The walk back down the mountain was…
Awkward.
Painfully awkward.
We'd been walking for a while now—long enough that my legs had settled into a rhythm—but not a single conversation had formed between us.
Not one.
Why is it so quiet?!
How do normal people do small talk anyway?!
Is there a manual I missed?!
The silence pressed against my ears until it felt louder than actual noise. I kept staring straight ahead, pretending the road was very, very interesting.
I stole a glance to my side.
Elena was walking calmly, her hands relaxed at her sides. Her gaze drifted around like she was sightseeing—watching the rooftops, the narrow streets, the way the town opened up as we descended. She looked… comfortable. Like she was in her own little world.
…Good.
At least she doesn't seem to notice how painfully awkward this is.
Stop being weird, Mayumi! We're just walking home! Conversations happen naturally, right?!
Sooner or later—something will come up!
I clenched my fists slightly.
I must secure friendship status.
We passed by a small corner store—old wooden walls, faded signs, the kind that had probably been there longer than I'd been alive.
"Oh! Mayumi, dear!"
I froze.
An elderly woman peeked out from behind the counter, smiling warmly. She had silver hair tied into a neat bun and eyes that always seemed to sparkle.
"Good afternoon, Auntie Rosa," I said automatically, bowing my head a little.
Her gaze shifted.
Then stopped.
"…Oh my," she murmured.
She looked at Elena.
And then looked again.
"…And who is this young lady?" Auntie Rosa asked, covering her mouth with clear interest.
We stopped walking.
I swallowed and forced myself to speak. "Ah—this is Elena. She just moved here. She's staying with Uncle Peter… um, she's from out of town."
"From the city?" Auntie Rosa guessed, eyes lighting up.
Elena blinked, then smiled politely. "Something like that," she said. "It's nice to meet you."
"Well aren't you a striking young thing," Auntie Rosa said immediately. "Such a pretty face!"
I felt my soul quietly leave my body.
Elena seemed a bit surprised, but she laughed softly. "Thank you."
After a few more words and warm goodbyes, we continued down the street.
…And that's when it started.
"Mayumi!"
"Who's your friend?"
"Oh, she's beautiful!"
"Is she new?"
"Such a lovely girl!"
Every few steps, someone greeted me. And every time, their eyes drifted straight to Elena.
And every time—
"This is Elena."
"She just moved here."
"Yes, she's staying nearby."
"Yes, she's new."
Again.
And again.
And again.
It was exhausting.
Why are they treating her like some kind of rare creature that just wandered into a new habitat?!
All they talk about is her looks—
"Pretty,"
"Striking,"
"So elegant,"
Ugh… my ears are going to burst.
I mean—
I get it.
I really do.
Even I think she's pretty.
But standing next to her made me painfully aware of myself. My plain clothes. My average face. My existence.
Compared to someone who looked like she walked out of a magazine… I felt like background noise.
Honestly, trash might be generous.
I glanced at her again.
Elena didn't seem bothered. She smiled when spoken to, nodded politely, and kept walking—calm as ever.
…How does she do that?
Meanwhile, my heart felt like it had run a marathon.
This was supposed to be just a walk home.
So why does it feel like I'm the side character in my own town? I feel like this is my first time talking to this many people one after another.
How does Faye do this all the time at school…? Is socializing always this exhausting?
Or is it just me…?
My brain felt fried.
As we got closer to the street where our houses were, I noticed someone standing ahead of us. From a distance, he looked restless—pacing a little, glancing around like he'd lost something.
…Or someone.
"Ah," I murmured quietly.
That was Uncle Peter.
He seemed to notice us at the same time. His eyes widened, and he immediately started speed-walking toward us.
"My god, Elena!" he said the moment he reached us, relief clear in his voice. "I've been looking for you! Where have you been—"
Then he stopped.
His gaze shifted to me.
"Oh. Mayu, it's you," he said, blinking. "You were… with Elena?"
I stiffened a little and nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah. We just, um… ran into each other earlier."
"I see…" he said slowly, then looked back at Elena. "She didn't cause any trouble, did she?"
…Huh?
Why would he ask that?
Does she usually cause trouble…? Back home, maybe?
"N-No!" I said quickly. "She was just curious about the town. Actually… she already met, um… a lot of people."
Like, almost half of them.
"And they all seem to like her," I added honestly.
Uncle Peter let out a breath, wiping his forehead.
He looked… tired. Sweaty, even. Maybe the moving had really worn him out.
"That's good," he said, nodding. "I'm glad she's… getting along with people."
Then he turned to Elena again. "I was worried. It's already lunchtime. You didn't even eat breakfast after traveling all that way."
Oh.
So that's why he was panicking.
…He really cares about her, huh. Is she his favorite niece or something?
I glanced sideways at Elena.
She was staring at him with a blank expression—so blank I couldn't read a single thought behind it. Then her eyes shifted toward me.
I flinched without meaning to.
She blinked once… then smiled faintly.
"Well," she said calmly, "I guess I'll see you another time, Mayumi."
"It was nice meeting you."
My heart did a small, stupid jump.
"O-Oh," I said. "Y-Yeah. Um… see you."
She nodded, then turned back toward Uncle Peter, and the two of them walked ahead toward her house.
I stood there for a moment, watching them go.
…That was it?
Just like that?
I touched my face. It still felt warm.
"Well," I muttered to myself, "that was… a lot."
And somehow—despite how tired I felt—
I couldn't stop smiling.
Did I…
Did I actually just befriend someone who basically looks like an idol—and she's from the city—all by myself?!
I stopped walking for a second, staring at nothing in particular.
Then—
I grinned.
Like, really grinned.
This felt huge. Like I'd just crossed some invisible line in my life. A stepping stone. Proof that maybe—just maybe—I could talk to people who were way out of my usual social range without immediately combusting from embarrassment.
This is so awesome…!
Before I knew it, I was skipping toward our gate, my steps light, my heart lighter. All that exhausting socializing earlier—answering questions, introducing Elena over and over—suddenly felt worth it.
I hope we can hang out again, I thought.
No—we definitely will.
Maybe I could add her to my contacts. Maybe we'd call each other by nicknames. Maybe we'd do those things you see in movies—late-night talks, laughing over nothing, maybe even a sleepover.
A girls' sleepover…!
I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart thump excitedly.
I could have another friend.
Other than Hazel.
…Well. Hazel is kind of my cousin. But still. A friend is a friend, right? I pushed open the gate and stepped into the yard, the familiar sight of my house welcoming me back.
Today was amazing.
And for once, it felt like something new had finally started.