Frieren 53

Title: Frieren: The Only Mature Big Sister Here Is Me

Frieren’s suspicion was almost written plainly on her face. Her gaze carried a hint of prejudice toward those who liked mature big sisters, making Ash, who considered himself a young man with normal tastes (by his own definition), feel compelled to explain.

He even crouched slightly, placed one hand on Frieren’s head, and said earnestly: “…No. No matter how many times, I have to make this clear. I was really lost! Stop spreading nonsense in front of people! Otherwise—our friendship ends here!”

“Lost and then climbed a wall?”

“Lost, couldn’t find the way, climbed a wall to find an exit… doesn’t that make sense?”

Frieren tilted her head in confusion. Meanwhile, Ash wore a serious expression, trying to convince her of his innocence.

But over the years, Frieren never truly believed this answer. Now, too, she was full of suspicion and got straight to the point: “Climbed a wall, then went straight into someone else’s harem?”

“That was a matter of probability, and it’s absolutely not my fault!”

“……” Seeing how serious Ash was, Frieren wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth. But she felt…

“Don’t you feel embarrassed discussing this in public?”

“Compared to embarrassment, I think I should be angrier… Why are you exposing my past? What if your teammates think I’m a weirdo?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Of course it’s a problem! Because I’m not the kind of person Flamme thought I was. I wanted to be a hero even without a mature big sister! So, let me join you guys!” Ash tried to exude as much goodwill as possible, extending his hand to Frieren with a smile.

However… Frieren had no intention of taking his hand. She just narrowed her eyes and kept observing him: “…You, you don’t have some weird motive, do you?”

“You’re suspecting your own friend? Don’t you know me?”

Ash said it with utmost sincerity. But in Frieren’s mind, having known him since their village days, she couldn’t help but recall how he poured wine on Milli, dragged her, and hung her upside down just to keep her from sleeping.

Because of that, she immediately retorted without thinking: “Adventuring to save humanity? That’s not something you’d do.”

“Don’t underestimate others just because you’re short. I also want to try working hard for you!”

“Nonsense… do you even believe yourself?”

“I believe. Why wouldn’t I? If even I don’t believe in myself, who else would?”

“Funny, I’m curious who would believe your words? Name one person, and I’ll believe you! Don’t think, just say it! Speak!”

“Jackson!”

Though Ash felt he was indeed contributing to world peace, he couldn’t think of anyone who’d believe he’d fight for it. He instinctively blurted out a random name.

Not that he was lying or had a bad character or anything, he just didn’t have many friends.

Frieren pressed on quickly: “What does he do? Who’s in his family?”

“A singer! His family… just one!”

“How did you meet?”

“That… on a dark, moonless night…” Ash tried to picture the scene, but Frieren narrowed her eyes and interrupted: “—Ash, you’re lying, aren’t you?”

“You said to name someone, didn’t I?”

“…Since when did you start lying like my master?”

“I think I’m better than Flamme.” Even Ash, compared to Flamme, had a slightly strange expression.

Flamme initially seemed like a decent person. At most, she liked pretending to be weak.

But in reality, even during their training, she’d shamelessly beg for mercy in various ways to make others pity her.

Perhaps because she was often tricked by Flamme, Frieren developed some anti-deception skills. Of course… the main reason was she never truly believed Ash was that good.

And even if he was good, Frieren had no intention of letting him join. After all—at a friend’s age where he should be retired, she couldn’t let him act recklessly.

Ash going adventuring? Defeating the Demon King? What if his bones broke? It made no sense.

Ash’s hand hung in the air, stiffening there for a long time with no one taking it. The atmosphere grew a bit awkward…

He felt frustrated and planned to change tactics, observing them from the side. But before he could retract his hand, another hand suddenly appeared from behind Heiter, gripping his firmly.

“Oh, oh…?” Ash, who had been despairing, was startled and looked up, only to find…

“I believe your words—Master Ash, let’s fight together!”

A young man with light blue mushroom-cut hair, wearing a white cloak and blue clothes, smiled brightly at him.

However, Ash stiffened slightly and instinctively wanted to pull his hand back. At the same time, he couldn’t help but ask: “Sorry, you are…?”

“I’m Himmel.”

“…I-I see, so…?”

“Frieren’s companion.” Himmel answered without hesitation.

“…Really?”

“Really, is there a problem?”

“No… it’s just…?” Ash froze again, instinctively looking at Frieren.

But this time, Frieren only sighed softly: “If you’re expecting Flamme’s storybook version, forget it. The only mature big sister here is me.”

“Hahaha… you’ve caught Flamme’s bad habit of bragging.” Mentally exhausted, Ash couldn’t help but give an awkward smile while complaining.

This made Frieren immediately show a displeased expression: “…What do you mean? There aren’t many mature big sisters my age.”

“Mature big sister… huh.”

Looking at the girl shorter than most, standing with her hands on her hips, trying to look mature by puffing out her chest, Ash had only one urge—to say what he really thought.