Preparation for Departure (2)
Chapter 14: Preparation for Departure 2
Piyo selfishly declares she wants to travel with me.
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I finally arrived at Piyo's grandmother's house. It's a small two-story house, not particularly spacious inside, but it has a cozy, warm atmosphere. The wooden furniture is adorned with plenty of handcrafted decorations.
"Glad you came, Hero-san."
The old lady welcomed me with a gentle smile and offered me cookies and tea, despite my embarrassed protests.
"Good, right? Delicious, isn't it?"
Piyo was happily munching on her favorite treat. I took a bite as well. It had a simple yet nostalgic flavor, with the aroma of wheat and a light sweetness that you could never tire of.
"Hey, Grandma, I want to go on an adventure with Hiro."
Piyo, who rarely listens to her older sister, seemed willing to heed her grandmother's advice.
"The outside world is dangerous, you know that?"
"Yes, but I want to see many things out there."
The old woman listened quietly to Piyo. I didn't rush to stop or scold her either.
Then she slowly opened her mouth to speak.
"Piyo, listen. People encounter big walls many times in life."
Piyo listened quietly.
"What you do with that big wall is up to you."
"If there's a wall, you just have to climb it!"
Facing her cheerful response, the old lady continued slowly.
"Climbing isn't your only option. The view beyond the wall isn't always better than what you already have, and you never know how high the wall may rise. Sometimes taking a detour might be the best choice in life.
In the end, you have two choices. One is to work hard every day here in this village, growing into a fine woman with your own family and friends. The other is to venture out into the world, becoming a warrior who faces danger every day. There's much you can learn, but your life could be lost the very next day..."
Piyo moved closer to her grandmother and hugged her tightly. The old lady returned the embrace without saying another word.
"Grandma, I'll become a warrior," Piyo whispered in her ear.