When the spring breeze swept across the fields and stars shone through the large hole in the ceiling, Bell and the gray-haired woman reached the day of their parting.
The two sat together on the grass outside, gazing up at the starry sky.
For most people, it was just another ordinary night, but Bell sensed something unusual.
The atmosphere was not peaceful.
The gray-haired woman was always wrapped in silence, but hers was the kind of quiet one could sink into, the kind that washed away restlessness. It was completely different from the faint sadness in the air now.
"Bell, are you still thinking about chasing a harem?"
The gray-haired woman spoke first.
"Yeah. I want all the girls to smile happily."
Bell answered honestly.
"That resolve of yours isn't bad. And what about being a hero?"
The gray-haired woman asked softly.
"I'll do my best."
"Why?"
"Hmm... I can't really remember. I just feel like, a long time ago, there was a girl who looked sad in front of me, and I didn't want to see that..."
Bell looked up at the distant starry sky and gave a hazy answer.
"Is that so..."
The gray-haired woman sighed softly.
A cold breeze passed by, and silence spread between them.
After some time had passed, the gray-haired woman spoke. "Bell, I should apologize to you first."
Along with those guilty words, a wrinkled little booklet appeared in front of Bell.
"Is that my diary?!"
Bell quickly stood up and tried to snatch it back, but the gray-haired woman easily blocked him.
"Why do you have it, Witch Sister?!"
Bell questioned her with a frown.
"Did you really think a hidden compartment and a Magic Stone lighter would be enough to stop someone from taking this diary?"
The gray-haired woman answered softly.
Bell had set up two layers of security on the cabinet in his room. If an ordinary person tried to open the hidden compartment, the diary itself would be burned away. But that kind of little trick was useless against the gray-haired woman.
"That's really important to me. Please give it back."
Bell pleaded.
"No."
The gray-haired woman's voice was filled with sorrow.
Written in the diary were Bell Cranel's secrets, and the reason his personality had begun to change.
...
March 17.
Strange. I can't remember what happened a few days ago. It feels like I forgot someone really important. Even when I asked Grandpa about it, he just brushed me off.
From now on, if I meet someone I don't recognize, I need to write her down in my diary.
May 20.
A beautiful gray-haired big sister came to our house. She called herself [Alfia], and she seems to be Mama's close friend.
She hits people all the time, but she's really beautiful, and she tells me heroic tales.
May 21.
Grandpa taught me that when a girl is sad, I should comfort her with my body. Then Alfia blasted him into the wall with Magic.
Alfia is a witch who uses violence a lot, but she was right. If I want to date girls, I have to think about their feelings.
Does that mean Grandpa isn't always right?
May 22.
Alfia doesn't seem to be in good health. She can only stay at home for a few days before she has to return to where she lives. I asked her where she lives, but her answer was some strange spring, so I couldn't understand it at all.
"We'll definitely meet again next time." I don't know why, but when Alfia said that, she seemed very sad.
May 23.
Strange.
Who is Alfia?
Why can't I remember what she looks like at all?
There's a new big hole in the wall at home, but I can't remember anything about whether a witch blasted it open like the diary says.
Grandpa must be hiding something from me. I can't let him find this diary.
From now on, I have to read my diary often. I also need to write down everything about Alfia.
August 12.
Alfia came.
I asked about her age and got beaten badly for it, so I have to be careful from now on. Even if I don't recognize her, if I see a gray-haired woman, it's better to call her big sister.
August 13.
Alfia taught me how to get along with girls, and she trained me specially so I could sense mana.
I asked Grandpa about her. Alfia and Mama were in the same Familia. She didn't have any obligation to take care of me, but she still came all this way.
And Alfia is in poor health, but she keeps pushing herself. Maybe she's much kinder than she acts.
August 14.
It was that expression again.
She didn't cry, and she didn't open her eyes, but somehow she looked terribly sad.
Alfia must know that once we part, I'll forget her.
I don't want that.
October 1.
I made Alfia sad because I asked her about my memories.
I'm such an idiot. If this could be fixed, Grandpa and the others wouldn't have needed to hide it from me.
Luckily, Alfia didn't look too deeply into it. Otherwise, my diary would have been exposed. I have to be more careful from now on.
October 2.
I took the chance to draw what Alfia looks like.
She taught me so much. Thinking about it now, the old me definitely would have made girls hate me.
I have to remember even more things, so I can make Alfia happy too.
October 3.
Alfia really hates noise, so when I'm with her, I should try to stay quiet.
She likes my white hair and my face, but for some reason, she really hates my red eyes.
When we said goodbye, I told her I liked her. Alfia was surprised, but she was clearly happy. From now on, whenever I get the chance, I'll say it to her.
December 24.
The weather has gotten cold, but Alfia is still wearing that same black dress as before. I'm worried about her health, but she says she's fine.
Because I read my diary every day and imagine the memories of meeting her, I'm not as shy around girls as I used to be.
I don't know why, but I'm getting headaches more and more often.
Grandpa said I've lost some of my innocence, but as long as I can remember Alfia and keep her from feeling sad, I think it's all worth it.
December 25.
I'm happy when I'm with Alfia, but what does she feel when we part?
If my memories are destined to disappear, that's far too cruel to her.
I don't want to forget Alfia.
Compared to her lonely expression, headaches are nothing.
February 12.
Alfia hit me because I saw other girls bathing.
She's really smart. Excuses don't work on her at all. I have to be more careful from now on.
February 13.
My headaches are getting worse.
I finally managed to tell Alfia naturally again that I really like her.
I didn't mean anything else by it, but I feel like I have to say those words often.
February 14.
Sigh...
Today is the day we part.
I hope I can make Alfia happy.