There was no one around. A quiet time. Walking at such a time really felt great.
“Renji-san.”
Aya’s legs stopped.
I looked at her and our yes met.
“Are you sad?”(aya)
“Yeah.”
Why? She doesn’t ask that. There’s no reason to ask a question to which you already know the answer.
Aya’s talking about what happened during the day.
4 dead. And they were adventurers who fought with me. Lives I couldn’t protect.
“I think I’m sad.”
“…….I, am not sad.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Do you find such an Aya to be cold-hearted?
I don’t. I can’t. In fact I feel that it’s better this way.
If someone of us 13 died, if someone close died,…..Aya would definitely cry.
But, she won’t be sad from the death of 4 whose names or faces she didn’t even know. Even if those were men who stood on the same battlefield as her.
And that’s normal. Because if you don’t think like that, you’d be the one to die next. Yes, because we understand that a battlefield is that kind of a place.
They were not sensitive like the 18yr olds of our original world. But, it’s something natural for this world. I’m sure Aya is worried of the fact that she doesn’t feel anything even on someone’s death.
“I was glad that Renji-san was alright…..I was very happy.”
“Me as well. I was also happy that Aya—-Souichi and others were safe as well.”
But I, at the same time, was also affected by the death of those 4. I had made sure to not show it either on my face or in my actions but I guess they realized it. Or maybe, I simply have not matured from one year ago.
It was as simple as that. It’s my bad that I just can’t be satisfied.——-I’m sure that if I stood on the battlefield right now, I’d probably get injured. Without any reason. I’m sure of it.
“Um—-”
Aya’s voice resounded in the stillness of the night.
“Thank you for saving me.”(aya)
“Don’t mention it. I said it at that time as well but I promised you, didn’t I? That if you were in danger I will save you.”
I feel like it was a night like this that time as well. I don’t remember properly, but it was a calm, still night. In front of the fire, I had promised her so.
That I’d protect the world’s greatest and strongest magician.
“You remembered it. The promise.”(aya)
“Well, it was an important promise after all.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
I will protect my promises. That was normal, obvious. And so I, obviously, protected my promise, that’s all.
“Renji-san is the same as always.”(aya)
“I just don’t want to break my promises. At least from my side.”
It’s difficult to keep promises. Even after coming to this world, I broke many of promises.
But, except for in extreme cases——I make sure to not break the promises I make.
Even if that promise is something very small. Even if that is an unbelievably precious promise.
The wind blew and gently made Aya’s hair sway in the air. In the darkness of the night, under the light of street lamps shining from magical energy, a pale light non existent in our former world, shone her figure.
“nee, Renji-san.”
18 yrs old.
But even so I felt some kind of charm in her expression.
“Thank you very much.”
“Yeah.”
“I was once again saved by you.”
“—-that’s true.”