Epilogue

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◇Houghtow City—Flio’s House◇

Early in the morning, Blossom stepped outside through the front door of Flio’s house. “Right, then!” she said, stretching mightily before setting off down the road leading off into the distance. “Another day of workin’ hard on the farm!” She walked on by the pasture at the side of the road where Sleip and Byleri looked after the equine magic beasts and continued towards the vast acres of farmland under her management.

“Blossom!”

As she was walking, Blossom heard a voice calling to her from behind. She turned around to see Balirossa, accompanied by Sybe.

“Heya, Balirossa!” Blossom said. “You’re up early today!”

“I suppose I am,” said Balirossa. “I wanted to go on a hunting expedition with Sybe today, you see.”

“Bwor! Brawor!” Sybe cried cheerfully.

“I see...” said Blossom, hanging her head in exaggerated sorrow. “Then I suppose I won’t have anyone to help me with today’s harvest, huh...”

Sybe’s good cheer vanished instantly at Blossom’s declaration, worry and concern taking its place. “Come now, Blossom, you shouldn’t bully Sybe!” Balirossa objected, frowning as she hugged the psychobear and patted its head. “Besides, you take him with you nearly every morning. Surely you can spare himsometimes.”

“I know, I know—I’m just kidding,” Blossom said, changing her expression on a dime to a mischievous grin. Smiling, she gave Sybe a few firm pats on the head.

“Bwowf!” said Sybe, happily nuzzling his cheek against Blossom’s. He was so much larger than her, though, that Blossom had to plant her legs firmly in the ground and brace herself not to be pushed off her feet. Balirossa, for her part, couldn’t quite stifle a bit of laughter at the sight.

“Y’know...” said Blossom. “Things sure have changed around here.”

“Yes, you’re quite right,” Balirossa agreed. “When we first moved to this land with Sir Flio, there was nothing as far as the eye could see.”

“Hey, whaddaya meannothing?” objected Blossom. “We had my little hobby garden already by that point.”

“Aha ha,” Balirossa laughed, gazing at the cultivated fields that stretched out before her. “Yes, I suppose we did. But that little garden grew into something completely absurd...” In the distance, she could see the mountain where Ura and the rest of his village lived. Blossom’s farm now extended all the way to that mountain and halfway up its slope. “By the way, Blossom,” she added. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask...”

“Hm? What is it, Balirossa?”

“When are you and Mister Ura and Kora going to officially become a family?”

Blossom sputtered in shock, taken off guard by Balirossa’s blunt line of questioning. “A-Ack! Ahem! Wh-What’re you doing asking something likethatoutta the blue?”

“Well...” Balirossa hesitated. “Perhaps I’ve misread the situation, but it seems to me that the three of you have become rather intimate of late. I was certain things were going in that direction. Am I wrong?”

“I-I mean...” said Blossom, unsure how to respond. “Well... How do I put this...?” As she stood there dithering, however, who should appear in front of them but Kora. “Huh?! K-Kora?!” Blossom exclaimed as the girl came running up, wrapping her arms tight around Blossom’s leg.

“Morning, mom...” Kora said, a blush coming to her cheeks.