For People Who Are In The World

Chapter 28: Part 2

「In addition, I gave a hint about the possibility of me being Japanese, such as the dishes I made and their names. Their names are from our previous world, right? Latifa however only accepted it without question. 」

　

　

"Well……"

　

　

It seemed like he never thought about it again since it was presented just like that. Latifa expression looked like she finally realized something.

　

　

「And I want to tell you something else. I already told you when we first started our journey that we would only travel together up to the forest spirit village territory. At first that was my intention. For my own selfish reasons, I helped Latifa because if possible, I don't want you to be a murderer. 」

　

　

Rio spoke to Latifa, full of determination.

　

　

「……」

　

　

Yet at Rio's words, Latifa could only daydream at him without a word.

　

　

「However, when I discovered that you are a former Japanese [person], I became really sympathetic to your circumstances. Soon after, you came to look at me like your own brother. 」

　

　

At that moment, Latifa understood the affection Rio was trying to convey despite his indifferent tone.

　

　

"I am worried . What should I do with you? Originally, I only saved you for my half-hearted reasons and selfish pride, but before I realized it, you became an irreplaceable existence to me. 」

　

　

With an expression similar to distress or something, Rio briefly glanced at Latifa.

　

　

「So I decided to accompany you here and ask the village to bring you under their care. Not at all I expected for us to stay together for so long. 」

　

　

Rio paused his story for a moment and looked at Latifa with a serious expression.

　

　

Under her sharp gaze, Latifa slightly flinched.

　

　

Atif Latifa, I'm just a hypocrite who sympathizes with you, posing as your guardian to satisfy my own sense of self-awareness. To be honest, I might not deserve to be called "Onii-chan" by you. No, I certainly don't. So it doesn't matter if you no longer think of me as your Onii-chan. 」

　

　

Revealing everything he had to say, Rio was quietly waiting for Latifa answer.

　

　

Thus, it was nothing more than satisfaction now that he had told Latifa everything.

　

　

So, it was only fair if he hated her for that.

　

　

He had already decided for himself when he told the truth.

　

　

Not long after, Latifa closed her eyes in contemplation. While biting her lips, she looked at Rio after finding his determination.

　

　

「Finally ... Finally, can I understand your heart. Why did this man save me. Why this guy treated me so well. Although these questions kept lingering in the corner of my mind, I did not think about it and told myself that it was because this person was my Onii-chan. Even so, the kindness I received from you is genuine. 」

　

　

Suddenly, Latifa started speaking in Japanese.

　

　

「... Goodness is fake, you know. 」

　

　

Rio replied with slightly widened eyes.

　

　

"No . It was real. I am very sensitive to human crime. Humans treat me like a pet, direct their evil and beat me every day. 」

　

　

Latifa revealed a smile that contained a self-deprecating gesture.

　

　

「I am very sensitive to human crime. Despite that, I reached a point where I no longer knew any other way to live other than to submit to my human master. Therefore, I wonder, how much of my selfishness will this person tolerate and when will he scold me? You seem kind-hearted so I said I wanted to follow you, but from the beginning, I observed you to see what kind of evil intentions you had. 」

　

　

Latifa spoke with a sad expression.

　

　

「However, after talking to you, such thoughts soon disappear. Because the affection I receive from you feels the same as the affection I received from my mother in this world. 」

　

　

Latifa turned around and, with an excited looking gaze, looked at Rio. [TL: the beautiful gaze of a loli]

　

　

「When I first met you\, I was a broken individual\, blank\, not the cheerful one you see now. For me such a thing\, you ... You\, give me this world\, everything. Compassion\, freedom\, peace\, happiness\, joy\, family\, friend. That's why —— 」[TL: please don't forget that although the charm of the loli radiates\, he is still a former loli killer] [ED2: Loli killer is fine but a beautiful loli ... I don't.. know ………. ] [TL: He's braver than me 20 years]

　

　

　

　

"That's why ... Even so, may I continue to call you Onii-chan?"

It was then that Rio noticed that Latifa, as well as himself, had been similarly restless from the start.

　

　

「... Yes, even if I leave the forest spirit village, Latifa will always be my beloved little sister. 」

　

　

Rio deeply nodded, smiling gently on his face.

　

　

"Chan Onii!"

　

　

At that moment, overwhelmed by emotions, Latifa hugged Rio, hugging him with tears.

　

　

Rio firmly caught it.

　

　

It is not known how long the two have remained that way.

　

　

Rio continued to calm the crying Latifa.

　

　

Without knowing why, Latifa's cries comforted him.

　

　

Finally when she finished crying, Latifa, whose face was buried in Rio's chest, looked at him.

　

　

「... You know, I'm still immature so Onii-chan doesn't have to follow my selfishness. But, I want to know more about Onii-chan. So that when Onii-chan leaves the village, I will not feel lonely. Therefore, will you tell me about your previous life, Onii-chan? 」

　

　

With that, Latifa broke the silence between them.

　

　

Rio slightly nodded with a slight lonely smile.

　

　

'That's right .. although I don't think it's really interesting, if it doesn't matter to you. 」

　

　

She said that to him while gently stroking the head of Latifa, who was smiling shyly.

　

　

And then, Rio talked about his past life.

　

　

How she was previously a University student, the girl who was her childhood friend, how she developed a lifelong love for him, and how her feelings were never appreciated because she disappeared.

　

　

Similarly, Latifa told Rio about her previous life.

　

　

How he used to be an elementary school student, the many friends he had, how his parents were busy with work and he often found himself alone at home, and how nonetheless, he was, his family still has a good relationship.

　

　

The most surprising thing is probably how they both died in the same traffic accident.

　

　

The two continued to share stories about their previous lives until they saw the twilight had come down.

　

　

It was on that day that the two became siblings in the true sense.

　

　

「Oya. This ... You two seem closer than usual. I assume that everything went well? 」

　

　

After returning home, Arthura questioned them while staring in admiration at Latifa who was clinging to Rio.

　

　

「Ya .. I told Latifa about how I would leave the village soon. 」

　

　

Reacting to Arthura's view, Rio reported the results of their discussion.

　

　

「Yah! You know, I decided to earnestly wait for the arrival of Onii-chan after she left the village. 」

　

　

Looking at Latifa carefree smile, tears dripped from Arthura's eyes.

　

　

「Hoho ... I get so moved easier to cry every year ... Rio-dono, I am truly grateful for saving this child. 」

　

　

Arthura clasped Rio's hand in his honor.