episode_0050

‘You could have just said it in words, but you’re suddenly trying to bow deeply. Doing something ridiculous…’

The protagonist burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation that had just occurred.

I was honestly taken aback when Rohan, who was about to return to the dormitory, suddenly showed his strange behavior. I thought Gilbert Kaniat was the most eccentric cadet in the class, but as I went along, I felt like Rohan was the most eccentric.

like that.

The protagonist, who had sent Rohan away, looked back at the front door.

The long hallway. The path to the living room seems so far away.

“Hmm.”

I walked. I arrived at the living room and sat down on the sofa as I always did.

Before I could pick up the book I had bookmarked, I looked up at the ceiling for a second time.

‘Has the house ever been this quiet?’

It’s ridiculous to say that Rohan was at the main character’s house for even a day. It was just a few hours. Most of those few hours were spent sleeping.

Yet the silence approaches strongly.

There wasn’t really anything to laugh about while I was in Academy City, but maybe it was because I lifted the corners of my lips in amusement at Rohan’s chattering.

“···.”

The protagonist gave up reading, his mind becoming confused and his hands reaching for the book stopped.

I walked into the kitchen, where there was still some cleaning to do.

Cheee──!!!

The protagonist turned on the water and grabbed a washcloth. He thought about playing a song to drive away the loneliness, but he liked the sound of the water, so he decided to leave it as is.

I pick up the bowl and wash it until it makes a clinking sound.

A strange feeling.

There is one more rice bowl and soup bowl to wash than usual, and one more spoon.

And you can tell who ate it just by looking at it.

The bowl of rice Rohan had eaten from had no grains of rice left, and he looked as if he was about to scrape the bowl clean off with his spoon.

“Phuhut.”

A clear laugh leaked out from between the protagonist’s lips.

I was just glad that I wasn’t forcing myself to eat my own food.

*****

“Zion?”

─···!

He was surprised when his name was called before he could even speak. His breathing became ragged and his emotions were revealed.

“Are you in Academy City now? Where are you?”

─ Rohan···.

“Uh. Tell me.”

Rohan was on the street, concentrating as much as possible on his phone.

It was clear that she was a princess, but the reason for the call was completely unexpected.

─ I want to ask you one thing.

“What are you curious about?”

Rohan walked into an empty alley, watching pedestrians pass by.

With my back against the cold wall.

Zion waited for the conflict to end and for her voice to be heard.

─ Last time··· I told you not to act hastily even if you were so angry that your head felt like it was going to explode.

“That’s right.”

Zion takes a deep breath over the phone.

And he asks in a lowered voice.

─ Do I really… just wait like this…?

“Uh. Wait.”

It’s a shame for Zion, but there’s a reason why Rohan is waiting for signs like the Abyss City.

Unless there is an overwhelming force, it is best to avoid big variables even if small ones get by somehow.

The thick stems are also directly related to the safety of Zion, even if the situation is predictable and readable.

At the same time, I understood why Zion had called.

I guess the saying to call me when you’re feeling tired or want to eat something came to mind.

It also means that he was so shocked that he had to call Rohan himself, who was still a complete stranger.

─ I thought that if I just caught monsters and fought the battles I was told to do, I would be able to provide financial support to my compatriots who had settled in foreign countries···.

“···.”

I know that even without saying anything, I came to the conclusion on my own that it wasn’t that.

It seems like you figured out a lot on your own, even if I don’t know what method you used.

─ I··· I just···.

“Yeah. I’m listening.”

Rohan answered briefly to Zion’s voice, which was pouring out its words.

‘I’m a little anxious.’

Because emotions are clearly portrayed in Zion’s voice.

The emotion in the girl’s voice was more anger than depression. It was like a volcano about to erupt, or a dark cloud carrying thunder.

─ Even Rohan must have found me frustrating and funny. Being swayed by the words of the elders who were full of loopholes…

“No, that’s not it. I don’t think so.”

─ ···.

Rohan cut him off and declared,

The girl, who had not been exposed to the ill will of others, grew physically but not mentally.

It was commendable that he maintained his humanity and integrity under such adverse conditions.

“Because the surrounding circumstances made it that way. This kind of sympathy might be unpleasant for Zion to hear, but··· I think it’s a pity.”

─ ···.

It has become quiet. It is said that the emotions of Zion, which had been causing a great stir, have calmed down.

So Rohan asked.

“Zion. Are you having a hard time?”

─ ···.

“This is really strange. It’s a little bit easier to be honest about your feelings rather than suppressing them. It’s like sharing your frustration with me.”

Zion responded as Rohan raised his voice slightly and showed some energy.

─ It takes effort…

“Are you having a hard time?”

─ Yeah. I don’t know where to start···.

“Keep your cool and observe the situation. It might be hard, but just a little bit.”

─ ···.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be able to smile and live happily ever after.”

─ How can you be so sure···?

Although it is different now, there is a point in Abyss City where Zion, who is in a much more difficult situation than her current situation, realizes the truth.

Rohan recalled the texts he had seen then. The helplessness he felt, the doubts about himself, the anger and sorrow over the elder’s betrayal.

For now, the top priority is to give the girl hope.

This makes sense as it conveys information while ignoring variables.

“I never fail when I take on a task.”

─ ···.

It seems like he doesn’t even have the luxury of saying a word about his great confidence.

Rohan felt bitter at the atmosphere in Zion that was different from their last meeting.

─ It’s very late, but can’t I solve the current situation with my own strength…?

“Do you hate getting help from others?”

─ I know I’ve already received enough help from Rohan. But… I can’t just receive help from someone like this…

I think I know how you feel. There are people who have thoughts like that when they are cornered.

Of course, that’s not wrong. I think it’s an uncommonly strong spirit.

But Rohan’s experience speaks for itself.

They finally realized it at the end.

“Zion.”

─ I’m listening.

“No one can stand alone without anyone’s help.”

─ ···.

“There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. Let’s just make that clear.”

Rohan had no intention of hearing an answer to that question.

Before Zion can say anything, he changes the subject.

“Since we’re on the phone, why don’t we have a little chat? There’s nothing better than a little chat to lighten the mood.”

─···Chit-chat?

A voice that was not just subtle, but openly embarrassed.

Rohan raised the corners of his mouth as he saw something other than negative emotions in the girl.

“I wanted to talk to Zion about personal things back then too. But it was mostly work-related talk.”

─ Ah!

“Huh?”

Rohan waited silently as Zion reacted as if something had come to mind.

It felt like Zion was writhing and twisting his body on the other end of the receiver. After that ticklish moment, Zion whispered.

─ The hamburger you gave me last time… was delicious. Thank you.

Rohan changed his posture, feeling that Zion was cute.

He crouched down in the alley and smiled without hiding his happiness.

“It’s pretty good, right? I’ll buy you some more next time. It tastes better when you eat it warm.”

─ Now that I think about it···.

“Huh?”

─ The elders said that the humans outside had rigid stereotypes and thought that elves were vegetarians. Was that wrong too?

“There is no such thing as an image, but it is rare to find someone who thinks that way unconditionally. Besides, Tigrova’s elves are far from that side.”

─···You seem to know the characteristics of the Tigrova elves quite well.

“In your own way?”

Tigrova is a country with vast snowfields and coniferous forests.

The elves who lived there were different from the elves in the green forests that are commonly imagined.

There are quite a few elves who live in warm climates who enjoy a vegetarian diet, but the harsh environment with its blizzards doesn’t give them the option to become vegetarian in the first place.

As we were talking about such trivial things, we had already been talking for 30 minutes.

Occasionally, a jingling sound could be heard, as if Zion was putting coins into a public phone.

I hope that the initial gloomy atmosphere and distant story will lighten the mood a bit through small talk.

“Zion.”

─ ···.

It seems he had a gut feeling that a different topic would come up in the heavy voice.

I get the feeling that you’re listening, even if there’s no answer.

“If you have any difficulties or need advice, you can call me like today. Do you remember the dormitory? Come over there.”

─ Yeah···.

“But on weekdays when I’m not there, there are people──.”

Doo. Doo. Doo.

The call was disconnected before perhaps the most important matter could be conveyed.

“Zion? Over there?”

Rohan looked at his smartphone’s LCD. The battery was half empty and the call time was exactly 35 minutes.

I scratch my chin in embarrassment.

‘Are you out of money?’

Rohan swallowed his breath and stood up, looking up at the sky.

“···This is really difficult.”

What if Clara guards the dorm alone and runs into Zion?

Would it be okay if I told Clara first? Rohan’s head was already spinning.

It would be problematic if the two of them started fighting as soon as they saw each other.

Rohan moved slowly and kept checking his phone in case he got another call.

There was no more phone call from Zion that day.