The apple hit the ground and rolled along the stone pavement to my feet. My soaring mood crashed down with it.
The clamor of the crowd returned, and fatigue welled up in my jaw and legs.

Just one step short.
I stared at the damp, slightly mud-smeared red skin of the apple, savoring the spreading bitterness and disappointment.
Ah, whatever. Let it be. I'm used to failure anyway. Trying again doesn't matter.

Sylvia quickly stepped into my field of view.
I was just trying to force a "it's okay" smile when she reached out first, gently patting my back, then smoothly wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

A faint, fresh scent—a mix of sweat and some kind of floral fragrance—immediately drifted into my nostrils. At the same time, a soft, resilient sensation pressed tightly against my side.
My whole body stiffened; my brain was instantly wiped blank.
"What a shame! So very close. I'm sorry, if only I could have figured out a way to participate... Mph!"
By the end, she realized she hadn't managed the distance properly and hurriedly, blushing, let go with a light touch.
"...I-I'm going to eat an apple."

Tossing out that sentence, she hopped away from the large basin, picked up an apple, ran over to a nearby long table, and started munching on it by herself, head bowed.
Watching her slightly flustered retreat, I silently savored the soft sensation lingering on my shoulder and side, barely suppressing a sneaky smile.

Seeing my somewhat pointless challenge conclude, the watching passersby likely began to disperse.
The nun walked up and said,
"What a pity, Mr. Boyfriend. If you had succeeded, the blessing you'd receive would have been as abundant as a flood."
Annoying person. Her words immediately pulled me back to reality.
"...It's fine. She and I were bound to part ways sooner or later anyway."
"She has strong convictions. I think even if the gods created countless opportunities for me, she wouldn't change her mind."
These words were less for the nun and more for myself.

The nun covered her mouth with a light laugh.
"The Star God wouldn't interfere so strongly. Blessings are merely to illuminate a radiant path for you, to lessen your worries."
"Even without a blessing, those with feelings and determination will eventually walk the same path... just with more twists, turns, and hesitation. Don't give up on yourself. You must work hard~"
As she spoke, she shot a glance towards Sylvia, who was over there pretending to seriously munch an apple while actually eavesdropping with perked-up ears.
"It seems she's already waiting for you. I won't disturb your 'festival date' any longer."
"Mm. Thanks for the reminder."

I thanked the nun, bid her farewell, tidied up my slightly downcast mood, and walked over to Sylvia.
Seeing me approach, she immediately tossed the apple core she'd been gnawing on—completely devoid of public morals—and said,
"So, which activity next, guide?"
'Dance among the first ears of grain, seize victory to obtain the crystal.'
This clue was no longer a riddle; it clearly pointed to the final location.
"To the First Ears Dance."

Sunlight poured brilliantly over the square, dyeing the stone-paved paths and surrounding buildings a warm gold.
In the center of the square, right below the high platform where the Baron had declared the festival open, people had cleared an area more expansive than others to serve as a temporary dance floor, surrounded by wooden poles tied with colorful ribbons and wheat stalks.

Melodies of various tunes filled the square. Well-off young people were pretending to play violins, several craftsmen stood in a row beating newly-made hand drums and tambourines, and there was even a bard from who-knows-where playing bagpipes.
The dance floor itself was still empty, but a large crowd of enthusiastic townsfolk had already gathered around.
The sun was a bit hot. They stood under the awnings of nearby stalls or in the shadows cast by buildings. Several staff from Silverleaf Workshop had set up a simple stall selling various potions and restorative elixirs.
...Although the festive atmosphere is indeed thick, isn't this crowd a bit too much?
The air doesn't even feel like it's circulating. Other people's exhaled heat seems to be blowing directly onto my face.
Honestly, I'm already starting to feel like going home.
I'm already feeling like going home.

Sylvia scanned the surroundings, looking disappointed.
"Hasn't started yet... It won't wait until evening, will it? Adam, there shouldn't be a second dance at this festival, right?"
"There's a small one in the barn too, and there are definitely wheat stalks there. Should we go check it out?"
"Huh? Then why did you bring me here in the first place?"
"Because this is the most popular spot, making it the most suitable place to hide a prize. But it seems I guessed wrong. Haven't seen a trace of Mr. Wilson."

Just as I said this, someone suddenly patted my shoulder. Turning, I saw Emily and a few of her cheerful friends.
"Fancy meeting you here, Brother. Looking for Mr. Wilson? He's over there in the preparation tent changing clothes."
She pointed towards a corner of the square. Through the dense crowd, I could see several temporary canvas tents set up there.
I was a bit surprised.
"To the point of changing clothes specially... Wow."
Emily, for no reason, lightly punched my chest.
"Because you spend all day holed up in your room fiddling with bottles and jars, you'd say something so lacking in common sense."
"Listen! This isn't an ordinary dance just for fun! The winner not only gets a special reward but can also show off in front of the whole town, men, women, old, and young. It practically grants priority mating rights!"
Where does she learn these乱七八糟 (messy) words.
And I really don't think clumsily spinning in circles for half an hour like a fool in front of a bunch of acquaintances and strangers counts as "showing off."
If anything, it's a form of torture.
"Reward? Like a crystal?"
"Probably not. Look, it's already displayed on the high platform."

I turned to look at the high platform in the center of the square.
The Baron was sitting there with an air of importance, being roasted by the sun. A table was set before him, and on it rested a carefully carved wooden horn.
Emily explained,
"That's this year's prize—the 'Horn of Plenty Cup.' It's filled with the plumpest wheat stalks from this year's harvest. They say whoever gets it will have good luck for the next year!"

Sylvia and I exchanged a glance and immediately understood each other.
The crystal must be inside that horn...!

Just as I thought this, the surrounding music suddenly ceased.
A middle-aged man in leaf-patterned robes nimbly leaped onto the platform and announced,
"Friends, good morning! The morning 'First Ears Dance' will officially commence in half an hour!"
"Friends wishing to participate and showcase your graceful dance moves, please proceed quickly to the temporary registration tent at the corner of the square to sign up! We look forward to your wonderful performance!"
"Additionally, before and after dancing, it's inevitable to feel fatigue or soreness. Don't worry! The Silverleaf Workshop stall next to us has prepared for everyone—"
I ignored his lengthy advertisement and looked at Sylvia beside me. She was full of enthusiasm, eyes shining.
"I have some experience with dancing. I'll go sign up right now!"

With Sylvia's body control and coordination far surpassing the ordinary, plus an elf's naturally graceful posture, even her walking seems like a dance.
It's predictable that once she gets serious, she'll easily attract everyone's attention. Winning that horn cup shouldn't be a problem.
...Hope she pays attention to her skirt then, and doesn't get too carried away and make overly vigorous moves.

While I was thinking these pointless, slightly sour thoughts, Sylvia had already taken a step, ready to head towards the tent.
However, Emily was quick and grabbed her.
"Wait, Via! Do you have a dance partner?"
"Dance partner?"
"Mhmm. The dance itself has few requirements, no restrictions on what dance you do, just follow the rhythm."
"But, there's one unique and most important rule—all participants must be in pairs, dancing a duo! After all, this is a harvest celebration dance. Of course, being in pairs is more auspicious~"

Sylvia glanced at me. I silently retreated two steps, hiding behind my sister.
Although I'd like to hold hands and walk with Sylvia, dancing in front of a huge crowd is still too stimulating for me.
She then tilted her head and said,
"Emily, are you free?"
"Unfortunately, I'm already tired from walking this morning. Brother, if you keep pretending to be invisible, I'll show Via what you've hidden under your bed."
Yikes! How does she know?!
Sylvia gave me a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, Adam. I've already seen that. You don't have to force yourself if you're not willing."
My room and my privacy!
...Ah, forget it. She's considered my feelings to this extent. I can't just think about my own face.

"...Then, I'll have to ask for your patience later."