ATHO Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – High Fever

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Second Life, Part 8

Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)

Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)

Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“A fire? But how can we…?” I trailed off.

“I have fire-starting tools in my bag. Could you gather some dry kindling for me from inside the cave?” Jade asked.

“Got it!” I replied eagerly.

I collected dry sticks scattered around the cave, while Jade prepared the fire-starting tools. With practiced hands, he struck a spark that caught on the kindling I brought, and soon, a small fire was burning.

“Wow, Jade! That’s amazing!” I exclaimed.

“My late father always told me to be prepared to start a fire whenever I entered the forest,” Jade said with a faint smile.

“Your father deserves our thanks for that advice,” I replied.

“Yes,” Jade agreed.

The small flame Jade created provided warmth and a sense of safety. I kept busy tending the fire and chatting with him to ease any lingering fears.

“Alright, this should keep the fire going for a while,” I said, stacking up a pile of sticks.

Turning back to Jade, I noticed he was trembling, hugging himself tightly. 

“Jade! Are you okay? You’re freezing!” I said, worried.

“I’m fine, Charles Nii-san,” he replied, forcing a weak smile.

Unable to stand his condition, I hugged him from behind, pulling him close.

“C-Charles Nii-san?” Jade stammered.

“We’ll stay warmer if we stick together,” I said.

“Ah… yes, I suppose you’re right,” Jade murmured.

Jade’s small frame felt ice-cold, and I pressed closer, hoping to share as much warmth as possible.

Outside, the storm raged on, but sitting together by the crackling fire made the situation feel a little less daunting.

“I hope the rain stops soon,” I said softly.

“Yes, I hope so too,” Jade replied, gripping my hand tightly.

“Charles Nii-san, I’m so sorry for being such a burden today… I only wanted you to enjoy yourself,” Jade said, his voice trembling with guilt.

“Don’t worry about it, Jade. None of this is your fault,” I reassured him.

“But… I just wanted to make you happy. Instead, I’ve caused you trouble again,” he said, his head hanging low.

Seeing him so despondent, I hugged him tighter and spoke cheerfully, trying to lift his spirits.

“Sure, the thunder and rain were a little scary, but spending this time with you has been really fun, Jade. If you hadn’t been here, I’d probably have felt lonely and scared.”

As I said this, memories of the first life resurfaced, and a pang of regret gripped me. Back then, Jade had endured a stormy night alone, filled with fear and isolation. 

“I’m so glad you’re here with me, Jade,” I added, holding him closer.

In that moment, I resolved to do what I had failed to do in the first life—stay by his side, offering comfort and reassurance.

“Charles Nii-san… Why are you so kind to me?” Jade asked softly.

“Because we’re family,” I replied with a warm smile. “Even if we’re not related by blood, you’re a precious brother to me.”

Hearing this, Jade bit his lip and looked up at me with tear-filled eyes before throwing his arms around me.

“I treasure you too, Charles Nii-san. I… I love you,” he said.

“I love you too, Jade,” I replied, feeling the sincerity in his embrace.

For the rest of that long night, we stayed huddled together, finding solace in each other’s presence despite the storm outside.

***

By morning, the rain had finally stopped, and the forest, previously shrouded in darkness, began to brighten. 

I peeked out of the cave to assess the situation. The ground was muddy, but with the horses, we could probably make it back.

“Jade, how are you feeling?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his swollen ankle told a different story.

“Should we wait for Father and the others to come rescue us? Your leg must hurt.”  

At my suggestion, Jade shook his head.  

“I’m fine. We should return quickly. Father and the others must be worried, and most of all, I’m worried about your health, Charles Nii-san.”  

“Eh? My health?”  

“Yes. You look terribly fatigued.”  

Jade gazed at me with concern.  

It was true; after a night spent sleepless in that storm, holding Jade close, I must have looked worse for wear.  

But compared to what Jade went through the first time, it was nothing.  

“I’m fine, Jade. My face probably just looks dirty, that’s all.”  

“Are you sure?”  

“Yeah, I’m completely fine. Don’t worry about me.”  

“…Understood. But I don’t want to trouble you any further, Charles Nii-san. Let’s leave soon.”  

“Alright, I get it. But if your condition worsens or your leg starts hurting too much, let me know right away, okay?”  

“Yes, Nii-san.”  

We slipped back into our still-damp clothes, tidied up the campfire, and left the cave.  

With Jade sitting in front of me on the horse, I held the reins from behind, supporting him carefully. It was our first time riding together, and balancing was tricky, but we managed. Slowly, I guided the horse to avoid straining his injured leg.  

Soon, familiar scenery unfolded before us.  

“Jade! I can see the mansion!”  

Relief and joy filled me at the sight of home. Exchanging smiles, we quickened our pace toward the mansion.  

As we approached the gates, Father and the servants, seemingly preparing to set out to search for us, noticed us. One of the servants spotted us, and Father hurried over.  

After explaining what had happened, I urged them to treat Jade’s injury quickly.  

Father lifted Jade into his arms as we entered the mansion, where Lien and Flor, her eyes red and puffy, rushed over.  

“Ah, you’re both safe… Thank goodness!”  

“Flor…”  

Tears welled in her eyes as she embraced me tightly. Her gentle scent and warmth melted away all the tension within me, and I felt my body relax. My vision blurred…  

“Charles? Charles! Oh my goodness, he’s burning up!”  

“Nii-san!?”  

“Charles!!!”  

As their voices grew distant, I collapsed into Flor’s arms.  

***

The coolness felt pleasant against my skin.  

When I opened my heavy eyelids, I saw Jade’s anxious face peering down at me.  

“Jade…?”  

“Nii-san! Oh… thank goodness.”  

Relief softened his expression as he looked at me.  

Apparently, I had collapsed from a high fever upon returning and had been bedridden since.  

My body felt heavy, and even moving was difficult.  

“Jade, how’s your leg?”  

“It’s fine. But Nii-san, are you thirsty?”  

“Yeah, I’d like some water.”  

Nodding, Jade fetched a glass of water, gently lifted me, and helped me drink.  

“Thanks.”  

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”  

“I’m good, thanks.”  

When I smiled, Jade exhaled in relief.  

“Please rest, Nii-san. Your fever is still high.”  

“Yeah, I will.”  

Still feverish and hazy, memories of the first time came flooding back.  

―――Back then, you endured this pain alone. Yet I…  

As Jade started to leave, I instinctively grabbed the hem of his shirt.  

“What is it, Nii-san?”  

“Jade… back then… I’m sorry for leaving you alone…”  

“Huh?”  

“I’m sorry, Jade… I’m so sorry…”  

Jade looked confused, unable to understand why I was apologizing. I knew that apologizing to this Jade was meaningless. But the thought of the fear, pain, and loneliness he must have felt back then overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t stop apologizing.  

As I repeated myself, Jade clasped my hand.  

“I don’t understand why you’re apologizing, but I’m listening. So please, don’t apologize anymore.”  

“Jade, I’m sorry…”  

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*Translator’s Note: Charles, when Jade says he loves you, you better take that seriously. -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• Nii-san/Nii-sama/Onii-san = (Big/Elder) Brother

☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation. Jade would call Charles ‘Nii-san’ while Lien would call him ‘Nii-sama’.

Next update: 2025.09.03

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