Chapter 36 - The Two Who Were Connected
I have changed the last conversation between Flora and Aldo in the previous chapter. I'm sorry, but I would be happy if you could check it before reading. Also, some fine details.
To put it simply.
"Shall we go back?"
"Yes."
It's something like that.
Having defeated the Red Bear, I took Flora and headed down the mountain.
Since there was a possibility of other monsters besides the Red Bear, I kept a careful watch on the surroundings.
I walked slowly to match Flora's pace, and Flora followed while clutching the Flower of Connection dearly.
""............""
Despite that, there has been no conversation between us for a while.
That's because I remembered the events of nine years ago and don't know what to say.
The girl I saved from a monster when I came to Nordende nine years ago. That was Flora.
Thinking back on Flora's behavior until now, it was clear that she remembered me.
I've saved people many times during my adventures, but I never thought there would be someone who still remembered something from nine years ago.
If it were something like a Dragon Slayer or a powerful monster threatening a village, that would be one thing, but I had only saved a single girl. And the person herself, who was nine years old at the time, remembered it.
To meet that person I saved again like this...
Knowing she was the girl I saved nine years ago... What should I say?
Even though I had been interacting with her as an important friend until now, I've realized she's the person I love. My head has become muddled.
While walking and worrying about how to treat Flora from now on, we left the forest and returned to the flower field.
What stood before us was the tree standing solitary in the flower field.
The lush green branches and leaves swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound.
When I came here three months ago, this was where I met Flora.
She popped her face out from the flower field like a fairy of the flower field.
At that time, had Flora remembered me from the moment we met here?
"I was surprised when we first met. The person who saved me nine years ago was suddenly in front of my eyes..."
When I reflexively stopped and gazed at the tree, Flora began to speak in a quiet voice.
While surprised that Flora had started the conversation, I turned around.
"...Um, sorry. I couldn't remember until just a moment ago."
"No, it's fine. At that time, Aldo-san was an adventurer traveling the world. There's no way you could remember a mere nine-year-old girl living in a rural village. Please don't worry about it."
When I apologized, Flora hurriedly waved her hands while giving a wry smile.
However, that smile looked terribly lonely.
Having made Flora feel that way, I felt miserable and depressed.
The old me really didn't see anything. I only thought about myself.
"Of course, I also felt sad that you didn't remember. What if Aldo-san never remembered me? What if the existence known as 'me' had vanished from within Aldo-san?"
"...Flora."
Hearing Flora pour out her inner thoughts, I could only let out a raspy voice.
"But, I was really happy that I remained in Aldo-san's memory. With this, I can finally say the words I wanted to say."
Then Flora closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady her breathing.
Looking closely, I could see that Flora's hands and feet were trembling, and I realized she was quite nervous.
Then Flora's closed jade eyes opened, and she held out the flower she was clutching to her chest with a gentle smile.
"Thank you for saving my life nine years ago, and today. And, I've loved you ever since nine years ago."
The moment I heard those words from Flora's mouth, I felt as if the sound had vanished from the world.
The fluttering leaves and petals seemed to be repainted in even more vivid colors.
Eh? Flora... likes me? And since nine years ago?
I had assumed she just wanted to thank me for saving her from the monster, but I didn't think she held such deep feelings.
"...R-Really?"
When I asked in a voice trembling with too much joy, Flora nodded firmly even while her face turned red.
"Yes, I've loved you ever since nine years ago."
Those words, spoken with a smile, soaked hotly into my chest, and I felt like I was going to cry.
Somehow enduring the tears that were about to overflow from joy, I managed to put on a smile and said,
"I love Flora too. I love Flora's gentle, enveloping smile. That kindness. Just being by your side makes me feel warm."
"...I-Is that true? I'm happy."
And then, I received the flower offered by Flora. I had a general idea that this was the flower given when conveying love.
"This is the Flower of Connection. In this village, it's a flower with a legend that if you give it to someone of the opposite sex, you will surely be connected. Its flower language is 'Secret Love.'"
"...The Flower of Connection, huh..."
While murmuring that, I pulled her slender shoulders into my arms and hugged her as she tearfully smiled with joy.
Flora's soft body, her warm temperature, and her soft scent were transmitted directly to me.
My entire body was covered in an intense sense of euphoria.
Then, after finishing our long embrace, we gazed at each other, and then, without either of us starting it, we overlapped our lips.
◆ ◆ ◆
"Oh! Isn't that Flora and Aldo!?"
"Oh, they're both safe!"
"Flora!"
When we left the flower field and were walking down the single path leading to the village center, Lauren-san and other villagers, as well as Elgis-san, were at the end of the path.
Elgis-san was the first to run toward us, but a woman ran past him at an even greater speed.
"Flora!"
"Wah, Aisha. Kyah!?"
Aisha ran up to Flora and hugged her.
Flora couldn't withstand that excess momentum and fell over along with Aisha.
"Flora! Are you hurt!?"
Aisha snapped her head up while still hugging Flora.
"I'm about to get hurt because of Aisha."
Flora was absolutely right.
When Flora said that with a wry smile, Aisha hurriedly stood up and pulled Flora's hand to help her up.
Since she's usually aloof and rarely moved by anything, the sight of Aisha in a panic is very rare. Since I have some leeway now, I can't help but grin.
While doing that, Elgis-san and the villagers came over to me and Flora.
From among them, Elgis-san came forward and stood in front of Flora.
"Flora! You aren't hurt anywhere, right?"
"U-Uh-huh."
"Thank goodness. ...Really."
When Flora nodded, Elgis-san hugged Flora and murmured as if savoring the joy.
Flora, who was being hugged, also put her arms around her father Elgis-san's back and narrowed her eyes.
At the reunion of parent and child, the people around them also softened their expressions and shared in the joy.
When her father, Elgis-san, released the embrace, this time her mother, Fiona-san, came forward and they slowly exchanged an embrace.
A parent and child connected by such a strong bond is kind of nice...
"Aldo, you did a good job going to the danger zone where the Red Bear was for Flora's sake."
Lauren-san called out to me as if to blow away the sentimental atmosphere of the touching reunion.
"That's right. That's not something just anyone can do."
"You're a fine man."
While being slapped on the back by the villagers, I accepted the voices of praise.
This feels kind of like the vibe of an adventurer's guild.
"Well, I'm glad you're safe too."
"Thanks, Toak."
Toak also seemed to have been worried about me and Flora, as he slapped my shoulder while holding his bow.
It's scary when you hold a bow, so I want you to put that back in your house quickly.
"I'm sorry, Flora! Because I said something unnecessary...! I thought Flora might have been attacked by the Red Bear..."
"Ah, no, I was attacked, you know."
""Eh?""
Flora answered clearly to Aisha, who was apologizing with teary eyes. Because of that, everyone in the village except for me and Flora let out a dumbfounded voice.
Apparently, everyone here thought that me and Flora had returned without being attacked by the Red Bear.
"...What do you mean, you were attacked?"
Elgis-san asked timidly, speaking for everyone's doubt.
Flora also seemed to have noticed everyone's misunderstanding, and while giving a wry smile,
"Um, Aldo-san saved me when I was being attacked by the Red Bear."
"Eeeh!? Then, did you run away while being attacked by the Red Bear!?"
Aisha reflexively raised her voice and pressed Flora for answers.
"Hey now, in that case, it might be following you here..."
"No, Aldo-san defeated it, so it's okay."
Flora said, as if to cut off the worried Lauren-san's words.
Because of that, everyone looked at me with expressions of surprise different from before.
"I defeated the Red Bear. I used to be an adventurer, after all."
"Are you serious?"
Amidst the dazed atmosphere, my friend Toak said the thing that was hardest to say.
To show proof of the subjugation, I handed the hemp bag containing the Red Bear's claws, fangs, and a bundle of fur to Lauren-san.
Everyone would be able to feel relieved if it was the word of Lauren-san, who had seen the Red Bear itself and its remains.
"...Red Bear fangs, claws, and a bundle of fur. They're all the real thing."
When Lauren-san answered solemnly, the villagers let out surprised voices.
"I know Aldo was a former adventurer, but wasn't the Red Bear a strong type even among monsters? I heard it's a monster you challenge and defeat with a party."
"To think that Aldo, who's usually spacing out, would defeat such a monster..."
Aisha and Toak, who know my daily behavior, are especially surprised.
Well, since I'm living a somewhat unreliable life in my new home, it's only natural...
"Aldo-san defeated the Red Bear! Like this, slash!"
Flora desperately reenacted the sword movements for Toak and Aisha, who were casting suspicious gazes.
"O-Oh. That's unexpected."
Flora's mimicking movements were cute and made me want to laugh, but her degree of seriousness seemed to have gotten through, as Toak and Aisha nodded as if convinced.
"Well, from my perspective, knowing his usual hunting, I can believe he could easily defeat something like a Red Bear. I mean, it's weird that he can use both a sword and a bow."
"Yeah, that's right. If Aldo is here, we can feel safe even if something like today happens!"
Kyle and Lauren-san said such things and reassured the villagers.
"Alright, we hunters are going to go collect the Red Bear."
Reacting to those words, I tried to head out with them, but Lauren-san stopped me.
"You already defeated it, right? Then you should rest now. We'll handle the rest of the work. Stay by Flora's side today."
Saying so, Lauren-san pointed his face toward Flora, who was looking somewhat lonely.
Flora had been attacked by the Red Bear just a moment ago. In truth, that fear might still remain.
"I understand. I've left markings starting from the entrance of the forest behind the tree in the flower field."
"Oh! That helps. Let's go, Kyle."
"Oka—y."
Accepting the offer to rest without hesitation, Lauren-san led the hunters and started walking toward the flower field. Along with that, the other villagers also spoke to us and Elgis-san before heading home.
It seemed Elgis-san had asked many people to search for Flora, as the whole family was bowing their heads.
Matching that, I also bowed my head and expressed my thanks. The fact that I was able to head to the flower field without any hesitation was thanks to the information from the villagers.
The ones remaining were the usual members: Flora, Elgis-san, Fiona-san, Toak, and Aisha.
"Well then, shall we head back too?"
"Right. A lot happened today."
"It's been a while since I saw you crying with such a pathetic expression."
"...Shut up."
Aisha, who couldn't say anything back to Toak's teasing words, distorted her face in frustration.
Since she was that teary-eyed—. She'll probably be teased by Toak for a while.
Aisha, who grimaced in frustration, came over here to say her goodbyes.
"I'm really sorry about today, Flora."
"No, I really don't mind. I have almost no injuries either."
"...Yeah."
Even though she meant no harm, she had put her best friend in danger.
Aisha herself probably won't be able to forgive herself so easily.
Flora, seeing Aisha reply with a clouded expression, gave a bashful smile and said,
"If Aisha hadn't said anything, I would have remained unable to take a step forward forever."
"Does that mean that thing was a success?"
Hearing those words from Flora, Aisha grinned and looked at me.
I felt my face turning red from a mix of bashfulness and embarrassment.
Flora was also turning red in the same way.
"Tell me the details next time, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll let it be a side dish for my drinks."
Laughing as they said that, Aisha poked me and Flora and went home along with Toak.
...It's embarrassing, so please don't pry any further.
"Well then, shall we head home?"
"Yes, Fiona."
With the words of Fiona-san and Elgis-san, the time for me and Flora to say goodbye arrived.
Since we're in the same village, we can meet anytime, but on the day our feelings reached each other, I feel like I want to be together.
Flora looked at me somewhat lonely, but she was attacked by a Red Bear just now. It would be better for her to be with her family in a safe house.
"Now then, Aldo-san. Please take care of my daughter."
""Eh?""
Just as I was about to say my goodbyes to Flora, unexpected words popped out from Fiona-san.
"The confession was a success and the two of you became lovers, right?"
"T-That's true, but."
Apparently, it's embarrassing to be told that by her mother, as Flora answered while fidgeting.
Then Fiona-san nodded with satisfaction and said,
"Then, go stay at Aldo-san's house today."
"Eeeeeeh!? Wait, Mother!?"
While Flora raised a voice of surprise, I turned my face toward Elgis-san and asked.
"Elgis-san, what is the meaning of..."
Then Elgis-san slowly looked up at the sky and,
"I have somewhat complicated feelings... My little daughter has grown up and is getting married before I knew it..."
He was murmuring with a deeply moved expression.
It seems the relationship between me and Flora is already recognized by her parents.
They seem to have their hearts prepared, but we, the people involved, don't have our hearts prepared...
"You can call me 'Father-in-law,' you know?"
"Oh, then I'm 'Mother-in-law.'"
"Wait, Father! Mother!?"
Flora protested with her face red all the way to her ears, but the two of them didn't listen and laughed happily.
I'm feeling the terrifying nature of Flora's parents right now.
I mean, are they really planning to let Flora stay at my house?
There's only one bed in my house... Does that mean, well, that's what it means?
My gaze met Flora's perfectly, and we both looked away.
I think we were both thinking the same thing. It's so embarrassing I can't look at her face.
"Well then, we'll leave Flora in your care."
"Auh."
Fiona-san gave a thump to the back of Flora, who was looking down and becoming quiet from embarrassment. Flora, who lost her balance, landed perfectly in my arms.
Flora looked up at me with an expression that seemed both troubled and happy.
I feel the same way. I just don't know what to do anymore.
Fiona-san and Elgis-san nodded with satisfaction when they saw us and went home.
Left behind, we just hugged each other in the middle of the single path.
"...For now, shall we go home?"
"...Yes."
Next time, it's erotic! It's erotic.
I said it twice because it's important.
Finally, I've made it this far. It was long. It was difficult.