A Day in the Future II

Carolyn and Atla sat next to each other on the couch. Both found it hard to calm down, but Carolyn pushed herself to say those dreadful words.

"Atla, I'll be leaving the village soon."

There it was, what she feared had come to reality. Even before Carolyn had posed that ominous question to her, Atla knew that Carolyn would leave one day. Although Carolyn didn't seem to notice, none of the villagers saw her as someone like them, as someone who could only be a villager. While her beauty and education were certainly part of the reason why, anyone could tell that she possessed a special trait that would let her shine no matter where she went. However, as they got closer, Atla tried to ignore that fact and actively approached her. Though it was mainly because she wanted them to be close friends, she also hoped that their relationship would stop Carolyn from leaving. Nevertheless, it was a fruitless endeavour.

"...When?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Shocked once again, Atla looked at her wide eyes. Sensing the blame and disbelief in Atla's eyes, Carolyn wanted to look away, but she owed her this much.

"Why, why didn't you...?"

"I'm sorry, Atla. I wanted to tell you, but I was just too much of a coward. I won't tell you to forgive me, but I don't want to leave with us on bad terms."

"Then don't leave!"

Carol didn't need to respond; Atla could hear her answer quite clearly. Atla could sense her boiling emotions threatening to explode, but she didn't forget where she was.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

As Atla got up and left the room, Carolyn also stood up, but she couldn't follow her. She didn't want to make her sad, but she knew that was her own selfishness. If she really wanted to keep Atla happy, then the choice was obvious, but she wouldn't pick it. In the end, no matter how much she apologised, the truth would remain the same. Carolyn would leave the village, and the two would part; that much was already certain.

Atla didn't return to the living room but instead helped out in the kitchen and dining room. The adults could tell that she was avoiding Carolyn, but they didn't see it appropriate to intervene more than they already had. The atmosphere was somewhat tense during dinner, but thanks to Rilis' efforts, they were able to keep up a celebratory mood on the surface.

"Thank you, everyone. In the year that I've been here, you've all supported me and treated me like one of your own. If not for your care, I doubt I would have been able to look forward like this even if I had managed to survive. Though I'll be leaving soon, I promise that I won't forget all that you've done for me."

Everyone listened to Carolyn's impromptu speech with faint smiles, everyone except Atla. She looked down on the table, feeling one part happy and the other part frustrated. She was glad to be thanked, and she didn't want to ruin the mood, but she was still upset, so she couldn't be completely happy either. Carolyn felt a little sad when she saw that, but she didn't call out to her because she couldn't think of the right words to say. However, she didn't plan on leaving the village like this either.

The dinner ended without any incidents, and Atla left before Carolyn had the chance to offer to walk her home.

"It seems she's taking it pretty hard."

Carolyn nodded at Rilis' comment. Being avoided hurt, but she didn't think her pain could triumph over Atla's. That's why she had to make things right.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, yet Atla and Carolyn didn't meet again. Atla hadn't been trying to avoid Carolyn, but Carolyn had stayed in Teri's house for most of the time, so there was little chance for them to bump into each other in the village. Of course, Atla could have tried visiting her like she always did, but she didn't think she would be able to face her properly. Even if she knew that Carolyn had to leave, the wish that she would stay remained in her heart.

The rest of the village had been abruptly informed of Carolyn's departure that morning, but they still gathered to say farewell at the village centre. Teri stayed home, but Rilis came along with her three brown-haired children. She held one in her arms while the other two toddlers each stood on one side of her with a hand grabbing her apron. The three children all seemed to look more like Rilis than Hanson, but only the youngest child had her cheerful attitude. Unlike the emotional crowd, they still didn't understand the meaning of this gathering, so the two standing toddlers only watched with blank expressions while the youngest child shouted carefreely.

"Yaya!"

"Miss Doc, this is so sudden."

"Do you really gotta leave?"

"You think you'll be alright out there?"

"I knew that stupid son of mine couldn't get me such a good daughter."

"Feel free to come back, you hear!"

Carolyn faced the villagers in a plain pair of pants and a grey shirt, with Hanson behind her. She no longer had her favourite hair tie and instead used a black ribbon to make a ponytail with her hair. The route Hanson said she would have to take would be a little rough, so she chose to prioritise mobility. As for her luggage, she had a leather bag with her weapons and necessities inside it. Since she planned on returning, she decided to leave her mother's bag, as it would be difficult to travel with the two bags. She had considered leaving the bag with Hanson, but Teri said that she could keep it in her room and that the room would always be hers. Touched, Carolyn accepted the offer, much to Hanson's hidden disappointment.

The villagers' heartwarming messages put a smile on her face, but she couldn't help noticing a missing figure among the children.

"Hi, everyone."

"Teacher Carolyn, are you really leaving?" one of the girls asked.

"Yes. There is something I have to do out there."

"Hmph, I bet you just don't want to see us anymore," snorted Ryan.

He was usually a troublemaker, but Carolyn still found his attempt at looking tough cute. She rested her hand on his head and spoke gently.

"You know that's not true. I treasure you all very much."

If it was when they first met, he would have roughly brushed off her hand and denied her claim, but after a year of interactions, he was open to accepting the head pat with a frown. Carolyn found his attitude endearing, but she wasn't able to devote her attention to him. She soon removed her hand from his head and took another look at the crowd.

"By the way, have any of you seen Atla?"

The children shook their heads with puzzled expressions; even Alan appeared clueless.

"Alan, didn't you leave with Atla?" one of the children asked.

"No, Sis left earlier than I did, so I thought she would already be here."

As Atla was undeniably the closest to Carolyn among them, the children found it strange that she was absent on such an important day.

"It's okay. I'm sure she has her reasons. When you see her, tell her to talk to the village chief. I'll leave a message with him."

""Okay!""

Carolyn was disappointed that she couldn't see Atla one more time, but she was even more determined not to let this be the final chance for them to meet. With her farewells completed, Carolyn turned to leave and went towards Hanson, who was waiting to escort her out of the village.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice interrupted the scene as small feet hurriedly approached. It was obvious whose voice it was, so Carolyn turned around with a shine in her eyes.

"Atla!"

Perhaps because the atmosphere seemed right, when Carolyn opened up her arms, Atla jumped right into them. After excitedly spinning her around twice, Carolyn placed her on the ground.

"I still don't want you to leave, but I can wait for you, right?"

At first, Atla was going to skip this farewell so that she wouldn't have to say goodbye, but as she spotted Carolyn beginning to leave, she realised that not meeting her again was even worse than saying goodbye.

"That's right. And as proof of my promise, I have something for you."

Carolyn then reached into her pocket and took out a familiar accessory. It was a hair tie with a design similar to the one that Carolyn had previously worn as a bracelet, made with colourful smooth stones.

"This... You're giving this to me?"

"Yes. The hair tie I had was made by my mother and it's very important to me. So I hope this gift will be important to you too."

While Atla still found it hard to believe, Carolyn took her hand and placed the hair tie in it.

"I will return. That is my promise to you."

"And I'll be waiting; no, I'll make sure you have a place to return to!"

It was similar to the promise that Hanson made, and in both cases, Carolyn believed them.