A brief silence fell between Yurik and me.

‘Ah, did I give it to him too suddenly?’

I tried to awkwardly pull my outstretched hand back. At that moment, Yurik took my gift. His lips were slightly parted, as if he hadn’t expected my gift at all. He still seemed dazed.

But he looked happy. His eyes, staring blankly at the gift box, were full of anticipation. His expression was just like a child who had received a present from Santa.

“…Can I open it?”

“Huh? Of course.”

Yurik started to unwrap the gift.

‘Why am I trembling?’

My fingertips were shaking, and I unknowingly hid my hands behind my back. Even though I knew what was inside the box, I was worried about how the item would be. What if it got scratched or a jewel fell off in the meantime?

“…”

The wrapping paper was completely torn off, and a small box appeared. Yurik, who had been hesitating, opened the box, and the rabbit-shaped ornament hook, more sparkly than before, revealed itself.

Contrary to my concerns, the ornament hook was more glittering and gorgeous than when I saw it in the jewelry shop. The rabbit ornament hook, revealing itself without a single scratch, showed off its light more than when I first saw it, perhaps due to the sunset.

Among them, the fresh expression that caught my eye came into view. I thought it was a good choice to buy it, even though I picked it.

The problem was Yurik Penton. Would he really like it?

“…There was only one left. Even though it’s for children… we’re still young.”

While stammering, I observed his expression. Yurik blankly looked at the ornament hook and finally took the item out of the box.

After examining the item in his palm several times, a smile gradually formed on his face. It was a faint smile.

Yes!

“Is it okay? Do you like it?”

Seeing his smile, I asked with confidence.

“…How did you buy it?”

“How did I buy it? I went into the store and picked it out.”

“No, it looks expensive.”

Yurik looked into the box and belatedly noticed the logo written there, flinching.

It was the “Mermaid’s Tears” logo.

Then, he put the ornament hook back in the box and handed it to me. Yurik’s smile had also completely disappeared.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this.”

“What? Don’t tell me you don’t like it?”

“It’s an item from ‘Mermaid’s Tears’. How can I accept it?”

The price was the problem. As Yurik said, “Mermaid’s Tears” was a very high-priced brand for a ten-year-old child to give as a gift. It could naturally be burdensome.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t buy it. I did choose it, but.”

“What do you mean?”

“I happened to meet Duchess Penton at the jewelry shop. The Duchess asked me to deliver this item to you. Since you’re staying at the mansion with your grandfather, you’ll only receive unwanted gifts.”

“…My mother did?”

He blankly looked at the box again. At the mention of his mother’s gift, he withdrew his hand that was reaching out to me.

Yurik’s attitude of hesitating whether to accept it or not was frustrating. That behavior was a bit frustrating.

“But I already received a gift from my mother…”

“What?”

“I already received a set of books.”

“That’s not the gift you wanted, right?”

“…”

“Sigh. Let me see it!”

Seeing Yurik lost in thought in front of the gift, I snatched the box.

“Don’t you have any items on you?”

“Items?”

“Anything! Hurry!”

When I urged him, he rummaged through his pockets and took out an item. It was a bundle of keys.

With the appropriate item, I showed Yurik the rabbit ornament hook attached to the key bundle. Whenever the keys moved, the rabbit with densely embedded jewels shone. Perhaps due to that light, there was an illusion that the rabbit’s expression was alive.

“How is it?”

“…It’s cute.”

“Use it like this. You can hang it on your key bundle like now, or you can hang it on your valuable items. Understand?”

He looked up at the key bundle he received from me.

“It’s really pretty.”

A bright smile slowly formed on Yurik’s lips. Seeing him truly liking it, I laughed along, feeling happy as if I had received the gift myself.

“Really? Is it really pretty?”

“It’s cute. Did you really choose it?”

Yurik was also slightly excited. At his question, I nodded my head several times.

“As soon as I saw it, I thought of you. I thought you would like it.”

“What?”

“You like it, right? This type of character. Actually, I do too.”

Yurik’s cheeks slightly flushed. He was feeling shy.

“Thank you so much.”

Yurik shyly said thank you. Feeling his sincerity, I wanted to give him more gifts several times.

“I’ll say it again, but I didn’t buy it, so thank the Duchess.”

“Still, thank you. I… said some harsh things to you.”

He still had in mind what had happened at the park.

“I usually forget such things quickly.”

“…When is your birthday?”

Yurik suddenly asked.

“Me? Birthday?”

“Yes.”

“…”

My mouth closed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s still far away. It’s in September.”

“Really?”

Yurik showed a disappointed expression.

“But I’ll make sure to remember it.”

“Hmm.”

“Really.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

When I smiled, Yurik smiled back.

‘Birthday, huh.’

I mentioned my birthday on impulse, but I don’t actually know the day I was born. That woman who gave birth to me didn’t even tell me my birthday and handed me over to the Marsen mansion.

So, until I was five years old, I lived without a birthday. In my memory, I never had a birthday party for myself. And when I turned six, Isabel came to me and told me the date ‘September 26th’.

‘It’s the first day you came to our mansion. Since you don’t know your birthday, let’s make that your birthday. I registered your birth on that day anyway.’

‘…’

‘It’ll be less of a hassle later when you have your coming-of-age ceremony.’

After saying those words, Isabel never spoke about my birthday again.

Since then, September 26th came several times, but the mansion continued to flow monotonously as usual. No one even wished me a happy birthday.

I thought the date September 26th would disappear from my memory like that, but…

“Lize.”

“…Yes?”

“What do you like?”

Yurik asked me various things. My hobbies, specialties, things I want to do, things I like. And Yurik also told me about the things he likes.

Yurik was more attentive and gentler than what I had read in books. He also had many secrets.

“You have many talents. Do you know how to play chess too? I also know how to play a little, so let’s have a match later.”

“Yes, I’d love to.”

He also took the time to get to know me. Before we knew it, we forgot about the relationship between the Penton and Marsen families and talked like ordinary friends.

Although Yurik was two years older than me, he treated me comfortably, and I did the same.

Yurik and I talked until it got dark and the lights were visible at the bottom of the hill. Realizing that we had spent all our time talking, I belatedly got up from my seat.

“I should get going now.”

“Already?”

“You should go in soon too, the Duchess will be worried.”

“…Okay.”

“Let’s talk again next time we meet!”

Yurik couldn’t hide his disappointment as he got up. Heading towards the Marsen mansion, I blankly stared at Yurik’s back walking far away.

“Yurik!”

When I shouted towards Yurik, who was far away, he turned his head. I waved my hand with all my might.

“Happy birthday once again!”

I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday, Yurik.

* * *

I saw Yurik again three days later.

Following Isabel, I went down to the marketplace to buy a new violin.

The twins, Swel and Silke, were also accompanying us to buy their instruments as well. The twins couldn’t keep their mouths shut for even an hour and chattered incessantly, while I quietly followed behind Isabel.

‘Oh? It’s Yurik.’

While passing through the street, Yurik was sitting in the square with a book, as if he had gone to the library. I wanted to approach him and have a conversation, but I was mindful of Isabel and my siblings.

“…!”

At that moment, Yurik’s eyes met mine. Unlike Yurik, who smiled slightly and lifted his bottom, I was restless.

As if he understood my situation, he sat down again. Then, he took out a key chain from his pocket and shook it.

The rabbit-shaped ornament was clearly visible. Feeling playful at the sight, I imitated the rabbit’s fresh expression and mimicked it. Yurik couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

“Lize, what are you doing? You’ll get lost like this.”

Swel called out to me, who was standing still. Before turning around, I spoke to Yurik with a large mouth shape.

‘See you later!’

I turned around and tried to go towards Isabel, who was far away.

“!”

Someone grabbed my hand tightly. Startled, I turned my head to see Yurik, who seemed to have run over, panting heavily as he tightly placed something in my hand.

Then, he mouthed ‘See you later’ and quickly disappeared from my sight.

Blankly standing and opening my hand, there were strawberry and lemon-flavored candies inside. On the candy wrappers, there were cute rabbit drawings smiling innocently, as if drawn by Yurik.

‘Can I… eat these candies?’

It’s a shame to eat them.

“Lize!”

This time, Isabel called my name. I hurriedly put the candies in my pocket and ran towards where Isabel was.

* * *

As always, the Hosha Village marketplace was bustling. In the crowded street, a man wearing a hat pulled down tightly and half of his face covered with a cloth looked around. Then, spotting people playing chess in a corner of the marketplace, he immediately moved his steps.

“Ex, excuse me, I’ll just pass through for a moment!”

As more people gathered there due to the spectators, the man pulled his hat down even more tightly. Squeezing through the crowd and entering through the gap, he slightly frowned upon seeing the young men sitting in front of the chessboard. They weren’t the ones he was looking for.

Could it be that he couldn’t find them today as well? The man let out a small sigh.

“Hey, you there. How can you push people and walk past?”

At that moment, the person behind the man wearing the hat spoke in a disgruntled voice.

“Ah, I apologize.”

“Move aside. That spot in front was originally my place.”

The person pushed the man aside and blocked his way. The man, not knowing what to do, hesitated and carefully tapped the back of the person in front of him. The person, who had been engrossed in watching the chess game, glared fiercely at the man who had disturbed his amusement.

“…Excuse me. May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Did a girl not come here by any chance? A girl with red hair and about this tall. Her attire is…”

“What? A girl?”

When there was a reaction, the man came forward and explained.

“Yes. She’s a pretty girl who looks like a noble…!”

“What? I don’t know, so get out quickly! Hurry!”

At the furious shout, the man with the hat slipped away through the crowd.

‘I need to find her quickly. That child…’

The man left the marketplace, slightly lowering his head in case his hat might come off.