It was my fifth night in this country.
As I was gazing up from my bed at the moon hanging in the sky outside the window, the door suddenly opened. I looked up and saw Saya staring at me timidly.
"Um, Miss Elaina?"
"What is it?"
"C-can I sleep in here with you?"
I looked down at the bed.
...
"It's a bit small, don't you think?"
"We run a cheap inn, sorry."
Ah, no, that's not what I meant. This is a one-person room. And the bed is also meant for one person to sleep in. Alone. "Well, if you don't mind being cramped, I guess it's fine with me."
"Yippee!"
Saya slammed the door shut and came into the room, then crawled into the bed. She smelled nice, as if she had just gotten out of the bath. Since this was an inn, we must have been using the same shampoo, but the scent was completely different from mine. I
grabbed a bit of my hair and brought it close to my nose, but that tender, girlish fragrance wasn't coming from me.
How come she's the only one who smells so good? …Oh well. Time for bed.
I lay down, still gazing at the moon, and drew up the covers. Soon I felt the presence of someone behind me.
"Isn't the moon too bright to look at while you're going to sleep?"
"Somewhat." I rolled over. When I did, my gaze met hers. "…Um, what was it you just said about the moon?"
"I don't mind, it's not too bright for me." She smiled slightly. In the moonlight, her smile seemed ephemeral, as if it would dissolve if I touched it.
"Good work today. You've made big improvements compared to when you first started. Soon you won't need my help at all."
"What? That's not true. There are still so many things that I want you to teach me, Elaina."
"…I'm a traveler. Before long, I'm going to leave this country."
"But we're going to be together until then."
I noticed her squirming and wriggling around under the blanket, and then something cool was on top of my hand.
She gazed into my eyes and squeezed my hand. "Please, I want you to teach me so much more."
"..."
Her eyes reflected the light of the moon.
This naive little girl must truly idolize people like me. I know I'm about to do something cruel—but then, I have to do what's best for myself.
I wasn't sure if the prickly feeling in my chest was guilt or disappointment, but I wanted to believe it was the former.
"There's no point in continuing this conversation, Saya," I said, shaking off her hand. "So why don't you give me back my brooch?"