Sharti always felt burdened by not being able to lend magical devices from the mercenary group due to financial constraints. However, even such guilt was, in Sharti’s eyes, nothing less than the love expressed by Biretta.

Sharti’s eyes became moist too.

“Thank you.”

For the first time, Biretta turned her gaze towards Ren with a smile, acknowledging him not as a good-for-nothing, but as a respectable person.

Finally recognized as a decent person, not just a mutt, Ren bowed his head gratefully to Biretta.

A warm atmosphere, Karun approached.

“Since it may expose the teacher’s presence to go out through the village’s main gate, Shukadi will move you to avoid the eyes of the scouts outside the village.”

Shukadi, who was standing behind them, snorted and said she’d take care of it.

Sharti bowed her head appreciatively to the two.

“And this is a gift prepared by the residents.”

“What?”

When Sharti was surprised at the thick bundle that Karun presented, Biretta smiled with a pleased expression.

“They don’t want to send you away alone.”
Inside the bundle were two winter fur coats, specifically made for Sharti and Ren.

Well-processed fur coats intended for sale still did not fall short.

“Wh-when did you prepare something like this…”

The thick robes were not very effective in providing warmth. However, the fluffy fur coats made by the residents showed no signs of cold seeping through.

Biretta casually tossed a men’s fur coat to Ren and replaced the one that Sharti was just looking at with another one that she had prepared for her.

The coats, made by women raising children without measuring sizes separately, fit perfectly without the need for measurements.

“Now, you look warmer. I feel relieved.”

“…It feels like I’m receiving too much of a generous gift.”

Sharti, who had always taken cold for granted since childhood, felt awkward with the warm heat spreading throughout her body. She had never worn such a good coat in her life.

“If you think that way, wear it frequently without hesitation.”

“Yes. Dr. Tane, who used to wear a robe and move around quickly, was worried about catching a cold.”

“Ah…”

Among the countless gazes Sharti felt, it wasn’t just caution and hostility. There were also looks that observed her, showed curiosity, and expressed concern.

Sharti shyly nodded her head. With gratitude and the expression of her thanks, she tightly embraced the fur coat.

“Please convey my regards to the children.”

“Yes.”

Sharti and Ren then headed back to the small log house.

Ren wanted to inform Tane that he had kept his promise, and Sharti also wanted to meet with Birena and share various stories.

Afterward, they planned to leave the house again and descend from the mountain altogether.

[Is it a journey?] [It’s not that grand. Just thought of going on a business trip for distant treatments.] [If you can’t properly rest this time due to work, I don’t feel attracted to it.]

While planning, Ren grumbled continuously, but he couldn’t hide his anticipation for the journey with Sharti alone.

For Sharti, leaving on such a trip was a rare occasion. Moreover, it was a journey. The excitement was completely different from when she used to leave for long-term treatments alone.

“If something happens, don’t hesitate and let me know right away. Understand?”

Even if she covered her face with a magical device, Sharti couldn’t help worrying about unexpected situations.

“I will take good care of it.”

In response to Biretta’s concern, Ren stepped forward.

A complex emotion briefly passed over Biretta’s face as she faced Ren. She let out a short sigh and nodded.

“Shall we go now?”

Shukadi, who had engraved a magical circle on the ground with a staff, gestured.

Sharti held Biretta’s hand and was about to go up to the magical circle when a figure was seen running from afar, waving their hand.

“Uh, ugh, phew… Fortunately, I wasn’t late.”
Taking on the temporary position of the village chief and being busy, Ashu, who should be moving breathlessly, rushed over and stood in front of Sharti. Ashu’s eyes, which had confessed less than a day ago, were slightly swollen.

As Sharti hesitated to speak to him prematurely, he smiled first.

“Grandpa said his knees were hurting.”

Ashu extended a large umbrella to Sharti.

“Ever since Grandpa’s knees started hurting, rain has always come shortly after.”

Ashu laughed, claiming it was highly accurate and trustworthy information.

Sharti, still looking at Ashu kindly and shyly, nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”

“Teacher, um…”

With a tense expression, Ashu blurred the end of his sentence.

Karun and Biretta watched the scene with a satisfied smile, and Ren, behind Sharti, glared at Ashu with an axe-eye.

Simultaneously, with a tense face, Sharti also stared at Ashu, who met her gaze, and Ashu, swallowing dry saliva, opened his mouth.

“Uh, um, can you call my name just once?”

“……!”

Unexpectedly asked, Sharti blinked.

Knowing that it was an embarrassing request, Ashu’s face had already turned red.

“I don’t have any other intentions. Really. It’s just that I felt belatedly embarrassed about confessing without even calling Teacher’s name once.”

If she parted ways with Sharti like this, she felt she would be left with lingering regrets in her heart.

Even though she was a woman with an unknown face, she at least wanted to be called by her name once. She didn’t want to leave the pure love she had kept and raised alone in a shabby state. She wanted to remember it as a memory that could be cherished and revisited at any time.

For Ashu, it was the last courage to let go of an unattainable love.

“Will you remember…?”

“Ashu-.”

“……!”

Sharti called his name directly.

Seeing the stunned Ashu, Sharti squinted her eyes as if embarrassed.

“I thought you might be uncomfortable if I called your name in such a voice.”

Ah.

Ashu sighed blankly.

Even if it seemed like a foolish thought, if it was Sharti, it might be like that.

With just one call of her name, Ashu, who was excited, swallowed the overwhelming emotions and gave a smiling eye.

“It’s nice, my name.”

And Sharti also faced her and smiled.

With that one smile, Ashu’s heart trembled again. Even if it wasn’t her real face, it was delightful that Sharti smiled at him.

Ashu turned his gaze to Ren without moving his eyes.

“It could be very dangerous if it snows before the rain falls on the accumulated snow. Please take care of yourself, Teacher.”

“Yes.”

Ren tried to hide his bitter expression.

Despite confessing and being rejected, Ashu’s attitude remained plain, mature, and adult-like, which he did not like.

Sharti, leaving Ashu and Biretta behind with Karun, stood on the moving magic circle with Ren.

“Please take care of your health.”

Paah-. Until the light of the magic circle flashed before her eyes, Sharti captured the entire view of the Sedia Village landscape.

‘Goodbye.’
Thank you for being with me during my cool autumn. Thank you for embracing me warmly during the cold winter.

With the last glimpse of the phantom of Matapju seen from afar, Sharti closed her eyes and fully surrendered herself to magic.

Waiting for the spring to come someday, goodbye.

Holding a snowflake in her hand, Sharti left Sedia Village with Ren.

Little did she know what would happen four days after the old man with white hair predicted heavy rain.