Ch.161Chapter 161

Bathing. Immersing oneself in hot water to warm the body was something seen everywhere. It wasn’t just about washing in flowing water, but also about calming both body and mind by giving yourself that warm heat—a truly wonderful practice.

It was a washing method that couldn’t really be claimed as any single culture’s tradition.

Yet elves proudly claimed it as their own culture. In truth, they didn’t go around telling other races about this—it was more of an internal cultural belief they kept among themselves.

For elves, bathing meant more than just washing.

Simply washing couldn’t be called culture. Elves would enter baths separated by gender, continuing their exchanges and connections through conversation in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

I missed that.

I had come here where the infrastructure was relatively better to study, but inevitably, I couldn’t help missing things from home.

Even though discrimination had disappeared, cultures hadn’t fully merged. It was frustrating that I couldn’t freely join in because of the social atmosphere.

Sometimes when I brought this up, people would either mention public bathhouses or react as if I was someone who enjoyed lewd things. It hurt that they assumed it was one of those two things.

It was different. I didn’t want to enter a bath with strangers.

It was about entering with people you know and coming out closer than before. Going in with friends and opening up to each other to become even better friends. Sharing what’s been bothering you and showing a better side of yourself next time.

That was how elves lived for so long without division.

There’s always a reason things last. Living long lives actually demands strong relationships. But we don’t do it because we’re forced to.

If conflicts can be resolved without fighting, nothing could be better. If investing part of your day to become closer with others and maintain good relationships is possible, what more could you ask for?

Having grown accustomed to such a lifestyle, I found myself unconsciously yearning for that feeling again. I wanted to experience that sensation once more.

Unfortunately, during my time at the Academy, I hadn’t experienced a proper bath besides the ones at home, which was disappointing.

It’s been three years already. Sera was dreaming about advancing to a higher academy, while I still hadn’t decided what to do.

Following Sera to the academy wouldn’t be a problem, but this growing homesickness was becoming an issue. Home was so far away and difficult to visit that I hesitated to go even during breaks.

Maybe I should apply to the academy and then visit home once. Or perhaps giving up on the academy and returning home could be an option too.

But abandoning my studies because of homesickness seemed a bit much.

While I was agonizing over this, the calendar on my desk caught my eye.

December was approaching. We were nearing the end of the semester, and simultaneously, it was time to enter the academy. As the weather grew colder, exams were drawing near.

“This is why I hate having long ears.”

“Want me to touch them for you?”

“You touch them in a weird way.”

When I complained about the cold weather, Sera approached with what sounded like a delighted voice.

It would feel nice to have someone warm them up, but Sera had a way of teasing my earlobes with her touch.

Regular skinship was common in the Garden, so I didn’t mind it much, but for some reason, I was reluctant to let her touch my ears. It sent chills up my spine.

“You refuse to wear earmuffs because they’re uncomfortable, so why reject this?”

As Sera approached with a grin, I blinked and swallowed hard.

“Not the ears…”

“Just a little touch, just a little!”

Sera came closer and started touching my ears excessively.

Though I usually tried not to show my emotions, when this happened, my walls would crumble and I’d end up showing a disheveled side of myself.

“Mmh…”

I could feel my face reddening.

Earlier it was red from the cold, but now it was because Sera’s hands on my ear tips made me feel strange.

If she touched me elsewhere, I wouldn’t mind much, but for some reason, when she touched my ears, my body responded sensitively. As I squeezed my eyes shut, Sera’s hand stroked my earlobe.

“Nngh.”

“Aria, you seem to suppress your emotions too much. It’s okay to show this cute side sometimes.”

“If that’s what you’re after, can we stop?”

I shut my eyes tightly and stood up. Thankfully, I was taller than her, so I could dodge properly if I wanted to.

With a curt voice, I gently pushed Sera away. Despite being pushed, Sera didn’t back down and continued smiling.

Well, it wasn’t something I needed to hide from everyone. Expressing emotions isn’t shameful, so there was no need to act like someone with compulsions.

Still.

Having spent three years here without properly entering the Garden, showing a homesick expression wouldn’t make anyone happy.

I could show my honest emotions to Sera because we’d been together, but with others, I couldn’t possibly show such genuine expressions.

If that were the case, I’d end up with a worried expression, a gloomy look as if I were leaving this world, which might worry other friends.

Sera seemed to understand my feelings to some extent, or perhaps she deliberately approached to comfort me.

“Okay, I’ll stop. But graduation is coming soon—is there anything you want to do?”

“…I’m thinking about returning home.”

“What, to the Garden? That’s incredibly far.”

Sera, who had removed her hands from my ears, stepped back slightly in surprise.

The isolated elven race. Unlike humans who built cities open to everyone, elves showed a closed-off tendency, distancing themselves even from cities where people lived.

Going back required determination, and Sera knew this well, which is why she looked slightly concerned.

“That’s why I’m conflicted. Whether to go or not. Actually, since it’s hard to return once I go, I’m leaning toward not going, but if I do go, I might not want to come back.”

While expensive warp magic could be used between urban areas, there wasn’t a single warp connected to the elven Garden.

A place you had to reach by car, on foot, traveling in such ways—a rural area among rural areas. Yet not quite rural.

I pondered, and pondered again.

The reason elves lived in the Garden was simple. It was due to strong homesickness. Because their home was so harmonious and pleasant, when they lived outside, they inevitably felt nostalgia for it compared to the bleakness of the outside world.

“Then shall we go take a bath? Hot springs are perfect for winter.”

“…Hmm.”

Sera’s sudden suggestion made me think for a moment.

She’s been watching me for three years and knows me well, which is probably why she said that.

“It’s not just because of that…”

“But isn’t it similar to what you’re feeling? You know, elves have such a closed culture that they develop strong bonds of friendship and love for each other.”

Though I spoke curtly, Sera recited what she had learned about elves while observing me.

Since there had been elves who had ventured into society before, most of what she said was accurate, which was a bit frustrating. It was difficult to deny.

After silently affirming, I found Sera gently pulling my arm.

“Well, what elves feel might seem too intimate for humans, but what’s wrong with being close friends? If you can feel something similar here, wouldn’t that ease your desire to return home?”

“Do you not want me to return to the Garden?”

“I just think you might not come back if you go. I thought you were settled here, so I’d feel empty if you left. But I won’t force you to stay. It’s your future, and I’d feel bad forcing you to stay for years.”

Sera struck an exaggerated pose as she spoke.

While expressing her opinion, her posture suggested she wouldn’t be so rude as to forcibly keep me here.

Honestly, it would be nice if she did try to keep me here, but I appreciated that she was thinking of me. What I appreciated even more was that she noticed I was considering returning home due to homesickness and brought this up.

“…Humans can’t act like elves. It’s a racial difference. When long-lived races stay together, there might be days of fighting, but ultimately, since they’ll be seeing each other for a long time, they try to live more harmoniously.”

“I know.”

“As a result, humans might find that level of closeness burdensome. But can I feel even a hint of that feeling here?”

I asked subtly. However, Sera shrugged.

“How would I know? But if you do what you like, and I do what I like, wouldn’t things work out somehow? Just because someone has a short life doesn’t mean they live with bad relationships. Though, if someone were to live for just a day, they might adopt an ‘I don’t care’ attitude.”

Sera spoke to me in a playful voice before taking a step.

“So, are we going to the hot springs this winter? I’ll make a reservation at a good place.”

“Sounds good.”

Homesickness—longing for home.

As someone who wanted to feel that sensation of home, I found myself looking forward to Sera’s suggestion.