Day 72: Ms. Noa.
Holy Era 6102, Month of the Water Serpent, 24th day.
Weather: Rain/Cloudy

---

When I woke up in the morning, my brother’s sleeping face was beside me again.
Hah… I will go and wash my face.
Outside the tent, Ms. Noa was preparing breakfast.
Since our conversation earlier, things have been a little awkward between us…
However, when I walked past her in silence, she hit me lightly on the head.

I turned around with tears in my eyes and saw an angry Ms. Noa…
…What should I do… I should say something…but what?
But before I could think of anything, Ms. Noa started to hit me on the head again.
…Hey!? What’s this about!? Ouch! That hurts!!

Ms. Noa stopped hitting me and then smiled.
She was finally back to her usual self. Or so she said.
That’s when it hit me… Was it me who had become strangely self-conscious, and built a wall between us?
Perhaps Ms. Noa never cared about who I am or where I am from?
Was that why she never asked any further questions after I made my declaration??
I had thought that there was now a distance between myself and Ms. Noa, but I was wrong…

As I pondered all these things, Ms. Noa hugged me gently, and I felt as though she had accepted me for who I was…
That made me so happy, and I hugged her back.
Thank you… I’m glad to have you as a friend, Ms. Noa…

…That being said! To physically break down walls made inside of one’s heart, by hitting them, what an idea!
Mr. Noa just smiled and returned to making breakfast.
Yes, I should go and wash my face so I’ll feel refreshed!!

After we ate, it was time to depart.
Once again, my brother was the driver. It should probably just stay like that.
Please hurry, but drive safely. This weather was having a bad effect on our schedule.

Past midday, we finally arrived at the mountain range.
From here, we would have to go on foot.
Now! Let us go, Ms. Noa!!
I took her hand and started to walk, and she looked at me with a slightly troubled smile.
Ah, my brother tried to take my hand as well, but I slapped him away.
He looked a little teary-eyed…

There were a lot of rocks on the mountain road, which made it difficult to walk. Still, we searched for the rock dew grass, which was the reason we came here.
It was surprisingly difficult…the places where they grew naturally were sparse…
As we searched, the sun started to set, and became dark.
…We would have to secure a place to camp soon.

We found a mostly flat area that was away from the rocks, and started to pitch the tent.
After all, the foundation was loose during this time of year, due to the long rain.
We could get caught in a landslide while we are sleeping.
Camping outside was hard.

I helped Ms. Noa with dinner once again.
She taught me alot, and I did my best to cook.
Hehehe. Ms. Noa was kind of like an older sister.

Suddenly, I noticed that my older brother was watching with a conflicted expression…
And after we finished eating, he went off to rest.
…Normally, he would have been very loud… What happened?

…I hope this quest will end uneventfully.

Today’s earnings and expenses:
None
————————–
Balance: 59 silver, 45 bronze
30 cat coins

☆(*^o^)乂(^-^*)☆ I am friends with Ms. Noa again!!

Next Chapter

Senpai boukenshasan ga tasukete kureru no de kitto daijoubu nano desu! Shinmai boukensha no nikki-chou