?"

Instantly, a sharp pain, like being cut by a sharp blade, shot through my shoulder. "Now it's your turn," Alyeno said casually, pulling my right hand, and the same pain shot through my right shoulder. I gritted my teeth and braced my legs to endure the pain.

I had enough dignity not to roll around in front of my beloved.

"Look at this. See for yourself. How can you say you're fine? Nines, I'm borrowing some bandages. Ruis, sit down properly."

With tears welling in my eyes, I obediently sat down. The creaking sound of the chair, which I hadn't heard in a long time, was familiar. Nines handed the bandages to Alyeno with a wry smile and looked on with a fond expression.

I felt a bit relieved. My heart had accepted it. Yes, that lively and energetic demeanor, along with the spirit of compassion, was indeed Alyeno's past self. What a silly mistake. It seemed that I had forgotten her appearance because I rarely visited the orphanage. I had processed her as a good memory, selfishly. How pitiful.

Back then, I had left the orphanage, declaring that I would become a great adventurer, and to avoid her seeing my miserable life, I never showed my face here. I only knew her recent news through the occasional letters she sent. Ah, I remember, even when I heard that Alyeno was going to be adopted, I didn't even come to see her off. How cruel. How foolish.

Why couldn't I be honest? I had something I wanted to grasp, something I wanted to be with, right there, yet I couldn't be honest.

"See, you must have hit something hard. This part is bruised."

While slowly wrapping the bandage around my shoulder, Alyeno questioned me in an angry tone.

I dodged her verbal attacks and, to distract myself, bit down on the chewing tobacco I had bought with my earnings, which only made her angrier. "Where did you learn to use such bad things?" and "Biting on that won't make you an adult," she said, scolding me. Even if Alyeno said it, I couldn't easily give it up. It was a habit I had picked up during my adventuring days.

She continued to nag for a while, but when she realized I wasn't listening, she pouted and carefully wrapped the bandages around both my shoulders, trying not to cause me pain.

Immersed in the indescribable comfort of being treated by my beloved, I savored the nostalgic moment. It wasn't bad at all. Alyeno and Nines were there, and we laughed over trivial matters. Ah, I see. This must be the happiness that my future self had lost. How pathetic.

However, there was still a sense of unease. Yes, she was lively and energetic, but it seemed to go too far.

"Hey, Alyeno."

"What is it? If you're going to complain about how I wrap the bandages, I won't listen. Or are you going to say thank you? That's fine too!"

Her voice had a somewhat flustered tone. I bit down on the tobacco, trying to gather my saliva, and spoke.

"Didn't you get adopted? Where are you going?"

"......Nines?"

Nines, who met Alyeno's gaze, looked away, saying, "I just told the truth." She seemed to be looking at the outside scenery, but the only thing visible from that window was the neighboring wall.

"You're really pushing it, aren't you? I don't know if I should call it perseverance or stubbornness. You really haven't changed, Alyeno."

"Mmm... Rather, what's with your calmness? You're not just cheeky, you're cunning. Yes, cunning."

She shrugged, looking away.

I'm not calm. I just have a bit more experience. In fact, I'm quite worried about Alyeno's condition. This must be what they call the weakness of love, and I can't help but cover my eyes at my own state.

"So, where are you going?"

Come to think of it, I shouldn't know this. In fact, even now, I don't know where Alyeno was adopted.

"It's not a strange place. If you want to know, I'll tell you. It's fine with me."

After a pause, Alyeno whispered,

"I'm being adopted by the cathedral."

The chewing tobacco fell from my mouth.