The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

It was an uninteresting life.

Family, buildings, school, classmates, friends, everything was in black and white and I was bored beyond my control.

I hated myself for being able to do anything. That's why I asked others about their "future" ...... what they want to be or don't want to be, I couldn't find what I want to do because I can do anything, so I was envious of others' <.

I like fiction, fantasy, science fiction, ...... I was excited by the main characters who live out their fantasy worlds. I loved romance, suspense, and stories that were far from ...... reality, not history.

To sum up, I was attracted to unreal things that were different from reality.

I wanted to escape from the expectations of my parents, from the jealousy of my brother, from the envy of others, from all the eyes that were on me.

I even wanted to get away from any connection with the world.

>

My brother, who is one year younger than me, said these words to me.

He cursed me with tears in his eyes and a tremble in his voice.

I was supposed to treat him as a normal older sister.

Where did I go wrong?

No, that's just an excuse. My parents' words that they always referred to me. My brother's heart was worn out by the constant comparisons.

I know they didn't mean to hurt my parents. Because of that, their words were the sharpest blade in my brother's heart.

He wanted love from his parents. And when he didn't get it, he abused me, that's all.

Yes, it was all my fault.

If I pretend I can't do it, because I'm here ...... I'm only trying to look good on the outside, I wish I could just disappear somewhere far away .......

I wish I could just disappear somewhere far away.

"......a...... is"

I had a bad dream.

I wake up feeling uncomfortable in my lazy body and notice that my clothes are wet for some reason.

Looking around, I see overgrown trees and a gently flowing river.

What in the world am I doing here?　As I recall, I went out with Usato and the others to train in the kingdom early in the morning, and we encountered bandits, and then we were attacked by monsters ...... and ......,

"Yes!　Mr. Usato!"

Finally remembering everything, I turn pale and look for Usato-kun, the man who protected me.

"........."

"Thank God ...... was there ......"

Usato-kun was lying on his face, passed out, right next to me.

His clothes are covered with countless scratches.

He took a direct hit from the monster while protecting me, and we were both launched into the sky. I have no memory of what happened after that, but I guess he must have fallen into the river after that and ended up here.

If that's the case..,

"Usato-kun, you carried me and brought me here ......"

I looked upstream at the gently flowing river and saw a large waterfall with a 20-meter drop that roared and splashed loudly.

"Sorry ......"

It must have been hard work to bring them here.

I had to find a safe place for now --- I lifted up Usato's body from under me and tried to carry him on my back.

Ugh, he is so heavy. .......

"I am a woman who always returns the favor she receives. ......

And it's my fault that he came to this world in the first place.

That's why he must not die.

Stay strong, Usato-kun!

Inukami-senpai! Inukami-senpai. I just woke up.

"Isn't it too early to get up ......"

All my determination has been in vain.

Usato-kun wakes up from his faint and gets off my back, moving his body to check if he is hurt. His whole body is enveloped in a pale green aura, indicating that he is using healing magic.

But, Usato, where should I direct this misplaced determination?

I think I said something quite embarrassing.

"Are you all right, Inukami-senpai?"

"That's more my line. ......"

"I'm fine. I'm used to it.

Maybe it's something I shouldn't get used to.

But it's awkward. I thought I was protecting Usato from the demons, but in the end, it was me who was protected.

It was not worth it.

"...... Inukami-senpai, let me first explain the current situation."

"E...... ah, ah."

With a serious expression on his face, Usato-kun talks to me and explains where he is.

According to his story, Usato-kun and I were hit by a rushing attack from a boar monster called a fall boa, and after being blown into the forest, we fell into a river and came to the shore near the basin of a slow-flowing waterfall.

At that time, Usato fainted from exhaustion. .......

It is roughly the same as my prediction, but it was a very hard work for Usato.

"...... sorry, Usato-kun."

"Please don't apologize. I did it on my own. I'll explain where I am now.

Even if I did, I'd still care.

But I can't stay depressed forever, so I try to keep my cool on the surface.

"This forest. This is the forest where I survived for about 10 days, a place called <>.

"This is the ...... you were talking about."

Then isn't this place pretty bad?

I'm glad we weren't attacked by demons while you and I were out cold.

"Then we need to get out of here right away. ......"

"It's dangerous. If you look at the sky, this place will be dark soon. No matter how strong you are, you can't take on monsters that could come from anywhere, can you?"

"Ugh. ......"

It's true that I can't fight against the monsters that attack me in the dark.

So let's move when it's light.

"But while it's dark, ......"

"I used to live in a tree to escape from the monsters' eyes.

"I've never climbed a tree, so I'm not sure."

They didn't let me play that game.

If I were to fall out of a tree, I might die, even though Usato was used to climbing trees.

At my words, Usato was troubled as he folded his arms.

After a moment of long consideration, I came up with an answer,

"Well, then, let's do it here."

"Yes?

Usato said, pointing to the ground.

Aren't there going to be a lot of monsters at night?

"There's a waterfront nearby here. If we go out of our way to find a base, we will only be attacked by monsters.

"Yes, that's true. ......"

"Then it's settled then."

Usato-kun began to gather leaves and branches in front of me, as if he were a pro at it. Soon, a large pile of leaves and branches appeared, and I wondered what in the world Usato was up to. I've never been camping much, so I can't help him.

"Inukami-senpai, please make a fire with your magic. I'm sure most of the monsters will be afraid of fire and won't come near us if we make a bonfire.

"Oh, I see. I understand."

We did as Usato-kun asked us to do, and we fired electric blasts at the piles of tree branches to start a fire.

The warm fire burns large and smoky. I put my hands on the fire and they feel warm. I felt a chill because my clothes were wet.

"Senpai, where is your baggage?"

"Yeah, I've got a backpack and a sword."

Fortunately, we have some clothes so we can change if we are not too wet.

Besides clothes, I have a knife and a map. The map is useless, but the knife is useful.

I looked further into my backpack and found some dry clothes.

"Thank goodness. They are dry.

"Why don't you go and change?　My clothes dry quickly, so don't worry about it.

"Okay. I'll get my ...... sword and knife out first."

He places them in front of Usato's eyes and moves to a place where he might change with his clothes.

As he does so, he says a few words to Usato-kun, as he had promised.

"Don't peek at me, okay?"

"What?"

His reaction hurt my feelings a little.

I was a little hurt by his reaction.

The change of clothes he brought with him was a kind of jersey that he would wear to school. It was not what I was used to wearing, but I couldn't complain.

Even Usato was putting up with wet clothes.

It is dark around us, and the pale flame of the campfire illuminates our surroundings. In the forest, beastly voices are echoing ......, probably the voices of demons, but I am still afraid that I might be attacked.

How could Usato live in such a forest for ten days?

"......I'm hungry, aren't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Actually, I haven't eaten anything since this morning."

Indeed, I have not eaten anything, probably because I left the kingdom early in the morning.

I didn't have any food because the two people who were escorting me had it with them. Even if we were to gather food, it would be too dark for us to find food, and we would end up becoming food for the monsters.

At the moment the word "dead end" comes to my mind, I notice that Usato-kun is looking at me.

"......What is it, Mr. Usato?"

"Senpai ......, there's a river, isn't there?"

What?　What about it?

●

A waterfall that rumbles loudly.

Dipping both hands into the gently flowing river. I turn around and look at Usato-kun, who has taken his distance from me.

"Is this okay?"

"I'm okay with evacuation. I'm ready to go to the bathroom at any time.

Evacuation means ...... well, never mind.

I meditate, feel the magic in my body, and gather the magic in my arms.

Without releasing it immediately, I accumulate it and then release it all at once. The released magic power turns into thunder and is released from the hands dipped in the river as if overflowing.

After a momentary discharge, a fish-like creature floats up around the place where the hands were immersed.

"Ha, ha, catching fish with magic. ......"

Slightly dejected, I turned back to Usato-kun and..,

"No, really, I'm glad you were there, senpai. ......"

He was very much praised. No, he was rather impressed.

No offense. I don't feel bad, but I can't ...... be honestly happy.

After that, I tried to cook and eat the two fish that surfaced so that I could eat them.

Since they were only gutted and grilled, the taste was not very flattering, but it satisfied my hunger.

"Well, it's different when Inukami-senpai is around, isn't it?"

"No, no, no, you're overreacting."

"If Inukami-senpai is with me, I think I can live for another three months."

"What?　Is that so?"

You're so shy.

Two is better than one. But you're too direct, Usato.

I was embarrassed.

"Yes, you can light a fire and catch fish. I want one of these in my house.

"Am I some kind of appliance or something?"

The degree of directness was different.

However, it's not right for a senior to be played by a junior, so I should show my dignity as a senior here.

"That's terrible, Usato-kun. What do you think I am?"

"...... weirdo?"

Geez, ......!

What I said to myself came back to me twice as loud as before. How do you see me, Usato?　But looking back at my past actions, I'm frustrated that you would say that!　But when you say it to my face, it hurts me a lot!

As I am depressed for a while by Usato-kun's "strange man" comment, Usato-kun, who was watching the fire, sighs and urges me to take a rest.

It's already dark, so I think it's time to go to bed.　I'll watch the fire.

"No, no, I can't leave it only to you, Usato-kun, I'm ......".

"If you're ......, we can take turns watching. I'll wake you up when the time is right, so please stay in bed until then."

If you insist, I'll take you at your word, Usato-kun.

But I won't be fooled. You are not going to wake me up in the morning, are you?

As a man who has read many books, your behavior is easy for me to understand. ......!

Such kindness is counterproductive for me. It only makes me feel guilty.

But it is also true that I am tired. Let's take a short rest as you say, Usato, and take over when the time is right.

"Oh, I'll take a little rest then. ...... Don't attack me."

"I don't have a ......."

"!?"

You don't have to say it like that.

As soon as I lay down, sleep comes back to me.

I'm just going to get some, some rest, I don't intend to sleep deeply. Ruminating this in my head, my consciousness gradually faded away and I fell asleep.

"Inukami-senpai, you're up.

"......... how many times do you have to exceed my expectations?"

It was still dark. I was woken up normally.

Usato, you, you, you, you, ......!