Arc 3 Chapter 3: “”I” am Yui”
Looking back on it later, it was a picture too helpless to do anything about, but we were just panicking anyway.
Forgetting to hide various things, we changed clothes in a flurry. I was grateful that the adventurer-like woman casually averted her eyes.
Just at the very last moment when I slid my arm into the sleeve of my jacket, a blonde male adventurer—a contrast to the silver-haired woman—appeared, weaving through the trees.
Even though I say blonde, it wasn't a vivid hue like Lenks, but a calm color slightly tinged with black.
Looking to the side, it seemed "I (watashi)" also made it in time.
"Huh? I thought I was the first one here."
The youthful man scratched his head looking frustrated.
Strangely enough, I couldn't feel any Qi from this man either.
"There were customers before us."
"Hmm. To have advanced this far, they must be quite capable. But I haven't seen their faces before."
The man looked me and "Me" up and down as if sizing us up.
Well, we didn't exactly advance here; we just happened to land here by chance.
"What's your name? I'm Land. Land Sundyne. An up-and-coming young adventurer. I'm partnered with Sil there."
"Silvia Cloudy. Call me Sil."
She pointed to her chest and made a cheerful smile. Both of them seemed to be friendly people.
"I'm Yu. I'm traveling."
"I thought so. You seem quite accustomed to traveling."
Land nodded.
Before I knew it, perhaps I had acquired the dignity of a traveler; I was being seen that way more often.
"And you are?"
Sil urged "Me".
"I" had been keeping silent since a while ago, but soon I understood the reason.
"Umm. I am—"
With a face saying she was troubled, she turned her eyes to me asking for help.
That's right. "I" didn't have a name.
Because we had always been together until now. Even without deciding a name, we communicated normally, but from now on, it won't work like that. I can't name myself Yu the same as me.
Just as I was trying to cooperate via telepathy, "I" seemed to have come up with a brilliant idea and suddenly became all smiles.
Wrapping her arm tightly around mine,
"I'm his older sister, Yui."
She named herself boldly.
...Excuse me? Older sister?
I looked blankly at the profile of "Me" who was clinging to me. "I" pushed her elbow against me gui-gui, signaling me to play along.
If it comes to this, it can't be helped.
"A-Ah. That's right. We are siblings."
"Hee. Traveling as siblings, huh. You get along well."
"Ah—... So she was your older sister, huh."
Land, who witnessed nothing, was calm.
However, Silvia's eyes were retreating suuu as if she had seen something she shouldn't have seen. She is totally put off.
Uwah. See, as expected. Because you said older sister, we are being misunderstood in a terribly wrong direction!
『Hey. This is bad.』
『It's fine. What has been seen cannot be helped. Let's just be glad the other party was a girl.』
You're opening up there?
『By the way, why older sister?』
Although there were times when she often acted like an older sister, if we talk about the order of birth, I should be first for the time being. Since you are a personality that appeared when I was a child.
『See. That's because Yu is like a cute younger brother.』
She rubs her cheek against my shoulder affectionately.
She has been like this ever since I was small. It's like I'm loved no matter how old I get. Or rather, I'm being doted on.
『What about the name Yui?』
『Because I am "one step above" you.』
『Ah. I see.』
In the Japanese syllabary order (a-i-u-e-o), "Yi" comes before "u", so that's why it's Yui.
『It's a name that fits nicely for something thought up on the spot, right?』
『That's true.』
And, as we were staring at each other and exchanging telepathy.
"Oi... It's fine that you get along well, but."
"Could you please come back from your own world soon?"
Ah.
Coming to my senses, the two were smiling wryly, slightly pulling back.
That's right. Time flows slowly inside the 『World of Heart』, so we tend to talk as much as we like. But here, it's bad.
『We have to be careful from now on. Umm, Yui...』
It still feels unfamiliar to call her that, but let's use it little by little. Although it feels somewhat itchy.
『Okay.』
"I"—now Yui—loosened her arm that was wrapped around mine. However, she didn't stop casually grabbing my sleeve.
"By the way. What business brought you deep into this unexplored forest?"
"That's right. Even though you are not adventurers. It's a place where a map hasn't even been completed yet. There are no human settlements either."
Judging from the way they speak, this place seems to be quite a secluded region.
Well, if we pretend we were just lost appropriately, there should be no problem.
" "About that." "
Coincidentally, my voice overlapped with Yui's.
It happens sometimes. Pulling myself together.
" "Umm." "
I and Yui look at each other's faces with a start.
Again? It happens rarely, right.
Nodding to each other,
" "Actually." "
" "......" "
We are hit with a gaze of blame asking why we are speaking together. Probably I had the same look in my eyes too.
Alright. This time for sure.
" "The thing is." "
" "......" "
What should I do? We harmonize!
That's right. If I think about it carefully, we were originally the same person divided into two. Thinking and timing, wouldn't various things overlap?
Then, maybe it's better for you to stay silent for a bit.
" "Hey, you." "
" "...Haa?" "
We pointed fingers at each other simultaneously. It was a movement contrasting like a mirror.
Unable to bear it, Land started laughing loudly holding his belly.
"Ahhahha! What's that! Are you doing a skit or something!"
"You guys are weird!"
Sil also seems to think something is funny, leaking laughter unable to endure it.
My cheeks are hot. I'm starting to feel terribly embarrassed.
No good. Calm down.
Kohon, I clear my throat. Even that timing was perfectly together. Land was about to roll around.
Aah, geez!
『『Anyway.』』
『......』『......Go ahead.』
『Anyway, I'll explain first, so please be silent for a bit!』
『U-Un. Understood!』
Glancing at Yui who turned bright red and fell silent meekly, I cleared my throat again and began to explain the situation.
I said something plausible like we were on a carefree journey but lost our way and wandered aimlessly for a while. There was no problem because we were picking food around there.
Perhaps because they are honest people, the two seemed to believe it easily.
"Hohoou. And you managed to survive well with that. Even though there are many dangerous creatures around here."
Land seemed completely impressed.
"Siblings alone in an extreme environment, huh. On cold nights, putting skin together, forbidden..."
"Forbidden what?"
"No. It's nothing."
To Land who asks, Sil floated a forced smile and deceived him. It seemed that the outrageous misunderstanding had completely settled in, and she was expanding forbidden delusions. Even though it's self-inflicted, my head hurts.
Yui was also sighing. Even though we are not like that at all.
Then, Land said as if he came up with an idea.
"That's right. Since you said you were lost. Would you like to come with us? We'll take you to the campsite."
"Agreed. They say company in distress makes sorrow less."
It was a proposal I couldn't ask for more. While I know nothing about the world, it is extremely helpful to be guided by people who know the situation well.
"Yes. Then we'll take you up on your offer."
"Please treat us well."
Forming a four-person party, we began to walk through the dense forest with steps accustomed to traveling.