Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Let's Do Some Work Together
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Ranyori, who had come out for a walk with me after such a long time, was thrilled.
I was walking slowly behind her, watching as she darted this way and that.
There were quite a few people on the street.
It wasn't a holiday, so it wasn't packed.
But it was right around lunchtime, so it wasn't deserted either.
Ranyori nimbly dodged people on the bustling street.
She charged forward without a care, but just before touching someone, she slipped smoothly to the side.
It was a bit like trying to catch a feather floating in the air—your hand reaches out, but it evades and drifts away.
Even through narrow gaps crowded with people, she just crumpled her body and squeezed through. Shouldn't she just wait her turn...
And this time, Ranyori tried to pass by just as 'skillfully' as before.
She advanced forward, dodging the woman ahead.
But this time, Ranyori had built up a bit of speed.
Inertia made her reaction just a fraction late as she tried to dodge.
Their bodies brushed lightly in the process.
It wasn't hard. Just a slight touch.
"Eek...!"
And the woman who bumped into Ranyori fell over.
"??"
Ranyori turned at the sound from behind, her face full of panic.
Because she'd knocked someone else down.
And because no matter how she thought about it, that shouldn't have made them fall.
For now, Ranyori hurried over to her.
Not sure what was going on, but trying to make it right.
"Where do you keep your eyes when you're walking...!"
"Y-Yes...?"
"You hit someone and just try to walk away?"
"I didn't hit that hard..."
"Wow... not even apologizing... Ow ow ow..."
"Uh uh..."
The woman snapped harshly at Ranyori.
And Ranyori was flustered, unable to string words together as her mind blanked.
Strictly speaking, yeah, Ranyori was at fault.
She got too excited, zipping around too fast, and bumped into someone.
That made the other person fall. Up to here, it was definitely Ranyori's fault.
But no matter how I looked at it... this shouldn't have knocked her down?
She might've been annoyed by the bump, sure, but overreact much by falling like that and chewing her out?
That's what Ranyori was thinking. A mix of guilt and something off-putting.
Or was she mistaken? It felt like just a light brush to her—was it actually harder?
She was confused.
...And I watched the whole scene from behind.
I quickened my pace, heading straight for Ranyori.
In this whole situation, Ranyori definitely hadn't done anything that bad. That's what I thought.
Ranyori wasn't imagining it. It really was a gentle bump.
No way it should've knocked her over. Even if she's frail, you'd hold steady. This was an overreaction.
In my view, she was trying to put Ranyori in a tough spot. Probably to demand something.
So I approached to back Ranyori up.
"Ow ow..."
Until her long silver hair shifted as she fell, revealing pointed ears.
"!!!"
"Oh shit."
Situation changed. Now Ranyori was in the wrong.
Both Ranyori and I had judged it impossible based on a normal human.
No human falls from a bump like that, even if frail. At worst, a stagger.
But if she's an elf? It all makes sense.
Why fall from a light bump with Ranyori? Elves are frailer than sickly humans.
They teeter on death's edge every moment.
And snapping at Ranyori? That's mild for an elf's temper.
"Ranyori. Apologize."
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
...Leading to right now.
So what do we do now?
Usually, apologize first, let tempers cool.
But is an apology gonna cut it here?
Sounds bad, but I'm worried. Feels like something snapped. 'Cause she's an elf.
"Hoo..."
From what I saw, she staggered when she fell, lost balance completely, and toppled.
She tried catching herself on one foot. All her weight hit it.
And she fell? Ankle might be messed up.
She's still clutching it, groaning, can't even stand properly.
"Are you okay...?"
"Does it look okay? Urgh..."
"Oh crap, ankle's totally busted."
"Eek...! What do we do!"
"Medical bills... I'll talk to my parents and figure something out. But will it even heal with treatment...?"
"Nooo! Don't...!"
"Looks like her leg and foot are nearly detached..."
"I'm sorry! Ranyori's fault! Ranyori's trash!"
"N-No, it's not that bad!"
"Oh."
Got it. Overdid it a bit.
The elf, seeing Ranyori on the verge of tears, yelped in surprise and insisted she was fine.
"Ah, ahh!"
"Hic!"
But right after shouting, pain hit again, and she groaned.
Ranyori burst into fresh tears, naturally.
Man, how do we handle this?
Okay. Hospital first. She's the patient.
"Let's get you to a hospital first. I'll help you walk."
"Hospital... no..."
"Pardon? But you're hurt bad."
"Just drink a potion at home and rest... It'll heal with rest..."
"Still, hospital's better..."
"N-No...! Hospital's..."
"Yes?"
"Uncomfortable... and... loud noises all the time..."
"Better than home, though."
"No! Still hate it...!"
The elf refused the hospital weirdly, hemming and hawing.
Her ankle clearly needs a checkup, maybe admission.
So I got a bit urgent. What if delay causes permanent damage?
I pressed a little. Ranyori trembled beside me, watching anxiously.
The elf seemed to get why I was pushing.
I was just trying to help, after all.
She clamped her mouth shut, eyes darting. Like she had something unsayable.
But my urgency kept pressing, and I finally got her to spill.
Her face flushed red, she wailed.
"I...! Hospitals scare me and stress me out!"
"Aha!"
"What's with the 'aha'...!"
That makes sense!
Elves already fragile in body and mind, far from modern life—hospital could backfire.
She says hospitals scare her. Better to potion up and rest stress-free for recovery.
Elves have great natural healing. Weakened by nature's ruin, but still there.
"So how can we help?"
"...Help me get home."
"Sure, I'll support you."
"Support...?"
"? Yeah. Any issue...?"
"You think I can walk if you're supporting me?"
"Usually people do..."
"That's true, but... uh, um..."
Supporting's for people who can't walk easy. What's the problem?
"But... but...!"
"But?"
"...I'm an elf!"
"Aha!"
"Can you stop with the exclamations... I have shame too..."
"Sorry."
Yeah, that tracks. Elves get winded just walking on two feet, let alone support.
"Then how should I help? You definitely can't move alone."
"C-Ca..."
"Yes?"
"Carry..."
"Pardon?"
"Carry me..."
"What'd you say?"
"Carry me home... Princess or piggyback..."
"Can't hear you!"
"Carry me home!"
"Louder!"
"...! Don't mess with me! Anyone not deaf would've heard!"
"Sorry, bit distracted."
"Now I see—you're the real problem, not that beastkin!"
Hm. Not the time, but I slipped up.
Saw her mumbling shyly and teased a bit.
"Aren, how do you live like this?"
"...Quiet."
Ranyori, tears dried, asked that.
Her voice held no contempt, thankfully.
Just pure curiosity. Stung a little.
"Let's go. I'll carry you."
"Wha—usually piggyback, not— Kyaa!"
"Too lazy for other poses."
"You scared me...!"
"Huh. I just said I'd carry you."
"True! I'm just jumpy! Emotional reaction!"
"Fair enough."
She pivoted, embarrassed by her own words.
Super timid and shy, apparently.
"Hurry up! Stop staring at my face!"
"Need your address to go..."
"Oh."
And pretty scatterbrained too.
We arrived at the elf's home.
Normally I'd set her down at the door and leave, but given the situation, I went inside to help with treatment.
The most striking thing in the elf's house? Plants everywhere.
Potted ones crammed the rooms, others in baskets hanging from the ceiling.
Usually for decor or air, but with an elf, it feels desperate.
Like screaming to stay alive... Kinda heartbreaking.
And another standout feature catching my eye.
"Ooh..."
"Don't look at that...! It's a failure!"
"Eh... it's drawn really well..."
Ranyori's right. Nicely done paintings dotted the house.
Realistic style. Subjects: self-portraits, objects, animals, landscapes—no limits.
"Oh. Artist, huh?"
"Yeah... sorta. More hobby, really."
"Aha."
"Sometimes I sell ones even I think turned out great."
Just like me.
I set the elf on the bed and went hunting for the first-aid kit.
She said desk drawer... Where...
-Slide!
Hm? More drawings here?
"Don't look at those for real!"
The elf yelled, face—and ear tips—bright red, scrambling.
But injured ankle kept her put.
"Kyaa...! Why didn't I throw those out...!"
Hm. Super embarrassed.
I get why. These drawings had a very different vibe from the others.
But... seeing these paintings, something clicked...
"Um, Miss Elf?"
"Whyyy call me..."
"Wanna collaborate with us?"
"What...?"