READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 2 - An Encounter on the Rocky Mountain
An Encounter on the Rocky Mountain
“Nnmuu…?”
I vaguely realized that my consciousness was returning. What happened to me? If I remember correctly, I ran out of energy on my way to take a break… At least I’m alive, that’s good… While thinking such thoughts in my half-asleep state, I finished my thoughts and sat up, but the blanket that had been draped over me was so comfortable that I found myself fighting the temptation to go back to sleep.
…Huh? Blanket?
“…You’re awake.”
“!?”
I couldn’t help but stiffen at the unexpected sound of a man’s voice. Eh? What’s going on? Who is that?
In front of me was a man dressed entirely in black. He was sitting on the other side of a small bonfire. I assumed he was male from his voice, but he was wearing a black hood and a black mask or scarf covering the lower half of his face, so I couldn’t see his face at all. To say the least, there was a very suspicious, dubious individual there.
Panic set in. First of all, I never thought there would be anyone here. Could I possibly have been rescued? No, no, I can’t trust people so easily. He looks so suspicious… But it’s wrong to judge people by their appearances.
So should I trust him? No. Just because I’m a child, doesn’t mean everyone will be nice to me. He could be a kidnapper… But he did give me a blanket… but still…
I wondered if I could trust this person or not, but then I realized that if I didn’t rely on someone, I would die sooner or later. No matter how I thought about it, there was no way around that reality.
I thought all this over in a few seconds, and what did I end up doing?
“Fu… ue… Waaaah!”
“Wha- …Wait…”
I burst into tears.
After a good cry and a few sniffles, I felt much calmer. I mean, it’s so embarrassing to cry my eyes out just because I’m anxious at my age. Well, maybe my mind is being influenced by the age of my body. I hope that’s the case.
When I calmed down and thought about it… I realized I had done something terrible. The man in black had been visibly flustered while I was crying my eyes out. I could tell that he probably didn’t know how to comfort a crying child, and that he probably didn’t even have much experience with children in the first place.
Even so, he was being very considerate, trying not to scare me by touching me or getting too close, but trying to figure out how to make me stop crying and wondering if he should hand me a towel. I couldn’t help but think it was kind of cute that he was just holding the towel, not knowing what to do with it.
…An awkward silence fell, and only the crackling of the bonfire could be heard.
It was the man in black who spoke first. He slowly removed the cloth that was covering the lower half of his face and held out the towel he had been holding to me, averting his gaze.
“…Do you need this?”
“…Th-thank you…”
Trying not to scare him, I gently took the towel from him, and he quickly withdrew his hand.
Oh no, I’m gonna die from the cuteness… The sight of this big, handsome guy being flustered by a small animal (me, though).
The towel I received was slightly warm, a wet towel that had been wrung out with hot water or something. I put the warm towel on my tear-stained face and took a breath. Then, he handed me a cold towel. It felt good on my swollen eyes.
I was touched by his clumsy but thoughtful care. I’m sorry for making you an object of moe, Onii-san.
As I wiped my face, I glanced at the man and realized that he wasn’t just handsome, he was very handsome. And he was much younger than I thought. Maybe in his late twenties? He looked about my age, but foreigners tend to look older than their actual age, so maybe he’s actually even younger.
He probably showed me his face so as not to frighten me. His bangs, which I could barely see under his hood, were black, and his long, narrow eyes, which gave off a slightly cold impression, were also black. Although it was a familiar color scheme for me as a Japanese person, the depth of his features made it impossible to call his face Japanese. He had sharp eyebrows and a high nose. Yeah, he’s handsome. It’s a feast for the eyes.
With his black outfit and toned physique… the word “ninja” came to mind. I wondered if that was his job. It’s not cosplay, is it? Sorry to judge by appearances, but he doesn’t look like the type to enjoy cosplay.
“…Drink?”
“! Yesh pleash!”
While I was thinking such rather rude thoughts, the ninja-like onii-san gently offered me a cup. I couldn’t help but take it without checking the contents, probably because I was so thirsty. I wanted to gulp it down right away, but when I hesitated for a moment, Onii-san poured the same thing into his own cup and drank it all down in one gulp.
…Was he trying to tell me it was safe? I felt bad for making him take care of me everywhere I went, and as I reflected on this, I brought the cup to my lips.
It tasted like water with a slightly sweet apple flavor, and it soaked into my parched body. It was so delicious that I finished it in no time.
Even after that, Onii-san didn’t say much, but he let me eat the hearty soup he seemed to have made beforehand. The ingredients in the soup were finely chopped and cooked until tender, making it a dish that even my young body could eat without difficulty.
I was struggling with the bowl and spoon, which were too big for this body, when Onii-san finally came closer and helped me.
Perhaps realizing that I wasn’t afraid of him coming closer, Onii-san began to take care of me very kindly. He seemed like a very caring person, but… I felt very complicated to think that a man probably about my age or a little younger was taking care of me like this…
I was touched by his kindness in providing me with drinks and food in this situation of loneliness, exhaustion, and bewilderment, and I almost burst into tears again, but I managed to hold back thanks to these complicated feelings. I should be glad that I didn’t bother Onii-san again, but I am a very awkward and clumsy person.
…But I can’t help but think that being taken care of by a handsome guy isn’t so bad. What am I talking about?
While we were at it, my stomach became full. A child’s body is an honest thing. The enemy that came to defeat me was an irresistible one, by the name of drowsiness. Nod, nod, I couldn’t help but start dozing off. Still, I shook my head vigorously, trying desperately to stay awake.
“…You can sleep.”
“But…”
Then came the sweet temptation of Onii-san. No, no, no, I can’t just fall asleep now after being so considerate and being treated to dinner! It’s unforgivable as a working adult…!
“…Why don’t you get some sleep and recover your strength?”
…If you say so. It’s certainly more efficient to get a good night’s sleep and work hard the next day than to be forced to stay awake! Ugh, you’re good with words, aren’t you? …I know, I’m more of a burden than anything else. Oh no, I’m getting teary-eyed again.
“…You’re a child, you don’t have to be so reserved.”
A feeling of floating accompanied the soft voice. The warmth and sense of security that followed immediately after.
I must have been hugged. Of course, I felt embarrassed and hesitant, but I didn’t think I could fight off this drowsiness. My consciousness was easily lured into sleep… Good night.