15 He's My Good Friend
(Ella's Pov)
On the way back, recalling the earlier scene, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Kyle's clothes had gotten wet. Now he looked quite inelegant.
He tilted his head to look at me: "So happy?"
I suppressed my laughter and responded: "Kyle, life here isn't bad, is it?"
"What's good about it? Remote, closed-off, old-fashioned." He moved his gaze from my face to the starry sky. "But as a place for a fugitive to hide, it's not bad."
Why are you all unwilling to stay in Thorn Town? Wayne wasn't willing. You aren't willing either.
Thorn Town is such a wonderful place. There are lovely neighbors here, beautiful scenery, many travelers coming and going. It's very interesting here.
I felt somewhat dejected: "I thought you had come to like this place a bit. Just now when you bickered with Finn, I was happy. You're much more lively than when you first arrived here."
But Kyle said: "Don't get it wrong, Ella. There's only one reason I'm staying here—and that's because of you."
Wayne also said he stayed in Thorn Town because of me, but he left in the end.
What about you, Kyle? Will you also leave silently?
I suddenly lost interest in chatting.
The night wind was cool.
Thorn Town's night sky is always very clean. Without the lights of big cities blocking it, the Milky Way stretches overhead like a glowing path of crushed stones. The distant stubble field gleamed silvery-white in the moonlight. Occasionally wind swept past, raising rustling sounds, like the earth murmuring in its sleep. The outline of the old oak tree by the roadside was dark and heavy. A few night birds flew up from the branches, silently cutting across the sky.
This is the Thorn Town I love. I hope Kyle can like it here too.
Kyle and I walked home side by side. Halfway there, he suddenly spoke: "You and Finn have a good relationship."
"We've known each other since we were little."
The night was deep—perfect for reminiscing.
"Finn came to Thorn Town even later than me. That year I was 7 and Finn was 4..."
I was an odd outsider who lived with Wayne at the very edge of Thorn Town.
The townspeople didn't understand werewolves and hadn't really seen them. When Finn's family moved here, the residents were all afraid of them. The children didn't play with Finn either.
Little Finn was always running and playing around by himself.
Later, somehow, he found the small house where Wayne and I lived on his own.
"...Teacher said my personality was too solitary and told me to make more friends. So I started being friends with Finn."
Kyle: "You certainly listened to your teacher."
I was unwilling to explain further: "Teacher saved me from a magical beast's jaws. He saved my life. He also taught me potion knowledge and saved my entire life."
Kyle said seriously: "He must be a very good person."
I smiled and continued recounting my experiences with Finn.
Wayne really liked Finn. Finn also liked Wayne. The three of us often went to the canyon to gather herbs and into the mountains to catch magical beasts. Our relationship grew closer and closer.
"I still remember when Finn first lost control during transformation. I made the suppressant for him." I laughed. "My potion skills were very poor back then. I almost burned the medicine..."
Before I knew it, we reached home. My story was also finished.
"In any case, Finn is a very precious friend to me. You can understand this kind of relationship, right?"
Kyle smiled: "I once thought I knew, but that was my presumption. I ended up in my current predicament entirely thanks to that 'precious person.'"
I unintentionally touched on his painful matter. I was sorry: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."
Kyle indicated he didn't care: "I failed to judge people clearly, but I won't make the same mistake again."
The topic became somewhat heavy. I was very curious about Kyle's story, but I think now isn't an appropriate time.
Taking out the letters from the mailbox, I walked back into the house.
On top was a light purple envelope. The corners were pressed with gilt thorn patterns. The seal bore the town hall's wax seal—a sheaf of wheat encircled by thorns. I recognized it at a glance.
Inside was a thick piece of parchment written in beautiful slanted calligraphy:
Dear Shop Owner:
You and your esteemed shop are cordially invited to participate in this year's Thorn Blessing Festival and Most Popular Shop selection. The festival will begin in 30 days and last 15 days. Please prepare booths, parade decorations, and blessing products. The town hall will distribute Thorn Coins on opening day.
May the thorns guard your eaves.
—Mayor Aldous Gray
"Thorn Blessing Festival." I read aloud. My mind was already calculating. "Every year at this time is the liveliest. Many travelers, warriors, and caravans come. Last year I earned this much."
Extending eight fingers, I was very proud.
Every year at this season, Thorn Town holds the Thorn Blessing Festival to pray for peace.
The festival lasts half a month. My potion shop participates in the festival activities every year.
Although exhausting, it's very profitable.
Kyle leaned on the doorframe, took the invitation, and scanned it with lowered eyes. His clothes still weren't changed. The wet fabric clung to his chest, but he seemed completely unconcerned.
"Looks good."
"This year I'm definitely going to win the title of Most Popular Shop!" I slapped the invitation on the table. "Only one shop gets to wear the Thorn Golden Ring each year. I almost won last year—just three Thorn Coins short."
The more I thought about it, the more unwilling I felt: "Originally my votes were very high. Thorn Coins are used for voting. But the flower shop owner hired a handsome man to greet customers at the door and attracted all the young ladies."
Kyle placed the invitation on the table. His gaze fell on my face: "So what do you want me to do?"
I propped my hands on the table and leaned forward, almost getting in his face: "Kyle, you're much better looking than that person. This year, be my shop face!"
"The Most Popular Shop will definitely be ours~"