Kazuma walked the well-trodden path to his modest home, each step weighted with the impending change that loomed over him. The midday sun cast a sharp play of light and shadow along the narrow streets of the village, painting a stark contrast that mirrored his conflicted emotions. His humble abode, a silent custodian of the life he shared with his 10-year-old sister, Akane, stood awaiting their return.

As he neared the door, a moment's hesitation gripped him. Pushing it open, the familiar, dimly lit interior greeted him like an old friend. The room, adorned with worn furniture, a simple hearth, and scattered belongings, spoke volumes of their shared journey. Here, within these walls, they had found solace, their bond of survival strengthening over the past three years.

Opening the door ushered in a flood of memories, the air rich with the essence of their togetherness. This small house, their bastion against the world's adversities, now braced for the resonance of their concluding chapter.

Kazuma entered Akane's room, where the mellow light softened the contours of the space. There, in the embrace of daylight, Akane lay in peaceful slumber. Her affinity for napping, a quaint quirk, had woven itself into the tapestry of her personality.

Even though he was familiar with her sleeping habits, Kazuma found himself reluctant to disturb her. Experience had taught him the fiery aftermath of waking Akane from her deep sleeps, a lesson in temper and retribution.

Battling his reservations, he finally resolved to wake her. His touch was gentle, a light shake accompanied by a whispered call of her name. But the tranquility shattered as Akane jolted awake, her transition from dreamland to reality abrupt and disorienting.

Roused from her sleep, Akane's appearance was a striking blend of disarray and innate charm. Her red hair, in tousled disarray, contrasted sharply with the vibrant red dress that adorned her petite frame. Her hair flowed around her shoulders, framing her face, while her crimson eyes shone with a mix of confusion and irritation. Despite her youth, she exuded an almost ethereal beauty, reminiscent of a delicately crafted porcelain doll.

The red dress she wore seemed to capture the essence of her fiery spirit, its hue echoing the depth of her gaze. Her fair complexion, accompanied by rosy cheeks and a slender build, came together to create a captivating visage that lingered in the minds of all who beheld her.

The smoothness and perfection of her skin accentuated the doll-like aspect of her presence, with a texture as gentle and fine as silk upon touch.This delicate fragility only served to enhance her enchanting aura.

The gentle sunlight streaming through the window bathed her in a warm glow, accentuating the fiery red of her hair. Despite the abrupt awakening, a certain drowsy softness clung to her features, softening what was usually a more assertive demeanor. Her wide eyes, reflecting a mix of annoyance and bewilderment, were telltale signs of her sudden shift from the serenity of slumber to the unpredictable world of wakefulness.

"Big brother, you idiot!" she exploded, her voice a turbulent mix of confusion and anger. In a swift motion, she kicked out, sending Kazuma stumbling backward, the impact resonating through him.

Wincing, Kazuma met her fiery gaze, her temper flaring unrestrained. "What's your problem, waking me up like that? You know I hate it!" she scolded.

"Sorry, sorry," he muttered, rubbing the sore spot on his chest. "I just thought you should know it's getting late. I thought you might want to wake up."

Akane's anger simmered. "I'll wake up when I'm ready. Don't try to control me, big brother," she retorted, turning her back on him, dismissing his presence as she nestled back into her pillows.

Unfazed by Akane's dismissive attitude, Kazuma rose to his feet, clearing his throat to announce something significant. "You should know, tomorrow's the big day. We're off to the empire's capital, and I'm going to take the Knight's exam. I aim to become a hero, Akane."

Lying nonchalantly in her bed, Akane responded with a scoff, her laughter tinged with sarcasm. "A hero? Really, big brother? We're not in a fairy tale. Heroes don't exist in the real world. It's time you faced that."

Yet, Kazuma's resolve didn't falter. Delving into his pocket, he retrieved a small, timeworn book. The pages were frayed, its cover bearing the marks of endless readings. He held it up for her inspection.

"In your world, maybe heroes are a myth, but in mine, they're very much alive," he declared, his eyes alight with conviction. "I've always believed in them. I'm sure there's at least one hero out there."

Holding the tattered book aloft, he continued, "This is the hero's book, read and re-read by me for the last two years."

Akane's gaze shifted from curiosity to irritation as she eyed the book. "You need to stop clinging to these ancient tales about nonexistent heroes," she snapped. "Look at it, it's falling apart. You can't even read it properly. Let it go, big brother. Your hero isn't real."

Gripping the book more tightly, a mix of determination and annoyance etched on his face, Kazuma replied, "This book is more than just a story, Akane. When I bought it two years ago from a trader, it was already in this state. But it opened up a new world for me—a world where heroes protect the vulnerable. That's the world I aspire to be part of."

Akane sighed and folded her arms, her practicality shining through. "Dreams don't put food on the table or keep a roof over our heads. You're chasing fantasies, big brother. Once we reach the empire's capital, you'll see the harsh reality."

But Kazuma held her gaze, unshaken. "Perhaps you're right, Akane, but I choose to believe in more. I want to be a hero, not just for myself, but for both of us."

Shaking her head, Akane dismissed his words. "Believe what you want, but don't expect me to follow your fairy tales."

As Kazuma exited the room, the weight of her doubt lingered in the air. He knew well that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, yet the book, with its faded stories and tattered pages, remained a symbol of hope. The following day would mark the start of his journey beyond the village, a journey to prove that heroes could indeed exist, even amidst the stark realities of their world.

The door shut softly behind Kazuma, leaving Akane alone with her thoughts. Her initial anger gave way to a deep, underlying sadness. Staring at the closed door, her thoughts wandered to the worn book, a representation of her brother's unwavering pursuit of what she deemed an unattainable dream.

"Big brother..." she whispered, her voice a soft echo in the solitude of her room. In the privacy of that space, her hidden vulnerabilities surfaced. The worry that had been gnawing at her heart couldn't be ignored any longer.

Tears gathered in Akane's eyes, a visible sign of the emotions she had long suppressed. Alone in her room, her voice trembled as she spoke to the emptiness around her. "Why can't you abandon these foolish dreams, big brother? I don't desire a hero; I yearn for you to stay with me, always."

Her fingers gently traced the patterns on the blankets, her eyes lingering on the tattered book resting on her bed. "Why must you venture out and risk everything? The thought of losing another person I love is unbearable," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion.

The room seemed to absorb and echo her deep longing. Akane yearned for a simple life where her brother found happiness in their quaint village, far from the dangers that lay beyond their sanctuary.

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Drawing a deep breath, she tried to steady her trembling voice. "Stay here with me, big brother. We can find happiness in our own little world. We don't need heroes or grand escapades. I can't endure the thought of losing you as well."

As she grappled with the reality of their impending separation, her whispered pleas seemed to hang in the air, a silent prayer reaching out to her brother's departing spirit. The quiet of her room became a sanctuary for her fears and hopes, a place where the specter of change loomed large.

Dawn broke the next day, casting a bittersweet light over the village. The atmosphere was tinged with the anticipation of departure, a farewell to the familiar and an embrace of the unknown. Inside their home, Kazuma was gearing up for the journey, donning armor polished to a shine.

Akane watched silently from the doorway, her heart heavy with the sadness of the previous night. Her eyes traced every movement of her brother, each clink of his armor a stark reminder of their looming separation.

Kazuma, feeling the weight of her gaze, turned to Akane. "The time has come," he said, his voice balancing determination with comfort. "Today we head to the empire's capital. I'm going to take the Knight's exam. It's the first step towards the dream I've always held dear."

Akane gave a small nod, her eyes downcast, resigned to the unfolding reality. She recognized that her brother's dreams were drawing him away from the haven of their village.

As they approached the village's exit, an unexpected sight greeted them. The entire village had turned out, forming a lively throng along the pathways. The air was alive with farewells, good wishes, and the murmurs of heartfelt conversations.

Voices called out to Akane, affectionately addressing her as 'Princess Akane', sending her wishes for a safe and wondrous journey. Kazuma realized then that the villagers' affection was focused not on him, the aspiring knight, but on his beloved sister. The village had always doted on Akane, treating her like their own little princess, and this day was no different.

Amid the crowd, Kazuma's friends from the restaurant, Ayame and Yumiko, approached with welcoming smiles. Ayame, with a hint of a blush on her cheeks, hugged them both warmly. "Take care, both of you. We'll miss your presence at the restaurant," she said.

Yumiko, more reserved yet equally sincere, added her goodbyes. "Make sure to visit us when you can. The restaurant won't feel the same without you."

Kazuma exchanged farewells, his gaze catching the distant figure of the restaurant owner. The owner, a stern but kind figure in their lives, silently observed the scene. Kazuma offered a nod of respect, acknowledging the unspoken bond they shared.

The farewells from the village were a tapestry of laughter, tears, and shared memories. Even as Akane remained the focus, Kazuma felt a deep gratitude for the village that had shaped both their lives.

Stepping beyond the village boundaries, the sounds of well-wishes echoed behind them. Ahead lay the road to the empire's capital, a path leading them towards the unknown.

As they journeyed, the landscape around them shifted, marking the passage of time. Amidst these changing scenes, Akane broke the silence, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "You know, big brother, it's been three years since we first came to the village," she remarked, reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this pivotal moment.

“What happened three years ago, Akane?” Kazuma repeated his oft-asked question, each time with a flicker of hope for an enlightening answer. Despite knowing the repetitive nature of his inquiry, he found himself compelled to ask once more, holding onto a thin thread of hope for a new insight.

Akane sighed, her expression briefly shadowed by a trace of sorrow. “It's too painful to remember. Those memories... they're better left untouched,” she murmured, her voice heavy with unspoken sorrow.

Kazuma offered a nod of understanding, recognizing the burden her words carried. A silence fell between them, the quietness of the road amplifying the unsaid. Akane's gaze drifted to the horizon, seemingly lost in thought, as if trying to outrun the ghosts of her past.

Breaking the silence, Kazuma gently prodded, “You still have memories from before that, right?”

A faint smile appeared on Akane's face. “Yes, I do. But some chapters are better left closed. I've found joy in our life here in the village. That's what's important now.”

Kazuma's mind wandered as they continued their journey, tracing back to that defining moment three years ago. It was the earliest memory he could recall after awakening.

As Kazuma opened his eyes for the first time, they gradually adjusted to the room's soft light, revealing Akane's face above him, marred by tears. He found himself in an aged wooden bed, its creaks and groans starting to weave a familiar melody, a comforting constant that would underscore their lives in the years that followed.

He had tried to speak, to ask questions, but weakness had choked his words, leaving him with only a whisper. Akane, reading the confusion in his eyes, had shaken her head, tears still flowing.

“Big brother,” she had called him, her voice a blend of relief and happiness, “Welcome home.”

In that vulnerable moment, surrounded by unfamiliarity, Kazuma found solace in Akane's presence. Her silent tears spoke volumes of their challenging journey, a journey that had led them to this village, their haven of safety and comfort.

Their humble abode, though unassuming, had transformed into a refuge for the siblings. The past's scars had slowly healed, replaced by shared laughter, meals, and quiet moments of togetherness. The village had evolved from a mere dwelling place into a true home.

As they walked towards the empire's capital, Kazuma's thoughts delved deeper into self-reflection. The past three years with Akane had been a tapestry woven with laughter and tears, the simple rhythms of village life. Yet, amidst the comfort of these memories, a sense of curiosity gnawed at him.

Questions about their past haunted him – the fate of their parents, the reason behind their absence, and the void in his memory preceding the day he woke up to Akane's tearful face. These unanswered queries lingered, casting a shadow over the warm recollections of their recent years.

The road, once a mere route to the empire's capital, had transformed into a journey through the uncharted territories of Kazuma's memory, shrouded in a mist of uncertainty. Vivid images of their life in the village contrasted sharply with the elusive memories of what had led to his awakening that fateful day.

As they walked, Akane noticed a change in Kazuma's demeanor. "Is something troubling you, big brother?" she inquired, concern evident in her gaze.

Kazuma offered a smile, albeit a faint one. "I'm just lost in thoughts about our past, reflecting on everything we've been through together," he responded.

Akane seemed to accept his answer with a nod, but Kazuma remained ensnared in the enigmas of his past, the allure of the unknown tugging persistently at his mind.

As they journeyed, unanswered questions about their parents, lost years, and the abrupt gap in his memory lingered. It felt as though a door to his past had been sealed shut, concealing secrets longing to be revealed. Kazuma couldn't shake the feeling that uncovering these memories could potentially redefine their shared story.

The setting sun cast elongated shadows across their path, and Kazuma's eyes lingered on the distant horizon. The capital, a city of dreams and possibilities, beckoned, but his mind remained preoccupied with the puzzle of his past.

As they traveled, Kazuma sought comfort in the "Book of the Hero," a tome weathered by time. He carefully opened its frayed pages, each one a testament to its age and his devotion.

Time had claimed the book's early pages, leaving them unreadable. Yet, Kazuma's resolve to delve into the hero's saga was unshakable. He began to read from the first legible lines, his eyes alight with fascination and expectation.

The story unfolded an epic tale of a hero confronting otherworldly invaders, a narrative steeped in resilience and bravery. The hero's identity remained hidden, lost to the eroded pages, but their unwavering dedication to saving a besieged city shone through.

Immersed in the story, Kazuma envisioned the hero's valiant struggles against formidable foes, a portrayal of a savior standing resolute against darkness to protect the innocent.

Despite the incomplete story, the essence of heroism imbued every word. Kazuma felt a surge of inspiration as he contemplated the hero's journey, a timeless saga of valor and sacrifice.

His curiosity about the hero's identity and the untold events of the story deepened. The connection between the hero's tale and his own life ignited a burning desire within him—to carve his own heroic path.

As they neared the empire's capital, Akane watched Kazuma, engrossed in the ancient book. She understood its significance to him, a beacon guiding his aspirations.

Their path was not just a physical trek to a new destination but a personal quest for Kazuma to uncover the hero within, to confront his forgotten past, and to shape a destiny resonant with the hero's stories he so cherished.

"Ah!" Their journey, however, was suddenly interrupted by a distant scream, jolting Kazuma back to reality. The source seemed to come from a town ahead, larger than their village but equally in need of assistance.

Approaching the town, sounds of commotion grew, interspersed with shouts and hurried footsteps.

Kazuma quickened his pace, driven by the urgency of the situation. The woman's scream marked the first real challenge of his journey—a defining moment on his path to heroism.

The narratives from the "Book of the Hero" echoed in his mind, fueling his determination. Standing at the town's edge, he felt a compelling sense of purpose. This was his chance to live the ideals of heroism he had admired, to embody justice and protection.

Steeling himself, he prepared to step into the town, ready to face whatever awaited. This was the path he had envisioned, a journey not just to a physical destination but towards a destiny of his own making—a destiny shaped by courage, the will to protect, and the heart of a hero.