The two continued to devote their time together, free time and work time alike.

Akari had found another being that she was intrigued by, someone to further her understanding of the world, to challenge her thinking and help develop her opinions. And, more unexpectedly, someone that she genuinely enjoyed to be around, to share her life and interests with.

The once solitary Wizard was fascinated by this human that was so curious and insightful; she wanted to know how his alchemy practice worked, about everything he was reading. She brought up the sides of conversations that he had never thought of before and brought a new perspective into the way he thought. She evoked something in him he was not accustomed to... emotions. He… Enjoyed his time with her.

Soon winter melted away to leave a lush spring. Before Akari realized it, she was harvesting her first crop of Strawberries. The winter had passed her by very quickly, much of her time she spent with the wizard. Watching the stars while he told her stories about the mythology surrounding them, collecting things from the forest for his work, teaching him about cultivation. He had really opened up to her, talking much more freely.

After she finished up the last of her chores, Akari put threw together two lunches, primarily composed of that morning's harvest, and gingerly placed them in her Rucksack. She often shared meals with the man, especially after noticing that he hardly ate if it was left to his responsibility. You'd think such a knowledgeable person would know that it isn't healthy to only consume coffee…

Once she reached Harmonica Town she slowed her horse. She had taken the path to Wizard's so many times that her horse knew the way and made the rest of the way to the wizard's home without any guidance from Akari. She hitched the horse to the fence round the side with a decent amount of slack for motility, and left an apple on the fence post as always. She then let herself in, locating the wizard at his desk, as he typically is, reading.

Without looking up, "You know, you don't need to bring me food all the time Akari… "

"Well, at least you're always ready when I arrive; I suppose that's something to be gained from you spying on me with that crystal of yours," she leaned over to kiss his forehead and hand him his lunch.

They settled down at the small center table and began to eat, Akari digging into the food and Wizard slowly enjoying the home cooked meal. Small talk was exchanged between bites, until Akari remembered something important she wanted to ask. "Mhh!" her eyes lit up and she painfully swallowed her mouthful of half chewed food, "So, you know that witch who lives in the swamp right?" She pointed her chopsticks at him and leaned forward over the small table. "At the very end of that forest trail that we always walk?"

The wizard choked on his mouthful, looking unsettled for a second "Not that I enjoy her company… "

"Well, apparently," she replied, shoveling more food into her mouth, "she has turned herself into a toad."

The wizard continued with a blank expression.

"I heard the Garmon kids talking about it while I was at the general store. I traded them some candy to hear all about their 'spooky story' about a big fat scary pink toad. They say it was wearing a pointy black hat and chased them out of the swamp. I wonder if their parents know that they're playing in the witch's swamp unsupervised… " She trailed off while scraping rice from the side of her lunch box.

The wizard sighed deeply. "I told her this would happen. I warned her that the potion she was brewing wasn't right. She always does such reckless things… "

Akari giggled at his exasperation. "So should we do something about it? She obviously can't fix herself in that state."

He furrowed his brow and picked up his book, "Or we could just leave her for a while longer… "

"Oh come onnn, It will be ok. Besides, I've never actually met her. And those kids said the toad has been there for a while, I'm sure she would be grateful for the assistance."

"Over a year, actually… " Akari's face read something like 'You're kidding.' "… I guess I can make something. Will you go with me tonight?"

She smiled gratefully, "only if you promise to walk me home after."