The Path to Adulthood

“…………”

Mrs. Beard’s gaze devoured every word, every sentence on the letter. Each character was legible, yet strung together, they formed an indecipherable enigma. This was a letter from someone she had never met, yet every line was addressed to her. The unseen stranger, with tender, childish words, had earnestly tried to weave a beautiful lie for her.

Unbeknownst to her, warm tears streamed past her lips. How many times had Mrs. Beard—no, Marshani Beard—fantasized about such a moment? It would have been the happiest instant of her life, a fantasy she had long since abandoned, until this very day.

“Jack, why… how did you know?”

“I knew… I’ve always known. But Elder Brother isn’t coming back… and I don’t want you, Mom, to keep sinking into despair like this.”

At this moment, everyone present was plunged into a speechless silence. The adults, it seemed, could never have conceived such a truth. Reed felt the same profound impact. In these children, he suddenly glimpsed something he had lost long ago, something he knew he would never reclaim.

“I…”

“And Elder Brother will always be Elder Brother. I think, Mom, you don’t have to… hurt others for him. That’s not right!”

Her heart trembled. Marshani gazed at her son, truly scrutinizing him for the first time in years. His face, still tender, held the innocent courage unique to children, yet also a nascent masculine aura. She realized with a jolt that her son had secretly matured without her knowing, while she alone had remained stagnant.

“Jack… Jack…”

With suddenly wet eyes, Marshani murmured softly, opening her arms to pull her son into a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… Jack, Mom was wrong. I won’t do it again. Will you forgive Mom just this once?”

The answer was undeniable. They held each other tightly, no one speaking. Everyone watched the heartwarming moment between mother and son in silence. No matter the circumstances, familial affection was the most unbreakable bond.

“It seems the matter is clear now…”

Rubbing his forehead with a sigh, Reed was utterly exhausted, both in body and spirit. After a few seconds of deliberation, he finally spoke.

“While that was indeed a touching story, it doesn’t excuse you all for running off on your own. You must still face the consequences.”

“…………”

“I’ll punish each of you by having you help pick fruit in the orchard for a while… It’s harvest season now, and we’re a bit short-handed.”

Reed said this with a hint of helplessness. In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to voice the words hidden in his heart—perhaps, he simply found himself unable to.

“Yes, we understand.”

They readily agreed, naturally pleased to accept such a surprisingly lenient outcome. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the women rose to take their leave, preparing to depart with their children. Outside, darkness had already enveloped the land, but Elise’s magic mercifully illuminated their path.

“Thank you…”

With a complex expression, Marshani looked at Elise, thanking her for the first and most sincere time. She had subjected Elise to countless difficulties, even insulting both her and South Creek on more than one occasion. Yet, this kind priestess had still extended the purest goodwill. And those children… Marshani had dared to judge them with such base thoughts. Now, it seemed her own heart was far dirtier.

“You don’t need to thank me. If you want to express your gratitude, tell the children, especially Jack.”

“That’s right, it truly is…”

With a heart full of emotion, Marshani took Jack’s hand, and together they walked towards home.

“It seems we should head back too. You mischievous girl, just wait until I get my hands on you.”

“I know I was wrong! Please let me off the hook…”

Witnessing the successful resolution of the incident, Aunt Meg’s taut nerves finally relaxed. She scooped Fanny into her arms, waving goodbye. “Next time I have the chance, I’ll be sure to visit you personally, Priestess Elise.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

As Aunt Meg and Fanny also headed home, only Elise and South Creek remained. Walking along the quiet, deserted path, both chose silence. Ultimately, it was Elise who broke it first.

“I hadn’t realized you were so loyal and devoted.”

“……Sister Elise, aren’t you mad at me?”

“How could I be mad at you? While your methods were a bit immature, keeping your promise is a praiseworthy virtue…”

“But I also promised I wouldn’t hide anything from Sister Elise again.”

Smiling for the first time in a while, Elise pressed her right hand onto South Creek’s head. Ignoring her surprised yelp, she vigorously ruffled the girl’s once-smooth long hair until it resembled a bird’s nest.

“Well… in this world, not everything can be perfect. Learning to make choices is one of the necessary paths to becoming an adult.”

“Giving up one thing for another…?” South Creek suddenly recalled books she had read. In those stories, she had always hoped for endings where everything worked out perfectly. Yet, in the end, the protagonists inevitably faced the same difficult choices.

“No matter what predicament you face, follow your heart. What you truly desire is the answer to the problem.”

“Follow… my heart.”

Pondering the somewhat perplexing phrase, South Creek suddenly had a premonition that something was about to happen.

“You, with all this effort, isn’t it because you want to go to the city?” Elise suddenly let out a soft laugh. Even South Creek was a little bewildered by the unexpected sound.

“How about this… you sleep soundly for a bit, then I’ll wake you up and take you somewhere. A secret base no one knows about, how does that sound?”

“……What do you mean?”

Completely unsure what Elise was trying to convey, South Creek’s mind swirled with questions. Yet, no matter how much she pressed, Elise only smiled without a word.

“Just sleep for now. You’ll know when you wake up.”

Returning to their small home, Elise pushed open the bedroom door and gently coaxed South Creek into bed.

“Sister Elise…”

South Creek looked at Elise with a hint of unease; the day’s events had truly frightened her. With wide, emerald eyes, she gazed at Elise so piteously it nearly melted the priestess’s heart.

“You’re impossible…”

With a helpless sigh, Elise climbed into bed as well. The two sisters embraced, and before long, drifted into a deep slumber.