Chapter 158 - 158. Return to the City and Thoughts for the Small Birds
I was riding my horse toward the city of Heilong. We were on the return journey from the banquet. The same olive grove-lined road with its clear view. There seemed to be other routes back to the city, but I turned back the way we came to avoid getting lost. At this pace, we should reach the city around sunset. Aira was slumped against my back, secured with a chest strap. It wasn't like I wanted to feel her chest against me and insisted on it—she said she wanted to ride with me. Given that she was drunk, there's a good chance she didn't even think about it. I'm still a beginner. While her chest against my back isn't bad, it makes it hard to maintain my balance when she doesn't support her own weight and just leans on me. She doesn’t exactly turn into a stone to add her weight or anything, but it's still hard to support her like this.
"Ugh… ugh… water… put me down…"
She seemed to be waking up.
"You'll just have to wait until we take a break," I said.
"No way… I feel like I'm going to throw up… ugh."
"Hey, stop it! Cecily, it's time for a break!"
If she threw up on my back, that would be the end of it. And the horse would hate me too. I hurriedly stopped the horse and got off. Aira staggered toward the side of the road, clutching her mouth. I followed her and patted her back as she leaned over. She usually drinks a lot, but today she was drinking even more than usual. Even the priestess with her, who said that Uta of legend was a heavy drinker, seemed clearly put off by her taking every last drop. Cecily tried to stop her, so she must have reached her limit. Maybe being in the spotlight as the leader really is stressful. After finishing the horse's care, Cecily approached me.
"If you were going to end up like this, you should have just let the nobleman's carriage take her."
The nobleman who had been attacked by goblins on the way there had offered to travel with us on the return trip as well. If we had accepted, we could have let Aira rest in the carriage while we served as escorts. But the shaking of the carriage would’ve been terrible too, so she probably would’ve caused just as much trouble. "I shouldn't have," I muttered. "I wanted this to end."
"It's also because today is our date," I corrected myself.
"Judging by your mood, there's none of that," Cecily grumbled, still looking depressed as she glanced at Aira.
"But I'm glad we're together, all three of us."
"Why do you always say only what's convenient for you?"
"It's pointless to say anything else. When I was talking to the King of Heilong, we shook hands firmly, didn’t we? You two are better off together."
"What about Mash?"
"What about him?"
"Doesn't Mash have any friends like that?"
"I don’t have any friends to share Cecily with!"
"Idiots!"
"Why do you call us that?"
"Isn’t the church supposed to worship the gods? And that god bestowed me upon you, saying, 'Go make them do it'!"
I handed her water. Honestly, I'm more afraid of people's eyes than Racshell's spear or arrows. "Are you afraid of the church? Or are you afraid of Racshell?"
" 'Are you afraid of Racshell?!" ' Cecily practically shouted in unison.
"Racshell must have made a great impression on you two during that duel. Though I say shoot, it wasn’t really at that level."
"…They just happened to be shot with them, didn't they?"
They went silent. It seemed like they were angry that I had stolen their special moment when all of their feelings were united.
"If anything happens, it's Mash's fault!"
After that, Aira recovered, and we managed to return to Heilong without encountering any monsters. By the time we returned the horse to the Mateo Trading Company, the sun was nearly set. Claire was there and followed me when she saw me. She seemed to be planning on staying at the inn tonight. Fam and the others were eating dinner in the inn's dining hall.
"Fam!"
"My Master!"
She ran over when I called out to her. It felt like it had been ages since we'd seen each other. When I spread my arms, she didn't hesitate to jump into them. The other patrons in the bar area called out teasingly. It was embarrassing, but her usual smile made me feel better.
"Did you have a good chat?"
"Yes, thanks to my Master."
She looked refreshed. I didn't do anything, but I was glad to not see her crying face from yesterday again. I stroked her head and ears.
"Should we take this conversation to our room? I don't feel like eating anything," Aira said. Though she was saying that, she had beer mugs in both hands. And for Mizuki and Fam, too—did they not have anyone who could control themselves? It was a little worrying.
"It's okay. I'll stop at this much today," Mizuki said.
"I'll be waiting."
Aira answered and headed back to the room. It seemed like Cecily was following her. I was still a little hungry, and Claire hadn't had dinner yet either. I accepted the soup and sat between Fam and Mizuki. It was my usual spot. Maira usually sat in the seat in front of Fam, and either Cecily or Aira sat across from me, but when Maira and Aira were getting along, Maira would sit there, and when they weren’t, Cecily would sit there. Right now, Claire was sitting there. Shizuka and Rini were also eating at the same table. Looking at it this way, it was a quite large group. Claire was having soup, grilled meat, and bread. Her drink seemed to be beer. Maira was probably drinking beer too. I wondered if Shizuka had given Rini any alcohol, so I glanced at her. It looked like juice. Come to think of it, the two who could create water with magic were both out. I decided to make my own drink with magic. My throat was dry from the scorching sun during the journey. The water tasted good.
"If Mash is here, I'll have just one beer too," Mizuki said.
"What do you mean? You won't drink unless I'm here?"
I thought she only abstained in front of me and drank secretly behind my back, so I was surprised.
"Mash told me to only drink when I'm having fun, so I only drink when I'm with Mash."
"So, you… are you not drinking even when I'm not here?"
She looked away, her face bright red. It didn't seem like she was lying.
"So, will you, Cecily, and Aira stay with the party?"
Mizuki said as if changing the subject.
"I don't know yet…"
"What did you even go out for, then!"
"Oh, well, that's true, but…"
"Did you say it?"
"Did you tell her you wanted them to stay?"
"I didn’t tell them I wanted them to stay. I just told them they could go to school."
"Mash didn't tell them he wanted them to stay either."
For a moment, Mizuki looked relieved, but then her expression turned grim.
"What are you planning to do?!"
"Wait, do you two want to stay together?"
I wanted some time to think, so I asked an evasive question.
"Of course," Mizuki said.
"Aira is my sister," Maira added.
"They're two very important companions, both now and in the future," Fam even said.
Claire, Shizuka, and Rini were completely out of the loop, but they seemed to sense the atmosphere and didn't interject. Or so I thought, but Rini raised her hand.
"Okay, Rini-san, please."
She nodded slightly. That was convenient for me too. I wasn't sure what to say, but I was starting to understand some things. I needed to get my thoughts organized.
"You're about to have a difficult conversation, so I want to talk before that," Rini said.
"Sure."
"Today, I went to Maira…" "Just Maira is fine. We use first names and informal speech with all companions, regardless of age."
I interrupted Rini's words, but I needed to say that first.
"Maira took me to the church. Today, I became a 'Jade Rabbit'!" (Shitteru→Jade Rabbit, like the moon rabbit)
It seemed like she successfully got a job. Judging by the name, it's probably a Rabbit race-only job. Unique race jobs are often higher-ranking than normal jobs. And because they're higher-ranking, there are people who can't obtain them, or people who need to gain experience in other jobs first. The fact that they are both able to obtain their racial unique class immediately means they have talent.
"What kind of job is that?"
I asked Maira.
"I don't know the details. Someone of the rabbit race would know better…"
"Did you learn any skills or magic?"
I turned my gaze to Rini.
"I learned the 'Jump' skill. If I concentrate and jump, I can jump really high."
She puffed out her chest proudly. Shizuka patted her head as if praising her. I also wanted to touch her long rabbit ears. Is it a combat job? Or maybe a non-combat job like a ranger?
"I think so. She's stronger than Mash, so you should ask Avec."
Maira took a jab at me. Did I do something to offend her? Does she think of me as some trivia collector? From now on, I'll try to treat her a little more kindly.
"That's right. I'll talk to Avec tomorrow morning."
When I answered, Rini nodded slightly.
The mood lightened a little, and the conversation returned to Cecily and Aira.
"Do you perhaps know what to say?"
Mizuki averted her gaze, and so did Maira. Fam had a blank face, but she also didn't meet my eyes. They wanted me to keep them, but they didn't want to say it.
"Does Claire, Shizuka, and Rini also know?"
Claire averting her eyes, it seems like she suspected. Rini shook her head and drank her juice. "Pffft," she sighed contentedly. She probably really doesn't know what we're talking about.
"I know," Shizuka said.
"Really?"
"There's a magical word that makes men and women get closer."
"…Really?"
I suddenly doubted that.
"Say 'ko-man' ten times in front of them, and see go!"
"…Okay, well, let me ask Maira to see if it works."
Maira flinched at my response.
"W-why me?"
"She seems like she's in a bad mood…"
"I don't want to say those words in a place like this."
"What are you talking about?"
"Th-that word…"
Maira said it. I wanted to record it and play it on repeat forever.
"Okay, try saying it ten times."
"There's no way I can!"
Maira was angry. I turned back to Shizuka.
"No, you can't get any closer like that!"
Shizuka blundered. "That's it, don't say those words! You won't make Cecily rethink anything like that! Think seriously!"
Mizuki, instead of Maira, shouted back.
"Mizuki, I know this is the wrong time and place, but…"
"What?"
"I like you."
"U-um. I like Mash too. I love you."
Mizuki's face was bright red. Saying it directly turned out to be a complicated mix of embarrassment and shyness. What kind of face was Fam making? I could always say "I like you" to her with complete innocence. But right now, I was afraid to look. But I had to tell everyone. I turned to Maira.
"Maira, I'm always grateful for you telling me about this world. I like you, Maira."
"I love Mash, too."
Maira smiled. I looked at Claire next.
"I hate to bring this up after that, but I like you too, Claire."
"Yes. I'm glad the partner my father decided for me was Mash. I like Mash too."
Claire looked bashful as she blushed. Her wings behind her back fluttered. Is it "bashful" fluttering or "I like you" fluttering? It was hard to tell.
"I'll go back to the room and properly tell Cecily and Aira too."
Mizuki and Maira nodded.
"Wait. About Rini…"
"I like you too, Rini."
I reached out and stroked her head. And finally, I touched her rabbit ears. They were fluffy and felt very good to touch.
"Wait a minute, Shizuka-chan…"
Shizuka stood up in a panic.
"Ask Koo-kun about that one!"
Her shoulders drooped.
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