MaruMA:Hajimari:Conrad

Hajimari no Tabi Special Short Story: Conrad

Text: Tomo Takabayashi
Illustration: Temari Matsumoto

Yuuri who was leisurely taking an afternoon nap in the meadow, woke up as if something snapped.

All of a sudden six people with their whole body camouflaged climbed down. Of course there was nothing like a rod even if he looked up at the sky.

"Whoa what !? What what, what did I do !? More importantly, where's the rope ? Where is it hooked to !?"

"The target has been spotted in the east meadow of the watch tower !"

"All right, disband"

On Lord Weller's signal, who approached them from behind, the camouflaged people disappeared in an instant. Yuuri's body was still stiff and he couldn't move.

"To prepare to rescue a hostage in times of emergencies, a special unit outside the army has been planned to be created...... my apologies, did I surprise you"

"Anyone would be surprised"

"Since currently, they are under the so called trial period and since the excellent personnel are under training so alongside their training they have been searching for your majesty's ware bouts. But seeing as they made the target fearful, they still have a long way to go. Although according to our plan they were supposed to be more silent, drawing near unnoticed. If I say so, like a terrorist organization formed by ninjas"

"You’re talking about such a scary organization again....."

Yuuri took a deep breath and supported his body by placing both his hands near his waist. Looks like is throbbing finally subsided. Next to him Conrad kneeled down and crouched and reached his hand for the thin leaf stuck on Yuuri's clothes. And then made a face as if he realized it just now.

"......That's strange, this is the annual plant that only grows towards the southwest of the wetlands. Since the footing there during this season is unstable, didn't I request you not to go there ?"

He questioned him in such a way that he could only reply 'YES' every now and then. Yuuri easily surrendered and giving in raised both his hands.

"I know, I know. I went there earlier, I went and quickly returned. It was really quick"

"Why did you go to such a place ? It couldn't be that the timber there is suitable for a bat"

"......To catch a rabbit"

"Rabbit hunting ? Didn't you say earlier that you don't like hunting much"

"Of course I won't hunt ! I have no intentions of shooting. Just that there was a wild rabbit's burrow near there, so I thought that I could catch a small rabbit...... For Greta as a pet"

When it comes to the daughter who came under his guidance due to various reasons, he's always a little shy. Although that state itself reminded of a little animal's parent and child and it was pleasing, if it was for his daughter even stepping into a dangerous place, it's another story.

"If you need a pet Gwendal can make arrangements any time. Since he looks for foster parents for kittens and puppies all round the year"

"But look, the time she spends a long time over at Beatrice's place right ? That's why I feel that the puppy or kitten will be pitiable"

What could he have meant by pitiable. Conrad shut his mouth without trying to understand. Since so many people work in the castle there must be someone who likes animals among them. If it's the king's adopted daughter's beloved pet then they would gladly take care of it in her absence. Speaking of which the possibility of Gwendal, who is an adoptive parent, himself happily raising it is high.

Yuuri failing to get rid of the entangled grass, it ended up covering his hair even more. Conrad without hesitation while helping him murmured within his mouth that it would be better if he let him handle it.

"But indeed, don't puppies and kittens get attached to the one who is closest to them and kindly takes care of them ? Even if you keep small dogs or cats, no of course I think it will get attached to Greta since she's their master. But just in case, just in case, right ? If it gets attached to the person taking care of it in her absence then...... wouldn't that be a little painful ?"

"Yes"

"Even in my house there are two dogs, they are crossbreeds. To put it better they are called mixed breed. Although they had been kept for me and big brother, since I was busy with school and practice, we ended up leaving even the walks and food to my mother. And to be honest they really ended up growing as dogs with the best look ! Well, I enjoyed without even taking care of them, but somewhere it was lonely indeed"

"I see"

He understood that feeling painfully well.

No matter from how far you pray or think, it's no match for the person who is near and affectionately hugs them. It's even better if it's the parents. It would be presumptuous even to arrange their feelings.

But it doesn't matter even if those feelings never reach. It's fine as long as the puppy is happy.

"That's why I was thinking that a wild rabbit wouldn't get much used to even in her absence. I don't know well, but don't all wild animals don't get used to people ? Ah, but if that's the case then it won't get attached to even Greta. That would be a little troublesome"

"So then, how was the harvest ?"

"Zero"

Yuuri raised his eyebrows in pity, looking up to the heavens.

"Just that they were trembling hiding behind the parent rabbit, I couldn't yield them. They were so pitiable there's no way I could pull them apart"

"You're kind"

"Me ? No, that's not it, it's only in that place, I was quite careless. While saying that wild rabbits are pitiable or chickens are pitiable, I can eat fried spring chicken for dinner on the same day without any concern . If I think properly then I'm contradicting myself. Just that they tasty, it can't easily win over your appetite."

It conveys the same meaning as he can't become a vegetarian.

"But today in deference to the love between parent and child, I spared them !"

"And you got a kick from the wild rabbit's hind legs"

"H...how do you know that !?"

As usual, he rounded his eyes.

"Along with the grass there are foot marks, Yuuri, stay still"

Conrad covered Yuuri's cheek with his right hand and touched it with a thin leaf and his dry thumb. Without bothering about getting dirty himself, he was caressing or rubbing just like that.

"A cat or a dog would be safe indeed, yes...... I'll ask Greta whether she likes cats or dogs"

"Unexpectedly, she might like some completely different animal. Since that child gets attached to unusual creatures"

"For example what ? Like cicadas !?"

After pretending to think a little, he purposely cited names of animals which cannot be kept as pets.

"That's right, like bone fish or the kubi raccoon that inhibits the riverside, or maybe......"

Maybe a young boy with a wild rabbit's stamp on his cheek.

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