Travel through the daily life of the dragon clan

Chapter 592, The Azaleas and the Boy on the Mountain

Chapter 592, The Azaleas and the Boy on the Mountain (5)

Has she come today? Or not yet?

It might come tomorrow.

I don't know when it started, but I began chasing that small figure along the coastline.

"How's your house? Is it holding up? Mine's had a problem though; a lot of windows were smashed."

"Ah, this must be exhausting. I'm already preparing to close the hot springs... With this heavy rain, is a super typhoon coming?"

Hotel owners also have things to talk about.

For those of us who remain here, this is all we have.

This is the largest rainstorm I've ever seen, no, I've never even heard of, since I was born.

"Me too. My wallet is always empty at this time of year. But the money I saved from this rain can get by... There are more and more people coming from the mainland, it's like they're fleeing a disaster."

"Escape? What happened on the other side of the land?"

My mind drifted back to the unremarkable years of my life and my film experiences up to this point.

"Hmm... I heard that the city has been flooded and transportation has come to a complete standstill. I heard this from the guests. They say there are monsters hiding in the water, and even the Self-Defense Forces can't do anything about it."

"It's like a movie."

The other bosses were still chatting.

My gaze, however, involuntarily drifted toward the unpredictable sea.

Even I don't know what I'm looking at.

Are they parents?

Or is it Miss Romanov, whom I haven't seen for several years?

I do not know.

I'm a despicable person too... If life on land becomes unbearable, then what about Miss Romanov...?

I wonder if it's really a divine intervention.

As I held this thought, I saw—

"Romanov! Isn't that Miss Romanov...!"

"Master Beiyang, I've been looking for you."

"Looking for... looking for me?"

"Yes."

"How wonderful! I've been thinking every day about whether I'll ever see you again... Quick, guest, come with me! There's one room available at the inn, please make yourself at home. It's been so long! Oh, so that's what it was, you were looking for me."

Yes, they're looking for you.

Several years later, she looks exactly the same as before, as exquisite as a doll.

I must have changed a lot.

After all, I am no longer a sixteen-year-old boy compared to when we first met.

But she still recognized me at a glance. That's great, that's great.

"No, Master Beiyang, the inns are probably already full. I have a place to stay, so you don't need to worry."

"Huh?! No, no... I mean... I..."

"Thank you very much. Please be careful and don't pick up any more customers in Beiyang recently. It's very unsafe."

"...Are you worried about me? Haha, you're worried about me!? I know."

Yes, I was worried about you.

It was only at this moment that I realized.

On this not-so-bright evening.

It has been raining for days.

The sun hadn't peeked out from behind the clouds for a long time, and the gloomy water droplets hung in the air like spider silk.

In such a gloomy world, her appearance here still seems like an alien.

On a late autumn day marked by continuous torrential rain, Zero Razumovskaya Romanov was no longer dressed in her usual understated attire. Instead, she was dressed entirely in black, carrying two large black suitcases. A black umbrella, a black trench coat over a black outfit, and aside from her striking pale blonde hair still shimmering, her entire being was as somber as a raven.

The doll-like girl is dressed in dignified black today.

As the wind blew, only a few strands of tassels on her forehead fluttered under the black umbrella.

Her hair, which was originally long enough to reach her waist, was tied back like a woman's.

And those blue eyes, even more vibrant than before.

She had mentioned before that classmate had pursued her passionately for a long time. But seeing her now, a completely different person, even if it's just my speculation, still stung me.

"Is that so... What's wrong... Um, your hair, and this outfit."

That's how it is, just like that.

"..."

My question seemed to confuse her. She thought about where to begin her answer, paused for a moment, put down her luggage, and then, unusually, gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

“A friend of mine is going to pass away, so I think this is better.”

Just like before, it was an answer that left me completely baffled.

I've never attended a funeral, but I know that black is the color of clothing for funerals... so isn't it a bit premature to say this? After all, it's just "going to die"... and even the phrase itself is something I don't understand.

"Moreover, this makes it easier to move around. Although there may be some other problems, they can always be resolved."

I pressed her for details. What happened? Had she gotten into trouble?

Romanov didn't tell me the details, but simply turned his head and quietly glanced in the direction of the northern land.

That look in my eyes... made me want to run away.

Years have passed.

Romanov grew into a dignified lady without anyone noticing, just like her name suggests, pure, flawless, and proudly independent.

I can no longer associate myself with her...

...Even if it's a long-awaited reunion, I should be happy about it, but I feel dizzy for her and say some pathetic things.

"Miss Romanov... seems so far away from me all of a sudden."

The seasons that cycle through her, the years that have passed, also exist within me.

But I am still the same coward I was when we first met.

"I now live in a small town in Izu."

"No, not physical distance, but that kind of... spiritual distance."

"..."

"You are truly remarkable. While I was still standing here in a daze and silent, you had already made so many amazing changes...

"Master Beiyang works very hard every day."

"It's not that I think being a hotel owner is a bad job."

I don't believe there's a distinction between high and low jobs.

But comparisons will still occur.

"I quite like my job here. But how should I put it... when I see you, I think of myself. Is this really okay? I have things I should do too, right? I have this feeling."

"..."

"If only I could make some changes too..."

If I could try a little harder, would I be able to find my parents? Would I be able to be with Miss Romanov...?

"Master Beiyang".

"I am here!!!"

“I feel that…we are closer than when we first met.”

"……Eh?"

Quite surprised.

She doesn't seem like the type of person who would say something like that.

How should I put it... these kinds of words...

“I can find you very quickly here.”

These comforting words didn't sound like something she would say at all.

“We have met many times, and I have me in my heart.”

No, that's not right. It's not that it doesn't resemble the character, but rather that it can't express itself properly

From the moment we met, I knew that Romanov was not the kind of person who would try to please others to comfort them.

"……Um."

I dare not go to see her.

Her calm voice continued.

Have we grown apart?

I still remember the first time we met. This girl was so quiet and uninterested in anything.

“Master Beiyang, you are the same. You can always find me quickly, as soon as I arrive here.”

She can now do even the things she was worst at.

"Aren't we friends...?"

"That's not how it is... Even if someone saw you elsewhere, they would definitely recognize you at a glance... I'm sorry, it's not like that... I'm not... a friend, am I? We're friends now, right? Yes, friends..."

“Yes, Master Beiyang. My ancestors were apparently a very large family. I heard that friends are a rare thing for us there. Master Beiyang, we have been friends for a long time.”

I don't understand anything about their ancestors or anything like that.

but,

Miss Romanov has grown up again.

"Sorry……"

"No need for an apology, Master Beiyang."

On the day we met, she was like a little deer living alone in the forest.

Over time, and through many experiences, her mind gradually matured.

Now, she can even say it aloud. She is fighting well against the fate that God has given her.

what.

I also want to become like Romanov.

I want to be like this girl.

I really want to be like her.

I was young once too. Elsewhere, you can start over no matter what.

But I couldn't do that.

I can't abandon my family, and I can't abandon this place.

Have I ever thought about abandoning my family and my past?
I...I didn't.

Because they are my family, we are close relatives who share the same blood.

Parents protect their children, and the child admires them. Are these all just lies?
Why? Why can't my family be as ordinary as that?
Is being ordinary such a difficult thing for me? Is it because I'm weak?
--dad.

--Mother.

I am still like a child, wandering in the memory of the day I was abandoned.

“A lot has happened during the time we haven’t seen each other… But something else is more important than me. I’ve settled down in Tokyo and opened a coffee shop called ‘Ie no Mio.’”

I knew about this about two years ago.

Located in Akihabara 23-chome, Tokyo, the second shop next door to a flower shop. All this information was written on an invitation that was delivered to me two years ago.

“I…I don’t talk much to people around here…the shop needs to be taken care of…Although there aren’t many customers, the customers paid deposits…and then they missed their appointments…I’ve never been that far before…”

I listed the reasons as if I were making excuses.

Actually, I didn't do anything wrong.

"It's a pity that it needs to be renovated now. The shops in the city are all going out of business, which is why we came here."

"Come here to seek refuge...?"

"That's part of the reason. Besides that, I brought the tools from the shop, hoping to make some pastries... After hearing that you've been staying here, I wanted you to try my pastries."

What would a pastry that has been aged for several years taste like? Romanov seemed unwilling to reveal the contents of the pastry he wanted me to taste; he didn't tell me.

"...That's my specialty, a sweet only available at 'Ie no Mio'. That's all I can say."

That once lifeless girl, like a doll, can now speak these words that inspire anticipation.

"So, Miss Romanov, you're staying here to avoid this super typhoon, is that right?"

"Yes."

"And then? I mean... will you continue running the coffee shop in Tokyo?"

"Yes. We plan to keep operating it for at least the next ten years."

"..."

I guess I won't come back again.

I think I understand now.

Over the years, I've gotten along well with many guests, but after a certain day, those people never showed up again.

Romanov would be the same.

I see.

I understand.

Just as I need to stay and watch over this hotel, Romanov also has his own things he cares about.

I understand.

"...So, this is the last time I'll take a boat trip...?"

The intervals between our meetings have been getting longer and longer.

After all, it had been more than two years since we last met.

I felt Romanov's gaze, but I didn't know what she saw on my face, nor what my expression was like.

That's embarrassing, isn't it?

But I didn't dare look into her eyes.

"If Master Beiyang is still here, please allow me to ride your steamboat on the return journey."

"I'm here! I haven't been picking up any other passengers lately, I'll just wait here."

"I think that will be a long time from now."

"It's okay, it doesn't matter...because!"

*
I will never see you again, will I?
*
Sadness choked me, and I couldn't speak.

But Romanov understood.

After a moment, she said to me,
"Ok."

After that, I took Romanov to a temporary encampment with tents scattered throughout the mountains.

Then, just as I had declared, I didn't go to pick up any other guests, but simply waited for the weather to clear up, or...

"..."

She said a lot had happened. But as she pulled back her proud blonde hair, could it really be described so simply in just a few words?

I watched her from afar as she busied herself between the two tents; Miss Romanov was currently preoccupied with her own affairs.

Honestly, the man he mentioned named 'Zhuo' wasn't even by her side at a time like this.

"..."

But without that adult who always caused Romanov trouble, I would never have met her.

Our repeated exchanges have not faded with time, but have gradually accumulated to this point.

"...Try a little harder."

I muttered to myself, my voice trembling with pathetic sobs.

I was really too much.

They're complaining that the torrential rain, which has already devastated the city, isn't working hard enough.

But now my heart is completely broken, and I have no strength left, so my tone has become very bad.

I had anticipated the day when I wouldn't be able to say goodbye, but I imagined it would be a more peaceful ending.

That's not it, it's more like...

Yes, just like before. Just like before, when his parents disappeared so casually, Romanov no longer comes here.

Unable to leave, I stayed in this place, thinking that she might come again, and kept waiting.

In this way, to outsiders, my master might seem pitiful, but to me, it was an ending full of hope and redemption...

And I never imagined that just not seeing a guest I rarely get to see would cause such pain in my chest.

"..."

I'm an idiot.

Yes, he's not very bright, and he lacks courage. He just stays in one place, thinking he can sense the subtle changes in other people's hearts—just a fool. He has absolutely no talent.

And now I realize that I'm just as oblivious to my own feelings, only understanding them when I felt the pain.

"……I……"

It must be because I'm an idiot that I'm all alone.

"There's only one person left..."

The words came out of his mouth unconsciously.

I cried, not in silent sobs, but in a loud wail like I did when I was a child.

“…Waaaa…waaaa…waaaaa…”

I am very happy.

I'm so glad Romanov chose me and came here to see me.

"...No...I still...Waaah..."

I'm waiting here. Waiting for someone to remember me and come see me.

I hope someone will come looking for me.

That's what I look forward to living.

That's just how awful I am.

Romanov was the same as me.

This girl, like me, was abandoned in this vast world, wanting to hold onto the people who were important to her. And she did it, refusing to give up even in the face of life's absurdities; she truly lived life to the fullest…

Her growth, and the way she grew up, inspired me.

I think we're like partners.

Not friends, but better than friends.

"...Mom...when are you coming back..."

I am here, all alone.

So, meeting that girl, at some point, became my salvation.

Seeing her is like seeing another version of myself.

Romanov.

She's like me. Zero Razumovskaya Romanov, she's like me.

Waiting for someone who will never come back.

Even if you only see them a few times in your lifetime.

She can come to see me whenever she thinks of me.