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Ch. 5: The Crow's Deceleration of War

Leeya had been working alone on a plan to drive away the crows, and I came to help in his endeavor. After a while…-.

Leeya: "Hey, bring me that measuring device."

 

OO: "Got it."

 

Leeya: "Thanks, and can you calculate this?"

 

OO: "Yes, I'll try…!"

 

Although Leeya taught me a great many things, I still had a ways to go before I wouldn't be a burden, but…

 

Leeya didn't push me away.

 

Leeya: "Aah, if we do it this way I'll lose 0.1 millimeter…"

 

Leeya said it like a complaint.

 

With a thud, he flopped down, face up, then began fiddling with one of the charms on his hat like usual.

 

Ah, that's one of his habits…

 

When he was thinking about something, he'd often play with the charms on his hat.

 

I…

 

[CHOICE]

  • Quietly say something (SUN)

  • Quietly move closer (MOON)

 

 

Leeya: "Anyway…you're really trying hard huh."

 

 OO: "Eh…?"

 

Leeya: "Honestly I figured you'd have run off somewhere by now …"

 

OO: "But you're so nice Leeya…I'd never do that."

 

Leeya: "I'm nice? You've got a screw loose or somethin'."

 

Saying as much, Leeya smiled, unconcerned.

 

I felt like his smile had become especially gentle recently…

 

When we're together, sometimes…my chest hurts.

 

OO: "But…everyone adores you Leeya."

 

Leeya: "Yeah well, that's just 'cause they rely on my brains."

 

OO: "That's not…!"

 

Leeya: "Besides, it's boring."

 

OO: "Eh…?"

 

Leeya: "It's boring…Before, I was so worried about not having any brains, and  I didn't want people to call me an idiot…but then my wish came true, and now they call me a genius. 'Cause of that, it's kinda lonely…Seriously, I feel like I'm all alone."

 

Leeya suddenly grabbed his hat and hid his face.

 

Leeya: "OO…"

 

OO: "…!"

 

Still hiding his face, Leeya gently took my hand.

 

What do I do…I feel something tightening around my chest.

 

Unable to bear it, I tightly squeezed his hand back.

 

Leeya: "Hey…if this plan goes well, and I'm able to get the country protected…I wanna go travelling like before. A journey like the old days, where I'd look for awesome things that'd make my heart sparkle…"

 

Listening to Leeya's confession broke my heart…

 

We sat there in silence for a while, holding each other's hand…-.

 

That evening…-.

 

I couldn't bring myself to sleep as I remembered what Leeya had told me when…

 

There was a 'thud' like something hitting the window.

 

What…?

 

At the same time as I hesitantly got up from the bed…

 

OO: "…!"

 

The window was shattered with a violent force, and a flock of crows flew inside.

 

Leeya: "OO! You OK!?"

 

I figured Leeya had heard the crash and come running from his room.

 

OO: "Leeya…!"

 

Swiping at the crows that had swarmed around me, Leeya held me tightly as if to protect me.

 

Leeya: "Damn…! This is playin' dirty you bastards! What do you want!? If you wanna fight, you've come to the right place!!"

 

Then…

 

??: "Heh, kukuku. It's just a little greeting for your woman."

 

Suddenly, a man clad entirely in black appeared amidst the flock of crows.

 

Leeya: "H-huh!? Sh-she's not my woman!"

 

Leeya's face turned red, and I wasn't sure if it was from anger or embarrassment.

 

Crow King: "Kuku, I, the Crow King, see all. I have many adorable crows as my vassals you see."

 

Leeya: "Hmph…don't you think peepin's a bad habit?"

 

Crow King: "When that woman tires after helping you and falls asleep, I see how red your face is as you stroke her head."

 

Leeya: "Wha….w-w-w-what the hell are you talking about you idiot!!?"

 

…um…

 

Leeya: "Bastard! You've done it now!"

 

At that time, the air sparked between Leeya and the Crow King as they glared at each other, and it felt as if the air were about to ignite…-.

 

Crow King: "Regardless…in the end I was able to learn what you were scheming… and so we had an idea."

 

Leeya: "What's that?"

 

Crow King: "A declaration of war…!"

 

Leeya: "Damn! Wait…!!"

 

There was a thud, and the great flock of crows flew out of the room in a whirlwind.

 

I closed my eyes against the furious flapping of their wings, and in the next moment…

 

Leeya: "…so they ran away."

 

In the destroyed room…there was no trace of the Crow King.

I moved closer, but quietly so that I wouldn't disturb him.

 

Then Leeya's posture changed and he turned to look at me.

 

Leeya: "Break time."

 

His smile was gentle, and it made my heart thud loudly in my chest.

OO: "Do you want to take a break?"

 

I spoke humbly, not wanting to be a bother.

 

Leeya: "Nn…just a bit."

 

Leeya smiled, and his whole demeanor was more relaxed than usual.

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