I step on the stage, look around, and see people I like a lot watching me with kind eyes.
It really makes me feel like this is a lot of fun, and that feeling is amplified because Alice is here too.
“Are you ready, Lerunda?”
“Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Ask Freinet and Wea, who are hovering next to me, one on each side.
I nod, and open my mouth.
I sing a song about spirits.
I practiced this a lot, so I really hope everyone likes it.
It’s because everyone is watching over me like this that I can relax and sing.
The spirits fly around in tune with my song, and it’s really pretty. They’re more fired up than usual during the spirit festival.
I think they understand that this is a festival for them, but I can’t help feeling like it’s a waste that not everyone can see this magical sight.
Once I stop singing, everyone claps.
They praise me, smile… Yes, it really is so much fun.
◇ ◇ ◇
“That was great, Lerunda. You’re a really good singer.”
“Thank you, Alice!”
Alice smiles, looking like she enjoyed it, and I feel happy.
And then, beast people sing, and Mister Ilma reads from scripture. His eyes look a little harsh when he looks at Alice, so that worries me.
I’m glad he thinks I’m important, but we really do need to make sure Mister Ilma doesn’t do anything crazy…
Oh, and apparently Mister Ilma has been writing scripture that praises me…
At first I wondered if anyone other than him would even read that, but apparently there are actually other people helping him. I think I’d be embarrassed if someone read that to me.
Miss Shehan is next to Mister Ilma, as he finishes his scripture reading. I’m glad that Mister Ilma doesn’t say anything to Alice, probably because Miss Shehan has her eyes on him.
“Wah.”
“Ah, it’s Mister Douroean.”
Mister Douroean knows today is the day of the spirit festival in our village, and he’s flying over it.
His body is so big, that it looks huge even though he’s so high in the sky.
“That dragon is so big…”
“Mister Douroean knows lots of things, and he’s taught me a lot. He flies over the village when it’s my birthday too.”
“Really… This village really is full of strange things. It’s incredible. It’s so impressive.”
“And Mister Douroean looks even bigger up close.”
“I’m sure he does.”
“Yes. He’s really big and cool.”
Alice looks surprised by Mister Douroean’s size. I can’t help but giggle at how surprised she looks.
“You say this village is full of strange things, but to me, it’s the Kingdom of Migha that’s full of things I’ve never seen.”
“If they’re normal in this village, yes. I’m sure there are a lot of things I’ve never told you about because they feel obvious, but would actually surprise you.”
“Yes. Probably.”
We have fun talking, and time goes by really fast.
Time really does fly when you’re having fun.
Eventually, the spirit festival ends, and it’s time for Alice to go back to the Kingdom of Migha.
Alice was pretty much always with me while she stayed here, but she spent time with other people too. I’m glad Alice gets along with other people I like so much.
We really did a lot together.
We cooked, walked around, watched people hunt… It was my first time doing so much with her.
It was so much fun, and it made me so happy.
Are normal sisters always like this? It must be really fun to have brothers and sisters.
“Alice, you’re already leaving… It’s going to feel lonely without you, after spending this time with you.”
“Me too… I’ll be lonely.”
It would be nice if Alice lived here too… I start to feel that way, but don’t say anything.
Alice really likes Miss Ninaev, and she chose to stay by her side.
That was her own choice, so I have no right to decide her future for her.
“Don’t make that face, Lerunda. It’s not like this is goodbye forever.”
Yes. We’ll see each other again. I want to visit the Kingdom of Migha again too.”
“Yes. Please do. And I want to visit this village again too.”
“Yes. Until next time, Alice.”
“Until next time, Lerunda.”
We say that instead of goodbye, and Alice leaves.
I don’t know when I’ll see her again, but I’ll be looking forward to it.
It feels a little lonely, but I’ll write lots of letters.
Is what I think as I watch her leave.
—Girl and the third spirit festival – Part eleven
(The miko has fun with her sister, and they say they’ll meet again.)
