Will the blueness of that sky remain in this heart?

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Someone is touching my cheek.
Fingertips with a smooth texture, as if they were dipped in milk.
They stroke with a pressure so light it is barely there.
It tickles a little, and Finn slowly opens his eyes.
Feeling a drop fall from the corner of his eye, he is overcome with self-loathing.

--No. At this rate, Mother will never smile at me.

How unfilial I am. I really must put an end to this.
The moment he resolved this, his tears were gently wiped away.

"Ah..."

When he turns his gaze that way, blue eyes glowing faintly look at him with a hint of sadness.
Platinum blonde hair slips down from shoulders as smooth as white porcelain.

"Shirley, Your Highness..."

A person so beautiful he wonders if he is still dreaming is sitting on the edge of Finn's bed.
Eyes filled with deep mystery widen slightly, then smile in a way that seems to envelop him.
Realizing then that not only had he cried again, but he had also let this person see his tears once more, Finn reflexively pulled the blanket over his head.

"...I am not crying."

A voiceless voice lets out a faint, soft laugh.
The blanket is pulled back, and lips are brought close to his ear.

--Are you alright?

Keeping his face hidden by the blanket, Finn nods.
Though in truth he is not, telling her that would only cause her unnecessary worry.
At that moment, his stomach growls loudly.
Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten anything since having a ration in his original world.

--I will bring you something.

Leaving that whisper behind, Princess Shirley starts to stand... but then leans in to bring her lips to his ear again.

--Finn, is there anything you dislike?

"I, I don't really know..."

For a soldier who dedicates their life and body to the great cause of Setsu, a meal is a military activity to maintain the state of being able to fight by taking in nutrition; it is not a matter of likes or dislikes. Therefore, even when asked what he dislikes, he cannot answer.

--Then, let's start with soup, shall we?

Leaving that whisper behind, the elf princess walks out of the room with a soft patter.
Suddenly, Finn feels as if the air has turned cold, and he feels a little lonely.
He looks around the room.
It is a circular space formed inside a giant tree. There are no corners, and the boundary between the floor and ceiling forms a smooth curve. The wood grain pattern changes in density as if drawing a gradient. In other words, this is not the center of the giant tree, and it seems there are other rooms at the same height.
Finn is lying on a part of the floor that is raised in a rectangular shape. As he lets his gaze wander, he sees a round table and what appears to be a raised seat. On top of it is a cloth dyed green.

--Through the favor of the forest, dwellings grow on their own. This, too, is a part of the protection based on the ancient covenant.

I recall Leene's words. It seems the elves have built an intimate relationship with the forest. I thought it was wonderfully magical that trees could form their own rooms and furniture.
And then—suddenly, a vivid, striking color brushed across the edge of my vision.

"Huh...?"

For a moment, not knowing what it was, Finn stared intently at it.
A part of the wall was blue.

"Hmm...?"

No, that wasn't it. There was a gaping hole in the wall, and the scene beyond it was visible.
Even after realizing that, I still didn't quite understand what that blue thing was.
I got out of bed. My trench coat and field jacket had been removed. My bare feet touched the floor. A pleasant coolness.
While struggling with my slightly unsteady body, I approached the window step by step.
And then, I gasped.
A scene I had only known through knowledge was spreading out before my eyes.
A blue, distant, infinite expanse.
A refreshing breeze blew, as if to clear my heart. Through the gaps in the swaying treetops, a whitish-blue sky peeked through.

—A blue sky.

They say that once, in Finn's world, the sky was blue too. I had only ever known that fact from picture books. I couldn't really understand how the void could be dyed blue, and to be honest, I was skeptical—but the overwhelming atmosphere spreading out before me made the boy's heart tremble.
Unlike the eyes of Princess Shirley, which held mystery and awe, this was a light blue that was clear as far as the eye could see.
Placing his hands on the window frame, Finn opened his mouth and gazed at the magnificent color of the heavens.

[To be continued]

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