A Depressed Kendo Player Possesses a Reckless Aristocrat - Chapter 143



Side Story – For my love

Christmas.

Or, to put it another way, Christmas Day (聖誕節).

Long ago.

The god of love descended to earth to forgive humanity, stained with the crimson sin.

To celebrate that holy being coming into the world in the form of a small child, on that quiet night.

The world gave the date of December 25th that name.

“Merry Christmas!!”

A day brimming with love and happiness.

Lovers, hand in hand, whisper sweet nothings beneath brightly lit trees.

Young children, frolicking in a snow-white world, spill out pure, innocent laughter.

Families, huddled in front of warm fireplaces, lean on one another.

The cool winter wind embraces it all, spreading the benevolence of the Winter Goddess across the earth.

Even snowflakes, usually considered a nuisance.

And the mischievous cold, that often plagues people.

Made to seem beautiful, on this truly magical day.

Warming those who were lonely and shivering.

Blessing the future of those in love.

A day for which prayers are offered, for the happiness of everyone in the world…

The name of this day, as I said before…

“Oppa, Merry Christmas!!”

“Yeah, yeah. Merry Christmas to you too, Ariel.”

Christmas.

Yes, it’s Christmas.

From the morning, I was greeted by a red-haired girl jumping and clinging to me, and I quietly stroked her head.

Immediately, Ariel purred, rubbing her cheek against my hand.

The soft sensation traveling through my fingertips caused me to briefly offer a faint smile.

“So excited, huh?”

“Of course!! It’s the first Christmas I’m spending with you in ages!”

“Haha… you’re right, come to think of it.”

Last year and the year before, I was busy being a reckless troublemaker, not even bothering to show my face at home where my family was waiting, just getting wasted in nameless pubs.

If anyone started trouble, I’d smash things and start fights.

After getting thoroughly beaten by drunks and collapsing in the street, Rachel and Ariel would appear, tearfully dragging me home.

“I’m so glad we’re together this year!”

“Yeah, it’s a relief…”

Ariel leaned against me, beaming with a clear smile.

I watched her, a complex expression forming on my face.

The past mistakes flashing through my mind, stinging my chest.

A dull, suffocating pain, sharp and unforgiving.

It was flowing from the wound in my heart that hadn’t yet healed.

To shake off the phantom pain of a severed past, I laughed pointlessly and gently pulled Ariel’s small body into an embrace.

“Oppa…?”

The red-haired girl looked up at me, a slight question in her eyes.

I composed my faltering expression and offered a slightly choked greeting once more.

“…..Merry Christmas, Ariel.”

Last year too, and the year before that.

To you, who spent Christmas lonely, watching my empty space.

To me, in my foolish days, wandering the streets drunk on alcohol and regret.

A small greeting to our past selves, so twisted, we had to shed hot tears every time we saw each other’s back.

“From now on, let’s… let’s spend Christmas together like this.”

“…..Okay, Oppa.”

Ariel looked dazed for a moment, then nodded and burrowed into my embrace.

Perhaps it was the touch of my humid emotions on her cheek, but a few transparent drops of dew were clinging to the corners of her eyes.

Patting the back of the quietly sobbing girl, I neatly organized the tangled emotions that kept churning in my ears.

-Get lost, Ariel. Don’t call me Oppa.

-Why is a piece of trash like you alive and Mom dead… just you! You should have just died!!

It was a wound that hadn’t healed, but I had to forget it.

If I spent even a day like today drowning in tears and memories, that would be a truly foolish thing to do.

I wanted this Christmas, the first in a long time spent beside loved ones, to remain a warm memory.

“Okay, okay, stop. Why cry on such a good day…”

“Hic… sorry, sorry… I wasn’t, hic… trying to cry…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay….”

I gently soothed the whimpering Ariel and left the room with her.

Creak… A small sound of hinges, and standing before the open door was an old gentleman in a black tuxedo.

He met my eyes, smiled softly, and bowed his head neatly.

“Good morning, and Merry Christmas, Master.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Gilbert.”

I let a slightly relaxed expression show at the sight of Gilbert, with his ever-familiar, comforting smile.

Even on Christmas, his unique neatness was unchanged.

The old man, his gaze shifting between me and Ariel nestled in my arms, finally settled on a pleased smile.

“It is a lovely sight, Miss…and Master.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Heh heh… It is fortunate. This Christmas, we have the Master here…”

Gilbert nodded, a frail laugh escaping him.

I gave a slight shrug of my shoulder.

“We’ll be together from now on.”

“That too is fortunate… The Lord and the family are waiting for you two on the first floor. Shall we go down together?”

“Yes, let’s go. Come on, Ariel.”

I scooped Ariel up, still a bit teary and out of it, and followed Gilbert down the hall.

Her sobs finally ceasing, Ariel looked down at her position—the so-called ‘princess carry’—and went wide-eyed, begging me to put her down.

I ignored her pleas and held her small body tightly in my arms.

“Wait, oppa…! People are watching…!!”

“Well, who told you to be spacing out? And so what, it’s not like anyone’s saying anything.”

“Oh, really, oppa…!!”

In the end, Ariel had to endure the warm gazes of the servants we passed by until we reached the first floor.

Each time, her face flushed redder and redder, mirroring the color of her own crimson hair.

It wasn’t until her face could rival a ripe tomato in hue, that our feet finally stopped before the living room door on the first floor.

As soon as my hand gently set her down, Ariel turned to me, sending a look of pure resentment my way.

“That’s so mean…”

Her voice trembled faintly.

Whether from unshed tears, or shame bubbling up, I wasn’t sure.

A thin layer of moisture clung to her red eyes.

At the sight of it, I couldn’t help but wear a playful smile, asking,

“So, you hate oppa?”

“……No, I like you.”

She shook her head, burrowing back into my embrace.

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face at her endearing action, and with a small laugh, I gently stroked her red hair.

Lost in the soft sensation against my fingertips, I paused for a moment before a polite cough broke the silence from my side.

“Ahem, ahem, let’s go in now. At this rate, everyone will get tired of waiting.”

“Oh, right, that’s true. I got a little distracted…”

With an awkward smile, I gently peel Ariel, who had been clinging to me, away.

Then, freeing my right hand, I reach for the handle of the closed living room door.

– *Kreeeak….*

I lightly grasp the doorknob and softly push it open, a slight creaking of hinges accompanying the collapse of the wall that had divided the space.

Beyond the slowly opening door stretches the familiar scene of the first-floor living room.

Holding my breath for a moment, I carefully step inside, and several people standing in the center of the living room come into view.

I slowly move my eyes, taking in each of their faces.

“You’ve arrived, Raiden.”

“Father.”

The first person to meet my gaze was my father, who stood closest to the door.

Always wearing his dignified expression, he had been standing in place, but upon noticing me and Ariel, he displayed a faint smile and gave a small wave.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Father.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Of course. My insomnia has gotten much better, after all.”

After a brief exchange of Christmas greetings and a short conversation, the group standing behind him now approaches me.

“Merry Christmas, young master!”

“Happy Christmas!”

The mansion’s retainers, with whom I’ve recently grown close.

As they gather around me and chatter affectionately, I give an awkward smile.

The warmth the servants show me still feels quite unfamiliar, after all.

“Haha…. Thank you, everyone. And Merry Christmas.”

“You’re embarrassed…. Merry Christmas!”

“You’ve come with the young lady?”

“I always feel like you and the young lady are really close.”

An overwhelming stream of kind attention.

Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my head and averted my gaze.

“B-by the way… where’s Rachel? I haven’t seen her since earlier.”

“Ah, Rachel, you mean? If it’s her, she’s by the fireplace over there….”

“Heh heh, go on, go see. You might be in for a surprise?”

To my question, the attendants smirked, a somehow sinister smile, and pointed beyond the short corner where the fireplace was.

A surprise, huh…

Did she prepare some kind of surprise?

I tilted my head, a mix of doubt and anticipation, and walked towards that direction.

Thud thud….

Along with the soft echoing of footsteps, I turned the corner, facing the fireplace, and a familiar brown-haired girl entered my previously empty view.

“Oh? You’re finally here, Master!!”

“R-Rachel…?”

The girl reflected in my dark pupils carried an aura both familiar and unfamiliar.

It was probably because of the clothes she was wearing.

An eye-catching red top and a short, fluttering skirt.

Her pigtails were tied a little lower than usual, topped off with a Santa hat.

Gloves on her hands, and a white sack held lightly as a point.

Rachel stood in front of the fireplace dressed as so-called Santa Claus, or rather a Santa Girl.

“How is it? I tried it on since it’s Christmas.”

“……”

Her eyes crinkled with a faint smile as she looked my way, and I was momentarily lost for words.

Bathed in the reddish glow from the fireplace, the elegant way she stood there exuded a soft beauty, like a woman from an old painting.

“Hehe, aren’t you staring a bit too much?”

“Ah… S-sorry… Um, that… you’re pretty…”

“I’m so glad you say so!”

Rachel chuckled, amused by my stammering response, then she seemed to remember something, and began rummaging through the sack she was holding.

After a few rustling sounds, a gift box about the size of my palm was thrust in front of my eyes.

“Tada~! A present, Master.”

“A present…?”

“It’s a Christmas present! I’m dressed like Santa, it’d be weird not to give you a present, right?”

Rachel, holding the box wrapped neatly in green paper, shook it slightly and offered it to me.

I could only stare at her face in a daze once again.

“Uhm, I couldn’t prepare anything too expensive… but you’ll still accept it, right?”

“……”

“Young master?”

“Ah, yes…..”

A gift. I hadn’t even considered it.

For days, you’ve been watching my face, asking if I needed anything, and you were preparing this.

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out towards the small box offered in front of me.

A gift box barely the size of my palm.

How much did you deliberate, choosing a small item to fit within that box?

The thought made a faint smile bloom on my lips.

Rachel, you really are.

You always make me smile.

I moved my outstretched hand and grasped the box.

Then, holding the box, I took your hand with it and gently pulled your stiff body towards me.

“Hya?! Y-young master…?”

From noble mtl dot com

A small scream escaped your lips, and you were pulled into my embrace.

The warmness radiating from your chest made me sink into an indescribable, cozy feeling.

As we stood there motionless for a moment, I could hear the faint thumping of our hearts in my ears.

Thump… and then again, thump….

The rhythmic sound of our heartbeats.

As if bewitched by that chorus of sounds, intoxicated by the warmth within my arms.

I circled my arms around your waist, hugging you even tighter.

“Young master, why suddenly…”

“Thank you, Rachel.”

I cut off your flustered words and quietly whispered into your ear.

“Maybe, if you hadn’t been there… I wouldn’t have stayed here.”

When I was on my knees, broken by misfortune and hatred, weeping alone in despair.

If you, who silently approached and embraced my cold body, hadn’t been there, I probably would have just shattered and faded away, drowning in misery.

Even after I had shattered countless times.

Even after I had scattered countless times.

Even with all the times I’ve hated it.

The reason I still cling to this world so desperately.

The reason for all of it is…

“It’s because of you, Rachel.”

Because you were there, by my side.

When I was lost in the darkness, wandering through despair.

Because you took my hand, and walked through the despair with me.

“Young Master…”

“Thank you, thank you so much…”

The greatest gift I’ve ever received in my life.

Is you.

Just like Changho Hyung was by Naru’s side.

Like Rachel was by Raiden’s side.

I etched the sweet peach scent swirling around my nose into my mind, a gentle smile spreading across my lips.

Like melting into a sweet dream.

Like swimming in a warm sea.

My mind sank deeper into a dreamy intoxication of happiness.

“……”

“……”

And as if time itself had stopped, we stood still for several minutes.

I opened my eyes from the quiet darkness when I finally noticed Rachel in my arms, her face buried as she tugged at my sleeve.

“Y-Young Master… please let go a little now…”

“Just for a moment… like this.”

“The others are watching…”

“The others, what… wait.”

I questioned her words and opened my eyes, my blurred vision focusing on the familiar shapes of the people around us.

Father, Master, Ariel, and the retainers…

They stood a few steps behind us, their faces lit with warm smiles as they watched Rachel and me.

“Ha ha, it’s a beautiful sight to see.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

“Oh my, oh my, how lovely.”

“I know, right~.”

Their soft whispers brushed against my ears, and I felt my face flush hot.

What have I done.

More than that, why is everyone watching?

I hastily released Rachel from my embrace, my gaze unsteady, when my father, who had been standing quietly, spoke up.

“You look happy, Raiden.”

“Ah… F-Father…? It’s not what it looks like….”

“Raiden, I don’t care about status, if they’re someone you love….”

“A-Father…!! What are you saying…!!”

A mischievous streak seemed to have surfaced, a rare playful smile gracing my father’s lips.

Flustered, I stammered denials, but no one seemed inclined to believe me.

“You’re blushing.”

“This old butler is overjoyed, to see that young master has grown so much…”

“The two of you look good together.”

“So fresh~.”

In the end, both Rachel and I had to turn crimson.

Trying to avoid the avalanche of gazes, I looked out the window where the scene was still painted white.

Watching the white snowflakes flutter this way and that, I remembered the lonely Christmas of the past.

-I miss you, Changho hyung….

-I’m sorry, Jihae noona….

The past when I was locked alone in a dark locker room, shivering in the cold, swallowing back tears.

I suddenly realized how much different the temperature was now, compared to then, and chuckled.

This Christmas wasn’t cold or lonely.

Today, spent with loved ones, was so very warm.

May these days last forever.

I murmured as if in prayer, and quietly closed my eyes.