kscans

Chapter 158 - Return to the City and Feelings for the Birds of Passage

We urged our horses onward, heading for the city of Heilon. This was our return journey from the luncheon. It was the same road through the open olive groves as on the way there. There seemed to be other roads back to the city, but we were taking the one we came on to avoid getting lost. At this pace, we would likely reach the city around sunset. Aira was limp, tied to my back with a carrying strap. It's not that I had her do this because I wanted to feel her breasts against my back. She was the one who said she wanted to ride with me. It was a drunkard's request, so there was a high chance she hadn't thought it through at all. But I was a novice. The feeling of her chest was nice, but when the horse swayed, she didn't try to maintain her posture and just collapsed with the movement, making it difficult to support her upper body. She wasn't turning to stone and adding weight like a Konaki-jiji, but this was difficult in its own way.

"Ugh... ugh... water... let me down..."

She seemed to be awake.

"We'll take a break in a little bit, just hang on."

"No... I'm going to puke... ugh..."

"Hey, stop it! Cecily, we're taking a break!"

I couldn't have her throwing up on my back. And it would be a pity for the horse. I hurriedly stopped the horse and dismounted. Aira stumbled to the side of the road with unsteady steps, covering her mouth. I followed and rubbed her back as she bent over. She usually drank heavily, but today she had drunk even more than usual. The priestess with us had been delighted at first, recounting legends of how Uta was also a heavy drinker, but by the end, she was clearly put off by the sight of Aira downing everything in sight. Even Cecily had tried to stop her, so she must have gone past her limit. Standing in front of people as a leader must have been a considerable pressure. Cecily, having finished tending to the horses, came up beside me.

"If this was going to happen, we should have just taken that noble's carriage."

The noble who was attacked by goblins on the way here had invited us to travel back with them. If we had, we could have had Aira rest in the carriage in exchange for guarding them. But the carriage ride was rough, too. She probably would have caused just as much trouble.

"Today is my date with you, Cecily."

"Doesn't feel like it at all, though."

She looked at Aira with a weary expression.

"But I think it's good that it's the three of us."

"Why's that?!"

"Even when we go to Miglutt, I want to be with both you and Aira."

"You just say whatever's convenient for you..."

"It's no use saying that. You two were holding hands tightly when we were talking with the King of Heilon. You're better off together."

"And what about you, Mash?"

"What about me?"

"Don't you have any friends like that?"

"I don't have anyone I'd share Cecily with."

"Are you an idiot?!"

"...I don't have anyone I can call a friend. I've always been alone. I'm jealous of you two."

She peered into my face, trying to discern the truth. I prayed she didn't have Famu's sharp intuition. It was better to keep her half-believing, half-doubting. How would she feel if she knew I really didn't have any friends? Aira finally straightened up. I used water magic to create some water, poured it into a cup, and handed it to her.

"You're not disillusioned after seeing me like this?"

Cecily asked.

"Huh? I think it's cute..."

Seeing this unguarded side of her meant she had opened up to me that much. I felt like I understood them a little better now. They'd go along with it if I invited them, but if I tried to confirm their feelings, they'd say the opposite. They weren't just being contrary; they wanted me to understand without them having to say it. Probably. I think. I hope so. I'm not confident. But was it really that simple? Famu had said, "I have a lot of emotions inside me."

What they showed might just be one of many.

"Wasn't this supposed to be my date?"

"Hold on, that was a leading question. You're cute too, Cecily."

"It's not very flattering to be told that as an afterthought."

After saying that, she took a fighting pose as if to start a battle.

"What are you doing?"

"You're thinking of hugging me to cover up the fact that you can't come up with a comeback, aren't you?"

"..."

She saw right through me. With no other choice, I threw myself at her in a do-or-die embrace.

"Gah! What are you thinking, out in the open like this?!"

She shook me off and ran.

"It's fine. In my mind, Cecily is synonymous with exhibitionism. Besides, Aira will cover for us... Aira?"

Aira, who had seemed to have recovered, crouched down again. I went back to rubbing her back.

"Ugh... my head hurts..."

It seemed the hangover symptoms were already setting in. If this was going to happen, we should have stayed the night at the castle.

"Hey, can't you use healing magic to sober up?"

In this case, would it be symptomatic treatment, or detoxification? Could magic break down the alcohol in her body?

"...I think it's possible, but the church forbids using magic to cure the consequences of one's own actions. Besides, it's a waste of a good drink."

She felt sick enough to throw up and had a headache, yet what was she talking about?

"The church believes in the gods, right? The god that sent me is telling you to do it, isn't he?"

"You can say that because you've never been shot at by Lady Laciel's arrows..."

Had that duel left both Cecily and Aira traumatized? Although, I felt like 'shot at' wasn't quite the right term for what happened.

"I thought you were scared of the church. Are you scared of Laciel?"

I asked while handing her water. Honestly, human eyes were scarier than Laciel's spear or arrows.

""We're scared!""

Even Cecily chimed in.

"I stabbed Laciel with the thing covered in your love juices, didn't I? Your feelings should be known to the gods by now."

""...""

This time, they both fell silent. It seemed they were angry, even though it was a moment where all our feelings had become one.

"If anything happens, it's your fault, Mash!"

After that, Aira recovered, and we made it back to the city of Heilon without encountering any more monsters. The sun was setting by the time we returned the horses to the Mateo Trading Company. Claire was at the company, and when she saw me, she followed me. It seemed she intended to stay at the inn tonight. In the inn's tavern-slash-dining hall, Famu and the others were having a meal.

"Famu!"

"Master!"

She came running when I called out to her. It felt like we hadn't seen each other in a long time. I opened my arms, and she jumped into them without hesitation. As I held her tight, some of the other patrons in the tavern started to tease us. It was quite embarrassing, but her usual smile brought me a sense of relief.

"Did you talk to Chicchi?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, Master."

Her expression was clear. I hadn't done anything. But I didn't want to see her tear-stained face from yesterday again, so I was glad. I placed a hand on her head and then stroked her ears.

"Can we talk about that in the room? I don't feel like eating anything today,"

Aira said. For someone who said that, I wondered why she was holding a mug of ale in each hand. Whether it was Mizuki or Famu, was there no one here with any self-control? I was genuinely getting worried.

"It's fine. This is all I'll have today."

"We'll be waiting,"

Aira replied and headed back to the room. It seemed Cecily was going with her. I was a little hungry, and Claire hadn't had dinner either. I grabbed a bowl of soup and sat down between Famu and Mizuki. My usual designated seat. Myra usually sat in front of Famu, and Cecily or Aira would sit across from me, but when Myra and Aira were on good terms, Myra would sit there, and when they were on bad terms, Cecily would. Right now, Claire was sitting there. Shizuka and Reeni were also eating at the same table. Looking around, we were quite a large group. Claire had gotten soup, skewered meat, and bread. Her drink appeared to be ale. Myra was probably drinking ale as well. I wondered if Shizuka was giving Reeni alcohol, but a peek showed it was fruit juice. Come to think of it, the two people who could create water with magic had been out.

I used magic to prepare my own drink. The sun had been strong during the journey, and I was thirsty. The water tasted delicious.

"If Mash is here, I think I'll have just one drink,"

Mizuki said.

"What's that mean? You don't drink when I'm not here?"

I had thought she was just holding back in front of me and drinking like a fish behind my back, so this was unexpected.

"You told me to only drink when I'm happy, so I only drink when I'm with you."

"Is that so... wait, but haven't you been drinking even when I'm not around?"

"Only when I know you're coming."

When I looked at her, she turned bright red and looked away. It seemed she wasn't lying.

"So, are Cecily and Aira staying with the party?"

Mizuki asked, as if to change the subject.

"I don't know yet..."

"Then what was the point of you going out?!"

"Ugh, you're right about that, but..."

"Did you say it?"

"That I want them to stay. And that it's fine if they go to the academy."

"...So you didn't say it."

Mizuki's expression momentarily softened with relief, then hardened again.

"What are you going to do?!"

"W-Wait, do you guys want them to stay?"

I asked a question to buy myself some time to think.

"Of course,"

said Mizuki.

"Aira is my sister,"

said Myra.

"They have been, and will continue to be, our precious companions,"

even Famu replied.

Claire, Shizuka, and Reeni were completely on the sidelines, but they seemed to have read the room and didn't interject. Or so I thought, but then Reeni raised her hand.

"Yes, Reeni-san, go ahead."

She gave a little nod. This was convenient for me too. I hadn't figured anything out, but I was starting to get a vague idea. I wanted to organize my thoughts.

"You're about to have a serious talk, so I wanted to say something before that."

"Go ahead."

"Today, Myra-san—"

"Just Myra is fine. All companions are on a first-name, informal basis. Age doesn't matter."

I had interrupted Reeni, but it was important, so I made sure to say it.

"Myra took me to the church. Starting today, I'm a 'Jade Rabbit'."

It seems she successfully got a profession. Judging by the name, it's probably a unique profession for the rabbit-eared race. Unique professions are often advanced classes compared to normal ones. And because they're advanced, some people can't get them, or they might have to gain experience in other professions first. The fact that both she and Famu could get their race-specific professions from the start meant they had talent.

"What kind of profession is it?"

I asked Myra.

"I'm not sure of the details. It would be nice if there were another rabbit-eared person around..."

"Did you get any skills or magic?"

I looked at Reeni.

"I learned the skill 'Leap'. If I focus and jump, I can jump really high."

She puffed out her chest, looking a little proud. Shizuka patted her head in praise. I wanted to touch her long rabbit ears too.

"Is it a melee-type profession?"

Or maybe a non-combat class like a ranger?

"Perhaps. She's stronger than you, Mash. It might be a good idea to consult Avea,"

Myra said, taking a jab at me. Did I do something to annoy her? Did she think I was treating her crudely like some kind of walking encyclopedia? I decided to be a little gentler with her from now on.

"You're right. I'll ask Avea about it tomorrow morning."

In response, Reeni gave a small nod.

Once the atmosphere had lightened a little, the conversation returned to Cecily and Aira.

"Could it be that you all know what I should say?"

Mizuki looked away, and Myra looked away too. Famu had a prim expression on her face, but she wouldn't meet my eyes. It seemed they wanted them to stay, but didn't want to say it themselves.

"Wait, do Claire, Shizuka, and Reeni know too?"

Claire's eyes darted around. It seemed she had a vague idea. Reeni shook her head and drank her fruit juice. "Phew,"

she sighed in satisfaction. She probably really didn't know what we were talking about.

"I know,"

Shizuka said.

"Really?"

"There's a magic word that makes boys and girls get along."

"...Seriously?"

It suddenly sounded suspicious.

"Try saying 'ko-man' ten times in front of them."

"...Alright, to see if it's okay, I'll try saying it to Myra and check."

Myra flinched at my response.

"W-Why me?"

"Because you seem a little upset..."

"I don't want to be told such a word in a place like this."

"Such a word? What kind of word is it?"

"K-Ko-man..."

Myra uttered it. I wanted to record it and play it on a permanent loop.

"Alright, try saying it ten times."

"There's no way I can!"

Myra got angry. I turned back to Shizuka.

"Hey. It's not making us get along!"

"That's because you're making a girl say it. You should say it, Mash."

It was like the creation myth of Izanagi and Izanami.

"Stop it! There's no way Cecily would change her mind over a word like that! Think seriously!"

Mizuki got angry in Myra's place.

"Mizuki, I know this is a weird place and time to say this, but..."

"W-What is it?"

"I like you."

"Y-Yeah. I like you too, Mash. A lot."

Mizuki's face turned bright red. Putting it into words brought a complex mix of embarrassment and shyness. What kind of face was Famu making? I had always been able to tell her I liked her so innocently. But now, I was afraid to look at her face. But I had to tell everyone. I turned to Myra.

"Myra, thank you for always teaching me about this world. I like you."

"Yes. And I love you, Mash,"

Myra smiled.

I looked at Claire beside her.

"I'm sorry this feels like an afterthought, but I like you too, Claire."

"Yes. I'm glad the marriage partner my father chose was you, Mash. I like you too."

Claire blushed shyly. The wings on her back fluttered. I couldn't tell if it was an "I'm embarrassed"

flutter or an "I like you"

flutter.

"I'll go back to the room and tell Cecily and Aira properly too."

Mizuki and Myra nodded.

"Wait. What about Reeni..."

"I like you too, Reeni."

I reached out and patted her head. And I finally touched her rabbit ears. The fur was fluffy and very pleasant to the touch.

"Wait a minute, what about Shizuka-chan?"

Shizuka hurriedly stood up.

"Get Ko-kun to say that to you!"

Her shoulders slumped in disappointment.