043: Chased by Fear

Today, I’m running down the corridor with all my energy. I run down the stairs skipping every other stair, I feel like I’ve run through all of the first and second floor, and even the garden outside. How many times have I seen the same scenery fly by?

I can hear the footsteps of my pursuer. From my point of view, they’re playing a melody of death. They’re coming to reap my life, and I’m running away. I can’t escape from that person’s amazing physical ability.

Why are you running? Because I’m running away.

What are you running away from? It’s from the pursuer.

“Wait!” Eleanora

From the back, my pursuer, Eleanora, is yelling at me.

“Augh, it was just an unavoidable accident.” Al

“Nonsense!” Eleanora

I tried to make an excuse with my quivering voice, but it was rejected. How unreasonable! But that’s nothing new. This dreadful game of tag started a short while ago when I was spending time in the mansion normally…

As winter approaches, the air is getting drier and colder these days. I was planning on staying in or on my bed today, since I assumed it was going to be another cold day. However, when I opened the window, it turned out to be a warm day, lucky me! It would be terrible to stay cooped up in my room on a day like this.

On a day like this, you should enjoy at the autumn beauty from the balcony or take a nice walk. It would be a good idea to visit Thor or exercise some. With those thoughts in mind, I started walking from my room to the second floor balcony.

As I went down the hallway, I noticed that Eleanora’s door was open. When I looked inside, I saw Eleanora admiring herself in the mirror she was recently given. Previously, the only mirror was in our parent’s room, but now a second mirror was purchased.

Eleanora looks to be in a good mood, she’s playing with her long hair. She strokes her bangs and twists around to check for any strange angles to her body. She lifts the hem of her shirt, so she could inspect her stomach. Perhaps she’s unsatisfied, she doesn’t have a happy expression.

“Hmm…” Eleanora

“Oh, Eleanora gained weight?” Al

“Bu-whaa?” Eleanora

“Uhh?” Al

“Who are you calling fat!” Eleanora

“No! Don’t throw your slipper at me!” Al

I have to scream now! The slipper digs into my cheek. But what is with her reaction speed? I couldn’t see her movement until the slipper was flying at me already. Eleanora is a scary sister.

“That said, I can’t overlook your comment” Eleanora

So we’re descending into violence? Well that’s expected. Anyway I have to find a way to escape my mistake. Even so, why would Eleanora be so vindictive?

“Can you hear me?” Eleanora

“Oh! I’m sorry, please let go of the slipper in your hand.” Al

I apologize in a hurry, perhaps Eleanora will relax her stance. However, she hasn’t put her slipper back on.

When women hold a slipper in their hand, it turns from a simple footwear to a sacred weapon. It’s been said that one slipper wielder is worth 100 arrows, no matter how fast the other person can run. It’s been a big success in Japan even when the opponent is stronger.

“So?” Eleanora

Eleanora wants more of an apology I guess, as she taps her slippers in her hand.

“You have a nice, big window” Al

“Is that really your response?” Eleanora

A suspicious look, is she really doubting her brother?

At this rate, I’m going to a quick defeat, so I change the conversation.

“Are you worried about your clothes?” Al

“It’s not clothes, but I feel like I’ve gotten some extra heft on my stomach lately…” Eleanora

“Don’t most people experience that around this time of year?” Al

Maybe it’s a similar thing to wild animals storing fat for winter?

“Al?” Eleanora

“It’s a mistake, it didn’t happen. Eleanora’s arms, legs, belly and chest are all slender.”

“Chest?” Eleanora

“Huh? Your chest is slender… Augh! I shouldn’t have said that!” Al

“…” Eleanora

It’s over now. I couldn’t even think of something to say. I dashed out of there immediately.

Well, that was the inciting event for this horrible game of tag. I may have gone too far with the remarks, but I thought I apologized?

“I was aware I shouldn’t have said that. Augh! Don’t throw a wooden sword!” Al

“Slow down!” Eleanora

Eleanora, why would I do that at this point?

I run down the stairs and open the door to the first floor hallway. I just keep running, Eleanora follows me into the corridor.

“Hey! It’s dangerous to run around in the mansion!” Al

Nord is unhappy with our speed. But if I stop, I’ll be in great danger. There’s no guarantee I’ll survive if caught. Will you forgive me if I give you a Gekota-kun slipper this time?

“How are you running so fast? Are you using body strengthening?” Al

“Why are you saying that Eleanora? How are you running so fast in slippers?” Eleanora

I don’t understand how she can run so fast in slippers. When I try to observe her gait, Gekota-kun’s face looks wrinkled as if he’s in pain.

As for me, I’m sliding around in my slippers. I’m familiar with how to move quickly in slippers from my junior high school years. Even with that, I can’t shake Eleanora.

Eventually I made a loop outside of the mansion and head back in. At this rate, I’ll tire myself out and get caught. Should I use Transfer Magic to escape? I run upstairs into my room and locked the door.

“Open up! Let’s talk it out and I’ll forgive you!” Eleanora

Eleanora bangs on the door and shouts at me, aren’t you threatening a death sentence?

“I absolutely won’t!” Al

“Ah, I’ll get this open right away!” Eleanora

Eleanora leaves with an ominous remark. I have some time to think, so I exhale.

Hmm, I was expecting her to break the door down, but I can’t rest yet. The door has a spare key, so I can’t hide out in my room. Still, the time that Eleanora will spend getting the spare key is useful. I open my windows and drape a rope out the window.

Hopefully Eleanora will assume that I’ve escaped through the open window. An agitated Eleanora can be deceived, hopefully.

I heard a metallic scraping sound in the door’s lock, has she already come back? I envision another place in the mansion before she can enter the room, then transfer.

“Hey! Be prepared for a strict sword practice today! Huh?” Eleanora

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

Chapter

Love It!

What?

FFS!

Really?