I woke up and realized.
“…Fuuka-chan?”
It was probably something like a premonition.
The futon that had been so warm now held only one person’s body heat.
The cabin was quiet.
And with that, Miyako became certain.
—Fuuka was gone.
Looking out the window, she could tell it was already well past noon.
What about the messenger from Shanly who came every day with delicious catering?
“Fuuka-chan, where are you!?”
Anxious in the silence, Miyako raised her voice.
She rushed into the kitchen in a panic.
On the small dining table sat a sealed letter written in delicate handwriting.
With trembling hands, she picked up the envelope.
Inside was a letter from Fuuka.
A farewell note.
It was the conventional method for parting.
She devoured the written words as she read.
To Miyako Florence,
I’ll skip the formal greetings.
You would dislike a stiff letter, after all.
Goodbye.
I’ve thought about many things in my own way.
The cooking that never went right, the farm work, playing at being an apothecary—everything was new to me. To be honest, it was as fun as a dream. Unthinkable compared to when I lived those tightrope-walking days as the “Hamilton family’s young lady” in the royal capital.
But I’m sure these days aren’t right.
I thought the arrival of the messenger from the Reinhardt ducal house was a good opportunity.
I’m returning to the royal capital.
Without family backing, without a man’s help.
Two women living happily together forever—it’s impossible.
At the very least, I don’t know how to make it work.
Miyako. You are so kind.
Living together made me understand that.
That’s why you reached out to miserable me, who lost in the husband selection, isn’t it?
That’s why, Miyako.
You must not become unhappy by living with me.
Even if your “Clairvoyance” sees through my destination, please don’t come after me.
Thank you for the happy days.
I will surely never forget these days.
To my dear you,
Fuuka Hamilton
Miyako bit her lip.
“That’s too cruel, Fuuka-chan.”
She had decided absolutely to make her happy.
Fuuka, who worked so hard, who tried to devote herself to her father and fiancé.
She had decided to make her happy.
Regretting that she hadn’t noticed Fuuka’s hesitation was pointless.
“I’ll definitely catch up to you!”
Because.
Because we haven’t yet kept our promise to go on a picnic.
Because still.
I still haven’t heard you say, “I’m happy.”