Volume 6 Chapter 26 The Siblings' Conversation
Mikage watches from a distance as Yukina and Rouza sit side by side in the tavern.
At first, Mikage thought something might happen, but it seemed like unnecessary worry.
Rouza's carefree personality might be a factor, or maybe it's Yukina's kindness.
Although Yukina has a rough and unpredictable side, he doesn't hold biases and isn't bound by common sense. As long as the other person doesn't have ill intentions, he can get along with anyone. Rouza is like that too. Maybe that's why he gets along so well.
At least 'for now', there won't be any fatal misunderstandings.
The problem is this.
Just like Mikage is keeping an eye on Yukina as hid guardian, Getsuya is also watching over Rouza as his guardian nearby. It's not intentional, but both of them have the same judgment, able to keep an eye on their protectees without missing a thing.
Both of them learned swordsmanship from their fathers from a young age, along with guardian techniques to protect the Egawa family. It's only natural for them to be in the same position.
In this country (Arcus), it's rare to see a beastman couple as beautiful as they are. Their clothing is also unusual for this area, and the sibling is drawing attention from the people around them. Some of them might have noticed that one of them is a 2nd rank mercenary (Mikage), and are also interested in the other man.
However, Mikage doesn't mind the attention. While keeping an eye out for any suspicious movements or auras, Mikage feels a bit uneasy about being in the same space as Getsuya.
And then, suddenly, Getsuya let out a sigh.
"You can't even focus with me right next to you? I thought you'd grown up a bit, but you're still so naive."
Mikage was hit right on the mark, and let out a small "uuh" in surprise.
She thought it was too late – but it was already too late when she realized it. When she glanced at her brother, his face was pale and frightened. She could read it in his gaze: "You're still immature, and that's why you're getting flustered."
She let out a small cough, took a deep breath, and then Mikage spoke up.
"Can you please stop lecturing me in the middle of a mission?"
"If it's just the people here, there's no need to worry. Even if everyone else comes at us with weapons, I can handle it on my own. Of course, even Rouza-sama could do it easily."
Getsuya's confident words sounded almost arrogant. But it wasn't an exaggeration – it was a plain fact. That's why he had the leeway to chat casually.
"I thought you were brave when you left home to join the Brave, but to think you'd be wagging your tail for some unknown guy like that... Do you know how disappointed I was when I heard the news?"
Mikage scowled, her eyebrows furrowed in disdain. Anyone could tell she was being ridiculed.
"Even if you're my brother, you're going too far. If you're going to mock my immaturity, then I'll accept it. But please, stop insulting my lord."
Normally, Mikage would have drawn her sword by now. Even without a weapon, she would have been ready to fight. Insulting her lord, Yukina, was a grave offense to her.
The reason she couldn't do that was because she knew her brother's true strength. If she acted impulsively, she would easily be counterattacked, and that was clear as day.
"Unexpected. If you were the same person as before, you would have attacked me without hesitation when I provoked you like this."
"I've also grown up. Since I left Sanmoto, I've gained some experience, so please don't underestimate me."
"At least, not when it comes to swordsmanship."
Mikage was surprised by the latter half of his sentence.
"If our battle the other day had started with a fair fight instead of an ambush, the outcome would have been different. It's undeniable that you've been training diligently since you left home."
Besides, Getsuya's words acknowledging Mikage's growth were something unimaginable when they were in their hometown, Sanmoto. At the very least, before Mikage ran away, she had hardly ever heard words of praise from his mouth about his own swordsmanship.
"That's why I can't understand. You've always been stubborn, but you weren't foolish. It's strange that you're now just one of the mercenaries."
"...I don't understand your feelings, brother."
"Huh?"
Getsuya reacted slightly to Mikage's unexpected response.
The uneasiness that had been inside Mikage until now had somewhat dissipated. No matter how much she tried to rationalize it, in the end, she was just tense around her long-lost family member.
"If my past self from Sanmoto saw me now, I'm sure she would be surprised. I didn't exactly achieve my initial goal of joining the Brave, but I don't regret my choices."
Even amidst her doubts, this was one thing she could assert with certainty.
Yukina, who was chatting with Rouza at the tavern, caught her attention. Whenever she saw Yukina, a faint warmth spread in her chest.
"Brother, you may not understand, but I believe Yukina-sama is a 'Hero' who surpasses even the Brave. I believe he is worthy of my loyalty."
This warmth was something her past self didn't know. It was something she wouldn't have felt if she hadn't met Yukina. This couldn't be a mistake.
Mikage's profile, gazing at Yukina, was a gentle smile filled with affection.
──Getsuya, who saw this, directed an even sharper, more piercing gaze at Yukina.
"I'll say it clearly now. The reason Rouza-sama came to Arcus is to take you, Mikage, back to Sanmoto."
"I knew it. That means the engagement with Rouza-sama is still not cancelled, right?"
"It's not that simple between two warrior families, especially when one of them is a shogun family. It can't just be 'nullified'."
Her brother's words struck her like a blow, and she let out a sigh, rubbing her temples.
Mikage had strongly denied the engagement, but when Rouza appeared before her, she had a hunch that "maybe" it was true. She wanted to get out of it if she could.
"But, do you really intend to return obediently?"
"I have a debt of gratitude to the Egawa family, the shogun's family, but my loyalty has already been pledged to Yukina-sama. I have no intention of responding with a 'yes'."
Mikage turned to look at Getsuya.
"Or are you going to knock us down here and drag us back by force?"
"...Only Rouza-sama can decide that. It's not for me to judge."
As the two of them locked eyes, their gazes clashing like swords, Yukina and Rouza seemed to be more in sync than before. While Rouza appeared to be getting more and more worked up, Yukina didn't seem to be opposed to it, and it didn't look like he was going to back down.
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