Chapter 16

"Hey, you know you're coming in, right...?"

At night, while washing off the sweat in the bathroom, Rio sensed Shiraha's presence and called out to her with a sigh. When Shiraha first came to the house, Rio was flustered by her entering the bathroom completely naked, but he had gradually gotten used to it. He realized that when Shiraha entered the bathroom, it wasn't for anything flirtatious but because she had something to discuss or ask.

While washing his hair, Rio waited for Shiraha to speak. As soon as he heard the sound of her sitting down next to him, she asked in a whisper-like, small voice:

"…Why did you make up with Karil after fighting with her?"

"That's an unusual question."

Stopping his hand from washing his hair, Rio couldn't help but look at Shiraha. He saw the soft, white swell and quickly averted his gaze. Even though he was used to it, he knew it was inappropriate to look directly at her naked body.

"It's unusual for you to ask about human relationships. What's the reason?"

"I don't want to fight with Rio."

"I don't think it will turn into a fight. I'm at such a disadvantage."

Recently, not only his mother but even his father had become doting on Shiraha. Rio could understand the sentiment of finding a straightforward daughter more adorable than a rebellious son. Even if they did fight, "As an older brother, you should endure" would be the unquestionable argument, and Rio would definitely lose. When you can't win, you run away. That's one of Rio's beliefs in his self-taught swordsmanship.

"If you don't want to fight with me, stop barging in when I'm washing my body."

"No. I can see Rio carefully here."

"Scary."

Even before the water was poured, Rio felt goosebumps and tried to put some distance between himself and Shiraha. However, Shiraha grabbed Rio's arm as if she wouldn't let him go.

"Why did you fight?"

"…Because she tried to corrupt me. We made up because Karil changed her mind. That's all."

"Does that mean Rio won?"

"Won…?"

There was no such thing as winning or losing, but Shiraha wouldn't understand.

"Human relationships aren't about winning or losing. There's no hierarchy."

"But isn't the lord important?"

"Um…"

Stumped, Rio washed his body while thinking of an explanation.

"The relationship with the lord is about position, not personal relationships."

"But the lord is human too. What do you mean by position?"

"Please… it's like a child's why-why phase in the village."

That's why Rio couldn't see Shiraha as a girl of her age, and he held his head in frustration.

By the time they left the bath, Rio had managed to explain everything, though he was exhausted. Shiraha, who had a better understanding than most despite her lack of knowledge, had grasped the explanation, but Rio was convinced he didn't need a sibling. His father, Baldo, who had been by the wood stove, beckoned them over.

"There's some sida tea."

"It's bitter, so I don't want it."

"I like it."

"You can drink Rio's share too. It's good for you, so you should drink it."

Baldo watched with a smile as Shiraha started drinking Rio's share. Rio observed her expression, wondering how she could drink such a bitter thing, but it didn't seem like she was forcing herself. His mother called from the kitchen.

"Is it snowing?"

"It's not snowing now."

After checking outside the window, Rio answered. His mother, stirring the pot, called out to him.

"Rio, help set the plates."

"Okay."

"…I'll help too."

Shiraha, who had finished her sida tea, ran over. This was probably why she was liked. While setting the plates with Shiraha, Rio suddenly wondered:

"Does Shiraha have any friends?"

"Friends?"

"Yeah, you don't have any, do you?"

He could tell from her reaction, and Rio looked troubled. Since the incident at the dojo, Rio had almost no interaction with boys his age. Not only was he the only one in the village who didn't attend the dojo, but he also practiced swordsmanship alone, which made him somewhat disliked.

The girls in the village showed no interest in the conflicts between boys and didn't get involved. After all, they were outsiders no matter which side they took. However, if the girls avoided Shiraha because they didn't want to be involved in Rio's problems, it was Rio's responsibility. Shiraha tilted her head, confused by Rio's thoughts.

"What's wrong?"

"Is there anyone you could be friends with?"

"I don't need any."

"…What do you think, Mom?"

Seeing that talking to Shiraha wouldn't get them anywhere, Rio turned to his mother. His mother, who was serving the food, answered with a calm face.

"If she doesn't want them, then she doesn't need them. Besides, Shiraha still lacks common sense, so it's not too late to learn it."

"Is that how it works?"

"Yes, it is. It's easier to join a group from a zero state than to try to rejoin after being ostracized. Don't worry about it. Rather, Rio, you should be the one to worry."

"I don't really care."

"That's what's influencing Shiraha."

It was a sound argument that left no room for rebuttal. Moreover, Shiraha was quietly observing Rio at this moment. Unable to escape, Rio tried to leave the scene by carrying the plates to the table when the village chief's voice was heard from the entrance.

"Baldo, Rio, I have something to talk about. Is now a good time? It smells good, so it can wait until tomorrow if you prefer."

Baldo got up from the wood stove and opened the door. Rio handed the plates he was holding to Shiraha's outstretched hands and followed Baldo. At the entrance, Baldo, who was talking to the village chief, looked at Rio.

"Rio, it seems they want you to have a sword match with Yudo at the spring festival. What do you think?"

"Yudo?"

To Rio, Yudo was just a slacker, but in the village, he was known as one of the best from the Rakudoi dojo. Rio wondered what the point was of having a match with Yudo, who didn't attend the dojo. The village chief, looking troubled, explained:

"A few villagers suggested that we have a mock battle between the dojo master, Rakudoi, and the former adventurer, Karil, at the spring festival."

"That's where it gets confusing."

"They want to see a battle between skilled fighters. The only ones with comparable experience and skill to Rakudoi are Karil and Baldo. However, Baldo doesn't know swordsmanship and uses an axe. To educate the villagers about swordsmanship, they asked Karil."

"I see. Did he agree?"

"He was hesitant but agreed."

Rio was a bit surprised but understood that it was Karil's decision, so it wasn't right for him to interfere. However, the conversation didn't seem to lead to a match between Rio and Yudo.

"I don't attend the dojo. I don't know swordsmanship."

"But you practice swordsmanship on your own. They also want to show the skill of the dojo's students to the villagers…"

"Are you trying to use me as a scapegoat? It's clearly unfair to bring this up to me to improve the reputation of Yudo and the others, who have been criticized for entering the mountain with monsters. Why am I the only one being put at a disadvantage?"

Rio's accurate words hit a nerve, and the village chief visibly flinched. He shifted his gaze and reluctantly replied:

"I understand your point. It's also because Yudo specifically requested you as his opponent. More importantly, there are complaints from the dojo students about the unfairness of Rio practicing on his own without attending the dojo."

"The dojo isn't mandatory. It's their choice to attend. If they don't like it, they can stop attending and practice on their own. That's what I'm doing."

The village chief grunted, acknowledging the truth in Rio's words. While the village society doesn't run smoothly on logic alone, the chief nodded in agreement. However, the current situation was making Rio's position worse. The dissatisfaction came from emotions, not logic or justice. The students at the Rakudoi dojo were children who couldn't separate their feelings from logic, leading to their dissatisfaction.

Baldo, who was asked for help with his eyes, made a displeased face and placed his hand on Rio's head.

"Rio, participate."

"Father, did you hear what I said?"

"I heard. Do you remember what you said on the day you declared you wouldn't attend the dojo?"

"…I said that practicing on my own would be more beneficial. I see, you want me to prove it in a match?"

"Exactly. However, you've only been practicing on your own for a few months. I don't expect you to win."

"I understand. I'll participate in the match."

The village chief, who had accepted the conversation so easily, looked tired.

"You accept things if the logic makes sense. This age is difficult…"