Chapter 131: Chapter 131

Chapter 131 - Yet, Some Things Could Not Be Let Go

In truth, when I decided to tell her those words, I had also considered the possibility that they might not be properly conveyed to Yuna.

Whenever I communicated with Yuna lately, I felt that she would try to create distance whenever the atmosphere turned serious.

I wondered if she would start stuttering and avoid the conversation if I spoke seriously this time as well.

I had expected it, but…….

Yuna's reaction after hearing my words was calmer than I thought.

She seemed to be contemplating what I had said, or perhaps mulling it over.

‘I wonder what she’s thinking.’

I had always thought I understood many aspects of the person named Yuna, but upon reflection, I realized I hadn't grasped her feelings all that well.

There were many times I failed to catch the moments when she was provoked or felt awkward.

The conversation paused for a moment, and only the sound of Yuna's and my footsteps echoed through the passage.

And a short while later.

“You know. Whenever I’m anxious, you always……”

Yuna slowly opened her mouth again.

“You always reassure me like that.”

I did wonder if I had ever done anything that remarkable, but… if Yuna herself felt that way, then I suppose it was true.

“Well, there were quite a few times my heart pounded because of you, you know?”

Yuna added with a grin, as if to lighten the somewhat heavy atmosphere.

“For that… I can only apologize.”

“Forget it, do you think I brought this up to hear an answer like that?”

She playfully stuck out her tongue. Seeing that, I felt she wasn't so different from the person I used to know.

“Anyway, I’ve told you sometimes, even if not often. That I’m grateful.”

Hmm. I certainly had heard that.

“But you know, thinking about being grateful made me remember something else. The fact that I only ever receive help, while I’ve never done anything for you.”

Is that so. Perhaps Yuna had been carrying a greater sense of debt toward me than I had thought.

From my perspective, my actions were just things I did out of necessity, but from Yuna's point of view, they must have seemed like favors with no reason.

Receiving something undeserved without giving anything in return.

And the person named Yuna was someone who wanted to repay such kindness somehow.

I didn't know everything about Yuna, but of that much, I was certain.

The fact that it wasn't pure kindness pricked my conscience… but well, it was true that I had helped her.

“Did that make you feel impatient, Yuna-ssi?”

At my guess, Yuna awkwardly scratched her head, then nodded.

“Serene-ssi, you know… she really feels like she’s sparkling every time I see her. To the point where I wonder if it’s okay for someone so amazing to exist, and if it’s okay for her to be my friend.”

On that point, though likely unintentional, Yuna had pierced to the core.

It made me think that her words might be touching upon Serene’s very essence—her solitude.

“And Serene-ssi is always, how should I put it. She’s always helping you, right? As an equal friend.”

It was true I had received quite a bit of help from Serene. Enough to make my conscience ache.

“More than just the difference in skill, I think I was envious of that. Thinking that if I were that strong, I could have given something back to you……”

I couldn't easily respond to those words.

What was I supposed to say in a situation ? It was for the simple reason that no suitable answer came to mind.

As I fell silent, Yuna rubbed her face as if the atmosphere had become embarrassing.

“……Aish, this feels a bit cheesy.”

Yuna wasn't wrong. It had certainly… become a much more serious atmosphere than usual.

Honestly, I thought it was impressive that Yuna had held on this long, but she didn't stop.

“Anyway, that’s it. I was envious of that… and you said it was okay again.”

As we walked and talked, we soon reached the end of Car 4. We hadn't reached our destination, Cars 6 and 7, but since Car 5 was impassable, we had to go over the roof.

We climbed onto the roof and resumed our conversation. A fierce wind raged, but the body of a knight was something that could allow for a leisurely conversation even in such a gale.

“I thought about it for a moment, but still. No matter what, I don’t think I can let go of this impatient feeling. Wanting to give back what I’ve received, that’s not wrong, is it?”

That was the conclusion Yuna had reached.

“You might suffer if you become impatient. Your object of comparison is Serene-ssi, after all.”

“Of course, it would be great if I could hold on to that feeling without getting impatient… but thinking about myself, I don’t think I can.”

“Then what should I do? I don’t want to live shamelessly.”

Good grief. I thought she was a stubborn one, but as the one answering, I didn't feel particularly bad.

Why was it that watching her be so disobedient was rather enjoyable?

“You might fall if you try to rush.”

“I’ll just get back up. It might hurt a little, though.”

What an incredibly stubborn person she was.

“Even when I'm trying my best, I can't see how I can be of help, so when would I ever be helpful if I let go?”

She would rather be in pain than let go of her desire to repay me.

‘Right. She was always .’

It was so typically Yuna. The fact that I, her fan, hadn't realized that was, in a way, embarrassing.

She seemed reckless and without a plan, yet she was an incredibly upright and honest person.

Wouldn't most people at least say, ‘I won’t be impatient,’ in a situation ?

“Honestly, it’s not like I gave you any great help……”

“Shut up, it’s my decision.”

As that exchange came to an end, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

“You’re laughing again. You always laugh at times .”

It seemed Yuna had also gotten used to the laughs I sometimes showed.

“Isn’t it a good thing, to laugh?”

“Well, that’s true. So try to smile and live a little. You look better smiling than being all gloomy.”

Suddenly hitting me where it hurts.

“Thank you for saying that.”

But they were welcome words.

After that, well, nothing much happened. We proceeded to Cars 6 and 7, explained the situation, and since we couldn't move everyone to Car 4… we had to detach the cars with the people left inside.

“Does that make any sense! Who knows when rescue will come!”

“What are we supposed to do if we’re attacked again while we’re just sitting here!”

Of course, the passengers of the Railroad Mysterium were a rather high-nosed bunch, so the eruption of complaints was an expected outcome.

“We plan to leave guards to protect your safety for now.”

In that case, what worked best on those drunk with authority?

“This is a matter directly ordered by Her Highness the Princess.”

“……” Updates are released by novel✦fire.net

Yes, that was right. A stronger authority. Although not all these passengers were part of the Princess's Faction, such was the weight carried by the name of the princess.

To deny the princess's authority would be to deny their own authority beneath her.

In any case, after gaining the passengers' consent, we decided to detach the train cars.

And as for the aforementioned guard duty, it was time to part with Yuna here for a while.

We were standing on the roof between Cars 5 and 6. The fierce wind was still blowing, and the scenery, so beautiful it could be called fantastical, was also the same.

“Well then, it’s time to go.”

I scratched my head. Although it was the result of our discussion, leaving Yuna among complete strangers bothered me a little.

It felt like sending a daughter off to the waterside. One might ask if I was feeling some sort of paternal love, but I couldn't help but feel concerned.

“Will you be alright? Even now, if I……”

As I was about to offer to switch places with her, filled with that sentiment, Yuna shook her head.

“You still have something left to do, don't you?”

“Convincing Serene-ssi.”

-…I’m still not quite convinced by your words, Rain-ssi. May I give you my answer after I’ve absorbed the engine’s magic?

Serene certainly had seemed unsure. If I didn't persuade her a little more, she might give up on that method.

…But that was my perspective. How on earth did Yuna figure it out?

As I looked at Yuna with a somewhat curious gaze, she shrugged her shoulders.

“Go, go do what you have to do. I believe the method you came up with will work. You’ve always been right, after all.”

Yuna gave her characteristic smile and patted my shoulder a few times.

I expressed my gratitude.

“Don’t mention it. See you at the academy.”

Yuna waved her hand as if it were nothing.

Yuna drew her sword and infused it with magic. As a result, the blade of her sword was dyed in a pure white light, and its length more than doubled.

Her intention to sever the connection between the train cars with this was clear.

And as if to prove my obvious expectation.

Yuna swung her sword between the cars, and the coupling located there was sliced through like tofu.

What happened after that?

The train cars separated. They gradually grew farther apart.

The gap was very narrow at first, but it steadily widened.

Yuna’s shining golden eyes were disappearing from my sight.

Just as I was about to turn around, having said our final goodbyes.

I heard Yuna shout one last time from far away.

Was there something else she wanted to say? I strained my ears and…….

“Stop only being so good to me-!! You bad guy-!!!”

The words that reached me in that loud voice were, truly…….

“……That sounds like something I’ve heard before.”

The line felt strangely familiar, but from where?

I couldn't quite remember.