VOLUME 13 WHERE ARE YOU 😭

First is this bit, when he gives her headpats XD

I found it interesting that the thought bubble is from Catarina in French ("il est très paternaliste") and not from Geordo, like in the English below:

Either way works, I think.

But the part that gets to me is this whole page:

I once read that when you're going from English to French, you have a 30% expansion of words and sentences.

In this case, seeing as it's a consistent thing for him, Geordo is definitely using more words to say more or less the same thing, but I think it works because it's just...a smidge more precise? more detailed?

I don't know, take a read:

'Lorsqu'une personne est en danger, vous n'hésitez pas une seconde. Vous foncez direct! Même si vous ne semblez pas de taille pour relever le défi." -> "When a person is in danger, you don't hesitate for a second. you go straight ahead! Even if it seems like you are no match for the challenge."

Catarina's little bit of words there say "Désolée d'être aussi tête brulée..." -> "I'm sorry for being such a daredevil"

his "I'm not upset with you" has an added bit when he says "Je ne suis pas en colère, rassurez-vous." -> "I am not angry, rest assured/don't worry."

and "I'm actually quite fond of that part of you" becomes "au contraire, j'aime beaucoup ce côté-là, chez vous!" -> "on the contrary, I really like this side of you!"

And the last one:

"Imaginons un instant qu'à la place de Keith, ce soit moi qui me retrouve prisonnier dans cette demeure...j'espère bien que vous vous précipiteriez de la même manière pour venir me délivrer. Le feriez-vous?"

take a second to observe the long-winded way of saying the exact same message as in the English version. I feel like I would need to take at least two breaths in the middle if I was saying this out loud.

It translates to, roughly:

"Let's imagine for a second that, in Keith's place, it was me who found himself prisoner in that house....I certainly hope that you would rush in the same way to come save me. Would you do that?"

Like, he really doesn't need to have all these extra words. it confuses the online grammar check, with the "que vous vous précipiteriez" because that's actually spelled correctly, it's a real tense (conditionnel présent).

But I find that in the English, he sounds like he knows she would come save him, but in this version there is a bit of doubt. Or his certainty is more subdued and not being said as clearly.

I might be reading too much into it XD

Up to here, it feels super soft and sweet and totally matches the flowery stuff that comes in the next panel:

"Je vous aime, Catarina...précisément parce que vous êtes dévouée envers vos amis." -> "I love you, Catarina...precisely because you are devoted to your friends."

And see, while this is still super sweet and extra wordy, I feel like...now this last part is not as impactful as the English version:

Like maybe short and sweet would have been fine?

Although it made me think that the added sentence about her devotion to her friends is either a reinforcing of why he loves her OR Geordo getting shy and falling back on words to cover up for his own emotions getting to him.

It is also only now that I notice that we have a progression of feelings:

From "I'm fond of this side of you" to "I really love this side of you"

It happened in both languages, because the French went from "j'aime bien ce côté-là" to "je vous aime".

Maybe she just felt bad because I fell underneath her and she was just trying to be considerate. But maybe it really was -.

When I sat down in my seat and sobered up while thinking like that,

"Good morning~"

With a cheerful voice, the girl from yesterday entered the classroom.

I straightened my spine involuntarily.

I thought maybe she would come and say hello to me.

But,

"Oh, good morning."

"You're amazingly sleepy today too."

"You're not late today, are you ?"

In no time at all, her classmates had gathered around her, and she disappeared from sight.

She is such a bright and sociable girl. She's popular.

Why did I think we could get along ?

As usual, I took out a book from my bag, flipped through the pages, and dropped my eyes.

"Good morning, Sasaki-san."

I was surprised when someone called out to me near me, and when I looked up from the book, the girl from yesterday was standing there with a smile on her face.

"... Oh, um, oh, good morning."

I didn't expect her to come to me from that circle of classmates, so I bit down in a panic. Embarrassing.

"I'm sorry I fell on you yesterday. Have you been okay since then ?"

I see, she was worried about yesterday and approached me.

"Yeah. I'm fine now. Don't worry about it."

I thought that if I said that, this girl would surely return to those happy-looking classmates.

"Thank you. Sasaki-san is really kind. Ah, what are you reading ?"

"Oh, this ?"

"Yeah, that."　

Saying that, she pointed to the book I was holding in my hands.

"...This is a book I brought from home."

It's one of the books I bring with me to pass the time alone.

"What kind of story ?" She said and brought her face close to mine.

"Well, uh, this one. It's about a girl who wanders into another world and has adventures there ―"

I suddenly realised that before I knew it, I had become passionate and was introducing the book.

I love books, but …… almost no one ever asks me about them, so when people ask me about them like this, I get so happy and do it from time to time.

Even when I was in elementary school, I talked passionately like this several times.

The person who asked me casually was turned away, and the next day, I was backbited, saying, "That girl is weird, isn't she ?"

Even though she went to the trouble of talking to me, …… this must have made her pull back again. I'm an idiot.

When I couldn't come up with words to continue in front of the other person who was rolling her eyes in front of me, …….

"Sounds interesting !"

"Huh ?"

"That book looks very interesting."

She looked at me with sparkling eyes saying that.

“When I heard Sasaki-san’s story, I really wanted to read it ! Sasaki-san is a good storyteller. However I'm not very good at reading books"

It may be a social comment, but her eyes are serious for that.

"Um, this book is also a manga, so if you don't mind, can I borrow that one ?"

When I tried to say that while my heart was pounding, she turned to me with a happy smile.

"Really ? ! Thank you ! ."

It seems it wasn't a social comment. I was so happy that heat rose in my cheeks.

The next day, when I brought the book to her as promised, she was very happy.

And the next day she came, looking excited,

"This was really interesting ! Sasaki-san, if you have any more book recommendations , please let me know."

I said yes.

She became my first friend, who listened to me earnestly and did not back down when I talked passionately about my favourite books.

And time passed, my first friend became my best friend, and I was able to enter the same high school after working hard on my exams.

We were in the same class, so we went to class together in the morning.

"Acchan, what's your recommendation for this month ?"

"This month's recommendation is this book, a girl who was reincarnated in another world―"

As we walked to the classroom, my best friend's eyes sparkled as I briefly told her about the contents of the book.

"Uh~, that looks interesting ! Acchan's recommendation won't go wrong, right ? I'll tell everyone about it during lunch break."

After entering high school, my otaku friends grew even more numerous, and we all got together more and more often.

Among my peers, I have established a sister-like position as the caretaker of this slightly off-kilter best friend of mine.

Now, people might not believe me when I say that I couldn't speak well to people until I entered middle school.

"Hmm. What should I do ?"

When I arrived at the classroom, my best friend said so and folded his arms.

"What's wrong ?"

"There are so many books and goods I want to buy that I don't think I have enough money."

"Oh, it's a complete pocket money system."

“Because New Year’s money is also forcibly saved.”

My best friend has an allowance every month because it's bad if she wastes it.

“Then, would you like to try a part-time job ?”

"Part-Time Job ?"

“Yeah. You can buy books if you work part-time."

"Are you sure ? It's reassuring if Acchan is here !"

My best friend said something like that, but that's exactly my line.

I thought that my first part-time job would be okay if I was with this best friend.

After that, we both worked part-time at a family restaurant near the high school, and were able to get the books and goods that we had been longing for.

"Fufufu, I'm happy~"

At dusk after school, the two of us stopped by a shop and got the long-awaited book and goods on the way home.

My best friend told me that while holding the item she got to her heart,

"You got the book you wanted, didn't you ? That's great." I replied,

"That's one thing, but I'm also happy that I met Acchan like this."

"! ?"

I was surprised by the unexpected answer and my eyes widened, but my best friend gave me a faint smile and continued.

"When I was in primary school, I used to think that climbing trees quickly and catching fish and crayfish were the most fun things to do, but thanks to meeting Acchan, I realised that there are so many other things that are even more fun, so I'm happy~", she said again.

That's my line.

I used to only enjoy the world in books, but thanks to meeting my best friend, I really got to know a lot of fun things.

I thought that, but my heart was too full to give anything back.

I hurriedly looked up as I almost burst into tears.

There was a beautiful orange sunset.

★★★★★★★★★★★

"... Lady Sophia, Lady Sophia ."

I heard someone calling me and slowly opened my eyes to find a worried-looking maid by my bedside staring at me.

Apparently she was calling me.

"……What's wrong ?"

I asked back, still in a daze.

"... Um, tears were flowing."

"……tears ?"

When I touched my cheek after being told that, it was definitely wet.

"Did you have another sad dream ?"

I had had sad dreams before, so she was probably worried that this might be the case this time as well.

"Uh-huh. I don't really remember the details, but I feel like I had a very happy dream."

“…Is it a happy dream ?”

"Yeah. Yes. I'm sure these are happy tears."

"Is that so ? Then I'm glad."

The maid looked relieved.

In the past, there were times when I thought that everyone, except for my family, hated me, but now I realize that many people care about me.

This is also thanks to meeting Lady Catarina.

“Lady Sophia, the daughter of the Claes family is scheduled to visit today.”

"Yeah, that's right. Let's get ready quickly."

Today, Lady Catarina is planning to visit our house.

I got ready and started.

I finished preparing for the greetings and Lady Catarina came with Mister Keith a short while later.

As usual, we went to the library together and I introduced her to the books I recommended.

"And this story is really good --- Oh, I'm sorry. I talked too much at once..."

I tend to talk too much when it comes to books, and I did it again today.

"No. Really, when I hear Sophia's story, I really want to read it ! Sophia is a good storyteller, isn't she ?"

Lady Catarina told me that. I was so happy that heat rose in my cheeks.

After that, we talked a lot about books, and before we knew it, the time passed quickly.

"Fufufu, I'm happy~"

When it was time to go home, Lady Catarina said so while holding the book I recommended to her heart,

"I still have more recommendations, so I'll lend you another one."

I replied,

"Yeah, for the books too, but I'm also happy to have met Sophia like this~"

"! ?"

Lady Catarina smiled softly at me, who was surprised by the unexpected answer and continued.

"Even though I was talking about novels, I only knew about a fraction of them, but thanks to meeting Sophia, I found out that there are many other interesting novels, so I thought to myself "I'm so happy~"."

Those words filled my heart.

I was so happy that I was about to burst into tears, so I looked up.

The orange sunset was floating there, and I felt a strange nostalgic feeling.

In the midst of these days, around the time my two older brothers got engaged, there were calls for "Prince Geordo to have a fiancée too", and it became a little annoying.

So I thought it was just right and decided to get engaged to Catarina Claes, the daughter of the Claes family, who is a neutral party. With that, my troubles were over and I was going to spend the same boring days .

However, my days changed drastically after meeting Catalina Claes, who went to tell me about our engagement.

As the wild Catarina pulled me around, my colourless world began to change and I began to feel emotions I had never known before.

"The sky is blue, it's beautiful."

I never thought I would lie on my back on the grass and mutter something like this, but I surprise myself.

Lying on the lawn would never have happened if I hadn't met Catarina.

As for Catarina, who advised me to lie down, she said, "I forgot the sweets to eat outside" and went back to get it.

After looking up at the sky like that for a while, the sound of energetic footsteps approached. It seems Catarina has returned. At first I thought I would greet her normally, but then, somewhat mischievously, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I wondered how Catarina would react.

"Oh, Prince Geordo, did you fall asleep ?"

When Catarina came back, she seemed to think I was asleep, just as I wanted. As I waited with my eyes closed wondering what to do, she seemed to be sitting next to me.

Soon after, I felt a gentle warmth on my head. At first I didn't know what it was, but eventually I realised it was Catarina's hand. Catarina's hand slowly caressed my head.

And Catarina said, "It's okay, it's okay."

I froze, not knowing what was going on, but then I thought for a while and remembered that I had really dozed off in front of Catarina some time ago, and that I was haunted by a dream. Catarina immediately woke me up, and although I didn't remember the content of the dream very well, she was worried about me.

So I am sure she is doing this so that I, who am sleeping, don't have bad dreams again. What should I do ? It's getting harder to open my eyes. I never thought this would happen. I'm in trouble. But Catarina's hands feel so good. My chest is warm and my heart is filled with warmth. It was a strange sensation, as if I had obtained something I had always wanted.

I decided to continue pretending to be asleep for a little while longer.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar ceiling of my room in the school dormitory. It was then that I realised I was lying in bed, asleep. Even so, I had a nostalgic dream. It happened shortly after I met Catarina. In the end, after a while, I pretended to wake up just now and got up. Even though I was a child, it is quite an embarrassing experience now that I think about it.

Why did I have that dream ? Was it because I was weak for the first time in a long time ?

Yes, I was ill for the first time in a very long time.

I had the misfortune to get caught in the rain and wind on my official business as a prince, and after that I couldn't rest very well, and after returning to the academy I developed a fever.

I have always taken good care of myself since I was a child and have never been ill, but this was the first time in a very long time that I had made the mistake of falling ill.

I thought I would feel better as soon as I slept, but the fever didn't seem to go away. My head feels foggy. This is still not good enough. When I was about to close my eyes to sleep some more, a servant called out to me from outside the door.

I responded reflexively, but to be honest, the content did not enter my foggy head. Perhaps the servant was coming in on some business or something like that. Only people of certain status are allowed in here, so there's nothing to worry about. I closed my eyes again and let myself drift off into a deep sleep.

In that sleep, I felt something warm and soft touch my head and move gently. It felt so good,

"…… feels good. More." I said,

"It's okay, it's okay, I hope you feel better soon."

I heard a gentle voice. Invited by that soothing voice, I fall into a deep sleep. While remembering the feeling that my chest felt warm and my heart was very fulfilled.

When I opened my eyes again, my head was terribly clear. It seems that the fever has gone down.

This time I slept soundly without any dreams.

No, I felt like I had another nostalgic dream, but it was so hazy that I couldn't remember it.

I felt completely refreshed, and when I got up from the bed, I noticed that there was an unfamiliar bag on the table. Something like this shouldn't have happened during the holidays.

I wonder if the servant left it while I was sleeping. When I picked up the bag and looked inside, I found, written in familiar characters, "Please rest well and get well soon.''

As soon as I confirmed this, I called the servant and asked him about the bag.

As I had expected, Catarina had come to visit me. It also came when I temporarily woke up and replied.

At that time, the servant asked, "Lady Catarina has come to visit you, may I let her through ?"I seems that I let her through while half asleep.

In addition, even though I let her through, I was asleep again when Catarina came.

The embarrassment of being seen sleeping is one thing, but hearing this story, the events that I thought was a dream just a few minutes ago came back to me in a very real way.

The feeling of being gently caressed. If that was the reality, then Katarina's hand was placed on my head, and she would stroke it like she did when she was young.

"It's okay, it's okay , I hope you feel better soon."

If I remembered that voice well, it was the familiar voice of Catarina.

In other words, when I was half asleep, Catarina stroked my head and said those words―― I thought it was embarrassing even when I was young, but at this age, that kind of thing--. And I was so relieved that I fell asleep, like an infant. I could feel the heat build up on my face. If the servants noticed, they might think I had a fever again.

"It's all right now, please go away."

I said, and let the servants out of the room

I was alone in the room and looked in the mirror to see the face of a pathetic man with a bright red face.

Oh, and I'm sure I was mumbling, "That feels good. More." I think I said something like that.

I remembered. I held my head in shame. Ah, what kind of face should I make next time I meet Catarina? Thus, I was alone in my room for a while, writhing in shame.

However, after thinking about it a lot, I felt better and faced Catarina,

"Prince Geordo, you're feeling better. I'm glad you're doing well." When she smiled at me like that, I didn't care what I was thinking.