A boy who was disowned because he was second in everything, is unknowingly unmatched

A quiet story in commemoration of the 100th Chapter and the decision to comicalize

Cleo's story between us.

(TL:By Rafael)

(Author's words)

Thanks to your support and encouragement, we have decided to comicalize this story!

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart!

This is a story that takes place at some point in the story.

<(_ _)>.

A quiet story in commemoration of the 100th episode and the decision to comicalize

A secret story about Cleo.

(Story Begins)

"Cleo's weak point?"(Keane)

"Yes, a weakness. I always think that Cleo has too many holes."(Erio)

"So you thought,that maybe he has a weakness?"(Cleo)

　In the common room of the inn, the party members, except for Cleo, were face to face.

　

　Keane, Erio, and Maki all had difficult expressions on their faces. It was the usual Cleo-san meeting, but they were starting to get stuck in a rut.

　

　The conclusion was that Cleo is half-baked!　　But....

"It's true that if you're that versatile, I can understand why you might be worried."(Keane)

"Yes, that's true. Recently, he even taught me how to cook. ......"(Maki)

"If this continues, I'll end up being spoiled by Cleo. Isn't that right?"(Erio)

".................."(Keane)

".................."(Maki)

　When Erio pointed out, the two of them fell silent.

　

　She's right. Keane is learning how to decipher ancient elven script and Maki is learning the basics of cooking from him. Erio is also receiving instruction in strength training,.......

　

　What is the point of our existence if we continue like this?

　The three of them were filled with such anxiety.

　

　It's not that we want to take advantage of their weaknesses, but we just don't feel safe.

"Let's go  ...... and find Cleo's weakness."(Keane)

"Oh, then that's settled."(Erio)

"Yes, ......!"(Maki)

　And so, the mission was carried out.

◆

"Haunted ......?"(Cleo)

"Yes,  Lately, it seems to appear in the bathroom of this inn."(Maki)

"Hmm, I see. But there's no sign of ghostly demons. ......"(Cleo)

　

　The next day, Maki consulted with Cleo about a rumor that there was a ghost in the bathroom of the inn. Of course, it was just something out of her mouth, but Cleo tilted his head at Maki's serious expression

　Strategy number one.

　Cleo might not like ghosts.

　

　This was Maki's suggestion.

　

　Even Cleo might not have a tolerance for the unknown.

　

　At least for the girl, the word "ghost" was an object of fear.

"So that's why we've come to exterminate it..."(Cleo)

"Ugh, ......!"(Maki)

"Um, Maki? I can't walk if you stick to me too much."(Cleo)

　And so, night fell.

　

　Maki and Cleo were walking to the bathroom of the inn. The miscalculation here was that Maki was more frightened than she thought she would be.

　

　Keane and Erio are waiting for them in the bathroom, but what kind of preparations are they really making? Maki didn't know what they were doing.

"Ugh, I should have listened to them ......."(Maki)

"Did you say something?"(Cleo)

"No! Nothing!"(Maki)

"..................?"(Cleo)

　Cleo tilted his head again at her suspicious behavior.

　

　That's when it happened.

"Can someone please ...... help me ......?"(??)

"Hiiiiiiiiii?"(Maki)

　The snatched voice of a woman was heard clearly.

　

　Maki was horrified. Then, she immediately hugged Cleo.

"Are you okay?"(Cleo)

'Are you not afraid, Cleo-san?"(Maki)

"Hmm, that's as far as it goes?"(Cleo)

"Do you have Spirit of Steel!"(Maki)

　Cleo smiled bitterly at the girl, who was clearly upset.

　

　Let's just get this over with quickly. And so it went on and on.

　And when they reached the bathroom...

"It's clogged!"(Cleo)

　--A chuckle.

　

　There was a cold sensation on the boy's neck.

"What, a wet rag?"(Cleo)

　But he didn't seem bothered at all.

　

　He took it away and searched the bathroom.

"There's nothing in there," he said. There's no sign of ghosts."(Cleo)

"Oh, I see. ......"(Maki)

　He concluded simply.

　

　Maki was exhausted and exhausted.

　

　So this would be the end of the day. After parting ways with Cleo, the girl headed out of the inn to meet up with the other two.

"Ugh, no response. ......"(Maki)

"Good work, Maki. You weren't surprised."(Erio)

"What are you talking about, Erio? I thought I was going to lose my back. With that eerie voice ......"(Maki)

　Maki then looked at Erio with a bit of bitterness.

　

"What ......?What do you mean, "voice"?"(Erio)

"No, I heard a muffled voice. It was a woman's voice. It's Erio-san, right?"(Maki)

　Maki was taken aback by Erio's eaction.

　

　But then Keane said.

 "...... Erio was with me the whole time."(Kenae)

　The air between the three of them was clearly frozen.

　

　Maki's eyes went black and white. And then, without effort.

"Oh, no. ......"(Maki)

"Maki!"(Erio)

"Hey, get a grip!"(Keane)

　She loses consciousness on the spot.

◆

"Well, Erio. Where are you going today?"(Cleo)

"Oh, a bit."(Erio)

　--◆The next day.

　

 Erio called Cleo and they were walking around the city.

　

　Today was the day Erio had set her mission on, She was walking in front of Cleo with a slightly nervous look on her face. The boy followed her without any particular complaint.

　As they did so, they came upon a store.

"Is this a women's clothing store?"(Cleo)

"Yes, it is. Well, let's go in."(Erio)

"What? Excuse me, Erio-san?"(Cleo)

　It's a women's clothing store.

　

This was what Elio had planned for her mission.

　Strategy number two.

　Maybe Cleo doesn't have any fashion sense.

　Again, this was just speculation.

　

　However, he had never heard such a word from his mouth before. So Erio decided to let him choose her some clothes.

　

　What kind of outfit would Cleo choose?

"So I get to choose?"(Cleo)

　She nodded, thinking about it.

　

　The boy pondered for a moment.

"Erio-san is a beautiful woman with a neutral face, so I think anything she wears will look good on her. But since we're going out of our way this time, maybe we could tailor a feminine outfit for you. Or maybe I can choose something masculine or unisex to contrast with it? If that's the case, I guess we can divide the candidates into three vectors. To begin with, Erio-san is slim, so I think she would look good in menswear. But today, the store specializes in women's clothing, so I guess there's one basic principle. As for unisex outfits, don't worry, I think they got us covered. They seem to have a great selection, so I think I can pick out the perfect outfit in two hours, but when it comes down to it, ......".(Cleo)

(TL:This passage was too complicated! )

　Like a bullet.

　

　He began to pick out clothes, explaining them to Erio.

"Oh, uh ......?"(Erio)

　

　Erio's thought process was on the verge of overheating.

　

She wondered what this man was talking about, but nodded her head and stared at Cleo in amazement. One by one, she changed into the outfits he gave her and stood in front of the mirror.

　

　Each time, she thought to herself.

"Is this me?"(Erio)

　

　

　And so, two hours later.

　

　Erio and Cleo paid the bill and left the store.

　

　After parting ways with him, she was stunned for a while when Keane and Maki came in. They called out to her, unable to utter a single word.

　

　Then--

"What's wrong, Erio?"(Keane)

"Are you okay?"(Maki)

　Suddenly, Erio collapsed on the spot.

　

　Then, she let out the following words.

"I feel like I've lost as a woman."(Erio)

　And it was at that moment 

　

　They saw Erio's tears for the first time.

　

　No doubt about it. It was a tear that broke something inside her.

◆.

"Oh no, if things keep progressing like this then it's going to be the same as always."(Keane)

　Keane was getting impatient.

　

　The two of them had sunk spectacularly, and he was the only one left.

　

　And he had no idea what to do about it. But Keane also wanted to know Cleo's weaknesses. He wanted to get to know him and get closer to him.

　

　That's what he was thinking.

　

　So....

"I guess I'll just have to ask him straight out."(Keane)

"Ask me what?"(Cleo)

"Oh, Cleo!"(Keane)

　

　It was when he said that ,Cleo appeared at the meeting place.

　

　Keane was blatantly dismayed at being caught by surprise, but Cleo tilted his head Then, without seeming to be particularly concerned, he said

"We're going to the Royal Library today to study ancient elven script, right?"(Cleo)

"Oh, yes. Yes, I'm looking forward to it."(Keane)

"Let's go, then."(Cleo)

　After hearing Keane's reply, the boy started walking.

　

　The young elven man followed suit, his shoulders slumping lightly as he began to move forward. A few minutes passed in silence. It was Cleo who abruptly broke the silence.

"It's already getting very cold, isn't it?"(Cleo)

"Yes, it is."(Keane)

　Keane hurriedly replied as if he was trying to fix the atmosphere.

　

　The boy asked him this question.

"Do you know about the 'Hero Festival'?"(Cleo)

　Keane nodded his head, carefully going through his memory.

"Yes, I know about it. Elves are a race with a deep connection to the hero who saved the world. In the Royal Capital, they hold a festival once a year to honor him, don't they?"(Keane)

　It was a story about a festival to honor a hero from a thousand years ago.

　

　Although Keane had grown up in the middle of nowhere, he had as much knowledge about the "Hero Festival" as the average person. The legendary hero who rescued the world from the hands of the evil king.

(TL: Middle of nowhere as in countryside)

　

　He saw a image in front of his eyes.

　

　It was indeed a statute of the hero.

"Yes, that's right. A festival to pray for world peace and the eradication of conflict."(Cleo)

　

　Cleo stopped and looked up at the statue, then fell silent for a moment, trying to remember something. 

It was now or never, Keane thought, and opened his mouth. He had to ask him straight away.

"Um, Cleo?"(Keane

　Keane asked.

"Is there anything you can't do, Cleo?" --(Keane)

　Cleo looked a little surprised, and then laughed.

　Then answered a little embarrassed.

"Yes, there are many. But my least favorite is--"(Cleo)

　

　He looked at the statue of the hero again.

"The pained faces of my friends and colleagues?"(Cleo)

　

　He narrowed his eyes just a little.

"I wish there was no more conflict in the world, I really do, but I know that's an idealistic view. The truth is that people have developed through conflict. I'm sure this hero has also fought through a great deal of conflict."(Cleo)

　

　Cleo looked at Keane and smiled.

"But I think that's why people aim for ideals. For that reason, I want to protect the people I care about within my reach. In that sense, I want everyone to smile."(Cleo)

"Cleo, ......"(Keane)

"Heh. I'm a little bit cool, aren't I?"(Cleo)

".................."(Keane)

(TL:............)

　

　The young elf gulped.

　

　After checking the other party's condition, the boy continued.

"I've been exposed to a lot of people's lives since I became an adventurer, and they've all carried a lot of grief with them. They hit walls, fall down each time, and move forward with a wound on their knee. But that's why the present is so lovely and worthwhile. I want to protect it. But sometimes I wonder if I can do it."(Cleo)

　That's when Keane understood.

　

　Keane understood then that this boy was suffering because of his broad and kind heart, because of his intelligence, because of his understanding of the value of both, and because of his compassion. Keane knew this, and shook his fist.

　

　Then, without thinking, he took Cleo's hand, who had a sad expression on its face.

　

　Keane looked the surprised boy straight in the face and said, 

"Yes, you can, Cleo!"(Keane)

"Keane, ......?"(Cleo)

　He let his emotions flow into his words.

If you can't do it on your own, Cleo, we're here, we're here for you! If we all work together, we'll get there someday! So, by yourself--"(Keane)

　-- "Please don't be troubled by thinking you are on your own.(Keane)

　Pleadingly.

　

　Keane told Cleo that.

"............"(Cleo)

　The boy was surprised at first, but gradually his expression brightened.

　

　Then he shook his head quietly and said, 

"Thank you, Keane. You're right. I'm not alone."(Cleo)

　

　With those words, Keane knew what Cleo feared the most. It was...

"Come on, let's go. If we don't hurry, the library will be closed."(Cleo)

　Cleo started to walk ahead again.

　

　When Keane saw him walking away, he muttered to himself.

"Loneliness, ......."(Keane)

　

　It must be loneliness that Cleo was afraid of.

　

　That's why he cares about the people around him more than anyone else, and he never stops trying. he is not confident because of his past of not being recognized even though he has so much power.

　

　So what can I do to help?

　

　No, what can we do?

"I'll support you, I promise. Cleo-san ......!"(Keane)

　

　Keane vowed again.

　

　His life that was saved by the boy that day.

　

　And someday, he hoped, the boy would be able to laugh more from the bottom of his heart.

　

　This is Cleo's weakness.

　

　This was a little secret story between us.

TL Note- Well it has been 100 chapter....We have come a long time for something I wasn't even sure that people would read....many people still say this story is very short and not worth it but I don't have anything to say to them but to the people who have read till ch 100 of this series....

Thank you  for joining this journey and staying with us till now....the journey of a boy who was always second...may you find your adventure in your life like Cleo and Once again Thank you for being with us and mind you this isn't the end because the journey continues. 

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