Part 4
The next day, after buying formal outfits for Melodia's birthday party—and some comfortable adventurer's clothes for Rina—the group traveled to Port Jade to catch a ship bound for Astralith.
Rina stood at the edge of the sea, her feet sinking into the sand. Her golden eyes sparkled as she gazed at the ocean for the very first time.
Haruto stood beside her in silence, while the others handled the tickets and supplies.
"Ocean is huge! And… salty?" Rina said, fascinated.
Haruto watched her with a faint smile. He couldn't remember the first time he saw the sea back in Japan, but seeing Rina like this brought back some of that same wonder.
"Yeah… it's massive. And beautiful. Do you like the beach?"
"Beach very different from forest. Rina sinks in it, but it feels soft… and it's not cold like dwarf city."
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. I wish every day could be as peaceful as this…"
But his voice trailed off at the end, a shadow creeping into his expression.
Rina noticed instantly. Without a word, she stepped closer and gently patted his head.
"There, there. Rina is happy… and very grateful. Since meeting Haruto and everyone else, every day has been wonderful for Rina."
Haruto let out a quiet sigh, as if releasing part of the weight he'd been carrying.
"You're right… I can't keep dwelling on the past. Thank you, Rina."
She shook her head softly.
"Rina thank you. If not for all of you, Rina would still be alone in forest, scared…" she said, picking up a seashell and turning it over in her hands. "But now, Rina sees not everyone is bad."
Haruto sat down in the sand and stared at the horizon.
"I was surprised when I found out you were a demi-human."
"Honestly, you don't even look dangerous."
"But something told me you weren't trying to hurt anyone. Simmone saw it too, from the start."
Rina sat beside him, still holding the shell.
"Rina is good. Mother always say—bad people get what they deserve."
"Your mom sounds wise. I hope we get to meet her soon."
Rina placed a finger on her chin, thinking, then let out a soft laugh.
"Mother is… different. But yes, Rina thinks she is good."
"When all of this is over, we'll go to Estelaris and find her. I promise."
She looked at him in surprise, then smiled gently.
"No need to rush… Rina just want to be with everyone right now. Buy new clothes, eat tasty things… and feel like Rina has a home."
She paused, then looked him straight in the eye.
"Now Rina feel accepted. Rina feel… at home."
Haruto smiled sincerely.
"Then I promise I'll do everything I can to keep it that way. That's what friends are for, right?"
Rina's heart beat a little faster. It was a new feeling… but not unpleasant.
Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the moment.
"Hey, lovebirds! Anyone want watermelon?" Thalindra shouted from the distance.
"No idea what that is, but Rina wants it!" she said, leaping to her feet and sprinting toward the dwarf with excitement.
Rina is excited. Wants to travel more and more… and understand these new feelings.
Haruto kept his eyes on the sea, until two small figures floated up beside him.
"Haruto-kyun, meeting Rina's been such an adventure, kizu~!" Kizuna sang, twirling around him.
"Comment! She has exceeded all my expectations. A highly… extravagant girl," Olivia added in her usual mechanical tone.
Haruto let out a soft chuckle.
"Come on, Olivia. With a party this strange, I think we're all a little extravagant."
Haruto closed his eyes and let himself fall backward onto the sand, exhaling peacefully.
"But Kizuna's right—no doubt about that. Meeting all of you has been one heck of an adventure."
"Of course I'm right! I am the best, after all, kizu~!" the tiny fairy declared, puffing out her chest with pride.
"Haruto, the ship's arriving. It's time to go," came Yuna's soft, warm voice, carried on the sea breeze.
He sat up, brushing the sand off his clothes. When he looked up, he saw the rest of the group waiting in the distance, each of them wearing a different expression—excitement, curiosity, calm.
"Time for our next adventure, Haruto-kyun~!" Kizuna sang, spinning through the air around him.
"Observation! All signs suggest we have entered the aristocratic arc of the manga…" Olivia added in her usual analytical tone.
Haruto chuckled and raised his hand with determination.
"Astralith, here we come!"
With his doubts behind him and his companions at his side, the journey to the capital of the light elves didn't seem so daunting anymore. After all, every day with them was a new adventure.
And Astralith… would be no exception.
The waves rolled gently onto the shore as the group made their way to the port—ready to set sail toward the next chapter of their story.