Meanwhile, at the orphanage...
Hazuki stepped through the front path just as the sun rose higher, casting warm light over the repaired roof and walls.
Sitting on the wooden step was Elvia, a small bowl in her lap, already finished with breakfast.
She looked up the moment she saw him, and immediately tried to hide her smile, cheeks puffing slightly as she pressed her lips tight.
"Oh? Little elf… what's up? Already ate?"
Elvia nodded quickly, eyes still sparkling.
"Good." Hazuki gave her a lazy wave, then turned toward the treeline.
"I'm going into the forest, okay? If the people from the Adventurer Guild show up, just tell them I'm at the monster piles."
Elvia nodded again—still smiling.
But as she watched him walk away, her eyes drifted lower…
to the back of his shirt, torn and frayed—still ripped from when he shielded her from that giant wolf's claw.
He just casually strolled into the forest, hands in his pockets, like it was just another morning.
