Dragon Life - Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Triangle sandwich

That figure in front of me, is Touka, whom I know very well . And his friends Naoki, Yuu . There’s no doubt, and it’s not a mistake either . I was overwhelmed by nostalgia and was driven by the urge to move closer, but I didn’t .

To be more accurate, I couldn’t act .

Touka, I want to call out, but coming from my throat was just air without a voice .

That’s not the Touka I know . That’s how it felt to me .

…why?

The same happened with Chiffon . In just 2 years, her appearance, and her presence, changed into a girl I don’t know . Even then she is still herself, maybe it’s the sign of maturing into an adult .  

How should I put it .

Ahh, I’m being left behind here too, I feel like I’ve been forced to look at reality .

“We shouldn’t disturb them . Let’s go to the other side”

“…okay”

Celia took me by the hand and led me to a different side of the spring, away from Touka’s group . They seemed to have noticed us too, but our interactions were limited to a slight nod .

In the spring, I clean the dirt off my body . Because there are people around, Celia used a damp towel to clean my face instead of lifting my hood .

I can’t hear their conversation from here .

“Those people, might have been the Heroes”

I was surprised by Celia who suddenly said something like that .

“How did you know that?”

“Look, there’s a boy with black hair right? It’s been rumoured that the Heroes party has 5 people, and one of them is supposed to be a black-featured and another is a possessor of divine protection”

“Possessor of divine protection?”

“I’m talking about the priestess of the Alvina Kingdom . That crest on her forehead, there’s no doubt about it”

You’ll understand if you see them, I was thus urged to casually glance over, at the hero party that was still chatting away . Among them, the girl who was referred to as a priestess, did have some crest on her forehead .

“They say it was given to her by the previous Priest, when she inherited her Priestess position”

“Why would a country’s priestess be here…”

“Apparently she volunteered to accompany the Hero party”

“Eh? Doesn’t a priestess have to be within their country”

Rather than saying they should be there, Lord Cleric wasn’t able to leave that place . After all, if he leaves for too long, he’d die .

“I’m not sure . I think that was only limited to the previous Priest . The current Priestess is a normal human too . She’d probably at least be able to follow them on a journey”

Come one, I’ll help you wipe your arms so hold your hands out, I was told, so I lifted my right arm… this is bad . She already helped wipe my face, and now to also clean my arms, I think I’ve fallen as a person . Hurriedly, ‘I can clean my hands myself!’ I rejected, leaving an unhappy Celia, but to have everything done for me is not good . Recently, Celia has been acting even more like my guardian so it’s extra dangerous . I have to live independently as a person .

I stick my hands deep into the water, and diligently splash my arms to clean them . In reality, I would love to take a full bath, but I’ve got to endure until I return to our inn .

I try to glance over to our side . Touka was talking to the man dressed as a knight . I thought I’d seen him before, but to think he was Madeleine’s step-brother . If I remember correctly, he’s the captain of the First Knight squad, so he’s probably tagging along as their supervisor of sorts . The girl they call a Priestess is, needless to say, that clumsy girl . So it’s true that Lord Cleric appointed her as his successor .

The pieces are gradually coming together .

Touka’s group was most likely summoned as heroes by that Riya-san person . And, Touka and the rest, who all have a strong sense of justice, are now travelling while defeating demons to help . Yea . Aren’t they such template heroes? Even as my younger brother, I’m astonished by that overflowing generosity and humanity . It can be seen as his good point, or that he’s easily taken advantage of . If I’m stupidly serious, then Touka’s stupidly honest . FYI, onii-chan is just stupid, there’s no other option .

…yeah, I feel a little calmer .

“Alright”

Come on, let’s go! I expressed by swiftly standing up . Celia got surprised .

“Something came up, Celia can head on back first”

“What’s wrong?”

Sorry, I said as I took up a combat stance . It’s not like reading word by word, but my feelings were that serious .

Taking firm, constant steps, I stride towards Touka’s group . They also noticed me walking closer, all of them turning their heads to look toward me . It makes me nervous when 5 people suddenly stare at me, but 3 of them are basically relatives of mine . What’s there to be afraid of . Encouraging myself, I somehow walk close to them .

They looked at me with a strange expression . A person wearing a hood covering even their eyes is definitely suspicious . The First Knight squad Captain was very wary, keeping his sword ready .

“Excuse me, do you want something from us?”

Naoki took the initiative and spoke first . To find black in this world is mysteriously calming . But Naoki is the same black as Rau, it’s not a black I’m dependent on . The only black that I fell deeply in love with and am dependent on, is the black, of that one person only .  

“Are you the Hero party?”

My words caused Touka to frown .

“Ah… not again . You’re going to ask to let you join us too aren’t you”

“Oi Touka! You shouldn’t be, saying it, like that? [1] Because everyone respects Touka”

Yuu poked Touka’s head .

It seems they’ve had a similar conversation several times before . It must be tough for the heroes too .

“Please excuse us . Right now, he is a little upset”

Towards me, who was still silent, ‘Look, you’ve disillusioned them’ Naoki said while smiling bitterly .

“It’s not like I’m a Hero because I wanted to”

“Then why not stop being one?”

That’s right, stop . It’s okay to throw away such a role .

My words shocked the group . From the other party’s view, I’m still a suspicious person . An unidentified person who suddenly appeared and said some incomprehensible things .

“In the first place, that’s not the attitude you should be taking towards your real, biological older sister . Touka”

“—huh?”

When I removed my hood, 3 people froze with their eyes widened and jaws dropped . Only Riya-san and the First Knight squad Captain looked at my head and eyes .

For us to have a proper conversation, I have to let them see my face . Luckily, this wasn’t some crowded central street, and there was no one else around .

“Ne, neechan?!” [2]

Ooh, a good surprised reaction .

“I came to pick you up . Touka”

Smiling happily, I said ‘I’m not an illusion’, while Touka continued to stare at me from head to toe, as if taking a round trip . Even if you stare at me that much, I’m not some kind of ghost, and my legs are properly there . Well, I was exploring a cave not long ago and I’m a little dirty, so I hope you would kindly overlook that . I did clean off most of it, so I thought it’d be fine .

“You came to pick me… why are you even here…?!”

“Exactly as it means, I’m—”

“Ito-chan! How are you here?!”

I was interrupted by Yuu, who came closer to touch my arm . So they are treating me like an illusion after all .

“To pick you—”

“It-Itoka-san?! Why?!”

This time Naoki came closer and touched me . They’re still treating me like an illusion .

“Like I said, to pick—”

“How did you come to this world?!”

Finally, Touka rushed straight toward me, and brought his face close enough to feel his breath . In no time at all, you gained such a gallant face, ahh, you’ve become a wonderful person . Any more and my heart would skip a beat… that’s not it!!

Touka and the rest each kept grumbling and saying their own things, while touching my body . Yuu if fine . She’s a girl after all . I love girls so it’s fine . And Touka is my younger brother, so a little skinship is okay . But Naoki, you are going overboard . I don’t care if you’re at the age but you shouldn’t be clinging on to a girl’s waist!

Stuck between a 3-man triangle sandwich, without being able to escape or say anything because they constantly talk over me, would definitely throw me some doubt, that this is actually some intentional kind of harassment .  

Yeah, I can be angry soon, right? It’s fine, right? Right?

As if preparing to breathe fire, I fill my lungs with air . If I try to bellow, I think even I will be able to make a voice loud enough to stun other people .

“Will you please, listen when someone is speaking–!!”

I feel refreshed after shouting .

But my loud voice might also have been heard by Celia who was further behind . I did say she could return first, but she might have stuck around and watched from afar worriedly . She might find out that we are acquainted .

“…sorry, neechan . But how could you suddenly scream like that”

It can’t be helped that we’re shocked, Touka continued . His eyebrows in a ‘ハ’ shape, he looked a little uneasy . Yuu and Naoki were the same .

“But why are you here”

“I have my own situation too”

She who was behind watching the scene unfold caught my eye . When our eyes meet, she blinks . Wearing a simple, one-piece outfit with little exposure, yet with plenty of hair ornaments and bracelets, her figure that looks like a dancer at first glance hasn’t changed from before . But the crest on her forehead terribly disturbs my heart . Even though it’s colour and shape is different .

“Touka, wait no, the one who summoned the heroes was you, correct?”

“ . . ye, yes”

As I suspected, Riya-san summoned them . How do you know, Touka seemed to ask with his gaze .

“It was done in accordance with the legend the previous hero left behind, am I right?”

“How do you know that…!”

Perhaps this information was confidential, and only known to those at the top . Riya-san’s pale coloured eyes were shaking .

“What do you mean, neechan”

Riya-san and the First Knight squad Captain are both here . I hesitated on whether I should speak, but if I miss this chance, another might not come .  

“Touka, do you know the story about the hero who was summoned about 300 years ago?”

“If I’m not wrong, accompanied by the Alvina Kingdom’s Sacred Beast, the Earth Dragon, he saved the kingdom . RIght, Riya?”

At Touka’s words, Riya nodded . I guess they roughly taught them this world’s history . It saves me the trouble of explaining .

All that’s left is to tell them .

“That hero, is referring to Honoka-oniichan”

In response to what I said, not just Touka, but Naoki and Yuu who know my brother too were all astonished .

“…you’re joking, right . Plus, it’s weird for aniki [3] to be involved in a story from 300 years ago” 

“I was surprised too . But this world and our world’s time axis run differently, so it’s definitely possible . And of all things,, ‘If the world faces trouble again, feel free to summon my younger siblings!’ or so he said, causing Touka to be summoned to this world . Naoki and Yuu were caught up in that .

“Hold on, my brain can’t keep up with this…! Niichan is a hero from 300 years ago?”

“That means, the fact that we are here is Honoka-san’s fault?”

“Woah, Touka’s older brother is a hero too, is this fate?”

It’s not fate, it’s something pre-decided . But well, onii-chan is reflecting, and he said he’ll bring Touka and the rest home, so I’ll stop blaming him for now .

“Onii-chan should be in this world too, but due to circumstances, he’s not with us . But onii-chan said that he can bring us back . So, let’s go home together”

I don’t know how to get back yet, but your older sister will search hard . It’ll be great if we can find onii-chan and go home together, or we could find another way too .

―― That’s why, let’s go home .

Touka just stared at my outstretched hand . From that conflicted expression, I got a bad premonition .

I don’t want it to be that way, but, my thoughts were right on point .

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that”

He said, decisively . He met my eyes with a straightforward, unwavering gaze . I don’t even have to ask why .

“Because you want to save this world?”

“I think that is part of it”

“You think, you say… Touka is always like that . Even if you complain, you always put others before yourself . I like that part of you, you know? But this time, it’s different . It’s not always good to push forward with such a sense of righteousness . You’re putting your life at risk . And, you’ll be faced with many painful experiences too”

Even then, you won’t return home?

“As you said, being in this world will mean risking death . And there’ll be painful times . When we were first summoned, calling us heroes or braves was honestly annoying . I thought it was ridiculous . But after travelling in this world, I met all sorts of people . I didn’t want to lose . Neechan wouldn’t understand how I feel… I’m sorry”

Even though the one before me is my younger brother . He doesn’t seem like . He must have made some kind of resolve, and went to someplace out of my reach . That is, vexing . I had faintly noticed it before . It’s Touka after all, he wouldn’t just quietly return like that . This child is very sweet towards his people . And, he knows no fear .

“…I understand it”

A weak, hoarse voice leaked out .

I understand it . That feeling .

Living everyday feeling like I’d be crushed by another person’s thoughts, losing sight of the value of my own existence, and struggling because I didn’t know what’s right .

Even with all that, I too, ‘liked’ this world .

“But I, don’t want people precious to me to be hurt or lost, I hate it… no matter what I have to sacrifice for it, I’ll want to save them . …Touka is my precious younger brother . You don’t have to carry that burden of saving the world . You’re still, just a middle school student . To force such a role on a child like that, this world is the one that’s outrageous!”

“Neechan, … did something happen?”

He was probably surprised, and worried about me who was talking unnaturally loudly, but it’s been a long time since I was last this emotional in front of Touka .

“I…”

I couldn’t say anything beyond that . It’s forbidden to . This is a matter which should stay hidden deep in my heart . It’s something I can just talk about .

To be a hero, that is not a responsibility I want . It’s true, there weren’t just painful memories but also happy things, however, even then I want Touka to live in peace .

“It’s okay to run away . I’ll always be Touka’s ally”

My voice must have sounded very feeble, as Touka smiled at me to calm me down .

“Those words, I would never have heard if we were in our world . …thank you, but, I’m sorry . I will still choose to fight”

“…of course . Because you have a stupidly strong sense of justice…

Deep down, I already knew . Touka would decline . But even then, I wanted to bring him home .

“What do you mean stupidly . Isn’t it cool?”

“It feels like you’ve turned into onii-chan”

“Woah, that really gave me goosebumps”

I guess, it can’t be helped .

Even if we continue to talk here, there’d be no end . Touka has already decided . My younger brother doesn’t easily bend . In that case, I just need to find a solution for that .  

I’ll give up for today, and turn my legs to walk back .

“Neechan? Where are you going”

“I’ll prepare again and then come back”

“Prepare you say, but where?”

“I can’t be with you guys, Touka . Because I’m trying to take away the Hero who is supposed to save the world . But come what may, I fully intend to bring you home, so wait for me”

It’s not like we’ll never see each other again . Their base of operations is the castle, so it’s not like I can go anytime, but that knowledge is enough . That place is also my backyard . For now, it’s better for me to step back . Since earlier, the First knight squad Captain has held an amazingly vigilant stance . From the moment I said I’m taking them home, his bloodlust was no joke . It was scary .

Then, till next time, I tried to head towards Celia who should be waiting, when my arm was grabbed, preventing me from leaving .

“Touka, let go”

“I’m not letting you go . I know very well, just how dangerous this world is . All the more I can’t let you go, neechan”

It’s amazing that you’ve stayed safe till now, he added . Well actually, right from the start I was almost killed . Really, if it wasn’t for Al and the rest, I would have died along some roadside by now .

“I think so too, it’ll be safer for you to be by our side, so let’s go together?”

“Agreed!”

Even Naoki and Yuu were on board with this plan .

…Hold up, look at that! Riya-san and First Knight Captain can’t keep up and are looking perplexed!

“Do-don’t just push forward with your own plan . I said it, I can’t be with you all!”

Rather, I’m afraid that if I act together with them, I’ll run into people I know and my identity would be exposed! Lord Cleric for one would definitely realise! Timo also knows what my current appearance is, so she’ll be able to tell with just a glance .

Although I’m opposing pretty desperately, I’m being easily detained . Seeking help from Celia, I turn to face the back .

“Oi, little mister, do you think you could not pick on my kid over there?”

Since when was he there, Al stood there using a man-lady’s teasing tone . Celia was beside him . It’s the appearance of guardian #2 . I’m saved! Well, it seems they overhead everything too though .

“I don’t know if you’re heroes or what else, but it’s not good to force someone”

Sorry . I’m also trying to forcefully bring Touka’s group home .

Al came between us, grabbing my hand and pulling off Touka’s hand . Probably because of their builds, but Al seemed to be stronger since I was easily released .

“Wh, who are you”

“This guy is my comrade”

Al rested his chin on my head from behind me . After using a funny voice, now he’s using his speciality, a wry smile, to face them .

“Itoka-san’s, comrade?”

Naoki put on a rare grim expression after he heard us . Is there something he doesn’t like I wonder .

“Yep, that’s right . Don’t you know well”

“That’s why, I’ll have you return her”

“Such a selfish thing–!”

“How clingy . …ah! There’s a demon king over there!”

Eh?! For real?! Where, where?! I looked around restlessly, when Al said: “Idiot, why would you fall for it! Let’s go!’ then picked me up and carried me like a potato sack on his shoulder . I got shocked when my line of sight suddenly rose . Huh? It was a lie?

If you have a hero, you have a demon king too, so I wasn’t the only one who fell for his words, as Touka’s group did too . Riya-san looked extremely afraid since she jumped straight towards Touka . Because of that he couldn’t move for a while, and couldn’t chase after us who were running away . Of course, the ones running were just Al and Celia .

“neechan!”

Touka’s voice slowly got further away . Naoki was shouting too, but I was too far to hear anything anymore .

I’m sorry, Touka . Oneechan will get stronger before coming back . Then we’ll go home together! We’ll return to our world and live peacefully with everyone!

That’s why, in order for Touka to not have any lingering attachments for this world, for that purpose— I have my trump card .

Probably .

＊＊＊

“Al . Stop carrying Ito-chan like she’s some kind of luggage”

It’s fine if you want to let me down soon too .

“Then what else should I do”

Yeah, put me down .

“Support her waist, hold the back of her knees, exactly”

Like I said, put me down .

“Like this?”

―― Oh my goodness! Isn’t this just like a princess carry! Face! My face is too close!! Neck! There’s a neck in front of my eyes! A neck with healthy coloured skin! Huh? Why a neck?

Maybe because a princess-carry should be higher, Al’s neck is in front of my eyes instead . Bare skin . The blood flowing beneath it must be, oh so red .

A person’s magic, dwells more in their blood than in their body, or so I’ve been told . Blood is often used for things like ceremonies or rituals, since it’s better to have an abundance of magic . And, it’s easier to supply than bodies . Sweet, delicious, and mellow . I wonder what attribute Al is . Going by his personality, he’d be liked by fire spirits, but his hair is a pale blonde . An earth spirit… or it might even be, the rare attribute of light . I’ve never eaten that . I want to eat it . Ahh, I want to try it . I wonder what kind of flavour it’ll have?

Imagining it, my mouth naturally opens .

My throat, is throbbing .

Fiercely, and thirsty .

“Can I, bite?”

“Huh?”

…Eh?

I recollect myself thanks to Al’s disarrayed voice .

What, did I just say? Turning my eyes from the base of his neck to meet his eyes, I find Al looking surprised . I’m also surprised by the words I just uttered .

“You, you’re eyes”

“So-sorry! Ignore that! I was just a little sleepy!”

At my random excuse, ‘Feeling sleepy?’ Celia said as she drew close and touched my forehead .

“It’s a little hot . She must be feeling exhausted . Let’s hurry back to the inn”

Pretending not to look at Al’s gaze which wanted to say something, I pull my hood down .

“Al? Let’s go”

“Ah, oh yeah”

With Celia urging us, we started walking again .

―― I wonder, what’s going on with me .

It feels like I’m gradually changing into something else and, it is, extremely, terrifying .

When my hand which was holding on to Al’s clothes to prevent me from falling clenched harder, the arms holding me also held tighter .

Translation Notes:
[1] She really broke up her sentence and spoke like that . I assume it’s because she’s trying to use the appropriate words?
[2] ”Nee’ is used for sister, and as mentioned in an earlier translation, ‘chan’ is a suffix . So ‘neechan/oneechan’ is an endearing term for your older sister .
[3] A different way to refer to your older brother