The sun had just risen, its gentle light spreading across the small, peaceful village.
The wooden door creaked softly as it opened, and Cashew stepped outside. In her hands was a small basket, filled to the brim with cookies she had baked herself.
She looked up at the clear blue sky, then gently adjusted the straw hat resting on her head.
Her steps were slow and steady as she walked along the narrow path leading up the hillside. Her elegant blue dress swayed lightly with the breeze.
"Almond will probably like these."
Cashew smiled softly, brushing her hair with her fingers, carefully fixing every strand.
The path up the hill was rough and covered in stones, forcing her to watch her step to avoid tripping. The wind passed through the grass, creating a soft, soothing rustling sound.
As she neared the top of the hill, behind a large tree, Almond was crouched down, using a stick to dig a hole in the ground.
Cashew stopped, blinking a few times before calling out.
"What are you doing, Almond?"
Startled, Almond quickly turned around, waving his hands in panic.
"I...It's nothing, Cashew!"
But the moment his eyes met hers, he froze.
The blue dress, her brown hair gently swaying in the wind… it was enough to make his face turn red.
Cashew tilted her head.
"Are you building a sandcastle?"
That only made Almond even more flustered. He quickly looked away, dropping the stick in his hand.
"I-I was just…"
Cashew let out a small laugh and walked over to her parents' grave.
She gently sat down, placing the basket beside her. Taking out a small cloth, she spread it neatly on the ground and arranged the cookies on top.
She glanced over.
Almond had been looking at her, but immediately turned away again.
Cashew smiled.
"There's still some for you, so don't worry."
She stood up and held out the remaining basket toward him.
Almond's eyes instantly locked onto it. His stomach had been growling since yesterday.
He reached out to grab one.
But—
Cashew suddenly closed the basket.
Almond blinked in confusion.
She pointed at his hands.
"You have to wash your hands first!"
Almond looked down. His hands were covered in dirt and dust.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"Come on… the stream is too far from here. I don't want to go all the way there just to wash."
Cashew turned her face away.
"If you eat like that, you'll get sick. And if you get sick, then you won't get any at all."
Almond froze.
In the end, he stood up and wiped his hands against the tree trunk nearby. After a while, he came back and held his hands out.
"They're clean now… can I eat?"
He gave an awkward smile.
Cashew stared for a moment, then finally opened the basket.
Without hesitation, Almond grabbed a cookie and took a big bite.
His face lit up instantly.
But when he looked up—
Cashew was watching him, and smiling.
Almond immediately turned red again, looking away as he quietly picked up another cookie and held it out to her.
"D...Do you want one?"
Cashew shook her head.
"No, you can have them."
She set the basket down and looked toward the village in the distance.
"That's the mayor's house… it's also the only clinic in the village."
She pointed to the largest house.
"When people stop misunderstanding you… if you ever get sick, you can go there."
Almond chewed as he followed her gaze.
The small village looked peaceful under the sunlight.
He opened his mouth as if to say something—
But said nothing.
Cashew continued looking at the village, gently twirling a strand of her hair.
"I think… that day isn't too far away."
Her voice was soft.
"You'll be accepted someday, Almond… and people won't scared of you anymore."
The sun slowly climbed higher.
Cashew looked up at the sky.
"I should probably head back now."
She stood up and packed the cookies and cloth back into the basket.
When she turned around—
Almond was staring at her.
But the moment their eyes met, he quickly looked away.
Cashew smiled, thinking he might still be hungry, and held the basket out again.
"Are you still hungry?"
Almond shook his head rapidly.
"N...No, I'm full!"
Cashew laughed softly.
"Then keep them. I made a lot just for you."
Almond blushed and muttered under his breath.
"You… look really beautiful today…"
Cashew tilted her head.
"Hm? Is something wrong? Are the cookies not good?"
"No! They're really good!"
Cashew smiled, brushing the dust off her dress before adjusting her hat.
"Alright then, I'll head back. I'll come again tomorrow, okay?"
Almond nodded.
"O...Okay."
Cashew turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Almond's voice stopped her.
He lowered his head, his fingers fidgeting together.
"I… I also want to… try cooking."
The wind blew softly, making Cashew's hair sway.
She stopped.
Turning back to look at him, she suddenly remembered the hole from earlier.
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"The hole from earlier…"
She tilted her head.
"You dug it… to use as a stove, didn't you?"
Almond froze for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah… I thought… if I had a place like that…"
His voice trailed off.
Cashew smiled gently.
For the first time, she saw a completely different side of him. Not the cold, terrifying person the villagers described—but just a normal person. Someone misunderstood, someone no one ever treated like a human being.
"Then…"
She turned fully toward the path.
"I'll bring cooking tools for you tomorrow, okay?"