Chapter 53: I am the only big sister here
____
Frieren's skepticism was nearly written across her face as she eyed him with a look that hinted at her perception of his supposed interest in older and married women. Ash, who saw himself as a respectable young man with merely "unique tastes," found himself cornered into an explanation.
He crouched slightly, patted Frieren on the head, and said with utmost seriousness, "No, no matter how many times I need to explain it, I really just got lost! Please stop spreading nonsense in front of others! Or—our friendship ends here!"
"Lost? And you climbed over the wall?"
"If you're lost and can't find a way out, climbing a wall to figure it out… is totally reasonable, isn't it?"
Frieren tilted her head in doubt, while Ash kept a completely serious look, trying to establish his innocence.
Yet, after all these years, she still hadn't believed this explanation. Now, naturally suspicious, she pressed on, "So you climbed over a wall straight into someone's harem?"
"That's a matter of chance, and it's certainly not my fault!"
His earnestness made Frieren pause; she couldn't tell if he was sincere, but she muttered under her breath, "Aren't you ashamed discussing this out in the open?"
"Instead of shame, I feel more annoyed. Why would you just reveal my secrets out of nowhere? What if your teammates think I'm some kind of creep?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"Yes, absolutely! I'm not who Flamme thinks I am. Even without a big sister around, I'd still want to be a hero! So let me join your party!" He extended his hand toward Frieren, wearing his most sincere expression.
Frieren, however, didn't reach back, instead narrowing her eyes as she looked him up and down. "You're not doing this for some peculiar reason, are you?"
"How could you question a friend like that? Don't you know who I am by now?"
Ash spoke with a noble air, but Frieren, recalling the scene of him back in the village dragging Millie into drinking contests and leaving her dangling upside down, struggled to contain her suspicion.
Without thinking, she retorted, "You're not exactly the type to risk your life just for the sake of humanity."
"Don't look down on me just because you're short! I'm willing to give my best for you, too!"
"That sounds great… but do you actually believe that yourself?"
"Of course! If I don't even believe in myself, then who else would?"
"Good question. I'm curious—who actually would believe what you're saying? Just tell me a name. Go on, don't think, just say it!"
"Michael Jackson!"
Although Ash believed he was indeed contributing to world peace, he couldn't think of anyone who would believe he'd fight for it, so he instinctively blurted out a random name.
It wasn't that he was lying or had a poor character—it was simply that he didn't have many close friends.
Frieren quickly asked, "What do they do? Who else is at home?"
"A singer! Lives alone!"
"And how did you meet?"
"It was... a dark and windy night…" He tried to paint a dramatic scene, but Frieren narrowed her eyes and interrupted, "—Ash, are you lying to me?"
"Just tell me—did I give a name or not?"
"...When did you start lying as much as Master?"
"I'd like to think I'm at least a bit better than Flamme." Even as he compared himself to Flamme, Ash's expression grew slightly uneasy.
At first glance, Flamme seemed like a respectable person, someone who only pretended to be harmless. But in reality, even during training, Flamme would lose all sense of shame, begging for mercy in various ways, softening others' hearts before launching sneak attacks. Having been fooled by Flamme so many times, Fulilian had developed a healthy skepticism toward others' motives. Naturally, she didn't fully believe that Ash was being honest from the beginning.
Besides, she didn't plan to let him join their mission. Her friend was at an age where he should be enjoying retirement, and she wasn't going to let him do whatever he wanted.
Adventure? Facing demons? What if his old bones gave out? It didn't make sense, no matter how she thought about it.
...
Ash's outstretched hand hung in mid-air, waiting for someone to take it, and the atmosphere grew strained as it hovered unclaimed. Feeling defeated, he was about to pull it back when suddenly, another hand appeared and clasped his firmly.
"Oh… oh…" He looked up in surprise, feeling slightly dejected, only to find himself looking into the face of a young man with a light blue mushroom-head hairstyle, dressed in a white cloak and blue clothes, smiling brightly.
"I believe in you—Mr. Ash, join us in our mission!"
Ash froze slightly, instinctively trying to pull his hand back while cautiously asking, "Um… excuse me, who are…?"
"I'm Himmel."
"…Ah, I see. And so that means…?"
"One of Frieren's companions," Himmel replied cheerfully.
"…Is this real?"
"Certainly. Anything strange about that?"
"No… well…?" Ash felt bewildered again, casting a questioning glance toward Frieren.
But this time, Frieren simply sighed, "If you're expecting the version of things that Flamme told you, forget it. I'm the only big sister here."
"Haha… Seems like you've picked up Flamme's knack for stretching the truth, too," Ash said with a tired laugh, unable to hide a hint of disbelief.
Frieren immediately frowned in irritation. "What's that supposed to mean? There aren't many big sisters like me."
"Big sister… ah."
Looking at the petite, loli-like girl in front of him, hands on her hips, puffing out her chest in a determined attempt to look mature, Ash found it impossible not to feel the urge to laugh at her exaggerated display.
After a moment's pause, he held back his laughter, saying with mock seriousness, "Yes, yes, a 'big sister' indeed…"