Intermission: Zena (1/2)

Intermission: Zena

The invoked magic wraps my body.

Even though it's a sensation that I'm familiar with, right now it's irritating.

To confirm the effect I take a step forward.

Okay, it is working properly.

Together with the wind.

I am running.

◇

I met that person yesterday. Even though it has not been even a full day yet since then, I feel like it has been longer than that.

I thought that I could defend the demon's attack with my magic, but my body became battered instead. My feet and arms were throbbing in pain, I was like a doll, unable to move.

I slightly turn my neck.

Fortunately, before I slammed into the ground, I was caught in roadside tree's branches somewhere.

...Fortunately? Is it really so?

My life force is going to disappear first before that overly strong demon could be defeated and for someone from the army to find me.

Even now, my blood is dripping out little by little.

My consciousness is fading but I come back to myself when I hear someone's footsteps. I muster all of the little energy I have left, and turn my sight.

That someone is wearing a robe so gaudy it's hurting your eyes.

I, who was on the brink of death, still think how out of place it looks in daily life.

I want to go back to (that) daily life too!

Even though I feel exhausted looking at that gaudy robe, I call out for him before he's gone. He has a voice that feels like he's going to be carefree wherever he is.

◇

Running.

Avoiding people, avoiding wagon, I am running.

Ahead, even a step.

Faster, even a moment.

I am running.

◇

I wonder if I blacked out, after calling him out, he immediately stands beside me.

It's a very calm-looking boy which you wouldn't think would wear that gaudy robe.

I wouldn't call him handsome, but he's someone who's giving you a favorable impression.

After ascertaining my wounds and dealing with my fractures, he gently, yes, very gently lifts me up to his arms.

His robe, which looks really new, is dirtied by my blood and dust.

But he doesn't seem to mind those kind of things at all.

Despite his delicate appearance, he has enough power to carry me without looking strained.

I wonder how will he bring me down from the tree?

With magic?

Contrary to my expectation, he flies from the branches without even using magic.

◇

I run through the alley.

Without killing my momentum, I kick the wall to turn at the corner.

I avoid people who are surprised like I'm dancing.

I don't even mind my skirt fluttering around.

I run using every ounce of my strength.

◇

I close my eyes in order to endure the soon-to-come impact.

I hear someone screams annoyingly close to my ears, but it was my own voice.

He doesn't seem to directly go down below but jumps over a series of branches and go up the roof.

What a nimble person!

Let's call him Nimble-san from now on.

While carrying me, he's ferrying across several roofs, looking for a place to go down.

He was jumping up and down several times, but he was doing it like a weightless feather. As if he has wings.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to be flying in the sky?

◇

I am losing breath.

But I can't stop now.

I was entrusted to call for reinforcement, for the sake of not letting him die.

I am ignoring the scream of my body.

I will let it rest however much later.

Right now I must be faster, even one step.

◇

When we're going through a cramped house, he's being very careful as to not make my fractured limbs touch the furnitures.

I feel like a princess after receiving this much of careful attentions.

A luxurious thing, considering I had readied myself to die just before.

Whenever he avoids the furnitures, our bodies are getting in close contacts.

I've done training with male coworkers before, but he has no beast-like body odors unlike those men. On the contrary, I can faintly smell elegant-like fragrance.

His hair is smooth too. I want to touch that for a bit...

The fight has ended in the plaza. Apparently they won.

I am led by him to receive the medical treatment.

He hands me over to the relief station after the treatment is finished, and goes to rescue other people.

During our parting, he turns around and waves at me once.

I don't know if that was for me, but I feel a bit happy.

◇

It's almost the central main street.

A child suddenly jumps out from the sideway.

I cannot avoid him as it is. I jump over the child, performing a somersault in the air.

I know it's shameless since I'm wearing a skirt, but now it's not the time to be concerned about it.

I leave the child's safety to the adults nearby.

Imposing my feet with unreasonableness for the last time.

◇

On the evening of that day, Lilio and my friends made fun of me when they saw me talking with Nimble-san ”Spring finally comes to Zena huh~”, they said.

I don't understand love even if you tell me.

Whenever I'm thinking about him, I somehow feel like running in a lap.

If this is really love then I can understand why Lilio, who's a love-maniac, is fast to react.