Her neck grew warm. She felt like her face would turn red any moment, so Ael lowered her head.

“Do you dislike it that much?”

Only now did his voice, which had become somewhat serious, carry a hint of concern.

The strength that had seemed like it would hold tight for a lifetime slipped away from his arm as if it were a lie.

When his hand was about to release her and move away, Ael reached out and held onto his hand, even if it was just his hand that she held.

“Well, if you’re going to hold onto something, just holding hands is fine.”

“…”

Due to her bowed head, Ael couldn’t see what kind of smile appeared on his face.

“Alright, I understand. Let’s go up then.”

His large hand held Ael’s hand and slipped between her fingers.
Kyle firmly gripped Ael’s hand to ensure it wouldn’t slip away, and with slightly cool hands, he led her forward.

Thanks to him, Ael ascended the hillside path, where the slope began, with remarkable ease.

For a while, they climbed the hill covered in tall grass.

Beneath their feet, summer wildflowers were in full bloom, and green grasshoppers leaped in surprise at the presence of humans, darting in all directions.

Occasionally, small creatures with brown fur scurried past.

Amidst these small wonders, Ael marveled and entrusted her body to the hand that held her.

Finally, when they reached the summit of the hill, he turned and extended his other hand.

Ael didn’t hesitate and reached out her other hand, as if it were natural to make such a request.

However, due to the sun behind them, she couldn’t see Kyle’s face. She wondered if she might be too heavy, struggling to walk.
Contrary to her worries, Ael’s body was so light in his hands, like a doll, as she was led effortlessly to the summit of the hill. And when they reached the top.

“Wow…!”

Ael’s gaze was completely captivated by the scenery spread out below her.

What lay beyond the hill was a coastal hilly terrain.

Endless, gently rolling green hills. However, at one end of those hills, there was a sheer cliff that looked as if it had been cut.

The exposed hill was so white that it seemed to dazzle the eyes, and below it, the deep blue sea churned, creating a vivid azure maelstrom.

Small grasses grew on the hill, and here and there, herds of sheep lazily grazed on the grass.

Above the heads of the sheep, seabirds flew in slow circles.

As Ael continued to marvel at the idyllic scenery by the sea, a small roof barely peeked through a grove in a slightly distant place.
“Who lives in that house?” Ael asked.

“It was built by a scholar from some academy a long time ago for observing the sea,” he replied. “But it’s empty now. It could be inhabited if it’s fixed up, but it seems no one has shown interest in it.”

Ael estimated the distance from where they were to the house. It seemed like a 20-minute walk.

“Well…”

“Do you want to go there?”

He seemed to understand what she was about to say and asked first.

“If it doesn’t affect our schedule.”

“We can go a bit faster; it shouldn’t be a problem. We started early just in case.”

“Then let’s go!”

This time, Ael took the lead.

Even though it wasn’t a hill anymore, they still didn’t let go of each other’s hands.

The path continued to offer the same unchanging scenery.

To the right, an endless expanse of deep blue sea, and to the left, the sea of gentle rolling hills.
There seemed to be a well-trodden path along one side, possibly used by the people tending the sheep, so the two of them walked along that path. There wasn’t much conversation. What they had was the pleasant warmth of the sun and a slightly brisk sea breeze.

And there were the sounds of sheep and seabirds.

Amidst these tranquil sounds, Ael continued to hold his hand as they walked.