The First Hero: The End of the Adventure (2)
“Huh?”
The girl's words, which had been pouring out like a storm just moments ago, came to a sudden halt. She stared at me with a blank expression, as if she couldn't comprehend what I'd said, murmuring in bewilderment.
“I mean, how about becoming the Hero's companion?”
“Huh?”
Like a broken record, she kept repeating that dazed sound. I could feel her bewilderment dripping from her voice.
Hmm. I'd assumed that since she'd spent time with the Hero, she'd know he had some feelings for her. Huh... Oh! Right! She lost her memories of him when she was resurrected! I totally forgot!
“Sis.”
The Hero grabbed my shoulder as he looked at her, as if telling me not to say unnecessary things.
Well... Telling a girl with no memories that we were pretty close—you two might've even ended up together—wouldn't exactly be believable. But how else was I supposed to pair them up without bringing it up? It'd be fine to just remind her of the forgotten bits, right? And without that story, how could I even connect them?
So.
“Leave it to me.”
“But...”
“It's necessary.”
And if I didn't lay it out like this, it'd cause huge problems later if it came up. The Hero still looked dissatisfied, but...
“Understood. Do as you wish.”
He let out a small sigh and nodded.
“Um, you two? What are you talking about?”
“It's nothing much. Just about how you lost a bit of memory when you came back to life.”
At my words, the girl pondered for a moment, then lightly clapped her hands as if to say, Oh yeah, that happened!
“I wasn't too attached to my memories, so I'd forgotten. But why bring it up now? What was in them?”
“Nothing special. Among the memories you lost were the ones about the Hero.”
“Huh? The Hero?”
“Yeah.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“Me and the Hero??”
“That's what I'm saying.”
I spoke with a hint of irritation. Come on, if I say it's true, it's true—why keep asking? I knew it was hard to believe, but facts are facts!
“M-Me and the Hero? No, but my memories... Uh... I clearly remember him waking me up... Hmm...”
“The resurrection made them fuzzy, so you won't recall even if you try. Don't waste your effort. Anyway, let me sum it up simply.”
I slowly recounted the events between her and the Hero. How the Hero, who'd run away from home to this village, spent his days here with her. How he'd recovered from the harsh training of being a Hero in this village. And how she'd welcomed him—the subtle atmosphere that had flowed between them...
“No, Sis. How do you know all that in such detail?!”
“Uh, well...”
“Were you watching us the whole time?”
I averted my gaze slightly.
“Sis...?”
“But hear me out! If I hadn't kept watch, could I have saved the villagers in time? And he ran off with his sword, so of course I knew where he was!”
If he really wanted to sneak away, he should've gone empty-handed! Though I could've tracked him anyway!
“Anyway, let's move past that. You benefited from me watching, didn't you?”
“Well, that's true, but...”
“Right? So it's a necessary thing—let's call it that.”
The Hero's face was still full of dissatisfaction. But I couldn't not watch out of worry! He actually needed my help!
“Fine... I did get your help, so I'll let it slide for now.”
Good. Crisis averted! It wouldn't change anything if he kept sulking, but at least my conscience was clear!
By the time I'd wrapped up the discussion with the Hero...
“Wow...”
For some reason, the girl was gazing at us with sparkling eyes.
“M-Me and the Hero? In that kind of relationship? Really?”
“Yeah. More precisely, there was that kind of vibe.”
In the Hero's life, which hadn't involved many women, she was one of the rare ones he could've felt affection for. Most women who showed interest in him were only after his Hero abilities anyway. Naturally, excluding me.
“B-But... There's the Dragon Priestess. How could I...?”
Hmm...? Wait. Was the Hero's lack of luck with women... because of me? Because I was always by his side?
Hmm. Who knows. Maybe, maybe not. But it feels pretty likely!
“When you two were getting close, he'd come to this village hiding his identity. Life in a rural place like this must've been a nice break from his Hero training.”
In fact, his expressions were much brighter while he stayed here. He had the strength to fell a massive tree and carry it off effortlessly, the agility to hunt monsters and animals. The village's food situation must've improved dramatically during that time.
“Anyway, you were the closest to him. You're the top candidate. Even if you don't remember.”
If she'd kept her memories... this would've been easier.
“M-Me and the Hero... The Hero I admire...”
“But I have one question.”
“Yes?”
I looked at the girl and asked.
“You're not exactly young anymore. Why haven't you married yet?”
The Hero behind me nodded slightly in agreement. She was at an age where even on Earth, she'd be called an old maid. Though her body itself stayed young.
“W-Well... Hmm... Why is that?”
The girl tilted her head.
“I've had plenty of introductions, but for some reason, every guy I met... I just felt like, 'This isn't the one'?”
Hmm?
“They weren't bad people or anything. It was just this weird gut feeling that it wasn't right, so I turned them down. Hard to explain clearly.”
Hmm?This isn't the one?Hmm... Did some faint memory linger? Of the Hero? But the resurrection wiped them clean—I confirmed that part.
Maybe the memories of him were gone, but his presence was etched into her soul? Like a soulmate vibe? I hadn't fully mastered souls myself, so I couldn't be sure.
“Anyway, it worked out perfectly. Neither you nor the Hero has married yet. Similar ages. Your physical age... He looks a bit older on the surface, but his body's in peak health. Hmm.”
Could there be a better match for the Hero's companion? It felt like someone had set this up on purpose.
“If you're interested, how about dating the Hero?”
“M-Me, with the Hero...? With the Hero I admire...?”
The girl kept mumbling in a daze, then—
Thud!
—toppled backward like a tree felled by an axe.
“Hmm... That happy, huh.”
Her brain must've overloaded trying to process it—her eyes were spinning like in a classic cartoon.
Ah, that old-school animation trope.
“Guess I'll get her answer after she wakes up.”
First, check if she was hurt.
“Even if you suddenly tell her to date you, who'd accept that?”
“You still don't grasp your own value.”
I gave the Hero a pitiful look. It was like a movie hero or your idol crush suddenly showing up saying, “Let's date”—this reaction was totally normal.
“So, what do you think of her?”
I said to the Hero as I healed the bump on the back of her head.
“Huh?”
“Building a family isn't a one-sided thing. You have to consider her feelings for you and yours for her. Both sides. So, what do you think?”
Well, I could guess without asking. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wailed like that after she died. A grown man sobbing was a bit much.
“I...”
The Hero trailed off, then spoke softly.
“I'm not against it.”
“Oh ho.”
“But someone like me... All I know is wielding a sword and fighting. Could I even build a family? Have kids?”
“Why not? You think every parent in the world was born knowing how? They all learn through trial and error. Just like you learned to be a Hero. You'll pick it up step by step. No need to worry.”
The Hero nodded slightly at my words.
“I have no confidence, but I'll give it a try.”
“Mm. That's enough.”
In this era where marriages for extra hands were common, a pair with mutual affection would make a great match.
So.
“Let's stay here for a while.”
The old bachelor's and old maid's youthful venture was just beginning. Watching this unfold right next to them? Pure gold!