This is the Little Witch’s POV.
My name is Rufe.
One day, I went out shopping and somehow lost my memory. By the time I came to, I was right back where I started. Lately, these sorts of strange things have been happening quite often.
Sleepwalking such long distances... I wonder what’s happening to me.
"And it’s already night before I even realized it..."
I was supposed to have gone out for my usual shopping earlier today. And yet, without even knowing how, I had returned to the forest and apparently fallen asleep alongside Alraune. Her vines were coiled tightly around me.
Lately, I had been sleeping in the bed at the Wood House most nights, so it had been a while since I’d camped out under the stars.
"It kind of reminds me of those days..."
Those days when I traveled through the forest toward a new land, carrying a tiny Alraune in a bucket.
"Rufe, are you awake?"
My eyes met Alraune’s. That was a rare sight—Alraune having her bud open before dawn.
"Rufe, are you okay? Does your body feel... strange anywhere?"
"Now that you mention it... my body does kind of ache all over."
Was it muscle pain? It felt odd.
"It hurts, but you aren't injured, are you? Do you want to drink some of my nectar?"
Alraune checked over me with intense concern. She was acting exactly like an older sister worrying about her little sister. It was a bit backwards, considering I was the older one.
"I’m fine... More importantly, you’re the one who’s acting strange, Alraune. What happened to your hair?"
Alraune’s hair had turned pure white!
That wasn't all. Her flowers had also turned white, and her skin looked like it had been tanned by the sun. I’d never seen her colors change like this before.
Suddenly, a memory of the village flashed through my mind. I remembered how the flowers at the Village Chief’s House would wither, their color draining away until they were a sickly, pale white.
Could it be? Was Alraune withering just like those flowers...?
"Alraune, don't wither! I don't want you to die!"
I threw my arms around her and hugged her tight. If Alraune withered and died, I would be all alone. I couldn't imagine a life without her anymore.
"I'll go buy you all the fertilizer you need! So please, get better!"
"Rufe..."
Alraune’s hand touched my head. She stroked my hair gently, trying to soothe me.
"I’m not withering. As for why my colors changed... well, how should I put it?"
As Alraune tilted her head, trying to find the words, the first rays of the morning sun broke through the trees. It was sunrise.
"Wait, Alraune! Your hair...!"
As the sun climbed higher, a transformation took place. Her snowy white hair shifted back to its vibrant yellow-green, and the pale petals were dyed a deep, rich crimson.
"Beautiful...!"
I think that might have been the first time I ever saw a flower change colors in an instant. It was breathtaking. Alraune really is amazing!
"But what happened? Your hair and flowers are back to normal now."
"That’s what I told you, isn't it? I’m not withering."
She was back to her usual self! Even her tanned skin had returned to its beautiful, fair complexion. I didn't quite understand what had happened, but it was a relief to know she wasn't dying. Though, I have to admit, seeing her with white hair like mine was actually kind of nice. I was a little sad to see it go.
"Listen, Rufe. I have something important to tell you."
The serious look on her face took me by surprise. She almost never spoke to me with such gravity.
"In the future, Rufe, you might... occasionally lose consciousness. But I will always be there to save you, so don't worry."
"...Okay. I understand."
Alraune knew why I had been blacking out. It seemed like she didn't really want to talk about the details, though. If she didn't want to tell me, I wasn't going to push her. As long as she was there to help, I knew I’d be okay.
After that, I spent the morning just enjoying Alraune’s company for the first time in a while. I played with her yellow-green hair, tying it into different styles. Meanwhile, she used her vines to fiddle with my hair in return.
It felt so nostalgic. When I was very small, my mother used to tie my hair for me. Doing this with Alraune felt like a normal family morning, and I really loved it.
"That's right, Rufe. It's a bit sudden, but... would you like to go on a trip with me?"
"............I'm in!"
From that moment on, every day felt like a festival. Just the thought of traveling with Alraune made the whole world look like it was sparkling.
I went out to Tower City for my usual shopping soon after. While I was looking for what I needed, an acquaintance called out to me.
"Hey, if it isn't the little lady from Alraune's place!"
"You're... Flashy Man?"
I was pretty sure that was what Alraune called him.
"Whoa, 'Flashy Man'? What's that supposed to mean? I'm Kyle, remember?"
"Oh, right. I remember now."
His name was Kyle. He was one of the adventurers who had followed Alraune back to my village. I remembered him being a strong fighter who could control lightning, but I didn't have much of an opinion on him otherwise.
Actually, wait. He was the one who did that bear dismantling show during the party in the forest. That was actually pretty impressive. I suppose I could give him credit for that.
"This is perfect. I want Flashy Man to tell me something."
"Like I said, the name's not Flashy Man... but whatever. If I turn down a kid’s request, my big brother will never let me hear the end of it."
Kyle—Flashy Man—scratched his head. "So, what do you want to know?"
"I want a map. Do you know where they sell them?"
"A map? What do you need one of those for?"
"T-That’s..."
I pulled my hood down to hide my face. It definitely wasn't because I was embarrassed or anything.
"I'm going on a trip."
"A trip? To where?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but a place called the Royal Capital."
This wasn't a journey to find a new home or a trip back to my old village. It was a trip. A real trip!
"I'm traveling with Alraune."
That was why I had to be prepared. As the older sister, I had to make sure this trip was a total success!
"A trip, huh? Trips are the best!"
"Have you been on a trip before, Flashy Man?"
"Of course! Honestly, just coming to Tower City was a trip in itself for me."
"So you came here on a trip."
"My big brother told me there was someone interesting here, so I came to check it out. I'm on vacation, so I just ended up sticking around the city for a while."
"...Is traveling fun?"
"You bet it is! It broadens your horizons. You learn all sorts of things and really feel yourself growing."
"Feel myself growing..."
Even though I was practically an adult, everyone in the city treated me like a child. Even Alraune, my younger sister, did the same. And I'm thirteen years old now!
But if I went on a trip, maybe I could finally become an adult like Flashy Man. I might finally grow up!
"Flashy Man... as a travel senior, I want you to teach me."
"Sure thing! What do you want to know?"
"Teach me the secrets of travel."
Alraune and I are both beginners when it comes to traveling. We don't even know where to start, so we have to prepare properly. I need to make a perfect travel plan.
I’m going to make sure this trip is a success no matter what!
And that concludes the Little Witch’s POV.
Rufe’s travel plan has only just begun...!
Next time: Raise Your Hand if You Want to Go on a Trip.