Magical Journey: The Other Shore Blooms on the Other Shore

“Um… I did almost nothing for this commission, so I think the commission fee should be given to you.” After the whole matter was brought to a close, Saya said hesitantly.

“I didn’t do anything, so give it to Qin if you’re going to give it to her,” Elena said.

"No." That was Qin's straightforward refusal.

“The Magic Integration Association stipulates that those who help complete a commission should receive a certain reward, especially since I didn’t contribute much this time,” Saya said.

“If he refuses,” Elena said, “Saya, you should keep the money.”

“I’ve always wanted to ask, Elena, how did you and he meet?” Saya asked.

“It’s a very complicated story, and I can’t explain it all in a short time,” Elena recalled.

"You two have a good chat. I'll be waiting for you at the city gates of this country." Qin left.

It's unclear what her purpose was; perhaps she felt her presence was hindering their conversation as old friends reunited, or perhaps she simply wanted to walk alone.

Seeing Qin leave like that, Elena felt something was off. If it were anyone else, this kind of behavior would usually just mean that they felt superfluous and didn't want to get in the way.

But if it were a zither, would he feel the same way?

I always felt that he was just deliberately avoiding integrating into the group.

“He doesn’t seem to like her very much. I knew she was a love rival…” Saya hadn’t finished speaking.

"He's cold to everyone, it's not targeting you," Elena interrupted Saya's musings. Besides, the idea that his aloof personality could make him your rival is definitely overthinking it.

"Come to think of it, Koto seems to be a girl's name. How disgusting..." Saya belatedly realized, could this be a cross-dressing man? He looks like a boy from every angle.

But appearances can be deceiving; who knows if it's not true?

Elena had heard too many such comments and was used to them; after all, she had thought so at first. But the thought that it was the name given to him by his mother who abandoned him still brought a pang of sadness to her heart.

"It's fine to talk about it in front of me, but it's best to avoid this topic in front of him."

“I’ll do whatever Elena says. But I still want to ask, how did you two meet?”

“Once, when I was working on a quest about the Wizarding Kingdom, I was hit by a witch’s Yin-Yang sphere, and another one hit my harp. The Yin-Yang sphere explodes when it separates ten meters. So we were forced to travel together,” Elena said succinctly.

"Oh—forced, huh? That's good, that's good—no, does that mean the Yin-Yang Sphere has been deactivated?"

"uh-huh."

"So, you're not being forced to travel together anymore?"

"That's understandable."

"I'm so heartbroken. Does Elena already have someone in her heart?" Even the naive Saya realized at this moment that even if Qin wasn't Elena's boyfriend, his status in Elena's heart was probably not low.

Waaah, they were the ones who arrived first!

Elena was speechless. What does it mean to have someone in your heart? I don't know I have someone in my heart.

I like that piece of wood? Me? Really?

"Hey, Saya, let me ask you a question," Elena said.

"Hey??"

What do you like about me? What does it feel like to like someone else?

“I love every cell in Elena’s body. I love your gray hair, I love your eyes, anything that belongs to Elena,” Saya said, her voice brimming with affection.

"That's too cheesy. What's my next question?" Elena decisively interrupted Saya's spellcasting.

"If you like something, you're willing to give anything to get it."

“Saya. I don’t have any romantic feelings for you, at least not right now. I’m sorry…” Elena said earnestly.

"Huh? Oh—I can understand if Elaina refuses, but I'll still be very sad." Saya felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing Elaina's answer. "If I were a man, would Elaina like me?"

"It has nothing to do with gender. Although I can't say for sure, I'm not entirely certain," Elena replied truthfully.

"Is it because they can't do a backflip? Sorry, they've practiced for so long but still haven't learned it," Saya said sadly.

Backflip...

What does this have to do with backflips? Am I just out of touch with modern times?

“It has nothing to do with that half-copper coin,” Elena said.

"Does Irene already have someone she likes?"

"If it's the kind you define, then it doesn't exist yet."

Hearing this, Saya's initial disappointment subsided somewhat. She still had a chance, and as long as there was a chance, that was enough.

Ultimately, however, Elena rejected his confession.

"I'm sorry, Saya, I don't know what it feels like to like someone yet," Elena said.

"Hmm..." Saya was clearly quite downcast after being rejected. She tried to hold back her tears and clutched the dolphin necklace that she had originally planned to give to Elena tightly in her pocket.

Irene hesitated before refusing to speak out.

She could anticipate Saya's sadness, but for now, she felt it was for her own good.

After all, if she keeps focusing on herself, she might miss out on a suitable partner in the future.

I just can't muster any romantic feelings right now. Does a lover smell as good as bread? Is it as fun as traveling? Since no, what's the point of being in a relationship—does it just make you stupid?

The thought of Ayonia left Irene speechless. Being love-struck turns you into a naive fool; I don't want to be in a relationship!

If this is just an irresponsible love game, it will hurt both her and Saya.

She didn't say much until she finally left Saya.

She had hoped to get the answer directly from the Land of Honesty, and she was mentally prepared, but the result might not always be as she wished.

……

"Aren't you happy to reunite with an old friend?" Just as Elena was listlessly piloting her magic broom, Jean suddenly asked this question from behind.

Saya has returned to the Magic Integration Association to report for duty, and Elena has also embarked on a new journey.

I felt perfectly normal before, but now I have this empty feeling for some reason. I don't know why, but it feels like I did something wrong.

"You can read people's expressions?" Elena laughed dismissively.

"You wear your heart on your sleeve more than you think. And you drive the broom so shakily." Qin yawned.

Elena wasn't in the mood for arguing.

She gazed calmly at the vibrant grasslands and jungles around her, at the distant town, and at the kingdom behind her, letting the oncoming wind ruffle her exquisite gray hair.

She's always on the road.

Time and the journey will gradually heal her somewhat empty heart.

Even if I can't understand why I feel empty now, maybe when I understand it in the future, it will mean that I've grown up a little more.

Now, let go of all distractions and just continue to enjoy the diverse scenery of your trip.

After all, I am a witch who is always traveling.

They have always been on the path they are pursuing.

(In the original work, the necklace was given as a gift, and Elena didn't express any refusal. After all, the original work was meant to have a bit of "factional rivalry" and "light romance" feel to it. This fanfiction handled it this way; otherwise, the ambiguous relationship would probably get a lot of flak. Because of Jean's appearance, this change is quite reasonable, isn't it? Some people might be disappointed that there wasn't a fight, hehe.)