Vol 2 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Volume 2 Chapter 3

Abandoned Village of Rene II [His Past, Her Past]

AN: The ages were added to the character introductions.

The fifth chapter has been edited. The main character Shuten cannot go back and forth to get to the Demon King. (魔王とはまだまだなぐり合うようなことはできません。)

I apologize for any incorrect or misleading information. Thank you for your continued support of Grimoire x Reverse.

TL: I was waiting to finish this chapter to see if the “folding” phrase from last chapter was clarified. But no. Thanks everyone for the feedback on comments on that! Also, sorry for being so slow in updating…

On a side note, I’ll be changing the four heavenly demon kings to demon lords in previous chapters, for clarity.

In front of a warm campfire that flickered and shone red. I stared at the face of Hiragi roasting the monster meat for awhile. Her s.h.i.+ny black eyes, focusing on the meat, and illuminated by the flames were beautiful. But although I found her pretty, I was concerned about her as she had been worrying since we entered the Empire. (微笑ましいと思う反面、帝国入りしてからどこか思い悩んでいる彼女のことが少し心配な俺だった)

“What’s with the staring?” (Hiragi)

“What is it…the same as I expected (俺も大概だなーと思ってよ).” (Shuten)

“Ha?” (Hiragi)

Even though I won’t interrogate her that much, there is the subtle dark expression like this being made. I hesitated because I do not know what she is thinking nor what she is going to do with such a vague expression, but somehow a sigh came out of her, my kindred-chan, who rolled her eyes.

I sat down on one of the stumps from the trees that had been cut down in the surrounding area. By my side the Demon Slayer quietly reflected the orange light.

“Sitting around a campfire like this, I remember our first meeting.” (Shuten)

“It has not even been five days yet.” (Hiragi)

“I think that I have been able to open up, but what about you?” (Shuten)

“…Wh-what do you mean? Why would you think that?” (Hiragi)

“You are not being honest.” (Shuten)

“Shut up.” (Hiragi)

Huh, she sniffed and turned away.

At first it seemed completely aimed backward, but apparently this deflection of her gaze when things don’t work out her way is just a habit. This girl.

“Can’t you turn into a fox?”

“Always so abrupt…There is no reason to do it, so I won’t.” (Hiragi)

“Although you can transform between a fox and a humanoid, you cannot erase your nine tails, doesn’t that make you a defective item?” (Shuten)

“Didn’t your teasing become harsh after becoming Kin!?  Hey isn’t this too strong of a blow after becoming kindred!?” (Hiragi)

I close my eyes as Hiragi protested.

Yeah, from here I shouldn’t go any further. I, Shuten, remembered.

I grabbed a stick of the skewered meat. I want salt. I wonder if I could barter and then buy it from Miss Matilda.

“That reminds me, I do not understand the benefits of Kin.” (Shuten)

“Benefit…? Doing this will allow you to know of the survival of your partner and be able to supply magical power afterwards, I mean, that’s it for now.” (Hiragi)

“Is that how it is?” (Shuten)

“Since I am considerably weakened now…I think if I regain my strength with magical powers once again then we would be able to converse through our thoughts though.” (Hiragi)

“Oh, you seem comfortable. So from now on it shouldn’t be any

trouble to bathe in the same water.” (Shuten)

“Why are you declaring that you want to see me!? I thought you were stupid before, but in the end you are even more idiotic!” (Hiragi)

“I have to declare it? (申告しなきゃいいのか) It seems I’ve heard something good.” (Shuten)

“What’s good you idiot?” (Hiragi) (いいわけあるかアホ)

“Is something wrong messy tail?” (Shuten)

“Why the messy nickname!?” (Hiragi)

Wuah! Hiragi bared her teeth in anger. She is too easy for me to tease.

Moving on, it seems like Hiragi’s clothes changed since I came back from bathing.

“Hiragi, Hiragi, what brand of clothes are those?” (Shuten)

“Brand…? Thinking about it, it was an Imperial military uniform and was a bit dirty, so I washed and altered it a bit. Wouldn’t it be easy to turn the Kinagais.h.i.+ into a Yukata? Would you like me to change it?” (Hiragi)

“Stop it~!” (Shuten)

What a terrible thing! It is nice to wear a Kinagais.h.i.+ as a Kinagais.h.i.+!

…since she is not an actual Imperial soldier, is it alright like this?

The clothes that Hiragi were wearing were the basic black uniform of the Imperial Academy members, but after her smart remodeling it had somehow become a cute and cool military dress outfit.

The place where her tails come out had also been wonderfully adjusted.

“It looks good on you, maybe you could try adding a beret or something.” (Shuten)

“…Oh, maybe a white beret would also work.” (Hiragi)

I said my thoughts aloud, and they were unexpectedly accepted. Perhaps she really likes clothes and that sort of thing.

…Yeah, I feel like I got a tiny peek into her head.

“The military boots might suit you.” (Shuten)

“Why are you so familiar with girl’s clothing?” (Hiragi)

“…Well, there was a time long ago that I thought I would like to try something like that out.” (Shuten) (TL: haha, was our Shuten thinking he wanted to be some kind of fas.h.i.+onista? xD)

“…really.” (Hiragi)

Ku.

I wonder why I am suddenly thinking of the past. It is like a relapse of darkness.

I do not want to talk much about my past life. I cannot deny that I was slightly naïve. Look, I died from a train accident, and I can only think of my regret. There was something I wanted to do with my future.

No, doesn’t this former student have a great life now, you ask?

Hey, if you actually look, you can easily see that my previous life was a sky full of stars. (ほら、見上げれば前世ではそう簡単には見られなかった、満天の星々) I am thankful the memory of my previous life has returned. I mean, I have even been able to see the beauty of the Silverwhite Highway, which isn’t a bad thing.

“…Shuten?” (Hiragi)

“Huh?” (Shuten)

“Did something break you from your past?” (Hiragi)

“Even if I had such a heavy past that it would break me I do not have to share it…Oh, no wait.” (Shuten)

After a moment pa.s.sed I made up my mind to say so. I decided to say it after all, even though I hesitated a moment. I looked closely at Hiragi who had stopped moving and was looking at me.

“…Only one part, I don’t mind.” (Shuten)

“Eh?” (Hiragi)

Come to think of it, there was something. One thing from life that I hated.

This was before the memories of my previous life returned. As the leader of demons who is not a college student, I got this memory as a demon and I want to forget it, but it is a bad past I cannot forget.

“Well, are you sure? Wait a moment…” (Hiragi)

A handmade wooden cup made by hollowing a tree branch. Staring at the surface of the water, Hiragi slightly lowered her head. Her hands held the cup out weakly, and it can be seen that she is obviously worried.

“…On a mountain where I used to live a long time ago, not to boast but I was the strongest demon. Well, I was called by ‘Captain, Captain’ but thinking about it now on a side note I feel bad about that.” (Shuten)

“…alright.” (Hiragi)