One year later.
The creaking floorboards had been replaced, and the ground of the little cabin now showed an interlacing of two different-colored woods—yet daily life here remained just as unchanged as before.
"Yuna, what on earth is this hairstyle?"
Looking at herself in the mirror, Nanoda was filled with disbelief.
"Hm? Does the hairstyle not look good? But you look so adorable in it, Lady Nanoda."
With two fingers pressed against her cheek, Yuna studied the twin-tailed Nanoda, then picked up the comb she had set on the table. "If you don't like it, I could change it to something else? Though it might take a while."
"No, no need, this is fine—actually it looks quite nice. It's just that the sense of déjà vu is far too strong."
A coincidence, sheer happenstance, what a coincidence indeed. This hairstyle was truly identical—apart from the signature tuft of bangs that covered half an eye, the smooth white hair paired with these twin tails was simply the same style as Frieren's.
It's Big Sis's hairstyle, ya know.
"Um, Lady Nanoda, do you have some free time today?"
Yuna asked, sounding a little bashful.
Nanoda noticed the girl's shyness and nodded. "Of course. I just finished witnessing Draht and Schlacht's one hundred and eighty-eighth challenge yesterday, so they'll probably need to rest another day before coming to find me again. There's been nothing much going on in Gaderia lately either—I'm quite free."
"Then today Lady Nanoda is not allowed to shut herself away training at home. Come with me to a certain place!"
"Shopping again? Or is it a new restaurant? Sure, that's fine."
"No, neither of those—it's a surprise."
Reflected in the mirror, Yuna wore a mysterious little smile. Nanoda smiled, relieved—Yuna only ever acted this childish when she was in front of her.
No sooner said than done.
Under the bright morning sunlight, Nanoda was pulled along the whole way, the slightly hurried steps carrying her to the Southern Lands of Gaderia.
They passed through the bountiful fields of the Demon Special Zone, then by the place where the people of Kinton's domain had once lived.
What had originally been a small patch of empty land was now topped by a three-story building with a pointed roof. Its walls were painted in pure white lacquer, decorated with graffiti-like paintings in every color that made no recognizable shapes. The whole building didn't look very big, yet it carried a warm, homey feeling.
"What is this place?"
Within the Mana Perception she kept up at all times, Nanoda sensed that there seemed to be a great many people inside.
"Heehee, come in and you'll see."
Grabbing the arm beneath the black robe, Yuna led Nanoda in, pushing the door open.
A wave of warm air rushed at them, carrying the fragrance of milk—the clatter of bowls and chopsticks, the sound of laughter. As the glare reflected from the window faded, Nanoda took in the scene inside.
Four rows of small, low tables and chairs, where lively, energetic children ranging from a few years old to ten were eating breakfast.
The opening door drew the attention of every child in the room. They all turned their gazes over, and when they saw Yuna leading Nanoda by the hand, they abandoned the meals on their tables, leapt down from their seats, and swarmed over.
"It's Mama Yuna!"
"Director Yuna!"
"Big sis, big sis!"
…
A whole crowd of children chattered all at once, surrounding Nanoda along with Yuna. The shorter ones hugged Yuna's thighs and calves, while the taller ones tugged at the hem of her clothes.
Yuna was like a potted plant freshly unearthed, sprouting roots and branches all over.
"Everyone, you all need to go back and eat like good children, or else I'll have to call Mr. Hend over!"
The moment she said this, the children quickly let go. With cries of "Waah!" they ran back to their own seats. One child ran so eagerly that she tripped and fell.
Yuna hurried forward and helped her up.
"Be careful!"
She scooped up the four- or five-year-old child, patted her head, and set her back in place. After making sure the child wasn't hurt, Yuna returned to Nanoda's side.
"So this is the orphanage you wanted to build back then?"
Nanoda looked the children over. It was the first time she had ever seen this kind of true charity.
"What do you think? Pretty great, isn't it?"
"Mm, Yuna is amazing."
"After breakfast, would you like to play with the children for a while? Having a new big sister to keep them company is sure to make them happy."
"Sure."
Nanoda didn't dislike children, nor was she particularly fond of them either, but since it was her disciple's request, she gladly accepted. And it was right at that moment that the door, which had swung shut on its own, opened once again.
"Yo, let Mr. Stray Dog take a look—which child is being picky and not eating like a good kid? I'll snatch them up in my jaws and carry them off somewhere else, awooo~"
In an instant, the sounds of wooden bowls and iron forks rang out.
A man with a knife scar running from the corner of his eye down to his neck walked in. Fine strands of white hair had already appeared at his temples, yet he had none of an old man's kindliness—only something rougher and grander.
Behind him followed a young, unripe-looking girl.
The stray dog of Kinton, the vicious mercenary—that appearance really did seem a bit out of place in an orphanage.
"This is Mr. Hend. Don't mind his somewhat fierce appearance—he really loves children and treats them very well. He's now this orphanage's bodyguard and also the teacher for the literacy lessons."
Yuna introduced him from the side.
"This is truly a pleasure, Lady Nanoda. Aaron and I are old acquaintances as well—he often mentions you."
Hend, quite the shrewd reader of the situation, immediately placed a hand to his chest and gave a bow.
"Hello."
After a couple of simple words exchanged, the three of them took their seats amid the children.
From Yuna, Nanoda learned that the children here were all pitiful ones who had lost their kin in the war, or else had been abandoned and left wandering.
With the money she had later earned as a Mage, Yuna had bought out the children who were about to be seized as slaves, and at the same time established this orphanage.
"So your dream has really come true, hasn't it?"
Yuna felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Yes. Congratulations."
The child from before had truly grown up. She was now a mature, remarkable adult who could take care of other children.
After the meal, Nanoda, Yuna, and Hend accompanied the dozen or so children in playing house, guessing riddles, and the like.
Those childish games made Nanoda's old face flush a little inside.
Once the children had grown familiar with her, they all affectionately called her "Big Sis" as well.
The afternoon was Yuna's magic lesson.
Nanoda was surprised that she taught the children magic so early.
To this, Yuna explained that the best way to learn magic was to lay a solid foundation from a young age. Once the children had learned some convenient spells and gained the ability to be independent, they could survive better on their own—and by then it would be time for them to walk the paths they wished to walk.
After dinner, Hend would teach the children to read. Despite his big, burly appearance, he taught in a surprisingly proper and methodical manner.
A fulfilling yet uneventful day passed.
The children asleep on their little beds, the pure moonlight spilling in at the windows—the whole orphanage was peaceful and serene.
Hend slept up on the three-story rooftop.
Yuna, meanwhile, led Nanoda away, leaving without any worries.
As they walked on, Nanoda gazed at the moonlight and suddenly murmured softly:
"Yuna, don't ever forget the original resolve you had back then."
Almost without a second thought, the girl with the single braid turned her head with a smile and answered, "Yes!"
Like a dark-green orchid blooming beneath the moon.
____
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