[translation: @yusenki | editing: @leviskinnyjeans]

[source: x]





Raindrops fall from the sky and spin short tales. Today as well, there is a new tale made by the rain, about a small bond formed somewhere below the sky.

——

Large drops of rain flow down the mountain surface, forming a stream that runs down the gap between rocks.

“Damn it…this heavy rain must be because of your splendid sleeping pose this morning, Bertholdt.”

Below the rock that overhangs the middle of the cliff, at the high ground sheltered from the rain, two cadets hide themselves.

“Sorry…Jean.”

“Don’t take it seriously!”

“However…the range of vision is too bad.”

“I think it was the right decision to pause the marching drills in this kind of weather.”

At the back of the rocks, where the rain doesn’t reach, Bertholdt concentrates on resting his body while hugging his knees to chest.

“You have a point.”

Jean walks closer to his (Bertholdt’s) side and sits down. He teases Bertholdt.

“At first, I thought I teamed up with someone who was reserved and boring, but actually you’re an excellent individual. I’ll trust you.”

Even though it’s Jean’s style of praising someone, Bertholdt still can’t help but crack a troubled smile.

——



It seems like the rain is not getting weaker.

“Ah…hey Bertholdt, I heard that you want to join the MP? When living in the inner city, there will be no need to shiver in the rain in the middle of a mountain like this.”

Berthold quietly mutters in response to Jean, who couldn’t stand the silence and tried to crack a joke.

“Is it alright for me…to go to the inner city…”

“Huh?! You should be capable with your grade! Your grade is much higher than mine and yet you don’t have the confidence?!”

Shaking his head, Bertholdt hugs his knees closer to his chest.

“I actually don’t have my own will. The reason I aim for the MP is because…I’m swept away with the flow.”

“That’s how it should be.”

“There are also kind people like Marco as well though…” Jean sighs.

“It’s human nature to want to live in a good and safe place like the MP do. What is bad about that? On top of that, you have the talent, so puff out your chest!”

He’s trying to encourage me…as a comrade, acknowledging me…

——



After a brief moment, Bertholdt looks up and stands. He approaches the small waterfall that flows down from the upper rocks and sets his gaze down.

Am I…someone worth being trusted?

His mixed feelings are reflected in the puddle of water around his feet and they mix with the bubbles of mud and tree leaves. They swirl and flow down to a lower place.

He forces his words out with great effort.

“Sorry…Thanks, Jean.”

That gratitude is from his heart, and there is also an apology at the same time. However, Jean is not aware of the real intention behind the words.

“Huh? I didn’t say that you need to thank me. Aside from that, how is the weather?”

“Seems like we can go. The rain has started to ease off.”

“Let’s advance to the forest. The ground conditions on the cliff area have become delicate and it will make the anchor unstable.”

Bertholdt smiles at Jean’s composed analysis.

“As expected of Jean who has established a reputation in handling 3DMG.”

Nodding at each other, they pull out their 3DMG handles at the same time.

After a moment, the two boys shed their rain gear. They fly off toward the misty forest in the middle of never-ceasing rain.