chapter 54

“How about……?”

I ignore Ouka’s questioning voice and continue.

“As I’m sure you understood well from yesterday’s slime defeat and today’s promotion test, being an adventurer is not possible with a weak determination. Ouka only registered with the guild for my convenience. There’s no need to force it.”

“What is master saying?”

“So, if you don’t want to come with me, just go back to the inn and–”

“What–?”

Ouka’s loud voice echoes through the forest.

“…..Enough is enough.”

“Ouka?”

“I don’t think you’ve noticed.”

The sudden change in tone, as well as the loudness of her voice, left her momentarily speechless.

My gaze naturally shifted to Ouka.

The girl who had removed her hood was giving me an angry look.

“I told you! My life is your life! You were next to me in a place I didn’t remember! It was scary; I almost cried! Suddenly all I could understand was that I was a slave and that I was to serve the stranger in front of me.

I didn’t know what that meant, but that feeling was the only thing I was sure of. That’s why I didn’t want to be disliked.

I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. But I was trying to control my trembling body; I was trying to smile, I was trying to be charming. I even changed my tone of voice right away!

I didn’t want you to look at me like I was crazy! I didn’t want you to be scared! You touched my ears and tail and scared me! But I didn’t say anything!

I didn’t know a single thing about who you are or what you’re going to do! I didn’t know what the right thing to do is! So all I could to do was listen to you honestly!”

“Ouka……”

“But you were kind. You treated me like a normal person. You noticed that I was shaking. You understood that I was afraid. You didn’t care that I was a youkai fox or that I had evil eyes. You even gave me a name.”

“…………”

“So I decided to show my worth. Even though the slimes were creepy and scary, I tried my best to defeat them. You complimented me, and it made me happy. It made me want to try harder.

That I could be a slave, and still be a friend. I wanted to give my life to you. And then you told me to live. You told me not to die. You said to me that you would protect me.

So I did what I had to do to get Skulkhed’s attention. I thought I was going to die if he kept attacking us! But I knew you’d protect me!

Because you are the only person, I have now. I can’t do anything without you. You should at least realise that I need you to be there for me.”

Tears dripped from her large eyes.

I see these are Ouka’s true feelings.

She was anxious because of her lack of memory, and yet she was still trying desperately to live.

I was resisting.

Have I been saying unnecessary things without noticing anything?

I took the liberty of assuming it was because of the slave contract, but Ouka was thinking and acting on her own.

–she was trying to be my friend.

“Don’t ask me if I’m going to stop being an adventurer now. I’ll be there for you! .That’s the only place I belong!”

So those are Ouka’s feelings.

“……Ouka.”

“Yes……”

“…… So those are your real feelings.”

“Do you understand now?”

Ouka answers with a wailing voice.

I got down on my knees and hugged her.

“I forgot. You were the first to tell me. I wanted a friend. I’m sorry I didn’t realise that Ouka had been waiting for me.”

“Really, how could you not see that, you idiot?”

I stroke her head as she sobs into my chest.

“Ouka, do me a favour.”

“Yes.”

“I want you to be my friend. We’ll find the dungeon together.”

“Yeah!”