Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Kiro
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Side Story 4
Author Note:
It’s been a long time. It’s a report that I’m still alive.
My reason as to why is stated in the activity report.
Just as I wrote there, the circumstances really made me unable to write for a while, but I managed to revive somehow… at least I wish I was.
This chapter is one of the few that was left on my PC before my long leave. So it’s short.
For everyone who keeps asking for my safety IRL, I’m really sorry to make you worried.
This happened during the summer break of my sophomore year of middle school.
The two of us walked together outside.
My master, even though her body was weak, said she wanted to take a walk in this damn hot weather.
So I prepared a parasol and held it only for her. As a result, I received no protection even in the scorching 35-degree heat of the sun. While enduring the scorching heat that made me feel like I was going to collapse, I was accompanying her.
“You walk too fast. Please match your pace with mine.”
“……Okay.”
Perhaps because I wanted to go back to my air-conditioned room, I subconsciously increased my walking speed.
She pointed this out without considering my feelings at all. Even though her cold attitude made me uncomfortable, I adjusted my pace.
“Even so, it’s hot today.”
“You’re right.”
I feel many times hotter than you are though, was my thought but I didn’t say that. If I said anything even slightly rebellious, this princess would get heated and argue back. That would make it overwhelmingly more troublesome.
……Seriously, what a troublesome master.
“The reason you are allowed to be next to me is because you can support me physically. However, I think you will eventually become unnecessary to me. When that time comes, it will be time to part.”
I thought she was saying something, but it was just her usual appeal of being a genius. As I thought it was starting again, I gave her a perfunctory reply. I didn’t find it particularly irritating. After all, the other party was just a brat.
“Arisu-chan is a genius and I am an ordinary person. I won’t deny that.”
“That’s right. Originally, you’re not the kind of person I would be conscious of. I’m just using you to maintain a good relationship… between your father and mine.”
“Aah, I know.”
It wasn’t like I didn’t feel anything over that, but what she was saying was true.
Even if I was gone, Arisu-chan wouldn’t feel very troubled. At most, her usual caretaker was gone, and considering her father’s financial resources, it would be easy to hire a professional in that field.
“You are cute and smart. There’s no way someone like me could match you.”
“Fufufu…”
Although there were many unpleasant comments, she also had a cute side. She was still childish enough to get carried away if I praised her like this. As a former adult, I wouldn’t go out of my way to make fun of that.
I was prepared for our bond to be cut off eventually.
I never thought we would end up going to the same high school at this point in time.
Months have passed since, and the day of the graduation ceremony has arrived.
After the ceremony, we left the school building while holding hands as usual.
Since that summer day, I have become more conscious of adjusting my walking pace to match Arisu.
“……Is this walking pace alright?”
“There’s no problem, but… ah.”
Upon hearing my question, it seemed Arisu-chan also recalled that episode.
After looking surprised for a moment, her expression clouded all of a sudden and tears began to gather in her eyes.
“Wait, I had no such intention—”
“I-I’m sorry. It’s about that summer, right? I remembered everything.”
“I said it’s fine! I beg of you, just act like you usually do!”
After the incident at the hospital, Arisu-chan started apologizing every time she remembered the past.
It made me really troubled since I couldn’t carelessly mention memories, but since everything about that became a dark history for her, there was nothing I could do.
I couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Seeing that, Arisu-chan’s body trembled.
“Aah, it’s not that I sighed because I’m in a bad mood. The sigh just now… how do I explain it?”
You don’t have to be that scared, I thought.
“Fufu…”
Arisu-chan stared into the distance with flickering eyes.
Her lack of confidence was completely unimaginable considering her former self.
Why did this happen, why did she change this much… the me at this time still couldn’t understand that I was the cause of it.
Author Note:
Rereading what you wrote in the past could be quite embarrassing, right?
(EDIT) The first half of the chapter was already posted in chapter 20 of the other novel, so I deleted it.
The reason for this is that I remembered that for this side of the novel, I was writing with a stance of not revealing our Small Fry-kun’s personal story as much as possible.
Want early access to Cannon Fodder, Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer, and I Was a Man Before Reincarnating, So I Refuse a Reverse Harem? Support the translator on Patreon!
