𝙻𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔 || Hyakkimaru

•|| strange ||•

Although I knew patently well that Dororo and Hyakkimaru had always lived a harder lifestyle compared to mine, I would find myself quite envious of a number of their own gifts I was well aware I could never have. I didn't mean it in a negative way though. I just thought of how nice it would be if I had at least a pinch of those certain skills.

One would be Hyakkimaru's incredible athletic ability. I believe that I had already implied my admiration on his skills in a prior chapter. Like I had mentioned in chapters four and nine, I am definitely not one you could call as athletic. My physical abilities are as equivalent to a piece of noodle. I just imagined how great it would be to not fail Physical Education every goddamn time and not to take extra credit just to pass the subject.

Another I would have loved to have been born with was Dororo's instincts when it came to living independently. The child honestly deserves a gold medal for being able to live on her own in this kind of environment. If I were in her place I would have died two hours later. Believe me, I had burnt more eggs than an average person would have every time they would be left alone inside the house.

A final factor I would like to acknowledge as the skills I would like to be born with would be Dororo's aptitude to interact with strangers freely. As it was stated during the third chapter of this story, I am not one who can socially interact with people to save her life. I mean, I can't even name one time I tried to talk to unfamiliar people without stammering throughout the whole sentence. It would have been extremely helpful to be able to intermingle with others every once in awhile, like now for instance.

Watching the fairly-aged man clad in a traditional Japanese kimono as he sauntered away from us, I found the words stuck in my throat. I was tongue-tied as my mouth would repeatedly open and close like a fish in your nearby creek. As the stranger's fleeting form had finally disappeared, I can't help but sigh in disappointment. Well, there goes my chance to get this stupid note decoded.

"Are you pretending to be a fish or something, Onee-san?" Dororo's petite hands failed to cover the escaping snicker from her lips. I sent an unpleased frown towards her direction, letting my (e/c) hues watch the child as her amused giggles dispersed. With cheeky grin, she playfully smacked my lower back which earned her a disapproving scowl from me. "Oh well, we will have plenty of chances later on."

"What makes you say so?" I grumbled as I followed the black-haired child along with Hyakkimaru. I doubt there would be another person to ask out there until we reach the next village.

"Well, unlike you, I took the opportunity to ask that mister about this flyer." The boyish girl mentioned, grinning proudly as she boasted the piece of paper she had picked up not too long ago. Settling her hands behind her back, adding an innocent appeal to her outlook, she added. "They're holding a commemorative festival at a town nearby. They said it was to thank the water gods of their village for the abundance of fresh rivers and creeks."

Being one to have found interest in the culture in Japan, I suppose Dororo's claim sounded true enough. Moreover, it would be fun to be subjected to such fun encounter. Well, I would love to try experience a traditional festival for once. I doubt I could come across such opportunity upon returning home. It's not like a broke high school student like me has the money to go to Japan. Well if the person reading this has, you are now as penniless as me, got it.

"We're going, right?" I inquired, concealing the excitement I felt upon hearing the news with an indifferent stare. However, I should mention that I'm terrible when it comes to masking a lot of various things. In other words, I couldn't fight back the lopsided smirk etching through my lips.