The story between the two of us has been longer than I expected.
Because Maria speaks extensively about Senior Rebecca's stories from an early age. Of course I heard it all. Maria looked brighter than usual when we were talking about Senior Rebecca.
But as the story moves on, shade falls on its face.
"Your sister is awesome. I really... Huh!
"Oh. That's pretty clear from what I've been talking about."
Maria gives a strange look.
"... why not. You can talk to Ray about things."
"As long as I'm happy with that. But you don't want to talk about it beyond?
"Huh... how do you know?
"It's on my face."
As my childhood progressed, Maria's story was like that, telling me she was hiding something or not daring to. I had such a delicate feeling about her.
"Well...... but maybe I want someone to ask me too. No, you must be..."
"Whatever I am, it's up to me to take it. And I won't say anything else."
"Well, let's talk about it"
Maria scratches up just a little bit of that pure white hair and she shows the piercing in her ear.
"This piercing. What makes you think there's so much?
"You like it, don't you? There's someone I know who's into collecting piercings."
"Well, that makes sense, too, but I knew this was a sign of disobedience"
A sign of disobedience. I react honestly to Maria's words.
"Disobedience? Against what?"
"The aristocratic way. Besides, I guess I'm a parent."
……
"Your sister was excellent. He's a hard-worker than anyone else, and he was talented. Besides, it looks and has a good personality. Such a sister and I have always been compared. Try not to lose to your sister. A lot of people told me that like a spell. So it was only a matter of time before I became like this."
"By looking far removed from the aristocracy, you said you wanted to defy?
"Well...... right. Besides, I'm a long way from it."
The word is probably referring to its bright white appearance. The factors that make it an albino are still unknown. Maybe there's some sort of magical factor, but the research hasn't gone that far either.
I asked my master that the aristocratic society was closed. Without forgiving anything new, he said he was adamant about tradition. In the meantime, if you have a child with the appearance of Maria, that may be subject to elimination.
And grow up compared to Senior Rebecca.
That must have been hard work and sadness that I wouldn't even think about.
"I love your sister. But at the same time, I really remember the sense of inferiority. So at least you're dressed as a bizarre resistance. No, I'm doing this because I'm like me."
"Oh well... Did you"
"That's about it. I just have a sister who's inferior to my sister."
"... I understand Maria's story very well. I don't feel comforted either. But let me just say this."
"What?
Strong thing to say, but that seemed disturbing somewhere. That's why I want to say something to reassure you. That's what I thought.
"... I don't completely understand the hardships and grief. But Maria has been trying to be herself? That is commendable. That's why I think Maria is so beautiful right now. The hairstyle and the piercing are just like you. So I guess I can be proud of that."
"... be, even if they say so"
Maria will look down. The face is bright white skin, which is why I knew it would turn red.
"I guess I've never had someone I could talk to before?
"Well. But it's okay. 'Cause we're parting ways."
"Right. But next time, if you need anything, I want you to talk to me. I want you to spend as much as you want if you just ask."
"... Ray. Come on. Is that what we all do to girls?
"No. Not just male women, though?
"Ahhh. I don't think so."
Puy turned sideways Maria said that to hang out somewhere. But that trick was also something cute somewhere.
"Let's talk about me for a little while."
And I also thought I'd disclose myself because she told me. Should I say that as a sign of trust?
"Talking about Ray? Speaking of which, there are rumors that you are good at sorcery combat even though you are an Ordinary..."
I'm a war orphan.
"Huh..."
The expression hardens Maria. She looks stunned and looks up at me.
"Far East Battle. You know that, don't you?
"Ugh, yeah. This is the first war where magicians have been fully introduced... and there are so many dead..."
I can see you're frightened. Because the voice was trembling.
"I was on that front line. I thought more than once that I could die. But a woman saved me. I call him Master, but the Master taught me not only the ugliness of this world, but also the beauty. And there was a time when I was worried, too. That's why he wants to help someone. Yes, I still hope so."
Briefly, but I tried to talk to you. Until now, I'm sure I wouldn't have guessed the other person's feelings and spoken.
But Amelia and I went through the magic swordsman tournament Magics Chevalier, and I decided to move on.
Revealing my past is a testament to my growth.
I hope so.
"... well. No, I thought Ray wasn't just some guy. Right."
"Ah. We can't fully understand this emotion of each other. But I know that as knowledge. So in the future, I want to help someone. That's what I think, I'm spending"
"Ha... I don't know, big guy. Ray is."
"Wouldn't you?
"Yep. But there's a sense of intimacy... between us, maybe something similar."
"I think so."
Maria-Bradley.
She was also one of those people who was lost.
He lives with a sense of inferiority compared to his sister, Senior Rebecca.
But she had strength. Instead of breaking there, I've kept myself by changing my appearance.
Me and her are alike. I'm sure that refers to the fact that you keep fighting against this life. That's why she must have described it as similar again.
I wish I could help Maria again. That's what I thought.
◇
"Let me know if you know anything about your sister."
"Oh. Of course."
"I'll tell you what I know, too."
"Helpful"
"It's fine. And I knew I'd get stuck by myself."
"Right. I want you to talk to me again anytime."
"Yeah. Let me do that."
The sun was already setting and it was dark outside. The two of us walk down the road where the street lights illuminate. Maria said it was good because she was going home alone, but I told her I would definitely send it. Then she sighed and admitted, "Ha..."
"You don't have to send me because it's nothing close"
"You can't leave a woman alone in this darkness."
"Ahhh. Well... fine."
Shut up for a while and we'll both move on.
In doing so, my gaze goes to the human walking in front of me. He is quite tall and his body is covered in thick muscles. Maybe a body comparable to the general manager.
She is fading and deeply pruning her dark hair and her eyes are sharp.
Even so, it's not a good idea to see the other person as too giddy, so you immediately stray from your gaze.
And they're different from each other.
In doing so, the other man dropped a handkerchief, which was reflected at the edge of his sight.
"Um, I dropped it."
When I pick it up before it falls to the ground, I talk to the man.
Flip.
And the intersecting gaze.
Then the man smiles at me with a nickel.
"I'm sorry. It was rambling into my pocket."
I thought he was a polite person, contrary to his appearance. Not judging everything by its appearance, but surprisingly. And when he bows politely and says thank you, he leaves as he is.
Nothing in particular. Met.
I just felt uncomfortable.
"Ray's kind."
"Ah......"
"What's wrong?
Maria peeks into my face.
I'm sure it's because I'm staring at him flashly.
And as soon as I cut my gaze, I turn my heel back again, too.
"No, nothing."
"Oh well. Well, let's go."
Again, Maria and I walk side by side. Not that there's anything special about this dim road. As usual, there is no such thing as a strange philosophy.
As the streetlights illuminate, I arrive straight in front of the Bradley house.
"Thanks for sending me"
"Welcome. It was a meaningful story."
"Bye-bye."
"Excuse me."
Maria waves gently. I'll answer that, too, and then I'll go back to the dorm.
Reminds me, in front of this gate, that I broke up with Senior Rebecca. End of summer. When the cicadas' voices were still ringing. The boiling heat was gone. That makes me sad somewhere.
In contrast, this night was quiet.
It's already a little chilly.
Second, look up at the sky. It has been unusual and cloudy here these days. That's pretty cloudy, too. The faintly visible moonlight also lights up this world slightly.
Moments. Pots, pots, pots. Traces of rain linger on the ground.
Momentum isn't strong yet, but I'm moving early. I haven't brought an umbrella, so I'll just get a little wet, but I won't have a choice.
……
Stop.
- Were they watching?
I felt that gaze. But it will soon disappear. Speaking of mind, mind. It wasn't like there was a cage of special, murderous, etc. Is there something about Senior Rebecca that makes me nervous?
I don't know yet.
Focusing on Senior Rebecca, there is a great deal of will.
The cultural festival, which would be a major turning point, was about to begin.