Konbini Ossan Volume 12 Chapter 13 — The Road Back Home
After finishing our conversation with the Dragon God, we left the Dragon God Cavern behind.
When we returned to the village, the Princess Shrine Maiden looked at us suspiciously and remarked sarcastically that we had probably failed to meet the Dragon God-sama after all, then continued on with a stream of spiteful comments.
However, Shirley clearly snapped back at her.
“So what if we didn’t? What does it have to do with you?”
Perhaps because she had never expected Shirley to answer back, the Princess Shrine Maiden could say nothing in return and fell silent.
(E/N: 🤣 Just because she was silent doesn't mean there no breaking point! Begone, wench! Here's to not see you again 😂!)
After that, we visited the Village Chief and reported that we had successfully spoken with the Dragon God.
With that, our business in the village was complete, and it was time for us to leave.
As we exited the Village Chief’s house, Savan-dono was waiting for us.
“Shirley. I want to talk.”
Though visibly confused by his words, Shirley glanced at me once before nodding.
Then, led by Savan-dono, Shirley returned once more to her family home.
For a while, I waited outside the house for them to finish talking.
About an hour later, Shirley finally emerged from the house.
There were faint traces of tears on her face, but she was smiling.
And perhaps to see Shirley off, both Savan-dono and Sierra-san came out of the house together.
The three of them embraced one another deeply, as though confirming something precious between them.
No words were exchanged, but for Shirley, that seemed more than enough.
With a refreshed expression, Shirley stepped away from her family.
“Father, Mother! I’m off!”
Smiling brightly, Shirley waved goodbye, and the two of them smiled back as they saw her off.
I did not know what kind of conversation the three of them had shared inside the house.
But their smiles were enough to reassure me that the misunderstandings between them had finally been resolved.
After leaving the village, the two of us headed toward the place where we had left the Otogi Trading Company transport vehicle.
Along the way, Shirley made a suggestion.
“Yūichi-san. How about we stop using polite speech with each other?”
Shirley then explained the reason behind the unexpected proposal.
“I realized something. Without even noticing it, I’d been trying to keep my distance from everyone. I was afraid of stepping into someone else’s heart, and afraid of them stepping into mine.”
Her words made me realize something as well.
I was the same. Part of it had become habit, but at its root, I think I had been afraid of becoming deeply involved with other people.
“But after talking with Father and Mother... and with Dragon God-sama, I wanted to change. I wanted things to change. I want to really talk to people, to let them know what’s deep inside my heart.
…
And with the people who make me happy to feel that way... I want to grow even closer to them.”
As she spoke, Shirley took my hand.
“Hey, Yūichi. If you’re okay with it... I want you to call me the way you call Arisa-chan. Just Shirley.”
I felt ashamed of the person I had been until now.
Even while saying she was precious to me, I had hidden behind the excuse of “things staying the same,” giving up on truly trying to close the distance between us and understand each other.
If “Ms. Shirley”... no, if Shirley had found the courage to change herself...
Then I, too, should change now.
“Yeah... you’re right.”
I conveyed my feelings to Shirley.
“I want to cherish you too. Even more than before. So, Shirley... let’s keep getting along from now on too.”
At my words, Shirley broke into a radiant smile.
“Yeah!”
So that this smile would never fade.
Like Shirley, I think I’ll change too.
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E/N:
So, wondering what was that at the end?
Ossan has been calling everyone with a suffix of -san or -dono (in Shirley's father's case). It is added, as y'all already know, to show respect.
Let's talk about family. (*Vin Diesel intensifies*) Some people use it among family, some don't. But among couple, in the modern era, such "respect" is removed and it is a sign of closeness and good bond.
Since Ossan has been using respectful language, I should have gone along with it, yes? But, these WNs are supposed to be light and fast to read, so adding -san or alternatively, Mr./Ms. becomes a mouthful, so I had been skipping that part.
Now that he has changed his mindset, he would be more closer, more frank in addressing his family members. That's the main gist of the last part!
Stay tuned!
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