Ryuu Kusari No Orishin No Naka No Kokoro
Chapter 2 Part 6

Ena guided them to a corner of the commercial district. As merchants from different countries gathered here to trade, inns were made, so they could rest. There are a variety of lodging ranging from luxury lodging for wealthy merchants to cheap lodging for the poor such as porters.

The inn, where Nozomu was brought in, had a sign on it that read “Ushitotei” (Cow Head Pavilion). The first floor featured a dining room, and the second floor seemed to be where the private rooms were located.

“This is the inn ‘Ushitotei’ we run,” said Ena.

He disappeared through the inn entrance. Nozomu followed him, and an aunt with a wide body wearing an apron greeted them.

“Oh, welcome home, Ena-chan. Did you find Maru-boy?”

“I'm home, Hannah-san. I scolded him properly because he was bothering others. Oh, and this is the person my sister bullied”

“Ah, so. I'm sorry for the trouble this stupid boy caused. Wait a minute, let us treat you as an apology. It's at home.”

“No, it's okay. I don't really care about that. He's already apologized properly, so I don't mind anymore.”

“I'm happy. Then enjoy your time here. Maru-boy, come! What are you thinking!! Bother people again!! Come here for a minute!”

“Aw aw!! Unhand me!! Hey!!”

Hannah grabs Mars' ear and disappears into the kitchen. “Masuk”. The sound of a pot hitting one's head was heard throughout the inn.

After a while, Hannah returned with a tray. There was bread and chocolate on the plate. Salad is also served.

“This is it. This is a dish that Ushitotei is proud of! A plate of rabbit meat and salad. This is an apology for the problem caused by that stupid boy, free.”

Therefore, Hannah put the food in front of Nozomu. The abundant aroma of meat and gravy stimulates Nozomu's appetite. It's lunchtime. Nozomu himself was hungry.

Hannah urged Nozomu by saying, “have eaten only.” He grabbed the dishes he prepared for her.

Digger Rabbits are rabbits that live in the forests and grasslands around here, and as the name suggests, they live by digging holes in the ground and are primarily hunted for food.

Rabbit Digger meat is soft because it is well prepared and then cooked, and has the aroma of sake or what is baked. In addition, the abundant amount of gravy dramatically improves the taste of food.

The prepared salad and bread also matched his meat, and it seemed like he could eat his heart by dipping it in sauce.

“Thank you for the food. Really delicious!”

When Nozomu, who had finished eating in the blink of an eye, thanked them, Hannah and Ena laughed with happy faces.

“No, it's okay! Don'worry. This is for the problems Maru-boy caused. And I wonder how good I made it this time too.”

“It's true. At first, that stupid brother was the cause. Nozomu-san doesn't have to worry about that. What is he thinking by suddenly inviting and then attacking you.”

“Currently, that idiot is being disciplined by my husband inside. He won't do it again, so can you forgive him?”

“Yeah, I don't mind anymore, so it's okay ..”

He is angry that he was suddenly attacked, but Nozomu thinks it is enough after seeing Ena's mental attack expose Mars' past shame violently.

“So...I'm happy then.. Ena-chan, I'm sorry, but my husband will be preparing for tonight, so please help him.”.

“Eh... yes, I understand.”

Ena, who sees Hannah trying to say something, disappears into the kitchen with an empty plate.

“...said Nozomu? Something I want to talk about ......... It's okay?”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Kids, Mars and Ena. What do you think of both?”

“Hm?”

Nozomu tilted his head because he did not understand the meaning of the question. However, when she saw Hannah, her eyes were serious. He couldn't take it as a joke.

“...Well, I can't say anything because I just met Ena-chan, but I think she's a grown-up kid. Maybe Mars has a big influence on him.”

Nozomu couldn't judge anything about Ena because she had just met him, but he thought she was growing up to be a very mature child due to Mars' bad behavior.

“About Mars. He doesn't care about me much and doesn't try to hide it. But... at the end of the second year, I felt something was wrong. with his attitude.”

Mars is defeated by Nozomu in a mock battle at the end of second grade until pushed against a wall.

Since then, Mars has stopped swearing and mocking Nozomu.

Nozomu himself was aware that Mars' attitude had changed, but he did not know why; however, Hannah, who heard about the mock battle, muttered as if she was sure.

“I saw ... as I thought”

“What is it?”

“I know about the strange behavior of the boy, and when I heard the story of Nozomu-kun, I understood the reason.”

“Reason?…”

“Yah, yes. But I'm relieved. There's someone who can still be friends with the kid.”

“...E, what does that mean?”

Hannah spoke happily, but Nozomu hesitated at her words. Although Mars has become tame recently, Nozomu still doesn't think they can be friends based on Mars' attitude towards Nozomu all along.

“That kid, he doesn't hate you coming here. Maybe, he doesn't think you're bad anymore, does he?

From what he heard, Mars never brought his entourage or the bad guys he knew to this inn. Nozomu was also a little surprised.

(He seems to know at least that what he did was bad, and maybe he wasn't as bad as Nozomu thought.)

At least for Nozomu who has been harassed by Mars and his entourage, Mars' decision to keep his family away from his actions is news to him. Nozomu felt he knew a little more about Mars.

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Back in time, when Nozomu was eating Hannah's food, Mars and a giant with fierce gazes faced each other in the kitchen.

The name of the giant man was Dell. Hannah's husband and the owner of this inn.

Mars has been scolded by Hannah to date, and when Dell finishes cooking and his wife sends him to Nozomu, Mars is finally released from reprimand.

However, Mars has a big bump on his head from being hit by Hannah with a frying pan, and there are tears in his eyes, possibly from being injured.

“Gosh... till when will you keep acting like this?”

“…”

The innkeeper was stunned when he heard about what Mars had done to Nozomu. Mars also thought it was too much, so he had no choice but to shut up.

“…”

“From your point of view, perhaps, to her.to Nozomu-kun. Did you lose to that kid?”

“Na!!”

Mars was surprised to be told the facts. He never told anyone about the mock battle with Nozomu.

“How many years do you think I've had your raisins replace your parents? You are upset by how many times you lost..”.

“Not it!”

“Then why did you become such a bum?”

Mars turned around and muttered,

“... I just want to know why he became stronger ..”

With that said, Dell sighed, saying,

“Haa..”.

Mars has trouble with Hannah and Ena. He has pride. He had the realization that he could protect himself; however, there was a time when Dell spoke truthfully to some extent. For Mars, Dell is an irreplaceable member of the family, “a reliable father” and, in a sense, aspires to be like him. Even if they have no blood relation…

“Why don't you just say that? You just need to ask from the beginning.”

“...Why are you telling me this now? Besides, I think he just failed. Far from good men”

As expected, it seemed like Mars could not suddenly accept that someone he had sworn to until this moment was strong. Well, that's a normal reaction.

“Why? Did you confirm yourself that he really is a bad guy?”

“Are you fooling me !?”

“Yes, impressive, when I always see you, I wonder if there is an electric jellyfish in your head ..”

“T, na, How can I know!!”

Mars' face turned red. He denied it, but Dell felt a little relieved to see it.

Mars had a good relationship with bad people, but he never took them to this inn.

Maybe because they think only of themselves.

Although Mars is a bully, Mars does not oppose him when he sees Ena taking Nozomu to the inn. Dell knew that Mars also accepted Nozomu because Mars would not bring thugs here.

By the way, the Electric Jellyfish is one of the demonic beasts that live in the sea. They float while riding ocean currents, and the electric current generated by the long tentacles numbs their prey, making them easy to pluck.

Although as big as an adult man, he did not have the means to move. It could only float in the sea, and it was not known to be very dangerous in that regard.

Dell was glad Mars had a friend, therefore, he told him to do what he had to do.

“... At least apologize for what you did.”

“I, I know ..”

Dell's focus and questions naturally loosened on Mars, who listened to what he said while awkwardly shifting his gaze.

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Nozomu, who had been taken care of completely, thought it would be bad to bother them even longer, so he decided it was time to leave.

“Sorry to disturb you. The food is good.”

“It's okay. Please come again. The food is pretty much right? This one is also worth making.”

“Nozomu-san, my brother might make you trouble again, but please take care of him.”

Dell replied with a smile that did not look good on his fierce face, and Ena also bowed and thanked Nozomu.

“Listen, Mars. You have to send Nozomu properly because you caused him trouble.”

“I know..”.

Mars lazily responds to Hannah, who urges him. Nozomu thanks Hannah and the others and returns to the dorm with Mars.

On the way back to the dormitory, the two remained silent. Until now, Mars had only condemned Nozomu, and Nozomu had never had a proper conversation with Mars, so it was only natural.

After a moment of silence, Mars spoke first.

“Ah...sorry...for many things till date”.

Mars apologized to Nozomu awkwardly.

“It's okay. I don't mind anymore.”

(As expected, I can't hurt someone who has been so ragged)

Nozomu remembered Ena, who had ferociously attacked Mars with her words, and Mars, whose heart was broken by her. As expected, Nozomu could not pursue further after recalling such verbal abuse.

“...Oi, Did you just think of something strange?”

Mars asked Nozomu because he felt a disturbing atmosphere from him.

“No, as a human being, why don't you blame the man who was destroyed by his little sister ..”

“Backed! You still think about it, yeah!! How do you remember it so well!!”

“No, I can't forget something that impacted like that ..”

“Forget! Forget now!! Forget soon!!!”

“Wait, hey! What are you doing !!!”

Nozomu left in a hurry and Mars rushed towards Nozomu, but he felt the distance between them was getting smaller.

(Somehow it feels nostalgic. There were only a few people other than Shisho who spoke like this)

The two of them went together while shouting.

No matter how others looked, they could only see them as bad friends, but he felt that the distance between Mars and himself was getting smaller.