Orkney was an island where it rained 365 days a year.
It was a humid region where you could count the number of rainless days on one hand, and there was a reason for it.
I pointed a finger at the giant tree soaring high into the sky.
"That's the World Tree. The name is grand, but you can just think of it as a big tree."
"Dawu. Dawu."
"It's also the tree you were named after. Tonelico."
Tonelico means **Ash Tree**.
It was such a versatile tree that whether for making furniture or weapons, ash was almost always the wood of choice.
I don't really know why Mother chose such a name for her.
Was it to wish for her to become a helpful child?
In any case, Tonelico seemed to like her name, as she would giggle and laugh every time she heard it.
Finding her so adorable, I'd poke her cheek, and she would suddenly widen her eyes in surprise.
Then I, seeing that, would tease her again, and Tonelico would laugh, enjoying the game.
Do you know how cute she looked, laughing with that little tongue of hers? If you've never seen it, you'll never know.
"This is far enough for our walk. It's dangerous to go any further."
"Yuuu…."
"You can sleep if you're sleepy."
I turned my steps toward home.
Pitter-patter. I walked carefully, shielding Tonelico from the light drizzle.
Mia was standing at the front door, her cheeks puffed out. She pointed an accusing finger and complained.
"You kidnapped Tonelico again, Brother! It was my turn today! That's cheating!"
"Mother told me to take her to see the World Tree. If you have a complaint, take it up with her."
"Moooom! Brother is bullying me again!"
When did I ever bully you?
"Wuu?"
"Ah, you're awake. Sorry. Your sister is being a handful."
The commotion had woken Tonelico up.
Fairy infants are usually sleepy, but Tonelico, perhaps because she was a 'Fairy of Paradise,' slept little.
She slept about as much as a regular fairy, and I knew just how surprising that was from Mother's reaction.
A year had already passed, so Mother and I had completely adjusted.
I guess she's just special because she's a 'Fairy of Paradise'.
Readjusting the slightly loosened bundle, I entered Mother's office.
Inside, Mia was sprawled across the desk, whining, while Mother wore a troubled expression.
I bowed my head to Mother. Mia didn't even glance at me.
"Listen, Mom. Brother Kyle took *my* Tonelico away again today, you know? And then he made up an excuse, saying you ordered him to!"
"Hm… my daughter must have been very upset. Here, now that your brother and Tonelico are back, you can look after her together for the rest of the day."
"I don't mind."
Hearing this, Mia snatched Tonelico away with the speed of light. The highlight was the look on Tonelico's face, blinking, not knowing what was happening.
"Yes! Tonelico, let's go to my room, quick. I'll read you a storybook! Brother Kyle wrote it, but the story is good!"
"Do you have some kind of complaint about me?"
"Bleh~."
Mia stuck her tongue out and fled like an arrow.
Even as she ran, she held Tonelico preciously in her arms.
The sight of her stroking Tonelico's few strands of hair was quite out of character for the tomboyish Mia.
It feels a bit weird. Hmm.
After Mia left, Mother called to me.
"It's a great relief. The 'Rain Clan' has decided to accept the 'Fairy of Paradise.'"
"Is that truly so? I was the one who proposed it, but frankly, I was half in doubt."
When told, 'This child will grow up to kill all of you!'
there isn't a single mad fairy who would reply, 'Then I must raise her well!'
"Fufu. Kyle, you are too suspicious. Suspicion can protect you, but at times, it can also make you miss what is important."
"And what would that be?"
"Love. This world is a more beautiful place than you think. Our 'Rain Clan' took you in, a stranger, and made you family. Is accepting a 'Fairy of Paradise' so impossible?"
I refuted her words.
The level of danger between a fairy who has lost her memory and a Fairy of Paradise is as different as heaven and earth.
"Then let's think about it more simply. You said you brought Tonelico here because you couldn't bear to leave her, correct?"
"I did, but I was aware of the danger. If you had refused, Mother, I would have ended it with my own hands…"
"No, Kyle. You could never be so heartless."
I felt as if my innermost thoughts had been laid bare.
I could feel my face flush red.
"No matter what I might have said, you would have raised that child. Just as I took you in."
"Does that mean I love Tonelico?"
"It would be a slightly different kind of love. The feeling of wanting to protect and care for someone. The kind heart that wants to shield the weak."
In the end, one does good deeds because one is a good being.
And one becomes a good being by doing good deeds.
Mother was explaining that we are, in the end, pitiful beings who wish to do even the smallest of good deeds.
Beings who struggle to be forgiven for the evil committed by our ancestors.
Therefore, she emphasized, we have no reason to be hostile, and we must rely on one another.
"Our 'Rain Clan' is a family. There is no difference between me, the queen, and the fairies working outside."
"So everyone is family. As one."
"Of course. Tonelico's drifting here was also so she could become family. That is what I believe."
I nodded my head.
"I think I understand why you were chosen as queen, Mother."
"Oh, my. Don't flatter me so. It's embarrassing."
Although she said that, her face was smiling.
"I will be off to work now. I heard they need a fairy to help till the land in the lower village."
"Alright. Be safe."
My steps were light as I left the house.
On my way to the lower village, I met many fairies.
"Kyle! That thing you taught me last time, juggling? It's so much fun! I can even do five at once now!"
"That's amazing. You're better than me."
"Hehe!"
A small fairy.
"That… 'Fairy of Paradise.' Doesn't she need clothes to wear? I've made a few things…"
"I'll accept them gratefully. Tonelico will love them."
"Mmm. That would be good, then. …So her name is Tonelico. Next time, I'll add some embroidery…"
A fairy who specialized in crafting.
"Kyle! Over here. This farming method you taught us. Am I doing it right?"
"If you just pour water into the fields indiscriminately, everything will rot. The timing is important… For now, it looks like you'll have to plow all this over."
"It can't be…!"
Even fairies who had started farming to find something to do, despite not needing to eat.
"Family…."
A warm feeling spread through my heart.
After helping the fairies in the lower village and receiving their thanks, I returned home.
"I tried my hand at baking bread today. It's super delicious, you know? You can start crying tears of joy in advance."
"Mia was working hard on it since noon. Regardless of its appearance, I have high hopes for the taste."
"…Where is Tonelico? Is she sleeping?"
Tonelico was not at the dinner table.
Hearing my words, Mia puffed out her cheeks. Just like the bread she had baked.
"What! You're not interested in the bread I made? You only ask for Tonelico! That's so mean!"
"No, that's not it. I was just worried something might happen if she was left alone."
"Fufufu. A good older brother, but a bad one to Mia, it seems."
I scratched my head and sat down.
Mia stabbed a loaf of bread with her fork, then plopped the one with a crater in the middle onto my plate as if throwing it.
"If you don't eat everything I baked today, I'll never forgive you."
"I'm doomed."
That night, I nearly died from my stomach bursting.
And so, 10 years passed.
To fairies, time is like the wind. Most fairies live well over 100 years with ease.
Each fairy has their own purpose, and as long as they live to fulfill that purpose, one could say there is no limit to their lifespan.
Mother's purpose is to lead others. My sister never told me hers, so I don't know. But seeing her live so well, she seems to be fulfilling her purpose just fine.
The problem is me.
I don't know what kind of fairy I am.
A fairy who bakes bread? A blacksmith fairy? Even a fairy who builds roads would be fine.
One must know their purpose to live as a fairy, but I do not know mine.
My fairy life, which has lasted for at least 30 years… was slowly becoming difficult.
Well, it's not that serious. Just that I've been coughing a lot lately?
At this rate, I won't even make it to 100, but 100 years is a long enough time.
Unlike me, who is without purpose, there is another fairy who has a firm one.
"Brother! Are you sleeping?"
"No. I'm awake. What is it?"
Opening my door and stepping inside was,
a girl with a bright smile and round, nearly rimless glasses. A white robe to match her white conical hat.
A beauty boasting blonde hair more brilliant than even Mother's or Mia's.
The 'Fairy of Paradise' who had finished growing in just 10 years.
None other than Tonelico herself.