Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Why Am I Your Big Brother?
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I wanted to at least get a read on the situation before jumping in, if possible.
That hand dragging Ulpi into the alley didn't look like it had any good intentions, no matter how I sliced it. It wasn't like they were friends trying to prank her or anything.
Still, it could be someone who held a grudge against Ulpi.
Or maybe Ulpi had started it—maybe she'd tried to shake them down for money like she did with me, and it might've even worked.
In that case, it'd be hard for me to butt in. That'd be their mess to sort out.
So I figured I'd scope things out and step in as a mediator if it got too heated.
That's how it was until I set down the food I'd been carrying at the alley mouth, walked in slowly, and saw a gray-haired little pup curled up on the ground, getting kicked and stomped by a gang of thugs.
"Heh, fuckin' bitch."
"Ugh...?!"
"Who the hell are you, asshole?!"
Whatever the backstory, beating up on a kid was crossing a line. So I just kicked one right back.
The one who was stepping on Ulpi, specifically. Sent him rolling across the pavement.
Of course, all the aggro switched straight to me.
I considered talking it out even now, but then I saw Ulpi huddled on the ground, trembling... and changed my mind.
Just beat 'em down! Group assault it is.
They'd already been ganging up on one kid with a bunch of grown-ass men, so the odds were in my favor anyway.
If shit hit the fan, I could always pay them off to settle it.
What happened next? I beat the crap out of them.
Correction: It wasn't a brawl. I just unilaterally beat the crap out of them.
Why do people always yell and hype themselves up before attacking? Makes it so easy to read their timing.
Training in swordsmanship had taught me all about vital points and where to hit for maximum effect.
So I deliberately avoided those spots.
Otherwise... it might've turned into a disaster...
"You'll regret this...!"
"Watch your step on the way out."
I won. And chased them all off.
I approached Ulpi. At some point, she'd lifted her head and was watching me.
Hm, first things first.
"Wanna go to the hospital?"
"..."
She shook her head. Good.
It throbs. Definitely gonna bruise.
People kicking me, yelling... I hated how well my ears picked it up.
If the sounds you can hear have more bad in them than good, wouldn't it be better to just have crappy hearing?
Where'd this outfit even come from? If you had money, you should've paid me back first.
And then they piled on the curses. Curses are weird—they're special and new every single day.
And every one hurts just as much when you hear it.
By the time you get used to them, new ones pop up.
"Your fucking sister's next—"
Ah... I really don't wanna hear that... If you're gonna curse, just stick to me, okay...?
Then came screams. I couldn't see, but I heard blows landing all over.
And the kicking stopped. I was too scared to look up.
They're fighting. Even a dummy like me could tell who it was.
Should I... help now...? He can't handle them alone...
That's what I thought. But damn, he's good. Too good—I'd just get in the way.
I peeked up and jolted. He was beating them all by himself. Cool.
...It's over. Ended way too quick.
It could've dragged on for dozens of minutes, but it wrapped up in under one.
Aren. That his name? Anyway, he reached out a hand.
What, a pat? Should I stay still?
...Nah, too far for that.
Oh, gotta rub my head against it myself, huh.
"Hm, does it hurt? Can't stand?"
"..."
"What, feverish?"
"It's nothing..."
He was offering to pull me up... duh...
Bummer...
"Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Why help me?"
"Any reason not to?"
"Could've been dangerous."
"For me? Against those clowns?"
"..."
True. He's strong—I already knew that firsthand.
Didn't expect him to take on a whole group solo, though.
"But you didn't even need to bring me up..."
"?"
"Seemed like you had them handled anyway."
"...Yeah?"
"Yeah. You don't even know how to fight, do you?"
"Beats me."
"Oh."
"Besides, fights are all about weight class."
"Fair, but..."
This is the street. No fancy techniques here.
"You think your weight class loses to them?"
"..."
"They're all skinny. A few fat ones, sure."
"...Yeah."
"Not a single one with real muscle? You might not win easy, but no way they mop the floor with you."
...Right. That's true.
I'm not weak—not compared to Aren, anyway.
If I'd fought for real, I probably could've taken them all.
"But I can't."
"Why?"
"I don't wanna fight people."
"Any reason?"
"...Nope. Just feels wrong."
"Hm. Got it."
"You get it?"
How? I don't even get it myself.
"You're sweet."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"I'm not sweet."
"Try getting duped by a bad kid sometime, then."
"Th-that, uh..."
"Nothing to say?"
Yeah. Figured he'd grill me more.
Just calls me sweet and done...? Even if it's "sweet like gullible," it's not far off...
First time anyone's ever sized me up like that.
Hm, nah. First compliment from someone older than me, period.
Weird feeling. ...Still, gotta say my piece.
"You know what?"
"What."
"You're in deep shit. Should've ignored me."
"Why? Retaliation?"
"Guaranteed."
"Oh ho."
"Not the kinda thing you brush off."
"Figures."
"...Those guys didn't grab me by chance. They know me."
"Bad blood?"
"Yeah. I screwed them over a bit."
"So this is payback?"
"Not just today—every day. They'll be back tomorrow. And take it out on you too."
"Hm."
...Annoying. I'm dead serious.
Why isn't he scared? I said it's dangerous.
"Think I'm lying?"
"Nah. You wouldn't to me. Right?"
"...Huh?"
"The Ulpi I know wouldn't. Yeah."
What? What is this guy?
"Hm, ahem...! Anyway, get outta here quick. Before they track you."
"And it'll be fine if I do?"
"Yeah. It will."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"People here don't go out unless they have to."
"Ah, gotcha. That's why you hesitated yesterday?"
"Yeah. Outside world's too different from here. A rat used to the filth starves in the clean."
"Got it."
"So, heading out now?"
"What do you think I'll say?"
"...You're not, huh."
"You know it. Smart cookie."
"How come?"
"Huh?"
"Why stay? It's dangerous."
"If I bail, those revenge punks lynch you instead. Can't have that."
"...That's your reason?"
"Yeah. Helping out, might as well throw in extras."
"..."
He's so weird. For real...
Wanna say something—anything—but words won't come.
They swirl in my mouth. No, don't even make it that far—half-formed in my head.
What do I say? What should I... Oh, yeah, gotta ask that.
"Why'd you save me?"
"Felt like it."
"Don't joke. I'm serious. Really wanna know why."
"That serious, huh?"
"Tell me."
"...Look, setting everything else aside."
"?"
"A kid surrounded by grown men getting beat? How many people walk past that?"
"...Lots. Most pretend not to see."
"Yeah? Then I'll be special. Seeing you like that hurt my heart. So I helped."
Ah, face heating up. Damn...
"...I'm not a kid."
"Still got beat like one."
"I'm no kid. I'll be grown soon too."
"No matter how many years pass, you'll always be younger than me, kiddo."
"...Being older somethin' to brag about?"
"No shame in it. C'mon, let's go. Food's getting cold."
You said that, then grabbed all my stuff too.
And took the lead this time. Without knowing the way.
I trailed after... and it didn't feel bad.
What do I call you...? Aren, I guess.
No clue how to act around him. First time for this.
...Oh, easy one. Older guy. Simple.
"Got it, bro."
"?"
"Why."
"Why am I your big brother?"
"Wrong?"
"...Technically right, but just call me sir or something. Feels weird."
"Two years apart—'sir'? Nah, it's bro."
"Tch, do what you want."
"Yay!"
If I'd really had a big brother, would he be like this? Kinda feels that way.
We arrived. This must be Ulpi's place.
Pretty rundown, honestly. The whole area's rough, but this is next level.
Tucked in a super remote corner, unclean everywhere, cracks all over.
"Picked it up."
"Ah, abandoned spot, yeah."
"Yup."
Guess my eyes didn't lie.
"Wait a sec."
"Sure."
Ulpi left me back there and opened the door.
But didn't go in. Halfway open, just froze.
I wondered why—then it hit.
Pattering feet from inside, and something lunged out, tackling Ulpi.
"Sis!"
Ah, little sister. Voice says girl.
Ulpi caught her mid-leap. Short enough to fit perfectly in her arms.
Big age gap? They seem tight.
Sis chattered happily from the hug; Ulpi took it all in stride.
What'd she look like? Mini-Ulpi.
Shorter, softer face.
"?!"
"Hm."
"Who're you?!"
...Or not? Scowling makes her fiercer than Ulpi.
If Ulpi's just masking disdain, this one's got hostility written all over.
I did nothing. Just eye contact.
Instant glare and snap... Unfair...