"Old man, please, I’m begging you. Help me. Help me so he won’t find out. Just make sure I don’t die before we get to the capital. Please, old man. I can’t tell my brother even if it kills me. I can’t tell him."

"Ren..."

The old man called my name sorrowfully and shook his head.

Then he pulled me into his arms. His back was bent and his legs hurt, so he couldn’t even walk for long. He was shorter than me because of that, and yet somehow his arms still had more than enough room to hold me. They were warm. Warm and cozy, like a cave.

The old man held me for a long time. I stayed in his arms for a long time too. He muttered something against the crown of my head, but his voice was so quiet I couldn’t make it out. I thought I heard some kind of curling, twisted pronunciation. Wait, was that not even the kingdom’s language?!

Oh, right!

"Old man. You’ll help me, right?"

"...I will."

The old man carefully explained everything he had spread out on the desk earlier. This one was for when my stomach hurt, this one was for when my head hurt, this one was for when I had an attack.

"Normally, you only need to ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) take this herb. Brew it the same way you make tea."

"Got it! They all kind of look like tea anyway. This one looks like jelly!"

"When the pain gets so bad you feel like you’re dying, eat this jelly. But the medicine is so strong it’s practically poison, so be careful with it. Understood? Ren."

"Yeah! I got it!!"

"Whew. Looks like I couldn’t persuade you today either."

"I’m sorry."

The old man smiled sadly.

"Here. Take it with you."

I hugged the bundle he held out to me like it was precious. I fidgeted with the necklace he’d given me too. Somehow, that alone made me feel safer.

"To the capital..."

He even walked me out. Leaning on his cane, the old man followed behind me, and without turning back to look at him, I hesitantly forced the words out.

"At least until we get to the capital... I won’t die, right?"

"You won’t die."

"Thank you."

I turned around and bowed deeply.

"Ren. You have to be careful."

I only nodded, then took off running. Tears streamed down my face.

I hate saying goodbye to the old man. But I was happy I was going with my brother, happy I was leaving this village, and that just kept making the tears come. My heart was a mess. But who knew if I’d ever get a chance like this again? It wouldn’t be strange if I died at any time, and my brother... it wouldn’t be strange if he left again at any time either.

Maybe this would be the last time my brother and I ever had together.

So I’m going to think of it as a trip.

The last happy trip of my life, given to me so I can spend it with my brother!

So I absolutely won’t be a burden. Absolutely not, absolutely not!!

I clutched the wrapped bundle so tightly it felt like it was my lifeline.

In the blue-drenched dawn, I climbed the hill to the shack and took in the sunrise that might end up being my last in this village.

***

I’d snuck out and come back in, then fallen asleep again. When I woke to the sound of someone there and stepped into the main room, Luman was standing there like bam, planted right in the middle of it.

So it was time. It was really happening.

I swallowed hard and peeked around.

"Where’s my brother?"

"He went to get the carriage you’ll be riding in."

"I can walk too—"

"Can you ride a horse?"

"That’s..."

"Can you ride behind someone on a horse?"

"Of course I can!!"

I can grit my teeth and tough it out! What the hell do you take me for?

"Haha. Knock it off, Ren. If you ride with that dried-up little ass of yours, the horse’ll go wild and throw you off. Human bones are surprisingly hard. And painful. Did you pack everything?"

"I did."

"Even that nasty tea?"

"It suits my taste perfectly, okay?? Don’t even think about asking for any. Don’t touch it either!"

"What a temper. You’ve picked a fight with everyone in the village, haven’t you?"

"..."

"For real?"

"Just go already!!"

Stomp stomp stomp.

I went into the room and picked up my precious bundle of supplies and my little flowerpot.

I should set the flowerpot down first and get the bundle on.

Heave-ho.

The moment I slung the bundle over my shoulder, a big hand shot in and snatched it away. I stared up at him blankly, and Luman arched a brow.

"You don’t even have a bag?"

"Are you looking down on me right now?!"

"Want a cookie?"

"..."

Seriously. What the hell does he think I am?

I fixed my crumpled shoes properly on my feet, gripped the flowerpot firmly in one hand, and held the other out to Luman.

"Give it back."

"Pfft... pffhkk—"

"Fuck!!"

"Puahaha!! Ren! We’re supposed to be going together!"

Mocking somebody with food? What a vicious bastard.

"Here."

"I said forget it!!"

"It’s a famous pastry from the capital. They call it a macaron. Even young ladies make a huge fuss because they can’t get any."

It’s that famous?

I looked at him suspiciously, and Luman smiled with that ridiculously handsome face of his like he was telling me to trust him.

Like hell I’m falling for that!! It was embarrassing enough that I asked for one earlier!! There’s no way I can ask again.

I smacked his hand away.

The macaron went flying.

"...Ah... uh..."

Ah... no, I... I didn’t think it would actually go flying....

"I’m sorry..."

What is wrong with me? Even if he’s like this, he’s still my brother’s companion. Was that too much? Why isn’t he saying anything? My head kept drooping lower and lower.

"Ren."

I couldn’t even answer.

If you do something wrong, you deserve to be punished. This one was my fault... so even if he hit me, what could I do? He’s a hero, so it’d probably hurt even more, right?

I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the blow that was about to come, but Luman kept telling me to lift my head.

Ah! He’s going to slap my face. Fine, better that than my head. They say if you get hit in the head, it makes you stupid!

I raised my head with my eyes still squeezed shut.

Huh?

A hand pressed my cheek, forcing my mouth open, and something soft and chewy got pushed inside. I bit down on reflex, and smooth cream burst across my tongue. It felt like my salivary glands exploded.

My eyes flew open, and Luman clicked his tongue. Beside him lingered that cluster of light I’d seen the night before.

"Tastes good, right? Would’ve been a waste if it had just hit the ground."

"..."

Do I... say thank you? I should, right?

I rolled my eyes around awkwardly while chewing the mouthful of macaron, and Luman slung an arm around my shoulders.

"No need to thank me. I’ll count this as repayment."

"..."

Maybe this guy... maybe he’s not as vicious as I thought.

"Come on, let’s go. Say goodbye to the shack. You won’t be coming back for a while."

"...I don’t need to."

It wasn’t like I was deeply attached to it.

I only cared about it because it was the place my brother came back to, the place where I waited for him.

My home is wherever my brother is.

That’s what I said, but inside, I still said goodbye to the shack I’d been living in. I’d made up my mind on the way back from the old man’s house, but even so, it still felt strange.

So this is what leaving feels like. Strange, unfamiliar, scary. My brother must have carried this feeling all by himself every single time, right?

It must have been hard for him too.

I thought I was going to cry. That’s only because the macaron is so sweet and so good!!

"Ren. Have you ever seen magic before?"

"No... is that a problem?"

Are you looking down on me? I thought maybe you were a decent person, but forget it. Forget it!

Luman patted my shoulder. When I looked up, a cluster of light was quietly swirling in his hand. Unlike last night, when it looked sharp enough to devour and tear apart anything in its path, this light was warm and calm.

Luman gave a small flick of his hand, and the cluster of light turned into golden spears. They shot down around the shack in a ring with a series of heavy thunks, and then—

Pop!

They burst apart like scattering flower pollen and vanished. The area around the shack looked exactly the same as it had before, like nothing had happened at all. If not for the tiny drifting motes of light in the air, I would’ve thought I’d just stood there and dreamed it.

"Wow..."

"Ahem. Let’s go."

I couldn’t even pay attention to him tugging my wrist. I just kept turning around to look back.

That was cool as fuck....

Cool as fuck!

What the hell was that just now? What was it?!

I whipped my head around and stared up at Luman with shining eyes.

Luman just kept clearing his throat and looking away, busy pretending not to notice. But the corners of his mouth kept twitching for some reason.

"What’s your ability?? What was that just now?"

"Trade secret."

"..."

"Hm. If you behave, I’ll tell you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"...Fine."

Tch.

I actually listen pretty well, you know? What the hell does he think I am?

As I grumbled and gave in, Luman reached over and stroked the back of my head.

What the hell!!

I jumped and smacked his arm, and Luman looked hurt. The corners of his mouth dipped slightly, and sadness shadowed those golden eyes that were usually so full of confidence.

"No, I mean, that was so sudden... I just..."

Fuck!! What the hell is wrong with me?!

To someone who gave me a pastry and even showed me magic!!

I fumbled and trailed off, and Luman slowly shook his head. His platinum hair, bleached dry by sunlight, fluttered in the wind.

"It’s okay, Ren. I didn’t realize you hated that so much. I’m sorry."

"No..."

"Shall we go?"

Why is he the one apologizing! Wasn’t I the one who was wrong??

What is with this guy!

The people in this village always screwed up themselves and pinned it on me!! They always acted like the victims and begged for help like a bunch of idiots...!

"Uh..."

As my steps slowed, Luman turned back to look at me.

"Uh..."

"Ren?"

"I’m... sorry."

Gah!! The words won’t come out! It’s embarrassing, humiliating!

It felt like my toes were curling so hard they might disappear. This kind of thing doesn’t suit me! Why is this so hard? What, am I such a pathetic loser I can’t even apologize? This guy isn’t one of the people who used to torment me!

I jerked my head up and grabbed Luman’s arm hard!

He was so tall I couldn’t see his face properly. Using his arm as a brace, I went up on tiptoe and stared straight into Luman’s suddenly widened eyes.

"I’m sorry!!"

"What are you sorry for—"

"I’m sorry I smacked your arm!!!"

"G-got it! Ren! I got it, so let go of me! More importantly, your face is a little too—"

Luman’s face looked a little red too.

Maybe I was crowding him.

"Ah!"

"You have to be careful... whew."

When I wobbled and nearly lost my balance, Luman caught me by the arm.

I’m not comfortable being this close to other people.

When I shot him a sidelong glare, Luman immediately let go.

"Guess I shouldn’t joke around with you."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Temar must be waiting."

I turned at Luman’s muttering, and he smiled at me with a flushed face.

The morning sun was rising.

"You brothers really are reckless. In a completely different way."

Luman muttered something behind me, but I couldn’t hear it clearly.

I saw Temar standing tall at the entrance to the village, waiting, and forgot all about Luman in an instant as I ran as hard as I could.

"Brotheeeer—!"

Who cares about the fight we had last night!

What was that even supposed to matter!

I forgot all about it!