Chapter 1, Episode 5: Assistance

　Days have passed since then, and Farne-sama was still as kind as ever.



　He feeds me and cleans my body, he almost looks like Mama.

　He left a bell for me to ring in case I was feeling unwell, then left the room.



　Then, in the evening, he brought a picture book and read it to me.

　I felt bewildered, living this nearly dream life.



　I stared at Farne-sama's face, and perhaps he noticed, because he smiled at me.



"I bet you're bored being all day inside the house, right?

　Your condition seems considerably better now.

　Shall we go to the garden for a bit today?"



　Saying so, his hand closed the picture book while smiling.



"……Ah, aa, aahー."



　I wanted to say okay, but my voice didn’t come out.

　If I knew letters, I could probably tell him.

　However, I can neither read nor write.

　I think I could write and read a little when I was little but I've forgotten.



"It's not good for your body to spend too much time indoors.

　Let's go take a walk outside."



　Farne-sama carried me straight in his arms and took me outside.

　

"Ahー……"



　Outside, there was a beautiful flower garden.

　There were a lot of different flowers and trees.

　There were pretty, beautiful lights fluttering around the trees and flowers.

　With just a glance, I knew these flowers grew up while being loved.



　It's because the color of the light is very gentle.



　In such a situation.

　There was one place where the light quietly and softly gathered.

　How to say it, it's such a mysterious light.

　I've never seen it before.

　But still, this light feels a bit nostalgic.

　That place was fenced, all the weeds were cut and it looked really clean, however, the flowers were beautifully shining even though they were not blooming.



"Aa, aahー."



　What's over there, Farne-sama? I tried to ask, but then, I immediately shut my mouth.

　That's right, I forgot that it would be weird saying I could see a light.

　Mama told me that I should never tell anyone about it.



　Still, Farne-sama seemed to sense it in my gaze.



"Ahh, over there?

　That's the place where I planted the seed of the Holy Tree.

　However, it just doesn’t sprout."



"Aaaー? "



　If I'm not wrong, I think the Holy Tree is the guardian deity that's in the center of this city and protects it.

　I feel like I heard something like this from Mama a long time ago.



"I'm researching to try and make it sprout.

　If your health improves, I'd love it if you could help me with my research on this."



　Saying so, he sat next to the flowerbed.



　Me helping him?

　Could I be of help to Farne-sama?



　Then――Is it alright for me to stay here?

　Farne-sama's words made me happy.

　

　I always wondered how long this life would last.

　I was scared I would be returned to that hellish mansion again.

　But that means it's okay for me to stay here, right?



　Then I'll hurry up and recover, and then help Holy Tree-san sprout.



"Well then, it's time to go back inside.

　It's not good to stay outside for too long."



　Farne-sama smiled at me as he said this.

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 ToC  

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