A Letter from an Old Friend

[51 years before the death of the hero Himmel]

A year has passed in a flash. Every minute and second feels like a game of hide-and-seek, hidden in every gust of wind that whispers in your ear, in every inch of ground you tread, or even in the gleaming kitchen knife on the Cutting Board.

Lia, are you sure it's okay for you to swing your sword like that...?

Although this wasn't Lia's first time cooking, seeing her wild, sweeping movements as she relentlessly chopped at the vegetables on the Cutting Board, Galan couldn't help but hold his breath, fearing she'd cut herself the next moment. "Hey!"

"What's wrong? What happened? Are you alright?!"

Hearing Lia suddenly cry out, Galan's heart skipped a beat. Could it be...?

Could I really be such a jinx!?

"No... it's nothing... it's just that I chipped the hilt of this kitchen knife... hehe~"

Lia turned to Galan, showing him the kitchen knife with a chipped blade, and stuck out her tongue sheepishly.

"... Alright, I'm glad you're alright. I'll go buy another one later... Hmm, but next time you should do some chores that don't require a kitchen knife."

Looking at the battered Cutting Board, Galan realized that even if the kitchen knife could hold on, the Cutting Board in their home was about to give way.

Under your chaotic attacks, one of these two things must have been knocked off...

"Hehehe... Okay, okay, then Galan, shall I make some of your favorite dishes? The usual flavors?"

"Wow? You can even remember my favorite flavors now?"

Galan said with a smile, reaching out to pat Lia's head.

But he quickly withdrew his hand as soon as he raised it, and then put it behind his back.

"What's wrong, Galan?"

Although she couldn't see Galan's movements clearly, Lia still sensed something was amiss and asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered I need to buy a kitchen knife. I have to leave now, the General Store is about to close—that the boss in the north of the city closes at the most precise time. He's always gone by the time the sun is high in the sky. Last time I was only a little late, and he was already off drinking somewhere. Well, I do admire him in that respect, because I would do the same if I were him."

Galan put on a troubled expression, but his words revealed his admiration and approval of his the boss's dashing style, which amused Lia.

"Pfft, okay, go ahead then, hehe, sorry, I'm the one who broke it and you still have to pay for it..."

It seems that Lia is still somewhat resentful about this matter, fidgeting with her fingers sheepishly, since Galan always has to pay the price for her mistakes.

Over time, even the thickest skin will become thinner.

Seeing this, Galan cheekily leaned close to her ear and said, "Since you're so apologetic, then as punishment, you're not allowed to sleep with me tonight!"

"Hey! You! You!"

You sleep on the floor.

After being teased by Galan, Lia lowered her head, blushing, and remained speechless for a long time.

"Just as Amber said, Galan, you're... wait, where are you?"

When she finally looked up to retort, she realized that Galan was no longer in front of her.

He quickly walked down the stairs and arrived at the Inn entrance. After looking around to make sure no one was around and that Lia hadn't followed, Galan breathed a sigh of relief and used his left hand to pull open his clothes and look inside.

"Has it gotten this bad...?"

Looking at his almost translucent right half, Galan murmured somewhat forlornly.

Before this, the left side of my body was the most affected.

Galan originally thought that his disappearance would follow this direction, starting from one half and gradually ending at the other half.

However, based on recent observations, I realize that I was wrong not only about my left side, but also that my right side has been deteriorating rapidly this year.

Moreover, the duration of the blurring between the two sides is not fixed; who knows which side my body will be missing from next? However, it's a miracle that I can still live a normal life in this state.

"This is really troublesome. At this rate, I might just disappear one day..."

He shook his head and pushed open the Inn door, intending to go outside for some fresh air.

When Serie came to see me last time, she said that she would probably return to the future sometime this year so that I could prepare for the aftermath.

Frog had already spoken with his the boss and said he would be leaving after a while, giving them advance notice.

But how could he possibly tell Lia?

The other person knew about his situation, but when the That Day actually came to disappear, this guy...

No... I think I'd feel that way myself too...

Even though she hadn't received any news from Fitz... even though she had finally found a way to live with Lia forever... squeak

As he pushed open the door, the wind outside, carrying a few snowflakes, hit Lia's face, but it only made him feel refreshed.

But he quickly regained his composure. For some reason, Galan felt that someone was watching him from somewhere, but the other person didn't seem to have any hostility towards him; they were simply paying attention to this place.

He cautiously looked around, trying to find the other person's location, when he suddenly noticed that the Mailbox by the door had been pried open at some point, and inside was a Small Wooden Box with a letter tied to it.

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Galan walked over and took the wooden box with the envelope attached from the Mailbox. The moment he saw the sender's name on the envelope, Galan's breathing quickened.

Fitz

It was Fitz's letter; without a doubt, it was written to himself.

So, does that mean the person who was watching me just now was Fitz?

Thinking of this, Galan looked around again, but could no longer sense that strange gaze.

The other person seemed to have left after seeing that I had received the small wooden box, without leaving a trace.

It was as if he had never been here.

Since he couldn't find any clues, Galan had no choice but to give up the idea of searching for the other person.

If Fitz doesn't want to see him, then there's no point in him catching up with him.

Right now, he's more interested in knowing what's written in the letter.

Although he already had a vague idea of the answer in his heart, he still wanted to see the other person's handwriting with his own eyes and confirm it.

Trembling in the wind, Galan tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside, carefully examining the hastily written words.

The words were few; in fact, it could be said that Fitz didn't write a letter at all, but rather a small note. [To Galan:]

I've done what I promised you, so I've put it in the box.

Don't worry about me, I'm doing fine.

Wishing you happiness, Fitz.