“Please, can't you do anything?!” a young man with medium-length, seafoam green hair and slightly pointed ears took out his frustration on an unfortunate receptionist.

The receptionist, a moderately attractive woman with dark braided hair and freckles, made an uncomfortable expression.

“I'm sorry, but there hasn't been a request made to search for them. The guild can't mobilize adventurers to do a search mission without a proper request-- not for some one-star adventurers.”

“Then I'll make a request! Olive’s sister… we can't just leave Elly out there!”

“Patch,” a small voice came from below, and a young girl’s hand tugged at the half-elf’s clothes. “I'm sorry… Even though it's useless, you stopped your exams early to help me.”

“Geh--!” The young priestess-in-training, with her wide blue eyes and wavy blonde hair was an instant knockout any day. Seeing her with her hair and clothes slightly disheveled and tears welling up made Patch feel desperate.

“I'll make a request, so how about it?!”

The receptionist made a complicated face. “For a missing person’s search in the Black Mountain forest West, you’d need to prepare compensation for at least a three-star adventurer. Those funds, do you have them?”

“E-eh? Um… How much would it be, exactly?”

“You’d need at least fifty silver coins, sir.”

Crap. Alchemical ingredients are so expensive that I'm always broke. Maybe if I sold some potions… Ah, but I ended my exams early, so I haven't ranked up to an official alchemist yet. Nobody wants to buy potions from an apprentice… Is there nothing I can do?

“A… ah… Olive… I’m sorry, but I--Eh?”

When Patch looked down with a forlorn expression, what he saw was the young Olive’s sweet face forcing a smile.

“Olive, you…”

“I'm okay, Patch. I'm worried about Elly, and it's scary, but you're here. So I'm going to have faith in the gods and pray loudly. If I'm a good girl who doesn't make sad faces, I think they’ll somehow bring my sister home?”

The young half elf felt his throat choke up and his eyes become hot. He got down on his knees and wrapped the girl in a hug, stroking her messy, wavy hair with one hand.

“Yeah. Olive is a good girl, so the gods will definitely listen! Your sister will definitely come back!”

Patch felt a few warm drops hit his shoulder, but he just continued comforting the girl until her tired body relaxed.

“Alright. Let’s go home, Olive.”

Because the girl was tired and a bit shaky, Patch held her hand as they left the guild.

“Fuu~” the receptionist sighed after they left. “Seriously, how tragic.”

“That guy was a half elf, right? That’s rare. Why was he with that priestess girl?”

“Uwawa!” the receptionist hadn't noticed the new customer approach, and she became greatly flustered. “Ah, that’s, well--he’s something like a guardian, you know? Since it seems some people they knew went missing… More importantly! Are you here to take a request?”

“Yeah.” The sandy-haired man set a paper down on the countertop. “It looks like they need someone to drive off an Orc loitering outside the forest.”

***

“Hey, Olive, the porridge is ready!”

“Coming, Patch!”

The little girl’s feet pattered down the narrow wooden steps, and she arrived in the kitchen.

“Wah~ it smells good!” she said, climbing onto a chair. “Don't tell, Elly, but Patch’s cooking tastes way better.”

“Well, because a lot of the motions are similar to alchemy,” he set a bowl and a spoon in front of the girl. “... You braided your hair.”

The girl’s spoon paused for a moment, before bringing more food to her lips. “Yeah. It's not as good as when Elly does it, though.”

“Oh, there’s a couple knots at the ends. Let me get a brush.”

“Don't worry about it! I have to leave soon for training, and Patch has his retests. You should just eat while it's still warm.”

“Ahaha, yeah, you're right… But I wonder if Elly will be mad when she sees I've let your beautiful hair get tangled…”

Because it became difficult to talk about, the two finished eating breakfast in silence. Patch held Olive’s hand and walked her all the way to the temple so she wouldn't feel lonely, then left for his own matters.

Ah, Elly. I don't know how much longer Olive can last like this. If you don't come home soon, even her faith in the gods might waver. Please, please be alright.

***

The day wasn't eventful, but both human and half elf came home feeling exhausted.

“Ah… shall I put supper on?” Patch tried to give a cheerful smile even though his eyes and feet felt heavy.

“Yeah…”

To that reply without any energy, he could only think it was pitiable.

Putting a pot over the fire, Patch started cooking supper for three people. They did this every night. Of course, when Elly never showed up, the leftovers were stirred into the porridge in the morning.

Patch tried to start some small talk, but the young girl didn't seem to want to participate. She only responded with nods and small sounds. But then, as he was glancing over his shoulder to see her expressions, she suddenly brightened up. Her eyes grew wide and sparkled with hope. Her head turned toward the door. The way she tilted her head was like she had heard something outside.

“... Elly?”

“Eh?”

Patch dropped his stirring spoon and turned his head to listen. Indeed, he could hear light and fast footsteps, but were they Elly’s or someone else's?

The steps grew closer until Olive abruptly stood from her chair. Her mouth opened, but her voice caught in her throat. Then, the old wooden door slammed open.

“Olive!!”

“Elly!!”

They both broke into tears and ran toward each other. Olive jumped up and hugged her sister, and they both slowly sunk to the floor where they stayed.

“Elly…”

Thank god, Patch thought, warm relief spreading throughout his body. A smile returned to his face, and he went back to stirring the meal. The girls cried together on the floor for a long while, and when they finished, Patch promptly served dinner.

Yeah, let's just be together like this for now. We can worry about the how's and why's after we eat.