Friend
Cradled in Valdo’s arms, listening to the beat of his heart, I thought about it.
… Valdo had once had his village attacked by monsters, and because of that, he lost both his family and the place he lived.
And with a past like that… man, I can’t believe he still picked up some suspicious unknown creature like me.
Of course, part of the reason was probably that I’m all fluffy and, no matter how you look at me, don’t seem remotely threatening...
But after hearing that story just now, I felt all over again how grateful I was that Valdo had taken me in and brought me home like this.
And more than that… earlier, when he introduced me to Vice-Commander Carion as “the Black Iron Claws’ new recruit,” that made me really happy too!
Sure, I’m sure he was half joking...
Even so, it felt like he’d acknowledged me as one of the Black Iron Claws too, and that honestly made me so happy.
So, I decided!
The other day, as a way to repay Valdo, and as something even a kitten like me could do, I’d decided to stay close to the members of the Black Iron Claws and quietly solve their troubles from the shadows.
So this time, my target was Carion!
Right now, Valdo and Carion were split over the future direction of the Black Iron Claws.
From what I could see, even if they returned to base like this, neither of them looked like they’d bend their position.
That’s exactly why I’m going to patch things up between them!
If I do that, I should be able to help Valdo…!
… That said, I had absolutely no idea *how* I was supposed to patch things up.
“.. .Guess it’s about time we headed back.”
Valdo muttered that quietly, then set me back on his shoulder and started walking again.
When I happened to look up at the sky, the sun had climbed high above the mountains, dazzlingly bright against the white snow. The sunlight reflected off the roofs and ground, making everything around us shimmer faintly.
Valdo walked on in silence, crunching through the reflective snow.
The lonely smile from earlier had vanished from his profile… and in its place was the face of the Black Iron Claws’ Commander.
… Man, talk about switching gears fast.
I was just thinking I ought to learn some of that toughness from him when…
As we neared the house where Carion was staying, a familiar figure came into view. A red-haired guy with a bow on his back was pacing anxiously around the building.
Like he was searching for something.
… Wait, isn’t that Korn!?
Oh no... don’t tell me he came looking for me...!?
While I panicked internally, Valdo noticed Korn too.
Then he curled his lips into an amused grin and called out in an obviously innocent tone.
“Hey, Korn. What’s up?”
“Geh, Commander Valdo!?”
The moment Korn saw him, his face screamed “Oh crap.”
Seeing that reaction, Valdo’s grin only widened.
“Now that’s rude. So, is this what you’re looking for?”
Saying that, Valdo casually thrust me, still sitting on his shoulder, right in front of Korn’s face.
Unable to bear it, I let out a tiny, “Mii...”
“Whoa, Al!? Of all people, you got caught by the Commander...!”
Korn clutched his head like “Ah, man…”
S-sorry, Korn! Seriously!
Watching the two of us, Valdo shrugged and said with a wry smile,
“So it *was* you who brought him along. Honestly, doing whatever the hell you want... But well, finding Carion’s location so quickly was your doing. I’ll call that enough to cancel out the disobeying orders.”
“A-about that... Commander.”
Korn timidly opened his mouth.
His gaze wandered over the snow as if hesitating. He swallowed, then continued like he’d made up his mind.
“The truth is... I wasn’t the one who found the letter Vice-Commander Carion left behind... Al was. So... it wasn’t my accomplishment.”
With that, Korn awkwardly scratched his head.
At his *too honest* confession, my jaw practically dropped.
Huh!? You’re telling Valdo *that*!?
Come on, Korn, you could’ve just kept quiet about it~!
Seriously, you’re *too* good of a guy!
Standing there with an awkward expression, Korn watched as Valdo finally burst out laughing.
“Haha! What, with that serious face, I wondered what you were about to say... and it was just that?”
“............”
“Let me ask you one thing. Why’d you decide to tell me honestly? You could’ve stayed quiet and nobody would’ve known.”
Korn raised his face and looked straight at both Valdo and me.
There was a clear, unwavering light in his eyes.
“... At first, I was wary of Al. I thought he might be a dangerous monster, and that I couldn’t let something like that get close to the Commander. But now... I think of him as an important companion. An important friend. So... I don’t want to do something like stealing a friend’s credit.”
Then after a brief pause, Korn smiled bashfully.
“Though... maybe it’s really weird to call a fluffball like this my friend.”
“Mii...!”
Korn...!
At words from Korn I’d never expected, warmth spread softly through my chest.
Thank you, Korn!
Of course I think of you as an important friend too!
All right! Once we get back, to celebrate our friendship, I’ll award you one of my paw-print stamps!
Be sure to prepare a proper autograph board!
“... Friend, huh. I see.”
After hearing Korn’s words, Valdo stayed silent for a while.
But eventually he smiled gently, then carefully handed me over into Korn’s arms.
The moment Korn picked me up, I rose onto my hind legs and rubbed my forehead vigorously against his cheek.
“Ahaha, that tickles.”
Laughing, Korn still didn’t let go of me. If anything, he held me even more carefully with both arms so I wouldn’t fall.
Watching that, Valdo narrowed his eyes warmly and spoke.
“In that case, you two share the credit.”
“Huh?”
“This little guy found Carion’s letter. But *you* were the one who decided to bring him along, right, Korn?”
Saying that, Valdo lightly slapped Korn on the shoulder.
“Your judgment paid off, and because of it we found Carion and the others quickly. So that makes it the two of you together, doesn’t it?”
“Commander...!”
“Nya~”
Valdo grinned and continued in a teasing tone.
“Looks like what you’re lacking is confidence in yourself. I’d give you some of the extra I’ve got, but... that’s one thing you’ve gotta earn yourself.”
“Confidence...?”
Valdo lifted the corner of his mouth slightly and nodded.
“Yeah. Believe in yourself more. I told you before, didn’t I? You just need to do what *you* can do.”
His tone was joking, but I could tell there was genuine trust in Korn beneath those words.
Korn’s eyes widened, and after a beat, he nodded firmly.
“... Yes, sir!”
There was no hesitation in that reply.
Watching the two of them, I couldn’t help raising my tail straight up and crying out.
“Nyaa!”
That’s right! Just like Valdo said, Korn’s serious, kind, and a genuinely great guy!
So I want him to have more confidence in himself.
Because he’s my beloved friend, after all!
I don’t know whether my feelings got through or not, but when Valdo and Korn both looked at me at the same time, they glanced at each other and burst out laughing.
Their smiles looked strangely alike, and just seeing them made warmth slowly spread through my chest.
So happy, I let out one more cheerful “Meow.”
What do you think about this chapter?
