Hakukyo’s physical condition recovered after receiving treatment at the hospital.
There was only one week until they could return to the snowy mountains. If another blizzard started, that alone would cause delays. Hakukyo, I’m sorry, but I need you to be discharged earlier than planned.
Therefore, the first thing he needs is food. Seeing how thin Tit was, I figured he wasn’t eating very luxuriously either. I prepared a table full of dishes.
“What is this? Are you telling me to eat all of it?”
“To recover quickly, you first need to build up your stamina. You guys are strong for your size, so I thought you’d recover if you got enough nutrients.”
Hakukyo seemed convinced and started eating, but not much was eaten. It seems not everyone eats as much as Tit.
“I appreciate you preparing all this, but as you can see, I’m smaller than you. So, well, I can’t eat that much.”
“No, it’s fine. Just eat what you can.”
After that, Tit finished all the leftovers. Perhaps it was because he came to the village and started eating his fill, but his skin tone improved and he became plumper. Hakukyo’s condition also improved considerably, and when I asked the doctor, he said that if Hakukyo was willing, he could be discharged.
Well, the doctor probably wants to avoid any trouble.
“Thank you for taking care of me. That was the first experience of my life.”
“If you’d like, would you like to do some sightseeing in the village? It’s not much.”
He had been withdrawn, but perhaps his interest was piqued by this experience, and he agreed to my offer. Hakukyo gazed intently at the rows of houses.
“Hmm, as expected, in the giants’ world, everything is large. Since we’re here, let’s go say hello to the person in charge here.”
The person in charge here is, as expected…
“No way, the doctor said something, but I can’t believe you’re actually here.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Hakukyo, the secretary-general of the Yukidango Tribe.”
“Hello, I am Lealo, the branch chief of Guard Wing-Snowdrop.”
She greeted me politely, pressing her forehead.
“Ah, I’m Chito, from the diplomatic envoy.”
Tit smiled, looking back at me, proud of his self-introduction.
“Thank you for your help this time. You saved my life.”
“Well, it’s nothing. But is your chieftain okay with this? Huh, a week? No way.”
When Tit explained the promise he had made, she said “No way” for the second time.
“Don’t worry, I can return on my own now. I will repay this favor someday. Farewell.”
“Hahaha… be careful.”
Lealo turned pale as the Yukidango tribe left with a nonchalant expression. Her younger brother, waiting beside her, supported her shoulder worriedly.
“Well, now that the greetings are done, I should be going.”
Would you like to ask if I’m done? But if I stay too long, Lealo’s stomach might get a hole in it, so it’s better to leave quietly. Of course, Vivio looked disappointed. Nevertheless, as it was her superior’s order, she reluctantly got up.
“Thank you for your hospitality. Outsider.”
“Eh, are we parting? I want to go with you part of the way.”
“I agree with that.”
I’m touched that Vivio feels the same way about parting. I guess I’ll have to see them off part of the way. I decided to go see them off with Sharin.
“Here, please take this.”
Well, I expected something like this. Vivio just wanted me to carry her luggage part of the way. Ascending the gently sloping white surface under the clear sky. It’s still hard to walk. Even Tit and Vivio, who are used to snow, seem to have trouble with the uphill climb.
“Why don’t you two run on all fours?”
“There’s no way we can run like beasts. Tsk, there’s someone who’s so elegant.”
Hakukyo, walking ahead, advanced without sinking into the snow. He froze the ground for a moment, creating a thin layer of ice. A convenient magic.
“What’s wrong? Hurry up and climb. Or are you too old, you weirdo?”
“Hmph, you’re acting all high and mighty when you’re not that different.”
Then, from above, he slid down on the snow with a rustling sound.
“What did you say? If you’re jealous, then you should learn magic too.”
Hakukyo then climbed up the snow again as if sliding. They seem to get along well, despite everything. Or rather, it should be said that they have become better through this journey.
“From here on is our territory. Thank you for seeing us off. Live well.”
It was around the middle of the mountain. If we don’t turn back now, we won’t be able to return either.
“As a token of my gratitude, I’ll give you this.”
He gave me a beautiful silver object. This sharp-shaped thing…
“It belonged to the outsider who collapsed. I kept it as a good luck charm because it’s beautiful. I don’t know its value, but please keep it. May it bring you the protection of the ice spirit.”
“Bye-bye, let’s meet again.”
Tit waved his tiny wings, tears in his eyes. We watched the backs of the three small figures.
In the distance, Tit’s figure was still faintly visible. Then, a Yukidango tribe member, a size larger than him, appeared from the side. Is that his mother? She seemed to have been working, and Tit noticed her and stopped.
In the brief moment they passed each other, she hugged her son tightly. There were no words.
After that, they started walking again as if nothing had happened. But in that single moment, I felt I glimpsed her heart.
A woman who cannot cry, a strong woman, is not even allowed to love her own son. Surely, they must think something like this, “If only I were a man, I might have been able to love my child honestly.
