Cote: Parallel World

SS: Hiyori Shiina

I wake up to the sounds of birds singing their beautiful melodies as the sun rise over the horizon; golden rays illuminate my room, casting shadow into the corners. A short yawn comes out as I start my morning routine.

That, it's a little different now. Things can't stay indifferent forever. It has been a long time.

"Wake up, Mako."

I gently open the door to another room and whisper.

"Hm, uhm..."

It seems she is still sleepy. Children need more sleep than adults, if I'm getting it right. Unlike the other days, I'm letting her sleep for a bit more. Today's work isn't that many.

I close the door and walk to the kitchen. Let's see... Cookies and milk? I may as well prepare some tea for myself.

The sun is shining more brightly than the past few days', even though it's still early in the morning. I should go collect some veggies before it gets hot.

The stone-paved path is getting slippery with mold. Have I always not noticed this? I should clean it sometime soon.

I wonder if the feed is still in stock. I haven't checked for a few weeks. The shed is just on my left. Even though it is made of wood, it's sturdy and water-proof. It's that time again; I should reinforce the shed in advance.

"Mana bond!"

I don't know why I'm shouting out the spell; it feels so weird, even when I'm the only one around. Well, it should do for now.

Now, for the feed. It's about two weeks'. I'm wary that I have to go to human town very soon, but not this soon.

I take out a bag of feed and carry it to the barn house. I can hear animals chattering, as they always do this point in time.

"Good morning everyone."

The chattering suddenly stops. Do I have something on my face? I expected that  they would  greet me back.

"What's wrong, Bess?"

"No, nothing is wrong. It's just that, you have been less cheerful lately, Shiina."

Am I? I am an elf. I shouldn't change much, no matter what goes.

"I don't think so, Bess. Look at me! I'm still your usual long-lived elf."

I wear a smile to everyone as to assure them.

"I don't know, Shiina. Something changed within you. We know you well. We know whether your smile is sincere."

I feel a sensation in my right ear and immediately step back on reflex.

"Izz!"

"Sorry, I meant to cheer you up."

They have goodwill but use it in the wrong place. I guess I should quickly restock their feed and leave for the veggies.

"So, about that kid..."

I don't think they knew I brought her home. But if they do, I have either underestimated their intelligence or left the barn unlocked.

"Come on, Shiina. Don't be like that. Stay here for a bit."

I pat the cow and sit down on a hay bale. Animals gathered closely around me.

"She's a human?"

It's a common thing that animals are kept by humans. Although here, my animals' world is confined. They don't know much about human, they might just think a human is not much different than me.

"Izzzz!"

"Sorry, I couldn't help it."

Izzy is a horse, who I occasionally take with me for a ride. He has seen and interacted with humans quite a lot. I took him to small towns that humans lived. The villagers were nice despite not knowing us.