As
I was swinging my sword, full of distracting thoughts, Beatrice was standing
behind me, I was unaware of her presence.
“You’ve been very
energetic this morning. But what are you thinking about? You didn’t seem very
focused.” (Beatrice)
She poked my head and smiled
wryly.
“I’m having a little
trouble with something. Usually, when I’m swinging my sword, my worries fly
away…” (Zack)
“Is it about me?”
(Beatrice)
Beatrice’s words made me stop
swinging and turn around.
“If you’re worried about
me, I want you to tell me honestly.” (Beatrice)
She said this with a serious
expression on her face, and I wondered how I should answer.
“Understood. I’ll tell
you later. When Liddy and Sharon are around.” (Zack)
When I said that, Beatrice
silently took out her spear and began to swing it beside me.
When Sharon woke up and the
delicious smell of breakfast was wafting through the air, I stopped swinging.
I go to the bathroom, fill the
shower barrel with water, heat the water, and washed my sweat off. I told
Beatrice that there was still hot water available, so she could use it, and I
went to get dressed.
Beatrice walked through the
living room, wiping her steamy hair, saying, “It feels good to start the new
year morning with this.”
By that time, Liddy also came
down with a sleepy look on her face.
The leftovers from yesterday
and bread warmed for breakfast were on the table, and a more luxurious
breakfast than usual began.
After we began to eat, I started
to talk about something I had been thinking about earlier.
“There is something I want you
to hear, Beatrice. It’s about my secret that both Liddy and Sharon know.”
(Zack)
Liddy stopped tearing the
bread, and Sharon, surprised, set her cup down on the table with a clink.
Liddy’s eyes said,
“You’re going to tell her, aren’t you,” and I gave a small nod.
“I have a secret that
only my family and a few people I trust know.” (Zack)
With that, I began to speak.
Having memories from before I
was born, from another world. That I was told by the gods to guide their chosen
child. And that I might have to fight those whom the gods consider dangerous.
I spoke calmly and without
hesitation.
Beatrice was listening with a
serious expression on her face, but occasionally she gave a small shake of her
head or looked into my eyes.
And then my talk was over.
There was not a sound at the
table, and no one said a word. The only sounds were the four of us breathing
and the crackling and exploding of the fireplace wood.
I don’t know how long we were
silent, but Beatrice began to speak in a gravelly voice.
“…I know you’re not joking,
but I’m hoping you’re. …Now, I think I understand. I sensed from the first
time I met you that you’re an adult at heart. …Forgive me. It’s too big a
story for my brain to follow…” (Beatrice)
With
that, she looked down and stared at the table.
“I can pretend we never talked
about moving in together. But I need you to do me one favor. Please don’t tell
anyone about this. Well, I don’t think anyone would believe you if you told
them.” (Zack)
Beatrice said nothing, keeping
silent.
I assumed that her silence was
due to a feeling of eeriness from me.
“There’s no need to
strain yourself. I’ve got a mind the size of an old man in this child’s body.
You have every right to feel creeped out.” (Zack)
“No!” she said
sharply, trying to clear up my misunderstanding with a serious expression.
“I don’t think that! It’s
just that stories about the gods are the kind of stories that only come out in
fairy tales… How can I easily accept such a story…” (Beatrice)
Liddy, who had been silent
until now, began to speak quietly.
“It is not a wonder you would
think that. I too, was surprised the first time I heard it. But you still had
it better. I found out when this kid was four years old. He’s in my lap while he
dropped it.” (Liddy)
Beatrice listened to Liddy’s
story in silence.
“But as soon as I started
talking to him, I was convinced. Because he does not talk the way children
talk. You’re convinced of that too, right?” (Liddy)
Beatrice nodded, “Yeah.”
“I have to admit, I don’t
really know what Zack’s mission is either. I don’t think he would lie, and I
don’t think he has any reason to… And it doesn’t really matter to me.” (Liddy)
Beatrice countered that
saying, “It doesn’t matter? It’s important.”
“Really? I don’t care
about those things as long as I can be with Zack. If he is in danger because of
it, then I can save him, even if I have to take his place. But thinking about
it now doesn’t give me an answer, and I would certainly rather help him as he thinks
and move. So as long as I can be with him right now, nothing else matters.”
(Liddy)
Beatrice smiled and nodded,
“Yes, I do. It is
certainly better for Zack to think about it than for me, who is not smart
enough to think about it. The only thing I can do right now is to protect him.”
(Beatrice)
Beatrice seemed to understand
Liddy’s thoughts.
Suddenly, Liddy turned to me
and asked, “You’re going to take Beatrice in, aren’t you ready for that?”
I tilted my head for a moment,
then quickly came to an understanding.
“Ready? Oh, you mean that
even if Beatrice should betray me, I won’t regret it, right?” (Zack)
Liddy said grimly,
“No,”
“Beatrice, she would never
betray you. You know that, don’t you? What I’m talking about is the
determination to respond to her feelings. You know what I’m talking about,
right?” (Liddy)
Beatrice’s face turned bright
red, and she said, “Hey, hey… What are you talking about?”
Liddy ignored her and just stared
at me.
I was at a loss as to how to
respond.
“Yeah, I’m sure I
understand… But it’s not something you should be talking about in front of
Sharon.” (Zack)
Liddy smiled and said,
“Sharon is old enough to
understand. And it’s her business, too. I’m going to ask you one more time. Are
you ready for Beatrice’s feelings?” (Liddy)
I muttered,
“That’s…”
“I know you’re thinking of me,
but Beatrice, Sharon, and even though they’re not here, Mel has feelings for
you too. It would be cruel to welcome them in without even intending to accept
their feelings. Are you aware of that?” (Liddy)
Beatrice and Sharon turn over
with bright red faces.
I weakly retort,
“Beatrice didn’t say anything.” But Liddy looks at me with a cool face and
says, “Really? Then why don’t we ask her?” Liddy turned to Beatrice.
“What do you think? As a
man, what do you think of Zack?” (Liddy)
Beatrice’s face blushed even
more, and she said, “Th-that kind of thing…” and kept silent.
“You’re pretty naïve, but
I have to tell you. And if you don’t tell me, nothing will begin. Or will you just
give up?” (Liddy)
Beatrice looked up at Liddy’s provocation.
“I’m… certainly
attracted to Zack. I can see why, after what you said today. But that doesn’t
mean we should immediately be talking about it…” (Beatrice)
Liddy turned to me and said,
“Well, that’s fine. You understand, right?”
I know what Liddy is trying to
say.
But I can’t do something
skillful like loving four women.
When I was at a loss for an
answer, Liddy opened her mouth first.
“Don’t worry about me.
I’m not going to lose to Beatrice, or Sharon, or Mel. Do you know why I’m telling
you this?” (Liddy)
I shook my head.
“I love these girls. I
don’t want to see them sad. And I don’t want to ruin the relationship. Maybe it
won’t break anytime soon. But if you don’t respond to Beatrice’s feelings, she
will leave. Because that’s what I would do if I were in that position.”
(Liddy)
“That doesn’t mean… You
have to start saying things like this…” (Zack)
“I’m sure you find these
girls attractive, too. Then why don’t you be honest with yourself? If you
didn’t think anything of these girls, I wouldn’t be saying this either.”
(Liddy)
I then said in disgust,
“Do you understand what
I’m saying? A woman who says things like this is called a ‘convenient woman’.
Because it’s convenient for a man…” (Zack)
“Oh, that’s not true. I have
no intention of giving up ‘your number one’… well, that’s fine. If you don’t
make a decision right now, it means that you have your eye on them. Beatrice,
you should think things through, too. Please, keep that in mind.” (Liddy)
Liddy said, and then cut the
conversation short and then said, “Now then, let’s quickly eat breakfast
and go to town.”
I honestly don’t understand
what Liddy is talking about.
Normally, you would try to
monopolize the affections of the person you love. But she says it’s okay to
have other partners.
(I don’t understand… Has she
lost her love for me? No, that shouldn’t be the case. Then why…) (Zack)
Then we had a totally cold
breakfast and went out to the city to celebrate the New Year. But me, Beatrice,
and Sharon were dominated by a delicate atmosphere and ended up talking
awkwardly.
T/N: Translating this chapter is draining. I love the childhood
sweetheart trope. However, two adults, two lolis and a shota/uncle harem is
making me feel uncomfortable.