"There is actually a coastline nearby, so I wanted to return there. It feels truly calm to be there, even…" I say halfway through my words, between bites and sips.
"Even?" Rose asks while chewing.
I swallow my food. "I almost fell asleep there for a moment, half-conscious… Fortunately, I managed to wake myself afterward."
"Huhu—" She laughs while chewing and quickly covers her mouth. "Hey, do not joke like that." Her face flushes.
"And also, should we perhaps consider the idea of bathing in the sea?!"
"Don't be ridiculous!"
The tent is folded away, and the supplies rest on our shoulders and in our hands.
I drop all the equipment onto the white sand. "See? The water is so clear you can see far into it," I say, watching the stretch of the ocean ahead.
"So this is your plan? How long are we staying here?" she asks clearly.
"I do not know. I am not sure where else I want to go besides watching the view—" I say halfway.
"Hmm?" Rose murmurs.
"What about climbing the hills, then the mountains afterward?" I ask.
"That is worth considering," she replies.
The idea I suggest begins to take shape. We head toward Olivia's carriage, passing the place where our tent and breakfast had been earlier. Nearby, the horse stands tied beside the carriage.
When we arrive, I look at the horse. "You are riding this time?" I ask clearly.
"Who else?!" she replies enthusiastically.
"All right. Let us hope we reach the destination safely," I say as I prepare to climb into the carriage.
"What is that supposed to mean? You do not trust me? Who was the one riding before, huh?! Me!"
I close my eyes, not intending to argue further. But then the sound of wings flapping reaches from afar.
A pigeon?
"Look," I say, opening my eyes toward the direction of the sound I sense.
"Hm? What is it?" she asks, turning the same way.
"E-eh? Santiago's pigeon?!" she exclaims in surprise, running lightly toward the bird and raising her hand.
A familiar noise rises from within the forest, coming from the same direction as the pigeon.
Santiago, Bartra, Grizz, Gruzz, and the crew. "They have returned," I say.
The commotion grows louder as they approach, but Rose runs toward them first.
"Rose?!" a faint but familiar voice calls.
"Friends?!" Rose answers. The noise falls silent for a moment.
"ROSEEEE!!!" The silence explodes as Bartra, Grizz, Gruzz, and the crew shout her name.
Rose embraces them one by one warmly. After a long pause, more crew members join in until everyone is embracing, with Santiago arriving last.
I step out from between the trees.
"HIRO!" everyone shouts.
"Here he is, our hero!" Bartra cries.
"Come on," Grizz says halfway.
"LET'S CELEBRATE!" Gruzz shouts loudly.
Morning turns into afternoon, afternoon into evening, and evening into night.
Around the campfire, the atmosphere remains lively even without Oliver's presence. No gloomy expressions appear, except for Santiago's usual serious face.
Yet Rose, along with Bartra, Grizz, Gruzz, and the crew, keeps Santiago entertained by retelling the adventures of the journey with me. The stories of joy and hardship slowly draw his interest.
I adjust the grill so the food does not overcook.
"So?" I ask quietly when the moment feels right.
"Hm?" Santiago murmurs beside me, glancing in my direction.
"How is Oliver?" I ask again softly, hoping the others will not hear.
"I do not know, son," he exhales heavily. He does not look at me. "Olivia left a message before she departed alone and disappeared."
"I see. All right then. Dinner is ready," I reply.
"HEY! ENOUGH TALKING, IT'S TIME FOR DINNER!" Santiago shouts firmly.
The atmosphere falls silent at once.
His authority feels strikingly similar to Oliver's. Yet he does not carry the same gentleness Oliver does.
---
The next day arrives, sunlight pouring into the tent, yet I am no longer inside. I am outside instead, preparing supplies over the fire for breakfast.
From one tent, there are now four. A long-awaited reunion.
One by one, they step out of their tents, awakened naturally by the sunlight filtering in. There is no need for me to wake them; everyone is already up.
"Hey, did you prepare all of this?" Rose asks, rubbing her eyes.
"It is no trouble for me. Sit and enjoy," I reply.
"Thank you, son," Bartra says.
Now everyone gathers near the campfire. Beneath a blue sky, warm sunlight, drifting white clouds, and the quiet comfort among the trees.
Breakfast begins.
---
"So, do any of you have plans?" Santiago asks, with a pigeon on his shoulder.
The atmosphere grows noisy and lively again once breakfast is finished.
"Originally, we wanted to start toward the hills, then the mountains. This land has beautiful scenery too, doesn't it?!" Rose says.
"So, what about Olivia?" Santiago asks.
"I don't know. Whatever the news may be, shouldn't we avoid heading to another continent for now?" Rose asks.
"It depends on your decision. We can also wait for news about Oliver through the newspapers during the journey," Santiago replies.
"And you, son?" Santiago asks me.
"I will follow Rose's decision," I answer briefly.
"ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE. LET US ADVENTURE!"
---
It begins with hills, and perhaps it ends with mountains—or so I assume. I do not know what awaits us ahead.
The journey begins. Rose and Santiago ride in Olivia's carriage, while I ride the horse.
—CLICK. Rose photographs Hiro as he prepares to mount.
—CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. Flashes of light sweep across my face again and again.
"Hmm?" I murmur, turning back toward her.
Rose freezes, then slowly hides the camera behind her back. "Heehee."
Bartra, Grizz, and Gruzz ride in a village carriage summoned by pigeon.
The remaining crew members travel in a third carriage, driven by another village coachman.
The journey toward the hills begins.
---
—CLICK, CLICK. Rose takes another photograph. —CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. That sound again.
The flashes barely register, yet I turn back to make sure.
"What? Don't get too confident," she says quietly to me, her expression irritated, while Santiago with a pigeon on his shoulder and Bartra sleep soundly beside her.
The road toward the hills offers a vast panorama stretching along the sides of the carriage—endless mountain ranges unfolding beneath the sky. In the distance, the sea lies along the horizon. Between the mountains rest lakes, long and narrow rivers, rolling hills, and scattered rural settlements.
—CLICK, CLICK. Rose takes another picture, this time aiming outside the carriage. I remain outside, and it feels natural, though it is a pity for those who miss the chance to witness scenery as beautiful as this.