The carriage wheels picked up speed, the creaking wood echoing down the stone-paved road as it rolled toward the city gate.
Dust kicked up behind it.
Hazuki leaned out from the side, gripping the frame tightly—eyes fixed behind him.
"UNCLE!!"
Ellyn's voice rang out, strong and high despite the distance.
"DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME, OKAY!?"
Hazuki stood up a little straighter, his heart thudding in his chest.
He cupped both hands to his mouth and shouted back:
"I WON'T!! DON'T WORRY, ELLYN!!"
The distance between them grew.
Ellyn kept waving with both hands—her figure getting smaller by the second.
Then—a single tear slipped down her cheek.
She didn't stop smiling.
But the slight tremble in her lips said enough.
Inside the carriage, Hazuki dropped back into his seat, still looking out the window until she disappeared from view.
He whispered to himself, just loud enough for Ridan to hear:
"She really was... my first love."
Ridan didn't say anything.
