Chapter 31 - #31 Return (1/2)
After our little fight with Taeko was over, we decided to finally go get some rest.
...
We were currently in our room in the inn and all of us were sleeping, at least should be sleeping...
”A-Akashi? Are you awake?” Kurome asked me while standing next to my bed with a scared expression.
”Yeah, my sleep is pretty light so the moment you got up from your bed was the moment I woke up. Do you have nightmares again?” I replied with a lazy tone and then asked her with a puzzled expression.
”...No, but it feels too cold to be there...all alone.” She said while tightly gripping her shirt and looking sideways.
”? What about Ichika?” I understood what she wanted so I asked if she hadn't tried to talk to Ichika yet.
”Well...I tried to but-” She said with an awkward expression and pointed at Ichika's bed.
I looked towards Ichika's bed and saw Ichika sleeping without her blanket only in her undėrwėȧr with a wide grin while rubbing her belly.
”...” Although I didn't say anything, my expression darkened when I saw how careless she is. Not to mention sleeping with only her undėrwėȧr on.
”Take your own blanket and come in. You can sleep closer to the wall, I will sleep on the side with my back to you. You can take it as being protected, that should be enough for you, right?” I said with a helpless smile.
”Mm!” She instantly nodded her head with an extremely grateful expression and went to get her own blanket before joining me in my bed.
...
”I am sorry, Akashi. For dragging both of you down and constantly annoying you. I promise that I will become stronger.” I heard Kurome's sad voice behind me.
”You still haven't received any training so of course you can't do much with us expect for following us. It's good that you are determined to grow stronger but don't misunderstand what strength is. If you think that you are weak just because you want to be close to someone you can rely on or trust then you are wrong. There are numerous people who wouldn't be able to live on without their closest friends or family yet they are incredibly strong and even ruthless. You don't need to become strong to stop doing these things or vice versa...You are only ashamed of them because you are aware that you aren't strong enough. Grow stronger so you can stop feeling that shame from wanting to rely on someone.” I explained with a tired voice.
”I-I see. So once that shame disappears also means that I am strong enough?” She asked with a confused tone.
”...It depends, you perhaps wouldn't feel shame for wanting to sleep together with your sister, right? Trust me, you will realize it when that time comes. For now...just get some rest.” I said with a calm tone and closed my eyes.
”T-thank yo-” Kurome's voice was becoming faint until she has finally fallen asleep once again.
I must be careful about how I am going to train her.
...
The next morning...
”Thank you for your hospitality even though you didn't have to do anything for us.” I thanked Babara and Taeko who went together with us to the village's gate.
”Not at all, I am happy that I was able to meet someone as talented as you, son. Plus it seems that Taeko also had a lot of fun during the sparring.” Babara said with a small smile.
”Those materials...you can deliver them to the Capital and if you will have difficulty to enter, I can take it from you outside of the Capital. As for the condition of me owing you a favor...” I said with furrowed brows.
”I know kid, I won't ask for anything that would go against your morals and I won't be forcing anything on you either. But from what I have observed...you aren't on any side, just like us or am I wrong?” She immediately denied what I was fearing while throwing a quick glance at Taeko who didn't notice anything suspicious and only had an absent-minded expression.
”...That's right, I don't care about this stupid civil war but I will still most likely appear on many battlefields on the Empire's side. Therefore...if you will want me to help you with something in the future, you better find some good disguise for me.” I said with a nod.
”Alright, we can contact each other in the future if we will need anything from you or if you will be interested in those Danger beasts. Taeko, you can say your goodbyes, I will go ahead.” Babara said and left towards the inn's direction while waving at us with the back of her hand.
”It was nice meeting you girls, especially you Akashi. I will strive to improve my techniques and strength and once I am confident...let's have another competition at that time!” Taeko said with a determined tone and genuine happy smile while she extended her hand toward me.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but smile a little. I firmly took hold of her hand with a grin on my face.
”Yeah, let's hope we won't have that competition on the real battlefield but since I owe your clan, I will go easy on you at that time, hehe.” I said with a provoking smile and when Taeko saw my smile she immediately tightened her grip on my hand.
”Don't you dare to go easy on me if it will be a fight to the death! It would be only humiliating so if you are really my friend, you will use everything in that fight.” Taeko brought her face closer to mine and said with a serious expression and narrowed eyes.
”Hm...then let's really hope that our next meeting won't be like that. By the way, I hope you will be able to escape from your leader's radar, of course, if you aren't the same as her...” I said seriously and then changed the atmosphere by jokingly mentioning her leader.
Taeko immediately denied that she is the same as her leader and said her goodbye to girls before leaving after Babara.
”Taeko is really nice girl, it's almost unbelievable how strong she is when all I see from the outside is a nice innocent girl.” Ichika muttered when we were on our way back to the Capital.