Chapter 45 I Don’t Want To
「W-what, a human!? What do you want from me?」
The woman turns her strong eyes on me while being on guard.
She’s a bokuko. No, that’s not important……
I don’t need anything from you and I’m not interested in you at all. I came just because I was forced and threatened by the cursed sword.
「D-don’t tell me, the one responsible for the mermaids that missing lately…. Are you trying to abduct me!?」
「Hell no.」
To the woman that was hugging herself while trembling, I reflexively said my frank opinion with a though tone.
There’s no merit for me even if I abduct this woman.
『So you’ll if there’s any merit…?』
Well, depending on the time…
「Let see… I’m Alistar. I’m just a human who stopped by here for some business. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to do something to you, not at all.」
「R-really…?」
Being suspected like that is irritating, so I tell my name to relieve the tension. Even so, there are still various emotions in her eyes.
……Why do I have to be considerate?
「Yeah… If I have to say it, I guess I’m the one that’s scared. That’s because mermaids seem to drag in humans into the sea with their song.」
「Haa? There are no such things. Is there merit for submerging humans to the sea?」
When I show a bit of my weakness, the woman changes into the offensive.
Like hell I know. In fact, there are sea accidents, so I’m scared. There are some bunch that kills people for no reason, mermaids must be like that too.
「The cause of the accident is that people stopped to steer on their own accord when listening to our song, right? That’s not our fault.」
The woman says so in an aloof manner.
How cheeky…
Well, I’m not the one that has an accident, so I don’t care. Although I won’t forgive it if I’m the one that has an accident. The mermaid will be purged.
And the cursed sword that will do it.
『I won’t do that!』
「…So, why is a harmless human here?」
It seems she’s less alert than before.
I have no business anymore and I want to go back, so don’t talk to me…
「Because I heard the song.」
「I thought there was no human around here…」
Ah, I see.
I heard the singing voice because I’m staying in the vacant house, but usually nobody there so no one heard it.
……That village chief has the nerve to place me in a place where mermaid appears…! May misfortune come to that village chief!
「…I don’t usually come here. I try to not draw near humans as possible, mermaids missing recently also become the reason.
Hee, is that so?
I’m hearing disturbing words like ‘missing’ since some time ago, but let’s ignore that. I’m unrelated.
Okay, there you have it. It was a mermaid so can we go back?
Also, it seems there’s nothing wrong here.
「No, no. The fact that she doesn’t usually come here means that she’s here for some reason. Go ask her, and let’s help if there’s something we can do.」
What the hell, there’s a limit to meddlesomeness. He sure is only thinking about something worthless. Go die.
『Just ask her. C’mon, hurry up.』
My head huuurts! You’re being rough recently, you know!?
「So, why are you here?」
「Uh….」
Yield to the headache, I ask something that I don’t want to ask.
The woman looks at me as if appraising me…
I’m not interested, so just speak about it.
「Well, it seems you’re not a bad guy, I think I can talk it if it’s that much…」
The woman mutters so while nodding alone.
Oh, she sure has an eye for people.
『This girl, she doesn’t have an eye for people…』
「…I’m here to practice singing.」
The woman talked about her purpose here with a look that seemed to be a bit sad.
Is that so? I somehow remember about Silk and I hate it.
「Every mermaid can sing beautiful songs naturally, but… I don’t seem to have talent. I can’t sing beautiful songs.」
Her face distorted to a sad expression, but… I’m not interested.
Well, maybe there are mermaids like that too, right?
I’m not familiar with mermaids, so I don’t know if they’re skillful or not.
「Is that so. But, I think it’s amazing to be hardworking like this. One day, I’m sure you’ll be able to sing a beautiful song that won’t lose to other mermaids.」
Okay, I said so irresponsibly. I mean, I don’t understand after all.
「…Hmph. Don’t say baseless things so familiarly.」
The woman turns around prickly.
I’m forcibly coming up with compliments, but what with that attitude! I’ll kill you! By the cursed sword!
『Stop pushing everything to me!』
It’s the right person in the right place.
To be honest, I feel like we’ll be equal if I and this woman exchange blows.
『I’m not a killer machine!』
What the hell is he saying? A sword’s role is nothing but to kill.
「But, let’s see…. If you say that, I guess I’m going to keep trying and getting closer to my older sister. T-thank you…」
The woman said thanks while blushing.
Yeah, that’s fine.
Because I feel better, I accidentally ask her unnecessary things even though it’s better to leave.
「Hee. So you have an older sister.」
「That’s right!」
「Uwa!」
The woman’s face comes closer. Her well-ordered face appears in front of me. But for me, it’s just irritating.
Stop it. I can’t be that open to a person I meet for the first time.
『What are you saying when you’re not opened your heart even to your childhood friend.』
The woman starts to boasting her sister with a glittering face.
「My sister is amazing! She’s more beautiful even among many beautiful mermaids. Also, let alone humans, even mermaids are charmed by her wonderful singing. She’s elegant and she’s yearned by many mermaids because of her gentle personality. She’s exactly a mermaid that admired by other mermaids.」
Is that so…. I’m not interested at all.
If she’s a rich and convenient mermaid that will pamper me… is what I thought. However, I can’t trust a person who is gentle to all people, so from what I heard, that woman is a no.
「Although, I’m worthless as her little sister. I just keep holding back my sister.」
……Was she being compared with her excellent sister?
Well, it’s still better if she’s just looking down on herself, but is her sister also said something?
Well, I’m always excellent even when being compared, so I don’t understand her feelings.
「But now, you’re working so hard and trying to get closer even a little. I think that’s something you can proud of, you know? Next time, it’s you who will be in her place.」
I smiled and said so to the woman.
Half-heartedly.
「……I hear that the kidnappers use sweet words to abduct people. What are you going to do with me…?」
The hell with this woman.
「Ahaha, it’s a lie. Somehow, I feel like it’s been long since I laughed. I always felt guilty because I’m holding back my sister, and the other mermaids also don’t think well of me.」
The woman laughed.
I’m also don’t think well of you. I’m thinking that you’re annoying. Well, it seems this time I won’t be dragged into trouble like with Silk, so I’ll forgive you.
「Hey, can I ask one thing?」
The woman looks up at me and says disturbing words.
No, you can’t.
「I don’t have many friends. Well, I’m holding back my sister, so it can’t be helped… That’s why…」
The woman doesn’t turn her eyes away from mine even while fidgeting.
「W-will you become friend with me…?」
「I don’t want though?」
「Eh……」
「Eh……」
C-crap. I thoughtlessly said my frank opinion by mistake…!
「Fue……」
Ahh, the woman’s eyes are full of tears…!
……Come to think of it, there are some mermaids’ tears that become jewelry? Can I get rich if I sell it…?
Okay, keep crying!!
『No, you cry!!!!』
An angry voice resounds in my brain.
At the same time, the biggest headache eveeeeeeeeeeer!?
Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?
『No matter what it takes, make her stop crying!!』
The voice of the devil resounds while knocking me down in hell’s suffering.
Even though this woman that’s crying on her own…!
「H-hey!」
「Eh……?」
I raise my voice.
Tears had accumulated so much that it was about to fall from her eyes.
I’m the one that wants to cry…
「D-don’t misunderstand. I didn’t say I don’t want to be your friend…」
My body begins to shake.
Pain can make the human body trembling, eh…. I hope this is not a bad signal….
「B-but, you said you don’t want just now…」
Tch, she remembers something unnecessary…!
Think…! The words that will make a big reversal from here and release me from this unbearable headache…!
「Hmph, idiot. Haa, haa… That’s just your way of thinking.」
「……What do you mean?」
My breath is getting rougher…
I’m short of breath even though I’m not moving, aren’t I in a bad state? Can people die from pain…?
「You still don’t understand? I mean…」
I don’t want to say this! But, it’s for being released from this pain!
I show my best ikemen smile to the woman and say insincere words.
「――――We are already friends, right?」
「…Aren’t you conceited?」
The woman looks me with apathetic eyes.
I’ll knock you…!! I don’t say it because I want to…!
However, the cursed sword seemed to be satisfied, the headache was settled down.
Okay, we are done now, damn it.
「But, yes. Maybe I’m a little happy.」
The woman chuckles. As for me, I can’t help feeling sad.
「Best regards, Alistair… was it?」
「Yeah, er…」
She presented her hand. If I ignore it again, it may cause a headache, so I take her hand unwillingly.
『It’s the first time that a man unpleasantly holding a mermaid’s hand…』
……Speaking of which, what was her name again?
I’m not interested though, so it’s fine. Tonight is the first and last encounter.
However, it seemed the woman noticed it and then showed a smile.
「My name is Malta. Malta Pilati. Please treat me well, Alistar.」
I don’t want to…
While thinking so, I held her hand with a smile.
―――――
Bokuko – a girl who’s calling herself as boku.
