The Past Doesn't Matter

Aka said, “Terran, yer amazing.”

I replied, “What? Me? Why?”

Aka mentioned, “Why, I want ta make friends with people, but I’m scared. Humans find me scary. But, Terran, isn’t scared of me. That’s amazing.”

No, I was scared when we first met. So much happened in a short time, and I was able to have a meal. Food is the key to unlocking someone's heart after all. 

I said, “Well, I was certainly scared, but now you’re just one of the ogres.”

Aka replied, ”I-Is that so?”

I started to say that I was the son of the hero, but I caught myself and said something else. 

I said, “Though I look like this, I’m a disciple of the Demon King Enuma”

Startled Aka gasped. “Eh?”

By the way, the Demon King, the strongest known demon in the history of the world, is right beside me. Compared to what I said, it is child's play.

Aka chuckled, “Oh, Terran, amusing! Ya tell such funny jokes! It’s great.”

I’m still not sure about the line to praise, but it’s fine. I also received it thankfully and laughed. “I-is that so. Hahaha, it’s the first time I’m saying it too.”

Aka said, “Terran, this is the first time I’ve talked ta a human like this.”

I replied, “Well, I didn’t think I could talk to Ogre like this either.”

After a few laughs, Aka’s expression turned a little serious. Aka asked, “Hey, Terran. Would ya tell me more about humans?”

Coming here, I got asked a little unexpected question. I replied, “Aka, do you want to make friends with humans?”

Aka said, “Well, I do one person at a time. Making friends. Having fun, playing games, having them over for a meal, like that.”

Aka’s eyes and words were pure, and I knew he meant it. It’s the right moment to ask. Well, it’s not like I mind, and I don’t think it’s a big deal.

I started to reply, “How to make friends? You don’t have to think that way. Friends are…”

How do you make friends?  If I tell you, it’s my example. How did I make friends once~

Something I noticed, how should I put it. Well, we were already playing together at the time, whether or not they were real friends, so rather than being a close friend, I’m a childhood friend. It is quite different to the situation with Aka.

In fact, except for the title the Son of the Hero. No one is really close to me but the title. I found a board on the shelf and a stone carved with various marks. 

I told Aka, “Playing games with humans, ah. On the shelf there."

It is one of the most popular board games no matter how you look at it. Aka confirmed, “Oh, yeah yeah.”

It is a game to secure your territory while destroying the opponents with the stone of the general, the captain, the soldier, and various classes. I play with Sadie once in a while, and I’m always getting stomped by her. 

I said, “All right, we’ll talk later. Let’s have a game, Aka!”

Aka replied, “R-Really!? Ya wanna play with me!?”

With sarcastic tone, I said, “Ah. go easy on me!”

Aka agreed, “Uh huh. Let’s do it now!”

I said, “Oh, there’s a festival at this time of year, and a Go tournament in town of Candlehearth.”

Aka brighten up, "Candlehearth? Ah, a town at the foot of the mountain, is famous for Go, and I wanted ta visit the town someday.”

Enuma chuckled, "Hoh! A game of Go. So nostalgic."

I played Go with Aka until quite late. And when I went to bed, before I knew it, it was morning in an instant. However, the sleep was insufficient.

Unlike me, Aka looked extremely drowsy. The sleepy ogre was funny, and I laughed. Perhaps it’s the first time he’s played so late at night.

However, while rubbing his drowsy eyes, he seemed somewhat lonely. He said, “Terran like I said, from here go straight and you’ll come across the river. And if you follow the river straight down towards the mountains, you’ll reach the town.”

I don’t have a specific objective, nor do I have a clear destination in mind yet. Well, I’m going. However, for the time being, I wanted to leave the Imperial Territory.

Aka asked, “Terran are you ready ta go?”

Although, right on the heels of yesterday, I’m bound to be chased by extra baggage. Nonetheless I needed to keep going. 

I ask, “Hey, Aka. Is there anything you want from town?”

Startled Aka gasped, “Eh?”

I mention, “I can buy you something before I leave. Aka really took care of me.”

I can’t be so carefree forever. I’m so greatly indebted to Aka, it was disappointing that I couldn’t do much to thank him. Seems it’s difficult for Aka to go to a human town, so I asked if there was something he wanted there.

Aka smiled and replied, “Terran, yer a really nice guy, and I’m so glad we met.”

I blushed and said, “It’s no big deal. Anything is fine. Books, furniture, anything.”

Aka decided, “Hmm… cake, I wanna eat that. The cake that humans make, I want a taste of it. If I can make it, people may be interested in it. So, try eating it first.”

I chuckled, “Wow. Well, I’ll go to the town, I’ll make a lot of preparations for a trip, so I’ll buy a cake and stop here again.”

I was caught up in the moment and forgot something important. I didn’t have a penny in the first place.

Then, when I reached the town, I went to a guild that was also a hangout for hunters as well as a bar and the likes. I was penniless but as a hunter I could earn money quickly.