Chapter 94 Lyam, Spring Is Still Halfway
"...Yo, that hit spot on. You're straight up makin' me wanna hate on your sis for gettin' your cookin'."
"Eh. Ah... heh. Thank you, it was nothing special."
The food served was more than just good.
It was seriously delicious. I usually eat anything, but anyone who gets to eat this every day must be really happy.
It makes sense why Sham seems to enjoy life so much.
"Um, it's a bit strange."
"What's wrong 'bout that?"
"Well, I've never had anyone else eat my food besides my sister. It's kind of a relief... When someone says it's delicious, it makes me so happy."
Lyam shyly smiled and sighed in relief.
Happy, huh? I remember feeling really happy when my grandparents praised the sashimi I made.
When my grandfather got lung cancer after my grandmother passed away, he said he wanted to eat it again. In the end, he never got well enough to eat it again.
That's a nostalgic memory. I never thought I'd get a chance to remember it like this under a different sky. Life is full of surprises.
"You gotta be kiddin', nobody'd give a crap if you invited them over with your skills."
"Eh. Ah, thank you. But I still can't socialize like my sister..."
"Huh? You think she's smooth at socializing? Nah, she's just loudmouthed and bossy, makes a scene wherever she goes."
"Ahaha... But just having my sister around makes me feel happy, and she's surprisingly thoughtful. She's way better than me."
With a gentle smile, Lyam tapped her glass with her pinky. It's strange, really. A nice girl like Lyam should have lots of friends.
But it feels like she keeps a bit of distance from everyone. Maybe she just has a personality that makes it hard to get close.
(Hmm. This topic's whack.)
(Did you pick the wrong topic, Master?)
(Ugh. Man, I'm straight-up butcherin' my words in this situation, no sugarcoatin'...)
An awkward silence fell.
But if I stay quiet now, I'll lose my chance to be the protagonist. Since I got such delicious food, I have to change the topic somehow.
But honestly, I don't have many conversation tricks up my sleeve, so I'm stuck with a few options.
"Ugh, man. That food was straight fire! Ain't no way I'm chillin' after tastin' that. You feel me, Lyam? What's the next move?"
"Huh? Um, I'm sorry?"
"Aight, got it! Food's got me feelin' like I gotta speak up now. You followin' my vibe, right?"
"Huh? Huh? ...I, I get it? Um, I'm sorry. What do you mean...?"
"What am I gettin' at? Come on, Lyam, it's obvious. This is your last chance to make an order, ain't no more slackin'!"
I chose to try again for the third time.
"Ugh. Are we doing this again!?"
"What, you ain't feelin' it?! Don't play dumb!"
"N-no, it's not that I don't want to..."
(Oh... this is really pushing it...)
(I can't help it; I can't even think straight with this much expectations...)
I know I'm really pushing it here.
But just going shopping and getting treated to a meal doesn't feel like enough to repay what I owe. Plus, the wish from the lamp genie is only good for 3 times, so even a saint would let it slide.
"Alright. For the last one, spit it out, no chillin', unleash your desire!"
"D-desires... desires... umm."
This might be a tough request for someone like Lyam, but I can't back down now.
So I stood there like a genie with my arms crossed, waiting for a minute. With her cheeks turning a soft pink, Lyam looked up at me.
"It's not exactly a desire, but..."
"What you mean? Spit it out."
"Sometimes I wish I could be like my sister."
"...Like your sis?"
"Y-yeah. Is that bad?"
"...Ain't no man gonna back down from his own game. Hold up."
Lyam wants to be like Sham.
But wanting to be like Sham? That's interesting. It's not about looks, I guess, so... hmm.
(This is a pretty tough question, huh? Come on, if you don't answer, you'll lose your chance to be a man!)
(Aww, shut up! Don't try to psyche me out. I'm on it – gonna come up with something that'll blow your mind... Ah, got it!)
Wait, hold on. It's not "like Sham."
What Lyam wants is to be "like a big sister."
Now that I think about it, Lyam has always hated being treated like a kid.
In other words, she's never been treated like a big sister.
I see the answer now. So, I just need to go for it.
"Kukuku, I get it. You wanna play big sister, huh?"
"Huh?"
"Fine, I'll give you a pass. You can call me 'Hiiro', but don't get too comfy, got it?."
"...Huh!?"
"I'll let you use 'Mr.' for now, but don't think you're all grown up or nothing. Keep it youthful and cocky."
"Uh, um, that's a bit..."
Haha. I knew she'd hesitate. But I can't back down here.
"Spit it out already."
"But, but..."
"You're actin' soft, just say it."
"Well, um..."
"Spit it out."
"F-fine. Okay!"
Finally, I got to hear what Lyam really wanted.
A man doesn't go back on his word, so I'm going to push through no matter what.
With tears in her eyes, she seemed to realize my stubbornness, going quiet and fidgeting, opening and closing her mouth.
"...Hii... ro."
Her lips, like cherry blossoms, pressed together tightly before finally blooming open.
"Yo, you nailed it, though!"
"..."
"Huh? What's wit' the silence now?"
"It just feels really wrong, like, um..."
"...??"
Huh? What does she mean by "wrong"?
She's squirming like she's on fire. What's going on with Lyam?
But I get it. This is probably another mistake on my part.
Because right now, my head is pounding. Thanks to Ms. Ruthless's scolding.
(Master)
(Yeah?)
(Is it your thing to make younger girls feel awkward?)
(Nah, lemme be clear - ain't my style to make young'uns feel uncomfortable)
(Seriously?)
(Yes. I'm truly sorry, ya hear?)
After getting a ton of criticism from Ms. Ruthless,
Lyam finally seemed okay with calling me that, and from then on, she always called me "Hiiro."
Also, I should mention that Shura looked at me with a really cold stare during that time.
Yeah. I really don't know how it ended up like this.
* * *
But that night,
after Hiiro had left, Sham was sound asleep on her bed after enjoying shopping with Shura.
One girl, sitting at a table, finished writing a letter and leaned back in her chair, murmuring.
"Wishes, huh..."
What came to her mind was that rough-talking guy.
He was pushy, reckless, and all over the place, but he tried hard to do something for me, Hiiro Merifar.
He seemed grumpy, but he had this strange charm, and every time I noticed it, my heart would flutter.
Even though he often missed the mark, his kindness really reached Lyam.
"If only I could have said the truth back then..."
Someone who worked so hard for her.
A tall guy with big hands, smelling faintly sweet.
That's why she can't help but think.
"If I had just said, 'Help me,' would Hiiro..."
If she reached out her hand to that big, warm palm,
would he grab it without hesitation?
"...No, that's not right."
Her feelings are still just thoughts.
Holding the small flame of a dim lamp, Lyam sealed the letter with melted wax, smiling softly.
The small fingertip traced the wax seal, which had the emblem of Ráðgríðr, where Lyam originally belonged.
* * *
Still halfway through, in the middle of spring.
A half-hearted skill cannot fully reach out to offer salvation.
But little by little, changes were coming to her heart.
Just like the seasons change. Nothing stays the same.
Even the future of the girl who had faced a mutual defeat in a deadly battle with "Sham Neshana" in Shura the Scorching Flames...
Now, that future was beginning to change,
thanks to the presence of a tall figure with red hair.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)