It’s Been 500 Years as an Extra, and the Original Story Still Hasn’t Begun - Chapter 193

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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500 Years as Just an Extra,

The Original Story Still Won’t Begin

Episode 193

“…Huh?”

[Teacher was angry that you went out to have fun alone.]

It seems she went to Uncle again to tattle. That’s just like that child, I thought, letting out a hollow laugh.

“When?”

[She came fuming last night. Asking what on earth you said to her to make her like that.]

“…Isn’t that her being upset with you, not me?”

[Let’s call it collective responsibility.]

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

It wasn’t really anyone’s fault to begin with. We didn’t even fight or anything.

Termion seemed to have similar thoughts, as his tone remained as calm as usual.

[It’s fine. Elly should start learning to handle things on her own too.]

“Then what was that reaction in front of Kalior?”

[I don’t particularly oppose the two of them dating.]

“What?”

What kind of statement is this that destroys parenting story clichés? That’s not something that should come from a niece-doting uncle’s mouth, is it?

For a moment I wondered if I’d misheard something, but Termion calmly continued.

[I can’t keep her locked in my arms forever. Her private life is her own responsibility.]

“Do you really think that?”

[Elly is a smart child. I’ll intervene appropriately when she crosses the line.]

“That’s unexpected. I thought you’d keep her by your side forever.”

[That way we can both breathe a little easier. Me, and you too.]

“…Me too?”

[I mean we can’t spend our whole lives just looking after Elly.]

Those words sounded rather cold, making me feel strangely anxious.

It was too unfamiliar hearing such words from someone who would jump up and run even if woken from sleep when it came to Elenora’s matters.

Moreover, the word ‘we’ felt foreign too. While our position as Elenora’s guardians was the same, was there really a reason to group us together like that?

[I don’t mean I won’t care about Elly anymore.]

“Then what do you mean?”

Disappointment, hurt, perhaps even a bit of anger.

To my question mixed with complex emotions, Termion answered with a slightly trembling voice.

[I thought maybe I should graduate from Elly… That thought suddenly occurred to me.]

“….”

[Everyone has their own life, but I feel like I’ve always used Elly as an excuse for my thoughts and actions. Elly wouldn’t want that either.]

With his words, it felt like my foggy mind was clearing up.

I had thought Termion’s current attitude toward me was simply based on ordinary attraction between a man and woman.

‘It’s different from… greed or something like that.’

The Termion who in the original work only shed sorrowful tears and regretted just before death, is now trying to reclaim his lost life.

The one who was always selfless is now declaring he’ll try living for himself too.

Maybe it’s just my own overinterpretation.

But one thing was certain.

There must have been really long waiting and hesitation before he uttered those words about missing me.

“I… still don’t really know. To me, she’s still a small, cute child.”

[I understand that too. Whatever anyone says, Elly is a child you raised.]

“I’m grateful you say that.”

[The one who should be grateful is me. It’s been that way since I first met you.]

“Liar. Who was it that pointed a sword at me the moment we met?”

[Let’s call it youthful folly from my immature days. Would you believe me if I said I sometimes kick off my blanket wondering why I did that?]

Now I don’t even waver at such words. He’s even leisurely making jokes, going one step further.

But if I give up here, I wouldn’t be a witch. Ailesia asked Termion in a playful voice.

“Do you still miss me now?”

[Pardon?]

This feeling toward Termion is really difficult. I can’t carelessly define it, and it feels like I shouldn’t.

“I don’t know what’s what.”

But since I’ve decided not to turn away, a little encouragement should be okay.

“You’ll do well. Cheer up.”

Because I’m starting to look forward to the new side this man will show me.

‘…It’s fortunate I’m not looking at his face. Or is it a little disappointing?’

Thanks to my lighter heart, as I chuckled to myself, I became a bit curious about what expression Termion might be making.

[…How should I interpret those words?]

“Well…?”

I don’t know, so I’m saying I don’t know. It’s not like my relationship with Termion will change dramatically starting today.

“Everyone has their own life, right? Figure it out yourself.”

As if nothing had happened, Ailesia appeared at the breakfast table with a beaming smile.

Though Elenora did shout “I hate Teacher!” with tears welling up in her eyes.

After finishing the meal, Termion just gazed from afar at Ailesia strolling in the garden.

“So Uncle.”

“Mm?”

“What exactly happened between you and Teacher?”

“…Aren’t you cold?”

“It’s because Uncle came outside!”

I never told her to follow me out. Termion, who was sitting in a chair, let out a quiet sigh and extended his hand.

When a thick cloak flew through the air between the open terrace doors, Elenora made a fuss seeing it.

“That, that!”

“What?”

“Yesterday in the break room with the blanket too, how did you do that?”

“Well.”

Termion wrapped the cloak around Elenora and poked her nose tip, reddened from the cold, with his finger, chuckling.

“Be careful not to catch a cold. Teacher would worry.”

“Doesn’t Uncle worry?”

“That’s a given.”

“Why do you say it so meanly?”

“What now?”

“Isn’t Teacher worrying a given too?”

Elenora, with only her face peeking out from the wrapped cloak, glared at him with sharp eyes for some reason.

Others might call it an unfair complaint, but Termion thought he understood Elenora’s feelings a little.

“It couldn’t be a given.”

“…Huh?”

As if it was an unexpected answer, Elenora blinked several times with a blank expression.

“Someone who lacks nothing came to Retis and is going through all kinds of hardships, so wouldn’t it be stranger to think that’s natural?”

“…Since when did you think that?”

“For a while now.”

Precisely, it would have been since he first met Ailesia in the forest.

He had always thought it was strange.

Taking care of a child she’d never met for a couple of months, giving up her own life and following him all the way to Retis.

Even after coming to Retis, actively helping him and sacrificing 10 years for Elenora’s sake.

There wasn’t a single thing about Ailesia’s actions that could be described as ‘natural’ or ‘expected.’

‘I didn’t realize it before.’

He had always brushed it off, saying how could one know what’s in another person’s heart, and it was the same even after hearing about her past.

He understood the part about it resembling his own childhood, but risking one’s life for just that reason was still difficult to comprehend.

Regardless of Ailesia’s inner feelings, her existence could never be something ‘natural’ or ‘expected’ to anyone, including himself.

“When I look at Ailesia, I sometimes think this.”

“What kind of thought?”

“How can words of gratitude be so insignificant?”

“….”

“Everything Ailesia has given to our family and Retis is nothing short of a miracle. You, who desperately followed us all the way to the Terrace and whine about being cold, and me, who still thinks you’re cute when I see you like that.”

“Ugh, that’s so cheesy.”

…Had she reached an age where she cringes at expressions of affection? Maybe when she was six was better after all.

Termion quietly turned his head away, avoiding Elenora’s gaze.

“This ordinary daily life we enjoy is, in a way, like a gift from Ailesia. That’s why it makes me think even more.”

“Think about what?”

“What the reason could be.”

By Ailesia’s side, a woman with purple hair who had grown quite tall was now walking alongside her.

As if she had heard something amusing, Ailesia was giggling and patting Rebecca’s shoulder repeatedly.

Watching that scene with gentle eyes, Termion continued speaking to Elenora.

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure out why Ailesia shows you such boundless affection.”

“…So I wasn’t the only one worrying about this.”

“So, I’ve made up my mind.”

If it’s an emotion that needs to be revealed anyway, there’s no need to hide it deliberately.

He didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of someone who lived their entire life unable to be honest.

“Things like reasons—you can just create them.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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