After the Journey

After completing roughly two weeks of surveying, we returned to Sakura.

As the ragged clouds turned orange with the setting sun—and the familiar scenery gradually drew closer—I was overcome by an indescribable feeling of nostalgia.

It had only been two weeks—but is this what it means to come home?

People returning from overseas might feel something similar when they see Mount Fuji.

The sugarcane planted along the beach, visible through the car window, had grown quite large.

This must be the power of magic too.

"Heeey! We're home!"

I shouted as I got out of the car.

Sakura had clearly gained many more people in the two weeks we'd been gone, and with too few homes, many seemed to be sleeping rough.

When the car door opened, Bell slipped out and immediately began patrolling around the house...