Chapter 196.1 - When it Pours the Ground Grows Firmer (1/2) (1/2)
Chapter 196: When it Pours the Ground Grows Firmer (1/2)
The next day.
Feeling the touch of the cold morning air, I opened my eyes.
“Good morning.” [Ryouma]
“Good morning, Ryouma-kun.” [Kai]
“You’re awake, I see. Yesterday sure was tough.” [Kei]
When I went to the washroom, I happened into Kai-san and Kei-san. They probably also came here to prepare themselves for the day. They still looked sleepy, though.
As expected, they talked about the events last night.
After I left Niki-kun’s secret base, we suffered no more difficulties and the conversations went by smoothly.
Niki-kun followed right behind me. He became nervous as we approached the village, but he didn’t get cold feet and say something like ‘I don’t think I can go home after all!’ No. He properly went back with his own two legs.
Also, s.h.i.+n-san, Peiron-san, and Kai-san were the only ones waiting outside the secret base. Sein-san and Kei-san had gone back ahead to the village to inform the others that Niki-kun was safe. I think that played a huge part too.
Nothing out of the ordinary really happened other than Niki-kun’s dad trying to hit him as soon as he got back. They spoke calmly and normally.
“By the way, Ryouma-kun. How’s your face?” [Kai]
“Oh, it’s perfectly fine.” [Ryouma]
“That’s good to hear. I was so shocked when you suddenly jumped in and took that punch.” [Kai]
“Yeah, yeah. I heard you promised to protect Niki, but still…” [Kei]
“When I thought of how Niki-kun’s dad was worrying over him too, I felt it wouldn’t be good if he just subdued him like that.” [Ryouma]
“Even then I don’t think there was any need for you to take that punch with your face.” [Kai]
“Ha ha ha…” [Ryouma]
Well, at least everything ended well.
As we laughed like that, we finished readying ourselves for the day and headed to work while it was still dark.
Along the way we happened upon a couple of familiar faces.
“Huh? Hey, you two. Are those Niki-kun and his parents?” [Ryouma]
“Looks like it.” [Kai]
“What are they doing?” [Kei]
While we were talking, Niki-kun and his parents noticed us.
Niki-kun waved his hands at us and approached us with his parents.
“Onii-chan, good morning!” [Niki]
“Good morning, Niki-kun.” [Ryouma]
I greeted his parents too, and they bowed their heads deeply toward us.
“Thank you very much for finding our son yesterday. We couldn’t thank you properly yesterday, so we thought we’d offer our thanks today.” [Mother]
“Ahh… Well, it was already dark by the time we got back to the village. It can’t be helped.” [Kai]
“We talked too, so the night grew even later.” [Kei]
“Even then I still have to give our thanks or I won’t be satisfied.” [Dad]