This was a story when Hajime and others the returnees when it hadn't been really long
since they started attending school once more.
As always, the people who were watching Yue while she was going to school were
getting into man-made disasters, the insolent people were hammered with bullets of
bloodlust like moth being lured into fly trap, Hajime himself almost becoming a victim
of self-made disaster from getting distracted by the radiant Yue-san in uniform, etc.
Like that Hajime who travelled the amusing road to the school entered into the
classroom.
Then,
"Kuh"
"Fu, fuguh"
"Tsu–"
The classmates simultaneously averted their face. They clung on their desk with their
body trembling all over.
"Oi, if you guys got something to say then say it."
It was a phenomenon that was already changing into the morning custom since they
started resuming coming to school. A pressure was released from Hajime.
Ryutaro answered as the representative.
"Nagumo, wearing uniform! It ain't fitting at all-"
'Puhah' Tamai and others snorted.
"Nagumo Hajime before summoning" was already beyond faraway in the memory of
the classmates.
White hair, eye patch, metal prosthetic arm, black coat. Large revolver on his thigh.
That was "Nagumo Hajime". That was everyone's one and only "demon king-sama".
This man who would kill even god if they became his enemy and saved the world while
he was at it was… wearing school uniform now. Although his appearance had returned
to look like normal human, it was just too surreal that everyone found it hard every
morning to hold back their laughter.
The demon king who diligently went to school every day without even getting late…
that was certainly surreal.
Although, as expected they were laughing too much. Kouki who seemed to think so
spoke remonstrating words.
"O, oi, everyone. You all are laughing too much. Certainly, it doesn't suit him at a――"
*Pshew* A stifled gunshot rang. By destroying an ultra-small treasure warehouse that
was inserted into the bullet itself using the firing hammer, the compressed air was
released and using that while it was a revolver, it made a silenced rubber bullet into
reality.
In a civilized society――especially in this Japan that was a constitutional state, firing
silently was important. He mustn't cause trouble for the surrounding.
Because it was such quality product of Hajime, the "embodiment of consideration
bullet", brain matter wasn't scattered from Kouki's head. He was only falling from his
chair.
"Why did you shoot!? Or rather, why me!?"
The demon king-sama completely ignored Kouki's only natural protest and his gaze
lorded over the classroom. His eyes explained it more eloquently than anything.
His eyes said, "You all, want to get shot?".
"…Nn, Hajime. Restrain, restrain."
"Hajime-sa~n, aren't you going to become an exemplary Japanese person? Or perhaps,
making tsukkomi with bullet is actually the culture of Japan?"
"Hajime-kun, Shia is going to misunderstand so let's keep that gun away okay?"
"It's not just a problem of misunderstanding. Or rather, Kaori. Kouki is writhing
around so go heal him. Look, his back is bending like a bridge from the pain. That's a
beautiful back bending posture."
Hajime who was persuaded (?) repeated to himself "Oops I can't do this. I'm a
Japanese. A virtuous and model Japanese" while transferring Donner back to the
treasure warehouse.
A while after that the bell rang to inform the beginning of the first period of the class.
The one who arrived then was the math teacher. His name was Asada Ichiro (32 years
old). His trait was his eyes that were like fox, his hair that was properly combed down,
and then the way he talked that vaguely sounded obstinate.
The gaze of Teacher Asada who was standing at the teacher podium flowed toward
Yue and Shia while the students were giving a bow and sitting back. And then, his gaze
moved to Hajime at the end and his fox eyes narrowed further into a slit. This too was
a daily happening.
The class started and everyone dispassionately went through the content of their
textbook. And then, as expected Hajime was named to solve a strangely difficult
problem just as usual.
"Nagumo, answer it."
"Yes, sensei."
'Bufuh', several sounds of snort were…
Looking at the direction of the snorts, there was Ryutaro prostrating on his desk. Kaori
was averting her gaze, while even Shizuku was looking down while shaking.
"~~~~And that's the answer, sensei."
'Puhih!' A laughter that sounded like a pig resounded. It was Shinji. It seemed he
couldn't hold it down anymore. Beside him Yoshiki was trembling too much his desk
was rattling.
"Again-, you guys! Just what in the world is funny-"
Teacher Asada got into a bad mood. 'Today is the day I'm running out of patience!' The
angry voice he raised sounded like that.
This always happened, but when he assigned Hajime a question, there would be
laughter leaking out every time, so perhaps the teacher was feeling like it was him who
was getting laughed at.
"Sorry, sensei. I'll tell them later how bad their attitude is."
'Pupah!!' Nana spouted. On the seat beside her Taeko was holding her stomach. Yuuka
was pinching the back of her own hand until she got teary eyed.
Atsushi was holding his laughter too much that his thought slipped out with trembling
voice.
"Na, Nagumo using polite language… it totally doesn't suit him…"
That was the mutual sentiment of the classmates.
"It's only obvious to use polite language when talking with teacher!"
"It's exactly as you say, sensei. These guys are idiots. We will do something about it by
ourselves. Really I apologize for them."
'Stop it alreadyyy~~' The voices from the girls that sounded like a scream were raised.
No matter what, it seemed Hajime talking with polite language was "absurd" for the
classmates.
He was more or less talking using polite language to Tio's grandfather and the family
of Kaori and others, so this wasn't their first time seeing this, but for some reason the
classmates couldn't hold back when Hajime was using polite language to people other
than the ones mentioned above.
They still reacted like this even after getting quite used to hear it but… it looked like
they would still need some more time until they got completely used to it.
While the classmates were shaking from the strange occurrence of the demon king's
laudable attitude that would pass straight being a laughing matter and caused a
pandemonium instead if they were in Tortus, Teacher Asada narrowed his eyes that it
looked like they were completely closed already.
And then, he snorted in ridicule.
"Nagumo, I'll teach you something important. The thing called "trust" you see, it's
something created from someone's daily behavior."
In other words, Hajime's daily behavior wasn't something praiseworthy, therefore, he
couldn't be trusted. It seemed that the teacher wanted to say that.
'As an educator, telling a student "You can't be trusted" is just… '. Making that kind of
tsukkomi would just create more problem, so Hajime held back.
He was an exemplary and virtuous Japanese person!
Perhaps thanks to that patience, the classroom fell completely silent. Looking closer,
half of the class were looking at Teacher Asada as though they were watching a stylish
suicide applicant, while the remaining half was looking at Hajime like they were
watching a nuclear bomb that was going to explode.
It was something greatly unexpected for Hajime-san! Was it thanks to his daily
behavior?
Teacher Asada didn't even notice the atmosphere of the class and continued with a
sarcastic tone.
"All of you are called returnees as it is and the society are looking coldly. I'm worried
about the future of you who are in the center of that. Even the nonsense of fighting in
another world was also thought up by you right? Even if you're making fun of adults
there is limit to it."
"I'm sorry, I'll keep that in mind."
"Do you really mean that? It doesn't really seem so. Try looking up the word modesty
in dictionary. If you do that, then even people like you all who are making a ruckus in
the society will surely have a little feeling of gratitude toward the school that would
accept you back welling up inside."
This "special classroom" that was set up at the fringe of the school building wasn't
really because of the good will of the school's side. They reluctantly set it up only after
there was a notice from the government about social decency or whatever.
Although, retorting with that and making this talk devolved into an argument would
be problematic. Hajime had no intention to purposefully cause that. He nodded with
an obedient expression.
Besides, it also wasn't really a lie that he had a feeling of gratitude.
(…Hajime. This guy, should I strangle him?)
(Stop it. He is more or less a teacher who was teaching us from the beginning you
know?)
Teacher Asada continued talking with a lot of sarcasm enveloped in his words. Yue
sent Hajime a telepathy with a dangerous gaze. Her eyes were thinking "Should I give
him "Divine Statement"…". Hajime admonished Yue to not do that.
Just as Hajime said, actually, after they resumed attending school, if they were asked
if there was full lesson for the special class, then the answer would be "no".
Due to fear, bewilderment, and suspicion toward the returnees, and then because of
the protest toward the forceful demand from the government, there were teachers
who refused to give them lesson, teachers who resigned because they got tired of the
questioning from the mass media and parents that were like machine gun everyday,
or teachers who transferred to other school.
It wasn't unreasonable. The incident was far removed from being just a disappearance
case. The time period of their disappearance, and then even their returning time too.
Although they were teacher they weren't saint. It was only natural that they were
shaken.
Because of that, for Hajime, although Teacher Asada would be somewhat sarcastic like
this, he was thankful to him for his willingness to teach them right from the start.
"Besides, Nagumo. It seems your attitude toward girls is really slovenly isn't it?"
Teacher Asada's gaze moved toward Yue and Shia once more. His gaze also moved
toward Kaori and Shizuku, but as expected his gaze then returned to the former two.
Especially at Shia.
Shia twisted her body in discomfort.
The sermon of Teacher Asada regarding illicit sexual relationship began.
Certainly, having relationship with multiple girls was normally worthy to be a target
of criticism from the perspective of common sense. And so Hajime resigned himself to
listen to Teacher Asada's words even while feeling dubious at the gaze he made. But,
(Hajime-san, Hajime-san)
(Hm? What, Shia?)
(You see, I intend to ignore it right from the start so I forgot to say but… actually, Asadasensei has been telling me various things from some time ago about my relationship
with Hajime-san.)
(What? What kind of words?)
(If I'm going out with Hajime-san then break up that relationship, that kind of talk.)
At first Hajime thought that perhaps it was only a warning that a teacher would
naturally make. From Hajime and Yue's special atmosphere, the teacher must be
thinking that he was only playing around with Shia, so he couldn't overlook that as a
teacher.
However, when he asked Kaori and Shizuku weren't told anything like that by Teacher
Asada.
(And also, before this he told me that he would give me consultation, so come to the
student counseling room.)
(…And?)
(At that time it was my turn to prepare dinner so I refused and went home right away.
But, even after that there were times when I was called after school. I refused all of
them because I had things to do but…)
It seemed that Shia was also called for after school today. Furthermore it seemed the
teacher was asking really strongly.
(If it'll be just a normal counseling then, well, it's not really a problem. But his gaze,
it's a little bit…)
(Enough, I get it.)
Hajime-san's expression changed from obedience into a smile.
The eyes of the classmates now looked like they were watching a bomb that was
approaching the countdown. Kouki was sweating like a waterfall while pleading
"Sensei! Asada-sensei! We should resume the class soon!" but…
"Besides you are, everyday――"
"Sensei, I know really well that my way of living isn't something praiseworthy."
Teacher Asada scowled in displeasure that his words were interrupted. Hajime kept
smiling while making suggestion to such Teacher Asada.
"I'm thinking to correct that using this chance. And so, can I receive your guidance by
any means? After school, in the counseling room."
"…The necessity for that"
"There is no way it's not necessary isn't it? Yes, according to sensei, it seems that I'm a
really problematic child. However, what is it that I should fix and how should I do it…
I don't understand it. Please sensei, give me your advice to help this student by all
means."
Hajime-san grasped his chest as though he was mourning himself and sent a gaze
looking for help.
It was actually really difficult to refuse a student that was saying something like this,
especially when in front of the eyes of other students. As the result, Teacher Asada
said "… Very well. Come to the student counseling room after school today" and
stopped his preaching before resuming the lesson.
(Yue, come with me after school. We'll search the inside of Asada-sensei's heart.)
(…Nn-. Divine Statement ready to fire! He'll confess everything.)
The classmates thought when seeing the motivated Yue.
'The student counseling room after school will change into the interrogation room of
the demon king and his first wife huh.'
What things were lurking inside the heart of this Teacher Asada…
After that he would say things like "Boss-, while presumptuous please allow me to
start the lesson for today-" with a tone like a military officer toward Haijme. It could
be easily guessed from that.
Putting that aside.
After that, they absorbed the lessons favorably and the English lesson for the fourth
period was over. Right away, the English teacher――Yanagi Kazuko-sensei (45 years
old) rushed out in a flash.
It wasn't like she was bullied by Hajime and co.
Rather, the students were really diligent. Even when Hajime used polite language, the
classmates didn't laugh anymore. It wasn't because Hajime told them "The next time
anyone laugh, everyone will get pile bunker into their ass" or anything. It was simply
because laughing during lesson wasn't a good thing even if they weren't laughing at
the teacher!
Then, why did Kazuko-sensei left the classroom as though she was escaping?
There was one reason.
"As expected, Language Comprehension is just a cheat huh."
"I think it's fine to thank Ehito just for this."
Just as Shinji and Yoshiki earnestly said, the cause was the cheat power of "Language
Comprehension".
After all, thanks to this everyone was like native speaker. Rather, they were even more
skilled than Kazuko-sensei!
Because of that Kazuko-sensei would feel nervous and feel like running away every
time she was giving lesson. Every time she would leave the classroom as though
running away.
"How should I say it, the teachers refusing to teach our class also feel like our own
doing…"
"Even the classic language or kanji are easy to understand… somehow the guilt is…"
Shizuku smiled wryly. Kaori too was making a troubled expression.
"Everyone is thinking that we're abnormal because of things like this isn't it…"
"Even though we haven't study for a year, our knowledge improved instead, of course
people will be like 'what the hell!'."
"But, it's difficult to hide it."
Yuuka made a bitter expression. Nana was staring at the door where Kazuko-sensei
left from with an apologetic expression, while Taeko had a complicated look.
It seemed that it wasn't just Hajime that was trying to get used to the life on earth.
In any case, the morning lessons were finished. It was afternoon break. The time for
lunch.
Normally, there would be some who went to the school canteen to purchase lunch
but…
Everyone took out their boxed lunch without exception. No one tried to go out of their
class.
Far from that, *tatatatatata-* the sound of running resounded from the corridor. Right
after that, *bam* the door was opened loudly. No sooner than that, a small silhouette
rushed into the classroom.
"Ai-chan-sensei, so today you're eating in the classroom again."
"Tha, that's right. For some reason, yes, for some reason…"
Aiko-sensei's gaze wandered around for a bit while the bag that was filled with her
boxed lunch was swaying.
Since they went back into school, she would come at lunch without fail. With a rushing
speed at that.
It was already something common, so Yue immediately gave up her seat and moved
on Hajime's lap herself.
At the same time, an anxious voice echoed.
"No, no good. I forget my lunch…"
It was Nomura Kentaro. His chair clattered and he stood still in place from the shock.
His shoulders dropped down in dejection just because he forgot his lunch. His face
looked like it was already decided that for today he would go without lunch.
"Kentaro, I'll share you mine a bit."
"Juugo, my bad."
"I'll give you mine too."
"…Kousuke, so you're here."
"Since the morning."
Kentaro's expression slightly relaxed with Juugo and Kousuke sharing their boxed
lunch with him while he sat back down.
"No, just go to the canteen to buy."
A tsukkomi came from Hajime.
Since they started going to school, the classmates wouldn't leave the classroom only
when it was lunch break. Hajime finally got really curious with that and spoke out. He
thought that perhaps it was only because the other classmates just didn't like getting
stared at with curiosity, but their action was too obstinate if it was just because of that.
Kentaro diverted his gaze away from that dubious gaze of Hajime.
And then, he muttered in a low voice.
"…I don't want to get away from Nagumo."
"Do, don't suddenly said such disgusting thing."
Hajime was creeped out. Kentaro hurriedly said "Wro, wrong! That's not what I mean!"
and gave his excuse.
"Because, you! What am I gonna do if another summoning happen again huh! Whether
I get left behind or get summoned by myself, I absolutely don't want either! The safe
area at lunch break is at Nagumo's side!"
"Haa?"
'What is this guy saying… ', Hajime stared like he was looking at an idiot, but when he
looked around, everyone quickly averted their gaze.
"Se, seriously? Ah, could it be, Aiko came to the classroom each time it's lunch break
is also"
"A, ahaha…"
Looking really close, there were countless small magic reactions in Aiko's pocket. Most
likely, they were seed. By combining Aiko's power and soul magic, she would be able
to use them to instantly create imitation Treant. So that she would be fine even if she
fell into an unexpected situation anytime, her combat preparation was flawless! It
seemed to be something like that.
"You guys… so you guys are completely traumatized by the lunch break huh."
The classmates all showed a bitter smile. They obstinately wouldn't leave the
classroom was as expected, because no one wanted to leave the demon king-sama's
side.
Aiko changed the topic to dodge this matter.
"Tha, that's right. Everyone, it will be the school festival soon. There will be other time
for us to talk about it, but please start thinking of what do you want to do there from
now."
Suzu chewed *mokyu mokyu* on her salmon boxed lunch while nodding with "Aah".
"My friend from other class told me. It looks like there're classes that has decided it
already but… everyone apparently are curious of what our class is going to do."
"The students are full of "curiosity" but… from the teacher's side are they "filled with
trepidation"?"
Shizuku lowered her eyebrows with a troubled look while asking Aiko. Aiko's
expression became the same while she nodded. And then, she clenched both her fists
to fire up herself and,
"So it's decided, the theme of our performance will be "Completely safe and secure!
There's nothing to fear! Let's get along!", there!"
She said that with a rough huff. 'Let's clear up the suspicion "they might be dangerous
kids" toward the returnees!' That seemed to be her intention.
There, Shinji said "Here!" and raised his hand.
"Yes, Nakano-kun!"
"Sensei! I think that target shooting will be good! Nagumo have guns after all!"
"Safety safety-, something not scary-! Not scary!"
It was refused.
'A performance that'll give favorable impression!' Aiko yelled while glaring at Shinji.
Shinji dejectedly backed away and bit into his sweetened bun. Choco cornet was
delicious…
Next Atsushi expressed his idea full of confidence.
"As expected, here we should go with the simple approach, a maid cafe !"
"You just want to see girls in maid uniform."
A gaze of absolute zero was thrown from Yuuka. But, the boys were getting spirited.
Starting from Aikawa Noboru and Nimura Akito, Shinji and Yoshiki also raised their
voice to somehow make the idea a reality. But,
"…Are you telling me, to call somebody else other than Hajime goshujin-sama?"
The classroom froze for real, not just in metaphor. Frost was forming on the window,
while the floor and wall were freezing white with creaking sound.
"…Something like maid cafe is a heresy!"
"Yeah, for sure!"
"Your ulterior motive is transparent! Restrain yourself Atsushi!"
"This pervert-! I'm embarrassed as your friend!"
"Yo, you guys, turning your back so easily on me…"
The maid cafe was also rejected. Spring arrived inside the classroom, melting the
snow. It was war~m.
"On the contrary, won't a butler cafe be better I wonder! I wonder!"
'I got some kind of a good idea!' Kaori strongly insisted with that kind of look. Shizuku
who would see through everything if it was about Kaori got a deadpan stare.
"You just want to make Hajime a butler and got treated like a noble lady right?"
"!? The, the-the, there's no such thing you know?"
"Then, Kaori. If Kouki is the one who become a butler to serve the guests then it'll be
okay isn't it?"
"I won't accept anyone other than Hajime-kun."
Kaori-san was faithful on her own desire. And then, Kouki spouted out his rolled
omelet saying "Shizuku! Why are you dragging me into this!?", and then he got a
faraway look due to Kaori's instant reply. It seemed his soul was flying to somewhere.
Ryutaro's gentle pat on his shoulder was pervading deep inside…
"Shi, Shizuku-chan said that but you yourself!"
"Wha, what?"
"Even though you want to be pampered by Hajime-kun dressed as butler!"
"I'm not thinking anything like――"
Shizuku-chan glanced at Hajime, imagined something, then her cheeks boiled red. It
seemed she was thinking it. She wanted to be pampered by butler Hajime.
"…But, that doesn't sound bad. Getting treated like noble lady by the demon king.
Right! Yuuka-chi!"
"Why are you turning the question to me!?"
Nana who was making a considering look grinned and said that. Everyone's attention
was turned toward Yuuka hearing that. The gaze of the flustered Yuuka met with
Hajime's.
"Wha, what! You want to have a go!?"
"Are you a delinquent from somewhere huh."
For some reason Yuuka growled 'garururu-' threateningly at Hajime. The atmosphere
of the classroom turned lukewarm seeing them.
At the same time, the majority of the female camp seemed to get ideas from Nana's
words. Their gaze seemed to wander around in a daze. That "demon king" would, act
kind to them… treating them gently like a noble lady…
"…nice"
"It's nice…"
Voices like those were coming from here and there.
"Rejected-! Firm rejection! We won't allow that kind of idea that will put a great
burden to our dear friend no matter what!"
Shinji stood up from his chair and protested with bloodshot eyes. Yoshiki held up his
chopstick like a mike and asked.
"Your true feeling?"
"Nagumo is going to be the only winner like that-. Do you want your school festival
memory get dyed with the single color of defeat!? Don't screw around-, I'll cry out
blood!"
The girls crowding around the demon king butler… certainly, from the perspective of
Shinji who spent his days wandering around the city looking for girl, it was an idea
that he would firmly refuse. Atsushi and others also seemed to have the same feeling
inside their heart.
Taeko half smiled feeling that it was somewhat troublesome while giving a suggestion.
"Then, isn't it fine to just make a normal cafe ? Something like Yuuka's Wisteria."
"Ah, now that you mentioned it Sonobe-san's family has a western restaurant isn't it?"
Aiko's words made the classmates who didn't know to say "Hee" while their attention
gathered on Yuuka once more.
"So Yuuka-san's family is managing a cooking business. I'm interested with that!"
Shia was interested. As expected from a cooking lover who had continuously added
the cooking of various countries into her repertory since coming to earth.
"Yeah. Rather than telling me to be a butler, it'll be far better to get teach by Sonobe
how to cook and work at the back."
"Eh? I, is that so?"
Yuuka's gaze was wandering. At the thought of it, her gaze was turned to empty air.
――Both of them cooking side by side
――Her teaching Hajime the taste of her family
――Two hands overlapping in order to correct his hand movement
For some reason the scene changed,
――Her and Hajime standing side by side in the kitchen of Wisteria
――Both of them managing the restaurant, the regular customers jeering at their
relationship…
――After the restaurant closed, the two of them would snuggle close to each other
while drinking the coffee that she brewed
――And then…
"Yuuka-chan?"
"Hah!?"
The owner of the monotone voice was Kaori-san who was staring at her with lightless
eyes. Beside her, there was also Yue-sama whose default deadpan stare was becoming
even moo~~~rre deadpan.
At her wit's end Yuuka-chan glared fiercely at Hajime for some reason.
"I, I absolutely won't teach Nagumo anything! You're ten years to early to enter the
kitchen!"
"What the hell"
Yuuka's face was bright red. Nana and Taeko were looking at her warmly while patting
her head saying 'good girl, good girl'.
Hajime shrugged and ignored the glaring Yuuka while continuing "In the first place".
"You guys might be forgetting it but, it might be difficult for this classroom to attract
customers you know?"
The classmates went "?". Hajime smiled wryly and said.
"It's the location, the location. This spot is the fringe of the school building's fringe. A
"special classroom" that is half isolated you remember?"
Everyone went "Ah". It was exactly like that, it was impossible for anyone to pass
through here "coincidentally" while heading to somewhere else. The location was at
the edge with no path that was leading to anywhere else.
"With this kind of spot, in addition it's a place where there'll only be the performance
of the returnees, I think the only people who would come here are only guys who want
to satisfy their curiosity with no regard for any performance."
On the other hand, there was also the possibility of people flooding this people with
that kind of reason, but if something like that happened at this classroom that was
located at the end of the hallway, the situation would surely become chaotic.
Especially when there wouldn't be any limitation from outsider entering the school
festival this year just because there were returnees here.
It was a measure so that the mass media and parents wouldn't make any ruckus
instead because of any limitation. There was a risk that they would go 'As expected,
there is really a problem with the returnees that has to be hidden no matter what isn't
it!?'.
"Tha, that's, certainly true…"
Aiko's expression turned conflicted at what Hajime pointed out.
Even after that they used the lunch break to exchange opinion but nothing was
decided. They further used the time after school, the next day, and also the time that
was originally set aside to decide the class's program for the school festival for
discussion. They used a lot of time, a lot, before the classroom of Hajime and co finally
decided their programme.
Shia who was chosen as the school festival committee member――or rather she
nominated herself because it sounded fun, attended the committee meeting.
Her beauty and personality that would treat anyone innocently without distinction
tightly grasped the heart of the students in the committee meeting while they were
reporting their respective class's programme by turn. Then finally it became Shia's
turn.
"The, then Shia-san. Please tell us what your class's programme will be."
The male student who served as the committee chairman asked Shia with a slightly
shrill voice. Shia smiled widely and said "Yes desu!". The face of the chairman blushed
bright red seeing that. A part of the female students' face looked entranced.
Like that, while everyone was focusing at Shia herself and the programme that the
returnees class would do, the title of the programme that Shia announced was,
――South Cloud Circus ~There isn't any trick or contrivance in it~
That.
The vice principal who personally volunteered to take charge of the school festival
committee stared unamused.