#775 Post-Party Melancholy

Belena of the demon race speaking.

Having returned to the farm after the grand event, a joint wedding ceremony, things are quieting down again.

The party was bustling and eventful, but once it’s over, we’re back to the peaceful rhythm of our everyday lives.

And that’s pretty crucial, too, right?

After all, it’s these quiet days that truly shape our lives.

Finishing up the day’s tasks and settling down for a bit of a break, I could hear the rhythmic sounds of hammering in the distance.

It’s the sounds of Orkubo, Lady Zoth Syra, Gobukichi, and Teacher Carp. They’re working on building new homes for their newlywed lives.

Ideally, these homes would have been finished before the wedding, but with the preparations for the ceremony taking precedence, there were some delays.

And since these are marital homes, they’re being built grandly and with passion.

Keeping in mind that children might come along in the future, they’re making them spacious. The determination of Orkubo and his team is palpable.

Though, I do worry about them adding some odd, quirky features...

“...Ah, taking a break too, Belena?”

“Oh, Lady Garra Rufa.”

Lady Garra Rufa approached me.

She’s a petite mermaid who wears glasses quite charmingly.

Both of us are now among the farm’s veterans. We’ve known each other for quite a while.

I mean, we’ve been working side by side forever.

Back in the day, Lady Garra Rufa, Lady Puffer, and Lady Lampeye were always around...

...Batemy was always by my side, too.

But now, it’s just Lady Garra Rufa and me.

...

The sky is so blue today...

“...Then again, Batemy hasn’t completely left the farm. She still commutes daily.”

“It’s amazing how she still holds onto her passion for work even after getting married.”

“She was always a workaholic, to begin with...”

But I guess over time, she might visit less frequently.

Her spouse is, after all, from the aristocracy.

Even if he’s understanding, she’ll have to attend to public duties and manage household affairs as a noble’s wife. 

And if they were to have kids, she’d probably have even less time to visit here.

...I guess it’s just a matter of time.

“Do you miss her, Belena? You two were inseparable.”

“And what about you, Lady Garra Rufa? It’s been a long time since Lady Puffer and Lady Lampeye left. Don’t you still feel lonely?”

Lady Garra Rufa, Lady Puffer, and Lady Lampeye once shared a bond as Witches, unique members of the merfolk.

Witch of the Plague, Garra Rufa...

Witch of the Bitter Cold, Puffer, and Witch of Hellfire, Lampeye. 

They all came to the farm together, but only Lady Garra Rufa remains now.

Lady Puffer and Lampeye found men they loved and settled down with them.

That means they graduated with happiness, right?

Does that mean those of us who remain are... “repeaters”?!

Wait, no.

I shouldn’t think like that.

Scratch that thought.

Setting aside my internal debate, Lady Garra Rufa responds, “I’ve gotten used to it now. How long ago do you think they left?”

R-Right, haha...

“They even have kids now. A lot of time has passed. Plus, now we have younger witches officially working on the farm. If anything, it’s livelier than before.”

“Oh, the young girls who came with Princess Angel, right?”

Being the oldest among them, Lady Garra Rufa often takes on a leadership role.

Who would have thought that Lady Garra Rufa, once considered the quirkiest among the witches, and still is to some extent, would end up as their leader?

Time really does show you unexpected turns.

“The girls are growing stronger every day... They’re like the new stars now. My era has passed.”

“Come on, don’t say that...!”

“It’s just the truth. The title Six Mad Witches is nearly forgotten now.”

Oh yeah, that group used to be a thing.

It consisted of Lady Garra Rufa and Lady Platy, who still live with us on the farm, Lady Puffer and Lady Lampeye, who returned to the Mermaid Kingdom, and the older members, Queen Mahi and Lady Zoth Syra.

They were once collectively called that.

But with one getting married, another becoming a mother... slowly, they faded from the limelight, buried in people’s memories.

...Ah.

Just recently, Lady Zoth Syra, another member of that group, got hitched, right?

So that means she has tied the knot, along with Lady Platy, Lady Puffer, and Lady Lampeye... 

There’s Queen Mahi, but she’s always been a queen, so...

“The only single witch left is you, Lady Garra Rufa!!!”

“Don’t say it out loud!!!”

That was an unusually loud response from her.

Did I really say something so bothersome?

...Yep, I did.

“I was desperately trying to avoid that reality! But hey, if we’re bringing that up, weren’t you, Belena, left behind by your colleague Batemy?” 

“Nooooooooooooooooo!!!”

Did she really have to go there?!

I was so desperate to escape that reality too!

Why did she have to bring up such an uncomfortable truth?!

Oh, because I started it!

It’s all about payback, isn’t it?

“Just look at us, left on the shelf...”

“Oh, no, no...”

I’m not leftovers.

I’d like to consider myself a premium, not some discount item. But right now, I lack the energy to assert that.

Because...

How could I expect any amazing encounters in my daily life?!

It’s not the environment’s fault!

After all, this farm is practically a sanctuary. Famous people from all over the world visit!

So, I can’t complain about a “lack of encounters.”

In fact, the place is overflowing with top-quality interactions!

And yet, if I still haven’t found the right person, it’s purely my fault.

Lady Garra Rufa’s too.

“I’ve always known I’m not cut out for marriage.”

“There you go again...”

“I’ve dedicated my life to studying magical pharmacology and didn’t care about anything else. I don’t regret it. This farm offers the best environment for my research. It’s my life’s greatest happiness as a mermaid. I’d want to be here in any lifetime.”

Lady Garra Rufa’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. 

She’s genuinely dedicated to her studies, earning her the title of “The Maddest Researcher.”

I truly believe she’s not just putting on a brave face.

But what about me...?

Without any grand purpose, I just drifted into living on this farm. Days turned into years, and now, marriage seems distant...!

I have nothing left!

How, in this blessed environment, did I achieve nothing?!

I’m such an idiot!

A total idiot!!!

“It’s okay, Belena!”

Garra Rufa takes my hands and says, “We’re comrades! We work and strive together on this farm! With friends by our side, there’s nothing we can’t endure!”

“Gara Rufa...!”

She’s right... She’s right...!

Before coming here, we didn’t know each other, and not to mention, we’re of different species. Despite that, we’ve bonded so strongly.

That’s the true charm of this farm.

We may be the leftovers after everyone else has settled down, but this gives us a perfect chance to celebrate the farm’s wonders!

“Let’s form a duo! The lifelong singles duo!!!”

“I’d rather not!!!”

Despite everything, I, Belena, still hold onto hope.

And what’s wrong with cherishing dreams?