Chapter 119 - Lauren's Sect
As soon as I returned home with Kyle in tow, Fonda-san hugged her son, Kyle.
"Kyle, why did you go hunting alone after what happened yesterday!"
"I'm sorry, Mother."
Even as Fonda-san continued to question him, Kyle only apologized while looking down.
Normally, I should probably excuse myself here, but since I wanted to talk to Kyle for a bit, I decided to ask for some of their time.
Once their conversation settled down, Fonda-san guided us inside the house.
Kyle's home was a four-person household consisting of his parents and his older sister. It was a reasonably spacious house with very good sunlight.
After preparing tea for us, Fonda-san went out into the garden, perhaps out of consideration.
This way, he could probably talk to me freely without Fonda-san overhearing.
Before speaking with Kyle, who was sitting in front of me, I took a sip of the tea Fonda-san had brewed.
A rich aroma that seemed to pass smoothly through the nose and throat. It wasn't too strong, and it contained a moderate sweetness.
"This is quite easy to drink for something peppermint-based."
These kinds of things often have a very strong scent or a powerful refreshing sensation, but this was moderate in both aspects and very easy to drink.
"It's my mother's special blend, mixed with various herbs."
I see, so it's a Fonda-san original.
Since flowers and herbs are very abundant here, it's interesting that each household has its own original drinks.
We both tilted our cups as if enjoying the aroma and taste.
In a slightly tense situation like this, having a calming drink really helps.
It felt as though the somewhat tense atmosphere had relaxed.
Now was likely the only timing to bring it up casually.
I asked in a gentle voice, making sure not to sound like I was interrogating him.
"So, why did you think to defeat a Horned Rabbit?"
"I keep remembering it. The Horned Rabbit lunging at me to kill me, and the moment Master got injured right before my eyes..."
Shocking sights well up at unexpected moments. It is just like a poison that slowly erodes one's heart.
"I thought the only way to dispel it was to defeat a Horned Rabbit myself."
Kyle spoke in a low murmur.
I see. Certainly, to overcome a traumatic sight, it's better to defeat it with your own hands and overwrite the image.
I recall that adventurers who were seriously injured by monsters would immediately challenge the same monster so that it wouldn't become a trauma.
Before the fear of the monster and the experience of failure grow too large, they rematch and strike it down, overwriting it with a successful image.
It seemed Kyle was judging himself calmly even while feeling depressed and afraid.
"I understand that, but why did you go alone?"
If Kyle was able to think that calmly, he should have known.
That if his current self went alone, it would be far beyond just failing to defeat it.
If he had frozen up upon encountering a Horned Rabbit instead of just in front of the forest, there was a high possibility he would have been killed.
"At first, I thought about having you come with me, Aldo-san. But I thought that if you found out I couldn't enter the forest, you might stop recognizing me as a hunter and despise me..."
Kyle spoke while his face twisted painfully.
It was the first time I had seen Kyle show such an expression.
Fear of monsters, self-reproach for his close Master's injury, and the evaluation of those around him. Precisely because he's a boy who thinks about many things, he probably ends up predicting everything in a negative way.
"That wouldn't happen. Aren't we fellow disciples under the same Master? At times like this, please rely on me."
"Master isn't your Master, Aldo-san, and no matter how I think about it, your strength is far above mine."
Oops, perhaps Kyle had cheered up a bit, as his usual twisted reply came back.
"It's fine. Let's just say we're both of Lauren's Sect."
"In that case, I, who entered the apprenticeship first, would be the senior disciple."
"No, we should take my background and age into account there."
I'm at an age where I want to act a bit like an adult too. It's a bit complicated to be called a junior disciple by Kyle.
Whether he saw through my state of mind perfectly or not, Kyle gave a wry smile.
Well, he can just think of it as my stubbornness as an adult.
"I mean, you're surprisingly hot-blooded, Aldo-san. To tell me to rely on you so seriously."
"Because that's how I truly feel."
I'm not the thoughtful type like Flora, Aisha, or Toak, nor am I smooth-tongued and experienced in life like Keel.
I think the only thing I can do is convey my heart straight without deceiving myself.
But being pointed out by Kyle again made me feel a bit embarrassed, so I drank my tea to hide it.
"...Aldo-san, would you go into the mountains with me one more time?"
At Kyle's hesitantly broached request, I nodded without hesitation.
◆
After being asked by Kyle to accompany him for the Horned Rabbit subjugation, I returned home once to prepare.
"Are the two of you going hunting now?"
"Yeah, we're going to let Lauren-san eat some Horned Rabbit meat to help him regain his strength."
"Yes, since he's short on blood right now, eating meat is probably best."
To Flora, who showed a slightly worried expression, Kyle and I replied brightly.
He was a world away from the Kyle of yesterday, who had been looking down without uttering a word.
By venting his pent-up feelings, Kyle had probably cleared his mind a bit. I could feel his usual audacity.
Seeing Kyle like that, Flora seemed a bit relieved as well.
But perhaps that was why. This time, I could see her feelings of worry toward me.
She was probably worried that I might get hurt while protecting him, having seen Lauren-san's injury yesterday.
"Please come out when you're ready. I'll be waiting outside."
As I was putting on my equipment and preparing, Kyle, perhaps sensing the situation, said that and left the room.
I certainly did want to talk to Flora alone, but being read so perfectly makes him seem lacking in cuteness. He was much more honest a moment ago.
Regardless, I'm grateful for Kyle's consideration.
Once Kyle was gone, Flora hugged me.
As if saying she didn't want to let go, strength was poured into her arms wrapped around my back.
"...Aldo-san."
From that worried voice, I knew what Flora was anxious about.
It's a bit improper, but I'm happy to be worried about from the bottom of the heart by the person I love.
To ease Flora's anxiety, I wrapped my arms around her as well.
"It's okay. I won't get injured or anything."
"Are you sure? Please don't do anything reckless, okay? Because I don't want to see you getting hurt, Aldo-san."
"Yeah, I understand."
I nodded firmly at Flora's words as she looked up at me.
And sensing Flora's expression, which seemed to be expecting something, I slowly overlapped our lips.
A kiss slightly longer than usual.
I wanted to keep feeling the sensation of those soft lips forever, but since it seemed I wouldn't be able to go outside if I continued, I managed to endure with my willpower.
Even Flora's lonely expression the moment our lips parted felt precious.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
After adjusting my equipment and heading to the entrance, Flora saw me off with a brilliant smile.
It's precisely because of this smile of Flora's that I feel I can return here.
It's not like I'm heading to a place of certain death, but as long as Flora is here, I'll be able to return safely. I had no basis for it, but I felt that strongly.