TNZKMA 28

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[Are the residencies decided by someone?] 

 

I asked him the question I wondered about some time ago.

Even if it’s decided like this, I don’t think everyone will move in the same manner. Despite our house being for bachelors, it has 3 rooms. Although one of them is the living room/kitchen, there are 2 that can be used as a bedroom. I think some people can still live there all the same even if they get a Reincarnator. Just like Saine.

 

[If it’s reported to the public office, it will tell you where to move.]

[Hmm. It’s being ordered, after all. By report, ‘A Reincarnator has arrived’,  like that?]

[Well, something like that.]

[So then, why is it alright for Saine not to move? You didn’t report it?]

 

Saine kept quiet for a moment when I asked, then he told me.

 

[If the Reincarnator is a man, it’s because there’s a high chance of him being sold,] (TN: Really rude, these people.) 

 

Being told that, my heartbeat leaped once.

 

I know that Saine will sell me, and that’s why I’m saving up and training myself. Even so, hearing Saine directly say it still shocked me. For some reason, my chest hurts a little. (TN: Nuuu, my poor and innocent baby. T_T)

 

[You, you’re right. It’s not like I’ll stay here forever, and we don’t know when your next Ceremony will be either…… And it’s not as if I’ll still be there until the next Ceremony, right?]

 

Somehow, I thought that I’ll be by his side until Saine’s next Ceremony.

According to the grannies, the Ceremony isn’t easy to receive. There are 160 Champions, Treasure Craftsmen, and Heroes* who can use the special slots. Not everyone may be waiting for the Ceremony but, even so, Saine’s next Ceremony will be more than a year later. That’s why I was a little reassured.

I sighed at the reality that was shoved before me.

 

[What’s wrong?]

[Un…… I thought I’ll be able to stay by your side a bit longer…….]

[Is it fun being with me?]

 

Saine’s eyes widened as if he was shocked.

 

[It is. Saine is kind and considerate. I learned a lot of things while with you, and I even aim to be someone useful for my next husband. Even if I fail while learning, I feel like you’ll forgive me.]

[Hmmm. It seems I’ve been underestimated.]

[You’re wrong. That’s not it…… Hmm, this is difficult. I don’t think you’re soft. You’re big, and to be honest, you have a scary side, too. However……. I can read your anger, or should I say, I can understand it.]

 

How should I say it to make him understand? As I was thinking, Haruka’s face came to mind. 

 

[In the Men’s Club, you see, there’s a man called Haruka. He’s my best friend and he said he’s been a Reincarnator for 10 years. You know, Haruka is always beaten by his husband. The others as well, although it’s just the men, are being hit by their husbands. The reason isn’t much, just that his service is sloppy and Haruka can’t stop the blow either. But Kent and Duke are built like Saine, it seems they also retaliate when they’re hit so the injuries don’t become that serious…….Haruka is quite pitiful.]

 

Even when we last saw each other, there were bluish black bruises on his arms.

Haruka’s husband treats him differently depending on whether he’s* drinking alcohol or not. He gets rough once he’s drunk, but he’s gentle when sober. But it’s rare to see Haruka’s husband sober.

 

[Haruka and I are probably of the same race. Even if I’ve grown even older, I could probably only grow as tall as him. If a person from this world hits me with his full strength, I think I’ll end up like Haruka. That’s why I want to butter up to you as much as possible to avoid making you angry.

 

When I looked up to Saine, he laughed through his nose. It feels like he’s telling me how abject I am.

 

[I don’t think you understand it, Saine. You’re big and have the same physique as everyone else, after all. Hey, try making a fist and hold it out.]

 

The moment I clenched my fist and pushed it forward, Saine similarly stuck his own fist out. We put the two fists together. Saine’s fist appeared to be twice bigger than mine.

 

[Look, isn’t it big? My punch may hit like a pebble, but Saine’s feels like a rock violently flying in. Even the ax, aren’t you able to swing it around with one hand? I can barely even swing the smallest one.]

 

When I said that and laughed, Saine also laughed a bit.

 

[Well, though I have such calculations, I do want to stay by your side a bit more even without it. It’s kind of comfortable.]

[You mean my house?]

[Not the house, it’s you. You were really scary at first, and you’re still a bit scary now, but I think it’s okay. When you get home, I feel relieved.]

 

This is true. I used to get nervous whenever Saine got home, but now I feel relieved.

 

[I get worried when you get home late. Being a guard is probably also a dangerous job…….] 

[I don’t work while I’m in town. I’m away from home for a few days whenever I have work.]

[Yeah. I heard a little from the Reincarnators Association about the guard occupation so I can understand it a bit. You bring your clients to pass through forests and mountains, right? That’s why I understand that you’re not working when you come home every day, but being a guard seems grudge-inducing.]

[To whom?]

[Like monsters……. But, do mountains only have monsters? There are always bad people no matter which world, aren’t there? Isn’t your job to protect your clients from thieves and the likes?]

 

When I said that, Saine laughed. Not from the nose this time, but from his mouth. 

 

[Monsters and people are the same. Bad people are bad and good people are good.]

 

With the way he spoke, I understood that my point wasn’t wrong altogether.

 

[If so then I’ll really worry. Monsters may not come inside the town but there are people in swarms.]

[That’s why I’m walking with caution. I don’t get swallowed within the waves of the crowd like you.]

 

A method of walking in the market. He watches people’s movements, reads ahead, and walks. Sure enough, this is how guards walk.

 

[I think Saine is really strong. But there is still a possibility. I don’t want you to get injured or hurt……. Maybe, I should pray, too?] 

[Prei?] (TN: He’s not familiar with the word.)

What a weird pronunciation. I wonder if the people here don’t pray. Come to think of it, he made a strange face when I prayed for the souls of the dead in the wasteland.

 

[You don’t pray? You put your hands together and bow your head. Allec from the Men’s Club do it often. His husband is a lumberjack and I think he’s asking for his safety.]

[Ahh, the lumberjack is a dangerous occupation. The work is done at the entrance of the forest, but it’s more dangerous than beast farmers.]

[Allec always prays to that. Chinbou-sama.*] 

 

When I said that, Saine went ‘ BUHAH’, and laughed.

 

[Eh? Did I say something strange?]

 

Saine wheezed and coughed before he finally took a breath.

 

[Chinbou-sama is not that kind of entity.]

[We can’t pray to them for people’s safety or the likes?]

[We pray that it may safely erect to It.]

[What are you erecting?] (TN: LOOK AT THIS INNOCENCE!!!)

 

When I asked, Saine kept quiet and looked down at me. And then he grinned.

 

[Isn’t it obvious?]

 

His tone made me realize its meaning. I blushed a little and nodded silently. I understand so please don’t say any more.

 

The closer we get to the market, the more people pass by. This world only has men, and the women obtained in the Ceremonies are being kept at home and rarely walkabout.

You can normally predict from the name and shape, huh. Chinbou-sama’s blessing is er*ction. Did Allec know about this?

Yeah, he’s doing it while in the know, that’s for sure,

 

[Don’t worry.]

 

It was said so softly that I almost missed it again. When I ‘Hm?’ed and looked up, Saine was facing straight ahead and whispered again.

 

[I’ll keep it for a while.] (TN: Because there is no indication who he meant, our MC misunderstood.)

[What?]

 

There is no pet in Saine’s house. When I asked what he’s going to keep. Saine’s face flushed red.

 

[You.]

 

He was walking slowly but he got faster again. I hurriedly caught up and grabbed Saine’s arm.

 

[Is that true? Hey, are you really going to keep me?]

 

I’m so happy that I repeatedly ask him. Saine didn’t shake my hand off but strongly hugged my shoulders instead.

 

[Don’t let go, you’ll get lost.]

 

I’m happy to have Saine’s strong hands. When I just arrived here, I was scared of them. They were big and rock-like, they were very scary. But I’m not scared now. I get nervous once he glares at me, but it’s now more fun than scary.

 

[I, too, want to be with Saine a bit more.]

 

We are being engulfed by the hustle and bustle of the market. I’m not sure if he could hear it, but I didn’t care and told Saine.

 

[I like you, Saine.]

When I just reincarnated, the Reincarnators Association and the Men’s Club were important. I was taught a lot of things and we hang out with each other as fellow Reincarnators. But now, I think being with Saine is also enjoyable. Talking with the grandpa next door is fun. I wonder if I’ve gotten used to this place.

Saine is looking straight ahead and reading the crowd’s movements. I’m being led by Saine’s hand, I’m able to walk smoothly without hitting others. Among the people in this world, the most reliable person is Saine. When I’m with him, I feel like I can walk on the streets without getting lost.

 

Is this the voice of my heart?

The voice of the heart that grandpa was talking about reverberates in my heart.

 

 

 

TN: Many thanks to Sephi-chama and Aldnonymous from NUF for their help.