The Fragrance You Left Behind
The next day dawned. Since the journey to our destination was quite long, we rose at dawn, finished grooming ourselves, and prepared to depart. By the time we were ready, the sun was high in the sky.
"Senior brother, you didn't forget anything, right?"
"You worry about your own stuff."
"I'm fine. I didn't bring much luggage, so there's nothing to pack."
I let out a sigh at the sight of Ern proudly sticking up his thumb. The thought of spending the whole day cooped up in the carriage with this guy was already draining my energy. What on earth did he have so much to talk about? Even a ten-year-old kid would eventually run out of words when hanging out with me.
Was there no hero to rescue me from this?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, I spotted someone walking out of the mansion.
"Ugh, Uncle..."
"Liriet?"
It was Liriet right away. She looked half-asleep, still in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes with her hands. It was adorable how she was desperately searching for me even in that state—though calling it cute might make me sound a bit perverted. But it was a fact, so what could I do?
"Sorry about that. I tried to leave without waking you."
I set down my luggage and hurried over to her in my socks, bending at the waist in front of her. It was an apology for disturbing her sleep, but Liriet's cheeks puffed out slightly, signaling 'I'm mad.' And it didn't seem to be because of that.
"You're too much. I wanted to see you off properly, and you tried to sneak away..."
Ah, so that was the issue. I'd thought it was considerate of me, but Liriet must have felt hurt.
"I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me. More importantly, aren't you cold? Here, put on this coat."
The weather was warming up, but mornings when the sun had just risen were still a bit chilly. I took off one of my outer garments and handed it to her, but Liriet shook her head.
"I'm okay. The weather's warm now anyway."
"Is it? Then..."
"But I'll wear it anyway."
"A-alright then."
So "okay" just meant she wasn't cold? But then I couldn't fathom why she'd want my coat specifically. Lately, it felt harder to predict Liriet's actions and thoughts. Anyway, I draped the oversized coat—sized for my frame—over her and buttoned it up. Liriet flapped the dangling sleeves like proud wings, showing them off vigorously. I worried it might be too big and uncomfortable, but she seemed quite satisfied, inspecting it from all angles.
"Sniff sniff..."
"...?"
Why was she smelling it, though? Did my coat reek of a lonely bachelor? I'd sent it for laundry and gotten it back this morning. Still, it seemed my unique body scent hadn't been fully washed out.
"Senior brother! Hurry up! I get that you hate leaving the young lady, but if we don't go soon, we'll be late!"
"Coming, coming."
Unable to withstand Ern's nagging from behind, I grabbed Liriet's hand and ran to the carriage. Before I knew it, not just Liriet, but Edmund, Cassdia, Abel, and the other household staff had gathered, standing in a neat line around the carriage like they were seeing off recruits at boot camp. And this was just for a week-long trip.
"I hear it'll take about a week?"
"Yes, brother."
"Take care of yourself. I never asked where you're headed."
"Arkanell."
"Arkanell, huh? That's pretty far. Some business with the Magic Association?"
"Something like that."
It was less official business and more the old folks throwing a drinking party, but outwardly, that was the line. I'd have preferred to skip it, but this time I was the star of the show—a 7th Circle mage making a rare appearance on the continent—so attendance was practically mandatory. It doubled as a celebration.
"Young master, take this for the road. It might not be much."
"Yes, thank you. I'll enjoy it."
"Whoa, sandwiches...!"
I took the small basket from Cassdia, and Ern immediately started drooling. At least four out of the six sandwiches would end up in that guy's stomach for sure. I handed him the basket, telling him to pack moderately, and he scurried off to the carriage with a grin.
Just then, Abel strode up to me purposefully.
"Uncle, please return safely. I'll take good care of Liriet."
"Good. No more mischief, and get along from now on."
"Yes!"
"And don't let her beat you up too badly. You need to show some big-brother dignity once in a while."
"I-I'll try."
His response pleased me. Anyway, I no longer worried about Abel scheming anything. The two of them had become a proper sibling pair now. If not, I'd have stayed glued to the mansion this time. I could leave because I trusted the peace here would hold without me.
"Liriet, say goodbye to Uncle properly."
"Yes."
Like passing a baton from Abel, Liriet approached last. A faint trace of reluctance still lingered on her face.
"Uncle. Don't worry too much and come back safe."
"I will."
"Especially, make sure to eat on time. Don't skip meals taking care of others like when you're with me. Got it?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
Oh, she'd caught on. I'd thought I'd acted well enough to hide it. I nodded with a wry smile, and Liriet beamed in satisfaction. She must have been really worried back then when I skipped meals because of her. I'd have to eat properly from now on.
"Um, and one last spoiled request."
"Spoiled request? Oh, go ahead."
I'd thought she'd used up her spoiled request tickets from before, but apparently one remained. No big deal since I hadn't set a limit anyway. What couldn't I grant for my niece?
"Can I... have this?"
"This? You mean the coat?"
"Yes."
"I have plenty of coats, so it's fine, but it's too big. Won't it be uncomfortable?"
"I-It's okay. I'm not going to wear it."
What else would she use a coat for if not wearing it? A fundamental question arose, but I figured she had her reasons.
"Alright then. But it might smell, so get it laundered once more..."
"N-No! It's fine! Right now is perfect!"
"Really?"
Our conversation felt a bit off-kilter, but if Liriet liked it, fine. I decided not to mother her and turned to go, then paused. I'd almost forgotten the most important thing.
I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out a piece of white fabric, holding it out. Liriet's eyes widened.
"Uncle, this is...?"
"A ribbon. Your current one seems a bit worn, so I got you a new one."
"For me?"
"Who else?"
Who else would I give such a gift to but Liriet? Her sky-blue ribbon was cute, of course, but this one had a fresh charm that would suit her well too.
Liriet stared at the ribbon for a moment, then looked up at me, fidgeting with the hand holding it like she wanted something.
'I get it.'
I could read her eyes a bit better now. I wasn't so oblivious as to miss this.
"You want me to tie it for you?"
"Yes. But I already used my spoiled request earlier..."
"This much is no trouble at all."
She called it her last one, but I never imposed limits. Spoiled requests from my niece? I'd grant them infinitely.
I untied her old ribbon, handed it temporarily to Cassdia, and tied the new one in her hair. Thanks to tying my little sister's hair often in my past life, it turned out pretty decent.
"Ah..."
As I finished and stroked her soft hair, Liriet let out a soft exclamation. A faint blush spread across her white skin like blooming paint. Good, she seemed happy.
"You haven't seen a mirror yet, so I hope you like it."
"N-No! I love it! It's a gift from you, Uncle."
"Haha, it's hardly much of a gift."
"To me, it's the best gift ever."
Liriet shook her head vigorously, denying my words. Still, it felt a bit embarrassing to pass it off as a proper gift. As her uncle, bribes needed to be more substantial.
"When I return, I'll bring something much prettier, so wait for me."
"...Yes!"
She must have been really looking forward to it, replying with the brightest smile in the world. Even if I couldn't claim full credit for that smile, having a share made me proud.
I grabbed the back of Ern's neck—he'd been grinning obnoxiously beside us—and headed to the carriage.
"Stop dawdling and move."
"Who was dawdling? Ow! It hurts, senior brother! I-I wanted to say goodbye to the people I owe too...!"
"You already did before I came out."
"But the young lady...! Y-Young lady! Take care! I'll come back with my fiancée next time!"
I hope not.
"Yes, I'd love to see her, so please visit!"
No, he should come. My niece wanted to see him.
***
The carriage that had filled her vision gradually receded, shrinking to a tiny dot before vanishing. Liriet stared blankly at its retreating form, then clutched the coat draped over her shoulders tightly with both hands.
His warmth still lingered in her hair, it seemed. Afraid it might fade in the chilly morning air, she hurried back toward the mansion.
"Ugh, it's still pretty cold at this hour."
Abel, following behind, rubbed his arms and complained of the chill. He was wearing even thinner clothes than Liriet, so it couldn't be helped.
"Liriet, let me borrow that coat just until we get inside..."
"No!"
"...Huh?"
Unable to bear it, Abel reached for the coat Baal had given her, but Liriet's sharp refusal left him dumbfounded. Was it really worth getting that mad over? He felt a bit wronged.
"S-Sorry. You must be cold too."
But the very fact that Liriet was angry meant he was probably in the wrong. With none of his old arrogance left, Abel apologized meekly.
"Huh? I'm not cold at all?"
"What?"
"But I can't lend it to you. Sorry, big brother."
What did that even mean? It wasn't like she was wearing it because she was cold, yet she wouldn't lend it even for a moment. He wanted to voice his confusion, but
'...Never mind.'
Seeing his little sister smiling so radiantly, white ribbon tied by Baal and his coat draped over her shoulders, made him drop the idea entirely. While he hesitated, Liriet bounced inside like a squirrel.
'Can't have big brother's smell rubbing off on it.'
Meanwhile, once inside the mansion, Liriet hugged the coat like a precious relic and quickened her steps to her room. Abel didn't really smell bad or anything. But there was always that one-in-a-million chance.
Thud.
Wearing the coat Baal had given her, Liriet flopped onto the bed. His scent filled the coat, and even the bed where he'd slept until morning reeked of him. The empty spot he'd occupied for four days felt hollow, but she'd fill it with Bell for now, hugging the giant rabbit doll tight.
Drowsiness began to creep in. Maybe from the plush doll's softness, or some other reason.
"Liriet! If you're not coming out, at least say something!"
In the end, Liriet skipped morning training that day. Despite Abel calling desperately from outside her door for ages.