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Arifureta Chapter 458
🕑 Added 2023-07-09 15:20:49 +0000 UTCGraduation Party First Part
「A, AaaAAAAAA, the window! At the window!」
「O, oo, god! I beg you please do something about this evil spirit looking thing!」
voices that sounded like screams (lol) searching for salvation after seeing something truly profane and repulsive resounded under the bright daylight.
And so,
「Cut it out! It was just the photo’s quality that is a bit bad!!」
Kousuke spilled out his dissatisfaction with even louder voice.
It happened on the way to “Wisteria”, the western restaurant owned by Sonobe family. While the classmates were walking and chatting with each other, Nana and Atsushi were walking at the back while grinning and holding a smartphone in one hand that was showing a photo.
Of course, their gazes were directed at the figure of Kousuke who was walking at the back.
「No, but Kousuke. As expected this is seriously scary.」
「Y-yeah. This is a ghost photo no matter how you look at it. What’s more, you’re the only one who is like this when everyone else in the photo look normal……」
「A-ha-ha-ha, you existence is completely occult isn’t it?」
「E-even Kentarou and others……J-Juugo! Don’t stay quiet and say something!」
「…………This, will we get cursed or something if we try to erase it?」
「Ain’t no way I’ll do thattttttt!」
Kentarou and Ayako dropped their gaze on their own smartphone while speaking with voice that was trembling with terror. Mao was cackling, and Juugo who should be someone who was considerate for his friend despite his taciturn nature was nonchalantly trying to erase the photo’s file.
Nagayama Party that should have the deepest bond with Kousuke in the class were all drawing away from him……
To be more accurate, they were backing off from the photos that they took after the graduation ceremony with each classmate and the whole class photo. The pictures of Kousuke in them made them wanted to say ……No, is this really Kousuke?
「You’re the only one who got magnificently blurred huh.」
「……Nn. It’s impossible that something like this is a natural phenomenon. Even though there wasn’t any sign of magic being used」
「Abyssgate, confess it already. As I thought, you aren’t hu──」
「I’m human though!? I’m 100% purely human from the top of my head to the tip of my toe though!?」
Kousuke’s protest resounded in vain. Because, it was really only Kousuke who looked blurry inside the photos. It was like, there was mosaic or something over his picture, like the space was distorted heavily. Anyway his picture just wasn’t clear.
The picture of Kentarou and others who were right beside Kousuke was projected crystal clear, vivid, simply distinct in the display of just how high performance the modern smartphone’s camera was. And yet the blurriness over Kousuke was absurdly pinpoint.
Furthermore these photos, half of the classmates asked someone else to take the photo before sending the file to them, but the remaining half asked their parent or underclassman to take the photo directly using their own phone.
And yet, it was only Kousuke who wasn’t visible in all those photos.
Also, Nana was saying 「The window! At the window!」 at the start was because when she took photo together with Yuuka and Taeko using the school building as the background, Kousuke who was coincidentally still inside the building also got his photo taken but……
Naturally in this one his figure also looked strangely distorted and unclear. Furthermore, perhaps because of the light adjustment, only the part of corridor around Kousuke was strangely dimly lit. Some kind of dreary atmosphere could be felt from it, and on top of that the blurriness of his black hair made it looked like a black shadow was going to creep out of the window in that moment.
Right now the picture was being used as teasing material, but when Nana checked this photo at first, she screamed 「Hiihn」 and lost the strength in her waist. Even Yuuka and Taeko were frozen still.
「Dammit, even though I had taken photo with everyone, why is it only me……」
Kousuke lamented. It made Hajime and others thought, 「Perhaps, it’s because your coolness has reached Depth VI ain’t it」. The lord’s abyss kept deepening year by year. It was truly abyssal.
Kousuke who was getting even harder to perceive than before by everything muttered anxiously.
「This, I won’t be the only one getting blurred in the graduation album right? As expected, if the photo studio see something like that they will ask to retake the photo right?」
The graduation album would be sent to everyone’s residence in the later date by mailing. Kousuke couldn’t wipe away his anxiety that such tragedy could come to pass!
Hajime looked like he didn’t know what to say.
「No one will notice even though there’s a blurry part. That’s what will happen won’t it?」
「Don’t say thattt. After all that sounds really like to happenn」
Kousuke-kun already looked like he was going to cry. As expected everyone couldn’t help but feel sympathy seeing that.
Everyone consoled him saying that they would take group photo one more time when they arrived at Wisteria, however, Yuuka suddenly spoke out her worry at that timing.
「Hey, Endou. Do you remember ever getting your photo taken during school event?」
「Eh?」
「No, look, you were almost completely absent during the school trip right? I also don’t remember seeing you around much during other events……」
Will there any photo of Kousuke at all in the graduation album? She wondered.
Everyone looked at each other. Then someone muttered 「Ah」 and looked at Kousuke with pitying gaze.
「……Eh? My photo in the yearbook, is too few?」
Or perhaps, there wouldn’t be any at all? Kousuke’s face was visibly turning white like a corporate slave who realized that his salary was below the minimum wage after working for ten years.
Kaori hurriedly gave him a follow up.
「I-it’ll be fine, Endou-kun! Even if it’s no good……like, look, it’ll be possible to fix it somehow! Hajime-kun will!」
「O-ou, it’s just like Kaori said! I’ll use every high-end technology in my disposal to create composite photograph for you!」
「Hey, Hajime. For all his photos in the yearbook to be composite photo……won’t it be even more awkward then getting your photo stuck at the corner because you were sick and absent at the photo day?」
Shizuku spoke with twitching expression. There is truth to what she said……the classmates thought while nodding.
A very awkward atmosphere enveloped them……
「N-no need to bother. Hehe, sorry to make the atmosphere bad like this. It’s that. You know, it’s already enough for me that I can make everyone see some interesting photos.」
「「Kousukee-」」
「「「Abyssgate-」」」
Kousuke’s forced smile looked as painful as when he was paying the cost for his Abyssgate transformation. Kentarou and Juugo reflexively covered their face with their hands while Atsushi, Noboru, and Akito were moved to tears.
Hajime smiled wryly, but as expected even he couldn’t help buy felt sympathy. Yue and he looked at each other and they reached an implicit understanding.
「Don’t worry Endou.」
「Nagumo……?」
「If you have almost no photo in the graduation album, well, I’m busy right now so it’ll have to be a bit later but I’ll make an original album for you as the last resort.」
「……Nn. We’ll go to the actual place of the memory itself and use Past Replay & photo.」
Kousuke’s eyes snapped wide open. His expression was like someone in hell who saw a single string dangling down from heaven.
That must be why.
「EEE-KKCELENTO-! As expected from mine king and his lady──sorry for that」
The face of the abyss peeked out for a bit from too much happiness. He slapped himself with a natural movement that was like flowing water. A painful sound resounded and his cheek turned bright red, but the person himself showed no sign of caring about it.
「This guy-, he’s already completely used to it!」 That kind of gaze poured down on Kousuke from his classmates, even so Kousuke who had returned to his senses (?) put on a really bright smile.
Kentarou and Juugo said 「Good for you」 and 「Your middle school yearbook also had too few photo of you that you almost cried didn’t you」 to Kousuke while clapping his shoulder.
Why was he this pitiful even though he was one of the strongest humans and the most heroic even among them.
Hajime and others were all looking at him without knowing what to say. It was then,
「Papa!」
An energetic voice resounded.
Gazes turned toward it. The first thing that entered their eyes was a very splendid black limousine that made Shinji and Yoshiki went 「Uo」.
Myuu leaned out from the window at the back of that car that was quite longer than the normal car and waved her hand.
Looking closer, the limousine was parked at a small parking lot that had a plank with the word “Wisteria” at its end. Yes, the building beside it was none other than their destination.
It seemed they had arrived before they knew it while talking with each other.
*Gacha-* The door opened with that sound and Myuu jumped down from the limousine. A well-built man also got out from the driver seat──he must be a driver and also a security personnel──at that moment. He froze awkwardly for a little bit, then a second later he politely bowed his head to Hajime and co. Most likely he wanted to open the door and escort Myuu out of the car.
Hajime returned a silent bow, meanwhile Myuu was running with rapid footsteps and jumped on her papa’s chest like usual──it seemed she was going to do that, but then she gasped and put a sudden brake on her rush.
She patted down her favorite white dress and straightened her posture,
「Papa, and also Onee-chans and Onii-chans. Congratulations for your graduation.」
She gave a bow.
Papa and all the Onii-chans and Onee-chans smiled seeing that. 「Oh my! What a courteous young lady!」 Everyone put on an earnest happy smile that seemed to say that and said 「Thanks!」 back to her.
A second later, another little girl’s voice resounded.
「Myuu-chan! It was dangerous to suddenly jump out on the street like that!」
The one who came out of the car in panic was the actual owner of the limousine. This one was an authentic and adorable young lady wearing a uniform with white base color and a ribbon around her neck. It was Fujiwara Hinata.
Hinata-chan’s graceful air didn’t crumble even while she was half funning. She too bowed in front of Hajime and co.
「Everyone, congratulations for your graduation. I’m very happy to receive an invitation to be present in everyone’s celebration like this.」
Her movement was enchanting and her composed expression was splendid, but her childishness showed through at the end. She couldn’t completely hide her happiness from how her tone jumped a little. It was charming how she kept stealing glances at Kousuke.
「Thanks Hinata-chan. We’re the one happy to see you here even though you must be really busy.」
「No, that’s not……」
Her cheeks reddened and she fidgeted. Not only she was invited to a special day for the person that she had feeling for, she was also happy to simply be able to meet him like this. That feeling was transmitted. This was despite her meeting his clone day after day. It was extremely adorable.
Shinji and Yoshiki were going around at Kousuke’s sides in the same beat and secretly elbowed his sides while keeping the smile on their face. Uu.
The classmates spoke back their thanks once more. Then Yuuka unlocked the door and went inside while Hajime turned his gaze toward the limousine.
「Even so, why is she with Hinata? Didn’t they plan to meet here?」
He wasn’t asking Myuu or Hinata. The two little girls were already mobbed by the girls in a warm welcome. And so Hajime’s words were directed toward Tio and Remia who got out of the car after Hinata.
「Umu, that was our plan. But Hinata’s school was over a bit earlier.」
「She came to pick up Myuu, because she wanted to talk with her seeing that she had the rare chance to do so.」
「It’s great that they’re getting along.」
Hajime shrugged smilingly. Remia too was also smiling broadly in happiness. As expected, it seemed she was relieved as a mother for Myuu to be able to get a friend the same age who understood well about Myuu’s peculiarity and circumstance and able to communicate with her as an equal.
It was only natural. After all Hinata was an onmyouji. She was a pro in exorcising or subduing mysterious existence. There was no more reliable child than her to be Myuu’s friend.
Also, Shuten Douji aka Hidzuki was absent. The fairy world was still unstable, so she was away from Hinata in order to suppress the onis who sometimes would go into rampage and assist the manly goddess.
「Guys, come in! It’ll be a bother to the neighbors if you all stand around outside like that!」
The restaurant’s door was opened with a pleasant tingling sound and Yuuka called out to the others. Hajime and co saw off the limousine leaving while entering the restaurant in droves.
「Boys, go arrange the tables. Shia-san and others, help out with the cooking. We already have some prepared ingredients that can be done quickly back here. Those who have nothing to do should prepare the drinks.」
Yuuka briskly gave instructions while showing a bearing like she was already a restaurant owner. The way she was putting on apron was also really practiced. The way she quickly tied up her hair was a bit sexy.
Though the boys firmly restrained themselves from looking at her with that kind of eyes or pointing that out, because vegetable sticks that hungered for smartphone’s blood would fly if they did so.
If Hajime and his group were excluded, the class’s substantial leader was Yuuka so no one objected and only said 「Ye~s」 while doing as they were instructed.
「Goshujin-sama, wouldst Aiko arrive late?」
「I wonder. She said that she’ll come as quickly as possible……vice principal might give her some leeway, so I don’t think she’ll come that late.」
「Then that’s good. It wouldst be pitiful if she couldst not come for most of the party after all. If she wouldst get delayed for too long, I was thinking to maketh vice principal’s hair to shift a little bit more and secretly bring her here.」
「Tio, by that you mean you were going to hypnotize him or guide his consciousness huh?」
They were talking about someone who Hajime had shown great gratitude to not long ago. He couldn’t allow an act of extermination against the few remaining hair root warriors who were fighting hard like they were the last defense.
Tio showed a thinking gesture for a bit……then she made a very terrifying remark.
「Fumu. Wouldst not it be for the vice principal’s own good if we decisively put out his hair of its dying throe? That wig……to be honest, art not it painful to see?」
「Everyone is thinking that.」
But, nobody said it. After all the vice principal himself decided to keep wearing such extremely unnatural looking wig and resolved himself to defend his few remaining hair roots to the death. That was why, today too Aiko-sensei was secretly using soft touch to treat vice principal’s desolate head.
「……Hajime. Should I call everyone now?」
「Oh, I guess.」
With so many people helping out, the setting up of the tables and everything were finished up quickly. The drinks were also getting distributed one after another. Delicious smell was already starting to drift out from the kitchen in the back.
Certainly it was a good time for calling in the guest. Hajime nodded and took out crystal key. At the same time Yue also opened several “gates” with her own magic.
Hajime opened a gate in front of Liliana who was restlessly waiting back at Tortus, while Yue opened the gates at England and Vatican for Rana and others who were there.
Hajime was really busy recently that he couldn’t even go to Tortus often. Surely Liliana would be the first one who rushed into the gate──that was what he thought.
「Fuhahahaha, this one──」
Yue reflexively closed the “gate”. She was startled by this one who leaped through the gate while making some adroit turns. It couldn’t be helped.
Then, the this one who got hit by the closed “gate” (the startled Yue lost control that the space warped in a strange way) got sliced into two on the stomach and fell on the floor. It didn’t disperse like before.
Actually, the lord’s clone that had gone deep into the depth was becoming tougher than before. It wouldn’t disappear so easily anymore like now when the cut was so clean that it looked like it could be stuck into one again just by pressing the parts together.
The clone sighed fuh while in that state that was like a mysterious object. His upper body and lower body were wriggling around to join each other once more following its instinct of self-preservation……
What a blasphemous and repulsive existence!
Everyone’s gaze snapped toward Kousuke.
「Y-you’re wrong! Rana kissed him while saying something like 『Make your entrance Hauria-style』 before entering, so he reflexively──」
「Hajime-san! Long time no see! Your Liliana is now pre──my? W-what is it, this atmosphere. Did something happe──KYAAAAAAAAAAAH, someone die──noooootttt!? Disgusting-」
The bad timing of Princess Liliana. She jumped through the gate with a radiant smile because of the long-awaited visit after not being able to meet for so long, and yet after she went through the “gate”, what she met was a dead silent restaurant.
And then when she saw something squirming at the corner of her eyes and turned her gaze there, she saw there the sliced Abyssgate something who was still smiling fearlessly. Of course she would scream.
「……For now, Endou, erase it.」
「……For now, allow me to say this at least. Everyone sorry!」
It went without saying that put off atmosphere was spreading through the restaurant that was in celebratory mood.
Also, there was only one person inside that awkward atmosphere in the restaurant who,
「As I thought, Endou-sama is not a huma……no, is removed from humanity……fufufu-」
「H-Hina-chan?」
That slightly happy muttering from Hinata-chan resounded through the room……but only Myuu who was standing beside her heard it. It also went without saying that Myuu’s expression was twitching after witnessing the unexpected dark side (?) of her Yamato Nadeshiko friend who she wanted to use as a model.
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After that.
The chaos somehow subsided and Rana and Emily (Vanessa couldn’t come. She tried to escape but the director’s lasso captured her) who were in Britain, and Claudia from Britain came over. From Tortus, other than Liliana, Kouki and Moana along with Aularodde came to participate in the graduation party.
After confirming that everyone had sat down, Hajime lifted up his glass with one hand. This was because all the classmates were in accord that he should be the one making the speech.
「Ee~, well, what. To celebrate that all of us can successfully graduate, let’s have a toast──」
「Wait wait wait, Nagumo! There should be something more right!?」
「You’re making the name agitator cry!」
Ryuutarou and Suzu quipped. Everyone was in agreement with them. They all were nodding that this was just wrong.
「I already said what I wanted to say at the one year return anniversary party after all. I really don’t have anything to say at this point though……」
Hajime said that with a slightly troubled look, even so he coughed once.
「Then first let’s start with thanking the guests. Thank you for coming here to celebrate our graduation.」
「If it’s for boss then I’ll jump in even if it’s into the bottom of hell!」
「Talk it with Endou first before you do that.」
「There’s no way Kou-kun will refuse!」
His beloved Rana looked toward him asking 「Right!?」 with a radiant smile, so Kou-kun nodded 「Y-yeah」 even while looking a bit conflicted. The corners of Emily and Claire’s eyes were raised.
Hajime ignored that and turned his gaze away toward Kouki who was actually looking a bit awkward.
Perhaps he was feeling ashamed as someone who left high school. And so Hajime hit where it hurt.
「It seems that there’s one unnecessary guy participating but……」
「W-what’s with that. Even I was hesitating to come here! But I heard that everyone wanted me to come! If that was the case then it would be worse if I refrain from coming!」
Kouki couldn’t graduate together with everyone but, there was no doubt that he was a “comrade”. It wouldn’t be what the classmates wanted for only one person to be absent in this auspicious day.
That was what Shizuku told Kouki beforehand while he was taking a break in Japan after the “getting summoned too many timeee incident”.
And yet he was getting treated like a guy who came to a party even though he wasn’t even invited, so Kouki yelled while speaking like making an excuse with a red face. He looked around at Ryuutarou and others with slightly anxious gaze. But, even that only lasted for a brief moment.
Hajime landed another blow.
「Oi oi, that’s a misleading statement. Not everyone. It’s not like I’m asking you to be here. Rather it feels irritating for some reason just looking at your mug, so you can go home already.」
The demon king-sama raised his thumb as though making a thumb up before pointing it toward the door. He was putting on a really nice smile while saying that.
Moana and Aularodde’s expression was twitching while opening their mouth to protest 「T-that’s just saying too much!」 in Kouki’s place, but before they could.
「……Thank you, Nagumo. As I thought it’s good that I came. I’ll stay here no matter what, so keep that irritated look on your face forever. Really makes me feel good seeing that.」
His awkward look from just now had gone without a trace. The hero-sama had a reeally nice smile.
The two’s expression instantly turned serious and their gaze clashed. A second later they laughed together 「「HA-HA-HA-」」.
「Fufu, the two of them are really having fun.」
「D-does that look like they’re having fun to you Shizuku-chan? Killing intent is overflowing from them right now as though they’re going to start killing each other anytime though.」
It seemed that this only looked like a childish quarrel to the mommy. Even if Hajime was taking out Donner from “treasure warehouse” and Kouki’s hand was clasping his holy sword necklace.
Shia tightly grasped Hajime’s hand while Moana and Aularodde hugged Kouki’s arms securely.
「Nagumo, I’ll ban you from this restaurant if you get violent. Also the cooking will get cold. Finish the toast quickly.」
「Whoops, you’re right.」
Hajime changed trajectory after Yuuka glared at him. Emily-chan said 「As expected from Yuuka!」 seeing that with her respect toward her rising.
「Cough. ……We’ll be going on our different way from here on. We also won’t be able to see each other everyday now.」
After showing a worried gesture for a little, Hajime started his speech with the starting words that the vice principal used. It looked like he was putting the vice principal’s teaching into practice already.
「But, there’s no worry. There isn’t anyone who’s still worried if I’m not there during lunch break right? You’ll be able to manage somehow on your own. You should be able to graduate from the trauma of other world summoning too.」
Am I wrong? Hajime asked with his gaze. Yuuka and others looked at each other before they smiled and nodded.
「But, I’ll say this even knowing that. ──Call me if you need it. I’ll help out anytime.」
「Impossible-, Nagumo is going dere!?」
「Yosh, then help me out now. I can’t get a girlfriend!」
「I’ll help out anytime except for Nakano and Saito.」
「「Don’t go back on your words!!」」
The classmates were slightly surprised by Hajime’s words, even so they chuckled after the exchange with Shinji and Yoshiki. The gaze of Yue, Shia, Tio, and others were terribly gentle.
「It was a fun student life. We also got dragged to some stupid and shitty tussles, but I can say with my head high that it was a good high school time. That too was thanks to you guys being there. Thanks.」
「Oi oi, Nagumo. Don’t be so out of character like that. I’m going to cry over here!」
Ryuutarou sniveled while inhaling back his snot. There were also several more classmates who were getting teary because Hajime was expressing his emotion that usually he would absolutely never do.
「We’re the one who should thank you, Nagumo-chi.」
「Yep. Without Nagumo-kun, all of us would have died in other world.」
「Even if we managed to go home somehow, we wouldn’t be able to have school life like this.」
「Thanks a lot, Nagumo.」
Nana and Taeko, and then Atsuhi and Noboru spoke up in order. Then the other classmates also followed with words of gratitude back at Hajime.
Hajime’s expression turned to look somewhat itchy and he scratched his cheek while,
「The food is really going to get cold, so spare me with just this much. Has everyone got a drink? Yosh, then let’s go. ────To our future!」
He raised his glass high above his head. Everyone else followed along lifting their glass. Then inside Wisteria,
「「「「「To our future!!!」」」」」
Voices that were overflowing with hope reverberated.
Thus the graduation party began. Everyone ate the delicious foods with relish while livening up the party by talking nostalgically.
Before long Aiko also arrived. Then when the nostalgic talk finally settled down for a moment, the topic naturally moved to the future. In other words, they changed topic to what each of them would do after this.
「Even so, everyone has really worked hard with the university exam. Many people were surprised you know? More than half of you are continuing to national university, while Endou-kun and Sugahara-san are even going to university in Britain.」
Aiko spoke earnestly, but also proudly as though it was about herself.
Just as she said, most of them had safely succeeded advancing to university despite being that extremely busy lately.
「We’re seriously cheating in language type exam after all, and we can also stretch time inside Hour Crystal. We managed somehow.」
By the way, the biggest reason Hajime decided to continue to university was simply because he wanted to experience university life with Yue and Shia and others.
University student Yue……it has a nice ring to it! He said.
「Hajime-kun and Yue-san are in engineering isn’t it?」
「Yeah, might as well after all. I want to try making the VR game that I had breakthrough using magic to be centered around earth’s technology a bit more. Only relatives can use it if it stay as it is after all, and if I ‘m going to university anyway I might as well try studying that field.」
「Fufu, even though you’re the one who hold the world in your grasp, in the end you’re fundamentally still a game lover otaku.」
「Guess so. Well, my biggest reason is because I want to enjoy university life with Yue and others though.」
「……Nn. I simply fine being together with Hajime so I worked hard. But, I’ll be happy if I can help out with Hajime’s research. I want to study so I can at least understand his talk.」
The idiot couple only prioritized the other the most to the end. Aiko couldn’t help but smile wryly seeing that.
「It’s unexpected that Shia art not in the same department like these two. Well, Kaori, Shizuku, and even Yuuka, Nana, and Atsushi art also in the same university though.」
「Ahaha, Tio-san and Remia-san too aren’t independent already even though you’re working in a company right? Though it’s also a company that Hajime-san established. And so I won’t be that lonely as long as we’re in the same university. And I too want to try working hard in a field that I’m interested with and will lead to the future if I’m going through this desu.」
「Fumu. The field art about how to destroy human body even more effectively correct?」
「No way there’s a field like that.」
There was no program in Japan university to cultivate a battle god. The major that Shia chose was psychology.
This rabbit, although everyone always forgot right away that her vocation was “diviner”, she seemed to be thinking of choosing that path as her occupation in the future. It was the result of her thinking surprisingly seriously so that with psychology analysis added to her arsenal, she would be able to give a more accurate advice that was more aligned to moral way of life to someone.
Liliana looked at Hajime and others who were going to experience university life with a smidgen of envy while directing the topic to Kaori and Shizuku next.
「I am surprised that Kaori chose to major in architecture.」
「……To be honest, even if I chose the path in medicine, the power of healer can’t be openly used in Japan, and regeneration magic will be enough in a situation where I can display my power. So I’m thinking in that case I should add to what I can do, like a work where I’ll be able to heal not only bodily wound but also other things, like making building that is strong against disaster or dwelling that is suited for the environment.」
Kaori spoke shyly. There was no doubt that her decision was influenced by the figure and creed of her father who was active as a first class architect.
When Tomoichi-san heard about Kaori’s choice in her major, he must be really happy. He even rushed to Nagumo residence and boasted about his daughter while sobbing for the whole night.
「That’s just like you Kaori. And Shizuku will be in law?」
「Yes. It’s embarrassing but, I don’t really have a clear idea about my future.」
「Eh? Isn’t Shizuku-chan’s dream to be a lovely wi──」
「Shut up for a bit, Kaori.」
「Yes……」
「Cough. That’s why, I want to be useful for Hajime……this is Hajime we’re talking about, so surely his project will expand in the future, and I can picture Lily getting involved with the management at that time. Then I thought that perhaps I should try my hand in law.」
Even now Hajime’s project was already expanding. It was his company that was selling “clothes that really had positive effect though slight”. It was the company where Remia designed the clothes while Tio was involved with the management.
Even now it was also hiring people who could be trusted using Shuu and Sumire’s connections. The work was getting on track and the company was expanded a little. Hajime could give large remuneration to Kousuke and others was also thanks to this.
「I guess. I’ll be thankful if you can help out in that field Shizuku. Lily too, you can move here anytime okay?」
「Uu……but, I still cannot possibly leave the kingdom……」
「Aren’t most of the constructions finished already?」
「Certainly if it’s compared to the level of the old kingdom. But, right now we are transitioning to become a society where all races can coexist. The capital’s expansion is indispensable for it. The completion of the “new capital” is still far away……」
「Hmmm. Well, you can do it until you’re satisfied.」
Liliana was being a bit indecisive. She couldn’t even imagine that in the near future she would hear her people saying things like 「Eh, she’s still here!?」「Enough already and go marry quickly!」 and sent her off.
Aiko looked toward Yuuka who was averting her gaze and pretending not to listen to this talk for some reason and the grinning Nana & Atsushi.
「Miyazaki-san, Tamai-kun. Please consult with me without reservation if there’s anything that trouble you two okay?」
Aiko looked a bit embarrassed. It was natural for her to be like that.
「Ooff course! We have a model teacher right nearby after all, so I will ask for advice without reservation.」
「Well, that’ll have to wait until we start teaching practice or something though.」
Unexpectedly, these two apparently aimed to be teacher. And their motive went without saying. Because they had been watching her from right beside her all this time. The figure of a teacher who fought hard with everything she had to protect them.
「I had been living sloppily until now but, I’ve experienced a lot of things, thought hard, and chose this path seriously. Surely, no, I absolutely will become a teacher like Ai-chan.」
「Miyazaki-san……」
「I’ll be English teacher though! That doesn’t sound too hard to do!」
「Miyazaki-san……」
The atmosphere where she felt like she was going to be emotionally moved to tear was overturned right away to an atmosphere where she was enduring her headache.
Nana and Atsushi were going to the faculty of education in the same university. They would be able to run into Hajime and co there quite often.
Putting that aside.
「……So? Yuuka? How long are you going to look away? Yuuka who is enrolling to the same university with Hajime for some reason even though you’re going to succeed Wisteria? Hey hey, want to tell Yue-san something? Come on, come on.」
Yue-san slithered close and peered into Yuuka’s face. Yuuka’s gaze wandered around even while she immediately averted her gaze away, but
「It’s fine even if you become honest already you know, Yuuka-chan?」
She was encircled! By Kaori who was smiling sweetly!
「W-what! I’m free to do whatever I want! It’s not like I’ll take over this restaurant right away, and even I wanted to try living university life! And something like restaurant can possibly go bankrupt or closed if something happened, so it won’t be bad to have education and qualification just in case!」
Yuuka was also in faculty of education like Nana and Atsushi, but her major was social welfare. She had the disposition of being extremely liked by the elderly including this restaurant’s regulars, so she unexpectedly might be suited for that major.
Of course, there was nobody here who believed the motive that Yuuka said.
「E-even you Nana said that you’re happy being able to go to university together!」
「Yep yep, that’s truee. I’m happy that I can go to university together with Yuuka」
「……Don’t keep grinning.」
I understand completely! Nana was grinning with an expression that seemed to say that.
There wouldn’t be any problem if Nana went to other university if she just wanted to become a teacher, but she went out of her way to go to the same university with Hajime and others because she thought that perhaps she would be able to assist her close friend with this abstruse personality by any chance. And perhaps Atsushi was the same with the way he was cackling loudly.
Taeko was watching Yuuka and Nana who were like that with a bit lonely look. She drank her ice lemon tea in large gulp while muttering solemnly about the memory of the three of them together.
「Uu~n, as I thought, it feels a bit lonely that Yuuka and Nana are going to the same university.」
「What are you saying? Even though you locked on Allen-san and decided to go there after persuading even the director.」
「Really Taeko, you’re so passionate. Is he really that fun to bully? He’ll run away if you treat him too horribly you know?」
Yuuka and Nana looked at Taeko fixedly. Yue and others also recalled Taeko’s S tendency and made conflicted expression.
Yes, Taeko’s objective was the secret handsome agent of Britain’s security bureau, Allen.
It wasn’t because she fell in love with him after he saved her during the demon uproar. Certainly she kept contact with him even after that because she strongly liked him, but the source of that liking was because of the very nice scream he raised from her whipping skill.
This person truly had a lovely scared face! The scream that came out from his mouth was truly pathetic! And yet he was plainly strong and wouldn’t submit easily, he didn’t even run away from me! There wasn’t that many people like this!
That was why. It was real bad. Her fetish was completely twisted.
「Fuh, Taeko. Thou too hath found a good man.」
The hopeless dragon was saying something. Of course everyone ignored it.
「Uu~n, in any case it’s a good thing to have a target like that but……Sugahara-san, you asked a lot from the director and used up quite a lot of favor for it right? To be honest, sensei is feeling complicated.」
「I’ll use anything that I can use. That’s the teaching of our demon king-sama you know, Ai-chan.」
Taeko gave a thumb up. Aiko let out a really deep sigh. When she stared fixedly at Hajime, he was already looking away at the distance, while drinking his ice café au lait with intentionally loud slurping *zukokoko*.
「Besides, I was asking for a lot but I also planned to pay for it with considerable compensation you know? Though to be more accurate, I’ll work hard so I’ll be able to pay them back properly from here on.」
「……You would join the security bureau after graduating from university you mean?」
In regard to her grades, although she was cheating in language aspect, Taeko herself had truly performed limit break in her hard work studying, so there was no problem in that side, but system-wise it should be next to impossible for a Japan student to go straight into Britain’s university like that.
Taeko was able to clear that hurdle and would be able to enroll into the university normally at September was thanks to Director Magdanese’s mediation. That steel protector of Britain personally moved was because she would be able to recruit Taeko who was quite powerful herself into her organization and through her formed a connection with Hajime and co.
It seemed that in this respect, the security bureau was giving her their backing and assistance with everything like taking care of all the necessary permits and her need for living there.
Linguistic ability, combat strength, and then the international political sense that she was expected to learn in the university, it seemed those factors were sufficient for Director Magdanese to wield her iron fist in full power.
「Uu, I’m worried. Magdanese-san and her men there are not untrustworthy, but still……」
Aiko couldn’t stop herself from worrying seeing this advancing method that was in the grey area that leaned toward black.
And then there was one more student in this place who normally gave mediation at many levels without asking for anything back.
「Well, it’ll be fine Ai-chan. After all is said and done, the abyss lord will be over there too! Rana-san and others also said that they’ll help me out.」
「Yes, of course Taeko! I can also help you out in your daily olife! If you need it I’ll give you a lot of medicines!」
「Hauria is also at the King Tree’s sanctuary. Come play there anytime. And if the security bureau become a pain in the neck we will creep up at them for you!」
「This is making me even more worried instead.」
Aiko looked like she didn’t know what to say in respond to Emily and Rana’s words.
「The two of them, they used connection to overcome the institutional obstacle, but they had also seriously worked hard for their grades. Even Endou seriously got accepted into medical university. You can only call it amazing. Let’s honestly praise them here.」
「That’s, true, Hajime-kun. Certainly, they are really amazing in that respect. Even the vice principal and other teachers were shocked when they heard.」
「Really Nagumo, it’s rare for you to honestly give praise like that. Well, it’s also thanks to you allowing me to use Hour Crystal extensively, and allowing me to focus on studying without work getting in the way as much as possible. It was a great help.」
For Kousuke’s objective for some time──when he one day migrated to Tortus and lived together with Hauria, he wanted to spread earth’s medical technology for the beastman race that couldn’t use magic──this was certainly a step in the right direction.
By the way his university was the same with Emily.
「Ehehe, I’m happy that I can be in the same univ with Kousuke. I can’t wait until September!」
「You’re Emily-senpai, huh. Apparently I’ll be allowed with exception to join the lecture without waiting until September. Please take care of me there.」
「……Senpai……Emily-senpai……he-, hehehe-」
「Kuh, I’m jealous……」
This is my first time seeing someone biting on handkerchief for real……that kind of gazes stabbed on Claudia. There was also Hinata-chan’s gaze, though her stabbed on Kousuke.
Hinata-chan who was having a happy shikigami discussion (?) with Myuu quietly approached Kousuke.
Oh? While everyone’s focus turned toward Hinata, she stared with reservation at Emily who was asserting dominance over Claudia with a smug face……
「Err, Hinata? What’s wrong?」
*Fidget fidget* Should I say it or should I not? No however, Okaa-sama also told me to speak out my feeling. And Hidzuki will make fun of me every time I swallow back my words.
Hinata-chan was making excuses inside her heart like that while doing her best to muster out a smaaaaaaall voice.
「H-he will be with me all the time during Onmyouryou work though.」
I had said something vulgar! It was clear to see that she was thinking such thing. Hinata turned bright red and covered her face with both hands while saying 「Exchuse me──ah, I stuttered!」 and running away quickly.
She leaped on Myuu’s chest. Myuu tightly hugged Hinata who should be older than her with a gentle expression like a mother goddess. She patted her head while saying 「You have done your best nano, Hina-chan. Good girl nano」.
It was truly a sight of a precious friendship.
Emily could speak back at Claudia as much as she wanted, but as expected it seemed that she couldn’t do that to Hinata. Her gaze darted around and she simply replied 「T-that’s true! Good for you!」.
「「Oi, Amanogawa.」」
While everyone was feeling warm seeing the priceless figure of the girls, two voices suddenly spoke up in harmony. It was Hajime and Kousuke. Kouki-kun jerked and his shoulders trembled.
「W-what’s with you two? For some reason you two are smiling but your eyes aren’t. That’s scary you know?」
「The spring break, you get it right? If something happen to Myuu……」
「W-what! No matter what you say I won’t──」
「I’ll made up a rumor using illusion that your little sis attacked Shizuku when she was asleep and send the video to the Soul Sisters.」
「The way you’re targeting my family and your method is the lowest of the lowest!! This shitty demon king-」
「Ah, I won’t do anything like that. If something happen to Hinata-chan……I’ll just stand beside your pillow every night in Depth VI state.」
「The vulgarity level of that move is the same!!」
It was the worst threat from the demon king and abyss lord who had their hand clasped like a vise on his shoulders. Kouki’s body shivered. Around the same time, 「HAH!? Nagumo-senpai’s evil aura!? ……Is it just my imagination!?」 the little sister Mizuki-chan was also shivered at home.
Shizuku who might get used as revenge method smiled wryly while whacked Hajime.
「Geez, really Hajime. Don’t use me for something like that.」
「No, but still. The way that gal look at you is seriously bad news, or perhaps its normally possible……」
When Hajime sent a glance, Kouki-oniichan quietly averted his eyes. It seemed that even the big brother had an idea about it.
「I’m already used with that kind of eye so it’s fine.」
「Shizuku-chan, I think that’s not something that you must ever get used to though.」
「It’s cute compared to a certain knight in the kingdom.」
「I’m really sorry for our knight-」
It was a monster that would transcend even over physical law if it was for Shizuku-oneesama. Liliana couldn’t bear it and covered her face with both hands.
But putting that aside for now, Shizuku smiled a bit mischievously at Hajime.
And then she let out words that were world-shaking for the classmates.
「Rather than that, you two are going to entrust Myuu-chan and Hinata-chan to Kouki during spring break right? You two trust him so much that you can entrust him to accompany the two of them to travel to the desert world, so there’s no need to threaten him at this point right?」
Time stopped.
The classmates who were listening to the conversation of Hajime, Kousuke, and Kouki with puzzled look about what they were talking about were all stunned.
Hajime who was doting on Myuu-chan, would entrust her to Kouki of all people?
He would entrust him to chaperone her spring break’s trip?
Eh? You’re for real? Why is the demon king talking with the hero about entrusting his beloved daughter?
No good no gooodd! It’s too out there my brain isss, the world is bugging outtttt-.
「The demon king went mad! The demon king went mad!」
「Kaori! Regeneration magic on Nagumo’s head! Hurry!」
「Koukiii, what the hell have you done to Nagumo!」
「Is the world……ending?」
The silence reversed into a pandemonium that echoed inside the restaurant. Chaos was trampling over Wisteria!
Shizuku who was the one pulling the trigger couldn’t help but went 「Eh? Eh? What’s wrong everyone!?」 in bewilderment.
As for Hajime and Kouki who were in question, they both had veins pulsing on their forehead hearing what their classmates were saying──
「Shaddup!」
「Shut up!」
They harmonized in good terms (?) with each other.
A second later.
The chaos intensified even more.
Author’s note: Thank you for reading this chapter too.
Thank you very much for the many comments last chapter too. Comments that said you have waited for this, comments that said I don’t need to force myself, etc, they all made me happy.
I might revise the future course or major of Hajime and others later. They are just temporary version that I wrote while imagining that this kind of future is also possible huh. I’ll also write about the other students in the latter part.
It’s another chapter that is like an explanation about the future course and prospect without any high or low but, I hope everyone can please enjoy it.
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