「Say old man, how much more time until we reach?」
「Very soon, so be quiet」
「That’s all you’ve from some time ago! I’m tired of hearing ‘Very soon’」
「But I’m tired of hearing Liner’s “how much more time?”」
「It’s the first time we’re going to a city, right? Aren’t you excited?」
Being brought up in a countryside village called Brosch, which was surrounded by mountains, if it were to be called as going afar, Liner had only gone to villages and towns in the vicinity. But this time was different. He had come out of the territory for the first time since being born.
「Even if you call it a city, it’s just Delfit. It’s not like we’re going to the capital and if you are so excited it’ll be completely obvious that you’re a bumpkin」
「Well, Brosch is rural」
「That wasn’t what I meant………」
「Do you people come from Brosch?」
「Yes. Do you know Brosch?」
「It’s the village which is at the edge of the territory governed by Viscount Ballack, right?」
「You seem to be well informed」
「Since I’m somewhat friendly with him」
Saying that, the man tipped his empty hand towards himself in front of his mouth. Liner’s father understood what he wanted to say by looking at that action.
「It’s related to alcohol, huh」
「Right! If you talk about 『Bale’s brewery』, it is well known locally in its own way」
‘Gahahaha’- The man laughed in a hearty manner which fit his appearance.
「But still, if its from Brosch, you are coming pretty far. Is Delfit your destination? It isn’t very suitable for bringing children to sight-see」
「It’s not for sightseeing but for participating in the fighting tournament!」
「Fighting tournament, huh. You?」
「Wh, what? That reaction」
「It isn’t that you are weak but it’s just that Delfit’s fighting tournament is quite serious. Just be careful to not get a big injury」
「It’s fine. Since I’ll win!」
「Hou, that is some grand declaration」
「Well, he is participating in the under-13 division though」
「What?」
「It’s in sight, Delfit」
「Eh, really!?」
Even though they had yet to enter the city, that too with it being in quite the distance, it was this lively. Liner’s heart was dancing at the thought of how many unknown and unheard of things would be overflowing there when he stepped inside the city. Next to him, although the girl had an uninterested expression, maybe due to being interested she was repeatedly glancing outside the window.
「Oo, incredible-!」
「Liner, don’t make so much noise! And it’s dangerous so draw back!」
「It’s fine! Wow, what’s that?」
「The number of people are large! The buildings are huge! There’s a steel ship!」
「That’s a statue of a ship!」
「Hey Liner, you’re too excited! We have to quickly go register for the participation」
「That and all is for later! I’ll go towards the sea and come back!」
「Aah………come on!」
「Good grief, he’s as excited as always……… I’ll complete the registration so I’ll leave him to you. After you catch him, we’ll assemble in front of this fountain」
「Okay, understood」
「Kyaa!」
Due to the impact of colliding, she involuntarily fell on her backside. Since the other person had been walking, luckily she didn’t seem to be injured. But that was only regarding herself. Wanting to confirm the safety of the other person, she got up.
「S, sorry! Are you alright?」
「Yes, I’m fine」
(C, cute……!)
「Are you yourself fine? You seem to be somewhat in a daze……」
「Eh?……..Ah, Sorry! It’s nothing! Umm, are you really not injured anywhere?」
What should I do if there are some scratches on such a beautiful girl? – This black-haired girl was beautiful enough to make her harbor such thoughts which were close to being fearful for her.
「Don’t be so worried. She instantly held me so I didn’t even fall」
「She?」
「Come to think of it, weren’t you in a hurry?」
「Ah, that’s right. But…….」
「Don’t mind me. Rather, this means that the both of us were fated to meet」
「Fated to meet……..」
「If this is a strong bond, we’ll be able to meet again someday. That’s why, when we reunite again……….let’s see, please become my friend」
「F, friend?」
Listening to the completely unexpected request, her eyes became like saucers.
「You don’t want to?」
「N, n, not at all! Rather, is it fine with someone like me……..」
「If we are to meet again, it’ll be proof that our bond is real, so isn’t it natural that we become friends?」
「Is that……..so?」
「Yes. And so, could you hold your current feelings until our reunion?」
「Y, yes!」
「Well then, let’s meet again somewhere. Let’s go, Juno」
「Yes ～」
While she was still having that kind of somewhat murky feeling, the next morning came. Since it was the day of the fighting tournament, Liner, who was 3 times more energetic than his usually excessively energetic self, went ahead to the venue, and she had a shocking encounter which couldn’t be compared to yesterday’s.
No, accurately speaking, that wasn’t an encounter but a “reunion”.
「…….Harold, sama」
