TL: Zimmings

Emeline, who looked around, said with a very nervous expression.

What happened? No matter what, it would be impossible to pass the barrier of Odiss gate I need to contact the school first. You have to explain that crossing the border gate was a mistake.

Wait.

Why? You must hurry! If its like this-

Look over there, Emeline.

Emelines eye followed where I was pointing at, and she narrowed her eyebrows.

We could see the school. The distance from the school to Gate 1, the farthest border gate, is quite long. If we cross the border gate, we cannot see the school.

Lets check the coordinates again. Do you have a map?

Yes.

We opened the map that Emeline had brought and checked the location.

Were about two kilometers away from our destination.

Alan, this trash.

Why Alan?

He taught me the coordinates. Isnt he crazy?

Hes annoying but he wont do anything too extreme. Because if we really crossed the border gates, he could be held responsible for giving us the wrong coordinates. Also, we wont be able to get out of the boundary gate barrier.

That swine.

I shrugged and said as Emeline clicked her tongue.

Lets go. Its not that far, so can we go on foot?

Yes.

We walked together and out of the alley.

When we reached our destination, we exclaimed, Wow!

It cannot be compared to a huge mansion like the Dubbledes or the shopping district, but the village on a mountainside is somehow incredibly splendid.

Theres a tavern, a shop specializing in scrolls in a blacksmiths shop, and even a bakery!

Its festival period. Blaine, look over there! Pierrot!

A pierrot on stilts staggered while juggling with four balls.

A toy railroad is everywhere on the streets. Toy trains running on the railroads have promotional flags for shops.

Each stall sells mouth-watering food, and at the end of the road, someone gives out balloons to excited children, and colorful papers fly in the air.

We ran around the village holding hands with excitement as if we had returned to our childhood days.

Suddenly, my hands were full of snacks, like candy and juice.

Oops, I need to find West.

As I raised my head in amazement, Emeline, who was chewing the marshmallow next to me, stopped too.

I also need to find Juliet.

We gulped, swallowed, and looked at each other.

Its scary, the festival its driving us crazy.

We handed over a bunch of sweets and things we bought unconsciously to passersby.

You havent eaten yet, how about this?

Come on, take this pinwheel. Its free.

Emeline grumbled, wiping her hands covered in marshmallow residue.

Its all because I didnt experience this when I was young. I didnt enjoy it when I was young, so I became like this when I grow up.

I admit it too.

Havent you been prosperous in this life?

Whats the difference? I have clear memories of my past life. Didnt I live as a beggar until I was nine years old? I lived as a beggar much longer than you. Neither in the second life nor in the first life could I have imagined such a festival.

Oh my God. We forget our purpose and play. Im sorry, please dont tell Tri this. Blaine, this is our secret.

Of course. I would feel bad going here without her.

We shook hands and turned our backs to find each others targets.

See you at school.

Yes.

I asked about Minas whereabouts to every freshman I met on the street.

She was at the flower shop.

I think I saw her in a souvenir shop.

She was buying juice at the end of the stall.

I arrived at the place that looked like a slum. It was where I first arrived. And at the beginning of the alley, I finally found Mina and West.

Leblaine?

Mina, who was holding hands with West, looked at me.

Why are you here?

Ive got business to do with West. I was looking for you because it seemed like he was with you.

West?

Me?

West looked up at me with a puzzled expression.

Being a werebeast, he grew slower than an ordinary person, so even though he was over twenty, he was a span shorter than me.

I have something to tell you about East.

W-why East.

When he stuttered,

Crash!

A shout was heard along with a crash in the alley.

This thief!

Mina and I looked at him at the same time.

A large man with a grim look was pushing the boy, who looked about thirteen, against the wall, and he was very angry.

Next to the boy was a short girl who looked like his younger sister, she looked as young as six or seven years old.

Hey! What are you doing!

Mina, who screamed, let go of Wests hand and entered the alley.

West said, Mina~! and followed her, I had no choice but to pursue West.

Let the child go. What are you doing to the child!

Who are you?

The man frowned as he glanced at Mina.

Im sure youre an Odis student, judging from the way you went.

How am I supposed to let this go? Hey, are you okay?

When Mina looked at the boy and asked, the man snorted.

Its already the third time this guy stole something from my store!

As the atmosphere became noisy, people with dirty on their faces and clothes appeared one by one from the alley and looked towards us.

Stole?

When Mina asked, the boy shrugged, and the girl, who seemed to be the boys younger sister, burst into tears.

I-its not my brothers fault. Im bad, huwaa-! Its because Im hungry!

It was bread in the boys hand. Mina, who looked at the children with a bewildered expression, turned her head to the man who must be the owner of the store.

How much is it? Ill pay for it.

Really?

The mans attitude changed when she said that she wanted to pay. Then he continued,

100 francs.

Mina took money from her pocket and handed it to the man, and the man glanced at the boy once, took the money from Mina and disappeared.

Mina took a deep breath and bent her knees to the siblings who stole the bread.

Are you okay?

Yes, thank you.

I know youre worried about your sister, but stealing other peoples stuff is bad. Next time, dont do that, okay?

.

Seeing the boy who did not answer, Mina smiled and took a bill from her pocket.

With a fairly large amount of money, living costs for a couple of months in such a shabby alley would have been enough.

Have it. And look for a job-

I took the money from Minas hand instead.

Mina looked at me in bewilderment.

Leblaine?

Dont give it to them.

Oh, dont worry. This is my money. The temple gave it to me.

Its your money, so dont give it to them.

What?

Mina frowned and stood up.

Whats wrong with it? If someone doesnt help them, they will have to do the wrong thing soon.

Do you think youre helping these kids by giving them money?

What?

I walked out of the alley and bought food from the stall in front of me. Then, I handed the food to the siblings.

Eat this today, and go to the relief center for the poor from tomorrow.

I heard that the refugee camp is on the side of Gate 1. It would take a whole day to go back and forth at a childs pace.

Still, go there. Dont steal anymore.

Leblaine!

Mina shouted, but I ignored it and pushed the siblings on the back.

Go quickly.

The siblings looked at us and then disappeared, and Mina looked at me as she bit her lips.

What? Why do you think I helped them? Leblaine, I think youre doing this because you dont like me like what the other kids say.

Yes, Mina. I hate you.

What?

I hate the arrogance of believing that if you do good, anything will work out. I hate your beliefs.

Minas eyes trembled slightly, and West, who was looking at me and Mina alternately, shouted.

Youre so harsh. You smelled like a bad person, youre really bad-!

What do you think will happen if the children go back like that?

West and Mina blinked at my words.

What do you mean?

If a lot of money fell into the hands of such children, what do you think would happen?

Are you saying that people will want money and even harm children?

Mina sighed and shook her head. She stared at me and then she opened her mouth again.

Leblaine, the world isnt all that bad. There are people with malice, but there are more people who dont have it. There are many nice people than you think.

Yes, there are certainly people with malice.

Thats not what I mean-

The people who had that malice!

Minas face hardened as I screamed. I looked at her and spoke.

How can you be sure that none of the people who just saw the siblings get paid have malice?

What?

How can you believe that those kids wont be in danger?

Why do you only think that there are people with malice?

Because I have to. We have to think of the worst rather than the best!

.

As you said, with rights there are duties. I have obligations for everything I enjoy. Nobles protect commoners! Those who have to protect should always think of the worst first. Just as parents care for their children!

.

Thats why we have to think of a worse outcome. The same goes for you, who say you are supported by the temple.

You and I are really different.

Me and Mina looked straight at each other. Then Mina said,

So we cant do anything because were afraid of the worst that hasnt happened? No, if its me, Ill do it. If my kindness can change the world, I will do anything.

So?

I thought you were the child of fate in this world. I will eventually go back, so youre the one who will protect this place. But now I see it, youre just a coward, Leblaine.

Now that the introduction is over, just tell me the main point.

I cant leave this world to you.

Mina grabbed Wests hand and spoke firmly.

Im going to do my best now.

Then Ill do my best to stop you.

I smiled at her.

Youll have to do your best, Mina.

In my fourth life, it was the first time Mina and I argued.