other girls in the village. In the not so distant future, she would be prohibited from playing with boys, and no doubt she would have to take lessons not only in the sacred arts but also in conduct. Then...... what would happen after that? Would she have to marry into someone’s house?, like Eugeo’s eldest sister Sulinea, If that’s the case, what would this partner think......? “Oi, you look so absentminded. Did you sleep well last night?” With a sudden stare from Kirito with his doubtful expression, Eugeo nodded in a hurry. “Y-Yeah, I’m alright. ......Ah, there she comes.” Upon hearing light footsteps, he pointed in the direction of the village. Appearing through the thick morning mist was Alice, just as Kirito had said, her finely combed golden hair was tied with a ribbon, swinging on top of her spotless pinafore. Eugeo unintentionally exchanged glances with his close friend while trying not to smile, then they turned to shout at the same time, “You’re slow!” “You guys are just too early. Stop acting like children all the time already.” Once she finished saying that, Alice pushed the wicker basket which was in her right hand to Eugeo and the water canteen in her left to Kirito. Both of them reflexively took the items before turning around toward the narrow road stretching from northwards. Alice bent over to