"It's been a year since then.



　The sound of feet in the alley.

　The sound of footsteps in the alleyway is a concerto of pebbles grinding against each other as they step on the gravel.

　Off the main street, into a dirty shopping district with narrow streets lined with stores. The clothes of the people we pass change from the fine clothes of the main street to those of the middle class.

　I remembered my childhood when I thought that even the clothes they wore were too expensive for me to afford.
　I thought back to my childhood, when I thought that even the clothes they wore were beyond my reach.

　I was a little surprised at how much I missed those days.
　It's only been a year since I arrived in King's Landing. My wandering journey lasted two years.
　If you do a simple calculation, it should be a bitter memory that is still too early to be nostalgic, but here I was, smiling every day as I thought back.

　It's not so surprising.
　I am aware that I am blessed.

　It's just that there is a big difference between knowing about it and recognizing it again.

......

　Going down an alley.

　Passing by a bar, I stop in my tracks.
　Looking back at the path of the road, I saw a long, narrow alleyway lying like a dead snake.

　Oh, it's so dim, I thought, squinting.
　It was the perfect place to escape from the light of the central streets through the city gates of King's Landing.

　I looked up at the sky. The day was narrow but blue and pleasant.
　I wonder what it was like a year ago.
　--Oh, I don't remember. I seem to have forgotten that the sky even has color.

　I looked at the door of the dirty little bar that was open in the daytime, and shook my head in thought.
　There was no particular reason to go in.
　He turned away once more and was about to walk out when the door swung open.

　The door opened with a bang.
　The red-faced owner came running out, looked back at the store, and shouted.

If you make any more noise, I'm going to have to ask you to leave!

　What's this?　Futa furrowed his brow, but the atmosphere was different.
　But the atmosphere was different. or "You'll have to tolerate me a little more. and "You'd better take it easy on me." There was a lot of crude criticism, as if the shopkeepers were taking advantage of them.

　In fact, the shopkeeper, who looked familiar to me, was laughing as if he had no choice but to go back inside the store.
　The economy seems to be booming. Just as I squinted my eyes at the good news, the shopkeeper must have found it unusual to see someone standing in the alley. The shopkeeper looked at him as if surprised, and their eyes met.

　For a moment, Futa wondered what he should do.
　The owner, a quiet and unfriendly man who had once made the "second best" food in the world.

　But when he saw Futa, he rolled his eyes in surprise.
　Then he smiled like a child at a ristorante who has just been served a surprise birthday cake and shouted.

"Oh, no!　This can't be right!　Isn't that Futa Pomodoro?
"What? Oh, yeah. Did you say your name?
What?　What are you talking about? No one knows what you look like.　Hey! It's Futa!　Champion (・・・・・・) Futa's here!

　The owner shouted, pointing at Futa and shouting into the store.
　But the store's reaction was horrible.

"Don't talk to me in my sleep, you idiot! "You think you can fool me? Don't be a drunk and bother the passers-by! I doubt if there's even anyone here in the middle of the day! That's not a line from a guy who drinks in the daytime! That goes for you, too!

　You're one of them!" Futa chuckles at the fact that no one believes him.
　The owner of the store, after making a fuss about the fact that it is true, looks back at Futa, rubs his hands and tells him.

I'm sorry for the ruckus!　I'm sorry for the ruckus! Thanks to the sword fighting, we've been having a lot of fun too!　Come by if you want!

　There's a lot going on. Futa knew exactly what he meant.
　It's not just the people who watch the fights that get excited.
　He had heard that gambling was also a common practice.
　I've even heard that the crooked manager is behind it.
　It was a strange feeling to think that the money they spent would end up in the hands of the gambler's girlfriend.

　A gambling mogul is not the kind of person that an ordinary citizen can meet. And yet, here we are, in the midst of the daily life of a fake sister, making noise next door.

　--But what's more, Futa's fight is going to get in the way.
　They're making some adjustments to the original gambling plan. Futa doesn't know the details, but...

No.

　Shaking his head loosely, Futa tried to refuse.
　Then he continued as if he was clinging to her.

I know you're busy, but come on!　I know you're busy, but I'll give you free food if you want!
I'll give you free food if you want!" "...... It's strange, isn't it?

　Futa lowered his eyebrows in annoyance.
　Free of charge, huh?
　I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm not sure I'd ever expect to be asked to come back for free.


　You never really know what life has in store for you.

"Sorry. I'm kind of busy.
Oh, yeah, ......!　But you should come by sometime!
Yeah, I'll think about it.

　This is the first time I've ever been to an event where I've had to make a decision about what to do.

　Futa smiled lightly at him and continued on his way.

　Towards this further place.

　As he walked, he muttered. I'm a little sorry about the shopkeeper.

I don't have any prior commitments.

　Futa's feelings were too strong to call it just a walk.
　But still, he didn't have any plans with anyone.

　It's been exactly one year since then.
　So there was a place I wanted to come to as a kind of closure.

　That's all I'm saying.



　--The alley opens up.



...... looks different.

　Futa muttered, raising the corners of his mouth lightly.
　He looked around and saw a large area. In the middle sits a decaying fountain object, with paving stones forming a circle around it, holding hands.

　There was a man sitting there.

　I lowered my eyes and looked up at the sky.

　Two birds flew through the sky like brush strokes in a beautiful blue sky.

　Well," I mutter to myself.
　There's no one around. There's no sign of anyone.
　That was the reason for the strange atmosphere.

　Someday, her fighting spirit would keep people away.
　A year ago, this area would've been full of vagrants.

　Now it's so clean.
　This place has been cleaned up, but it's still so deep in the alley that not many people visit it.

　The only thing there was a hint of Futa.

I'm sure that means I'm not the only one who's changed.

　I looked at my palm.
　The corner of his mouth slackened at the old scar running through it, and his focus shifted from his palm to his feet. 　
　A pair of fine shoes and straight pants with not a single wrinkle.

　I wondered if I was worthy of such fine clothes for a guest of the royal family.

　He shook his head. I'm just a pimp. There was no way I would look good in it. But I wonder why I can't help but smile.

"There are more apartment buildings and more jobs. More people can live under my roof, and this place has done its job.

　There are some disturbing places, like the Abandoned Zone.
　It's a big improvement from the back alleys of King's Landing, which used to be all of them.

　If you think that all of this is due to the effects of the sword and spectacle, you'll be very happy. I'm sure that's why the shopkeeper seemed to be in a good mood.

　The bell rings for noon.

　We don't have to stay long.
　I'm sure there's a girl back at the castle preparing a nice lunch for us. I have a place to go.

　When I think about it, I am blessed.

　So many things have happened in the past year.
　I'm really glad I'm still in King's Landing.

I'm really glad that I'm still in King's Landing.

　It was then that I heard a voice.

　When I turned my head, I saw a girl wearing a hood coming out of the darkness of an alley.

　It is not Futa who does not know who it is.
　Futa is not so foolish to the Lord that he can't tell who it is just because her face is hidden. Maybe. Maybe. Wish.

Why are you here?
"Well, I don't know. --Maybe the same as you.

　He stood in line, made sure no one was around, and slowly took off his hood.
　The same light armor as that day. Silver hair tied with a ribbon.

You should have just asked me out at a time like this, but you're still so careless.
You can't take me out here like this.
I don't know about you, but ...... this is not the place for me.
It's ......

　Next to me, she gently tucked her hair behind her ear. You'll be able to see what she's trying to say as she stares at the decaying fountain.

　You'll be able to see that she was also thinking about that day.

I'm sorry, ......, but it's not just the dialogue.
You need to practice. --It's been a year.

　She smiled happily, giggling.


　Then she looked up and looked at the sky.
　Her blue is bluer than the sky.

When she told me she loved me, I thought she was going to turn over.

　It was only recently that I remember.

Didn't it turn you over?
"...... I thought it was going to turn over.

　Oh, you don't approve. So you won't admit it.

　I was pretty nervous at the time, but apparently she falsified her memory.

But...

　Gently placing a hand on her own chest, she continued.

"I was happy. --I was happy, I thought.
"...... That's...
"Well, I don't know.

　I don't know," she says, trying to be light and soften the mood.

　But Futa could tell.
　But Futa knew that for her, words of affection were words of honest joy.


"I'm still not sure how you feel.
But... I'm not sure how you feel yet, but I think I'll try to understand .......


　A year's time must have melted her heart a little.
　You can't deny that the encounter with the king's knight helped that.

　But everything else, including those triggers.
　It's not so bad if you think of it as the fruit of her continued presence in King's Landing.

I'm glad.
"Yes.

　A few words were exchanged.
　In this quiet place where no one or thing moves, the two of us were just quietly passing the time.

　A breeze rushed through the air between us.



"What kind of work did you do before you were kicked out?



　I turned around.
　The blue eyes that met his were lowered mischievously.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

I'm a fighting swordsman. I was confident in my skills.
But after you were kicked out, you couldn't find a job that would allow you to use your skills?
No. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to get the best results, please do not hesitate to contact us.

　--The girl's mouth leaked out with a laugh.

You remember me well, don't you?
Lilac-sama.
"Yes. It seems that from that moment on, I felt that this destiny was very important to me.
Was it worth the ...... effort?
Really.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the future.


"Would you like to join hands?


　She looks at the sword on Futa's hip and says.

"I only have my spare weapon.
That's fine.

　I took one of the contescos on her hip.


"Because what he uses is my weapon of choice.
I know it well.

　I know exactly what you mean." The two of you gently pull out each other's conches.
　Futa had no reason to deny this encounter.


I'm not going to hurt you. I don't mean to hurt you. And don't shout too loudly.
What do you mean, "shout"?
Because I don't want anyone else to know that I'm here, that we're here.

　That's a different reason than any other day.
　I understand, Huta said.


Shall we begin?
"Yes.


　The girl readies herself. Futa does the same.

"Here we go.

　They jump out simultaneously.
　The tips of the crossing conches and the tips of the conches.

　The first note echoed with a lightness.

　The sound was joyful, like the clinking of a celebratory cup.