Chapter 12 Matching Bracelets
On the last day of our stay in the capital city. In the afternoon carriage, we are heading back to Emme Village.
Arnold hasn't returned to the inn since then. It seems like he has already been given a room in the royal castle. Marcedes-san went to the royal castle afterwards and told us about it this morning.
According to the setting of "Last Brave," Arnold's parents - Elvira's parents, to be exact - live deep in a forest, in an elf village. There is no racial discrimination against elves in this world, but it's difficult for races with different lifespans to marry and coexist. Therefore, elves have created elf villages in various places, and many people tend to stick with their own kind.
What I'm trying to say is — did Arnold tell his parents and his sister Elvira about it? He had been away from home for training before, so becoming a Royal Alchemist trainee wouldn't change his situation much. But, didn't he want to see them one more time before living in the royal castle?
"Hey Laura!"
"Luka, wait up!"
Putting aside Arnold, I, Lukas, am finally able to tour the capital city while being led by Laura.
"What about this shop... Laura, don't you like this kind of place?"
The shop Lukas mentioned yesterday as "a shop I would like" turned out to be a cute trinket store. It looked very fancy from the outside.
――Was there a shop like this in "Last Brave"?
I briefly asked that question in my mind, but quickly dismissed it.
It might sound a bit meta, but in the game "Last Brave," only the weapon shop, armor shop, and item shop are necessary for the "main character." While that's fine in the game, I'm living in reality now. There should have been demand for other shops besides those three.
Yes, even the juice bar I treated Arnold to yesterday didn't exist in "Last Brave." However, unlike the vanished fountain square in Sittenhelm, it seemed like a natural change.
Being led by Lukas, I step into the general store. The store is filled with pastel colors, and I can't help but get excited like a kid.
There were girls of the same age, and even some older girls — anyway, there were many girls inside the store. Some boys were also here, possibly accompanying them.
"Wow, they're so cute! Maybe I should buy something as a souvenir..."
Staring at the small teddy bears lined up on the display shelf near the entrance, I whispered to myself. Since Emme Village doesn't have fancy plushies like these, I'm sure Petra and the others will be happy if I buy them as souvenirs.
Lukas smiled satisfactorily as he watched me getting distracted here and there.
――Forgetting about time, I got lost in this fancy space. The vivid "colors" here are not found in Emme Village. It's a level of "cuteness" that I can't see in Emme Village.
Even though I've lived for over 30 years in this life and the previous one combined, getting excited over things like this makes me realize that I might still be a girl at heart.
After going around the store, I decided on souvenirs while consulting my wallet. Lukas followed behind me the whole time, but he didn't come up to the register.
After finishing the payment, I spotted Lukas not far from the register near a display stand and ran over to him.
"After this, want to grab some juice? I found a really tasty shop yesterday..."
Feeling thirsty, I remembered the juice bar Arnold treated me to yesterday, so I suggested it to Lukas.
He enthusiastically nodded at my words, but then unexpectedly said,
"Oh, yeah. I'm going to buy souvenirs for my mom and her friends, can you wait outside for a bit?"
He smiled while hiding something behind his back.
It was clear he was keeping a secret, but without pressing further, I followed his request and went out first. As I opened the door of the shop and glanced back inside, I saw Lukas rushing to the counter in a hurry.
He must have bought something, but why would he hide it from me?
Puzzled, I sat on a bench outside the shop, observing the people passing by in the city.
A well-dressed lady. A girl selling bread. A friendly couple. A young man wearing armor. A man with a sword at his waist - the sight of warriors and adventurers seemed unusually common.
It feels like there are more of them. Are monsters increasing?
So far, I haven't heard such stories. But until Lukas sets off, in another 4 years and a few months, "that time" is approaching much sooner than expected.
If it's Lukas, it'll be okay.
"I" know that, but still, when it actually happens...
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
I suddenly found myself looking down, and Lukas's voice called out to me. When I raised my head, his golden hair reflected the sunlight, sparkling in the corner of my vision.
I smiled back at his smiling face.
"No, I'm fine. It's right there, let's go."
* * *
"Laura, this."
Sitting on a bench, about to take a sip of the apple juice I bought, at that moment, a beautiful bracelet was offered to me.
The person who offered it was, of course, Lukas. The bracelet swaying in front of me had a very simple and elegant design, more beautiful than cute.
"...A bracelet?"
"I bought it at the store earlier. Matching ones."
Lukas smiled and showed me his right wrist. There, shining just like the bracelet he handed me, was the same one.
I accepted the bracelet from Lukas and held it up to the sunlight. Embedded in the sparkling gold was a small ruby, adding a touch of accent. It didn't seem to be very expensive, but it also didn't look cheap.
"Thank you. But why?"
I asked.
Today wasn't my birthday, so I couldn't figure out why I was being given a present.
"...While Marcedes-san showed me around the city, I asked various questions about the Royal Alchemist."
Lonely colors blurred in her eyes.
"I knew you were working hard, Laura, and that being a Royal Alchemist was an amazing profession, or at least I thought I understood... But as I listened to your talk, it felt like you had gone far away."
Lukas muttered, revealing his inner thoughts little by little.
I somehow knew he was feeling sad about the idea of us being apart in the future, but maybe this sightseeing trip made him feel that "future" more strongly. As his words grew quieter, I regretted leaving Lukas entirely to Marcedes-san until today.
He came with me for my sake, so I should have made time for him too.
"When you turn 14, you'll leave the village and live here, right? When that happens, I thought I might be forgotten."
"No way――!"
I had been listening quietly until now, but I couldn't ignore those words. I stood up to argue. Lukas smiled as if to calm me down and said, "You're being pessimistic, me." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Of course, I don't think Laura would forget about me. It's just that I got anxious on my own..."
That's impossible. We've been childhood friends.
The words that came to mind, though I could say them now, I felt they weren't enough to dispel Lukas's worries. Surely, the best thing I can do for Lukas now is to accept the bracelet with a smile.
――Did Laura from "Last Brave" also have similar worries like Lukas does now? Concerned about their childhood friend leaving the village to fight, worried about the future of this world, and fearing that her presence might fade from her childhood friend's memory, was she waiting alone in Emme Village?
Laura and Lukas from "Last Brave" were portrayed as never really leaving Emme Village. They only knew a small and narrow world. However, while Laura remained confined to Emme Village, the protagonist's world kept expanding. It made her wonder how insignificant her existence as a childhood friend might be, and if her crush would even notice her――
Imagining Laura's feelings from "Last Brave" on her own, it felt like a tight squeeze in my chest. After the ending, all one could hope for was her happiness.
"I'd be happy if you looked at this bracelet and thought of me sometimes."
"Thank you. I'll use it as a charm."
With that reply, I immediately put the bracelet on my wrist. Lukas squinted his eyes as if looking at something bright and smiled. It was his smile when he was truly happy.
It's a bracelet blessed by Hero-sama, let's use it as a charm. It will surely help me.
"Shall we go back?"
To Emme Village.
Lukas nodded at my words. He stood up, and we naturally held hands and started walking.
――On both of our connected wrists, matching bracelets were shining.
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