Reworld•Frontier-Saijakuni Shite Saikyou no Shien Jutsu Shiki Tsukai [Enhancer]

"-Fuh-uh-uh-uh-uh!

I woke up with my own sneeze.

"-Fu...?

Because of the sneezing momentum my upper body jumped, I also heard a snoring dumb voice from Hannu, who slept on me.

"... is that...?

Then I wake up completely late, too. If you open your eyelids patsy, it's a red and black world there.

It is the black made by the branches of the tree above the head and the light of the red sun that plunges from the sides.

It was evening.

"- Huh!? Oh!? What the hell!?

I was too surprised to hear it out loud. A break of about an hour was supposed to have passed with tremendous momentum when I realized it.

Wake up Gabba and look around. but nothing changes the sight in my eyes.

Whoever saw it was at dusk.

"Hmm... what's the matter, Ra..."

Hannu wanders over my body and rubs his eyes like he's asleep.

"Duh, what's wrong with you and these things - you slept with Hanu too..."

I accidentally absurd my voice and perceived everything from Hannu's condition.

"Mm... it's too good... heh... heh...!

Hannu raises his hands over me and stretches out with the yawn.

In other words, after I fell asleep from drowsiness, Hannu ended up traveling to the world of dreams.

"Ahhh..."

As soon as the cause and history were found, his body sank again into the hammock chair, losing strength from his entire body. Put your right hand on your forehead and gather your regrets all the way there.

"- I did it..."

Fortunately, the beasts and Howell didn't come to scratch our sleeping necks. The auto defense mode of the Zhongtian spirit symbol activated by Hanu remained intact, with twelve talisman crystals floating around us.

- No, no, this was just luck...

The automatic defense of the Zhengtian Spiritual Character is only aimed at 'incoming adversaries'. In other words, if they had shot in a remote attack from a remote location, that would have been the only thing Ichikoro would have done.

Therefore, I had to install simple mines and alarm sensors around me to prevent such attacks from being facilitated - just a little relaxed.

How pitiful.

This makes me laugh too much at naming a one-person explorer.

I was completely disqualified as an explorer.

"Ha... I can't help but be depressed... and still install mines and sensors - is that it?... Sarah, it's cold...?

I accidentally notice a change in temperature after pretending to throw away the regrets I gathered in my right hand.

"Oh, if you ask me... it's getting a lot colder through the cool"

Hannu also trembles with Bull and agrees with my words.

"Oh well, the sun is falling and the temperature is dropping..."

Radiation cooling. The detailed explanation is discouraging, but the point is that the weakening of the sun's rays has also made the atmosphere on this island colder. It's similar to the room where the stove fire went out.

That's why I woke up sneezing.

"Hannu, I think my clothes are already dry, so why don't you get dressed and put on your jacket? I just have to finish installing mines and sensors before the sun falls completely."

"Um, aye, okay"

Fortunately my head is refreshed thanks to one sleep. I lined up what I needed to do early in the day, and Hannu, who heard about it, started acting smart.

Change your clothes first. Hanu wears a coat that is familiar to him for cold protection from his usual outfit. I put my arm through the sleeve of the battle jacket Achilles, which Flim had remade, and closed the front zip.

From there, work begins with tequila.

First, a simple mine and an alarm sensor are laid in the direction of a radius of three hundred and sixty meltres centered around the tent by two people. The alarm sensors are all eight interlocking, a mechanism that reacts to what passes between each. An invisible field is stretched between each and every one of them, and an alarm is issued when an object of a certain size or larger is sensed there.

Simple mines shall be laid in circles within the area of the alarm sensor and at a point of two hundred mertres from the tent. It may not be useful because there are not many of them, but if a hostile opponent comes close to the tent, it will be a stoop or a buy of time. A higher number of opponents would also increase the rate of getting caught in landmines. The trick is to bury it where it's as easy to get through as possible - where it's opened or where there's a beast path, etc.

Once that's how we've built the alert system to prepare for the attack on the outside enemy, now we're ready for Nojuku.

Naturally, but the night of nature is dark. There are no lights but the brilliance of the stars, and beasts lurking in the darkness have night eyes, or wandering there relying on their ears and noses. It's too dangerous for us humans to move around.

So we just have to reveal the night here today.

"- I didn't think you were really going to be a wild feather..."

"Mm-hmm. But concubines are pretty fun, huh?

Hannu snorted and laughed as I sighed in front of the burning fire, which burned brilliantly in the fire cradle.

By the end of the installation of the simple mines and alarm sensors, the sun had almost disappeared. For this reason, we rushed to put the firewood that Hannu had picked up on the cradle and set it on fire by igniting solid fuel. By the way, the fireman is Hannu. I taught him some tricks and he went light and good.

"... to tell you the truth, I'm just a little bit too..."

Hannu made me laugh, too.

Today was supposed to be the last day of joint exploration between us, BVJ (Bullish Violet Jokers) and Villy and the Knights of Pale Red Flame, Noble Prominence Nights, but this is the situation if we are aware of it.

What would have happened otherwise, although I'm glad I happened to keep my camping tools in storage. In that sense, I still care about Mr. Rose, Flim, and Mr. Villey.

The Villies must have some experience exploring other ruins (relics), so naturally they'll have the tools around them. Whatever Mr. Rose is, Flim is just like me, that "Midgard" licked his dry acid mouth. I've heard that only more food is in storage. Well, as a granting technique user (enchanter), I'm more likely to handle these things better than I do, because I'm a 'super enchanter' as I call myself.

patchy, and a burning flame as it makes the sound of a small explosion. Me and Hannu each sit in an outdoor chair sewn to the ground and surround it.

"Hey...... yeah, you've been admiring it a lot, like this"

"Well? I admire you, huh?

Hannu looks at me unexpectedly, staring at the flames that seem to shake with pleasure. The intriguing heterochromia sparkled reflecting the light of the orange flame.

"Uh, when it comes to explorers, there's an image somewhere like camping, when it comes to camping, explorers, right? The camp at night while I was wierd with my buddies also felt like the flavor of exploration..."

"Uh-huh, I get it, I get it"

Speaking of the images I still had before I became Explorer, Hannu enthusiastically endorsed me.

"So do concubines. A secret base for friends to build… so they can start fires and warm up and blossom into stories. Ha-ha-ha, that's exactly what a concubine and a rat, the only great best friend deserves!

Although he sees it a little differently than I do, Hannu seemed to be heartened by the current state of camping this way as well. Speaking of which, I recall earlier, pointing to the tent and making a scene even at the secret base.

Air cushion mats are laid in the tent that will be the bedding for this evening, and sleeping bags (shrubs) and blankets are also available. For once, there's enough room for me and Hanu to go in together, but you can't sleep on a boulder for two at the same time. Even though they set mines and sensors, this is still a mysterious space. Not necessarily without an earthquake earlier or anything more. Either one of you should wake up and watch.

"Oh, yeah. Hannu, aren't you hungry? It's time to boil some water and eat some portable food."

I walked around the island for lunch and picked cookies and chocolates, but this is how I built my base and settled my hips, and it was a good time to have a decent meal.

Hanu rubbed his stomach with one hand, as he remembered,

"Um, if you ask me, sure... hmm? So, Rato, aren't those rabbits that your concubine caught eating?

"Hmmm... if I want to eat those kids, I'll have to work on demolition... and now I'm gonna go to the river and drain some blood. It's gonna be late when I do something, so why don't we do it after tomorrow?

The two wild rabbits caught by Hannu are trapped in a cage of rope made impromptu. Even so, I didn't see either of them waking up as if they had been given an extra strong shock during their captivity. It's pathetic, but it would be a happy thing for those kids to fit in our stomachs without waking up like this.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'll have it dismantled first thing tomorrow morning, and I'll have it for lunch."

"I don't know. If Rat's judgment is true, there will be no concubines."

"Good. So, what's the taste of portable food? It's a noodle thing."

I took an instant noodle out of storage on my left while pouring mineral water into Koffel with my right hand.

"Hmm? What kind of things do you have?

"Um, are there three kinds of flavors: curry, seafood, and tonkotsu?

Two instant noodles and enough tea would suffice with hand-held drinking water. For once, I'm thinking of replenishing it in a nearby river before I bottom-up.

Set a dedicated iron net at the top of the Tripod fire cradle. I just adjusted it to the position of whether it caught fire or not, and then placed a coffel with water on the net.

"Hmm. Which one would you recommend?

"I like all of them... but I figured curry would be a good idea? Hanu, you like curry, don't you?

"Uhm! If you have Tonka and Raw Egg on top, it's still good!

I'm glad to see Hanu nodding happily and buy a curry flavor for Hanu. I bought these kinds of emergency foods based on my last experience at Midgard. It was a space where food could not be procured at that time, so I could not stay very long, and because of that I had to challenge the floor master in a state that could never be said to be complete. Even now I remember, the tension just before the war comes to my stomach.

But no worries if you're ready.

As long as we have food in this way, we can carefully explore without being chased by time. Or if it's true, we should have prepared ourselves for these things from time to time.

Eventually pour the boiling Koffel water into the instant noodle with the flavor of Hannu's curry and my tonkotsu flavor, and wait three minutes.

By the time the new tea water poured into the Coffel is boiled, it's time to eat.

Incidentally, the package of instant noodles and forks for eating them are made of biomaterial that returns to the soil. If you bury it on the ground after you eat it, it won't be rubbish because any of it will break down into bacteria.

So we often became silent and focused on our meals.

On the edge of the forest by the river (two), the sound of a noodle soaking for two at night.

Hanu is not very used to handling forks and his hands are tiny so he seems to have a bit of a hard time eating them. Plus, it's a cat tongue.

"Ugh, uh-uh, uh-uh..."

Huffing and spilling a hot hot tongue every time, I offered a new coffel when I saw it.

"Hanu, why don't you just move the noodles over here? I think it'll cool down faster."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Once Hannu puts the instant noodle on the side short-legged table and receives the koffel, he takes up the contents with a fork and transfers them.

When I say that, before Hannu and I met, I was alone in the room, and eating instant food was like a routine, so I was totally used to it. Breathe several times on the noodles rolled up more with a fork, then open your mouth wide and devour where the temperature is right. Repeating that several times, I quickly ran out of noodles and just soup.

…………

Honestly, a glass is not enough. Two more drinks feel light in.

My appetite here these days has been surprising to me. I think there is a limit to whether it is growing up at my age.

- Is it possible that the flesh wants nourishment and energy to heal the damage taken by Absolute Square?

Second, I think about that.

As I rang my throat and drank the tonkotsu soup, staring at the bottom of the empty cup, for some reason a strange sense of reality ensued.

- If I keep this up, will I die soon...?

Hannu said Eija must have an idea, too. Sucking blood and keeping track of my health can't possibly make me look like a master. [M]

But that's just Hannu's prediction. Aija herself didn't confirm that, and I don't know if that's actually possible.

If you fight in Absolute Square a few more times, my flesh will definitely [break]. Absolutely. I know that very well from the recoil earlier.

Nevertheless, continuing to seal "Absolute Square" from now on won't be a big deal. 'Apparently there are only a few lives left for you,' said Ayja, who took my blood, 'but it's already more realistic to consider the time limit to be close.

When that happens, even if we spend this much time with Hannu, we may not have much time left.

- You know, Hannu.

If I thought so, my tongue was moving on its own.

"Ho? What's up, Rato?

Hannu, who was holding Koffel's handle and sipping the transferred curry noodle, looked up as she sucked in the noodles with a chuckle.

I guess I have a bloody blue-white face while I'm at it, and I keep talking.

"... I need to talk to you about something, okay? Well, eat while you can."

"? I don't care... what's wrong?

You must have been surprised at how strange I looked. Hannu stopped the hand of the meal in discipline and peered into my face as I tilted my neck.

The darkness of the night and the exquisite nature of the burning light may have misled my pale complexion. Hannu was turning his strange gaze this way.

I put a fork in the empty cup and put it on the side roll table,

"... uh, the... what is it about talking like this all of a sudden..."

My resolve began to shake as soon as possible. When I tried to cut that out, my courage suddenly screwed up and I got hesitant.

My head is flawed - how would Hannu react if I said so?

"- but maybe, you'd be surprised..."

Maybe he'll accept it. He might laugh at me for what it is. He may wonder what happened to it.

Hannu is on my side.

Definitely the best friend in the world.

So, I'm sure you'll be fine.

"... uh, you know... so the..."

- Yet I'm scared.

If they pull me off, what do I do? - If they hate me, what do I do?

If I had noticed, I would rub my hands against each other and hold my gaze there. I can't put my face up to too much fear, or keep an eye on Hannu.

"... me..."

The heart strikes an early bell. Looks like there's another heart in my head. Together, my head is about to turn white. My breath hurts. I feel my legs are getting paralyzed. I don't feel anything down from my ankle anymore. The sound of a burning fire blowing up with a patsy is far away. My back side without fire is supposed to be cold but I don't feel anything. An unpleasant sweat erupts from a pore called a pore. I should have drank the soup earlier, but my throat is dry. No, I can't do that. I don't feel like I can talk properly anymore. What should I do? I feel like I could really talk to Mr. Villey. Even though Hanu is the opponent, not anyone else. I'm sure it's fine. No, it should be absolutely fine. How could I? How dare you...

"That's good, Lato."

"……………………………?

I raised my face late to Hannu's voice, which I accidentally overheard.

And surprised.

Because there was Hanu smiling lonely.

It was an unexpected look.

It was never like a young girl floating around.

There was a [adult] kind of mercy there that bit both the sour and the sweet of life.

Hanu dwells in the ethero-chromia-friendly light of pale and gold, shaking his neck quietly beside him.

"You don't have to, Rato. If you don't want to talk, you don't have to."

…………

Sometimes I'm flashed by words that seem to have seen through my mind.

Her face lit by the swinging flames is so grown up, it's like someone else.

"Rato, your present treat looks painful... even if you don't have to talk to me, I don't mind a concubine. Because I don't want to see you suffer."

I was struck as though I had been hit in the head for some reason. [M]

- What the...?

No, it's not.

Something is different.

Intense discomfort I can't even tell you.

Hannu's words are gentle. You're worried about me. [M] There's no question there.

But is that - [Am I correct]?

Instead, isn't that a big mistake?

You don't have to talk to me until I can - not, I don't want to hear, is that a mistake?

Is Hanu's smile not out of pity, but out of hindsight?

Hanu's voice seems empty somewhere - yes.

It's nothingness.

From Hannu's words and attitudes, I feel somewhat vain. That's why I feel uncomfortable.

It doesn't look like a hanu to me.

"- So, but I..."

"Rest assured, Lato. I don't know what you're trying to say, but that's all I know. The concubine and the concubine are the only best friends, no matter what. That's the only thing that will ever change. Then don't push it."

That word, which should have been warm, sounded terribly empty, though.

It's like you're afraid of something, it's like you're scared - like you're trying to avoid [something breaks down] -

- Why...?

That's how I realize.

Hannu, [afraid of losing balance].

I'm sure she knows a lot about it. What am I trying to tell you? [M] Even if I don't know what it is, I'm inferring its weight from my attitude. So she pretends to worry about me and doesn't want to hear it.

Because we're "friends."

Because I think sharing is friendship.

So Hannu doesn't want to listen to me.

Because - when I hear [talk about this weight], I think somewhere in my mind that I have to offer something of the same weight.

Because if we don't, the invisible balance between us will fall apart.

――――

I know how you feel.

But is it really a friendship?

The suspicions I had just a few hours ago come back to my chest.

Hannu doesn't know me very well.

I don't know Hannu very well, either.

And on top of that, can we call each other "the greatest best friend in the world"?

"... Hanu..."

- No.

That must be, no, no, definitely not.

No, it's just "someone else."

It's a passing relationship.

It's no different than holding hands with someone I met on the side of the road.

It's shallow, too.

What a surface-only haribote relationship not to step into each other.

It's an empty balloon with no contents.

I just poked it a little and it plays and disappears.

No, I'm sorry.

"- Yeah, Hanu. I still want you to listen to me."

The tremor in my voice disappeared. I lost my way. I became ready as if my previous hesitation had been a lie. I stare directly at Hannu's face and declare clearly.

In retrospect, I think I was wrong from the beginning.

That day - the day I first met Hannu, she said, "You will be my concubine, Tomodachi!" 'That time I was told.

Turns out she's a god of the Far East,

"Hey, why!? Why would someone like you be in a place like this, and I don't know about Explor-!? '

and he put his index finger on his lip where he panicked,

"It's a secret."

I was deluded by Hannu with a wink full of tea, from that moment on.

That was the biggest mistake.

I shouldn't have pulled over there. There's something you can't even tell your best friend, right? 'We should have faced each other properly, not in the sun.

That day, that moment, [the line] was drawn between us.

"There is an invisible [line] from here that you must not step in.

"Lato......"

He opened his eyes to me when I didn't pull back. Amazing face. And there's also a slight mix of frightening emotions.

Such an unhanu-like attitude has rather triggered for me.

"I don't know about your father and your mother."

Amazingly, I could put it into words myself.

So tell me. I haven't told you this before, my secret.

"... all of a sudden, you don't know how to say this. I'm sorry, but I want Hannu to know."

I think it was an overly abrupt cut out myself, put in supplements, and go on.

"I don't know about your father and your mother, that is, really stay put. I don't know his face, I don't know his name, I don't know if he was there. But I'm not an orphan, I'm not amnesia... really, I just [don't know]. Sorry, it's hard to explain..."

That's what happened to Mr. Villey, but it's really hard to convey this feeling to others. My parents must have memories in my head. However, the area cannot be accessed as if the format of the data has changed. Even if you can access it, it doesn't become a fragment. Instead, you can retrieve memories like "powder". I'm not sure about the connection back and forth, nor can I recognize it as a 'memory of my parents' in the end.

"... I don't know, what...?

Hannu asks me modestly if he showed interest, or if he didn't think the story would go ahead.

I lean down slightly and look into my heart as I drop my gaze on the fire.

"Right... of course I can't remember the names of your father and mother or your face, for example... look at the pictures and you don't know which one is your father and which is your mother... and even if you ask your grandmother or Flim about the two names, you can't recognize them as' names' well in my ears..."

I heard a breathtaking sound. Maybe it was way beyond Hanu's state of 'I don't know about my parents'. More tragic than I imagined, my body reacted unexpectedly.

"Not only that, but the text can also be an illegible letter about my parents... anyway, I wonder if I can't recognize my parents myself. The same goes for my memories of the past, and maybe I remember falling all kinds of land for the convenience of my fathers' work, but I'm always alone in my memory... I can't remember your father and your mother, but I was never supposed to be with my parents because I didn't have your grandfather or your grandmother... that's all I can't remember..."

Memories full of insects and eating, which are left in drawers in my head. A cavity as innumerable as a hive would definitely be the part where the parents are involved. A slightly relevant memory is that the ties are severed thoroughly and no clues even exist.

"... pictures, too, I have one. Maybe there's a picture of me, your father and your mother, your family. But... I only have one person in the picture, and it just looks like... oh, sorry... hold on..."

Tears gradually came up as I was talking, and my throat was starting to ache. Once I pinch my break, take a deep breath and pass through the emotional waves, I continue.

"... you went to the doctor too, didn't you? But I didn't know what was causing it, and I didn't know how to cure it. I don't even know when this symptom belongs to them, and when I realized it, I felt like this. So I have no idea where my father or mother is right now and what she's doing... and I have no idea. Even so, I don't think I can recognize any information online or anywhere."

"Lato......"

Hannu calling my name to care for you. My tone became self-derisive when I realized it, so I guess it was because of that. [M]

"... but, you know, it's not like I don't have a clue. Maybe, but I think my parents were explorers. Maybe it still is. In some ruins (relics), maybe this moment is still exploring......"

I slowly raised my face and saw Hannu.

My best friend, who was suddenly told this story, stared at me with an indescribably subtle look on his face.

Of course. If I were in the opposite position, I'd look like this.

So I made him laugh the other way.

"- This is why I became an explorer. Because if I became an explorer myself and toured the ruins around the world, I might someday be able to reunite with my father and mother. 'Cause if I see you then this perception disorder might heal too."

Yes, I'm looking forward. Even in this state, my mind is moving forward. So you don't have to despise yourself.

"So I became an explorer."

Believe me, you will be rewarded.

"... At first, of course, my friends couldn't do it at all and I stayed alone... but thanks to that, I met Hanu, and now I have Mr. Rose and Flim, and it's not hard at all. Is that true? Maybe I'm happiest now. [M] Become a memorial explorer, make friends and companions, and even explore with Villey and Karel, whom I admired... I'm challenging the mystery of the world at this moment as well. I think this is a really happy situation as an explorer. So the..."

I've been trying to get rid of the sad vibe somewhat and lay down my words, but I'm gradually losing track of what I'm trying to say as I speak.

"Uh... so... [thanks], Hanu"

The words I uttered stuck to me unexpectedly.

Yeah - [thanks], yeah.

"Thank you for staying with me. Thank you for looking at me as me. Thank you so much for being my friend without asking anything."

I wanted to thank you. [M]

I've always been grateful.

For saving me from my lonely grief.

For being my first "friend."

Yet I have never conveyed a word of gratitude.

- What was more terrifying than anything, perhaps, was not being able to convey this feeling.

Better than being despised by Hannu and not being friends - not being able to convey my sincere gratitude to her.

Because Hannu was the only benefactor who expanded my world.

"... lato"

Hannu leaned down and her silver forehead hid her eyes in different colors. Whatever she thought, she stood straight up from the chair, bypassing the fire cradle and walking up to my chair.

And when he came to my knees, just like he did earlier, he turned his back. Spread your arms loosely and empty your sides.

"... yeah. Come on, Hanu."

It's no longer me who doesn't know what the act means.

When I put my hands between Hannu's sides, I lifted my small body and invited it into my own nostrils. I'll be like the same Lacco parent and child I was earlier, and I'll keep my weight on the back of my hammock chair.

"... you're getting a little cold. Blanket or blanket?

"... um..."

Hannu's coat was limp, so I woke up and took a blanket out of storage. Feather it from the back, grabbing both ends and wrapping each Hanu body of the nostalgia. Then,

"... thanks, Hanu. Come here for me."

I gently jawed Hannu's silver hair and whispered.

"... say what. Rat's knee is in the concubine's first seat. It's the usual."

"Yeah. [So, thanks]"

…………

I thanked Hannu, who responded with a sinking voice.

The eyes say things to the mouth, but they act the same.

This is how Hannu came to make contact with me.

Even Hannu must have guessed. There was an indiscriminate decision between us. By implicit understanding, there are invisible rules such as not stepping into each other's circumstances, or not letting them.

I broke it. [M]

By doing so, the balance between us was clearly broken.

Yet this is how Hannu came to my knees. As usual. As usual.

This is an unspoken message. At least you're not going to turn me down.

I find that the anxiety I have had so far is worrying, and I relieve myself from the bottom of my heart.

When I realized it, I didn't know I was holding Hannu's little body with both arms. Hannu is also wrapping his own hand around my arm and scratching it.

"... Rat, why didn't you concubine such a story?

As is now the case, a supremely natural question was raised.

Hanu doesn't turn around. He leans over to hide his expression while being held by me and my blanket.

I answered in a strange and calm mood.

"... because I wanted you to know. Tell Hannu about me."

"... why didn't you want me to know?

"... because Hannu and I wanted to be better friends, right? Funny thing about me - yeah, after finding out [where it broke] too, I wanted Hanu to be my friend, so maybe... sorry. I think this is really my selfishness."

"... I don't mind. Because the concubine also asks Lato to be selfish. Mutual."

Hanu's voice is as small as a mosquito beep, and he's clearly not well. Do you still have something difficult to talk to me about, even though it doesn't seem like your usual Hanu?

Yes, Hannu said this to me the other day.

'You don't have to, Rato. If you don't want to talk, you don't have to.'

The word also seemed to be saying to Hannu himself.

Definitely. Even Hannu has something he doesn't want to talk about. That's why I understood my suffering. She also suffers from things I can't tell her.

"... lato. Is the concubine the only one who knows the story earlier?

"... yeah. I know Flim. It's pretty much like my family. And my grandmother back home... well, uh... Vi, I know Mr. Villy too... because I talked to her the other day..."

"... Hmm?

As soon as I gave Mr. Villey's name, Hannu's voice put together the hardness. Pikun, my little head moves and I realise I lightly stepped on a mine.

Well, I foresaw this if I gave you Mr. Villey's name.

"... what do you mean? Whatever Flim was, why didn't he tell his concubine later than that female fox?

In this racco parent-child position, I can't see her expression unless Hanu turns around, but now I could easily imagine what she looks like. You must be pointy and obstinate with your lips. Absolutely.

"... sorry. Right, I think I should have told Hanu first if it was true. I'm really sorry, but..."

Apologizing, I recall my distressing anxiety. What if Hannu hates me, or something? What if Hanu and I can't be friends anymore, or something?

Just thinking back on those emotions filled my chest again. I can see tears seeping into my eyes.

I confessed to squeezing it out.

"... I was scared... telling Hannu was the most, I was scared..."

I hug Hannu's little body as hard as I seek a place to be. The blurb and limbs tremble, not ever because of the cold.

I was afraid of being rejected. I was afraid my eyes would change looking at Hannu's me. I was afraid our relationship would break down.

"- Because Hannu... Hannu is a dear friend of mine..."

I didn't want to lose it and everything went around the back.

I only regret it now. If this is the case, I should have told you everything from the beginning. Hannu, even though he knew that if he knew he'd been put behind him, he'd be scratched.

"... I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry..."

I always feel like apologizing to Hanu. [M] And Hannu always forgives me like that.

Yeah, like right now, I'm laughing.

"... okay. Forgive me and send. If that's the case, I can't deny it. For the heart of the concubine is as wide as heaven. I won't forgive you, Villy, for hearing that story from Lato, but I will forgive Lato for apologizing like this. Well, the concubine is Lato's best friend. For a concubine, Ratto is a dear friend."

Gyu, and Hannu's hand tangled in my arm, increases its power. Hanu's voice was playing a little, and apparently he was just in a bit of a better mood. When I looked closely, under the blanket, Hannu's legs were moving back and forth with patties.

"Hanu...... thanks......"

To Hannu, who told me she was a dear friend, I cheeked on the back of her head and expressed my profound gratitude.

Then put it down for a few seconds, Hannu said.

"-Lat. To tell you the truth, concubines don't have parents either."

"What...?

The sudden confession was unexpectedly made in mild condition. I look up in surprise and look down at Hannu's silver hair.

"The concubine is from the god of the living. There is no such thing as parents. God is not born of man, but" before man. "

From the way it is spoken pale, I can't feel anything like grief or sentiment. It seems to completely divide the fact that the parent does not exist.

"Then I don't think that's why concubines and rats are in the same situation. The concubine doesn't have a parent from the beginning, but Ratto has a parent, and he's lost it on top of that. It's a big difference between not having it from the beginning and losing what you had. Therefore, I do not know how spicy the concubine is..."

Hannu seemed sorry he didn't understand my situation well.

"I'm sorry...... but I know Lato's had a hard time. If your family is lonely, your concubine will know. It was hard..."

"... yeah..."

I hug Hannu from behind again, who speaks to me to lean against my heart. Because of her young age, Hannu's body temperature is high. Already the inside of the blanket seemed filled with soft warmth, relaxing both body and mind.

"... but I doubt it properly, Rato?

"Yeah? What, Hanu?

to Hannu, who modulated his voice, and this one tried to listen back with a bright voice,

"I don't know if I can ask... why did you make it so hard to tell me about your parents? Sure, it would be hard not to remember my parents. Then why couldn't you tell your concubine that?

"What? Well, that's..."

To a very simple question, I'm stuck in words.

At this point, it turns out that the anxiety I've had so far has been a matter of concern, as well as a completely misguided assumption, but I'm also quite ashamed to explain that now.

"... uh... the... oh, that's crazy, right? I just can't remember my parents, I can't hear them when I hear their names, I can't recognize them when I look at the pictures..."

"Mm-hmm. Seriously. I feel chilly wondering if my concubine has become the same. Especially if it's about Lato. You might want to die of spiciness."

Hannu, convinced by saying strangely noisy things that seem less than happy to be happy, nods, yeah, many times.

"... but what can I say, is it about Lato's parents? Why were you most afraid to tell that to your concubine?

"Uh... not there..."

In this statement, I knew very well that the focus was subtly off between me and Hannu, even though I was telling the same story.

Humans, it's really hard to understand each other.

"... if he thinks he's out of his mind, I don't want Hannu to see him with weird eyes..."

"- Oh, I see. You know what?"

Hannu slapped his hand in the blanket, apparently finally making a point.

Place a subtle interval from there, and then phew, and sigh arise.

"... lato. Don't get me wrong."

"Oh, misunderstanding?

Hannu nodded deeply as I listened back with a bad feeling.

"Come on. Did the concubine think you were crazy?

"- Yeah, yeah, yeah!?

My amazement exploded a beat late because I was told something shocking.

- Oh, no!? That's what they've been thinking for a long time!?

"Oh yeah!? Were you!? Oh, why not!? Since when?!?

"Don't be so violent, don't ruin your sleep because of it"

Hannu doesn't break his calm attitude to me, who wolves and raises his voice. Put your strength in my arm and calm down. [M]

"If you ask me since when, not since we met. Think about it. At that time, there was not a single person who spoke to his concubine alone. Anyway, it's because of this appearance. I don't know what I'm talking about, but I can't be the one who insults children and invites them. But I have a favorite who has spoken to such a concubine. That's the best you can do, Rat. Besides, remember the first voice you spoke to your concubine?

"Ugh..."

I remember. That, too, hold on. I didn't think so, and even though it didn't make sense, I missed my gaze.

Hannu laughed, cuffing,

"" I'm good at support ceremonies, but I figured maybe you could let me in for a party!? - Okay? Where are those who suddenly have just spoken to me and who harbour their own faults from the edge? Since then, you've already said, "You're crazy, Rat."

"Ugh... forget it..."

My whole head gets hot instead of my face. In retrospect now, that dialogue at that time really didn't make sense.

I just want you to let me make excuses. I was really full back then.

Anyway, I told my grandmother and Flim, "Be an Explorer! 'I don't mind until I cut and popped, but as you know, I can't even make friends with my buddies, every day without ringing and flying. Having spent nearly a year in the boulder, my impatience entered the red zone in a good way, and although I even came to Floating City Float Rise to say that it was a new plot of land, as when I was in the mining city of Randall Gear in front, Explore in solo that after two weeks depression still does not rise.

That's when it happened.

I met Hannu.

Whatever, whoever you want, go with me to Explore - that was the thought that filled my head.

It was that dialogue that came up in the hasty, inferior, multiplying and obstructing mention of various things.

- I'm good at supportive art ceremonies, but I knew you wouldn't let me in for the party!?

Asshole.

I can't do it to myself. No matter how much they were cornered, there's no way to say this. Normally, they're definitely pulling it off, and they're saying no.

It was Hannu, so he went with me.

In that sense, I think it was a miracle encounter.

"You don't care too much about snacks, silly. Don't take a sweet look at the breadth of the concubine's heart. No matter how insane you are, no matter how impotent you are - no matter what you're good at and what you're not good at, Rat is Rat. It would be no different to be the only great best friend of a concubine. What are you afraid of?"

"Hanu......"

Phew, Tsurrying Hanu will surely be kicking Doya's face. All you can see from me is the back of my silver hair, but that's all I know.

"-But... right. Scared, or..."

To the mundane applause, Hannu's voice was low and turned down. Roll the word 'scared' over your tongue as you whisper.

"... of course. There must be nothing to fear between concubines and rats..."

…… What's wrong, Hanu...?

I whine about things I don't know as well as I talk to myself, and I speak to Hannu, who leaned deep down. What is wrong with it? Something's wrong with me.

"... Whew, Lato? One thing, can I ask you something funny?

"Funny thing......?

"Uhm. If you don't know, you don't have to. If I had any thoughts, I would have let you know how I feel."

Beh, nothing good...?

Even if I'm not sure what you're talking about, there's no first option to refuse me if it's Hannu's favor.

Hannu wandered around in my pocket. Looks like he pulled his own blanket and asked for more warmth.

And Hannu asked this question in a small voice.

"- If a concubine is no longer a concubine, will Lato be a friend of the concubine...?

"... What...?

Funny thing, I just prefaced it with, it was a more meaningless question than I imagined.

- Even if Hanu is no longer Hanu...?

I wonder what that means. I just don't get the guidelines.

"Uh... ever... even if I ask what that means...?

Carefully inquiring, Hannu shook his neck to the side in full.

"... I can't tell you the details yet... but that's not what I mean. When a concubine ceases to be a concubine, it may come to pass. At that time, will Rato still be my concubine's friend...?

"Ugh, um..."

Unexpectedly, I roar. [M]

Hanu's explanation is truly abstract, and I have no idea what the hell the situation she presents is.

Is that, for example, a story of appearance? Hanu's appearance changes - yes, you think he'll grow and grow?

Hannu is young, but you can say she looks beautiful. I'm sure she'll be a great beauty in the future.

Imagine the future of a little girl that I now have in my nostalgia.

Beautiful silver hair would be stretched more than it is now, with long salad hair. Will the body shape be a slender type like Flim or Mr. Villey? Or will it feel unexpectedly like Mr. Rosé is a clear glamour of convexity? Either way, there can be no doubt that she will be an extinct beauty with a reflection of etherochromia of ether and gold.

- But wait a minute? Isn't this too much of an idea...?

It's such a heavy question. Maybe more amazing changes will happen to Hanu.

For example - it makes me a man, or something.

This is tough. The change would be dramatic because the person you thought was a girl would be a boy.

In fact, I've heard that there are types of races that change in gender in adolescence. I've never met anyone like that before, but maybe Hanu does. Hanu is still small, so the growing season is coming up. There is no chance that the flesh and the wrinkles will change from now on.

- When it comes to change, when it comes to "transformers"...

It is a race called the 'Beast Man'. If you catch on and say it briefly, it seems that a special "SEAL" owner transforms the flesh into [something unusual] with a mechanism similar to a biological limit breakthrough.

When I say typical, will it still be a 'werewolf'? It is also a kind of "transformer" associated with my alias, "Beowulf the Brave". Of course, there are various other kinds of "transformers" such as bears, pigs, and birds, and so on, so that they are more often mutated than inherited?

But it's not like they don't inherit it it, and there's no hiding place in this corner of the world that says' Inside the Wolf 'or' Inside the Birdman ', or whispered by the Makoshiya.

Even more of a frown rumor has also confirmed the existence of a 'ghost man' who transforms into a horrible look that can't be called a very beastly man, or the absence of...

Incidentally, the shape of the transformation is a thousand different, with some completely (Jenniwan) shaped people who become beasts and demons themselves, while others are mixed (hybrid) shaped with beasts that interact with each other like the so-called 'werewolves'.

- If I were Hanu, I'd have an image of a cat anyway, cat man...? That might be cute...

Imagine Hannu turning half into a cat. Originally, when I woke up in the morning, I was speechless, and I called myself "Nikko" and so on. It may not be very uncomfortable.

And then I think about it, and I realize, yes.

No, 'Hanu will no longer be Hanu' is probably not just a matter of appearance -.

The figure is also important, but more than that, if you say, 'What is Hannu if Hannu is Hannu', it is her insides.

Hannu's character, personality, and spirit - you can call him soul. The part of her mind that becomes her 'core'.

If it changes there, is it fulfilling that it can be called 'Hannu'?

…………

I now realize the seriousness of this problem. [M]

Until just now, I honestly didn't think it would be a big deal to think only if Hannu's appearance changed.

Because no matter how much you change, Hanu is Hanu. Unless her essential parts change, Hannu is Hannu, which means that even if she grows up or turns sexually or becomes a cat, it will never change that Hannu is a dear friend to me.

So I can assure you with confidence. Whatever you look like, Hannu is my friend.

Except if it's an inner change. The big premise in the first place breaks down.

If one thing doesn't change in appearance, if Hanu's underlying personality changes - who the hell will that be?

- But what is the standard that Hannu's heart belongs to Hannu...?

It is a difficult story. By what means can Hannu be defined as Hannu?

Or as long as this condition is in place, it is Hanu - so much so that I don't know about Hanu.

Yeah, I don't know.

――……

I've known for a long time, but to realize how clueless that clue is, it makes me sad and horrible again.

Hannu and I are friends.

But can you prove that...?

Anyway, there is no "proof" between us.

For example, if Hannu struck him in the head in an accident or something and he had amnesia or something, my connection to this child would be lightly disconnected.

Even if you think I'm your friend about Hanu, for Hanu, who lost his memory, I'm someone else in red, not your friend or anything.

In that case, would one one-sided thought alone establish a friendship?

No, maybe, I won't.

I've been through that many times before.

Friends are never what they make up unless they agree with each other.

"... Lato?

I was deeply distracted by a strange Hannu voice. Plus, twist your neck and point your gaze at this one.

As if I was awakened by drowsiness to rowing the ship, I turn back to me.

"- Oh, I'm sorry, what, Hanu?

It's my bad habit. If I think too much, my attention to my surroundings inadvertently goes away.

Hannu frowned at my response.

"What, then? Did you hear about the concubine?

"Oh, yeah, you mean the question just now, right?

"Bye. No matter how long you wait, your concubine will not be able to reply, so..."

"Oh, sorry, sorry, Hanu. Still thinking about that answer…"

"... So much for the answer, is that...?

When I told him that I was still thinking, Hanu's side was anxiously cloudy.

I panicked and said, "Oh, no! 'Say,' Gu, put up with it. At a time like this, such a sneaky attitude is a good place for bad hands. Relax properly here,

"Yeah, no, Hanu. It's important, so I've been thinking about it. Because it's about my dear friend. I can't answer that properly."

"... come on, or... um. If that's what you mean...... hmm. I have no choice..."

You convinced me of my words, Hannu turned forward again. Once again, you won't know how to change your expression, but some relief is seeping out of the tone of your voice. Still, although there still seemed to be particulates of anxiety left.

I kept thinking about it for a few minutes, and eventually,

"... Hanu. I don't know if this is going to be the answer to the question, but..."

I pulled my little body together with my arm hugging Hannu. jaw on her left shoulder and lean over her cheek. Beautiful silver hair gently tickled my skin.

"- At least I keep thinking of Hanu as a friend, no matter what. For example, if Hannu forgot about me."

In the end, that was the only way to get there.

No matter how much I think about it, no matter how much I worry about it, my answer is one.

Because.

"I want to be friends with Hannu."

There must be no proof of friends anywhere.

We only have feelings for each other.

So I wish with all my soul.

Pray.

I hope Hannu and I will always be friends -.

"So while Hanu thinks of me as a friend, Hanu and I are the best and only best friends in the world. It has been and probably will always be."

…………

Hannu remains silent and does not wander.

…………

I also dare to shut up without saying anything.

This is how they follow each other like Lacco's parents and children. Even if there are no more words, the feelings are conveyed.

How long would the time for silence have lasted?

Eventually, Hannu's body began to tremble heavily.

"... ugh... ugh... ugh...!

Crying, I knew right away. Because the only voice that leaked from time to time was a whimper, and over and over again, the sound of sipping his nose was mixed.

But I was impressed by my response, which didn't seem like it. If it was a tear of joy, I think that's what makes me cry happier. It seemed as if Hannu was still enduring some unstoppable pain and anguish in the way he cried nowadays.

Cause - I don't even have to ask.

[Something] she still doesn't want to talk about.

[Something] I don't know is making her cry so quietly.

Not to hold me and cry, as usual, but to weep in anger, as I did when I reunited before Hercules.

To withstand the heavy pressure of trying to crush myself, I keep my tiny body even smaller, push my voice to death and cry.

"Hanu......"

Even if I ask, I guess they won't tell me why.

Earlier, Hannu said: "I can't tell you the details yet," he said.

So I still can't get her to share the load she's carrying. It's not that you don't trust me, it should. But I guess Hanu's mind isn't ready yet.

So now, Hannu is alone, and I have no choice but to endure [something] I don't know.

And I don't know anything. This is how I can hold Hanu.

"... and... and... and straw, haha... and wrinkle... eh..."

I'm gonna say something, but I'm gonna end up stuck in words there, Hanu, and I'm just gonna give back the gavel.

"Yeah...... yeah......"

I know, I put it in my mouth, and I end up stopping. That's because it wouldn't be any consolation.

Since then, Hannu has said nothing more and just kept crying quietly. Like slowly consuming the big feelings that have arisen in your little chest.

Eventually, when Hanu's impulse for tears almost subsided,

"........................................................................................................."

With a really slight voice, I felt Hannu squeak like that.

…………

Based on the volume of my voice, I didn't really think it was the word I wanted to hear, so I pretended I didn't dare to hear it either.

And that's when.

……

I thought I heard something, and I lifted my head.

I don't know, but I felt a strange sign.

"... lato...? Something... can't you hear me...?

They also noticed Hannu. Raise the face you were making me lean on, just like me, and look up over my head.

Looking for a whisper-caught sound in his hearing, he discovered Coffel rattling on the roll table. That's the coffel Hannu put down earlier.

"... shaking...?

Was it another earthquake, and the wars run, but for that, the way Koffel trembles is odd.

Katakata Katakata, I thought you were trembling, suddenly quiet. Then after a few seconds again, I make noises again, clattering, clattering.

To the occurrence of regular tremors, the pin flashed.

"- Footsteps, I guess...?

If I came to think of it that way, I realized that tremors were being transmitted equally to me.

Me and Hannu kill each other's breath and clear their ears.

Shishin................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Similar sounds are continuous over a period of time.

I knew it.

Yes, this is a footstep.

Some giant creature is walking slowly. Such noises and tremors are coming from afar.

"... Could it be the beast of the woods...?

"Maybe so... but it looks like it's a lot bigger than that...?

Hanu's voice, which should have been sobbing until just now about whether the existential instincts lit up in the emergency, was regaining its tingling tension.

"Right... no way, elephant, or...?

The only thing that comes to mind from this heavy sound - except for the SB - is about an elephant. When it comes to something bigger than that, I don't know if it exists, like a dragon or a giant?

"Elephant? When I say elephant... oh, is that the long nose and the pawn ringing? Hey, you want to see this?

"Why are you shining your eyes in this situation, Hanu..."

I didn't come to the zoo.

Nevertheless. When I ascended into the sky during the day on the "Serie Walk" and looked down at the panorama of the island, I didn't see a shadow like that. Or so is the giant tiger Hannu encountered, but what is happening to this island's ecosystem? If you think there was a big beast like an idiot, maybe there was a wild rabbit like Hanu caught - or even a carnivorous fish (Pyrania) in the river.

No, you can't. This is virtual space inside the Lunatic Babel. "Just like in Midgard, common sense shouldn't be the place.

Yeah, well, if you think about it, it's not necessarily that SB (Security Bot) doesn't show up here. We just haven't been able to confirm it at the moment, so equals. Doesn't mean fictional life forms don't exist here.

Rather, around no SB shadow to this point could be one end of some kind of spicy trap.

"In the meantime, I'll check with Eagle Eye."

After declaring it to Hannu, I activated the support technique Eagle Eye x 5. Five deep purple birds winged simultaneously, flying straight up without sound. Slipped through multiple overlapping branches and peripheries and over the woods.

The "Eagle Eye" of the telescopic ceremony does not mean the bird's eye is separate just because it bears the name of a bird. On the contrary, it is an excellent technique that combines not only optical cameras, but also a variety of functions, including thermography, recording and high-speed imaging.

Now, a dark night with only about the brilliance of the stars. Relying on decent vision doesn't make you see anything. That's why I activated Eagle Eye's high-sensitivity mode and foresaw the darkness. Of course, I won't forget to share my visual information with Hanu.

Use five perspectives to find the source of footsteps from above. However,

"... eh, that...?

"Oh, whoa...?

Me and Hannu, who shared our vision, spilled a strange voice at about the same time.

There was no need to look anywhere.

For the LORD of footsteps was not even trying to hide himself.

"Nah... what, that...?

"Hey, giant, or...?

The presence, which can only be described as the very word Hanu uttered, was reflected in the overlooking vision of "Eagle Eye".

Beyond the trees' assembled roofs, the heady part protrudes. Silhouettes as if wearing armor helmets.

The color is - black, isn't it? Even the high-sensitivity field of view does not make it to the face shape. With sharp contours hidden in both shoulders and thoughts, it still looks like it's wrapped around the armor.

That was slowly walking through the woods, making sure to worry about his feet.