I had ran through many dark hallways. I don’t even remember where I am and how I ran through the hallways. As it is getting harder to breathe and run, I opened the door that was nearby and entered the room. Fortunately there weren’t any zombies inside.
I hold my chest that is moving up and down violently and try to remember how it became like this.
Why, did it became like this …? It should have been just a simple test of courage. That’s right, what happened to El-chan?
“A, ah ……”
I, I … … I left El-chan behind and ran away. I left El-chan that was desperately trying to run away and escaped myself! !
“Haa …… Haah … … Fuu … … fuu ……”
Now that I understand that the zombies weren’t chasing after me … … It was too late.
Why … … did I left her.
Why … … did I abandoned her, who is slower than me.
Why … … towards her who I wanted to the best friend of! ! Even though I thought that I should protect her!
“Uuaaaa … …”
A voice leaked out of my mouth. Even though I know that if I make any sounds, they’d notice but I can’t stop it.
“Hii … … Higu … … uu … …”
Why is am I always like this? At that time … and even now.
“………………”
Before I know it, I was sitting in the corner of the room while holding my knees. Without making a sound, I just simply stared into space. It is a very meaningless act. After a while, a voice came into my mind. It is a voice that I know really well.
“It’s pointless. You should take some action. ”
Noisy.
“While you’re doing this, your friends are in danger.”
I don’t want to hear it.
“Is it fine if you’re the only one safe? ”
Stop it.
“That girl …… extended her hand towards you, asking for help. She is your important, important ‘Friend’, is she not?”
“STOP IT ……”
I was scared …… I was scared, it would’ve managed somehow.
That voice is my voice, it always whispers nasty things to me. Especially when something bad happens, it will whisper to me as much as it wants. But… this voice always shoots through me. (T.N. Not quite sure about this part. 怖くて……怖くて、どうにかなりそうだった。その声は私の声と瓜二つであり、いつも意地悪なことを囁いてくる。特にこういった悪い出来事があった時は必ずといっていいほど囁いてくるのだ。けれども……この声は的を射ていた。)
It always had. I have excellent aptitudes and better abilities than others. Even my grades are always at the top. Yet, during important moments, I can’t produce any results. I wanted to change myself. At that time … I met her.
Even though the aptitudes turned away from her …… she placed her hope in the little aptitudes she have and confront her difficulties with all everything she have. A small, tiny hero.
But she still smiled even though she can’t do anything herself. She smiled even though she is only capable of something while relying on someone. She would complain playfully, but she doesn’t ever actually complain.
Even though she have much less abilities than I do.
“I’m sorry … I’m sorry … El-chan.”
But … I’m scared! My body won’t move … ! I don’t want to … die! I don’t want to get … hurt! Painful things are…
“Ah, I see … I am,”
Only thinking about myself.
When I noticed that, tears filled my eyes. I lost my energy and stopped thinking while holding my knees.
It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m tired. Anyways, everyone is already…
How much time had passed since I’ve been holding my knee? The flowing tears had stopped and my wet cheeks are already dry. Eventually, I heard the sound of something getting dragged. Perhaps, it is the sound of a zombie dragging its feet. After a while, I can heard the sound of the door opening. Apparently, I didn’t close the door properly.
After the zombie caught sight of me sitting in the corner holding my knees, it slowly walked towards me while dragging its feet. All I did was looked at the rotten monster.
The zombie came just in time, so let’s end this. This empty life. This selfish self… …
Sorry … everyone, El-chan.
The zombie hovers over me. I will not move. Until the moment, when my life ends……
However, that moment didn’t come. The zombie that was hovering over me was suddenly blown away.
“Huh …?”
The zombie was blown into the wall and it fell apart. Not knowing what happened, I can only look at it stupidity. Towards my shoulder, something lightly tapped my shoulder.
“A, ah … …”
Tears overflowed from my eyes again.
What was standing there … … was the Sea House that El-chan named “Hermit Crab-kun.” Painful wounds can be seen on his body where he fought with the zombies. Still he helped me. Why?
Hermit Crab-kun squats down without saying anything and stares right into my eyes. His eyes are gentle and it feels like it is speaking to me, saying “It isn’t too late.”
A small crack was born in my frozen heart. Warmth was born in my cold heart.
Hermit Crab-kun stands up and I feel like he is saying “Let’s go.”
If I just say that it is a wish, then that is the end of the story. But … … even so, I have to go.
“Once more … Will I be able to stand back up?”
Hermit Crab-kun doesn’t say anything. However, he did nodded powerfully.
My frozen heart broke and in its place, a burning heart appeared. I clearly understood the change.
I don’t want to regret anymore! I want to become a friend that can confidently walk with everyone!
“El-chan …… I will go now!”
This where my …… Linda Hirts’ battle begins! I will not hesitate anymore! I will no longer live with regrets! !
◆ ◆ ◆ Danan ◆ ◆ ◆
“Good grief, there isn’t any profit to be made.”
I told everyone about this rundown mansion as a present because they like interesting things, but for it to be such a dangerous thing … …
“Well, if there isn’t any treasures, there won’t even be any profit.”
Especially Eltina will be complaining while inflating her cheeks … Yeah, that may be good in its own way.
It’d become a trust problem! It is a big problem for merchants! ! This is bad! When it comes to battle, Eltina won’t be a reliable fighting force, but in a transaction she is someone that is very important.
To Prince Edward and Cluten-sama. It is also said that she is also acquaintance with Hero Takaaki-sama. No, they may be closer than just acquaintances. Eltina clearly have some connection with the upper part of the country.
“I cannot lose my trust here!”
There will be huge profits that can be made in the future. As a future merchant, I must not let go of this chance. Anyways, I have to get one item that is to her liking.
In addition…….
“She is an important friend! It’s fine if I’m a little reckless!”
Well, she will get angry. Saying something like, “Why were you reckless!”
Being reckless is part of a man. You know that the best, don’t you? Eltina.
But I’m both a greedy person and a cautious person. It is definitely not because I am sacred.
I ran through the dark corridor. For the pride of a future merchant and for the smile of a friend.
Danang · Juran · Jeff! You can do it! …… Something like that.
◆◆◆ Eltina ◆◆◆
Pika.
I am shining as usual. The rotting people become ashes when they get close as usual. This is the greatest ash. Something is off, but it’s probably not wrong. (T.N. This is a Dio reference. It suppose to be This is the greatest high, but Eltina says ash instead of high. They have the same pronunciation.)
“Fol … I am tired.”
I quietly complained. I found it very painful to walk with my eyes closed even though I’m not actually blind. I guess this is the difficulties that blind people go through. I greatly appreciate being born healthy.
“Ah … sorry … I didn’t notice. Shall we take a break in a safe place?”
Folbert pulled my hand and quickly guided me to a room. *Gacha* I heard the sound of a door opening. Right now, all I can rely on is sound. I understand that I’m becoming very sensitive so sounds right now.
“It seems that it is safe here. It should be ok to cancel your magic now.”
“Fuu … … I can finally open my eyes now.”
I was able to open my eyes for the first time in a while. However, because the eyelids were so tightly closed, the sight that I could finally see is awfully blurry.
“…… blurry.”
“Well, that can’t be helped. After a while, it’ll go back.”
Then for a while, we took a break.
Folbert had chose a place where there isn’t any stain and guided me to it. We sat down side by side onto the floor and some anxiety was lost. My vision is still blurry, but it is comforting that there is a friend that is well versed in martial art next to me.
Is everyone alright? After calming down, I started worrying.
“Everyone …. are they safe?”
I held my knee and muttered to myself.
“Yeah … they are definitely fine, everyone is stronger than we think.”
“Fukyun, that’s right isn’t it.”
I thank Folbert for his compassion and decided to eat Peachy-sensei to recover magical power. I should be praised for not even wasting a little amount of time.
Right, I should fuse my soul with Peachy-senpai right now. It will be too late after something happens.
“Come out! Peachy-senpai!”
A warm light gathered at my little hands and an immature peach appeared. My partner, Peachy-senpai.
“Fumu, what do you need, Kouhai?”
“Huh … the fruit spoke! ?”
Well, that is the normal reaction. But I want you to relax, both Rioto and I had the same reaction. It is impossible to properly deal with unexpected events.
“This is my first time meeting with you, I am Peachy-senpai, the one who leads the Peachy User, Eltina. In the future, we may meet many times. Nice to meet you.”
“Y… … yes, my name is Folbert Domon! Nice to meet you!”
Ohh. This is exactly like the greetings between a senior and junior. Well, that’s fine and let’s leave it at that … …
“Peachy-senpai …… for the details…”
“Umu, I get it. Now, fusion of the soul.”
As expected of Peachy-senpai, he understands! !
“Ok! Fusion of the soul !!”
I gobbled down Peachy-senpai and performed the fusion of the soul. His taste of youth might actually get addicting.
“… … You’re caught up in a troublesome situation again.”
“Sorry.”
I replied to Peachy-senpai in one word after we shared the information instantaneously through the fusion of the soul. Since there aren’t any excuse to be made, I decided to apologize in only 2 seconds.
Right now there is a strange phenomenon of the voice of a low calm man coming out of my mouth.
Folbert was also surprised at this … … but don’t worry, that is the correct reaction.
“Anyways, the highest priority right now is to meet up with your friends. After you group up, I would give out instructions again. Depart after fully resting.”
“Roger, Peachy-senpai.”
“Then, quickly recover using Peachy-sensei !“
From my 「Storage」I took out the pink fruit, “Peachy-sensei”. Because I’m slightly hungry right now, it looks even more delicious than before. I’m sincerely thankful to Peachy-sensei for tasting delicious whenever I eat it.
“I will also give a Peachy-sensei to Fol.”
“Thank you, it looks delicious.”
Tsk tsk tsk* I shook my finger and corrected his words.
“It’s not that it looks delicious … it is delicious!”
While saying so, I bite into my Peachy-senpai.
Yes, this deliciousness will become power! When we group up with everyone, let’s share this deliciousness.
Folbert looks at Peachy-sensei curiously, but is it because he can’t resist the sweet scent, he took a bite at the fresh fruit. The only sound in the room being the chewing sound made me once again realize that we’re the only ones in this room.
“Delicious, to think that there would be such a fruit … …”
He narrowed his eyes and was enjoying the Peachy-sensei. Somehow I feel pleased as it is like I’m the one getting praised. Well … all of this is the work of Peachy-senpai’s virtue.
“Now that we’ve finished eating, let’s go look for everyone!”