After finishing our dinner, we left the diner. The scarlet moon was at the zenith which showed that it was quite late already.
As I breathed out, I realized that my breath was slightly warm.
It’s not like I was feverish. But, maybe a little bit of the kids energy was shared with me. I felt like that.
Was it fun? Yeah, it was. I had fun.
Without thinking about anything stupid or useless, I simply chatted and ate with my comrades, with the kids.
I was reminded that it could be this much fun. The time where we don’t have to think like a Brave or a Hero could be so calming, we were reminded of that once again.
“Did you eat to your heart’s content?”
“Yes. I ate a lot.”
“Then, it’d be nice if your height grew a little as well.”
“Yes…….”
Answering energetically, then soon answering in a small voice, I laughed at such a Souichi.
“Thank you very much Renji-oniisan for treating us.”(yayoi)
“As you’d expect, it’d be embarrassing to share the bill with kids after all.”
“fufu.”
“After graduating when you get a job….then I’ll have you guys treat me.”
“Sure.”
Yayoi-chan, as usual, sounded the most mature even though she was the youngest.
“………..”
And Aya was silent while hanging her head.
She became like this soon after when I said that we should go back. Seriously this girl. I began to think.
“Oi Souichi.”
“Yes?”
Calling him, I threw Ermenhilde to him.
He panicked a bit due to my sudden action but did somehow catch it properly with his both hands.
Probably because he’s living at school now, he’s grown slightly relaxed/careless. Well, that should be normal though.
A life where you’re cautious 24/7 would break you sooner or later. That’s why, this is fine. For that reason, Utano-san sent these kids to school I think.
[What happened Renji?]
“I’ll be back after walking a bit with Aya. I’ll come with you guys properly to your dorms later so don’t worry.”
“As usual, that came out of nowhere Renji-niisan.”
“Don’t mind it, it’s usual right.”
Saying that, I started walking. Ermenhilde was saying something but I acted like I didn’t hear. On glancing back a little, Yayoi-chan was giving a thumbs up. What are you doing? I sighed.
“………”
“………….”
Silence.
But there was no complaint against what I said suddenly either.
When I glanced at Aya walking beside me, she was looking properly forward like walking now.
Fuyou Aya. Childhood friends to the Amagi siblings and probably the greatest and strongest magician of this world.
I—cannot understand this girl. Why did she come to talk to me, what did she expect of me.
Back then, I had saved her quite a few times. From monsters, accidents, diseases. From back then, I feel like she has matured a lot.
Just one year. But it was enough for a girl to grow up a lot, I think. Her height has grown from being around my chest to coming close to my shoulders. Her hair has also grown longer and expression has also become more adult-like. Even though she laughs childishly when talking with Souichi, right now her expression is calm.
“Did you grow taller?”
“Only—a bit.”
The conversation ended.
I am good at continuing conversation with people but I think I suck at starting a conversation myself.
It’s different if I have an objective but like now when there’s no such objective in my mind I think I’d be satisfied with just walking around like this. I’d think there’s no really need for conversation.
Moving my gaze away from Aya, I looked up at the night sky while walking beside her.
“Your uniform really suits.”
“Thank you very much.”
It’s not like I had anything to talk about.
But I felt that Aya had something she wanted to say to me.
That’s I waited patiently for Aya to talk . Care freely, while gazing at the night sky. The walk with no destination felt great.
People who live in this world sleep early. That’s because they have nothing to do. The most they have for enjoyment is either alcohol and gambling. But even casinos exist only in the area where nobles live. And even that’s not an actual legal one. Those who like such things might be awake till late but it’d be only us who’d take a walk at such a time.