"And you know, we gathered so much Karis this year!"
Hanna was telling Jin all about the spring mountain vegetable gathering.
In Kaina Village, harvesting these wild greens was treated almost like a recreational outing. For the past few years, Hanna and the other girls had been going out under Barbara’s supervision.
"The habit of washing our hands before eating our lunch has really taken root, too."
"Oh, that’s great to hear!"
It was a practice Jin had popularized: washing one’s hands after returning from outside and before meals. That alone significantly lowered the risk of falling ill. Since Kaina Village was equipped with pumps and the hot spring, the habit had been adopted quite quickly.
"Is Karis that flower that looks like an orange lily?" Elsa asked.
"Yeah, that’s the one, Big Sister Elsa. Though it’s only the young shoots that you can eat."
Jin, Elsa, and Hanna were currently chatting on the second floor of Jin’s house. To be more precise, Hanna was regaling the two of them with all her stories.
When they grew thirsty, they drank carbonated water. It was only lightly sparkling and quite refreshing; since it contained no sugar, it was unlikely to cause cavities. That said, no one in Kaina Village actually seemed to have cavities. Jin wondered if the specific bacteria responsible for tooth decay simply didn’t exist in this world, though he still figured it was best to be mindful of periodontal disease.
Hanna might have grown, but she was still a child at heart. Around eight o'clock, having talked herself out, her head began to bob as she rowed a boat into dreamland.
Jin gently scooped her up and carried her to a futon. He had considered taking her back to Martha’s, but he knew how difficult it could be if she woke up the next morning and realized she'd been moved, so he settled her in his own guest room.
Having tucked Hanna in, Jin sat back down beside Elsa. It was a quiet night, with only the faint chirping of a few early-season insects to be heard.
"Jin-nii, why did you move up the ceremony?" Elsa whispered, her voice barely a murmur.
"The long-period planet will be approaching this autumn, right? I expect things are going to get quite busy then," Jin replied, matching her low tone.
"I wouldn't have minded waiting until afterward, but..."
Elsa’s words were characteristically reserved. Jin, however, shook his head.
"No, you see... in my world, there’s a bit of a jinx. If someone says, 'I’m going to get married once this is all over,' something usually happens to stop it."
"Is that... really true?"
"It is. So, I wanted to hold the ceremony now, while things are peaceful after the World Conference."
As he spoke, Jin drew Elsa closer. Though she stiffened for a moment, she didn't pull away, eventually resting her slender shoulder against his.
"If that's the reason, I understand," Elsa said with a faint smile.
Jin tightened his hold on her slightly. "I promise I'll make you happy."
However...
"No, that's not right." Elsa shook her head.
"E-Elsa?" Jin wondered if he had somehow offended her.
Elsa looked him in the eye. "You have to be happy too, Jin-nii. Let’s be happy together."
"Yeah... you’re right. It’s exactly as you say, Elsa."
Outside, the Moon, Uni, shone down upon Kaina Village. Beside it, the long-period planet glowed even more brilliantly than a first-magnitude star.
The next morning, Hanna woke up with the sunrise.
"Huh? I'm at..."
Looking beside her, she saw Elsa sleeping peacefully. The memories of the previous night came flooding back.
"Right, I stayed over at Onii-chan’s house."
She gave a deep stretch and quietly slipped out of the futon. Since the living quarters of Jin’s house were on the second floor, she crept down the stairs and headed back to her own home.
"Oh, Hanna. Good morning. Welcome back," Martha said. She was already awake.
"Grandma, I'm home. Good morning."
Hanna offered a polite, grown-up greeting. Even among family, she made sure to show proper respect to her elders.
"Want to wash your face?"
"Yeah!"
They went to the nearby well, where Martha worked the pump. Hanna used the water that flowed out to perform her susugi and wash her face.
Jin emerged shortly after. "Good morning, Martha-san. Good morning, Hanna."
"Good morning, Onii-chan!"
"Morning, Jin."
Martha worked the pump for him as well, a gesture Jin accepted gratefully.
"Thank you, Martha-san."
"Don't mention it. After all, you're the one who built this pump for us!" Martha laughed heartily. It looked like it was going to be another beautiful day.
Elsa joined them soon after.
"Oh, Elsa-chan, good morning."
"Good morning, Big Sister Elsa."
"Good morning, everyone."
This time, Jin worked the pump for Elsa.
"Thanks, Jin-nii."
Elsa’s face looked bright and refreshed after her susugi and morning wash. "It's a lovely day today."
"Yeah, it really is," Jin agreed with a smile.
After breakfast, Jin turned to Hanna. "Hanna, would you like to come on another little trip with us?"
He was referring to the journey to trace the footprints of the Magus. There was no way Hanna would ever turn down such an invitation.
"Yeah! I want to go! Is that okay, Grandma?"
Martha nodded with a smile. "Of course it is. Jin, Elsa-chan, please look after her."
"We will."
"Yes, you can count on us."
And so, it was decided that Hanna would accompany Jin and Elsa on their journey to follow the legacy of the Magus. Barrow and Belle, meanwhile, would remain on their vacation.
"I can't wait!" Hanna chirped, her mood soaring.