Chapter 44 - Witch (2/2)

Pigimaru’s protrusion moves up and down.

I feel like it’s nodding upon my words.

[Though I said that, I can’t deny the possibility of that woman following us, now that she can move. I’ll rely on you to keep watch of the back… I’ll leave it to you, partner.]

Shuba~

As if it’s saluting at me, Pigimaru turned into green.

[Pii!]

Well, it’s not good if some naivety we’re mixed in with my decisions.

It can’t be helped.

She looks like my parents after all so this much should be acceptable.

There should be some room for consideration if I felt that the other party somehow resembles my uncle’s family.

This should also be in my rule huh…

Well it’s obvious, but there are still exceptions to my rules.

After walking for some time, I finally found a small body of water on my way.

Is this perhaps spring water?

[…Should I lightly wash my body while I’m here?]

I ask Pigimaru to keep on the lookout and approached the water.

It’s crystal clear water.

I could even clearly see my reflection on the water surface.

I feel like I’ve been looking worse than a civilized human should look…

The words of my real father flashed back into my mind.

“Tsk. It’s that brat with the creepy eyes.”

No— did my eyes turned back to how it looks back when I’m with them?

Or, is it that this is how I look like originally?

I scoop out water with both of my hands.

Unprocessed water.

Normally, they should be avoided as a drinking water.

Though I said that, I still want to secure as much water as I could.

It might be useful for something.

I drew water into the empty PET bottles in my bag.

I then took off my clothes, folded it neatly and placed it beside the body of water.

I held a part of the school uniform that had been teared off as I went towards the water and slowly dipped my feet in.

It’s fortunate that the water is not chilly.

Looking at the sunlight that pass through the leaves of the trees, I still have some time before the sun starts to set.

If I want to take some bath, it should be right now.

I can see that the tensed nerves on my body started to loosen as I slowly dip my body into the water.

Kashaa~

I could hear the rustling of leaves.

The nerves that started to loosen became instantly tensed after knowing that there may be a sudden intruder.

I raised my arm towards where I felt the presence.

[Ah—]

[…It’s you, huh.] (T/N: ecchi scene)

It’s the blonde woman I had met earlier.

The woman that’s about to step out of the bushes stopped on her tracks.

However— I can’t find the armor or equipment that I had mentioned earlier.

She’s carrying a hemp bag on her shoulder.

I don’t think those things that I recalled of would ever fit on a hemp bag of that size…

I don’t think she abandoned it though.

We stared at each other for a while.

The woman quickly turned her eyes away.

[…I’m sorry to intrude.]

The woman bowed down her head.

[Do you intend to use this water, too? After my body is dry, I intend to leave—]

[No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.]

The woman turned on her heels and disappeared back into the forest.

I went back to where my clothes was and wiped my body with a piece of cloth.

I felt quite refreshed after taking a bath.

[Pi…pyiii…]

Pigimaru, who was lying flat on the bushes, jumped out.

He’s slowly approaching me.

[Hmm? What is it?]

[Pyuyuyuuu~]

Is it depressed?

It looks like it’s sorry for something but…

Well, I quickly figured out what it is.

[Don’t tell me… Do you feel responsible for not realizing that she has approached?]

[Pyiii…]

Pigimaru slowly turned into green.

I crouched down and reached out towards Pigimaru.

[Pi….]

Did it think that I’m going to hit him?

Pigimaru responded back with a determined look as if it’s prepared on whatever happens.

Funifuni~

I gently patted on Pigimaru’s jiggly body.

[Pii?]

[Don’t worry about that. Did you hurt your hand earlier?]

[Pii! Pii!]

However, to think that Pigimaru didn’t notice her when she arrived…

I look at the direction where the woman had left.

Even though I was somewhat relaxed earlier, I didn’t notice her at all.

Most of all, even Pigimaru who is more sensitive to the sounds and movements around me.

Even if Pigimaru had been wary, he couldn’t detect her…

That woman must have “something”.

[I think that woman had something that helps her to erase her presence and the sound of her movements… if she had something like that, it can’t be helped that I didn’t notice.]

Fumu…

That reminds me of that four-person group that had been tracking her.

They probably had some excellent abilities if they could keep up with her.

[Pi, pi, pyiii~]

Pigimaru was still desperately apologizing.

A faint smile floated up on my lips.

[Like I said, I had been telling you that you don’t need to feel so responsible. Don’t worry, I won’t leave my partner here alone.]

The pink-colored Pigimaru rubbed against my foot.

[Pyiii~♪ Kyuiiii….♪]

For the time being, I guess everything seems to be fine.