"N-No, it looks good... Can I really eat this..?"
Asking for his permission, Bora looked to her and simply smiled.
"Of course, you don't need to ask."
In delight she picks up her bowl and looks for a spoon; however she could only find two long sticks beside her. Looking over at Bora, it becomes clear to her that it's a similar tool used to pick up food. It becomes distinctively familiar to her as she's seen her Master use it for his meals. Attempting to use it like him, she couldn't quite understand the method.
"Tsurugi?"
"A-Ah, um... I can't seem to get how this works."
It's a simple process in her mind; however it's much more difficult that she originally thought. With it being second nature to him, he completely forgotten that it could be foreign to her.
"Oh, with this you see..."
Properly explaining and showing the method to Tsurugi, she quickly picks it up as it leaves Bora surprised that she so easily mastered the art in an instant.
"Skillfully done, aha, you're a natural."
The two begin eating in silence as Bora couldn't think of a topic to talk about and Tsurugi being more invested in the good food Bora provided. On some days she'd receive one meal that she would split into three no matter how small the portions were. Upon others, she was left with nothing. An Elf doesn't require as much nutrition compared to humans, however they do starve the same.
So of course it's the first time she could ever fill her stomach with good food.
"Ah, I almost forgot."
After pouring tea for two, Bora walked over to the sunken hearth and lights it up.
"You like this, don't you?"
It became obvious to him that simply listening to the crackling fire calmed her tension.
"...Yes, it's a lovely sound."
"Could you tell me why?"
Genuinely curious to her reason why, Bora too thinks it's a soothing sound simply because it's always quiet throughout the day.
"..."
Tsurugi stayed silent staring at the fire as Bora sat waiting taking sips from his cup. After a few moments however, she speaks up.
"My Master had one near his room. Whenever I had to visit outside of missions, just listening to the crackling fire, feeling the warmth of it, it's the only thing I came to enjoy."
"I see..."
"Mm, sorry you had to listen to that, it's not a very interesting story."
Taking small sips from her cup of tea, Bora shakes his head as he found the story interesting.
"No no, I'm glad you shared that with me. I quite like it too, it's calming and it provides good warmth. It's really quiet around here so it's nice to have something to listen to. And I'm glad I get to share that experience with someone again."
Placing his hands against his knees, he bows to show her his utmost gratitude.
"W-Why are you lowering your head to me? Y-You can't!"
"Thank you, Tsurugi."
It didn't sit well with Tsurugi to be thanked for such a thing; however it did leave her feeling an emotion she's never felt before. Unable to make eye contact she accepts his heartfelt gratitude.
...
Stepping outside after warming up by the hearth, Bora looks around at the built up snow filling the streets.
"Hmm, this will take some time."
Breathing into his cupped hands, he begins shoveling the snow.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help?"
"I'm sure."
Bora continues shoveling the snow as Tsurugi watches over him in disbelief.
"You're the guest, which means there's no need for you do to jobs that the residence will take care of."
"It's because I'm the guest? ...Then I'll take up residence here."
Pausing for a moment, Bora plants his shovel against the snow and rests his arms against it.
"...You'll live here? What about your Master, or... your world?"
"..."
"Sorry, it's not like I don't want you here, Tsurugi. I'm glad, but you don't have to do this if you feel like you're in debt to me. I did what I did because I wanted to, that's all."
"...But even then, I still wish to repay what you've done for me. So please understand. I wish to help like you've done for me."
"But there's nothing here. This village has nothing left."
"But you're here, Bora."
Staring at her dumbfounded, Bora couldn't quite understand her motive, nor does he begin to believe she's willing to stay because of him. However, her words alone warmed his lonesome heart.
"...My time ended in that world a long time ago. So for the first time I feel as though I could feel it flowing with each movement. I want to grab hold of that feeling; cling onto it as much as I can so I can understand it. But most of all, I want to repay what you've done for me."
Bora passes her the shovel as Tsurugi believed she'd require more reasons to stay.
"...Then welcome to the village, Tsurugi. I'll go get the spare shovel."
No longer able to hold his composure, Bora rushes to the tool storage shed and leans against the building's wall taking deep breaths.
"What a strange girl..."
Placing his hand against his rapidly beating heart, he's suddenly reminded of the other villagers. In the past there have been a few traders who stopped by for trading, some female and some accompanied by other men. However, as time passed their visits diminished until the traders decided traveling to the village become too much of an expense. Bora openly declared that he gave up on the idea settling down with someone but the villagers wished they could change his mind.
"..."
Unable to endure the flow of emotions, they begin pouring out like an open faucet as he quietly laughs to himself. He could feel the villagers smiles as the leader places his hand against his shoulder, urging him to give it one last go.
"...I'll start trying again."
...
After regaining his composure after a few swings of his shovel, he returns back to Tsurugi who continued with his work. In the short time that he was gone, she made great progress.
"Welcome back, Bora."
Taking a brief pause, she greets Bora as she the back of her hand against her brow. It's clear that she's putting in the effort.
"A-Ah yes, I'm back. ...Have you done this sort of work before?"
"N-No, I'm not experienced with this sort of work, I've been merely imitating your actions."
As Bora takes the other side, the two continue shoveling the road off street as they engage in small talk. Tsurugi brings up a question of Bora's past as he begins sharing it after a brief delay.
"...Then I guess we're the same in some ways."
Tsurugi reveals a lonely smile as she continues shoveling the snow as her remark piques Bora's interest.
"To forget my past... I'd be willing to do anything for that."
As though to be reborn, Tsurugi wished that from the very depths of her heart.
"Hmm, I guess it's both a curse and a blessing. I don't remember my previous life before I found this village, a part of me is afraid of what might happen if I do recall those memories."
"Afraid?"
"Yeah. Or what'd happen if it all happens again."
Bora musters up a convincing smile however he couldn't escape her sharp eyes. Fearing the future. Afraid of becoming nothing but an empty husk once more.
"...I'm sorry. I'll accept any punishment that you see fit."
Realising her remark may be unpleasant, Tsurugi solemnly apologises with a bow; pleading for his forgiveness, she expressed the words she'd always repeat to her Master if she caused any trouble.
"Punishment..? A-Ah, there's no need for that! I'm sure you have your reasons; I mean there are somethings I do wish to forget as well. So you don't worry about it, okay?"
"But I-... Y-Yes, I understand..."
Continuing in silence, the two make significant progress as Bora calls for the two to take a break. Returning to the hearth side with tea in hand, they enjoy the warmth and the soothing sounds of the crackling fire. Despite being indifferent to the silence between them before, Bora now found it unbearable, as though some form of tension now lies between them.
"Thanks for your help today, Tsurugi. If we keep this up we'll be finished in no time."
"I'm glad I can be of service to you."
Whilst she may not show it, Bora began wondering whether or not she's enjoying herself. Even on his own, he never thought of the work as fun, it was merely a task to pass the time.
"Sorry, it's not exactly enjoyable."
"N-No, It was very enjoyable. I haven't done it before so it was a new experience for me."
"Is that so? But even then shoveling snow isn't really what I'd call a fun time."
Thinking of ways that Tsurugi could find some amusement, he remembers a task he used to fulfill whenever the villagers wanted fish.
"Have you been fishing before?"
"Fishing? ...No, at least I don't think so. Is it something I can help with?"
"You could say that. It'll take some time to prepare, you can stay here for a bit while I head to the the old man's place."
"O-Oh, okay... Have a safe trip, Bora."
...
In the village there was once a man who loved fishing, despite his old age and the other villagers concern for his wellbeing; nothing else mattered to him. He lived in isolation despite his home being in the center of the village. He didn't hate interacting with others, no, it's simply because he loved the sea more than anything else; he was the village's only fisher.
Entering his home to borrow his fishing equipment once more, Bora couldn't help but feel reminiscent.
"Old man, I'll be borrowing your rods for a bit, and also a few other things. Don't worry, I'll take good care of them and return them as promise."
With him being the only youngster in the village, the man believed he'd share the same viewpoint on the sea like him. Despite being a man of few words, he taught him everything he knew about the art.
...
After gathering the fishing gear and returning to Tsurgi, they make towards the vast sea which is a few moments from the village. There by the shore, Tsurugi stares at the breathtaking view; a sight in which she has never seen before.
"T-This is...?"
"The sea. First time seeing it?"
"Y-Yes, I haven't seen this sort of thing before. It's... beautiful. To think there's something like this; such an abundance of water... Where does it all come from?"
"Nature has its ways. It can be both beautiful and frightening. I'm glad I got to show you this."
Setting down the equipment, Bora begins searching for a suitable spot to set up a campfire before it becomes too cold.
"...A-Ah, my apologies, what do you need me to help with?"
Enchanted by the song of the sea, Tsurugi soon remembers the reason behind their visit.
"Hmm, well we can't get started if we don't have bait. Though first I should ask, are you okay with bugs, Tsurugi?"
Not wanting to give a job Tsurugi wouldn't like, she simply answers without a second thought.
"Like insects? I'm okay with them, do we need them?"
"Yeah, it'd definitely help. Something small that'd fit onto a hook."
Bora hands Tsurugi a bucket to store her findings as they go off in separate ways to fulfill their task. With Tsurugi being indifferent to insects and bugs, she found no difficulty lifting small stones to find dens or simply those escaping from the cold. With her reflexes, potential threats such as spiders would prove little danger to her.
As time progressed, Bora successfully started a campfire as he sits warmly by it waiting for Tsurugi to return.
"I'm back, Bora... I wasn't too sure how many you needed so I apologise if it's insufficient."
Peering into the bucket, it was filled with all sorts of bugs perfect for fishing.
"This is more than enough, I say with this we'll be able to catch quite a lot."
"I'm glad I could be of service... Was that what you meant by fishing?"
"Ah no no, that was simply finding bait to help with fishing. The fun begins now. Here."
Taking the two simple fishing rods, he passes one to Tsurugi as she begins examining it.
"It's a fishing rod used to catch fish. They're quite delicious when cooked over an open fire like this, mostly because of the experience."
"Oh... You'll teach me how to fish..?"
Asking an question with an obvious answer, Tsurugi never had a chance learning new things. Asides from techniques honed by herself, she was never taught anything that'd be recreational activities.
"Sure, I may not be the best but I was taught from one who I would call a master."
Showing a smile, Tsurugi couldn't help but become excited as she listens carefully to each and every step instructed to her.
From tying the hook to the line, to choosing a bait, casting the line and pulling them in, Tsurugi showed extreme interest as the two continued to fish without any worries.
...
Returning late in to the evening, Bora heads to return the equipment as Tsurugi returns to his house first. Bora could already feel the cold creeping up on him. However, he pushes it aside as he didn't want Tsurugi to notice; after the amount of excitement she shown, he didn't want her to worry.
Invited in by a familiar scent, Tsurugi sits warmly by the hearth as two cups of tea were prepared.
"Ah, you're back, Bora. I've made tea if that's okay."
Already studied the layout of the place, Tsurugi took it upon herself to welcome Bora back into a warm filled home.
"Thanks, nothing like tea to ease the body."
Sitting by the hearth, Bora accepts the tea and starts to slowly sip from it. Having spent the day together there's still very little the two know about each other. But to be able to share tea beneath the same roof in peace; they can bask in the tranquility of that experience without feeling vulnerable.
"What will you do now, Tsurugi?"
"What will I do..?"
Setting his cup down, he glances at the surroundings before turning to Tsurugi.
"This place is my home, but it doesn't necessarily have to be yours. There are lots of empty houses around; so long as we pay our respects to them you can-"
"You're saying for me to move somewhere else..?"
As anxiety rises from her, she begins to believe her presence wasn't exactly welcomed as much as she thought it was; even if it were very little.
"There's only a single room here which is suitable for rest, even by the hearth it becomes dangerous for it to be on all night long. Asides from the single room, the place becomes susceptible to the cold."
"...But even so, I want to remain here. I do not wish for a warm room; even if you throw me in to the storage. ...I just wish to remain here by your side."
Comments (0)
See all