"Good job, Yanagi!"

Yanagi heard the captain's voice but didn't have time to answer that. He managed to defeat this monster. It was tough, he gasped and sat down.

The monster was a giant thunderbird. This giant thunderbird is 10 times the size of a normal one. He felt that its strength and abilities were ten times greater than that.

"I'm glad I invited you to join this subjugation team. I heard there was a strong Level 4, but I thought that if you were that strong, you might as well make it to Level 5."

A person who appeared to be the captain stood before him and nodded. But Yanagi didn't seem to be listening to him at all. It seems like he had a tough time dealing with the giant thunderbird.

"Well, it's your decision, so you better work harder from now on. Do your best until you're recognized. I'll support you. Besides, there are a lot of more ferocious monsters wandering around, so I want to be on the same team as you again"

The captain praised Yanagi. Yanagi finally looked up and nodded.

"Thank you. I think I gained valuable experience here."

Yanagi pulled out the weapon from Thunderbird's body and placed it in his sheath.

"That's amazing. Wow, what a monster! It was a battle between monsters, indeed."

It seems like one of the team members accidentally revealed his true feelings. Yanagi pretended not to hear, but the captain yelled at him.

"Come on! Quickly check your surroundings and record these things! I'm sure you still have a lot to do!"

The captain looks at Yanagi again and pats him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it. There are people like that. But you don't need to worry about those people. Come on! I'll give you something good!"

The captain went to the dead giant Thunderbird's head and cut out its eyeball with his sword and his hand into the eyeball.

"Got it!"

Twisting his hand, he pulled something out. In the captain's hand is something that looks like a round stone. He cleaned it up, wrapped it in a nearby leaf, and gave it to Yanagi.

"What is it?"
"It's a thunderbird stone. Ordinary thunderbird stones are so small that they don't have much value, but the larger they are, the more their brilliance becomes different. This is for you. Take it!"

The captain handed it to Yanagi, who took it with a nod.

"Thank you."
"Good. I still have another eye, so I'll use it, feathers, and other things for the team."

The captain said. In addition to the giant thunderbird, there were other beasts of prey as well. This team has already defeated several monsters.

"Go to a skilled craftsman and have it polished. If you make a hairpin or a necklace and give it to a woman you like, she will be happy. Well, I think you can sell it as is for a good amount of money, but do as you like. Whatever would be good."
"Yes, Sir."

Yanagi put the stone in his pocket and nodded.

"If we have another chance, let's do it together. When you reach level 5, you can join my team!"
"I'll try my best. Now, please excuse me."

The captain is a pleasant man. He is an honest and straightforward person. Yanagi has always wanted to work under a captain like this, but he doesn't like getting involved in conflicts within the team. Last week, when he earned a grudge for taking credit for a team he participated in, he was attacked on his way home. An out-of-place fight would naturally be a punishable crime. However, because there were witnesses, it was recognized as self-defense, and he was not charged with the crime, even though he had half-killed his opponent. It was because he couldn't control his strength. After all, he was tired and just finished his work.

What a trouble, he thought.

So once he reaches level 5, it is not a bad idea to get a job as a mercenary or guardian like Darga. Solo ferocious monster hunting might also be a good idea.

Anyway, the day is still bright, so let's see Keyaki, thought Yanagi as he squeezed the things in his pocket. He might know how to use this thunderbird stone. If possible, Yanagi thought, he would like Keyaki to make something for Rose. However, he doesn't have that luxury right now.

"Because I just bought a new sword," Yanagi said with a wry smile. The swords made by Keyaki's master were of good quality, but they were expensive. That's why Yanagi's wallet is now in a difficult situation. Yanagi sighed, wondering if he had to work harder.

"Oh, this is a rare stone, brother."

Keyaki took the stone and held it up to the light.

"Is it that good?"
"Yes. If you shave it off, it will shine brightly. It will be a beautiful and elegant color."

Keyaki said as he placed the stone again.

"You know a lot about jewelry."
"Well, I'm also making decorations out of jewelry. What do you want to do with this, brother?"
"I'd like to make something for Rose, but I don't have any money right now. That's why I came here to see if you have any good ideas."

Yanagi said honestly. Hearing this, Keyaki was also deep in thought.

"I see. I know Rose is having a hard time right now. That makes me feel worried, and sometimes I can't sleep at night thinking about her. Besides, I don't know if she's okay or not. I haven't heard anything."
"Yeah. So I thought if I made something with it and sent it, maybe I'd get a letter from there."
"Okay. Let's make something. When is the deadline?"
"If possible, I'd like it to be made within this month. I heard my friend is going to Ecoria for work at the beginning of next month."

Yanagi said while making a requesting gesture.

"This month, it's pretty close."

Keyaki looked disappointed and sighed.

"Please?"
"I understand. It's your request, anyway. Besides, Rose is also my important sister, so leave it to me."
"Thank you, Keyaki."
"Yeah. Once it's done, I'll deliver it to your dormitory."
"Oh, please. See you then."

Yanagi stood up and waved.

"Yes, please be careful on your way home."
"Yeah."

Yanagi smiled and thought Keyaki was a kind younger brother. Keyaki is the only person besides Rose that Yanagi is close to. Since Rose left, Yanagi has become darker, as if he has lost his peace of mind. However, Keyaki understands Yanagi and is cooperative. Yanagi thought that Keyaki was a reliable younger brother.

Three weeks have passed since then.

When Yanagi returned to the dormitory, exhausted as ever, the manager informed him that a package from Keyaki had arrived. He also put a letter in it. Yanagi looked over the letter and thought Keyaki must have written this letter. Keyaki said in his letter that he thought about Rose and decided to make a brooch that could be fastened with a pin. He also cut a piece of the stone and made a hair ornament for her other sister, Yuri, then gave it to Yuri as a gift from Yanagi.

Yuri got into a fight with Dalgodas after Rose was kicked out of the mansion, and she left the mansion. Yanagi was honestly surprised that shy, crybaby Yuri had objected to Dalgodas. Yuri is currently living with her master embroidery craftsman. What was written in small letters at the bottom of the letter was that Keyaki's boss had bought all the remaining jewels. It is said that all the expenses and materials incurred were covered by that. Thank you, Keyaki! , Yanagi clasped his hands together and thanked him.

When Yanagi slowly opened the box, he couldn't believe what he saw. It is a beautiful rose-shaped brooch, and each rose petal has a thunderbird stone embedded in it. It was gorgeous. The size is small, and it is designed so that it will not be a burden on Rose, who has a small body. Yanagi thought that the Yuri hair ornament must also be a lily flower. He is a skilled craftsman. For Yanagi, Keyaki is the younger brother he is proud of.

He should write a letter to Rose, Yanagi thought as he stared at the brooch. He had told Rose to write him a letter so easily, but now that he thought about it, Rose had only just learned to read and write. He doesn't know if she can write letters well. It would be helpful if Moi could tell her, but he can't say anything.

Thinking so, Yanagi himself has never actually written a letter. Other than his test answers and reports, he has never submitted any documents to send to anyone.

Yanagi stares at the clean white paper for an hour. Even though so much time has passed, he still has nothing written on paper. He doesn't know how to write it.

Should I think about Rose? Yanagi thought. That smile, that laugh, that cry, that sleeping face. The more he thought about her, the more he loved everything about her.

I miss you, Yanagi sighed.

I want to meet you, Rose. I want to meet you, so I can't help it, said Yanagi and touched the paper. It's a blank piece of paper, but in his eyes, it looks like Rose.

He began to wonder if he wanted to meet her because she was his sister. Will he desire her as something more than that? Despite her small size, she became a bigger person than he expected. Yanagi had never imagined how much peace it would bring to his heart just to have her nearby.

When he hugged her tightly for the last time, he felt a pain somewhere in his heart. But Rose didn't cry. Maybe she understands that if she cries, he will be sad. A one-year-old child doesn't do such things. Rose is just small in size, but she is not a one-year-old child. However, her existence is significant. Besides, she is a cute younger sister who has no blood relation at all with him. Yanagi pulled away from the paper and hugged his pillow. She is my dear sister, he said to himself.

She had gone far away, and only after losing her, he realized the magnitude of her existence. When she was around, he thought he would have been fine with not seeing her for months. But the reality was it's only been a few weeks since she left, and he seems so broken. Just thinking about not being able to see her for a year is much tougher than any other ferocious beast. He wants to see that smile. He wants to hear that voice. He closes his eyes and follows her in his memory.

By the way, the voice. Something strange had happened to him a few weeks ago, he remembered. At night, when he couldn't sleep, he heard Rose's voice. He thought it was just his imagination, but he also felt Rose's aura and warmth. It was only for a moment, but he guessed it was something like that. It's not a dream, it's not his imagination. No hallucinations. I'm fine, I guess, he thought as he checked his head.

What are you thinking about? Letter. Yes, I have to write a letter, he said, putting down his pillow and picking up a pen. Yanagi is planning to give the letter to Rocco tomorrow.

"To my dear Rose.
Hey, how are you doing? Have you gotten used to your new life? I, Keyaki, Yuri, and Sumire are as energetic as ever. Father and mother are both fine. It seems that Sumire has been able to walk a little bit recently. She might be able to run by the time you come back. Yuri left the mansion and became an embroidery craftsman. When we get back here, let's go visit Yuri.
I recently reached level 4. Remember my friend Rocco? The one who lived in the next room when I was on level 3. He suddenly went from level 3 to level 5. He's amazing. Moreover, it seems he was recruited by the Black Ops. He told me he would be going to Ecoria for a training exercise, so he would go and deliver this letter and package during his free time.
Have you seen what's inside this box? It's a brooch made of thunderbird stone I worked hard to obtain. Keyaki made the brooch for you. It must be beautiful. I want Rose to accept it as a gift. I hope you like it.
Rose, I felt your aura the other day. I heard your voice. Even though you weren't around, I felt your presence. It's not a dream, it's not my imagination, it's not a hallucination. It was a strange experience. I'm sure the Dragon God showed me something when I missed you so much.
Rose, I want to go somewhere with you again. I want to hear your voice and laugh again. If I were Level 5, I could deliver this letter by myself right now... Based on the above judgment, it was only level 4. A subjugation squad leader said, 'Do your best until you are recognized!'. He cheered me on. That's why I'm currently working hard to raise my level. I want to reach level 5 by the time you come back. Once I reach Level 5, I can visit you wherever you go. I can take you anywhere you want. That's why I'll do my best. I'll do my best as much as you, who is working hard in Ecoria.
Rose, the letter was so long. Sorry if you're tired of reading. But I want to write a lot more, but I don't have any more paper. It's a pathetic story. I made too many mistakes. I'll prepare more paper next time, so I'll stop here for now. See you soon, Rose. 　
From Yanagi”

Yanagi put the letter in an envelope, put it in a box, and sealed it. Then he hugged a nearby pillow tightly and rolled onto the carpet.

Rose (13) Letter