GalaxyTL
The next morning, I woke up feeling incredibly refreshed. I felt so clear-headed, like I could even go train right away. It’s probably the High Elf Village air. And also…
“You’re awake?”
“Good morning, Gilnandio-san!”
Maybe it’s because Gil-san was with me all night! It’s wonderful, to see a handsome man first thing in the morning! I’m also happy I was able to say his name properly even though I’d just woken up.
“Yeah, good morning. You seem to have slept well.”
“Yep! Thanks to you, Gil-san.”
I thanked him and then hugged him good morning. I hugged him around his neck, and he readily accepted, hugging me back. He’s the best, so reassuring.
“I’m going outside for a bit. Make sure you’re ready by the time I get back.”
“Ah, our twice-a-day promise? Got it! I’ll finish everything and wait for you.”
He’s properly keeping his promise, to prevent me from worrying. In that case, I have to keep my promise too, and make sure I’m ready! Gil-san patted my head and then left, putting on his cloak, pulling up his hood, and covering his face with his mask. Alright, time to wash my face!
I washed my face and then quickly brushed my hair. It’s down today. And my outfit’s the one Mara-san gave me, the one made in the High Elf Village. It’s actually my first time wearing it. Because it’s so beautiful, I thought it was a waste to wear casually. And before I knew it, well, here we are.
So why am I wearing it today?
“I’m hoping this will… make Schel-san acknowledge me even a little…”
It’s because I’m meeting my grandfather, Schel-san, today. I’m so nervous. I know he dislikes me, but I’m the one asking for a favor, so I thought I should make the effort. That’s why I decided to wear this outfit. And everyone here wears their hair down.
I checked my whole outfit in the mirror. It’s the same outfit worn by all the High Elves who live here. It’s white overall, with light pink patterns. Maybe the motif is flowers? It’s a beautiful, mature design. That’s why I’m a bit worried about whether it suits me. It also feels a bit embarrassing, like I’m trying to act more mature than I am. The hem and cuffs are so long, I almost trip, but it’s incredible how it’s just the right length.
“Meg, are you ready?”
Just then, I heard a knock at the door. It looks like Gil-san’s back. I was ready, so I answered and opened the door.
“Gil-san, you’re back already?”
I asked that because it felt shorter than last night… huh? No reaction?
“Gil-san?”
“Ah, yeah. …It’s fine.”
I wondered what was wrong and looked at him questioningly. Gil-san, as if understanding, nodded slightly and answered.
“I just thought… that outfit was unusual.”
“Ah, this? It’s my first time wearing it. Don’t I look like Schlie-san? Does it look weird?”
“No, it looks good on you. I was just thinking… that you’re also an elf, Meg.”
I’m relieved to get that compliment. But he said, “You’re also an elf.” I wonder what he usually thinks of me. I’m a bit curious, but we have plans today.
We then started to prepare breakfast in our room. Because everyone eats breakfast and lunch on their own! Well, all we’re doing is putting out the prepared dishes. We’ve received so much from the cooks in Ortus. Tio-nee, especially. Having these meals makes me feel less lonely, it’s such a huge help. I’m so grateful…!
Now, time to leave for our destination, once we’re done eating! We’re not going directly to Schel-san, of course. We’re going to meet Philjupipi-san, the one Wiz-san told us about yesterday. I’m excited to see what the woman who can use absolute defense is like.
“Good morning. It’s about what we talked about yesterday, right?”
We went to meet Wiz-san at the agreed upon time. “I understand,” Wiz-san said, grinning, and then a small figure suddenly jumped out from behind him.
“Wawah!?”
“Ufufu, did I surprise you? Sorry!”
A High Elf with fluffy, wavy, silver twintails suddenly appeared before us. Ah, this is!
“Meg-chan, and Gil? I’m Philjupipi. Wizdiaveysam told me about it. Just call me Pipi, okay?”
“Pipi-san! U-Um, it’s a pleasure!”
Pipi-san, beaming happily, gave me the impression that she is incredibly young. I’ve seen her every time I came to the Village. She was such a cute High Elf. This is my first time actually talking to her, and it turned out that her personality is just as cute as she looks.
“So you’re going to Schel’s place? And you need my power to act as an escort because you’re worried. Am I right?”
“Yeah. We want him to investigate Meg’s special ability.”
“I see. It has to be Schel, huh. I get it! Leave it to Pipi!”
Pipi-san proudly declared this, thumping her chest. It wasn’t intimidating though, because she’s so cute. Uuu~, she really is cute!?
“But, I can only use my absolute defense on myself and one other person. And it only works if I’m touching them. So Gil, you have to protect yourself.”
“It’s fine, I’m more than capable. Thank you.”
I see, so her ability has limitations. Just as I was thinking about that, Wiz-san, chuckling, said we don’t have to worry. Eh? What does he mean?
“I don’t think you’ll even have to use that. It’ll be fine because Philjupipi’s here.”
I don’t get it at all. Gil-san and I looked at each other and tilted our heads.
“Hey, stop talking about him like he’s a monster.”
Pipi-san was fuming, her hands on her hips. S-Someone, please explain! Pipi-san, realizing we were confused, furrowed her brows and said this, looking troubled:
“It’s nothing, really. Schel’s my mate, that’s all.”
“Eh.”
Eeeeeeeeh!? Someone, please praise me for not screaming. Or rather, I was too shocked to say anything. When I looked up, even Gil-san was wide-eyed.
No, wait. It’s fine for him to have a mate, right? Yep, it’s fine. If Yenna-san had a father, then of course, she also has a mother. It’s only natural. Ah, e-eh? Wait. Does that mean Pipi-san’s my…?
“So that means I’m your grandmother. My my, this is so embarrassing! An old lady, that’s what I am!”
“G-Grandmother… !?”
This cute woman who looks like she’s in her mid-teens is my grandmother…!? It’s been forty years since I came to this world, and I thought I was used to its ways, that I wouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore… I was wrong. This is the biggest surprise I’ve had lately. Or rather, you could have told me sooner!
“It was embarrassing, you know? And there was never a good time to tell you. But I was expecting it to be much later. I’m actually glad I was able to tell you now.”
This is the High Elf standard. I feel this difference in values every now and then, but I still haven’t gotten used to it. Haha, oh well, at least I know now. But there’s no way I can call her “grandmother.” I can’t call Schel-san “grandfather” either. Though I do sometimes think of them like that.
“You look just like Yennaliearl. I always secretly peeked at you whenever you visited. Fufu, it makes me recall her, when she was little.”
Ah, that’s right. So she’s also a mother who’s lost her daughter… It made me feel sad. “Don’t make that face,” she said, placing her hand on my head gently.
“You probably won’t believe this, but… for us High Elves, ‘death’ is also a celebration.”
“Eh… death is a celebration?”
I was startled by those words and looked up. Pipi-san was smiling gently. Even though she looks so young, her expression now is that of a composed adult.
“We live for a very, very long time, you know? So sometimes… we fear this life that never ends. So ‘death’, which puts an end to that, is a relief. So we send off those who’ve passed, saying, ‘You lived a good life, be free.’”
I see. So that’s why High Elves think like that, because they’re so long-lived. But I still think it’s sad to part with someone. I wonder if there will come a day when I’ll be able to think like that?
“Of course, it’s sad when someone’s gone. But it’s just a matter of… sooner or later. She just went sooner, that’s all, especially for a High Elf.”
Sooner or later, huh? That’s true even for other races. I see, so they also feel sad. Of course.
“It’s not like Schel doesn’t grieve her death, you know?”
“But… he destroyed her grave without any hesitation…”
I want to believe her. But it’s hard to, after seeing that. Pipi-san, as if understanding, smiled wryly.
“That’s true, what he did wasn’t right. But I think Schel… he probably thought a grave wasn’t necessary.”
“Not necessary…?”
“I mean, there’s no way that mischievous girl would just stay put, near a grave,” she said, chuckling. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her giggle. I was finally able to understand that Yenna-san was cherished. By Schel-san too. She probably never realized.
But I’m glad, from the bottom of my heart, that I, her daughter, was able to know that.