Chapter 26 – The Village of Roholon (9)

“Ugh, ugh… P-please, slow down a little more… My legs have no strength…”

It’s all because of Rubia…

“Pffft… You’re like a newborn calf. Why are your legs shaking so much?”

“Ru-Rubia, are you really one to talk…? Who do you think made me like this…!”

“All I did was poke you with my finger, nothing else.”

“I told you I was ticklish so many times…! Yet, you kept tickling me… You’re really mean!”

After we had peacefully shared the jelly together, we spent time chatting about various things.

Then somehow, the topic of tickling came up.

In my previous life, I wasn’t ticklish, so I thought for sure I’d win if I poked Rubia.

But Rubia withstood the tickling.

Then… she turned the tables and attacked me…

I… almost died.

I had to hold it in because I needed to go to the bathroom.

It was really close… I thought I’d get away with it since I wasn’t ticklish before…

But wow, turns out I’m really, really ticklish now… and I’m pissed.

“Noah, you started the tickling, didn’t you? If you swing a sword, you should be prepared to get cut. That’s how it works.”

Rubia spoke with a smug tone.

Ugh, she’s so annoying.

So annoying!

“What kind of comparison is that… Well, okay, a little playful teasing is fine, but you’ve been tickling me all day, from noon until now!”

“Noah’s reactions were so funny that time flew by. I didn’t expect it either.”

“I-I almost died, you know…! Didn’t you hear me gasping for breath like ‘huhh, huhh’? I even had to shower again because I was sweating so much!”

“Mm… I admit, the sound of you gasping was a bit surprising. But I stopped after that, didn’t I? Plus, I even washed you as an apology.”

Rubia’s shameless tone made my blood pressure shoot up.

Now my neck is stiff…

I’m seriously so mad…

“You say you stopped after that, but the sun was already down by then…! And I told you I could shower by myself… Ugh!”

“Still, didn’t you feel refreshed? You were dozing off while I washed your hair, even drooling a bit.”

“I-I didn’t drool! That was just water dripping from my hair…!”

I might’ve drooled a little.

I have to admit, Rubia’s shower skills are… really something…

“Really? Well, I’ll just take your word for it.”

“Ugh, whatever… You’re just bullying me because I don’t have my greatsword… That’s really not okay, you know. Let go of my hand-“

I tried to pull my hand away from Rubia’s…

But we’re in the middle of the street.

Letting go now would be a disaster…

There’s no way I’d be able to find the blacksmith on my own.

Swallowing my anger, I subtly re-grabbed Rubia’s hand.

“You want me to let go? Should I?”

“N-no…”

“Okay. We should be careful, in case there are any rogue mages around.”

Rubia said in a cheerful voice, swinging our hands back and forth.

Since I’m shorter than Rubia… the swinging made my body sway back and forth along with it.

My legs, which were already trembling, started shaking even more.

“Ru-Rubia… My-my legs really are giving out…!”

“Then I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

She shook our hands even more vigorously.

“Ugh! If I fall, it’s going to hurt!”

“Aren’t you an adult? Shouldn’t you be able to handle a little pain?”

“W-what?! Just earlier, you were telling me to be careful not to fall off the bed because it’d hurt!”

“Pffft… Just kidding. Oh, this is bad… I’m having way too much fun teasing you, Noah. What am I going to do?”

Rubia chuckled quietly, slowing her pace.

At first, she seemed like such a serious person.

But as time goes on, she’s becoming more and more playful.

I guess that means we’ve gotten closer.

“Rubia… you’re so different from when we first met.”

“So are you, Noah. You’re completely different from when you were hunting those magical beasts.”

Am I really that different?

I guess… maybe I am.

Hmm…

“S-so, which version do you like better?”

“The cool Noah or the silly Noah?”

“Y-yeah. And I’m not silly…!”

I squeezed Rubia’s hand tightly.

I meant to hurt her a little, but instead, she squeezed my hand back just as firmly.

Then, quietly, she spoke with a small smile.

“I like both. Silly Noah or cool Noah… In the end, they’re both just Noah.”

Whoa…

I didn’t expect that kind of answer…

I gave her two options, but I never thought there would be a third…

Whether I was flustered by the unexpected response, or just her answer in general, I was at a loss for words.

“Uh, uh… Oh. Um… Really…?”

“Pfft… Yes. So then, Noah, which do you prefer? The grumpy Rubia from before, or the playful Rubia now?”

“S-she wasn’t grumpy, but… Hmm… I like both too.”

“No, Noah. You can’t just copy my answer. There’s no need to lie. I won’t get mad over this.”

“R-really?”

“Of course.”

“So… I can be honest?”

“Yes. Feel free to say whatever you want.”

Honestly… the Rubia from before was…

Kind of… mean…

She was always snapping at me… always angry…

“I… I like the Rubia now better.”

“Hm- Why?”

She said I could be honest, right?

So I can, right?

“Well, the Rubia I first met was… re-really… sca-“

“Sca?”

Rubia’s voice dropped.

If I say she was ‘scary’… I’ll be in big trouble…!

But she said I could be honest…!

She said I could tell the truth!

“Sc-scary… You were scary.”

Right. I’m being nice, sparing her feelings!

“Is that really what you were going to say?”

“O-of course.”

“Hmm… Well, fine. I get it. I know I was pretty cold back then. I’ve already apologized for that, but… I’ll say it again. I’m sorry, Noah.”

The hand holding mine lowered a bit.

“It’s fine… I don’t mind anymore. But, um… Rubia.”

Thinking about the first time we met, I remembered she told me my coffee was terrible.

That… that wasn’t serious, right? It wasn’t that bad, was it?

“Yes?”

“When I first made you coffee, was it really that bad…?”

“Do you want me to be honest?”

I nodded furiously.

I clenched my lips together.

No matter what she said, I wouldn’t let my expression change.

With the most dignified face I could manage.

Alright, bring it on!

“It tasted like dirt mixed with water.”

“Gasp…!”

My lips, which I had sealed shut, parted in shock.

And my dignified expression broke instantly.

“Was it really… that bad?”

“Yes… Sorry, but it was really terrible…”

“Oh… Th-then how about the coffee I made in the forest, that morning…?”

I practiced so much for that one.

Failed so many times…!

“That one… well… it was definitely better than the first.”

“And the taste?”

“It tasted like dirt mixed with coffee…?”

“Gasp…!”

“It’s okay. I’ll teach you step by step. I’m sure you can get it right, Noah.”

Rubia patted my shoulder.

No matter how well she teaches me…

No matter how detailed her instructions are…

It’s never going to change!

My coffee will always taste like mud!

Come at me, Rubia! Come at me, world!

“Noah, why are you clenching your fists like that? Did you make a vow to practice harder?”

“Uh… no… My palm’s just itchy…”

“Want me to scratch it for you?”

“N-no, scratching just makes it worse…”

It was really strange.

Whenever Rubia scratched my palm, it tickled like she was scratching my feet.

When your palm itches, just pressing your nails into it is the best.

“Let me know anytime you’re itchy. I’ll scratch it for you.”

Rubia’s playful voice teased as she lightly ran her nails around the edge of my ear.

“Hyeek!”

“Pffft… Shall we get going? If we don’t hurry, the shop will close.”

“Y-yeah…”

I rubbed my suddenly hot ears and cautiously followed her footsteps toward the blacksmith.

***

“We’re here now. Is the place where you fell earlier alright?”

“Yeah… More than the pain, it’s just embarrassing…”

We somehow managed to arrive safely at the blacksmith.

Though I did bump into someone on the way and fall… Rubia used healing magic, so I wasn’t injured.

“It’s fine. No one saw.”

“Y-you saw, Rubia.”

“I don’t count. We’ve bathed together, haven’t we? What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“Eek! K-keep that talk for when we’re indoors! If you say that out here…”

“Shall we go inside?”

Ding-ding

Rubia cut off my words and opened the door to the blacksmith.

She’s getting more and more shameless…!

“Ah! Welcome! Just in time, it’s all done!!”

Recognizing us, Hephaestus greeted us with a booming voice.

“Hello!”

“Perfect timing. Everything went well?”

“Of course! Mr. Smith did such a great job, the repair was a breeze!”

“O-oh…”

“Just have a seat, and I’ll bring it out in a moment!”

Following Rubia’s guidance, I settled into a chair nearby.

“I’m glad the repairs went well. Though it’s a bit surprising. The man I saw before didn’t seem like the type…”

Rubia seemed lost in thought, remembering the gruff blacksmith of Alrba.

I told you!

He’s gruff but really kind-hearted!

“Rubia. You shouldn’t judge people by appearances…!”

I lightly slapped the back of Rubia’s hand.

“Ah, right. My mistake.”

“Hurry up and apologize…”

“Uhm… Mr. Smith of Alrba. I’m sorry.”

As soon as Rubia’s apology ended, Hephaestus came clattering back in.

“It’s here! Which one should I give you first?”

“The greatsword…! Please, the greatsword first!”

Clatter, clatter-

“Here you go! Please check it over! There could be a flaw!”

I nodded enthusiastically and took the greatsword.

A sharp but pleasant jolt ran through me as the familiar surroundings painted themselves in my mind.

“Heh, heh… Hehheh— I missed you so much…”

Without realizing it, I let out a silly giggle.

So what?

I hugged the greatsword and rubbed my face against the blade.

Smooth to the touch, cold with a nice weight… I missed it so much!

“U-um… Could you check the condition…?”

Ah, right…

I mean, I’m known as the red beast that tears through magical beasts.

I need to keep my dignity!

“Ahem… I-I am checking it. This… this is how I usually do it.”

“Pfft—”

“I… see. Understood…!”

Rubia snickered, while Hephaestus seemed flustered.

Feeling embarrassed, I pulled my face away from the blade and tested the edge.

Hmm, it’s not as good as the one the blacksmith at Alrba made, but it’s good enough.

Then, the grip…

I stood up and walked over to a larger, open space.

“May I swing it once?”

“Of course!”

Hephaestus nodded without hesitation.

“Thank you…!”

I needed to check its balance first…

Grabbing the greatsword with my right hand, I swung it horizontally.

As stylishly as I could.

After all, I’m the red beast that rips through magical beasts…!

Whoosh—

Hmm, feels about the same!

Next, a vertical swing.

Swish—

That’s good too!

Now, both hands, diagonal strike!

Whung—

Mm, clean!

I squeezed the hilt tightly, twisting and shaking it a bit.

Everything felt solid and sturdy.

I wasn’t expecting much, but it turned out better than I thought!

I gave Hephaestus a slight nod, very slight.

I wanted to bow deeply, but… I need to keep my dignity…

Hmm… but I should at least say thank you properly.

“It’s great. Thank you.”

I gave him a big bow.

“Praises…! T-thank you!!”

Hephaestus bowed deeply in return.

But… it seemed like he was bowing lower than me, so I lowered my head more.

His head dropped even lower.

And so did mine…

“Uh… Wouldn’t it be better if you both raised your heads…?”

“Was it Noah, right? Please, Noah, you raise your head first!!”

“N-no, Hephaestus, please… You raise yours first.”

“I can’t!!”

“Ugh…”

With no other choice, I awkwardly raised my head.

Hephaestus, who was watching me, lifted his head too.

“So, how much do we owe you?”

Rubia asked as she opened her purse. I stepped in front of her.

“No. I’ll pay. It’s my equipment.”

I have to take care of my own stuff!

After saying that confidently, I reached for the coin purse at my waist…

“Huh…?”

Where… where’s my money…?

I reached in deeper, shook the purse upside down.

Checked every pocket in my clothes, even in my shoes.

No money anywhere.

I was so focused on walking, I didn’t even notice how light my purse had gotten…

“Noah… Did you lose your money?”

“Uh… uh-huh…”

Rubia patted my shoulder.

“It’s alright. These things happen. We can look for it on the way back.”

“Y-you think so…?”

“Of course. How much was it?”

Cold sweat ran down my back as I forced myself to answer.

“Well, you know when you gave me that silver… and I exchanged it all for gold coins…?”

“Wait, don’t tell me…”

“I lost… 27 gold coins…! Including the savings I had from before… All of it… My… my entire… wealth…”

My nose stung.

Tears leaked from my closed eyes.

My hands started trembling.

I felt like I might faint any second.

But I clenched my teeth and tightly closed my eyes to hold it in.

I’m an adult.

I’ll manage somehow.

No matter what.

I’ll find it somehow.

Even if I have to stretch my senses to the limit, until my head bursts.

I’ll find it!

Just as I was making my vow, Rubia cautiously spoke.

“Noah, don’t be shocked, but I think… the person you bumped into earlier stole it.”

“W-what…?”

“Their movements were suspicious. I thought they were just drunk, but… they were probably a skilled pickpocket…”

“R-Rubia… Hicc—If it was a thief… They took my money and ran… Sniff… What are we going to do…?”

Rubia wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Well, we don’t know for sure, but regardless.”

Then, she grabbed my hand and led me forward.

“We have to find them. No matter what.”

Watching her back as she guided me reminded me of the time at Alrba, when she sold my goods for me.

But now…

Rubia was…

Much, much cooler.

“Sniff… You… You’re twice as cool… Sniff.”