ch401-ch420 · 406-ch406

Chapter 406: 【Aikawa Natsuki】A Bear's Cub Is a Panda, a Troublesome Child 【Part 5】

SIDE: Aikawa Natsuki (Haruki's Party Member)

"A mock battle in the dungeon? Fine by me, but what happens if we win?"

Huh? We're actually doing this?

The moment he finally opened his mouth,...... oh, I see.

Under the current terms, there's nothing in it for them, after all.

Truly befitting the Hiramatsu-ryu secret art: 'Wager Salary and Bonus.'

Not that a bunch of Singles earns anything worth mentioning.

All of them put together probably wouldn't cover one metal golem.

So what are they planning to take from us?

"If we lose, we'll have nothing more to do with Aikawa. With you people, either."

Minami says.

"You don't get it. I'm telling you that's not enough. Our PARTY'S survival is on the line here? Shouldn't you put your party on the line too, by rights?"

Might as well fan the flames.

"No, that's...... I'm not even in a party with those guys......"

"Anything's fine, right? We're not gonna lose anyway! So we're doing this—yes or no?"

Minami balks at "disband the party," but Murakami seems fired up?

The girls squeal with excitement.

Did you just say "anything's fine"?

Now then—what shall I demand?

"How about you all transfer to Chiba? We're not doing this at HQ—we operate out of Chiba, and we're short on people, so come transfer over."

Huh?

I'm trying to get AWAY from the annoying ones, you know?

But if things go on like this, there's a chance we'd just miss each other.

Did he plan it that far?

"What are you gonna do, make us your errand boys? Well?"

"No, like I said, I can't decide that on my own......"

Minami is apparently in the senpais' party, after all.

"You can bring the senpais along too, for all I care? Even if you all came at once, you couldn't beat me alone, let alone Haru-kun or Soushi. Oh—almost forgot to mention, we're Double-rank now, by the way."

I shove my adventurer license in their faces.

"Huh? No way...... Hey, there are two stars on it."

"She's serious. How did she...... oh......"

After seeing my license, they look at K○ Ossan.

Ah—they think I got it handed to me by K○ Ossan?

"Are we doing this? Or not?"

I showed the license so that when they learn how strong we are later, they won't come whining.

Souma-san, who came back to her senses, is filming, so the evidence is captured perfectly.

Honestly, "we quit" would be the answer I'd be most grateful for.

"Minami, after being told all that, you can't back down now, right?"

You're the ones who started this, though.

Even hearing we're Double, they're going through with it.

You've got no chance of winning, you know?

We have the power of four stars, let alone two.

"......Fine. When? Right now?"

Minami has made up his mind, it seems.

"I have plans after this, so no."

"Ah, me neither. Tomorrow's out too."

"What is with you people! Then WHEN?"

That's what happens when YOU suddenly challenge us......

"I could probably do the day after tomorrow? I can't spare the whole day, but......"

"Works for me. So, day after tomorrow—Chiba branch sound good?"

"Hold on. Moving weapons costs money, right? Venue's HQ."

"HAH? You're using weapons? But HQ is......"

You can't even pay that much?

And weapons? Wouldn't wooden swords do fine?

"No, it's fine. We'd be heading that way soon enough anyway. Good chance to take a look."

"If weapons are involved, I'll have to be present to observe. It would be a problem if something happened and your licenses were revoked, after all. I've been curious about your—no, about you all's abilities myself. Agreed?"

Tch. Don't butt in.

But if it's at HQ, I suppose there's no help for it.

At Chiba nothing could go wrong, though—well, except the betting would start up.

And if it's at HQ, there's a chance Haru-kun throws the match on purpose.

This man doesn't care one bit about losing.

Huh? What happens if it ends one win, one loss?

'Huh? In the dungeon?'

'Does anyone here have a license?'

'Getting one now? Can we make it by the day after tomorrow?'

There's paperwork to gather, so starting now would be tough.

Even rushing, you have to take the safety course next, so you'd be free to enter the dungeon by the day after tomorrow's afternoon.

The match got set for the morning, so no dice, I'm afraid.

And so Souma-san foisted her camera onto me......

Saori and the others told me to show them the footage later, too.

Well—I'm glad it looks like we can stay friendly even after graduation......

︙

︙

"Congratulations on your graduation. You too, Soushi-kun."

"Th-thank you very much."

After that talk wrapped up, we met Soushi coming back, and arrived at the meeting place.

Waiting for us was Makihara Ryoko.

"......"

"Hey, Natsuki...... I'm sorry."

Why is SOUSHI apologizing?

The truth is, I don't hate this woman anymore.

If anything, I almost feel sorry for her.

I've killed her so many times......

I've watched her throw her life away protecting K○ Ossan, so I have nothing left to say to her.

"Shall we begin? I assume you've already heard......"

The wedding date being set—I heard that days ago.

Honestly, I didn't care. But......

"You see, Natsuki-san, I'd like you to attend the ceremony. Please! My parents are looking forward to meeting you too."

That and this are two different things.

According to Watanabe-san, this woman's family is fairly wealthy, with lots of relatives invited to the wedding.

Our side, meanwhile, cut ties with BOTH sides of the family when K○ Ossan lost his job.

The only ones at the wedding would be adventurer friends, maybe......

Long story short: this woman's relatives already know K○ Ossan has a daughter, so my not attending would look bad for them.

......I can't do that.

If they want to betray us and get married, let them.

I don't care anymore.

But I'm not going to celebrate it.

"Heyyy, if you stay silent, this conversation's not going anywhere. He said there was something YOU wanted to talk about—that's the only reason I came today."

I'm really glad I had Soushi come along.

If I'd been alone, I might have left without saying a word.

"Are you two...... living together?"

In that house......

"No, not yet. There's the wedding prep, and Ryoko's staying at her parents' place for now."

Thank goodness......

"The ceremony—fine. But I have a condition."

I'm not congratulating anyone.

I'd just be attending.

If that's all it is......

"A condition? What is it? Name anything!"

The second "anything" today......

I nearly laughed out loud.

These hopeless people keep wrecking perfectly serious moments.

"Give me the house. I'm going to live in that house. You have money, don't you? You two can build a house wherever you like. But living in THAT house—I won't allow it. Give me the house, and I'll attend the wedding. I'll even put on a show for your parents."

I say it looking K○ Ossan dead in the eye.

If I attend, you get to keep face, right?

So give me back that house......

I might not be able to live there long myself.

But that's fine.

I'll come back sometimes to clean it, and cook with Soushi.

New memories, in that house......