NOVEL NEXT Chapter 310 - What is Love?
What is Love?
It was a bit awkward, but I called out to Gil-san after going outside. His reaction was the usual, he seemed calm. I’ve also calmed down, and he’s probably better at calming down quickly than me. Yeah.
“Well then, let’s go.”
“U-Uh-huh.”
But I feel like there’s a bit of distance between us, as if we’re more distant than usual. Maybe he’s creating that wall, maybe it’s me, I don’t know, but… it makes me sigh, thinking that this is what growing up is. A child’s innocence is so comforting. Phew.
“Meg! Gil! Good morning!”
“Good morning, Asuka.”
I was healed seeing Asuka, surrounded by tons of food and fried chicken. It’s so enjoyable to watch him eat because he always seems to be so happy. Fried food in the morning is a bit too much for me, but I feel like I could eat one, just by watching him. It’s weird.
“…He really does eat a lot.”
“Hmm, I can never eat enough.”
Asuka nonchalantly answered Gil-san, who’d muttered that in a bored tone. His stomach is a black hole… he’s still small now, but I wonder if he’s going to get even bigger? He’s gotten into weight training too, so maybe a handsome, muscular elf will appear.
“By the way, Meg.”
I’d gotten my own breakfast and sat beside Asuka. He called out to me, seemingly remembering something.
“You and Gil are sharing a tent, but… there are no… ‘mistakes’?”
“Gu-… cough, cough…!”
I was speechless, and then, for some reason, Gil-san choked. Oh, no, he dropped a bomb! I wonder if Asuka understands what he’s saying. …I’m sure he does. He was even teaching Owen-san about love. Where does he learn all that, I wonder? Where did that innocent, pure Asuka go!?
“A-A mistake? You know, like when a man and a woman…”
“Stop there.”
“Ugh, muu! Muu! Muu!”
Asuka was trying to explain further, but Gil-san stopped him. He seems to be complaining, but I can’t understand what he’s saying, because he’s covering his mouth. A-Ahaha….
“It’s still too early for you two.”
“Muu? Muu, muuu!”
The battle continues. But, it’s Gil-san, you know. Asuka has no chance.
It’s too early, huh? It’s true in terms of age. But I already know about it, intellectually. Maybe it’s too early for them to have those kinds of conversations. Then I understand.
And to be honest, I find myself wondering this: am I not interested enough in that area? Even when Asuka brought up the topic just now, I was surprised that he was the one who said it, but I wasn’t fazed, and I wasn’t interested. I just thought it was awkward in front of Gil-san, that’s it.
I’ve always been kind of nonchalant. It’s not like I’ve never had a lover before, but it was more like a friendship, or something like that. Why am I so uninterested? Love, huh? Love.
“I wonder what it’s like to… be in love.”
Oops, it slipped out. Whatever. I’ll continue eating breakfast, I thought, picking up my spoon, and then I noticed Gil-san and Asuka staring at me, their eyes wide. Wh-What?
“Meg, y-you… have someone you’re in love with… !?”
“Eh? No, not really. I was just wondering… what it’s like. I was just a bit curious.”
I thought I’d figure it out someday! But come to think of it, I did think that when I was Megu, and then I ended up growing up without ever knowing. I had this strange theory that you’d understand everything once you grew up. And that means I might be repeating the same thing…
I haven’t really changed, have I? I do listen to people’s troubles and I’m understanding, but I’m so stuck when it comes to love. I hope I’ve progressed in other areas.
“Then let’s be in love! I’ll teach you everything!”
“Ahaha, thank you!”
“…You’re definitely not serious about that.”
I mean, Asuka’s like my little brother. It’s embarrassing that he’s saying things like that, and he’s always been doing that. I’m not immune to it, so I immediately blush. This is no good! I’m a seventy-year-old elf child…
Just as we were talking about that, someone placed a hand on our heads. Mine and Asuka’s.
“There’s no need to rush. You’ll know when the time comes.”
“Gil-san… the time comes, huh? Yeah, that’s right!”
That’s right, it wasn’t something I needed before! That’s why I didn’t know, and didn’t even try to find out. That’s all it is.
“How come you’re not in a relationship? Are you married?” I’m sure those nosy neighbors, who ask me those questions, are just trying to teach me because they know. Probably.
“Hmm. Then do you understand, Gil-san? Have you ever been in love?”
I was somehow startled by Asuka’s straightforward question. Eh, but I’m curious… about Gil-san’s love life!
“Ah, well, they’d be by his side if he had. It doesn’t seem like he’d get rejected, though.”
“…………”
But Asuka came to that conclusion before Gil-san could even answer. Ah, that’s right. Demi-humans, if they’re in love with someone, that person automatically becomes their mate. And even if it’s a one-sided love, those feelings rarely change. It’s part of their beast instincts. And it’s said that the same part remains in demi-humans, who, as they say, have evolved from beasts, gaining intelligence.
But that also varies from individual to individual. There are those who start dating after just feeling a little something, like Maryla-san. And then there are those who just want to have a physical relationship, like Mikolasch-san. But they can instantly tell when it’s serious. It’s like, “This is the one!”
But if they do get rejected, then it must be painful. It’s like, when you’re hopelessly in love with someone, but they already have someone else. It’s hard to get them to like you back, as long as they have that instinct. It’s great if they’re mutual, though.
“Thinking about that, being a demi-human is hard. Because you can’t move on if you get rejected.”
Hmm? The way Asuka’s saying that… does it mean that human-shaped races, those who aren’t demi-humans, like elves, dwarves, and gnomes, don’t experience that? But now that I think about it, it’s true. It’s a beast instinct. It’s like a trait passed down on a genetic level. It would only make sense for those races who don’t have any ties to beasts… right?
“It probably depends on the race. Human-shaped races are said to have been human-shaped beasts, from the beginning. So if a race has those traits… then there’s no real difference from demi-humans.”
“Eh, really? So they’re also incredibly heartbroken if they get rejected?”
“I don’t know about elves. Why don’t you ask Schlie.”
Ah, that’s right. They were human-shaped beasts, a long time ago. Or rather, it means that everyone who lives here, aside from humans, was once a beast. It’s a strange feeling. Especially because they sometimes have to hunt those beasts who rampage and trouble humans. The mysteries of evolution…
“That’s not important right now, finish your meal. The tournament’s tomorrow. The tournament brackets will be announced in the afternoon. We’re going to train hard in the morning.”
“That’s right! Meg, I’ll carry your dishes!”
“W-Thank you!”
I’d been so engrossed in the conversation that I’d stopped eating. I quickly finished my milk and stood up. Just as I was going to take my cup, Gil-san stopped me, grabbing my wrist. I’m startled, just by that. What’s… wrong?
“Meg, your heart… is yours alone. You might have a lot of things on your mind, but make sure to never forget that.”
“? Yeah…”
My heart is mine alone, huh? What does that mean? I don’t really understand why he said that, or what it means, but it’s probably important. I answered vaguely, and Gil-san smiled. It was a strange, lingering smile.
Gil-san’s training is surprisingly intense. We’re doing a lot of basic exercises, and then it’s just sparring against Asuka. And a Shadow Bird keeps pecking me when there’s an opening, so I keep making weird noises, “Wahyah!” I know it’s my fault for creating openings, but I’m not very athletic, so I’m yelling twice as much as Asuka. Ugh!
“But why… can’t I… win…?”
Asuka’s lying on his back, gasping for breath. That’s right, I haven’t lost once today! Ehen! Even though he’s been taking advantage of all my weaknesses.
“Because you haven’t found any openings in Meg’s movements. You could win in an instant if you found one. Asuka, you’re making a lot of unnecessary movements.”
“Y-Yeah… everyone’s been telling me that…”
Asuka covers his face with his arms, looking incredibly depressed at Gil-san’s criticism. It’s a very different way of expressing frustration. Asuka normally just yells about it when he’s frustrated. Maybe he’s really upset.
“That means… you still have room to grow. Don’t waste your time being upset, train harder.”
“I-I know!”
It means he’s got potential! Gil-san’s ruthless when it comes to training. But I’m grateful that he knows when to go easy on us.
“You need to train your reflexes, Meg… That’s something that doesn’t happen overnight. You need to train every day, even after the tournament.”
“Ugh, yes…!”
Of course, he’s not going easy on me either. He’s right, so I’ll definitely keep it in mind!
“Ugh, I’m definitely going to win tomorrow…!”
“It’s finally the real thing, huh? …But we still don’t know who we’ll be fighting, do we?”
That’s right. They said the tournament brackets would be announced in the afternoon, but it’s almost time, right? And then Gil-san chuckled and said,
“Apparently, they’ve already been announced. Shall we go back to the base and check?”
““Yes!””
Asuka and I answered in unison. Because we’ve been waiting for this! And we were just done training. We took Gil-san’s hands, one each, and hurried towards the base. Excited!
When we returned, there were quite a few people back, gathered around the table. I’m sure they’re looking at the tournament brackets. Asuka and I also rushed over and called out.
“Ah, you’re here! See, they’ve announced it!”
Saura-san gestured for us to come over, and those standing, making sure we could see, moved aside. Thank you, thank you. I then leaned my head next to Asuka’s and peered at the brackets. I’m nervous!
“Wow! I’m in the first round! My opponent is… Myke? I don’t know him.”
“Hmm, Myke… he’s a boy from Stella, I think.”
Kei-san answered Asuka, who was tilting his head. There are seven people in total, participating in the underage division. Because it’s a tournament, one person’s going to have a bye… and I have that spot. When I told Saura-san, she said it was decided by drawing lots.
“Eh, so if I fight Meg, it’ll be in the final round!”
“Fufu, you’re confident you’ll get that far, Ryuasukatius. That’s good, it’s a great attitude.”
That’s right, if I fight Asuka, it’ll be in the finals, after both of us win. Will I be able to get that far?
“Meg-chan’s opponent is going to be whoever wins the third round, so it’ll be either Heidemarie from Schutor or Rune from Annulus!”
“I see, so I still don’t know who I’m fighting. Ugh, I’m so nervous!”
The conversation at the table then shifted to, “That person’s good at that kind of magic,” and “What kind of countermeasures can we use?” The tension’s getting higher…!!
It’s finally time for the opening ceremony!