ch21-ch40 · 040-ch40

Chapter 40: Dream and Determination

"Is it because of your injuries or something?"

『No. I'll go back eventually.』

Lumiel (in white cat form) ate breakfast, skillfully using a fork.

Several days had passed since we returned from inside the World Clock, and my body was finally recovering too.

Turns out, I had muscle aches all over from that jumping punch I threw.

Well, looking back now, I'm glad it was just muscle soreness.

"(Maybe it's because I overdid it...)"

I wasn't worried about myself — I was concerned that Lumiel hadn't returned to human form.

She said she'd go back eventually, but with the consecutive battles and carrying everyone while flying, I could only assume she was more drained than usual.

Since restorative potions and Ken-kun's kibidango didn't work, all we could do was let her rest and wait for natural recovery.

"Well, the World Clock won't open again right away, so it's chill time for a while."

We've had way too much going on lately anyway.

『I like chill time.』

Lumiel rubbed her face against my chest.

When I scratched under her chin, she purred happily. You're getting pretty cat-like, aren't you?

"We could even go on a trip! Soak in a hot spring, relax stuff like that!"

『Hot spring!』

"Or a sweets buffet! All-you-can-eat cake!"

『Cake!』

Man, too many things I wanna do, what a problem.

I took off my pajamas and changed into my suit.

『Koh, why are you getting ready for work?』

Observant.

"...My paid leave ends today. But hey, today should be my last day going in, so we'll have that chill time I promised."

『?』

◇◆◇◆

Kioka Town — the office.

On the TV monitor installed near the center ceiling, the morning news was playing. Even days later, the topic was still the world inside the World Clock. Various experts were discussing and analyzing it.

"Bwuh?"

The department head dribbled coffee from his mouth.

Because there on the screen was Maeda Hagane and Lumiel.

『These are the two called the Heroes of Aoba Town. Inagaki-san, the more I look, the younger they seem, don't they?』

『They really do. I'd imagined someone more... imposing, but regardless, there's no doubt they're exceptional talents!』

『On social media, they're gathering attention with tags like "Should be ranked #1 S-Rank" and "Refreshing & Cute."』

『My grandma printed out their photos, enshrined them on the family altar, and prays to them every morning. "Our Lord and Savior of Aoba Town" — they're incredibly popular with the elderly.』

『There are even rumors that the anonymous item donations were from them. They're Japan's treasure — no, the world's treasure—』

Popular hashtags on social media like #HeroesOfAobaTown, #AngelDescends, #MyWife trended daily, making them instant celebrities.

"What the hell is this?"

The department head stared at the screen, dumbfounded.

Employees who'd come in looked up at the news and said, "Huh, you didn't know?" looking put-off.

"It's been all over the news for days now."

"I saw that the Minister was a scumbag and resigned, but what the hell is this!?"

"It's exactly what it looks like. Maeda-senpai and Rumi-chan were the Heroes of Aoba Town."

The department head's face went pale.

Then the office door opened with a clatter, and Hagane walked in with a listless "Mornin'."

The department head was pushed aside as all the employees surrounded Hagane.

"Hagane-kun, long time no see! So what the hell's going on!?"

"Were you working as a Hunter on the side!?"

"Senpai, is it true you're the Hero of Aoba Town!?"

"Hey, where's Lumiel-tan?"

Answering the rapid-fire questions with "Well, it's true," "Yes," "Yes," Hagane's gaze shifted to the news screen.

『These are Hunters we're very excited to see more of in the future.』

Hagane wore a look of determination, and turned his gaze to the department head. Then he pulled a resignation letter from his inner chest pocket and handed it over with a bow.

"Sorry for the sudden notice. I've decided to quit."

"O-oh..."

As the department head accepted it with a solemn expression, Hagane looked up at him.

"I'm quitting to become a Hunter."

"EHHH, you're NOT a Hunter!?"

"(Yeah, I figured that'd be the reaction...)"

His coworkers raised objections.

"You don't have to quit! Do both!"

"Please, without Rumi-chan my motivation is..."

"If Maeda-senpai quits, maybe I'll quit too... I mean, he's prime real estate, maybe I'll make a move—"

"All of you, shut the hell up!!"

The department head's roar echoed through the office.

As everyone froze, the department head walked over to Hagane.

"I love you two. I think of you as family — but if I know your work efficiency is going to drop, you're not needed in this company!!"

"What a demon" "Heartless" "Makes no sense"

"SHUT UP!!!"

Silencing the jeers, the department head turned back to Hagane.

"You two are my benefactors too. That's why I want to support you, and I want you to focus. If fatigue from work affects your Hunter duties, it could cost you your life. You should quit cleanly!! So I'll accept this!!"

With tears streaming down his face, the department head shoved the resignation letter into his own chest pocket.

Ignoring the coworkers' boos — "It's your fault you run a black company anyway" — he strode across the office and pressed the call button for the president's line.

Click

"My my, if it isn't Maeda-kun."

It wasn't the phone — the president appeared directly in the office.

Slapping Hagane's shoulder vigorously, the president continued in high spirits.

"For some reason, rumors spread that you two were working here, and thanks to that, our company's stock price has exploded. Actually, you don't need to work anymore. Don't quit — just keep your name on the roster. Come and go as you please! From now on, you'll be promoted from regular employee Maeda — to Managing Director Maeda and Lumiel Special Advisor. Work hard! That is all."

The president swept out of the office.

The only sound left was the department head's pager tone, beeping uselessly.

"So I... don't need to quit?"

As if responding to Hagane's mutter, scattered applause broke out.

The coworkers also looked like they couldn't tell if what they'd just seen was a dream or reality.

The department head marched over.

He pulled the resignation letter from his chest pocket and pressed it into Hagane's hand.

"...Managing Director Maeda. We look forward to working with you!!!"

"Talk about a quick turnaround..."

◇◆◇◆

That settled things at work (sort of), but the days after that were still rough for us.

We borrowed Remnant Guild's reception room and spent our days entertaining a stream of visitors — all VIPs from both domestic and abroad.

Lumiel was furious about not being able to relax at all. I took her to the park and she cheered up. Cute.

Anyway, today was yet another day of VIP reception.

Today's guest was — a dignified old man.

"You must be Maeda Hagane-kun. Nice to meet you. I'm Kenbishi, President of the Hunter Association."

He said, offering his hand for a shake. He had the look of a true organization head, probably in his early 70s. His back was straight and his posture was commanding. His white hair was slicked back, and he smiled gently.

From the magic power he radiated, this guy was pretty serious.

"It seems our Mineyama was terribly rude to you. I don't know how we can make it up to you..."

"Whoa whoa, please don't!"

I desperately stopped President Kenbishi as he tried to kneel, startled by the sheer thickness of his build.

Even through his suit, I could tell he was muscular.

This wasn't an old man's body — it was a refrigerator or something (vocabulary loss). Had he risen through field achievements rather than authority?

"I'm not saying I've forgiven him, but I heard that Mineyama-san was working hard to protect the Association from Minister Yanamoto. So this matter is settled."

At my words, President Kenbishi apologized again, saying "I'm sorry," and slowly stood up. When I offered him a seat, he sat down hesitantly.

"I wanted to apologize to Lumiel-san as well, but it seems she's not here today."

"Ah, she's here, just resting. I pushed her a little hard."

Actually, she was sitting on my shoulder, but of course nobody else could see her. Lumiel was watching President Kenbishi with great interest.

"I heard a rumor that you wished to become a Hunter. I've been thinking about what the Association can do for you. Considering your strength and achievements, it may not be much of a benefit, but I'd like to issue you an S-Rank Hunter License here and now. What do you say?"

To get a Hunter License, you have to pass an exam. Even E-Rank is supposed to be pretty difficult.

For S-Rank, the difficulty is unimaginable — and getting an immediate exemption, that's what they call pulling rank, huh.

"Ah, no. I'll earn my license on my own."

I refused President Kenbishi's offer.

This wasn't about my feelings toward the Association or anything. It was my own ego — I wanted to take a proper exam and get a fair evaluation.

I flashed a deliberately knowing smile and continued.

"I want to become S-Rank through my own power."

"...! Hoh ho, that's wonderful."

President Kenbishi laughed, genuinely delighted.

He slowly stood up and held out a plate about the size of a credit card.

"With this, you can use the Association's facilities without restriction. The Association offers state-of-the-art training equipment and frequent mock battles with Hunters — please make use of them to prepare for the exam. We too — look forward to the day you become S-Rank Hunters."

With that, he bowed deeply, and then left with his attending staff.

"So that's the President..."

『Kenbishi. Pretty strong.』

"Oh, really?"

His body was as thick as a refrigerator, after all. I don't know how to put it — the way he didn't flaunt his authority was a world apart from our flashy company president.

With Minister Yanamoto not only resigning but getting arrested, and the top brass reinstated, the Hunter Association should be stable for a while.

◇◆◇◆◇

The day after meeting the President.

Lumiel and I went to my family home.

As usual, my parents were at work, and my sister greeted us in her loungewear.

"So you're getting your Hunter License? Well, it would be more convenient in a lot of ways."

My sister said, peeling a mandarin orange at the kotatsu. Next to her, sandwiched between me and my sister, sat Lumiel (in human form), stuffing her face with the peeled oranges.

"You're not going to stop me anymore?"

"At this point, no. You've experienced people dying in a harsh environment. And if you've decided to do it anyway, that means you've made your peace with it."

"Yeah. This time is different from before."

My sister muttered a short "I see" and patted my head.

"...Do your best, little brother."

"O-oh. What's with you all of a sudden?"

"Koh's got that found what he wants to do look on his face. Haven't seen that in a while. I'm rooting for you, y'know?"

My sister's words brought back a nostalgic memory.

Back when I was a kid with nothing but dreams. I wanted to be a baseball player, a soccer player — every time I dreamed, people made fun of me, but my sister never laughed. She always pushed me forward, saying "Go for it."

The image of my sister from childhood overlapped with the present.

"...I'll try my best."

My sister didn't say anything more, but she smiled happily.

Next to her, Lumiel was still munching on oranges. I grabbed one too.

"Mm, sweet."

"Right? These ones from this area are the best."

My sister said, placing a new orange in front of Lumiel. Lumiel muttered quietly, "Akira, like."

As I watched idly, I thought about it again. I don't just want strength for fighting — I want power to protect these ordinary, everyday moments.

This home. My family. Lumiel.

So I don't lose them. So I have no regrets.

End of Chapter 2

○○○○○○

That concludes Arc 2. What did you think?

It was a bit of a jump-start writing process for Arc 2, but personally I feel like I wrote it well (I wish I'd included more cozy Lumiel episodes though).

I've got the outline for Arc 3 done, but I'll start writing after finishing up some other work, so it might be May before it starts. I'd appreciate it if you could wait patiently.

If you have any requests for what kind of developments you'd like to see, or what aspects you want more of, please feel free to write a supportive comment.

I'm really grateful for all the gifts too. I'll repay you by working hard on updates.

If you could follow, leave a review, or rate, I'd really appreciate it!