Chapter 27 Road to the capital (4) (1/2)
Chapter 27 Road to the capital (4)
The view from the back of the horse felt nostalgic and it cheered me up. I felt it was unbecoming of my age.
Riding horses required stamina of a different kind than walking. What I want to say is, my whole body hurts.
“…….. I’m tired.”
[Again you’re talking like that.]
I had heard Ermenhilde’s fed up voice countless times already.
But I really am tired. Even though a year ago I used to work hard, fight during the day and be on guard duty during the night. I wonder is it the one-year blank or have I just got too old for this.
While thinking about that I threw wood into the fire in front of me.
“Shouldn’t you sleep for a while?”
“Yeah. Switch with me later.”
Feirona asked me that worriedly, but the order for night duty had already been decided. Well, I’ll switch with him after a few hours I just work hard till then.
They must have been tired from the journey because Ms Francesca and Mururu at already gone to sleep on the soft grass. Since we did not prepare anything comfortable like a tent, they were sleeping with just a blanket covering the whole body.
Only me and Feirona and Aya one awake right now. We had surrounding the bonfire but there was barely any conversation. In the darkness of the night only the sound of the fire crackling could be heard.
“Then, I’ll go to sleep first.”
“Please do. I’ll wake you up when it’s time.”
“……Then, take your time.”
“—wha”
what the hell does he mean by that. Giving a scornful laugh I broke another piece of wood for the fire.
Giving me a suggestive look by, he also went to sleep. Only me and Aya remained. Also Ermenhilde.
“Is it fine not to go to sleep?”
“um……. Yes.”
I see. I threw more wood into the fire.
I did not say it out loud but I once again felt nostalgic.
During the journey to kill the Demon God we often spent time like this. I wonder how long has it been……
At first she was cautious of me and barely talked. After that incident with the Ogre, she began talking. I recall the reason but cannot remember exactly how long ago it was. Probably, Aya remembers though. Realising that I felt a bit apologetic.
“It feels nostalgic right?”
After a long silence, she spoke up.
“Yeah, that’s right. Back then we used to spend lot of time like this.”
“…… Yes.”
When I said she replied in a happy manner. Was she happy that I remembered it was it simply because she could start a conversation. It was probably the former.
Her face shining from the fire looked more mature than those times.
“Say, Aya.”
“What is it?”
“How is your life in the Academy? Is it fun?”
When I asked that she looked at me and started laughing. She was trying to restrain herself apparently it was too funny.
Did I ask something weird? I tilted my head in confusion.
“Renji-san asks questions like an actual father would.”
“…….. Really?”
That was not really my intention. I could only scratch my head. That must have been funny as well because she started laughing again.
[Why not ask something more romantic instead?]
“Like what?”
What kind of question is that?
Thinking that——-
“Say, Aya.”
“fufu, what is it this time?”
“Hm…..”
I tried to think of a topic but nothing came to my mind. Questions regarding romance came to mind but if asked her “do you have a boyfriend?” I know exactly what would happen to me……..
Yayoi-chan probably would not have gotten a boyfriend and Souichi had not gotten a girlfriend when I asked him the last time. That guy is awkward and sucks it lying so it’s probably true.
Somehow I feel that the difficulty of asking questions suddenly increased due to what Ermenhilde said to me.
“Mouu”
As I spent time just looking at her, Aya sighed somewhat fed up yet somewhat enjoying this. To be unable to even hold a proper conversation, I really am an useless adult.
As I dropped my shoulders, Aya threw more wood into the fire while showing a gentle smile.
While looking at her smile, I once again felt that she had become more mature. Back then she had a childish side to her and a cute one as well. Though sometimes she would surprise me by suddenly acting like an adult as well.
But her current smile held a womanly charm that could captivate anyone. Feeling a bit weird, I averted my gaze from her to the fire. What am I thinking of a child 10 years younger than me? I sighed again. I, myself, feel more childish than her. It was both pathetic and embarrassing.
“The Magic Academy, it’s fun. I made a lot of friends and could also read lots of magic documents as well.”
[Friends? If it’s Aya, you must have a lot of many friends as well?]
Don’t ask that. As usual, I could only hope that my partner would learn to read the mood.
I don’t know how she took that question, but she was now looking shyly towards the fire. She really has grown a lot this past one year. I had never seen smile like this before.
For the time being, let’s just hit Ermenhilde inside my pocket and hope it tries to read the mood more.
“Well, as long as you’re having fun, it’s fine. It’s important for classmates to have fun with each other.”
Once again I averted the topic. Though it must be like Ermenhilde had said. I am also a man after all, whether it be my comrade or someone younger than me, I end up seeing them in that way anyway. Right now, we were talking like it’s normal but we had not been summoned, we would never had even made contact.