ch21-ch40 · 023-ch23

Chapter 23: Returning Home

Me, Dodo Haruki, 22 years old.

I just started working this spring, and I'm already a first-year employee on the verge of getting fired. Ugh...

I was tied up by some burly old man and locked in my work partner's wagon van, but this small but incredibly energetic old guy helped me out.

And before I could even tell him my story, he dragged me up the shrine stairs without a word, and now here we are.

There were two high school girls in school uniforms at the shrine. Both of them are pretty cute.

One of them is holding the hand of the man lying down, looking worried. Lucky guy... I mean, a girl hasn't held my hand since kindergarten.

A little ways off, a high school guy in a tracksuit is watching them silently. Whoa, he's taller than me... and his face is handsome too. He must be having a wonderful youth. Man, I'm so jealous.

Seriously though, what in the world is this situation?

"Alright then, let's carry Rokuro. You help out too."

"Carry him? Is he not feeling well? ...w-wait, this guy's hurt, isn't he!"

When I get closer, the man... no, I guess he's more like a big brother? His cheek is swollen, his arm is covered in scratches and bruises, and I bet he's hurt in places you can't see through his clothes too.

Shouldn't this be a case for the police?

"B-by the way, what happened to those scary old men? I was kidnapped? by those old men, and went through some awful stuff!"

"The bad guys were chased off by that sleeping fella. In a way, he saved you too. You'd hardly be struck down for helping carry him, right?"

Well, it's not like I'm stingy about helping someone who saved my life.

But this whole situation reeks of a way too serious incident.

"If he was assaulted, shouldn't we call the police..."

"There are circumstances. I'd rather we avoid the police."

I shrink back at the oddly pushy old man.

But if there are circumstances, I've got my own circumstances too.

"I was kidnapped during my delivery job and messed up my work, so I'm in danger of getting fired. If the police could explain to my workplace, maybe, just maybe, I won't have to quit."

"Oh, that van's logo, it's 'Ahitto Deliveries,' right? The company president is a shogi buddy of mine, so if you help out, I could put in a good word for you?"

Huh, really? This old guy... no, this grandpa, is he like some well-connected retired guy?

No, no, but still... if something happens later and the police come asking why I kept quiet, I'd hate that... I'm just an ordinary citizen through and through.

"Please, onii-san. Help my friend's papa."

---squeeze.

"O-okay, onii-san will do his best!"

Say what you want, I don't care one bit!

Just now, the sensation in my right hand that I've been protecting since kindergarten was updated! ...It's so soft!

Could some public servant do the same for me? No, absolutely not!

A man who chooses a high school girl's handshake over public authority, that's me, Dodo Haruki!

"In that case, will you young folks over there help us too?"

"A, yes."

The high school guy comes to help without hesitation. Damn, it makes it look like I was hesitating!

Why don't you save the being cool for your face only... nope, standing next to him, he's definitely way taller than me too. Ugh...

　　―　◆　―

With Yamanai-kun and the unfamiliar onii-san helping, we got Papa home.

Thanks to the onii-san's kindness, Papa and I got a ride in the wagon van. It's hard to lie down in the food truck after all.

The onii-san was talking with Grandpa on his way out, but I was too worried about Papa to listen closely.

Since carrying Papa, who's taller than Yamanai-kun, up to the second-floor bedroom would be difficult, we laid out a futon in the living room and had him sleep there.

Then just at the right time, the doctor Grandpa called came by.

"Tamamushi-san, my specialty is internal medicine..."

"Now now, don't be so stiff. I'll teach you some good strategies next time and let you win against the young folks."

I thought that was about shogi, but it turns out they're playmates in a popular online FPS. I didn't know he played that stuff, Grandpa has a lot of hobbies.

Anyway, the doctor said he has bruises and scratches, but his bones seem to be fine. About two weeks to fully heal.

I heard something crack earlier so I thought his bones were in bad shape, but it seems like his injuries are much less serious than I imagined. That's a relief.

"Once you've worn the armor, that's about what you'd expect."

I think I heard Grandpa mutter something, but I don't get it.

...Anyway, I'm tired too. Ugh, so sleepy.

I wonder what happened to Kiri and Yamanai-kun? ...Oh, I think the doctor said he'd give them a ride home... Oh, no, I can't think anymore.

For now, good night...