Chapter 297

"I'm sorry, Seam.

How are you?"

"Yeah... hey.

It doesn't hurt anymore."

A seam with a relaxed expression was being wrapped by Uranus. It felt really good.

Meleoron, who was looking down in the same way beside me, had a surprised expression on his face.

"I think I'm worried.

I want you to take over from now on."

"Damn it."

"Come on. It should move."

"Puni-puni."

30 minutes remaining.

"Hm?

... No, well, the break time is 30 minutes, but the Lap Pillow..."

"Puni-puni."

"Oh."

It looks like I really won't have 30 minutes of free time. I wanted to do some Kumite with Uranus, but it might not be possible today...

"Meleoron, would you like to join me?"

"I believe I would be thoroughly defeated right now, but?"

"Do you have any confidence?"

"Is that so? Then let's not do that.

After all, I think it's still too early."

Hmm...

There was a slight miscalculation. I thought Meleoron could do a little better, but in the end, Meleoron injured Seam.

Looking at the flow from just now, this is not Seam's fault. I just did what I was told. Meleoron must have let his guard down while repeating the same movements.

I also have a responsibility for ignoring the possibility of losing it due to sweat, but at least Meleoron would have had a chance to notice. I will be careful in the future, though.

Instead of this, the problem is...

Uranus is in a bad mood.

No matter how you look at it, I'm angry. I don't know if this is detrimental to me, but I can see signs of anger. Seam still seems to be in a good mood because he knows he is angry for his own sake.

Kumite might not let me... for a while. The reaction to the injury is much more severe than I expected. It might be because that seam hurt me.

Then... as a fighter, he is a very, very difficult person to deal with. Why is he so strict with himself, yet so tolerant of others?

Then, isn't this a problem that could have been avoided?

"Can I take a break too?"

"I don't mind."

"You're tired, Meleoron, aren't you?

Don't overdo it, just take a break."

"... Alright, I'll do that during Kumite."

"Little sister, we meet again."

It is said that the seam used as a Lap Pillow is very loose.

"... If you want to do it, I don't mind."

"The problem being exposed is a harvest.

... Aisha, you want to talk about Kumite, right?"

"Yes.

Hmm..."

"... I will tell you.

If you cannot come up with a concrete plan to prevent the recurrence of injuries, I will not let these two join Ging for the time being.

Did I say it too early?"

Did they actually come...

"I understand, but is there really no benefit to Kumite?"

"... Let's hear the opinions of the two.

How was it?"

"............"

Neither the brother nor the sister dared to speak. Probably.

"You don't have to worry about me or Aisha.

This concerns my future Training plan, so just say what you think."

Xin gently rubbed the face that had been hit by his sister.

"I think it makes sense."

Our gazes turned to Meleoron.

"... In order not to hurt us, it's impossible for us to call it Kumite."

No matter how careful you are, this kind of thing will happen, and I don't think there is any point in doing Kumite unless it is a move that will hurt you if you strike seriously.

There is no doubt that Kumite itself has meaning. I know how careful you all are with me."

Uranus sighed.

"Hmm, that is the expected answer.

So, my point is that injuries should be avoided as much as possible, and it is too early to start Kumite now.

Aisha's opinion is that Kumite should be started as early as possible, even if there is an injury."

"……Yes."

"This is just a parallel line.

A while ago, I forced him to do Kumite, but since he was actually injured, we were also unwise.

If you still want these two to do Kumite, I hope you come up with measures to prevent it from happening again."

Ingredients.... Not good, I can't think of anything...

At least I don't think I can convince Uranus with anything I can think of right now.

"……Can I have some time?"

"Alright. This is also something I should consider.

I couldn't help but think about it, the deadline is...

The next time I train here. How about that?"

Hmm. The next thing will be around noon tomorrow.

"I understand."

"Hmm. Anyway, I don't intend to let you two do Kumite today, and after that, I will exercise my body normally. Seam won't do full-body exercises today either, just to train his body. Hands and feet."

"Okay."

"What should I do?"

"Suit yourself.

Before they join forces, I won't stop Aisha and Meleoron. If you want to use Aura to do it, you can use 'Shu' to do it."

"I just refused, I'm still a little scared."

"I won't do Kumite with anyone today either."

I don't feel like that...

When I and Meleoron trained our physical abilities, Seam slept on her lap, her hair being stroked by Uranus.

"Oh, Ichakora and"

A pervert who speaks so I can hear him. Shut up and run. That side is a different space. The world we live in is different. I can't see, I can't see.

30 minutes must have passed. However...

Seam was sleeping soundly on Uranus's Lap Pillow. Little by little.

"Uranus, do you mind if I wake you up?"

Shout when you get close. Uranus should know.

"No problem.

'Zetsu', I've already done it, it's better to recover a little Aura."

Hmm. Normally, I wouldn't let him doze off during precious Training time, but it's hard to say today. If you insist on resting, I cannot object.

"How is your injury?"

"That has already completely healed."

"You don't have to mislead me.

I know the extent of my injury."

Uranus looked up at me with a complicated expression.

"……Do you think Aisha is overprotective of me?"

"Yes, I think so.

Not just for Seam."

Uranus lowered his gaze.

"I know I am overly cautious when it comes to Training.

I am worried about whether I can really clear it in this situation."

I wonder if there is a reason I didn't notice that much...

If I had time, I would like to vote for his cautious argument. We have multiple ticking time bombs. My companions might come to hinder me, Uranus might hurt my body, Meleoron's Pursuit might come... I can't say it's impossible to have disagreements.

You never know when it will explode.... Too many things to worry about.

"It's not good to do this and that at the same time.

It takes time to get results.

If you do too much, everything will fall apart. That's why I'm doing this carefully."

"I understand, but..."

He smiled bitterly and gently stopped me from saying anything.

"It's under construction.

... I'm happy right now. I don't want to force it to break."

…………

If you say so, you can't say anything else...

"Aisha."

"I feel sorry for you, but can I say something selfish?"

"... What?"

Another rare occurrence. What would you say at a time like this?

"I'm Training in Otania tomorrow, are you going to cancel?"

"What?"

I want to know if you want to take a break from Training tomorrow, since you ran into trouble today.

"Do you still remember? Where are you going tomorrow?"

"That would of course be... ah, that, I am called...

Snowflake, right?"

"Yeah. Snow City.

That doesn't mean I'm not Training tomorrow.

Snowflake has quite a few events. It's not easy to finish after half a day.

I need to buy a lot of winter gear, and I don't want the gear to be a burden, so I think I'll attack Snowflake immediately.

There are also tough events, so I think it's a Training session for both of us. Copper?"

I see.

"So you're going to focus on tomorrow's competition strategy."

"Ancestor.

Maybe I'll stay overnight at the Snowflake Hotel. Don't you want to poke a warm pot while snuggling?"

Ingredients. Are you here to catch a Fugura?... I'm not going to be lured, but I didn't hinder my own actions for the sake of clearing the level. If it's also Training, then even more so.... I'm not being lured by bait.

"If this is a game strategy, there's no reason to object to it.

... Maybe you thought of that from the beginning?"

"What do you mean?"

"..."

Not long ago, the deadline for considering measures to prevent injuries during Kumite was 'the next time I'm Training here'."

"Oh, did you make a Discovery? That's right.

I don't believe I can come up with it tomorrow either. So the deadline is the day after tomorrow.

The event capture of Snowflake will let the two of them move, so I want to see that and use it as a reference for how I will Train them in the future."

... I'm more thoughtful about the Training of the two than I thought.

One.... I see, I see...

"Uranus.

Sim's injury is not your fault."

His expression was somewhat stern.

"That's fine too. No matter what you think, I'm the one who should be taking care of you, so you won't get hurt."

"No. I forced him to do that Kumite, so I should be blamed."

"I gave it permission.

If you were perfect, you might have been able to stop it, but I have the ability to notice—"

"Please wait a moment.

... No.

Whether you can be kind to yourself or not, I was proposing the Kumite, including the possibility of injury. First of all, it's impossible not to get hurt in the process of becoming stronger and Training.

I know. That kind of thing is.

But, I neglected the countermeasures because of this, and that is my fault."

"... Even I know that."

Uranus's voice was trembling.

"It's impossible to do Kumite without getting hurt.

Even if you could do it, such Kumite wouldn't be very fruitful.

That's why I thought it wouldn't help if I got hurt.

But..."

Ah, I know—

"Actually, Meleoron hurt Sim...

Oh, I..."

Witnessing siblings getting hurt and injured in a Kumite match.

He might be more shocked than we are.

"Sorry..."

I downplayed it, angry at myself...

Finally, he let out a soft sound, and I was speechless.

──As a warrior, I think Uranus is a very cute person. I can't be that strong. No one can be stronger.

──But. After listening to Mom's teachings, I think he is a very compassionate person. You feel others' pain and blame yourself for not stopping it.

I don't know which one is correct.

However, I should understand his feelings.

For Uranus, we are the first friends.

My friend is hurt, and I do not understand his feelings.

A hand brushes against Uranus's cheek, and tears fall.

"Uranus... you don't need to cry."

Seam wakes up on her lap, reaches out a hand, and speaks to him.

"You've talked about that sister too, haven't you?

... I've already gotten used to the pain."

"But..."

"I don't like pain, but...

I hate being weak and helpless, unable to do anything.

If I could become stronger, this wouldn't hurt at all... so don't worry."

Uranus cries. Seam smiles awkwardly.

Seam... you know his feelings. I really like Uranus.

... It is because of the pain accumulated at the seams—I feel intense anger toward that group of people who seem to repeat the experiments. This must have pushed Seam to the edge of despair, just as he feels happy about his current situation.

To be taught by a child like this, I am still immature...

"Uranus.

I am sorry, I cannot understand your feelings."

"Good, that's it...!"

He returns with painful words. What a caring child, truly...

Thump. A three-fingered hand is placed on his head.

"You care about us too much, don't you?

I have no reason to hold a grudge against you just because you hurt me."

"Meleoron..."

"Don't worry.

We are deeply grateful.

... And Ikalgo too. So don't worry too much, okay?"

"... Yes."

Even as the sobbing Uranus calms down, none of us move.

Seam is still on his lap, and Meleoron is still standing there, without shifting his weight.

This... it's useless if it isn't cut off.

"Uranus.

You seem to have calmed down, and I have something I want to talk to you about."

"... What?"

"Regarding recurrence prevention measures.

I agree with the flow of the story, but please let me return to a blank slate for now.

I don't think it's right for me to come up with a solution on my own. Shall we all discuss it together?"

"Don't say nice things!"

Meleoron loudly expresses his agreement.

"First of all, why don't you ask us more?

Well, we are definitely no match for you, but we are the ones doing the Kumite, you know?"

"I want to think about how to deal with you."

Uranus gives a wry smile, as if troubled after enduring the words of his siblings.

"... I'm sorry. I did something wrong.

We should have consulted with each other from the beginning."

And in the calm atmosphere, the consultation begins, but...

──The difference in the amount of Aura between Meleoron and Seam is too great──

──Even with Kumite without Aura, it is hard to expect results──

──It is hard to aim because it shakes so quickly──

──For example, ensuring that it is fine even if hit──

──That is not Training to prevent attacks──

──Is this self-defense Training? I know that well──

──That is why you call it defensive Training, right? ──

──Rather, this is a type of Training to actually maintain 'Ryu'──

──I can barely manifest my Aura anymore──

──Is it too early? ──

──Even so, how much longer will you continue Training? ──

──I didn't have enough foundation, which led to this injury──

──If you come up with a method, you will be able to find a good way──

──But I can't think of one──

──You are doing too much at once──

──It's fine even if you get hurt──

──No, be careful──

──Considering the Aura of the Seam, I think there is too much Goo──

…………

Ha. ……Hmm, I understand.

Clapping with bread to get attention.

"……Just as you said.

I think I was too impatient. Let's stop the two Kumite for now."

When I told them this, Knuckle and Meleoron were clearly relieved. Seam was flustered.

"Aisha, I will try my best——"

"It seems so. This is not your fault.

I just decided that at this stage, I cannot expect enough effect.

After gaining more basic physical strength, let's do the Kumite efficiently.

Besides, this doesn't mean you won't do Kumite itself, right? Knuckle and I will be careful not to hurt you."

Seam lay on her lap, looking up at her sister with a complicated expression.

"Seam, sorry, I'll leave it to you for now."

"……

Do you understand?"

Burying his face in Knuckle's knees, Seam. Were you impatient? I'm sure it's regrettable.

Knuckle stroked Seam's hair comfortingly,

"It's not too far off either, both of you are getting stronger at an unreasonable speed.

Seam has no technical foundation or body at all, so he just ran into trouble."

"It is the same with Meleoron.

As a Nen user, the most important Aura amount is outstanding, so I am one step ahead."

As far as the current situation is concerned, Meleoron is the best among them. If it's just the Aura amount.

"Ha. As far as I'm concerned, the Treasure is wasted, it's truly amazing."

"Aren't you trying your best not to let it go to waste?"

"……"

That is also the fear of the Chimera Ant. Admittedly, his ability is unstable and inconsistent because he did not start Training from zero, but if he accumulates enough basic Training, how high could he reach? I'm afraid he would become an existence that ordinary Nen users cannot contend with.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm weak anyway……"

"Come on, Seam, don't rub your face on my knees."

"Puni"

"It's itchy, so stop."

Don't know if you hate it or like it. Flirting and playing around.

……Hmm, no. I lost my mind too.

"Should we finish Training today?"

When I said this, the three of them looked at me as if looking at something incredible.

"Eh eh eh!? Aisha, what happened to you!?"

"Why!? Are you not feeling well!?"

"Hmm……

What whim is it this time? I look fine."

……Hmm, this reaction is acceptable. Sorry, I am too different from the others.

"There is no very good reason.

For tomorrow, I think it is best to improve my energy and physical strength.

Right? Knuckle."

"Uh……hmm, that's right.

If you run out of physical strength halfway, that would definitely be bad."

"Knuckle, tomorrow?"

"Ah, are you talking about Tonko who said she was going tomorrow?

I know it's cold in the snow, but is it that difficult?"

"It is difficult to complete the entire event in one day.

I want to continue the capture as much as possible, but I am considering a Compromise with my physical strength and time, and ending it halfway.

In any case, I think it's a good idea to leave today's fatigue behind."

"Then there is no reason to continue Training.

Let's take a break first and prepare for tomorrow."

"Then let's go to the inn.

I wonder if it's okay to rest and play once in a while."

"Huhu!!"

"Aisha and Knuckle are both generous!"

My siblings are really hot. How much do you hate Training? ……Well, you decided to hate it. I don't think I became stronger because I liked it.

"You two don't be so happy, isn't it very bad for Aisha?"

Are you dissatisfied with the way you use your brain? Hmm.