CH 22

Chapter 22-: Past tragedy

"Not Exist ......?"

Kanade mumbled, stunned. ......

Eventually, she understood what it meant and panicked.

"I'm really sorry, Rain. I didn't mean to ...... make excuses for everything. ...... I'm sorry. ......

"Don't worry about it."

I know she doesn't mean anything bad

"It's not that I think Kanade had any bad intentions, in fact, she's always been very considerate of me. I told you about it, and I don't mind.

"But ......"

"So don't look like you're about to cry. Kanade's smile has saved my life.

"My smile......?

"When I see Kanade's smile, it kind of cheers me up. When I see your smile, I feel so energized. ...... It gives me such a strong feeling that I can walk forward no matter what happens. I don't know how many times I've been helped by it. I've only known you for a short time, but you've always helped me. I'm grateful. So, Kanade, please keep smiling."

"Nyaa ...... Rain."

As requested, Kanade smiles at me.

It's a little awkward, but ......

But it was the "smile" I was looking for.

"......"

She looked dark and awkwardly averted her gaze.

"I'm sure you want to know about that."

"'No, I don't!　　It's not that I don't care about ...... Rain, it's that I don't care about ...... Rain.

"...... Tania is so sweet."

"W-What?

"If you really didn't care, you wouldn't look at me like that, would you?

"Oh, .......

"Thank you. I'm glad you're worried about me, Tania.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad that ...... you're not as depressed as I thought you would be.

"When I was alone, I used to get depressed thinking about the past. But now that Kanade and Tania are with me..."

"...... You make me nervous when you say things like that.

"Yeah?

"It's nothing.

"Hey, Rain.

"Can I ask you ...... why Rain's hometown has become such a mess?

"That's ...... something I'm curious about, too, to be honest.

"I'm not just curious, I'm curious because it's ...... about Rain. I want to know everything about Rain. ...... No?

"Well, you don't have to ...... take it easy, okay?　　I know it's hard for ...... Rain, and you don't have to ...... worry about me, okay?

"It's okay. It's something I've been meaning to tell you guys about.

It's not a lie, and it's not a caring word.

I'm not saying that we don't have anything to hide because we're friends, but ......

I thought it would be better to tell you something about my past.

To help you understand.

For mutual understanding. ......

I think it's necessary for us to become friends in the truest sense of the word.

"But ...... it's not that big of a story, it's the kind of story you find everywhere.

"Still, I'd love to hear your ...... story.

"Tell me about Rain."

The two girls looked straight at me.

Their gazes were filled with a sincere desire to learn more about their fellow man.

"I think it was around the time I turned ......12 years old. As usual, I was training to be a Beast Tamer. My parents were busy at the time, and I happened to be on my own. I left the village and went to the training grounds a short walk away, where I practised until nightfall.

"Wow, Rain is a hard worker.

"Until sundown is not something a twelve year old can do. I wonder if this training has given her extraordinary powers?

"Well, I don't know for sure. I've been practising like that for a while now. ...... The sun was setting and I was about to head back when I noticed that the sky was red even though it was night. It was night, but the sky was red.

"......"

Both of them raised their eyebrows, speechless.

They must have been able to guess what was going to follow.

"Something was wrong. I thought so, and rushed back to the village, but ...... it was all too late. The village was attacked by a group of demons and was in flames.

I still remember the scene of that time.

I've never forgotten a piece of it and it's burned into my brain.

Everyone in the village was lying on the ground. ......

They didn't even twitch.

The blood was spreading like a pond.

And the house was on fire. ......

The flames engulfed everything.

"Rain ......"

"Are you okay ......?"

Kanade and Tania gently placed their hands on mine.

My hands were unknowingly squeezed so tightly that they bled.

As if the warmth of their hands could heal the memories of the past tragedy, ......

Gently, the strength slips from my hands.

"'Thanks for the ....... I got a little emotional."

"No, it's okay.

"Have you calmed down?

"Yeah, I'm fine now.

He smiled reassuringly at both of them and ......

We resume our interrupted conversation.

"Our village was in the countryside Normally, no one was visting us for anything. It was a peaceful village where there was no conflict. But maybe we should have at least kept an eye out. ...... In the end, my hometown was destroyed in one night. The only survivor was me, who happened to be outside the village.

"Yes, what ......?

"...... I wish I was there.

"After that, an adventurer noticed something strange and rushed to my rescue. After that, I was given a live-in job at an inn owned by an adventurer who knew me. At that time, I was so busy living that I didn't have time to think about revenge. So ...... time went on and ...... about six months ago, Arios and his friends came to the inn.

"I'm not sure if I am right  but The brave men?

"They were on a journey. They were looking for a companion. ...... Well, now that I think about it, I guess they just wanted a convenient pawn. Anyway, when Arios found out that I was a Beast Tamer, he asked me to join him. I said yes with two words. I didn't think twice about taking revenge on the demon,......, but more importantly, I didn't want to repeat that tragedy. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

"I see. ...... Rain's kindness is because of that, isn't it?

"It's not so much that he's kind as that he's good-natured. Well, I don't hate ...... you.

"After that, ...... well, you two know what I mean. He joined Arios' party and worked hard, but was fired. Then I met Kanade and ......."

I told you everything.

That's all there is to know about my past.

The two of them close their mouths for a moment, as if trying to sort out my words.

Silence.

The voices of the customers around me sounded awfully loud.

After a while, ......

Gently, Kanade opened her mouth.

"I finally understand.

"Understand what?"

"I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll help. I didn't understand it at all, but now I think I do.

"I've only just met Rain, but ...... I still feel like I understand you.

"You want to help others, don't you? I don't want to make someone else like me. ...... So I've been working hard for someone else. You've always been there for someone else. ...... That's all you've ever thought about, isn't it?

"I'm sure you're a lot more good-natured than I thought you were. I've never seen anyone so self devoted, or so over the top, or so ...... much.

"But that's Rain, isn't it? I'm proud to say that Rain is my master.

"It's not a bad idea. ...... I have a good opinion of you. It's not bad and it's ...... reasonably good.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to say.

Each of them affirmed my way of life.

I'm not wrong.

It's like they're telling me that. ......

I felt terribly calm.

I was relieved.

I felt like crying for no reason at all.

"Thank you ...... Kanade, Tania.

I'm really happy to have met you both.

"Good!"

Tania shouted loudly and slammed the glass of juice on the table.

"So much for the gloomy story!　　Now let's enjoy our delicious meal.

"I'm going to eat a lot of food.

"We'll have a lot of food. ...... We're going to have a big party today, including a welcome party for Tania.

"Of course it's on me, right?

"Yes. No, thank you.

"Mmm, thanks.

"Yippee, all you can eat."

"Oh, be careful with that, Kanade. My wallet is empty.

"What?"

"Haha, the cat spirit tribe's stomach is limitless. It's an unavoidable measure.

"That's terrible!

The sound of everyone's laughter echoed in the air. ......

A warm time flows.

I wish this kind of time would last forever.

I thought to myself, uncharacteristically.