Chapter 47: Interlude: Past Chapter 8 – A Few Reasons Why Mira Broke

Eventually, Mikami gradually slowed down and came to a stop.

“Phew… I think we should be safe if we’ve made it this far.”

The ominous presence of those magical beasts from earlier had completely vanished from the surroundings. The area was enveloped in deep silence, with only the distant voices of insects and the breathing of other small animals audible. Looking up at the sky, countless stars shone brilliantly—night had completely fallen.

“It’s pretty dark though, so running any further would be dangerous. I need to treat Mira’s injuries too… Sorry, but looks like we’ll have to spend the night here.”

Mikami spoke in a carefree tone, as if they were just taking a break at a neighborhood park.

…Camp out in the Great Forest!?

Mira couldn’t believe her ears. This was a fairly deep part of the Great Forest where magical beasts prowled. Camping with a large group was one thing, but just the two of them—with Mira severely injured and the other an F-rank adventurer? Spending the night in such a situation was tantamount to suicide.

…But this is my fault… Because of my reckless actions… Mikami risked his life to save me from those terrifying magical beasts… while carrying me like this…

Only then did Mira suddenly realize with a start. She was still being held in Mikami’s arms like a princess. The hardness of his chest, the sensation of his powerful arms, his body heat and scent felt so close…

Ahhh…!

Mira’s face heated up all at once, and she could feel even her ears turning bright red. And again, her heart beat loudly, sweetly.

“M-Mikami!”

Mira hurriedly tried to appear as calm as possible, but her voice was magnificently high-pitched.

“U-um…! S-so… I-I’m fine now…! P-please put me down…!”

“Oops, sorry, sorry. I got carried away running and lost track.”

Mikami said without a hint of guilt, then carefully lowered Mira to the ground with consideration for her condition.

Mira tried to stand on her own feet despite feeling unsteady. However, the moment weight bore down on her left leg, searing pain like a branding iron shot through it, and she nearly collapsed from the knees.

“Ah…!”

“A-are you okay, Mira!?”

Hearing Mira’s small cry of pain, Mikami rushed over in a panic. He peered down at her feet with a worried expression.

“Your injury is really bad after all…!? Don’t push yourself!”

At his earnest gaze and voice full of kindness, Mira once again couldn’t suppress the pounding of her heart.

Some time passed, and night deepened.

Mira had fallen asleep at some point.

But in the darkness with only the campfire’s flames flickering unreliably, Mira woke from her shallow sleep. More than the throbbing of her injured foot, the overwhelming loneliness of the Great Forest at night and the fear that magical beasts might appear at any moment tormented her heart. The events in the cave during the day flashed back, making her body tremble involuntarily.

I’m scared…

She had reached her limit. Pride and her stubborn pretense of maturity were useless before this primal fear. Mira slowly crawled as quietly as possible toward Mikami, who was already leaning against a wall nearby, breathing in his sleep. Then, like a small child clinging to a parent, she gripped his thick arm tightly.

Mikami opened his eyes as if momentarily surprised, but immediately seeming to understand the situation, spoke in a troubled yet gentle voice.

“Mm…? What’s wrong, Mira? Are you scared? Well, can’t blame you in the middle of a forest like this… It’s okay, I’m right here beside you. And despite how I look, I’ve camped out in the Great Forest many times, but strangely, monsters never come close. Maybe they’re diurnal like humans despite how they look.”

Saying that, he gently patted Mira’s back with his large hand in a soothing manner.

Mira’s heart leaped with a loud thump. The guilt of having lied stabbed at her chest. True, being scared was real. The pain of her injury was there too. But more than that, Mira simply wanted to be near him. In these warm arms that gave her a strange sense of security. And she was aware that because he was kind and still saw her as a “child,” she had calculated that he surely wouldn’t reject her.

Being held in Mikami’s arms, the fear from earlier faded away as if it had been a lie. Instead, she felt her heart beating uncontrollably, her entire body growing warm. Her heart was pounding, making breathing slightly difficult. Yet filling her chest was a warm, sweet happiness she had never felt before.

This feeling… what is it…?

Mira was confused. That special emotion born between men and women that she had only known from stories and literature. That bittersweet feeling, sometimes painful, that bards sang about so earnestly. Until now, she had thought it was something from a distant world, unrelated to her. But now, this pounding she felt in these arms was unmistakably…

…This is… ‘love’…?

Mira finally recognized the true nature of that emotion. A powerful feeling she had learned for the first time in her thirteen years of life. And it was directed at this strange man before her—shabby, unreliable, yet who had risked his life to save her. At this realization, Mira’s heart filled with both joy and bewilderment.

In the end, that night Mira barely slept at all due to tension and her pounding heart.

The next morning, when the rising sun’s light began filtering into the forest and bird songs started to be heard, Mikami woke up. Looking at Mira with sleepy eyes, noticing her poor complexion, he made a worried face.

“Huh? Looks like you couldn’t sleep at all, Mira. Guess I wasn’t reliable enough after all… Sorry… for not letting you sleep properly…”

He scratched his head apologetically.

“N-no, that’s not it!”

Mira reflexively protested loudly.

“It’s not Mikami’s fault…! Th-this is… um…! A-anyway, don’t stare at me so much!”

Thinking that her face must look terrible from lack of sleep made her unbearably embarrassed. Mira turned away with a bright red face.

Like I could ever tell you that I couldn’t sleep because my heart was pounding because of you…!

Mira screamed internally. Come to think of it, she only now realized that her worry about the magical beasts that had terrified her so much last night had completely vanished at some point while in his arms.

…I don’t want him to see… this sleep-deprived face… covered in dark circles…

This too was a first-time emotion for Mira. Until now, she had hardly cared about her appearance or clothing. Especially how men saw her—she had never even considered it. Yet now, she couldn’t stop worrying about how this terrible face and her adventure clothes soiled with mud and blood looked to Mikami.

Mikami, completely oblivious to Mira’s maiden heart, stretched leisurely and said:

“Well then… time to head back. Emma must be worried.”

Saying that, he stood up and reached out to lift Mira again.

“Eh… ah…”

Mira shrank back in embarrassment at the thought of being carried by him again, but at the same time, she couldn’t stop her heart from beating sweetly in anticipation of being enveloped in his strong arms once more.

Mikami, unconcerned with Mira’s internal conflict, lifted her easily into a princess carry with practiced ease and began dashing through the forest. At the same incredible speed as yesterday.

Trees flew backward at tremendous velocity. Wind whipped against her face, and she felt like she’d be thrown off if she didn’t cling tightly to Mikami.

…Huh?

After running for a while, Mira noticed something strange. The presence of magical beasts that had been so prevalent yesterday was completely absent today. It was as if all the magical beasts had vanished from the forest.

And then Mira understood.

That’s not it…! They’re not absent…! They’re fleeing…! The magical beasts… are afraid of Mikami!

That’s right. Last night when they camped, the reason it was so quiet must have been this. The magical beasts had sensed his presence and, filled with fear, hadn’t dared approach.

I knew it…! Yesterday’s sparring wasn’t a fluke. That was Mikami’s true strength…!

Mira was certain. Mikami Shuzou was not an F-rank adventurer. He possessed tremendous power unimaginable from his status or appearance.

And… Mother realized this long ago…! That’s why she asked him to search for me…!

In that moment, the scene Mira had witnessed at the market vividly resurfaced in her mind. The image of her mother Emma and Mikami walking arm-in-arm intimately. That hadn’t been a mistake. It was undeniable truth. Mother knew his true power, and she harbored special feelings for him…!

If that’s the case… Mother’s feelings are… If Mother were to be united with someone like Mikami—strong, kind… and so noble—that would be…

As a daughter, she should celebrate it. She should wholeheartedly rejoice in the happiness of the mother she respected and loved more than anyone.

And yet—

Why was Mira’s chest filled with such painful, dark, heavy turmoil…?

At that moment, Mira finally realized the true nature of the emotion hidden deep in her heart, the one she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge.

…Jealousy…? I’m… of Mother…? As a woman… over Mikami…?

Mira was violently shocked and horrified by this realization. To think she harbored such ugly emotions. To think she could feel this way toward her mother.

Confusion, guilt, and the feelings for Mikami that welled up irrepressibly—Mira’s heart swayed like a storm.