SBTSML

sixty-five.

After a while, Cassis clenched his fist and wrapped my hand in his.

Cassis's hands were much larger and firmer than I thought.

T-This is a little embarrassing.

I kept moving my hands in embarrassment. Then Cassis held it tightly.

"Stay still. Why are you wiggling around so much?"

"I-It's up to me."

Unconsciously, I bluntly spoke and took Cassis's hand out of my pocket.

"Now put your hand in your pocket!"

"No, it's cold."

Cassis put his hand back into my pocket and held my hand.

"You said you weren't cold?"

"When I felt the warmth, I knew that it's cold."

Cassis answered casually, clasping my hand. So I can't run away.

"It's totally arbitrary."

I grumbled and drank the tea. Cassis smiled silently and fixed the grip of his hand.

Weird. Why is my heart beating so fast? Was the slide that scary?

I took a deep breath for no reason and slowly let it out.

But my pounding heart showed no sign of calming down.

"We're back!"

After a while, Elisha and Ephelius returned with full satisfaction.

They said they were only riding it once, but they came back after going three times.

Seeing that they're fine after riding that scary thing multiple times, they seemed to have a strong heart.

It's already time to say goodbye as the sun sets.

Cassis and Elisha were whispering as they walked ahead.

I said goodbye to Ephel in advance. It was because there was a crossroad where we had to seperate soon.

"Ephel. See you at the square on the last day."

"Ah. Miss Evelyn. Hold on..."

Ephel beckoned me to lend him my ear. As I got closer, Ephel whispered.

"There's a place I'd like to show you before we meet at the square. I'll see you at the 21st streetlight at Maronnier 3, before we go to the square on the last day."

"Huh? Why are you whispering this?"

I whispered in Ephel's ear. Then Ephel whispered again.

"I just want to go with you."

Then he laughed. Before I could even reply, Ephel waved.

I stared blankly at Ephelius as he was moving away.

Was it bad that the four of us played without saying anything? You were having so much fun with Elisha...

I tilted my head, reflecting on Ephel's words, that he wanted to go together with me.

***

Ephelius familiarly entered a small secret space in the temple.

It was a place where he stayed ever since he left the orphanage in the temple.

It was a space that teacher Antonio allowed him to stay specially, and he was very happy to have his first room.

Ephel found that the hole in the ceiling had disappeared while lying on the bed.