Chapter 12

As the sun rose, almost simultaneously, the door to my room was attacked by a beast.

"Good morning, Vain."

"Yes."

This man came as promised, right when the sun rose.

No, since no specific time was set, I should say he came at an unconventional hour.

Looking at his appearance, it was neatly put together.

Not a single hair was out of place.

It felt more like he had been waiting for the sun to rise rather than coming as soon as it did.

Perhaps this is his line between safe and unsafe.

"Please come in."

"Sorry."

A well-dressed gentleman entered just as I had finally gotten out of bed.

I felt like the one being impolite.

"I'll get dressed right away."

"It's fine, no need to rush."

With his permission, I dressed slowly and washed my face.

"I'll make some coffee."

"Sorry."

I like grinding coffee beans.

The aroma and the mundane task of grinding are soothing.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

He enjoyed the carefully brewed cup slowly.

"Shall we have breakfast after you finish?"

"Yesterday, you spent the whole day with me. Today, I want to return the favor and take you somewhere. I'll treat you to breakfast there."

"That sounds good. I'll look forward to it with an empty stomach."

I thought he was surprisingly friendly.

What will he treat me to? Maybe some delicious food from the capital?

The door was knocked on again. It was a conventional knock, not like Vain's.

When I opened it, Iris was there.

"Good morning, I came over."

"Good morning, please come in."

Such a conventional visitor gives me a sense of ease.

"Thank you." Iris entered and started talking.

"I was worried if it was okay to enter the boys' dorm, but since school hasn't started yet, I decided to come boldly.

Wow!?"

Iris was shocked to see Vain.

Of course, she would be. He's a giant.

But he won't bite, so there's no danger.

"I'm Vain Rott."

"Hi, I'm Iris Parara. Nice to meet you."

"Ah."

"It seems you've finished the introductions.

Iris, Vain is taking me somewhere today. Would you like to come along?"

You being here will make the conversation easier!!

"Sure, the school has a library. There are ten thousand books to read as much as I want. I'm looking forward to it and will head there right away."

"That's a shame."

I really am disappointed!

Being alone with the beast.

"By the way, your sword has been repaired."

I handed her the sword I had placed on the table.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it!

I also sent the gold coins home. Thanks to Kururi."

"Call me Kururi. We're classmates now.

I hope you find good books in the library."

I changed the topic to avoid a gloomy atmosphere.

"Sure!"

She looks really happy when talking about the library.

"What's your relationship with Iris?"

Vain joined the conversation.

I wish he would be more proactive when it's just the two of us!

"We traveled together to get to the academy."

"I see.

Still, Iris is beautiful."

"Wh-What!?"

He says such things so casually.

He's quite the charmer.

Impressive, Vain!!

"Being called beautiful is a first for me."

Iris blushed.

What!?

It's turning into this kind of situation.

Vain, were you a potential love interest!?

"Come on, Kururi, let's go."

He doesn't seem to care.

It seems he just speaks his mind.

This guy is a natural charmer!!

Definitely!!

"Sure, let's go."

"I'll head to the library then."

"Okay."

We left the house and parted ways with Iris.

"We can borrow horses from the academy."

As Vain said, we were able to borrow horses.

There were quite a few horses available, with a variety of breeds and colors.

Chestnut horses look great, so I chose one without hesitation.

"You handle the horse well."

Great, I got a compliment from the warrior on the way.

Vain led me to a grassland. It was a bit of a distance from the academy.

It must be heaven for horses.

The air is good, and they can graze freely.

The run on the grassland was light.

I followed closely behind Vain.

The wind felt good.

The rising sun on the horizon, the slightly cool air, all made me want to keep running.

I want to keep running.

It makes me feel that way.

"A village is in sight.

I'll stop by for a moment. Wait here."

"Got it."

I looked at the sky at dawn.

The horse was relaxed.

The sleepiness from riding was gone, and I had broken a good sweat.

I was already quite satisfied.

I should thank Vain for inviting me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Vain called from behind me, where I had been looking at the sky.

There was a scene that shattered the refreshing mood.

A sheep, tied up with ropes on all four limbs, was hanging from Vain's horse.

Strangely, the sheep was very calm, looking at me with clear eyes.

Perhaps it has accepted its fate.

"What's with the sheep?"

A natural question.

"I thought I'd treat Kururi.

I bought it from someone in the village."

So that's why.

You took me out because I said I didn't need breakfast.

I've never eaten a whole roasted sheep at home.

I've never seen a live animal being killed.

I've seen raw meat, but it was always cooked and on the table.

I usually wouldn't enjoy a whole roasted sheep. But maybe it would be good in this vast grassland.

"Where crops don't grow in the north, people don't eat many vegetables."

That makes sense.

I've heard of such places.

"So, the wisdom they came up with is raw food."

What? What are you talking about?

"By eating raw meat, they can get the nutrients they would normally get from vegetables.

That's how people living in the northern lands survive."

...Okay.

"Actually, they rarely get seriously ill and are known for their longevity."

Wait, I can see where this is going...

"I really want Kururi to try it."

...Can't we just go back now?!!

I'm already feeling great!!

"We've arrived."

The place Vain led me to was truly beautiful.

We must have reached the edge of the grassland, as there was a cliff, and beyond it, the sea was visible.

"What a beautiful place."

Such words came out naturally.

If not for the tragedy that was about to unfold, I might have cried at the sight.

It's a beautiful natural landscape.

It heals the soul and reminds me of my beautiful hometown.

"Good sheep. It will be satisfying to eat."

While I was admiring the view, Vain was preparing breakfast.

The sheep, even after being taken off the horse, didn't struggle.

Why does it look at me with such clear eyes?

I can't save you.

Suddenly, Vain's dagger cut the sheep's neck.

The head flew off and landed in front of me.

Aaahhhhhhhhh!!

A soundless scream came out.

"Ah."

The sheep's head and eyes met mine.

Like being stared at by Medusa, my body froze.

They had clear, gentle eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"Did you make eye contact?"

"I... made eye contact."

"..."

Say something!!

What's with that meaningful reaction!

If you make eye contact, you get possessed, right?!

Is that it?!

"Does something happen if you make eye contact?"

I asked hesitantly.

"No, not really."

You must be kidding. I know that's a lie!

I don't need a kind lie! I want the truth!

"Is there any folklore or something? Tell me."

"It's not a big deal.

I just never look the animal in the eye when I kill it. I feel too much sympathy."

"Is that all?"

If that's all, it's fine...

"Just, "

There! I knew there was more!

"My uncle said that if you look the animal in the eye when you kill it, its face will come to mind when you eat it."

Damn!!

Will I see those gentle, moist eyes every time I eat sheep?!

I can't eat if that happens!!

"Well, everyone is different. Don't worry about it."

"Haha, you're right."

The beautiful scenery doesn't matter anymore.

While I was in shock, Vain continued his work calmly.

His movements were far from clumsy, smooth and even beautiful.

He must be experienced; even a layman could tell he was skilled.

After cutting off the head, he shaved the fur neatly.

He opened the belly and removed the organs cleanly.

Ugh...

After removing the organs, he disassembled the meat into edible pieces.

Ugh...

"Let's eat."

No, no, no, no, no!!

I can't say that.

He bought it and prepared it for me.

"Do you need salt?"

That's not the issue.

"Shall we eat?"

I made up my mind.

I picked up a piece of dripping thigh meat and brought it to my mouth.

My hands were shaking, but I pushed through.

No, no, no, no, no!!

"Try the liver. It's especially delicious. I'll give it to you."

What a mixed blessing.

But, should I reject this kindness?

He's offering me the liver.

The liver!

I tried to grab it with my hand and bring it to my mouth.

No, no, no, no, no!!

Panting, my breathing was getting more and more erratic.

"Do you not like the fat in the liver?"

"No, it's not that."

I will eat it!!

I will accept my friend's kindness!!

Imagine, just imagine.

For example, imagine this.

Laser paid for a strawberry picking trip and invited me.

He invited me to a wonderful field, picked strawberries, and even removed the stems to give me the sweetest ones.

Would I refuse?

I wouldn't!!

I shouldn't refuse!!

What's the difference between this situation and the imagined one?!

What's the difference between sheep liver and the sweetest strawberry?!

If I don't eat this, I won't be human!

At the very least, I won't be able to call myself Vain's friend.

I put the liver in my mouth.

It was smooth.

Ugh...

It's not delicious, but it's not terrible either.

"Is it so delicious that you're crying?"

"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh."

I couldn't stop the tears.

"I've never seen someone react like this."

Vain seemed to smile for the first time.

I'm glad I ate it. Really.

Ugh...

"I've never had a friend before.

Kururi, I think we can be friends."

"Yeah, we've shared the insides of a sheep."