Resolve III

Once her business was finished, Carolyn planned to start talking about the memories she had of her parents', but she had a hard time figuring out where to begin. At this time, Rilis entered with a tray of tea. Usually she would leave soon after bringing it, but this time Carolyn asked her to stay.

"Are you sure?" Rilis asked.

"Yes. I think I'll have an easier time talking if you're here."

Rilis didn't know why Carolyn thought like that, but Hanson had a good guess and assured her that it was okay to stay. As there wasn't another chair inside the study, Hanson was going to get another one, but Carolyn made a shocking suggestion.

"Why don't you let Ms. Rilis sit in your lap?"

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Both husband and wife appeared flabbergasted by her idea, but Carolyn didn't intend to leave it as a simple joke.

"To be honest, my parents were very open with their affection for each other, so it was embarrassing at times, but I also miss those sights. Since I can tell that you two are really close, I made that suggestion, but if you really don't want to, then,"

While knowing full well what choice they would make, Carolyn showed a lonely expression as she reached out for a cup of tea.

"Let's do it, Hanny."

"Ah, yes."

Hanson still seemed to be in a daze, but he opened his arms and received Rilis on his lap. She sat sideways so they didn't face each other, but it took much effort from Carolyn to suppress her grin. Although it was partially a joke, Carolyn wasn't lying when she said she wanted to see a sight like this again. When her parents did this, they were so shameless, so the couple's awkwardness was fresh to her.

"My parents, if I had to describe their relationship, then tense would be the last word I would use. Even when they argued, I never thought it would lead to anything other than a peaceful conclusion. Because her appearance was too stunning, my mother mainly stayed at home while my dad was out for most of the day. Still, even while they were apart, they seemed to always be thinking of each other. I can think of more than a few times when I wished they would flirt in private, but at the same time, I wished that I could have a relationship like theirs one day.

My mother was the one who oversaw my studies. Though I had an inkling when I was still at my old village, it was only since coming here that I realised how knowledgeable she was. We didn't have many reference books, so often times she would recite my lessons from her memory. Sometimes I doubted her and asked her questions, but she perfectly responded in every instance. I believed that she had the answer to everything, that there was no problem she couldn't solve, but even my brilliant mother, wasn't omniscient.

My father was smart too, but his knowledge came from experience. Whenever I went hunting with him, he seemed to always know how I would mess up and what to say to get me to improve. I hoped that I would be able to reach his level one day so that we could be more like rivals than teacher and student, but no matter how much he said I improved, the gap between us never seemed to get any smaller. It would be a lie to say that it didn't frustrate me, but even Dad, he..."

Just like when Hanson told his stories, Carolyn was allowed to say hers without their interruption. She would often pause, sometimes reminiscing and other times holding back her grief, but it was far less painful than if she was by herself. Hanson and Rilis silently listened to her stories with their warm gazes directed at her. The embarrassment they felt over their seating arrangements had quickly disappeared, leaving a pair of supportive adults.

By the time she was done with her storytelling, Carolyn hadn't shed a single tear, yet she seemed to have been relieved of a heavy burden.

"Thank you for listening to me."

"It was our pleasure," Hanson responded.

"I think it's about time I go home."

"You sure? You're free to stay, right Hanny?"

"Of course. The children would love to see you too."

"Then I guess I'll have to see them on my next visit."

Knowing that she had made her decision, the couple didn't try to hold her back any more. Carolyn soon left the room, leaving the two alone in silence. However, if Carolyn returned to look at them, she wouldn't have been able to hold back a laugh because their expressions clearly showed that they shared the same thought.

'...I wonder, how much longer should we stay like this?'

After leaving the house, Carolyn planned on heading straight back to Teri's house, but a familiar voice called her.

"Lyn!"

"Atla?"

Atla emerged from the school and quickly approached her.

"You feeling better now?"

"Yes. I heard you came to visit me while I was under the weather; thank you for that."

"Nah, I did go to visit, but it's not like I actually got to comfort you."

"Still, I felt happy knowing that you made the effort."

"Uh, well..."

Hearing Carolyn's response create a big grin on Atla's face, though she tried not to show her joy. Carolyn found her reaction unbearably cute and pulled her into a hug. Atla flinched before returning the hug, but that didn't lower Carolyn's satisfaction. However, as she thought about how many more times they could meet like this, a hint of melancholy seeped into her smile. Fortunately, Atla couldn't see her expression, or else she would have surely seen through her.

"Atla."

"Yea?"

"Would you miss me if I left?"

Atla tightened her hug on reflex before thinking about her response.

"Do you have to leave?"

"No. If I ever leave the village, it would be because I want to, not because I have to."

'Otherwise, I likely would have left long ago.'

"Then, would you come back?"

"...Of course."

"I'd miss you, but..."

Sensing her inner turmoil, Carolyn moved away from Atla so that she could face her. Atla's downcast expression made her regret bringing the topic up, no matter how inevitable it was.

"I'm sorry. You can forget about that. That was a mean thing to ask."

Atla was more than smart enough to realise that her question wasn't only hypothetical, but she didn't challenge it.

"That’s right. Promise me you won't say something like that again, okay?"

It would have been simple to give her this fragile promise, but Carolyn couldn't tell such a lie to her dear friend. All she could do was caress Atla's head while hoping that her feelings would come across properly. Carolyn continued brushing her head, and Atla accepted the gesture, uncertain if she should stop her but also unwilling to move away. Fortunately, there was someone to interrupt them, as they likely would have found it hard to stop otherwise.

"Sis!"

At the sound of Alan's voice, Atla quickly moved away from Carolyn's hand and turned around. With her hand feeling a little lonely, Carolyn also turned in his direction.

"What is it, Alan?"

"Ma's calling you to help with some chores."

"Alright, I'll be there."

Alan seemed ready to leave with her, but Atla first turned back to Carolyn.

"I'll be going now, but I'll see you again tomorrow."

"I look forward to it."

After hearing Carolyn's response, Atla left with her brother. Carolyn wasn't sure for how much longer she would stay in the village, but she believed that Atla would be fine with her family even if she left.