Volume 2 - CH 17

Volume 2: Red Girl

Kris took me by the hand and led me to a place in the woods where there was not a lot of people around.

We were quite far from the banquet hall, and we could only hear the sound of lively voices in the distance.

“Here should be okay, right?”

Only then Kris let go of my hand and faced me.

She looked at me in the eye. What’s about to happen..?

Racking my brains, I arrived at a conclusion.

I understand. This was the “confession” that my brother Sirius was talking about! He said, “If a girl calls you to an unpopulated place, 99% of the time, it’s a confession.” So I’m sure that this was it!

I waited for Kris’ words with a pounding heart. What should I say to her…?

‘Well,…. first of all, thanks. Thank you Callus, you saved my life and I got closer with my dad. I really appreciate it.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah! You’re welcome. There’s no problem.”

“So I’ve been thinking about it for a long time… I wondered how to pay back such a grace, that’s why I decided earlier….”

Is this really a “confession”?

As Kris spoke, my mouth was dry and my heart was beating fast.

“I’m going to be Callus’ ‘Knight’!”

“Eh…?”

I’m so surprised to hear those words that I almost fell to the ground.

Why’s the matter about Knights coming out at this time?

“Uh, Kris-san? Why this so suddenly?”

“Sure, Callus is awesome, but you’re reckless. I almost fainted when the dragon bit your arm.”

“Sorry about that…”

I’m not aware of it, but I seem to treat my body roughly a lot, and Shizuku often warns me about it. I think it’s because I lack confidence in myself, and I think it’s okay if I treat my body roughly… or even if I die in the worst case.

I think that’s why Kris worries about me.

“That’s why I’ll protect you! I may not be dependable now, but I’ll become stronger and stronger, and I will be able to proudly call myself a Knight. Then, I’ll be on Callus’ side and cut off all the danger! ”

Kris seemed to shine as she said this confidently. She has the confidence that I don’t have. I envy her for that.

But I think it’s a waste of… time to use it on me.

“Kris-san, I’m glad you feel that way, but you don’t have to go that far. I think you should choose the right person to serve. If you just want to return the favor, there are plenty of ways to do so. You don’t have to spend your whole life to repay me.”

I tried to persuade her, but she shook her head.

“No, I’m not just saying that out of a sense of obligation to repay you, I want to serve YOU Callus. I want to serve the first person I truly felt ‘awed’ from the bottom of my heart. I’m saying this because you’re the person who made me think, ‘I want to fight for him.'”

“Kris-san…. that’s…..”

My heart was filled with excitement as I heard her honest feelings.

I never thought that Kris had that much feelings for me.

If she thinks that much of me, it would be rude not to accept it.

“…… Okay. Then, why don’t we do this?　When we grow up and if Kris still doesn’t change her mind, I’ll take you as my ‘Knight.’ How about that?”

“Okay, I don’t think I’ll ever change my mind, but if Callus says so, we’ll go with it.”

Well, that’s good.

I don’t know how long I’m going to live in the first place. So it’s not good for her to be stuck with me.

“Well then, let’s get on with the Knight’s ‘initiation’ ceremony! I’ve always wanted to be a Knight!”

“What? You haven’t even become a Knight yet, isn’t this too fast?”

“It’s fine, here I’ll lend you my sword.”

As Kris urged me to do it, the two of us began our own private initiation ceremony. I never thought this would happen…

“Uh… what do you want me to say?”

“I don’t really know either, so just go with it. Go on!”

Well, this is certainly absurd.

But I don’t know. There was a part of me that was enjoying this situation a little.

“Well, then, here we go. I hereby appoint Kris, the swordsman, as my Knight. Please do your best!”

She knelt down in front of me and I tapped her on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword. I believe it’s done something like this.

Satisfied with my ‘initiation’, Kris stood up and smiled happily.

“Yes, I got it. I will destroy all of Callus’ obstacles. Rest assured.”

“That’s encouraging, I’m relieved.”

“Yes, you should be honored to be recognized by me!”

It’s not official or anything, it’s like a make-believe ‘initiation ceremony’.

But this event will remain in my memory like a treasure, shining brightly for a long time.