Chapter 60 : In the Blink of an Eye
——————————————————
“Ah…. I’ve really done it now…”
I rushed out without thinking but… What should I do now…
After running from the store for 2-3 minutes, I began to walk slowly.
“But, such an important thing like that… Aren’t we going to be a family…? Or maybe that’s just the norm here in Alsar?”
I murmured quietly so the people around me wouldn’t be able to hear me.
Even though the result might not change, I still wanted us to talk first before we decided on such an important thing like that.
Since we are going to get married… Well, our relationship is a bit complicated but since we’re going to be family, you can’t just….
I had been in Alsar for only less than two months. I still didn’t know what was considered normal here.
“Haah… I definitely can’t go see Malik-san when I’m feeling depressed like this. He will definitely be worried. So both the guild and the house is not an option for me… Ah! I can go to Eva-san’s place and talk with her!”
I believed Malik-san should be still in the guild at this hour but I shouldn’t return home just in case he already went home. While I was pondering where I should go, I remembered Eva-san who was married to an otherworlder like me.
I already planned on meeting him after I had returned to Pedrell but because one thing after another, I didn’t get to meet him yet.
He might be busy so maybe I should just come and sneak a glance at him. Though… It’d be nice if I could talk with him for a bit…
“Okay! I’ve decided! I will go to 【Ken】!”
After settling my mind, I ran to 【Ken】 so I could arrive there faster.
At this moment I didn’t know until I was told later on in the future that one of Ali-san’s subordinates went back to Ali-san’s office to deliver his report about me.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
“……………… That’s why…”
“So that’s why you ran away?”
“Yes…”
When I arrived at【Ken】, the sign said the restaurant was already closed. Feeling disappointed, I turned around to return home but then, I met Eva-san who was holding onto a bag. She had been going out to shop for some necessities.
She led me back to the restaurant, told me to take a seat and poured a cup of tea for me before she asked me to tell her what had happened.
“Ren-kun, I do agree that they’re at fault for not discussing it with you first but you know what? I think they’re doing all of that for the sake of your happiness. You know that, right?”
“Yes. I know… I also wished I hadn’t just run without talking with them first but… I wonder were they upset because I just rushed out like that? Do they hate me now? I’m so worried about that…”
Now that I have cooled down, I could finally see what Eva-san was talking about. It wasn’t about the money. They must be just thinking what was the best for me, what could make me happy.
I plopped down on the table, somehow realizing that made me feel disheartened.
“I see.. But I’m sure that’s not what they are feeling right now, you know? Just by listening to your story about them, I could see they truly care and love you…. Regarding marriage, it is normal for the one who has the most money to pay in Alsar. I also had a fight with Ken about this too. Ren, you might be thinking they’re underestimating you by doing that but actually… For them, they think it’s normal that they’re the one that has to pay. Well I’m sure after talking with them you can finally accept their way of thinking.”
Eva-san gently stroked my head as I planted my head deeper into the table.
I wonder if the three of them still felt that way toward me. Certainly the three of them had way more money than me but I wished they’d talk it over with me first…
“Yes… I will go and have a nice talk with them!”
Nothing would change if I just sat here feeling dejected and all. Somehow I felt refreshed after pouring my heart out to Eva-san.
“Nonetheless, I was really surprised. I never thought Chris would get engaged. Well… I already knew you’re a special one when Chris first brought you here, you know?”
“Huh? Special?”
Eva-san changed the topic in her usual cheerful tone. But… What did she mean by ‘special’?
“I don’t think you guys were already dating back then but it was the first time Chris ever brought someone here and I could see in his eyes that he was already helplessly in love with you.”
“Is that so…?”
Remembering the moment when I first came here, Eva-san smiled tenderly. Her smile was so soft and bright, it was as if flowers were blooming around her.
“Yes, yes. I never saw Chris act like that. That’s why, there’s no need for you to worry. Chris definitely won’t hate you.”
Eva-san’s calm and tender voice and smile made me feel relieved.
When I was talking with Eva-san, suddenly we heard a knock on the door. Or to be more precise, someone was banging on the door furiously.
“Oh my, they’re here earlier than I expected. I’ll be back to you in a bit, okay?”
Eva-san headed toward the door. Maybe she already had an appointment with some guest? Well if she already had a guest coming in, I better leave now.
I got up from my seat and prepared to leave.
「「「Ren (-chan/-kun)!」」」
Right after I heard someone calling for my name, I was hugged from behind.
“Huh? Huh??”
“Are you mad because we are late picking you up?”
Still wrapped around his arm, he spun me around and hugged me back from the front.
The one that was hugging me was Sig-san. My face was buried in Sig-san’s firm abdominal muscles.
They were asking me if I was mad at them for being late at picking me up but… Shouldn’t Sig-san and the others be mad at me instead for leaving them all of sudden?
“It’s not like that! Rather, aren’t Sig-san and the others mad at me? Because I ran away without saying anything…”
“We were worried but there’s now way in hell we are mad at you! But, we’re glad we can find you here…”
I sneaked a peek at the other from beneath Sig-san’s sculpted stomach but it seemed the three of them weren’t upset at me.
On the contrary, they were looking relieved. I could see it in their face they were genuinely glad to find me.
“I’m sorry…”
“You three, how did you guys he’s here?”
I casted my eyes down and apologized for making them worry, then Eva-san returned from the restaurant’s entrance and shot a question at Sig-san and the others.
Ah, right. How did they know I was here?
“At first, we had no idea where he was so we just looked around on our own. Ren-chan, you’re wearing your party cuff today, right? Then we remembered we could pinpoint someone’s location with that cuff. Sorry, Ren-chan… The three of us just went ahead and decided a lot of things without talking with you first. Just like what Ren-chan said, we’re going to be a family so we should’ve discussed this together before deciding on anything…”
Ah, right. I think I remembered I was told this cuff had that kind of feature when we bought them.
But… They knew what I was mad about without me telling them first…
“Yes… Actually I didn’t grow up in a normal family either so I don’t really know what’s considered normal or not but… Since we’re going to be a family, I want us to be more open with each other. Whether it’s something good, or something sad, I want us to share all of it together. And… I want to apologize for running out and making you guys worry.”
I realized I had been imposing what I considered as normal on them too. What I considered as normal must be different from them. That was why we needed to talk more so we could walk on the same page together.
“Ren-kun, we were certainly worried but as long as you’re all well and safe, it’s all that matters. We will talk about plenty of things together from now on, alright?”
“Yes…”
Fer-san said with a bright smile like the sunshine of spring while stroking my head.
“Ren from now on, if there’s anything that’s irritating you, you have to tell us immediately. I will also do the same thing to you too. So… I’m begging you, please don’t hate us!”
Sig-san, who had been holding me in his arms said with a sad smile on his face. It was rare for him to look this dejected. Sig-san was usually cheerful and brimming with energy.
Ah… I made Sig-san say such a sad thing… I don’t hate you… I can’t hate you even if I want to…
“Sig-san, please don’t hate me too. I… I like you.”
Gripping Sig-san’s clothes tightly, I made sure we were staring face to face as I said that. Then I pulled Sig-san’s arms, beckoning him to bring his face close to me.
I planted a chaste kiss on Sig-san’s lips and pulled away just as quick.
“With this, can we get back to how we used to be?”
“Uwah… For real…? In a place like this…”
It was supposed to be a kiss to reconcile but Sig-san instead was murmuring something while covering his eyes with one hand and faced his head up.
“Ren-chan, do that to me too if you want to make up~”
“Then please do it to me afterwards.”
“Eh… Okay…”
Since Chris-san and Fer-san said so, I slipped away from Sig-san’s embrace. Sig-san was still frozen in place.
First, I hugged Chris-san tightly. I looked up at him and as I tiptoed on my feet to kiss him…
“Okay, okay. That’s far enough. Why do I have to watch you guys flirting with each other in all my lonesome? If you want to keep going then go home or go to a tsurekomiyado!!”
“Eh? U-Uwahh! Wai-! Chris-san! Let me go!”
I had completely forgotten about Eva-san before she raised her voice!
We were still at Eva-san’s house! Ahh! So embarrassing!
I immediately tried to break free from Chris-san’s embrace, I even asked him to let me go but he wouldn’t budge.
“Fufu~ Nope~ I will let you go if you promise to go back to the inn with me~”
“I will go wherever you want so please let me go!”
“If you said so~”
I replied without thinking much. Did… Did I just make a mistake?
Chris-san let me go but now he was smirking coquettishly at me. I felt a shiver run down my spine when I saw his devilish smile.
“Haaah… Whatever you guys want to do, just get out now…. Ren-kun! If you ever feel upset, remember to talk it through with them okay? Communication is the key to a happy marriage, you know?”
“Ah, yes! I’m very sorry for troubling you today. Thank you very much for your help!”
We finally left Eva-san’s place after she kicked us out.
Chapter 60 : In the Blink of an Eye
——————————————————
“Ah…. I’ve really done it now…”
I rushed out without thinking but… What should I do now…
After running from the store for 2-3 minutes, I began to walk slowly.
“But, such an important thing like that… Aren’t we going to be a family…? Or maybe that’s just the norm here in Alsar?”
I murmured quietly so the people around me wouldn’t be able to hear me.
Even though the result might not change, I still wanted us to talk first before we decided on such an important thing like that.
Since we are going to get married… Well, our relationship is a bit complicated but since we’re going to be family, you can’t just….
I had been in Alsar for only less than two months. I still didn’t know what was considered normal here.
“Haah… I definitely can’t go see Malik-san when I’m feeling depressed like this. He will definitely be worried. So both the guild and the house is not an option for me… Ah! I can go to Eva-san’s place and talk with her!”
I believed Malik-san should be still in the guild at this hour but I shouldn’t return home just in case he already went home. While I was pondering where I should go, I remembered Eva-san who was married to an otherworlder like me.
I already planned on meeting him after I had returned to Pedrell but because one thing after another, I didn’t get to meet him yet.
He might be busy so maybe I should just come and sneak a glance at him. Though… It’d be nice if I could talk with him for a bit…
“Okay! I’ve decided! I will go to 【Ken】!”
After settling my mind, I ran to 【Ken】 so I could arrive there faster.
At this moment I didn’t know until I was told later on in the future that one of Ali-san’s subordinates went back to Ali-san’s office to deliver his report about me.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
“……………… That’s why…”
“So that’s why you ran away?”
“Yes…”
When I arrived at【Ken】, the sign said the restaurant was already closed. Feeling disappointed, I turned around to return home but then, I met Eva-san who was holding onto a bag. She had been going out to shop for some necessities.
She led me back to the restaurant, told me to take a seat and poured a cup of tea for me before she asked me to tell her what had happened.
“Ren-kun, I do agree that they’re at fault for not discussing it with you first but you know what? I think they’re doing all of that for the sake of your happiness. You know that, right?”
“Yes. I know… I also wished I hadn’t just run without talking with them first but… I wonder were they upset because I just rushed out like that? Do they hate me now? I’m so worried about that…”
Now that I have cooled down, I could finally see what Eva-san was talking about. It wasn’t about the money. They must be just thinking what was the best for me, what could make me happy.
I plopped down on the table, somehow realizing that made me feel disheartened.
“I see.. But I’m sure that’s not what they are feeling right now, you know? Just by listening to your story about them, I could see they truly care and love you…. Regarding marriage, it is normal for the one who has the most money to pay in Alsar. I also had a fight with Ken about this too. Ren, you might be thinking they’re underestimating you by doing that but actually… For them, they think it’s normal that they’re the one that has to pay. Well I’m sure after talking with them you can finally accept their way of thinking.”
Eva-san gently stroked my head as I planted my head deeper into the table.
I wonder if the three of them still felt that way toward me. Certainly the three of them had way more money than me but I wished they’d talk it over with me first…
“Yes… I will go and have a nice talk with them!”
Nothing would change if I just sat here feeling dejected and all. Somehow I felt refreshed after pouring my heart out to Eva-san.
“Nonetheless, I was really surprised. I never thought Chris would get engaged. Well… I already knew you’re a special one when Chris first brought you here, you know?”
“Huh? Special?”
Eva-san changed the topic in her usual cheerful tone. But… What did she mean by ‘special’?
“I don’t think you guys were already dating back then but it was the first time Chris ever brought someone here and I could see in his eyes that he was already helplessly in love with you.”
“Is that so…?”
Remembering the moment when I first came here, Eva-san smiled tenderly. Her smile was so soft and bright, it was as if flowers were blooming around her.
“Yes, yes. I never saw Chris act like that. That’s why, there’s no need for you to worry. Chris definitely won’t hate you.”
Eva-san’s calm and tender voice and smile made me feel relieved.
When I was talking with Eva-san, suddenly we heard a knock on the door. Or to be more precise, someone was banging on the door furiously.
“Oh my, they’re here earlier than I expected. I’ll be back to you in a bit, okay?”
Eva-san headed toward the door. Maybe she already had an appointment with some guest? Well if she already had a guest coming in, I better leave now.
I got up from my seat and prepared to leave.
「「「Ren (-chan/-kun)!」」」
Right after I heard someone calling for my name, I was hugged from behind.
“Huh? Huh??”
“Are you mad because we are late picking you up?”
Still wrapped around his arm, he spun me around and hugged me back from the front.
The one that was hugging me was Sig-san. My face was buried in Sig-san’s firm abdominal muscles.
They were asking me if I was mad at them for being late at picking me up but… Shouldn’t Sig-san and the others be mad at me instead for leaving them all of sudden?
“It’s not like that! Rather, aren’t Sig-san and the others mad at me? Because I ran away without saying anything…”
“We were worried but there’s now way in hell we are mad at you! But, we’re glad we can find you here…”
I sneaked a peek at the other from beneath Sig-san’s sculpted stomach but it seemed the three of them weren’t upset at me.
On the contrary, they were looking relieved. I could see it in their face they were genuinely glad to find me.
“I’m sorry…”
“You three, how did you guys he’s here?”
I casted my eyes down and apologized for making them worry, then Eva-san returned from the restaurant’s entrance and shot a question at Sig-san and the others.
Ah, right. How did they know I was here?
“At first, we had no idea where he was so we just looked around on our own. Ren-chan, you’re wearing your party cuff today, right? Then we remembered we could pinpoint someone’s location with that cuff. Sorry, Ren-chan… The three of us just went ahead and decided a lot of things without talking with you first. Just like what Ren-chan said, we’re going to be a family so we should’ve discussed this together before deciding on anything…”
Ah, right. I think I remembered I was told this cuff had that kind of feature when we bought them.
But… They knew what I was mad about without me telling them first…
“Yes… Actually I didn’t grow up in a normal family either so I don’t really know what’s considered normal or not but… Since we’re going to be a family, I want us to be more open with each other. Whether it’s something good, or something sad, I want us to share all of it together. And… I want to apologize for running out and making you guys worry.”
I realized I had been imposing what I considered as normal on them too. What I considered as normal must be different from them. That was why we needed to talk more so we could walk on the same page together.
“Ren-kun, we were certainly worried but as long as you’re all well and safe, it’s all that matters. We will talk about plenty of things together from now on, alright?”
“Yes…”
Fer-san said with a bright smile like the sunshine of spring while stroking my head.
“Ren from now on, if there’s anything that’s irritating you, you have to tell us immediately. I will also do the same thing to you too. So… I’m begging you, please don’t hate us!”
Sig-san, who had been holding me in his arms said with a sad smile on his face. It was rare for him to look this dejected. Sig-san was usually cheerful and brimming with energy.
Ah… I made Sig-san say such a sad thing… I don’t hate you… I can’t hate you even if I want to…
“Sig-san, please don’t hate me too. I… I like you.”
Gripping Sig-san’s clothes tightly, I made sure we were staring face to face as I said that. Then I pulled Sig-san’s arms, beckoning him to bring his face close to me.
I planted a chaste kiss on Sig-san’s lips and pulled away just as quick.
“With this, can we get back to how we used to be?”
“Uwah… For real…? In a place like this…”
It was supposed to be a kiss to reconcile but Sig-san instead was murmuring something while covering his eyes with one hand and faced his head up.
“Ren-chan, do that to me too if you want to make up~”
“Then please do it to me afterwards.”
“Eh… Okay…”
Since Chris-san and Fer-san said so, I slipped away from Sig-san’s embrace. Sig-san was still frozen in place.
First, I hugged Chris-san tightly. I looked up at him and as I tiptoed on my feet to kiss him…
“Okay, okay. That’s far enough. Why do I have to watch you guys flirting with each other in all my lonesome? If you want to keep going then go home or go to a tsurekomiyado!!”
“Eh? U-Uwahh! Wai-! Chris-san! Let me go!”
I had completely forgotten about Eva-san before she raised her voice!
We were still at Eva-san’s house! Ahh! So embarrassing!
I immediately tried to break free from Chris-san’s embrace, I even asked him to let me go but he wouldn’t budge.
“Fufu~ Nope~ I will let you go if you promise to go back to the inn with me~”
“I will go wherever you want so please let me go!”
“If you said so~”
I replied without thinking much. Did… Did I just make a mistake?
Chris-san let me go but now he was smirking coquettishly at me. I felt a shiver run down my spine when I saw his devilish smile.
“Haaah… Whatever you guys want to do, just get out now…. Ren-kun! If you ever feel upset, remember to talk it through with them okay? Communication is the key to a happy marriage, you know?”
“Ah, yes! I’m very sorry for troubling you today. Thank you very much for your help!”
We finally left Eva-san’s place after she kicked us out.
