Squid race. When I first heard it, I didn’t get it.
Maybe I would if I had taken it at face value.
“I never thought I’d ride a squid…”
“I’m not surprised, but you’re managing to ride quite a rowdy squid.”
“Hahaha.”
It sounds like I’m horse riding, but I guess the concept is the same.
Squid races around the sea are a tradition for marine divine beast people.
It really is just underwater horse racing. And since we’re going to race, I need to practice for it.
“You say rowdy, but it’s like it clearly understands the difference in power.”
It struggled when I got on it, but once I grabbed it firmly, it reacted like it was startled and settled down.
Also, I can ride it normally because Livia and the others showed me examples.
It’s not like that ability given to me by god is restricted to just magic.
And what’s really amazing is…
“Uhahahaha! Yes Ikaring! Go faster!”
“I’m not losing!”
“Ah! Don’t leave Snow!”
Tiltue and the others are riding squids extremely fast. They were seeing who can swim fastest the other day, but now they’re all about this new game.
I guess they also understand how strong Tiltue and the others are, and do what they say.
Being members of some of the strongest races means they have good core strength and balance, and don’t fall no matter how fast they go.
“Ku, I can’t lose as a water expert!”
“Can you swim a little faster? If you can’t, that’s okay.”
Conversely, Reina and Merlin’s squids are swimming pretty leisurely.
Unlike the others, they could get hurt if the squids rampaged, so they have more docile ones.
I’m relieved to see it, but they’re the type to get heated in a competition, so they’re training to win on the squids they just managed to ride.
And Elga…
“…”
Smack!
“…”
Smack smack!
Every time he reaches towards the squid, it smacks him away with its tentacles.
“No way! You can’t ride a squid, Elga!? Unbelievable. Nowadays even five year olds can. How lame is a divine beast person that can’t ride a squid? How embarrassing.
I can’t believe this is my sister’s mate…”
Levi is laughing like crazy, and provoking him.
“…”
Smack smack smack!
Elga tries again, and is smacked away again. And he’s shaking.
He must be calling her a damn brat in his mind.
And thinking about whole roasted squid.
“Geez…This girl…”
“I guess you could say it comes full circle to her liking him, right?”
“She’s always honest with me when she wants to be spoiled…”
Is she a tsundere? That doesn’t seem quite right.
Well, Elga is always nice with kids, and he’s a tolerant guy. I’m sure he’ll accept her even if she’s not honest…
“Uwah. Your dear fur is black from ink! Ufufufufu, it suits you!”
Ah, he’s dropping a clenched fist on the squid to make it listen. But it looks like this squid is Levi’s pet, so it’s been blocked.
She starts cackling, but I think we’re reaching the boiling point.
Livia slowly approaches as her tail moves, and grabs her head again.
There’s a cracking sound, and I look away.
“Okay, let’s go then, Ikarou.”
Ikarou nods, and raises its tentacles to show it’s motivated.
◇ ◇ ◇
After training for a while, Reina and Merlin get good at squid riding too.
They’re running through the water nimbly.
And as I watch that, Levi wakes up, as she’s been floating like she drowned.
She looks around, and comes this way after our eyes meet.
“Hum… Can I call you Arata?”
“Eh? Yes.”
“I’m Levi, and my ancestor is Leviathan.”
She bows after introducing herself.
I’ve only seen her teasing Elga or unconscious, so I’m a little taken aback by her acting meek.
“What did you hear about me from my sister and Elga?”
“Nothing really.”
“I see.”
She looks sad. Is it because they don’t talk about her?
But from what I’ve seen of them interacting here, it feels like both treasure her.
“Revi… You like them both, don’t you?”
“Ah? Ahh? Aaaaah!?”
She looks surprised, and her expression immediately turns into a flustered one.
“Of course I love my big sister. Not Elga though!”
“But you can act like that without a worry because Elga takes it all, right?”
“N-no! I make fun of him because he’s really not right for my sister!”
“Eh… I think there’s no one cooler than him.”
“He’s not cool!”
“You really think he’s not a match for her?”
“…That’s a lie. I do think he’s cool, and they match.”
Wow, she turns meek suddenly.
“But he took my sister! What can I do!?”
She yells with tears in her eyes, but quietly enough for others not to hear.
She’s good, I think as I hear her. And there really is jealousy in there.
It’s clear as day that Elga is cool, and that he is a good match for Livia.
“I want to treat him as a brother-in-law, but… I get nervous in front of him…”
She didn’t expect her dear sister to marry into the surface, not to mention her not coming down to the sea at all. And she’s throwing all those directionless emotions into teasing.
She’s an honest girl, saying that with tears in her eyes.
But…
“Make this squid listen already, Levi.”
“Eh? A divine beast person can’t make a simple squid obey him?”
Her expression immediately changes, and she makes fun of Elga.
It was frighteningly smooth, and I can’t help but look shocked.
She makes fun of him some more, and Elga looks angry as he turns around and leaves.
Levi turns back to me after seeing he’s far enough away.
“Why do I do this!?”
“Ha, haha…”
Levi yells quietly while crying.
Is it instinctual at this point? That’s how smooth the change was. All I can do is smile awkwardly.
Revi -> Levi
Thanks.
“Revi… You like them both, don’t you?”
Levi*