A Storm Is Coming So We're Reinforcing The House From The Top!
PART 1
***
" The heck is this? "
I took another look at the status screen up above my sight. HP and MP are maybe called something over Health Point? And MP is Magic Points? They numbered both 100, I don't know if these numbers are too high or low, since I have yet to know what the standard status is here.
What's problematic here is this section right here [Title], and I even have 3 of them!
" What does this mean? Some kind of certification? "
Certainly, I probably got these Titles from my previous job. Well, I didn't have the time to study or go take the exam, so it was all self-taught knowledge I learned on the job.
I mean, let's take a minute for a while...
Now, that I've calmed down let's think about all these things again. First of all... I died right? I was certainly very tired, and I had been working overtime for the past few days without a day off.
But such things have happened to me several times in the past... and although I have been sick I never thought I would reach the point where my life would be in danger. But it is also possible that there was an invisible accumulation of illness in my body that I was unaware of.
Well, I don't know if I'm dead or not but I feel alive right now.
A lot of questions pop up in my mind and it's bugging me... " Hmm? "
Then I noticed the children who had just fled in the rearview had returned to the immediate vicinity.
The simple clothes they are wearing are made of cloth sewn together. They really had dog-like ears growing out of their head...
If you look closely, you can see that they both have the same facial features. They should be twins, the two of them have distinct eye shades. One has blue eyes and the other has red eyes. The child with the red eyes stands in front of the child with the blue eyes as if protecting him.
" Hey, you guys. "
When I spoke to them, the twins flinched their bodies as if in alarm.
" Where is this place? When I woke up, I suddenly found myself here. "
" Do you have no memory?" The red-eyed one responded to me. However, they still have not let their guard down.
" Who the hell are you? "
" It's not safe to sleep in a place like this, okay? " From behind the red-eyed boy, the blue-eyed child spoke up.
" This is a meadow near the village of Abatox..."
" Big Sis, where is your house? If you don't go home now, the storm will be here soon."
" Storm?" I was suddenly in such a strange situation that I could not understand what the storm was like.
Looking upward, the sky that was blue earlier had turned gray before I knew it. Maybe that's why the wind is so strong. That said, the clouds seemed to be moving pretty fast.
"Hmm... I'm in a bind."
Suddenly I find myself in such an unfamiliar situation, even if someone were to mention a storm, I wouldn't be able to comprehend it. I cross my arms, unable to do anything but groan.
and just then... "Hey, if you don't have anywhere else to go. Why don't you come to our place?" said the blue-eyed child.
" Oi Mauru!"
" We don't even know her, she's a stranger! And she's also.... How could you invite a human to our house?"
The red-eyed one shouts, but the blue-eyed one doesn't back down either.
" But we can't just leave her here!"
They seem quarreling to me... besides being here is not going to change the situation, and the storm is coming. Well, I need to keep safe first. As a home store clerk as my job, I'm quite sensitive to responding to such disasters.
"Hmm... Well then, I'll take you up on your offer."
"Hey! I haven't agreed to this yet!"
I stood up and approached, causing the child with red eyes to step back and shout.
"Meara, let's go home soon. It's almost sunset. It's dangerous for us to stay here."
"...Tch."
Upon being admonished by the child with blue eyes, the one with red eyes seemed to grudgingly agree, though he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Thank you. Nice to meet you, I'm Honda Mako... um, you can call me Mako."
"I'm Mauru."
"...Meara."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
After walking for a while and with the sun beginning to set, the surroundings started to darken. Led by Mauru and Meara, I arrived at a village lined with several houses. Judging from the number of houses, a meeting place, and a well, it might be a fairly sizable village.
This must be the village of Abatox they told me where they live.
"You should know this, but everyone in this village dislikes humans. Keep quiet."
The storm is expected to hit soon, and all the houses are closing their doors. I did not see anyone outside. Seeing me glancing around anxiously, Meara gave me a warning.
"Yeah, I get it."
"Seriously, Mauru is too kind. Sheltering a human like this..."
Meara murmured quietly.
I see. It's just a hunch, but it's possible that there's a setting where the species of beastfolk and humans have a strained relationship.
"We've arrived."
While thinking that, we arrived at a small house on the outskirts of the village.
I feel bad saying it, but it's pretty run-down. It's almost like a makeshift shack. This... wouldn't it be blown away if the storm hits?
"What's wrong?" Seemingly sensing my thoughts, Meara shot me a glare.
"You think it's a dirty house, don't you?"
"No, I actually think it has a charming quality and is a nice home."
I tried to cover up my initial reaction.
Mauru opened the door, and we entered the house. The interior was a single small room with a table and chairs right in front as you entered through the door, and a bunk bed fixed to the back wall. Farm tools leaned against the wall, and furniture was haphazardly placed around. It gave more of a storage shed vibe than a proper house.
Although the door is closed, and the sound of the wind seeping through the gaps was quite noticeable inside the house.
Once I settled down a bit, I tried pinching my cheek and widening my eyes to see if I would wake up from what seemed like a dream. However, there was no sign of waking up.
Could this not be a dream...? Could it be that I've died and been reborn in a different world? Is this that kind of scenario?
"Well, I don't really understand, but if that's the case, does it mean I'll be in this world forever...?" I muttered to myself. It was then that I noticed Maul and Meara staring intently at me.
"...."
Come to think of it, are there no other family members aside from these two? I glance around the house, but in this small space, there doesn't seem to be any place where someone else could be hiding.
I ask Mauru and Meara. "Are you two the only ones living here?"
"Yeah, it's the house our father built," Mauru answered my question.
"Our parents died in an accident in the town, so now it's just me and Meara living here..."
At that moment, an exceptionally strong gust of wind blew. The inside of the house shook significantly as if something massive had collided with it.
"Whoa!"
Farm tools that had been leaning against the wall and cooking utensils hanging on hooks were scattered onto the floor due to the force of the shake.
"Are you alright!? Can it really hold up!?"
"Don't belittle it! Our father built this house!"
Meara shouted, but Mauru had a grim expression.
"We've had storms come many times before, and each time we've managed to fix things somehow... but now, it's really falling apart. The adults in the village were saying this storm today is exceptionally strong... It might not make it through this time... I'm sorry, Mako, you came all this way just for this kind of house."
"Don't lose heart, Mauru!" Meara grabbed Mauru's slumped shoulders.
The two siblings, having lost their parents, were earnestly leaning on each other for support.
「......」
I scan the interior of the house. Certainly, there are traces of repairs done with the desperate efforts of children using their knowledge and strength every time something broke, scattered around.
I was suddenly thrown into this unfamiliar world not knowing and understanding anything and these two children came worried about me being alone and confused and even sheltered me as a human. I really want to repay this kindness they've shown me.
『Riders help each other, right?! -Eiji』
Remembering the words of Hino Eiji, the protagonist of Kamen Rider OOO, I clench my fist tightly.
***
Jyzciel~
About the twin's name, should I keep it in Romaji or give an English Equivalent? Since its written in Katakana.
In the manga their names are Maoru and Meara.
In MTL, its Maul and Meera.
15/08/23