Chapter 29 (2/2)

Far from having nothing, in the case where she asked for money, he could get it from Camilla.

However, Soma didn’t think that this old woman would ask for that–

“Troubling matter, is it? …There is no such a thing…. aah, no, if that’s the case, can you listen to my story for a while?” (Old Woman)

“Hmm, story…?” (Soma)

“There is nothing interesting, but… I just thought that I wanted someone to hear it.” (Old Woman)

Honestly speaking, he couldn’t afford to spare much time.

Soma also wasn’t sure how much time he could afford.

There was nothing better than to go on as soon as possible, but… it was wrong to ignore someone who did a favor.

After thinking for a while, Soma gave a nod.

“Hmm, if you don’t me listening, please tell me.” (Soma)

“Well then, please listen for a while… the story of foolish old people.” (Old Woman)

And then, the woman started to tell the story.

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“It was a story of a year ago. We met the girl on that day.” (Old Woman)

“A girl, is it?” (Soma)

“She came to this kind of place, and I immediately understood that the girl was coming from another place. Of course, she was having trouble. The truth is, I should immediately tell her to go to other place, but for some reason, somehow, I felt that she must not be abandoned.” (Old Woman)

“Hmm… by the way, when you said ‘we’, there was someone else with you?” (Soma)

“Aah, well. It was my husband at that time. Now, he’s having backache, and sleeps in the house. Well, anyway, we brought the girl home, but…” (Old Woman) (TLN: The old woman called her husband Jii-san.)

Actually, the girl intended to leave soon.

Even if she was given meals, a place to sleep and enough rest, she still wanted to go leave.

But, the girl’s expression didn’t get better on the next day.

It wasn’t about her physical. Actually, her heart was the cause.

So, when the girl said that she wanted to leave, she seemed to die at some point–

“Well, there was nothing we could do. We gave her meals, and prepared a bed. But we didn’t know what else we could do. We understood that she got problems, but we never thought of asking her.” (Old Woman)

“Hmmm… well, that is understandable.” (Soma)

Or perhaps, it was because of experience.

No, Soma wasn’t going to take custody of that girl, and he wasn’t really going to do anything, but… whether he could help the old woman with something or not, that itself still remained the truth.

Or maybe, if he didn’t come here, he still wasn’t sure whether he could do it.

“But, the girl became cheerful on one day. I was told that she was able to make friends.” (Old Woman)

“Hmmm… friends, is it?” (Soma)

“After that, even little by little, she began to show me a smile. We didn’t do anything, but we were happy… We couldn’t have children, but before we realized, we probably saw her as our grandchildren.” (Old Woman)

However, even the girl became cheerful, she didn’t disappear.

And the opportunity to see her like that became lessened. She suddenly looked very lonely and showed a bitter expression.

“…But, this was just recently happened. That girl was smiling.” (Old Woman)

“Hmm…? Do you feel like saying she gradually starts to show a smile?” (Soma)

“Yes, even so, it was a smile from the bottom of the heart. Although, we couldn’t do anything, we immediately understood that someone surely saved this girl.” (Old Woman)

“Hmm…” (Soma)

“We were happy… we really did…” (Old Woman)

“…Old Woman?” (Soma)

The reason why Soma called her out was because her voice was trembling while speaking with joy.

And through Soma’s eyes and ears, it wasn’t a joy, but it was an anguish.

“…To tell the truth, we knew who she was. But we couldn’t say it… even if this is the place, we hear a lot of things. But… but… I just wanted to say… everything was fine… because she was happy.” (Old Woman)

“What do you mean?” (Soma)

“The girl is alright.” (Old Woman)

“Hmm…” (Soma)

Well, that was her story.

There was nothing wrong with it.

But…

Yes, there was a ‘but’.

For example, a girl from ‘somewhere’ ran away from that ‘somewhere’.

Although the girl’s whereabouts was unknown, for the old woman to suddenly say that she was alright…

Well, then.

According to the old woman, the whereabouts of the girl wasn’t synonymous?

“…We didn’t think she would come back. And that made me suddenly remembered. We couldn’t tell that we were lonely because she probably went back home, but we tried to think… that there was nothing we could do… when thinking our difference in status…” (Old Woman)

Perhaps there was no basis in that.

Or the old woman just felt guilty.

Thinking whether they had done something unnecessary or something undesirable that made the girl went home…

That might be the cause of the regret…

Maybe, she was convinced the moment when she saw Soma.

Just as Soma was convinced the moment he saw the old woman.

Because Soma heard from Aina about what kind of person who took care of her.

If that was the case, there was nothing strange for the old woman to listen to what kind of friend the girl had.

The old woman was wary of Soma in the beginning, maybe because of that reason.

“…I’m sorry for asking you to listen to a foolish story, but…” (Old Woman)

“Hmmm? What is it?” (Soma)

“Can I ask you for another thing?” (Old Woman)

“Hmm… it depends?” (Soma)

“Oh. Well, if you see her, please say this for me…” (Old Woman)

Accordingly, the woman stopped her words once, and she stared straight at Soma’s eyes.

Deeper and deeper, until she lowered her head.

“…Would you tell her… that we are sorry?” (Old Woman)

How much these old people had regretted?

Soma wasn’t so sure because she didn’t say more than that, but even if she said more, Soma still wouldn’t understand it.

However, he understood the part of having regret.

He could feel from her words, how severe the feelings were.

“Hmmm… I have to refuse.” (Soma)

Yes, he refused because of that.

“… Ha, haha… No, you’re right. Such a situation was too convenient. I’m sorry for asking you to listen to a foolish story and a foolish request…” (Old Woman)

Soma shrugged his shoulders at the old woman who was still lowering her head.

Looking at the shaking shoulders, he turned around.

He got the information needed and had repay the favor.

Then–

“Well, I will surely bring Aina back, and it’s better for you to tell that yourselves. There must be other things you wanted to say, and Aina also would be the same.” (Soma)

“–Wha!?” (Old Woman)

Together with the old woman’s surprised voice from the rear, Soma could feel that she raised her head, but he didn’t look back.

He left just like that while swinging his hands.

To be honest, Soma wanted to ask many things, but the other side also probably had similar idea.

But, he could leisurely listen when everything was over.

Well, Soma didn’t know if that opportunity would come.

For the time being, there was another reason why Aina must be brought back.

Yes, it was just that.

While thinking about such a thing, Soma quickly went to the meeting point planned to rejoin Camilla.

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