Honestly, Senpai is famous and her movements are easy to predict, so I had never imagined a case where I would meet her simply by chance.
Itâs somewhat fortunate that Shiki, whoâs acquainted with her, isnât with me right now. Maybe I should be happy with that⊠But Iâm not.
If Iâm not mistaken, Shiki will be at Asora for the whole day today.
Which means thereâs no chance that heâll meet Senpai.
Letâs see, the people that Senpai and I are commonly acquainted with would be Limiaâs king and Prince Joshua.
So itâs safer to assume that those two have talked to Senpai about me while referring to me as Raidou.
But Senpai is aware that Iâm Misumi Makoto, so she shouldnât know that Iâm Raidou.
So should I introduce myself as Raidou now or would it be better to conceal that Iâm Raidou?
If I introduce myself as Raidou, sheâll know that Raidou is the leader of the Kuzunoha company. Senpai definitely came here knowing that the Kuzunoha company is here, right?
Which means that even if I hide it now, I get the feeling that fact will be revealed sooner or later.
Wait. Is it a problem if Senpai knows that Iâm Raidou?
When I went to Limia, I didnât call myself Raidou, I think.
So if I donât introduce myself as Raidou here, I guess the chances of it being revealed in the near future are pretty high?
In that case, itâs better to tell the truth?
I could just explain that Iâm using this false name because thereâs someone (a goddess) that I donât want my movements to be noticed by.
And I get the feeling that even if I try to lie here, Senpai will pick up on my suspicious behavior anyway.
Okay, letâs introduce myself as Raidou.
Thatâs easier, and better for the future as well.
The inside of my head is quite chaotic as I think about various things, but I somehow manage to come to a decision.
ăMisumi-kun?ă(Hibiki)
Senpai calls out to me, since Iâve frozen in place.
ăAh, Senpai, actuallyâŠă(Makoto)
As Senpai gives me a puzzled look, I explain that Iâm going by the name of Raidou now.
For some reason, Senpai looks extremely shocked upon learning that Iâm Raidou.
Just what have you been telling Senpai about me!
ăAh, youâre Raidou? Thatâs the same name as the head of the Kuzunoha company, isnât it?ă(Hibiki)
ăY-yes. Iâm acting as the leader for the Kuzunoha company. Though Iâm being helped a lot by the people around me.ă(Makoto)
ăMisumi-kun is⊠Raidou⊠Wait a moment, thatâs important too, but isnât there a more important detail?!ă(Hibiki)
ăAre you a hero, too? I heard from the goddess that there are two heroes in this world. The fact that youâre here means that youâre a third one, right?ă(Hibiki)
ăAh⊠No, my circumstances are a little different from you Senpais. What the goddess told you is correct. There are two heroes, because Iâm not a hero.ă(Makoto)
ăBut you were summoned here, right? By her.ă(Hibiki)
ăWell, yes. Ah, Iâm sorry. First, Iâll lead the way to our Kuzunoha company.ă(Makoto)
It seems Senpai had some business with our company from the beginning.
Itâs better to go there rather than stand around outside and talk like this.
ăTo the Kuzunoha company? Hmm⊠I guess so. Well then, Iâll impose on you for a little while.ă(Hibiki)
ăYes, please feel free. âFor a little whileâ, does that mean that you have other important matters to attend to, Senpai?ă(Makoto)
She was supposed to be heading to Lorel, so I doubt sheâs particularly free.
Anyhow, Iâll try asking her about that.
It looks like our conversation will consist entirely of asking each other questions, but Iâm kind of looking forward to it.
She was supposed to have some companions with her, but right now sheâs alone.
Itâs strange that sheâs carrying her sword thatâs supposed to be her weapon on her back, wrapped in cloth.
Since itâs unusual to see people walking around armed in this academy city.
Senpai is a hero, so Iâd assume that sheâs staying at a high-class inn where she wouldnât have to worry about her weapon being stolen. If she left it with them, itâd be easier to walk around.
Itâd be safer to carry it if she were planning to go to the more dangerous areas of the city, but then I donât understand why she wouldnât have her companions with her.
For now, as Iâm deep in thought about various things, I erase the memory of Senpaiâs extreme clothing as well as my state upon seeing that from my head.
Because of that, I donât say much during the short time that Iâm leading Senpai along.
As if sheâs thinking about something herself, she simply follows my lead silently.
ăAnd then, I was told that the Kuzunoha company has skilled dwarves.ă(Hibiki)
ăSo your business with us is that you need your sword repaired. But Senpai, even with our craftsmen, I think itâs impossible for it to be finished today.ă(Makoto)
As I listen to Senpai in the companyâs drawing room, she explains why she came to academy city in such a hurry.
We also touched on the battle that happened in the royal capital city of Limia, but she hasnât made the connection between the names Shiki or Larva and us. That makes me truly relieved.
The reason sheâs stopped by in Rotsgard, which isnât directly on the way to Lorel from Limia, is the craftsmen of the Kuzunoha company.
The people of Limia know quite a lot about us, huh.
Either that, or they sent Otonashi-senpai here to make a request for us to work together with the Kingdom of Limia.
Even when she was in Japan, she was the kind of person who could lead others.
Of course, thatâs still the case now.
Sheâs still the same senpai I admired from afar in Japan.
ăI didnât expect that my weapon could be repaired in a day. Iâm going to be staying here for another week, so as long as itâs finished by then, there wonât be any problems. Itâd be easy if Beren-san were here, is he currently present?ă(Hibiki)
Why is Berenâs name being mentioned here?
ăBeren, you say? Heâs working in our first store in Tsige. Are you acquainted with him?ă(Makoto)
ăThat sword, I had it made for me by Beren-san. Though it looks a bit different to when I first got it from him.ă(Hibiki)
Beren made a weapon for Senpai?
A strange relationship has been built without me knowing.
She said she was in Tsige for about a month, so did it happen then?
Iâm grateful that she chose us out of all the stores that are available, but if Senpai and her party have been polishing their skills in the wastelands, itâs amazing that we havenât met sooner.
Iâm not sure if thatâs lucky or unlucky.
Anyway, she wasnât given some pre-made product; itâs a weapon that was created for her to use.
To think that their relationship is such that she remembers his name properly.
I ignored it back then, so Iâll confirm it properly now.
ăPlease wait a moment. The craftsman who works here will come soon.ă(Makoto)
If itâs a weapon that Beren made, thereâll be no problem with leaving it here.
I can just show it to him in Asora tonight or something.
If he has a whole week, Iâm sure Beren can repair a weapon that he made himself.
ăDid you call, Waka-sama?ă
Senpai is laughing, as if she finds something funny.
When I was greeted by a loudăWelcome back, Waka-sama!ăas we returned she was dumbfounded, but it seems she finds it amusing now.
Sheâs reacting like this every time she hears someone call me âWaka-samaâ.
I take the sword thatâs wrapped in cloth from Senpai and hand it to the Eldwa thatâs come over.
Even in this world, sheâs considered a beautiful woman.
Given that, the other hero is probably attractive as well.
Iâm kind of looking forward to meeting him, but itâll also be a pain.
ăI want this sword fixed. Confirm whether you can do it or not.ă(Makoto)
I make this request to the craftsman as the leader of the company.
Iâve been told that itâs not good to be overly friendly.
Especially when it comes to demi-humans, even if only in appearance, I should be pulling their strings properly.
Itâs what Rembrandt-san and Zara-san told me so I just assume theyâre correct and put it into practice, but it still feels uncomfortable.
ăAt once. Well then, I shall examine it now.ă(Eldwa)
A serious expression returns to Senpaiâs face as she stares at the Eldwa holding the now-exposed sword and bows from her seated position.
Sheâs even more polite than when sheâs talking to meâŠ
I-I suppose sheâs Japanese after all; itâs important to respect craftsmen, yes.
ăIt pains me to say this, but it seems that this has been put to use in unreasonable situations. I will work under the assumption that it has seen some fierce battles.ă(Eldwa)
ă⊠Yes. It has saved my life many times.ă(Hibiki)
The craftsman continues to examine the sword carefully and thoroughly.
I look towards him. Heâs noticed, so I talk to him through thought transmission.
[She said itâs one of Berenâs creations. Itâs fine if we take it back to Asora to show it to him there, so can you just accept it for now?] (Makoto)
[This was Beren-donoâs creation? I am still inexperienced, to not have noticed right away.] (Eldwa)
[I will do as you say.] (Eldwa)
ăOtonashi-sama, did you say your name was?ă(Eldwa)
ăYes. How is it? Could it be repaired so that I can swing it as I originally did?ă(Hibiki)
ăThere will be no problem. Now that I look closely, it is the creation of one of my colleagues. I believe sufficient work can be done on it if we are just given three days.ă(Eldwa)
ăReally! Then can I leave it to you?ă(Hibiki)
ăThat is not for the likes of me to decide. I can make my own judgments, but not choose whether to accept your request.ă(Eldwa)
The Eldwa quickly glances at me.
We donât need to put on these little acts now.
ăOf course, we will accept your request. It is a request from none other than my senpai. A fellow Japanese person that Iâve encountered in this other world.ă(Makoto)
ăThanks, Misumi-kun.ă(Hibiki)
ăNot at all. You may leave, and make sure to handle it with care.ă(Makoto)
ăPlease leave it to me. Well then, Otonashi-sama, I will take care of your weapon.ă(Eldwa)
Still holding the sword, the Eldwa bows his head low and exits the room. As I watch him leave, I exhale lightly and sink deeply into the sofa.
ăAs I thought, it was hard for you to maintain that attitude.ă(Hibiki)
ăIâve been taught that when conducting myself as the head of a company, that kind of thing is necessary. You understand, after all?ă(Makoto)
ăI do. You were the kind of person who couldnât even take that sort of attitude with the kouhais in the club, werenât you?ă(Hibiki)
ăYou are quite knowledgeable. I didnât think you would even remember me.ă(Makoto)
I was never the type to stand out.
ăThat might be true for you, Misumi-kun. But the archery club itself stood out a lot. By surviving in that club long enough to become its vice-president, you attracted a certain amount of interest. Ah, werenât you called a hero by some people in Nakakou*?ă(Hibiki)
TLN*: This is a contraction of the name of their high school, âäžæŽ„ćé«æ Ą/Nakatsuhara Koukouâ.
ă⊠Please donât make me remember such strange things. Even if Iâm not really good-looking, is it so strange for me to be in the archery club because I like bows?ă(Makoto)
I stayed in the archery club for over a year, even though Iâm not really attractive. Because of that, I had this nickname that I wanted to get rid of.
Of course, there were a lot of people who joined the club with their eyes set on the good-looking members, so the first years were put through some tough training as soon as they joined.
Thatâs how they filtered those people out.
With that, quite a lot of the ones that were only in it for the attractive people and had no interest in archery left. Selections were confirmed around fall each year, and the training became less harsh.
The fact that those attractive people survived through that could be called one of the seven wonders of the world.
I think that calling someone a hero just because they survive longer than a year is questionable, though.
Before I realize it, Iâve been reminiscing about the club and high school for the first time in a while.
ăOf course. Hmm, I would definitely like to hear the story of how you came to this world in detail, butâŠă(Hibiki)
ăIâm suddenly feeling quite nostalgic now. I canât talk about these things to anyone else, so shall we talk about Japan some more?ă(Hibiki)
Talking about Japan would be much more enjoyable for me than being questioned about how I came to this world, so for that Iâm grateful.
But this is that Otonashi Hibiki-senpai.
Sheâs flawless in both her knowledge and her fighting skills.
The rumors I hear about her as a hero are nothing short of outstanding.
Is she the kind of person who would have these types of meaningless, reminiscing conversations?
ăOh yeah, this is something that happened quite a while before I came here, but there was an incident where the president of the archery club and a first-year girl who was rumored to be cute both got mad, right? Iâm sure you remember it, since you were in the same club.ă(Hibiki)
Wait, weâre starting on a topic that I canât discuss?!
ăDonât you know something about that, since you were the vice-president? Iâm sure there were things that you couldnât say while you were back there, but now that weâre here, thereâs some kind of physical statute of limitations so you can say them now, right?ă(Hibiki)
What the hell do you mean by physical statute of limitations!
ăT-thatâsâŠă(Makoto)
ăIâve done everything that I needed to for today. They were all personal matters that I needed to take care of anyway, so Iâve been moving around separately from everyone else. Iâve sorted out the matter regarding my sword, as well. Iâm sure itâll be good for both of us to think about our memories in Japan.ă(Hibiki)
When Senpai smiles, she really is beautiful.
I somehow remember our social statuses back on earth, and am pressured into simply nodding by the power of her smile.
With this relationship between senpai and kouhai, I get the feeling that Iâm not allowed to agree or disagree. At least for me, who was part of a sports-related club.
Well, I donât have to be so cautious when talking about Japan.
If I distract her from mentioning those topics, maybe I can settle things by just having a silly, enjoyable conversation between two people from the same town.
My conversation with Senpai, who is both a good speaker and a good listener, is far livelier than I couldâve imagined.
We sit in the drawing room and have a long, pleasant conversation as we remember our hometown.