Vol 5: Chapter 56

Why did Asha return to her kingdom when she said she wanted to go on adventures with me?

No Somewhere in my heart, I had a feeling this was going to happen.

She is a High Elf royalty, a princess, Her Highness. The world in which she lives is clearly different from mine.

What she wanted was only a temporary adventure, like how people long for adventures in story books.

Ah

As the sound of waves crashing against the shore registered in my ears, I finally realized that my legs had carried me to the harbor.

There were not a lot of people around. The blowing wind carried the scent of the salty sea.

The outline of the magic airship on which Asha was aboard was getting smaller and smaller as it flew further away.

Haa

A sigh escaped my lips as I felt a sense of helplessness and disappointment in myself.

Just as I decided to sit on the spot

Booooo~~~~~chan!

Uwaah!?

Zerry-san suddenly hugged me from behind.

Her high body temperature felt warm, and her breath smelt like liquor.

Oh? Normally you would be able to tell when I am approaching you, but today you seem to have left yourself defenseless.

Is there something you need?I asked.

Hmm? Cant I just come hang with you for fun?

Im not in the mood today.

I pushed away the drunkard with both hands.

Hoho I get it now. Did you get rejected, bochan?

Huh?

Well, a High Elf is like a star beyond the clouds which you can see but never reach for, so you should forget about her.

What no, Asha isnt like that. I mean, Asha is not someone I can forget so easily either.

Oh? Is that so? Then is it a forbidden love for your sister?

What!? Lark!? What kind of stupid things are you saying!?

Hey, your cheeks are blushing red Which means shes the one your heart desires

N-No, thats not it! I was just surprised!

But you arent related by blood, right? Then its okay! Nahahaha!

Its not okay Besides, Lark told me she doesnt want to see my face again.

What happened?

About that

I hesitated for a moment, but decided to talk to Zerry-san about removing Larks skill orb, how it would have killed her if I didnt, and how she threw a fit of anger because of it.

I have been with Zerry-san for a long time, and I trust her a lot though, I havent forgotten that she used me as a shield in the Umibozu battle.

Ahhh, the fault lies with you, bochan.

So you think I should have talked to her about it beforehand, too?

Zerry-san is a classic example of a person who speaks offhandedly, but I guess even she would be delicate in matters pertaining to women.

Thats not it Lark-san is a woman who strives to put on the image of a strong, reliable woman. So, if the man she loves prods her weakest part, she would naturally feel embarrassed right.

Come again?

Lark-san is indeed strong, but thats only because she is forcing herself. It is clear as day to me.

No, no, not that What do you mean the man she loves? Who are you talking about?

Haaaaaa

Zerry-san heaved an intentionally deep sigh.

Bochan I knew that you werent emotionally as mature, but to think it is this bad. I am talking about you, of course.

Huh?

Wait a minute, what is she saying?

Lark is my sister.

Well, thats because she cant get close to you unless she acts the part of a sibling. Lark-san doesnt seem to have proper emotional growth as well. Where did you two grow up?

As slaves in a mine.

Bochan, surely Lark-san must have done something wrong in the past and ran away, right? Thats why she cant convey her feelings to you. Because she doesnt want you to get involved.

That is

And as you continue to say that she is your sister, she thinks it is better to keep the distance between you two. Moreover, she doesnt want to cause worry for you, bochan. Which is why she escaped from the Lev Magic Empire without telling you. Everything makes sense if you think she did it for the sake of the man she fell in love with.

Thats

I knew that Lark considered me precious to her.

Furthermore, Lark never called me Reiji but only little brother.

Haaaaaa

Jerry-san sighed intentionally again.

But the man she loves has robbed her of her only source of strength the skill orb. Which leaves Lark-san with no foundation to stand upon. If I was Lark, I would be angry and embarrassed. I would be enraged.

She was indeed enraged.

It makes me irritated to look at Zerry-sans told you so face, but I feel there is truth in her words.

I will return the skill orb to Lark.

You better not.

What? Why? If Im in the wrong, I have to apologize.

You just dont understand a womans heart, do you, bochan?

I dont want to hear that from a drunkard who drinks during noon

Sake is a womans taste.

I hate that shit-eating grin on Zerry-sans face.

Just think for a second, bochan. Lark-san has probably calmed down and remembered what she had just done. She flipped out at you for having her best interests in mind. She must be feeling deeply embarrassed and just wants to disappear.

You speak as if you had seen it.

Its your fault for not understanding these things.

Ugh.

And what do you think will happen if you go and apologize now?

She will feel even more embarrassed.

Thats right.

Zerry-san crossed her arm with her chest puffed.

I feel that Zerry-san is correct this time around.

Then, what should I do?

Give her some time. This is a chance for Lark-san as well. A chance for her to be honest with you, bochan. But that takes time. To become a strong woman, you have to acknowledge your weakness.

I thinkI understand.

It pains me to not meet Lark for a while, but I think we both need some time to calm down.

So, please go to the Third Forest, bochan.

Understood wait, what?

Isnt it you who has to talk to the High Elf lady? This can only be done by you, bochan.

No, but What about Lark?

Wont you leave that matter to us?

A voice came from behind.

Turning around, Non-san was standing there.

Behind her were Dante-san and Mimino-san.

My dad, Mimino-san, and Zerry-san will go see the Sage of Medicine.Non-san said.

But this is regarding my sister, so

Reiji-kun.

Non-san approached closer.

Although the height difference between Non-san and I had decreased, Non-san was still a little taller.

Actually I was contacted earlier by letter, and it seems that my master, who taught me magic, is coming to Zackerhafen. Since she is a genius inHealing Magic, she will help Lark-sans recovery.

Will it be fine?I asked.

Of course.

Non-san reached out her hands and placed them on my shoulders.

You dont have to hold everything inside you, and dont assume that you have to do it all alone. Rely on us. We belong to the same party and are like a family. If Lark-san is your family, then she is also our family.

Non-san

Non-sans gentle smile melted my stiffened heart.

I was pushing myself too hard.

I had to save peoples lives, and so I had to keep doing my best for that.

However, the person whom I want to acknowledge my deeds has not done so Lark.

Thats why I feel helpless. It feels painful.

I will be here, too!Mimino-san said.

As will I.Dante-san said.

And the ever-reliable myself will also be here. Im expecting a reduction in debt, bochan.Zerry-san said, with a wink..

Okay!

I wiped the tears in the corner of my eyes with my sleeves.

Thank you for your help!

The moment I said that, my bodyeven my heart, truly felt lighter.