Blue Archive story · Club stories, Story 4
The Apothecary Wanderings 4
1 scenes, 111 lines
1. Part 1
111 lines
"Protection fees," you say...? What "protection" do you provide?! What good have you lot ever done?
If we didn't patrol the area, your house woulda been robbed a long time ago!
Fine by me! It's a dump! If I can choose between getting robbed by you or by thieves, I'll take my chances!
Are you hard of hearing, lady? You think you're tough because you have that skunk-stripe stray...Kai, or whatever her name is, as a roommate?
This has nothing to do with her!
Then you really are clueless! Hey, want to hear something interesting? About that Shintani Kai...
She's not from around here. She's one of the Seven Prisoners, the worst of the worst! Specializes in, uh...medicines, chemical warfare, the like...
They say she wrecked Shanhaijing and got arrested.
When she stormed the academy, she hired a load of mercs from the Black Market. So, yeah, we've heard of her.
And we ain't scared of her. But at least WE know the truth.
...!
Ya know, since we're on the subject... Listen up, birdie.
Kai could have cured you the whole time!
...
Huh... So you knew, too...
The girl's some kind of prodigy. She's some kind of apothecary!
So, why did she leave you in your sorry state for so long? Think, lady...
It's because she was biding her time until you'd give up, croak, and give her an inheritance! Like your hovel of a house.
There's no keepin' secrets in the Black Market! You know how this'll end.
It's just a matter of time. Everything gets shared eventually!
Ya know, Kai actually caused us some trouble today, now that I think of it.
And since we can't find her, I guess we'll have to take it out on you! Hahaha!
...!!
"We have to stop them!"
...
"Kai...?"
...You lot.
You didn't think I already knew? I figured it out a while ago.
Wh-What?!
...?
...Do you know how long I've lived here?
How many people I've seen, how many tricksters and marks? Deception is a way of life in the Market.
I didn't need you to tell me anything. I knew the whole time.
B-But, why?
Why was I going to give that girl my house?
Because she was already enough.
No matter what kind of person Kai was or is, or what people say about her, none of that matters to me.
That child was here and kept me company. That's enough. What more could I ask for?
Wouldn't a home with two people be better than a house with only one? If my walls could talk, they'd agree. I'm sure of it.
So, leave me be so I can finish my cleaning! I need to tidy up!
...All before I leave this house to that girl!
Wh-What the?! After I went out of my way to give you a reality check!
Yeah! Who do you think you are, yelling and making threats like that?! "Cleaning"? What's the big deal, anyway?
No way! We wanted to settle this peacefully, too! But you just had to go and run your mouth!
Ay! Everyone, come out! Over here!
...How irritating.
"Kai...?"
Unacceptable.
...
That old woman going on and on about giving up her house...
And these idiots, making a racket, like little puppies that don't know they're waking a tiger. Everything, all of it. It's irritating.
A warning, Sensei. Don't get involved.
...And I'll make sure not to do anything to worry you.
At the very least, I'll ensure that they...survive.
Y-You?! It's Kai! Kai's here!!!
I-I can't breathe...!
Itchy... My whole body! It's everywhere..! Waaahhh!!!
Aha! Ahahahaha! Stop! Stop it! It's that gas! I'm so itchy...
You...? No! You're not real! Is this a hallucination...? G-Get away from me! I... I...! That wasn't me!
Rain... Rain...is pouring down...! And yet, the moon is shining so bright...
A-Ah... It feels like my body is melting away...! My arms, my legs, my hair! I'm MELTING! What a world!
Hehee, heeheehee, heheeheheheheheehee!!!
"Wh-What was that...?"
What does it look like, Sensei? As you can see...
...
They're all unharmed...on the outside, at least.
"That's true, but...!"
Don't worry.
I don't USUALLY do anything irreversible.
Kai...?
...!
...
Let's head inside. It's getting late.
...Yes. Very well.
Are you okay, Kai?
...Isn't that my line...?
Hahaha... I'm fine. You don't get to be this old in a place like this without growing a spine. I'm a survivor, Kai.
The conversation between Kai and the old woman flowed like a lazy river, faltering on occasion before continuing naturally.
All I did was chime in with a few comments here and there...
Hmm, is it that late already...? I'm getting tired.
This old lady will step aside. I suppose there's more you two would like to discuss.
Don't stay up too late.
...Very well.
The old woman hobbled back into her room.
Soon after, the sound of weary snoring followed.
...
"She seems nice."
Hmm? Well. Yes. I suppose.
"Are you okay?"
...You're speaking strangely, Sensei. Has your eyesight worsened, or merely your judgment?
Your care would be more appropriately directed at the people writhing on the street outside.
"Something about your expression seems conflicted."
...!
...
Well, how should I put this...
This does feel a little...unfamiliar.
"Because you helped an elder?"
...!
...Trying to redirect you probably won't work. Right, Sensei?
But I wasn't specifically aiming to help the old woman or do a good deed.
I just acted on a whim. This is how things happened to turn out.
...Yes. That's merely been the theme of today.
"That's enough."
What...?
"You don't have to be a good person to do good things."
You're getting harder and harder to understand...
"Quite a few good deeds happen on a whim."
"People oftentimes end up doing good by chance."
Even if it's just on a "whim," I shouldn't be afraid to show "other sides of myself"?
"At least for now."
...!