Part VII

Clorica was just starting her day, usually waking up an hour later than Vishnal. However this morning Frey had requested for Clorica to be the one who wakes her. It meant she had to wake up in time for once, she sighed sluggishly as she got dressed and ready to wake up Frey. When she finally arrived in Frey's room, she was surprised to see her awake, gathering ingredients and placing them on the counter.

"Ah. Frey? You're awake." Clorica said absentmindedly.

"Clorica!...I have a favor to ask you, I don't know how to make cookies very well. But I know that you're very good at cooking." She said shyly.

"Ohhh. Today is Valentine's Day isn't it? I even made cookies for you yesterday." She said smiling.

"Clorica, pleaaaase? Would you teach me?" She pleaded.

"He-he, sure Frey. Who are they for?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

"F-For everyone in town of course. We're making bulk amounts!" She said spirited.

"E-Ehhh. That sounds like a lot of work." Clorica begins to yawn.

"That's why we better get started then!" She put an apron on Clorica right away.

Clorica went over the recipe a few more times, and instructed Frey every step of the way. She did not lift a finger a single time, only her lips moved sometimes with her eyes closed as well. Frey was quite impressed at this, and surprised that Clorica was kind of demanding when it came to cooking. Frey was asked to do everything by exact measurements and timing. After several hours that morning they were done.

"Phew...I burned a few and you made me do them over!" Frey whined.

"You can't give out burned cookies Frey." Clorica wagged her finger.

"Hmm. Well alright! Here is your cookie Clorica." She hands her a cookie.

"Thank you Frey…I have one for you as well." They exchange baked goods.

Frey begins placing cookies in neat and cute packaging, she placed one to the side and put a red bow on it.

"Frey…I'm going to go take a nap, good luck today." She walks off to her quarters.

"Ah! I better make Venti some pancakes while I'm at it." She smiles to herself.

It was noon now and girls we're buzzing around giving cookies to their friends and interests. Leon had already received some cookies from Xiao Pai and Lin Fa. He was loitering around fishing in a nearby pond. He wanted some peace and quiet so he moved to the southwest lake. Frey started to go around town, giving a cookie to anyone she came across, her eyes carefully scanning for a certain individual. When giving a cookie to Dylas, he blushed quite intensely while covering his mouth, Doug was laughing until Frey also gave him a cookie where he remained speechless. Volkanon was so happy he began to cry, and Porcoline framed and bragged about the cookie, and the love it represented. Vishanl happily received his and ate it on the spot, while Arthur promised to save it for a future tea break. Kiel also received a cookie, he said it meant too much to eat right away. Frey had one cookie left, she went to the place she hadn't looked before.

Leon was sitting on a nearby rock, his tail slowly swaying back and forth. He was humming a song Frey had never heard, she paused for a minute to listen to it. His ears twitched and he suddenly turned to Frey.

"Are you going to watch me all day?" He said half laughing.

"Geez. I just didn't know when to interrupt." She said as she took a seat on the remaining rock.

"Hmm. What's that you got behind you?" He glimpsed at a red ribbon behind Frey.

"A-Ah…" She turned her face away from him.

"…" Leon stopped fishing and placed his rod on the side of the rock.

"H-Happy Valentine's day! Please accept these…" She stretched both her hands out with the cookie in a pink mesh baggie, wrapped with a red ribbon. Frey's eyes were closed and her face was red.

"Ah-ha-ha. I'll accept these. No need to be shy, I saw you running around town handing these out." He started to ruffle her hair.

"Geez…you always seem to drain tension whenever you encounter it." Her cheeks puffed a bit as she gazed at the lake.

"Well, do these have a special connotation today?" He looked right into Frey's eyes.

"…" She froze completely, her face contorting in unimaginable ways.

"Ah-hahahahaha! You're too amusing." He began to pat her head again.

"Wh-why are you patting my head?" She asked reluctantly.

"Because a cute head is in front of me, and is begging to be petted." He smiled as he smelled the cookie on his hand.

Frey made disgruntled noises as she watched Leon tease her.

"どうもありがとうございました*." Leon said to her.

"E-Euh? What did that mean Leon?" She asked with a worried look.

"I was thanking you in my language, I'll teach you how to write it soon." He said while taking out his fan.

"It was a long way to say thank you." She glanced at Leon.

"It is a custom, when showing respect you express it as much as possible." Leon said as he smiled.

"Ah…" Frey quietly watched the lake move. Eyes reflecting the water, she began to smile the more she remained silent. It seems she was content with what just took place. Leon also watched the lake, his mind elsewhere as he quietly enjoyed the crisp fall weather. She started to hum a song, it was unlike the one Leon was sharing earlier. It was one she had never heard as well, perhaps part of her memory still dwelled within her as she shared it with Leon. She felt her eyes begin to water, but quickly stopped her eyes from forming any tears. It was a strange because she felt truly happy these moments. Leon was still watching the water so he hadn't noticed Frey's eyes.

"I better go and finish chores I put off." Frey dusted her dress as she got up.

"Hmm. It's not good to slack off." He said as he picked up his fishing rod.

"You have way too much free time Leon!"

"Blame Arthur, not me. Ah-ha-ha." He began to cast a line.

"Sheesh. I'll see you Leon, you gotta tell me how the cookie turned out." She smiled as she left his side.

"You'll be the first to know." He said to her from a distance.

Leon remained calm even as Frey left the sight on the lake. He placed the rod on the ground and laid back on the rock. Covering his face with his arms, the cookie that was larger than usual placed on his stomach. He sighed, so loudly that he could have awaken a sea monster from the lake. He felt warm, the crisp air was not helping him breathe any better. His heart was thumping at him, not leaving him alone for even a second. An abash expression was painted behind his bronze arms. "This era has embarrassing holidays," he thought to himself.

[どうもありがとうございました] * Thank you very much.

Part VIII

Frey watched the ripples on the water as she fished next to Dylas, they often frequented spots outside of town. They had picked a shady spot to set up, the leaves were falling on the water and causing ripples. Dylas watched Frey as her mind was elsewhere, it often happened as they fished. He sighed, he knew this is probably why Frey never catches any lamp squid. They were both prepping themselves for the Fish Variety Contest, catching all different types of fish as practice. They needed to use different types of bait, and sometimes strange items in order to catch unusual types of fish. As Dylas watched Frey, he grew impatient. They often shared a pleasant silence, Frey only bothered Dylas when she knew he wasn't in the middle of catching. In his mind, she was thoughtful that way. Yet the air between them was stagnant, the air around her wasn't fresh and blessed.

"Say Frey…" He said as he watched the fishing rod.

"Hmm?" She said absentmindedly.

"You're acting kinda weird today...err…am I just imagining it?" As he said this it almost turned into a whisper.

"Eh...? Did I do something strange?" She looked around their equipment.

"It's not about what you did idiot…it's your demeanor." He pointed at her.

"…" She watched the water.

"Shit…did I say something I shouldn't have?" Dylas thought to himself as he waited.

"He-he…you're absolutely right. I haven't felt like myself lately." She said and smiled at Dylas for a few seconds.

"A-Ah, I see." Dylas cleared his throat.

Frey stretches, "aaah! I really must be an idiot." She lied down on the soft grass.

"I wouldn't say that, you fish pretty well now." Dylas tried to cheer her up in his own way.

"Hmm. You've become pretty blunt lately Dylas." She began to close her eyes.

"Wh-what. You think so?" He suddenly felt like smiling.

"Hmm, I wish I could be more that way…" Frey yawned.

"…" The wind rustled.

"Th-that's not true at all idiot…" He stopped looking at Frey as he spoke to her.

"Hmm..?"

"It's because of…y-you I've been able to say all these things…and become friends with everyone. You taught me all that…ugh…I can't believe you made me say all that…" Dylas was blushing at this point. When he turned to look at Frey, she was softly breathing. She had fallen asleep, her mouth already salivating. Dylas felt a bit of relief almost, but it suddenly turned into regret as he watched her sleep.

"It's harder to be honest with you than you might think…" He said to her with a hand on his mouth. Dylas packed all their things neatly. He picked up Frey and placed her on his back, giving her a piggy back ride back to town.

In town, it was almost time for dinner. Leon was taking a stroll in town, and had noticed Frey and Dylas weren't back yet. A strange feeling filled him, she had been normal with him even after she gave him the cookie. He knew she was probably fishing for more rainbow trout to grill for him. He couldn't help but linger around the town gates, where Frey usually arrived showing off the fish she caught. As Leon fanned himself, he saw a shape in the distance. Leon positioned himself out of their sight for a bit until they arrived. He sees Dylas carrying Frey on his back, she was clearly sleeping. Dylas reaches town and stops as he sees Leon.

"Oh I see. So everyone is taking turns carrying Frey, wonder who will be next?" He said to Dylas whose face was more serious than usual.

"…" Dylas stared at Leon.

"Eh?" Leon said half laughing.

"It's probably none of my business. But I gotta say even I can see something happened." Frey scratched her nose as they talked.

"…" Leon said nothing.

"She hasn't been sleeping, she fell asleep as I spoke to her." He looked at Leon in the eyes.

"I see. If I'm getting scolded by Dylas it must be serious." He said still fanning himself.

"Tch. I hate attitudes like that. Just take better care you idiot." Dylas started walking towards the castle without Leon saying anything else.

Leon put his fan down, and watched the scenery outside of town. A pained expression he never showed was painted on his face. Seeing Frey being carried again wasn't what shocked Leon…but perhaps that he started to understand Dyla's feelings for the first time in that moment.