episode_0085

The Ruam Festival

“What in the world is that?! And… and what is that food?!”

“Z-Zeke-nim…?”

It was paradise. In the Criton region, I had to be cautious and mindful of my surroundings, but Ruam was currently in the midst of a festival! It was a paradisiacal time for me, where I could experience various things without needing to be cautious! As a result, I was so excited that Aria, seeing me so elated for the first time, was clearly bewildered. And why wouldn’t I be? There was food I had never seen before, so I couldn’t help but be thrilled.

“Aria, look at that! There’s a cloud on a stick!”

“Gasp… gasp… Z-Zeke-nim… W-Wait a moment… gasp, gasp…”

Aria, perhaps bewildered by my unprecedented excitement, was now being dragged around by me, contrary to how things usually were. But I was so thrilled that I didn’t notice Aria’s exhaustion. Then, I accidentally spotted something that looked like a cloud on a stick and ran towards it.

“Hello, what is this?”

“Hmm? Ah, you must be a traveler from another place. This is a snack called cotton candy. Lovers often eat it together.”

“Give me one of those.”

As the cotton candy vendor explained that cotton candy was a snack for lovers, Aria, who had been exhausted moments before, suddenly seemed perfectly fine. She handed the vendor money and bought the cotton candy. It was only then that I saw the sweat on Aria’s face and realized she had been struggling.

‘Ah… Aria was tired. I was too excited to even notice… Well, I don’t really have the right to stop her, so I guess we’ll have to share one?’

“Here you go, customers. You two look good together.”

“Hehehe… Thank you… Hehehe…”

‘…?’

Did I see that right…? Just now, when the vendor said Aria and I looked good together, I saw the sweat on Aria’s face vanish instantly, leaving me dumbfounded. At that moment, Aria grabbed my hand, and now, it was my turn to be dragged around by her.

“W-Wait, Aria?! Ahhh!”

“Let’s go eat over there, Zeke-nim! Hurry!”

Aria held my hand and dashed to a bench, and all the while, I was stunned by her incredible speed. She was so fast that as she weaved through the crowd, people were so startled and dumbfounded that they simply stared blankly at her as she disappeared into the distance.

“Uh… didn’t something just pass by?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Dragged along by Aria, I finally managed to collect myself after sitting on the bench. Aria then offered me the cotton candy she held in her hand, saying,

“Here! Zeke-nim, you first~”

“Oh… okay. But how do I eat this? Hmm…”

Seeing cotton candy for the first time, I had no idea how to eat it. Hmm… The texture felt like something soft… but also a little sticky. It definitely was candy. After experiencing the texture of the cotton candy, I immediately took a bite.

‘…?! Wait, this is…’

The texture was somewhat similar to that ball of string candy from Karizan before… But since this was the size of my face, the moment I bit into it, the cotton candy got all over my mouth. And then… when my saliva touched it, it instantly hardened?!

“Ugh! It’s… it’s stuck to my mouth! Ugh! It’s sticky!”

Trying to remove the cotton candy stuck to my mouth only made my hands sticky, and I couldn’t exactly lick it off with my tongue… It was truly a difficult snack to eat… Aria, who had been staring intently as I struggled to deal with the cotton candy around my mouth, then gently pulled off a small piece with her fingers and offered it to me.

“Zeke-nim. Say ‘Ah~’.”

“…I can do it myself with my hands.”

“Hehehe… Cotton candy is sticky, so you shouldn’t. So I’ll…”

As if knowing I disliked sticky things, Aria slowly offered me the cotton candy with a meaningful chuckle… This was definitely a situation Aria would enjoy…

‘What should I do…? Hmm… Alright… Should I let her off this time?’

I was about to politely decline Aria’s favor, as I usually did, but still… Aria had accomplished many significant things in the Criton region, and I had been neglecting her lately due to new encounters. So, I decided to simply accept Aria’s affectionate gesture and immediately took a bite of the cotton candy she held out. Aria was startled, and I, satisfied with her reaction, slowly chewed the cotton candy in my mouth.

“Z-Z-Z-Z-Zeke-nim?!”

“You’ve worked hard until now, so specially for today, I’ll accept all of your affectionate gestures.”

“….!!! T-Then…!!”

“But don’t cross the line. Other than that, I’ll accept everything.”

“It’s fine! That alone is great!”

“Oh my~ You two look like a lovely couple~”

The moment Aria was overjoyed that I would accept almost all of her affectionate gestures, a passing woman saw us, let out a small chuckle, and said we looked good together. Aria’s face then turned as red as fire, both because I had just accepted her affections and because someone else commented on how well we looked together.

“L-L-L-L-Lovely… I… I… with Z-Z-Zeke-nim… Hehehe…”

“Oh my~ Your girlfriend seems quite shy~”

“Ah… Hahaha… Yes…”

I absolutely couldn’t say that we weren’t a couple. If I poured cold water on Aria, who was already caught up in the mood, she would become gloomy, and I had no idea what she might do next. My instincts, of course, recognized this first…

“When did you arrive in Ruam?”

“Ah… well… We arrived today.”

“Oh, I see. That’s wonderful. Since it’s festival season, you’ll be able to get rid of all the fatigue you’ve accumulated from your journey here.”

“Ah… Yes, that’s right.”

“And… hoho… a festival is also a time for lovers, isn’t it? Stories about couples enjoying the festival and eventually moving on to the next stage~ such stories almost always originate from festivals~”

As the passerby mentioned that festivals were also a time for lovers to connect, I instinctively felt that I shouldn’t hear anything more. The moment I felt that, I immediately tried to tell the passerby not to say anything more, but…

“Ah… T-That’s… Ughhh?!”

Aria, who had been completely lost in happiness beside me, had already heard the story. She grabbed my arm and sprinted away. As Aria dragged me somewhere at an incredible speed, the passerby watched, dumbfounded. And I, being dragged somewhere while held by Aria, finally gave up.

‘Ah… This is bad.’

“Hehehehehe… The festival is a time for lovers…!! Then… then…!!! Crossing the line would be legal, right, Zeke-nim?!”

‘It’s illegal because I don’t want to, Aria…’

And so, I was dragged by Aria, who continued to imagine things as she ran, until I finally managed to stop her at a certain tree…

“I’m so sorryyyyy…”

“Haaah… You shouldn’t lose your composure again…”

Under the tree, I made Aria kneel and stand in punishment. Aria, with tears streaming down her face, apologized to me while kneeling with both hands raised high. Seeing her like that, I let out a deep sigh and said,

“I… I understand that you’re happy… but… well… I know you still can’t quite hold onto your composure… But first of all… you shouldn’t shatter my arm like this, should you?”

Perhaps because Aria had grabbed it, my left arm was dangling as if broken. Was it because Aria’s strength was too great…? I didn’t even feel any pain. How in the world could an arm be broken like this…?

“I’m so sorryyyy… I’ll fix it right away…”

“Haaaah… Well, I suppose… since it was another mistake, it can’t be helped… Now stop your punishment and fix it.”

“Yesseee…”

At my request to stop her punishment and fix my arm, Aria got up and began to heal my broken arm with divine power. Since I felt no pain while Aria treated my body, my arm was already healed before I even noticed.

“Hmm… it’s back. Thanks, Ari—”

“Waaahhh… I… I broke Zeke-nim’s arm… waaaahhhh…”

The moment I was about to thank Aria, I was greatly flustered to see her touching my arm, blaming herself for breaking it, and shedding copious tears and snot. W-Wait… This situation… C-Could it be…!!

“Waaahhh… A woman like me, who broke her vow not to harm Zeke-nim, should just die… Waaahhh…”

Realizing what kind of situation this was, I immediately grabbed Aria’s arm as she, as expected, slowly tried to bring her hand to her neck to make an extreme choice. Aria, still shedding tears, stared blankly at my face, then hiccupped and mumbled.

“Z-Zeke-nim…?”

“Haaah…”

Normally, I would have gently and kindly admonished Aria, but… how to put it… Perhaps because I’ve seen this too many times now, or perhaps because we’ve been together for over four months, right now…

“W-Why are you… Ick…?!”

For some reason, I felt like I needed to give Aria a smack on the head. So I positioned my hand, and with the edge of my palm, struck Aria’s head with moderate force—not too strong, but not too weak either. Caught completely off guard by my reaction, Aria was greatly flustered and clutched her aching head with both hands.

“Z-Zeke-nim…?”

“Haaaah… Aria, how many times do I have to tell you it’s okay? Do you think I’d feel relieved watching you make an extreme choice right in front of me? Absolutely not.”

“Y-Yes…?!”

“Ugh… If you die, I won’t feel relieved; I’ll be sad. I’ve told you that several times, haven’t I? You’re not trying to make me die tormented by guilt, are you?”

“Ah… No! Absolutely not! I… I just… I just…”

At my words about potentially dying from guilt, Aria became greatly agitated and replied that it was absolutely not her intention. I then sighed and placed my hand on Aria’s head, saying,

“Then it’s settled. You’ve apologized. Now, let’s go enjoy the festival.”

“…Zeke-nim…”

“Don’t hold onto it in your heart so much. Enjoy the festival by…”

“U-Um, but Zeke-nim… The truth is… this is my first time at a festival…”

“…Huh?”

Just as I was about to say that she should release everything she held in her heart through the festival, Aria said that this was her first time experiencing a festival, which greatly flustered me. No… There must have been festivals in Esrad too, right…? But she’s never experienced one?

“Really? There must have been festivals in Esrad too, right?”

“Yes… but I was a Saintess, so I wasn’t allowed to go out and enjoy festivals… I had to pray to the gods inside the castle throughout the festival period to ensure nothing bad happened. So… actually… I couldn’t tell you, fearing that Zeke-nim might think I’m strange… and I don’t even know how to enjoy a festival… so…”

“What…? That’s what it was? It’s fine. It’s not strange at all.”

“Yes…?”

Realizing that I didn’t think she was strange, Aria looked at me, utterly bewildered and dumbfounded. Seeing Aria like that, I let out a chuckle, took her hand, and said,

“I was just surprised at first; it doesn’t mean I think you’re strange. So, wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to experience what a festival is like?”

“…But what if I lose my composure again…?”

“It’s true that there are many couples during festivals… So I’ll help you keep your composure and stay content. And well… I also don’t want my arm broken again… So let’s hold hands and walk slowly. Leisurely.”

“…Yes.”

At my words about taking it easy, Aria replied, blushing shyly. I then led Aria back towards the festival, and Aria, watching my back, seemed to zone out, then began to think.

‘I’ve practically lived inside the castle, so I don’t know how to make friends or how to become close to someone. I don’t know how to love, or how to live outside; I’ve learned everything only by watching the happy people through the window, so I’m not just inexperienced, I know nothing at all… But Zeke-nim doesn’t see me as a burden… He truly treats me as a person. That’s why… that’s why I can’t help but love Zeke-nim… No matter how many mistakes I make, even if I repeat them, Zeke-nim doesn’t give up and continues to guide me…’

Aria looked at me again, at my unwavering presence continuously guiding her, and her face flushed. Unlike before, there was no meaningful chuckle that she showed when she was shy; this time, her face was simply red as she gazed at my back. Just then, I suddenly stopped, and Aria was greatly flustered.

“…? Z-Zeke-nim? Is something wrong…?”

“Uh… yes.”

“….!! What’s wrong?! Tell this Aria! I will definitely solve…”

“Thinking about it… I just remembered that I didn’t really enjoy festivals much either… back in Todrua…”

“…Huh?”

At my words that I hadn’t really enjoyed festivals either, Aria looked at me, utterly bewildered and dumbfounded. Looking at the streets where the festival was unfolding, I remembered too: that I hadn’t really enjoyed festivals much because I was always training my body for exploration.

“Hmm… Sorry, Aria. I guess I’m not… the kind of person to lead you in that… Ha… haha…”

“…Pfft…”

Realizing that I hadn’t actually enjoyed festivals myself, Aria suddenly stifled a laugh, then burst into laughter. Feeling awkward, I also started laughing heartily. After laughing for a while, Aria, raising the hand I was holding, said,

“Then it’s our first time genuinely enjoying a festival together, isn’t it? Didn’t that work out well?”

“Indeed. So, shall we discover what a festival is, together?”

“Yes~ Zeke-nim~”

As the heavy atmosphere that had bothered Aria and me moments before was dispelled by laughter, Aria and I were able to smile again. And so, holding Aria’s relaxed hand, I headed towards the streets lined with open shops.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

Walking along the street with Aria, I accidentally spotted a snack I’d never seen before: a long stick-shaped cookie coated with something. As I continued to gaze at the cookie, the vendor said to me,

“Oh my? Is this your first time seeing chocolate, perhaps?”

“Chocolate?”

“Yes. It’s sweet and delicious. And, are you two perhaps a couple? This snack, you see… is popular among lovers who bite it from opposite ends, taking turns to eat it?”

At the vendor’s words, Aria’s pupils began to tremble greatly, and seeing that, I started to feel awkward. This was because I could imagine what would happen at the very end after biting it from opposite ends. Imagining that scene, I immediately squeezed Aria’s hand tightly, handed the vendor two low-grade magic stones, and said,

“T-Two cookies, please.”

“Oh. So you weren’t a couple. Hmm… The atmosphere certainly felt like you were… Ah, well, thank you anyway. Enjoy your food!”

Receiving the stick cookies from the vendor, I hastily took Aria and headed elsewhere. It was clear that if she heard anything more, Aria would lose her composure again… Yes… this way… this way, if I guide Aria, I can enjoy the festival too…!! I finally got a grasp on what to do and felt a sense of relief. Please… I hoped nothing else would happen like this…

“This year’s Last Point Tournament!!! The new participant is!! Aria Ritt from another region!!”

“…..”

One hour after having that thought, at the arena in the center of Ruam. Aria participated in the duel tournament held here. And as I watched Aria appear inside the arena from the spectator stands, I thought:

‘…How did things end up like this.’