Wild

Chapter 3.5

Ester is the person I love.

It started when we were 5...

"Ralph. I want you to meet my daughter, Ester.

The chief and my parents were really good friends. That's why he decided to take care of me when they died in the way. After my mom and dad died, I turned into a rebellious kid. I didnt like playing with the other kids, I would pick fights with them instead.

When the chief decided to bring me to his daughter, I was jealous. I thought the chief only needed me as his kid. I also had heard many people talk about his daughter, how wonderful she is and everything.

That's why when I first met her, I decided to threaten her.

"I fought against two kids older than me and I won once, so don't you dare get close to me!!" I shouted at her.

I thought this would scare her away, like all the other girls, but instead she asked, "Why did you fight them? They didn't do anything wrong, right?"

Eh? Then I started questioning myself. Why did I pick a fight anyways? I was angry... But what was I angry about?

For days and nights I thought about it. Then I found the answer.

My parents cooked me a really nice meal the other day!

Really? Well, my parents made me this new wooden sword!!!

I was walking next to them when they said that and I got so lonely and so angry that I vented my frustrations on them...

Tears slid down my face as I sat next to the river when the sun set.

"Are you okay?"

I looked up at the voice. It was the chief's daughter, Ester.

I quickly wiped my tears and glared up at her. "What do you want?!"

"You were crying." She said.

"Don't state the obvious!"

"...."

"...."

"Why were you crying?"

"None of your business!!"

"..."

Then we just sat there as the wind blew our hair. For some reason, I suddenly felt calmer.

"Did you calm down?" She asked.

"Yeah." I reluctantly said.

"So what was bothering you?"

"Just... It's not fair... Other people have fathers and mothers and I don't ." I suddenly blurted it out, and my eyes started watering again.

"... You have my father right?"

"Yeah, but..."

"If you are worrying about not having a mother, it's okay. You're not the only one."

"Your mother also....?"

"Yeah."

I felt a bit bad for making her say it out loud.

"O-oh..."

Ester suddenly stood up and extended her hand out to me.

"Well, now let's go home shall we?" She said smiling slightly.

"O-okay." I took her hand and we walked home.

Then I remember when we were 10...

"I'm thankful for your confession, but I'm sorry..."

"Oh... I see... Thank you..." She smiled and walked away.

I started walking back home. Because of my attitude change, everyone started opening up to me. I was pretty happy, but Ester was the one who actually changes me.

Speaking of Ester... I wonder how she's doing. I just came back from a training trip with all the kids but Ester didn't get to go because her father was too overprotective.

I knew that she had to protect herself on day, so occasionally I would try to train her in secret. She wasn't too great at handling all the weapons through.

I ran into the chief's tent.

"I'm home!" I shouted.

Ester was looking up at me from the fireplace in the tent.

She smiled. "Welcome back."

After that, we went outside for a walk while I told her about all the things that happened during the training trip.

"Sound fun!" She smiled at me.

I felt my face heat up.

My heart... is fluttering?

I glanced at Ester again. The wind blew her long caramel hair back. The sun made her teal eyes sparkle.

"Oh, by the way Ralph." She suddenly asked.

"H-huh?" I stuttered.

"How do yo feel when you're around me?"

"W-What's with that sudden question?"

"I mean, everyone says that they feel calm around me... So how do you feel?"

I feel very nervous and heated up around you. There's no way I'm saying that.

"I also feel really calm... You just have that calming effect you know?" I lied.

"Oh. I see."

We walked in silence once again. After a moment of peace, I heard a low growl behind us.

I immediately turned around with my knife out.

"What was that?" Ester whispered into m ear.

"Sh." I shushed her and quickly scanned the surroundings.

Suddenly, a large wolf, but it cut both of my arms before it died.

"Ow..." I held my arm.

"Are you okay?!" Ester shouted.

"I think..." I looked at the gash in my arm.

Shit... That's going to leave a scar...

I looked up at Ester.

She looks safe...

"You are not okay! Come on, let's go back to the village! It's not safe here!" She said and supported me all the way back home.

For some reason, despite my arms in complete pain, I smiled on the way home because Ester cared for me.

Then when we were 14...

"You really are going to take part in the war?"Ester asked with worry.

"It's part of the law after all." I smile.

"...Be safe..."

"I will... don't worry."

I turned around to march towards the battle site, but then I hesitated and turned back.

"..." I looked at Ester.

"...What?" She asked.

I smiled. "Nothing."

"?"

I love you... I wanted to say that. But I know that in the future I will have many other chances to say it... Right?

I'm sorry...