I Was Ready... | |||
|---|---|---|---|
I think there was something that I wasn't willing to face. About the code. About my sister. I still think about it now. If I had been able to face everything... Maybe things would have been different. | |||
| |||
 Ren |
... | ||
 Servant |
Please leave Lady Natsume's care to me. You shouldn't have to be bothered with things like— | ||
Ren |
It's fine. We should change the bandages on her hands. | ||
Servant |
Ren... | ||
| Stop bothering the servant. I can get by fine on my own. | |||
Ren |
Natsume! You need to lie down. | ||
| I don't like that I'm making you make that face. I know that it can't be helped, but... Also, as long as I'm laid up, your training is being delayed. | |||
Ren |
Who cares about that right now? Your health is— | ||
| You think you can tell me what to do even though you can't beat me? If you have time to worry about my health, you have time to train. | |||
Ren |
Urgh... Natsume, are you sure you're not a demon? | ||
| You're fine if you can make jokes like that. Let's start your training. | |||
Ren |
But... | ||
| What is it, Ren? | |||
Ren |
... | ||
| ... | |||
Ren |
(Were Natsume's arms always this thin?) (I thought there was no way my sister would die. That she would train me hard just like always.) (But...) (My sister continues to bear the weight of our code even with her arms so thin and her life so limited.) (If only I was strong enough to bear some of the weight...) (Maybe I could extend my sister's life, even just a little bit.) (A year... An hour... Even a minute.) Natsume, I... | ||
Servant |
Terrible news! There are reports that demons are approaching the village! | ||
Ren |
What?! | ||
Ren |
I'll be there. You rest, Natsume. | ||
| I won't. Killing demons is part of the code. | |||
Ren |
Natsume! | ||
| I've rested plenty. You don't need to worry about me. | |||
Ren |
Natsume! ... | ||
Later... | |||
| |||
 Ogre A |
... | ||
| ! | |||
Ogre B |
... | ||
| ! | |||
Ogre C |
... | ||
Ren |
Wow... | ||
| I told you, didn't I? I've rested enough. I'm not as close to death as you think I am. | |||
Ren |
... | ||
| Well then, let's return. | |||
Ren |
Wait, Natsume. | ||
| What is it? | |||
Ren |
... | ||
| Ren? | |||
Ren |
I, uh... Maybe, instead of you, I could— | ||
| We're going home. We still haven't finished our training for today. | |||
Ren |
Natsume. | ||
| I'm going to work you hard today. I wonder if you'll be able to keep up? I can't wait to see. | |||
Ren |
... Fine! I won't lose today! I'll show you what I can do! | ||
| Hmph. I look forward to it. | |||
Ren |
I'll be waiting! | ||
| (No, Ren.) (I've been fighting harder than I ever thought I could just so that you wouldn't have to say those words.) (I didn't want you to bear the burden of the demons, my illness, or our code.) (But...) (It seems I don't have any time left.) I'll have to make sure I'm prepared. | |||
I knew that I had to do it. That I had to shoulder the responsibilities of our code to help my sister. I thought that if I could lighten her burden, she would be able to live her life that much more fully. But she never let me say it. There was a part of me that was relieved. But... Another part of me was extremely frustrated by it. | |||
| ← Soap Bubbles and Deception/Episode 2 | ♦ Soap Bubbles and Deception ♦ | Soap Bubbles and Deception/Episode 4 → |
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