A huge object was floating in the world of azure where the light of the sun
was pouring down.
Hajime's artifact, the airship Ferner. It was flying as though gliding above
the sky where clouds that looked like cotton candy were floating sparsely.
Originally they planned to use gate to teleport until the city of Horuad, but
the wish of Shuu and others "This is a rare chance, so we want to try flying
in the sky of another world" resulted in this.
"UOOOOOOOOH"
"HOAAAAAAAH"
It went without saying who was the people who were making those strange
voices. It was the Nagumo spouses. They held on the handrail on the rear
deck and leaned their body forward to gaze at the superb view of another
world. As for the strange voices, it seemed it was because they were deeply
moved.
And then, although the other weren't raising strange voices like those two,
the Shirasaki spouses, Hatayama Akiko, and the members of Yaegashi
family were also similarly feeling moved seeing the other world's sky,
mountains, plains, and the European Middle Ages styled cities and villages
that sometimes came into view.
The scenery that they were seeing right now itself was moving, but it was
also added with how they were staring at the surrounding area outside the
plane that was moving in high altitude. The experience that was impossible
to get in earth made them couldn't help it to feel excited even though they
were adults.
"Son! You are amazing!"
"Son! You are the best!"
"Well, thanks."
Shuu and Sumire rotated their upper body and snapped up a thumb up to
behind them. The synchronization in their words and action made one
wondered whether they had made prior arrangement beforehand. Though
for Hajime, his parents were already like this since he became aware, so it
was already too late to wonder about that.
Hajime smiled wryly at the delight and action of his parents. Tomoichi
asked him then with a bit of excitement.
"Hajime-kun. What's with this avant-garde hull? How about the propulsive
power? How can something this big is flying even though it has this kind of
shape? Or rather, in this altitude we aren't having trouble breathing or even
feeling the slightest breeze…"
Hajime's wry smile deepened at Tomichi who looked like he would press
his question further even now while explaining.
So to speak, Ferner was moving by adjusting the gravity neutralization
effect and the gravitational direction from the gravity stone. More
accurately speaking, the airship was "falling" rather than "flying".
So to speak, the propulsive force came from magic power, as long as
Hajime was on board, he could freely move the ship no matter where he
was. There was a barrier put up so the wind pressure could also be adjusted,
and so on.
Also, about the avant-garde hull――the shape that was like manta fish was
because of Hajime's preference. Things like aerodynamics and the like, he
didn't give a damn about those things, so he said.
"No, how should I say it, it's really fantastical huh…"
"Fufuh, Otou-san, Otou-san. Hajime-kun is amazing right?"
"…"
Tomoichi-san fell silent morosely. His daughter circled to in front of him
and pressed for answer, but he turned around and drove her out from his
vision. When Kaori circled around once more, he turned around. Tomichi,
turn-. Kaori, turnn-.
The Shirasaki father and daughter was turning and turning and turning.
It was the persistent offense and defense of the father and daughter, but seen
from the side it only looked like a super close parent and child. The
atmosphere was naturally getting filled with warmth and smile.
Tomoichi was sending a gaze that was filled with demand for help! To his
wife.
Kaoruko was making a gaze as though she was looking at difficult people
while her gaze turned toward Hajime. It seemed she left it completely to
him. Please change the topic okay! Her gaze said.
Hajime shrugged in acknowledgement and after showing a pondering look
for a bit, he grinned widely.
"Oi, Tio."
"Mu?… Aa, I see. Kuku, I doth not mind."
Tio was quick on the uptake. The two of them really had mutual
understanding of each other.
Everyone's gaze was turned at Hajime and Tio, at the same time the two of
them started walking together to the edge of the deck.
"Yue, take care of the ship's handling."
"…Nn. Have fun."
Yue laughed 'fufu'. Sure enough, it seemed she had completely grasped the
intention of Hajime and Tio. She poured her magic power into Ferner and
accepted the control of the ship while smiling gently.
"Tou-san, I'll show you an astounding fantasy scene after this. It will be a
fantasy among fantasy that anyone will absolutely admire if they are a
man."
"What? Hajime, just what in the world are you planni――"
Shuu didn't even hide his excited face after hearing his son's words, but the
next moment, his expression became frozen.
Because Hajime and Tio jumped off the ship.
A single hop from Ferner, really casually.
"Heh?"
"Eh, huh?"
Shuu and Sumire were dumbfounded with mouth gaping open. Tomoichi
and others were also in a daze with their mouth staying open.
But, the next moment they raised a shocked yell 'WAAAAAAAAH!?' and
rushed forward toward the deck's handrail.
Yue and others the wive~s were completely calm. Despite that they didn't
notice that fact at all and they leaned forward while holding on the handrail
to look below in order to search after Hajime and Tio who suddenly leaped
to their death.
It was right at that moment.
――'GURUAAAAAAAAH!!'
A grand and majestic roar that stirred the air hit the ears.
Shuu and others spontaneously jerked and backed away while trembling.
Ahead of their gaze, a giant jet black shadow passed through from below to
above.
Akiko and Kaoruko unconsciously fell on their butt from the impact of the
view. The shadow that was causing that by rushing in the sky was of course,
"Dra, dragon!"
Shuu's emotional and shocked voice echoed to the surrounding.
He already knew. That she was able to transform into dragon like what
came out in book or game. He had also seen it for real before.
Although, this was the first time Shuu and Sumire saw her flying in the sky
freely like this. In the end they had only seen her figure transforming on the
ground.
Above Ferner that was gliding in the sky, Tio in the black dragon form was
circling around elegantly.
The jet black dragon scale that was shining from the sunlight reflection was
very beautiful. The large wings that were catching the wind and the huge
body that was full of impact were tremendously majestic.
One more roar surged out as service. This time it was accompanied with a
scorching breath attack.
The eyes of Shuu and others who were looking up from the deck of Ferner
were emitting a shine that didn't lose to the sunlight. They were letting gout
voice of excitement that sounded similar like a roar.
Tio circled around above them one more time before flying parallel to
Ferner with smooth gliding.
"How's that, Tou-san? Great right?"
Hajime said that while unusually sticking out his chest looking incredibly
proud. He was standing imposingly on Tio's back with his arms folded
while grinning.
"I'm totally jealous-. A man's romance is right in front of meee-"
Shuu hit the handrail in frustration repeatedly. He was also kicking the
ground with a vexed look.
Hajime laughed cheerfully seeing his father looking like that. Then he told
Tio to land on the deck.
"It seems Tio doesn't mind, so how about Tou-san and everyone else also
ride on her back? Flying on the sky riding on a dragon's back in another
world will be a nice memory of a lifetime you know?"
"…Tou-san has never felt so grateful like today, for having a son like you
who have a dragon wife. Please let meee!"
"Tio-chan! Actually I had the thinking that someday I want to ask to ride
on you! Please"
[Fufu, it wouldst be mine pleasure if it's Hahaue-dono and Chichiue-dono.
The others art also like family to me, so come up without worry, because I
wouldst guarantee thy safety.]
The voice of Tio that was directly resounding inside their head seemed to
make Tomoichi and others to be convinced for real that the majestic black
dragon near them was really Tio. They nodded up and down in high speed
speechlessly.
Like that, Shuu and Sumire rode on Tio first and Tio leaped up to the sky
once more.
Just when it seemed they looked a bit scared, as expected from the parents
of Hajime, the spouses' tension was at max right from the start. Shuu was
even hopping up and down on Tio's back while yelling 'hyaho~i'.
[…Fumu]
"Hm? What's the matter Tio?"
Hajime sharply noticed Tio letting out a voice that sounded deeply emotive
and asked. Then, Tio spoke with a voice that sounded vaguely in agony.
[No, it's nothing big. Being stepped on like this by Goshujin-sama's
parents art quiet pleasant in its own wa――]
"Hmph"
[HIGYAAAAAATHANK YOU VERY MUUCHH!]
Goshujin-sama's fist that impacted hard until the internal organs smashed
on the back of the perverted hopeless dragon. The hopeless dragon-san
smoothly spoke out her gratitude even while screaming.
The terrific impact caused the altitude to drop with a jerk and the body
balance crumbled.
"――ah"
Shuu fell leaving behind that voice. Like that "aAAAAAAAAAA~~~" a
trailing scream resounded through the sky.
Hajime made a face that said "Ah, damn it" , while beside him Sumire
screamed "DEAAAAAARRR~". And then, a silver flash rushed at the
corner of their vision.
A beat later.
"Geez-, Hajime-kun, what are you doing! Otou-san almost turned into a
stain in the ground just now!"
Kaori flapped her silver wings to fly up while carrying Shuu in her arms
from behind.
Shuu who experienced skydiving without parachute was muttering "Thank
you very much, thank you very much-. Living is wonderful…" while his
eyes were half rolled back.
"Well, even if he become a stain on the ground, if it's Kaori then it's
recoverable…"
"Don't treat father-in-lawOtou-san like a broken doll! Geez… treat life
with care, you know?"
Although there was limitation to a certain degree, the demon king-sama's
group had basically risen above death. Even Hajime himself was starting to
have thinking like "It's fine, it will only be death for a bit. It will only
really be for a bit" taking root inside himself.
*Flap flap. Flap flap.* The silver wings that actually didn't need to be
flapped at all to fly were flapping adorably due to habit and Kaori returned
Shuu on Tio's back.
The moment it became obvious that there wasn't any particular problem,
Shuu stared fixedly at Sumire who was laughing while holding her stomach
while raising his voice toward Tomoichi who was on the deck.
"Tomoichi-ku~~~~n! It's just like you saiiid, Kaori-chan is~, certainly an
angel!!"
"That's right isn't it! Kaori is an angel! Kaoriii~, that was amazing~! You
did great! But, Otou-san's life has shrunk by fifty years here, so please
don't suddenly jump off anymore~"
It seemed that Tomoichi-san would soon run out of life span.
[Chichiue-dono, I beg for thy forgiveness.]
"No no, that's fine. I was getting a bit too high spirited. And it was also
really thrilling."
"Pupupu~, dear, you went [Aa~~~] in real life! Ahahahah"
Laughin unreservedly at her husband's shameful sight was Sumire quality.
Shuu cleared his throat to cover up his embarrassment while attempting to
shift the topic.
"The great labyrinth we are going to right now is also a really thrilling
place right? That free diving was a good side entertainment."
"I think the thrill of a great labyrinth is different from just now though…"
There, Hajime who was also smiling a bit like Sumire made a slightly
worried expression.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san. As I thought, I think it's better to only visit the surface
floor and Oscar's hideout in Orcus. Fighting against monster is… it's more
gruesome than Tou-san and others think…"
"No, Hajime. We came here because we want to know the track that you
followed. I want you to show us what kind of path you were walking."
"…"
Although, Hajime wondered how much he should show them. In his
opinion, the happening before he fell into abyss and the survival after he
encountered Yue would be fine to be shown.
That was as long as the two of them, and also Tomoichi and others didn't
give up from the bloody battle.
However, the event at that time when he went through the change of his
mind…
He flatly refused to do something like bragging of his misfortune. There
would be no point of him purposely showing the bloody and nauseating
event. If they wanted to know about the path that he walked, he thought that
it would be enough to start from after his encounter with Yue.
But, would Shuu and Sumire be convinced with that much…
It would be great if it went well and they let the censoring passed. Hajime
was thinking of such thing for a while.
[Kuku. Even Goshujin-sama who was always quick and decisive art also a
parents' child. I couldst see thou straying in various things before thy
parents.]
She was saying those words while laughing slightly, but her voice was filled
with gentleness, understanding, and also affection toward Hajime's
hesitation.
It seemed that the telepathy was sent only to Hajime seeing that Sumire and
Shuu didn't react.
Being seen through at various things and having a definite affection
directed to him like this made Hajime to avert his gaze to faraway in
embarrassment.
"You're right. I'm like this in front of family, "princess Tio"."
[!?]
"Really thank you for always considerate at various things, "princess Tio".
You are always reliable, "princess Tio". No, I'm seriously not your match,
"your highness"."
[Stop calling me princessss-. That is truly embarrassing! Goshujin-sama!
Thou art childish!]
Strength left Hajime's shoulders and he sat down cross-legged. He then
caressed the solid and smooth scale with a surprisingly gentle hand
movement. Tio slightly shook as though writhing emotionally.
"Tio, turn around. Also hold back that expectant gaze of yours. Perform a
lovely sightseeing flight okay?"
[Right-. Leave it to me. I'll have them taste to their heart content, just how
great the black dragon of Goshujin-sama art.]
Question mark floated above Shuu and Sumire seeing the intimate
conversation of their son and his dragon wife that seemed to have ticklishly
sweet atmosphere somehow. Even so they were sending a gentle gaze at
their son.
After that, Tomoichi and others also enjoyed being dragon rider to their
heart content. Then the group arrived at the city of Horuad while their
excitement hadn't cooled down.
.
"…Right, everyone. Here is the spot where the famous incident "Kaori-san
confessed wholeheartedly, she got easily rejected though and went
pugyaaa" took place."
"YUEEE!!"
In front of Orcus Great Labyrinth, the cat fight that was like usual occurred.
Hajime and others who entered Horuad introduced the inn that they once
stayed at and the guild that they used while going until the entrance of
Orcus Great Labyrinth.
Like that, the first voice that Yue spoke out was that.
Tomoichi's gaze became fierce. "You bastaardd, why the hell you rejected
my angel, huuuh!?" He spoke with a thuggish look like that.
However, surely even if the place got introduced as "The place where her
confession succeeded" , there was no doubt that he would still say "You
bastaardd, what do you mean that you are going out with my angelll,
huuuh!?" with a thuggish look.
While Kaoruko, Kirino, and Akiko were giving a deeply interested gaze
that said "Oh my" , Shia smiled wryly while giving mediating words.
"Eeer, about that. It's not like it was just Kaori-san who got rejected by
Hajime-san. Other than Yue-san, everyone got thoroughly rejected after
all."
"My, is that so? Shia-chan also got rejected?"
"Somehow that sounds hard to believe."
Kaoruko and Kirino's eyes turned into saucer because they knew about the
current intimate relationship of Hajime and co.
Myuu smiled cheerfully while adding the explanation at the two.
"For papa Yue-oneechan was "special" nano!"
Kaori whose appearance was a bit messy made a displeased expression as
though to confirm those words and said.
"It's frustrating but, that's how it was, Okaa-san."
"Truly. Goshujin-sama at that time was completely an adherent of Yue
supremacy doctrine."
"He hasn't changed that much even now though~"
Tio and Shia muttered in nostalgia. Aiko and Shizuku smiled wryly while
continuing after them.
"Thinking back, Shia-san's guts was amazing. Even though when I reunited
with Hajime-kun it was a Hajime-kun that was a complete believer of Yue
supremacy doctrine, she still brazenly declared [I'm Hajime-san's woman
desu]."
"In a sense, that time of confession was Kaori's turning point. Since then,
Kaori began to rush nonstop to a strange direction."
It was human's nature to become absurdly curious when seeing the related
party to be immersed in recollection by that much. Especially when there
was a method to reproduce that scene, then it would be even more so.
Kaoruko's eyes shined and she pressed on Yue.
"Yue-san Yue-san. Can you reproduce Kaori's confessions scene?"
"…That's a piece of cake, Kaori mama."
Yue's crimson eyes sparkled. She gave a powerful thumb up. Kaori attacked
to stop her…
Kaori mama pinioned her from behind.
Kaori papa who didn't want to see something like his daughter's confession
scene tried to chide his wife, but before that the magic of past viewing
activated.
And then, the confession scene was unfolding before their eyes.
[I love you.]
"NOOOOOOO~~, DON'T LOOOKKK~~~!"
Kaori who turned bright red blocked her ears with her hands while yelling
'no no', but the past image was mercilessly progressing. The eyes of her
mother were shining brilliantly as though saying "Myy myy".
Inside the image, Hajime turned Kaori down, however, she exposed herself
with strong gaze and words.
And then, at the corner of the image, for some reason there were men piled
up with this and that getting discharged from their crotch…
[Because, my feeling that think of Hajime-kun won't lose against anyone.]
"NYUWAAAAAAAA~"
Kaori tried to drown out her own words with a loud strange voice, but her
line resounded clearly.
By the way, they were at a public place, so naturally there were a lot of
people. Like adventurers, or merchants… Everyone had warm eyes like
"Hou" or "Oh my".
Anyway, Kaori kept blocking her ears and rolled around on the ground
while hugging her knees. It seemed she couldn't help but roll in a frenzy
from the overflow of her embarrassment.
The battle of woman inside the image ended, and at the end Yue gave
permission for Kaori to accompany them while Hajime got left out from the
talk for some reason, and then the two smiled at each other fearlessly.
It was the moment of beginning of the history of the love rivals that still
continued even now.
"Watching it once again, rather than the beginning of Hajime and Kaori, it's
more the beginning of Yue and Kaori. They are super close with each other
using the love rival relationship as cover."
""We aren't close!""
Yue and Kaori intimately objected in synchronization. They were really
close with each other.
By the way, the image of Kouki challenging Hajime to a duel and fell into
hole at that time was also playing, but the kind everyone splendidly
pretended to not see it.
"Uu, Okaa-san you idiot!"
Kaori pointed the tip of her ultra shyness at Kaoruko. However, Kaoruko
gently caressed the head of the crouching Kaori like she was a little kid.
"Fufu, I'm sorry Kaori. But, Kaori was really cool there. As expected from
Okaa-san's daughter. You really did your best."
"uu… Okaa-san…"
Other people were watching, it was a bit embarrassing to be consoled like a
little kid… Kaori fidgeted with blushing cheeks.
"You see, Okaa-san too was fighting against the swarming
cockro――cough, women in order to catch your Otou-san. I remember in
the past~"
"Okaa-san, just now, you said cockroach… hey, just now, you were going
to call other woman as cockroach――"
"Your Otou-san, he was really, really popular. What's more, he was
someone who couldn't differentiate between being kind and pampering, he
was being kind to any kind of cockr――woman, so Okaa-san had it hard."
"Ka, Kaoruko? You don't need to go that far about the matter of the past I
think? I think? We are in front of Kaori, look, there are also everyone else,
right?"
"Otou-san. More importantly than that, Okaa-san called other woman
cockroach…"
It seemed that the Shirasaki spouses had also gone through various things.
Tomoichi-san was sweating like rivers, while Kaori-san was put off that her
mother almost called other woman as cockroach so naturally.
The bearer of the original Hannya, the current user of Yaksha
stan○――Shirasaki Kaoruko.
Seeing from this, indeed, it seemed that Kaori had really inherited her
blood. As expected, Kaori didn't call other woman cockroach, but that must
be because luckily she was similar with Tomoichi in that aspect.
Soon the crowd of people would get too big, it looked like it would become
a commotion if they stayed longer than this.
Hajime thought that as expected, this wasn't something to be done in front
of the entrance. He forcefully carried Yue like a sack when she was going to
invite even more chaos by saying "… And then, this is the figure of
Shizuku rejoicing from receiving a present of sharp thing from her best
friend's loved one" , and he urged everyone to enter inside Orcus Great
Labyrinth.
.
"Hou, it's quite developed. It looks exactly like a game's dungeon."
"Really. The lighting is… aa, is this the green light stone Hajime
mentioned? A natural mineral become lighting for the place as it is."
Shuu and Sumire were looking around busily inside the dungeon with great
interest.
Tomoichi and others too surely had the image that the place would be
darker and eerie like a tunnel. They seemed to be greatly interested seeing
that the path was unexpectedly developed.
"The monsters that comes out in the surface of Orcus aren't a big deal. But
raw material can be taken from them to a certain degree. With the level of
the monsters here, not just low level adventurers, even civilian can manage
somehow, so there is also a lot of demand. That's why this area is properly
developed."
Hajime's explanation that was like a tour guide was added further by Kaori.
"Conversely, if you come out to a place like a natural cave that isn't
developed, it means that it's a place that is dangerous for people who aren't
combatant, so be careful okay?"
Hajime said "Although…" there while pulling out Donner with really
natural movement.
And then, he pulled the trigger even without really taking aim. It wasn't
accelerated electromagnetically, even so the firing sound was loud and
echoed greatly due to the location.
The bursting sound that made the air shook made Shuu and others to turn
their gaze to the front in surprise.
Over there, there was a monster like mice with its head blown away. It was
a ratman.
"Uh"
"…"
Kaoruko covered her mouth with her hand while Akiko went a bit pale. It
seemed the people of Yaegashi family were calm, but even Tomoichi's
expression looked tense.
Even more ratmen crawled out from the corner ahead. They shrieked up
'KIIIIIII' which sounded harsh on the ear and their dark red eyes glinted
fiercely with killing intent.
Clear killing intent and hostility rode on the wave of air that descended on
the group. Kaoruko immediately clung on Tomoichi while feeling like weak
in the knees. Tomoichi was supporting her with pale expression.
Beside Hajime, Yue was looking up at him wordlessly. Hajime guessed
what her gaze was saying, but he smiled and shook his head.
Right after that, the group of ratmen fiercely rushed forward. Their number
was roughly thirteen.
"O, oi, Hajime? That's――"
"Hajime, it's alright isn't it?"
Shuu and Sumire asked in a bit of agitation. Hajime answered with his
action.
Firing sounds burst out consecutively. It was precisely five shots. One shot
would open wind hole on several of the ratmen altogether, furthermore the
penetrating bullets would ricochet and dug into the remaining targets.
It was a swift killing, no, it was truly an instant killing.
Shuu and Sumire, and then Tomoichi and others were dumbfounded in mute
amazement seeing gun fired from nearby and the technique that looked like
it came out right from Hollywood.
Even calling the fight overwhelming would still be presumptuous. It was a
difference of status between both sides that was exactly like an elephant
stomping on ants. They couldn't help but feeling that.
Hajime made his "treasure warehouse" shined and summoned bullets from
empty air like it was nothing and casually performed gun spin reload while
turning around. The bullets were loaded into the cylinder like a joke, and
just right after they perceived that the gun was put into a holster with
flowing motion.
"Just as you saw, even if we are in the abyss, there isn't anything here that
is a match against me. And just like Kaori said, I hope you all would refrain
from acting on your own because of curiosity but… well, Yue and others
are also here so it's fine even if you think that there would be no danger
here."
Tio and Shia stayed in the rear, while Kaori, Shizuku and Aiko stayed at the
left and right. As long as they were staying in the middle of that formation,
nothing would happen even in the worst case.
There was one problem. The reason why the monsters weren't turned into
ash by Yue's magic or turned into dust by Kaori's disintegration, but dealt
with gunshot that left behind remains which looked the most graphic in a
sense.
"So, how is it? As expected, should we just go directly to Oscar's
hideout?"
That question was especially directed to Kaoruko and Akiko.
They must had understood how graphic a battle could get from the scene
just now. Although they were monsters, seeing a living thing burst out right
before them was a traumatic shocking sight.
However, the image of the past they would see from here on would be even
more gruesome than this. It would be better if they rethought once more
right now.
This was a consideration from Hajime who was thinking that. Sumire who
saw the how greatly shaken Kaoruko and Akiko were proposed that the two
of them took a rest at the hideout ahead of them.
It seemed that Sumire and Shuu didn't plan to pull back. They intended to
follow after the track of Hajime till the end.
Kaoruko looked at Tomoichi. Tomoichi nodded with a strong gaze even
while he was still a bit pale. Kaoruko looked at Akiko next. Aiko was
worried about her and grasped her hand, but she too took a firm look at
Aiko and then turned her gaze to Kaoruko and gave a strong nod.
After Kaoruko saw that, she looked like she had resolved herself.
"No, we are fine Hajime-kun. Please teach us too the path all of you have
gone through… I too want to know the path my daughter had followed."
"…I understand. But, please don't force yourself. The chance isn't just this
time. If it's necessary, I'll be available anytime to show you anything."
Seeing Kaoruko recovering her smile back and saying her thanks, Hajime
shrugged with a troubled expression in resignation.
After the parents cleared the first barrier, he advanced while talking about
the memory of that time.
Midway a monster that looked like a cute raccoon came out,
"Kukyu?"
"Uh"
Shizuku who loved cute things hesitated a bit. This monster almost had no
combat ability, but it had a battle style of approaching with its adorable
appearance and then injected a powerful paralysis poison with a bite. And
so, there was no danger even if she hesitated but…
"Haa, I'm not good with this type――"
"Ei-"
*Supan-*, a pleasant sound resounded. The raccoon-chan cried "Kukyu?"
and its head flew.
The perpetrator was Kaori-san.
Kaori turned around while behind a fountain of blood spurted out from the
monster's neck.
"Shizuku-chan, it's alright? Leave this kind of thing to me!"
"…Yes."
The empty eyes of the raccoon's head that was rolling on the floor was
looking at Shizuku hatefully.
Shizuku replied with a faraway look. Surely ahead of her gaze there was the
Kaori of the past who was gentle and unrelated with violence.
Kaori papa and Kaori mama who were making the same faraway look
behind Shizuku undoubtedly were also recalling their past daughter in
nostalgia.
After that, Shuuzou and others said "I can't endure anymore! Let us fight!"
, so they advanced while experiencing real battle under their daughter's
supervision. After a while, the group finally arrived at floor 20 that
connected to the floor 65.
The first thing they did was taking care of several Rock Mount that were
camouflaging themselves as rock by disintegrating them, opening win hole
on their body, splattering them, or turning them into ash.
"I think you can call this place the fated crossroad. It has been removed
right now but, at that spot there was a crystal with beautiful appearance
called Glanz crystal, but it was a trap that teleported the victims to floor
65."
Tomoichi asked with a complicated expression after hearing Hajime's
explanation.
"…I heard. The kid that once killed Kaori, activated that trap right?"
"Yes, that's right. That guy had feeling for Kaori, and because of that he
reached out for that Glanz crystal for her."
"I wonder, what would happen if that time I didn't show interest to that
crystal…"
Would their fate change? Kaori showed a complicated expression.
Hajime kindly patted the head of Kaori who was like that while speaking.
"It wouldn't change anything. He didn't act because of one cause… The
target of his scorn which was a virtually incompetent guy had the attention
of the girl he liked. The days in the school and then everything that
happened since coming to this Tortus were nurturing the seed of killing
intent inside that guy."
And then, he literally "succumbed to evil temptation". He, the human called
Hiyama Daisuke didn't have the strength to oppose that devil's whisper.
"There is no need to worry about it, both in good meaning or bad
meaning."
Hajime asserted firmly with unwavering tone toward Tomoichi and others
whose complicated thought was showing on their face from hearing the
deed of the classmate who died in another world.
"That guy is already gone. I killed him. Everyone doesn't need to feel
troubled about that guy or that guy's family. Even if there is a need to
worry, it will be my burden. It will be troubling if other people get
concerned on their own about my burden."
'I've got no plan to feel burdened about it though', Hajime read the
atmosphere and didn't say that.
It was a harsh manner of speaking that felt like rejecting away others, but it
was clear that those words were filled with thoughtfulness toward Tomoichi
and others. Tomoichi and co relaxed their expression slightly.
Even so, perhaps in order to change the atmosphere that had become
slightly gloomy, our Yue-sama took a step forward.
"…Don't worry, Kaori. It's just as Hajime said, nothing would change."
"Yue…"
The smile of Yue that was even emitting kindness made Kaori's expression
broke out into a smile…
"…Yes, no~thing would change. Hajime would encounter me without a
doubt, and inevitably rejected Kaori."
"Yue?"
Yue-sama threw out her chest and snorted 'fufuh'.
"…Because, Hajime said it. Even if he returned to the past, [I'll follow the
same path no matter how many times] [I want to meet Yue after all] he
said."
'Mufufuh', Yue-sama laughed while her hand elegantly covered her mouth.
*Snap* Kaori kept smiling while blood vein pulsed on her forehead.
"…Yes, Hajime would come to meet me. Leaving Kaori behind! Leaving
Kaori behind! No matter how many――"
"Disintegrate!!"
A silver flash surged out while grazing Yue's head. The thrust of a large
sword that was clad with disintegration magic was unleashed!
If Yue didn't immediately bent down, she would become like the raccoonchan before this!
"…My, my scalp, it got slightly shaved, perhaps"
"Chih, I missed."
Yue-sama held her head with both hands saying "Even though the
experience of my scalp getting shaved happening once is enough…" while
her eyes became slightly tearful. It seemed she still perfectly remembered
how in the past she got shot by Hajime.
"…You-, this stupid Kaori! It's really childish to get angry from hearing the
truth!"
"Yue is the bad one! Besides, I'm still in my teenage year! Not like Yue!
Eh, come to think of it, Yue-san Yue-san, how old are you right now?"
"…Die"
"Come at me!"
Yue and Kaori started quarreling that was like breathing to them.
Certainly the atmosphere had returned to normal but… at this point this felt
a bit exasperating already.
While the two were grappling with each other, they
"If the trap didn't activate, various things would absolutely change I'm
telling you!"
"…No way it would change! No matter what kind of path it was, it's
destiny that Hajime would meet me!"
"The, then, it will be fine if I lock him up! Like in the inn or in the
palace… anyway I'll just lock him up! If it's Hajime-kun at that time even I
can lock him up anyway!"
"…Confinement!? Terrible!"
"I, it's not terrible! Everything is for Hajime-kun's sake!"
"…Kaori you psycho! Rather than getting confined by the dangerous
Kaori, better me who confine Hajime!"
"No! I'll be the one confining him!"
"…I'm the one-, who am going to-, confine him!"
'Confine, confine! Confine Hajime in!' Yue-sama and Kaori-san grappled
with each other while repeatedly yelling that.
Hajime opened his mouth with unusually pale expression and also
trembling voice.
"The past me was really in serious danger huh. Before talking about
Hiyama or whatever, the imprisonment bad end from Kaori and Yue was
right beside me… look, this arm. It's really getting goose bumps."
A hand gently patted Hajime's shoulder that was slightly trembling.
Unexpectedly it was Tomoichi.
"Hajime-kun. It's fine, in the end love will win. I too, in the past I also got
confined by Kaoruko."
'This uncle, he suddenly revealed something outrageous'… not just Hajime,
everyone other than the two grappling with each other also thought that. It
was only Kaoruko who for some reason was fidgeting with embarrassed
look while saying "Geez dear, don't mention that".
"You see, at first she would only come to look after me devotedly like a
regularly visiting wife, but during that time her private items keep
increasing inside my room, and when I realized it was like the two of us
were living together…"
"E, err, Tomoichi-san?"
Tomoichi-san was looking back at the past while slightly trembling. What's
this, it looked like light was gradually vanishing from his eyes…
"We were always together when going out, even though we had different
class in the university, when I noticed she would be waiting for me outside
the classroom…"
"O, o~i! Kaori! Stop fighting and look after your father for me! Somehow
this looks bad!"
Tomoichi-san's eyes were rapidly getting blank.
"Kaoruko would do all of the shopping, so there wouldn't be any need for
me to go out other than for a date. But, even that date would gradually turn
into things like watching movie inside the house, or spending comfortable
time together, things like that…"
"Kaoruko-san! Your husband's eyes are dead you know!?"
Kaoruko-san was blushing hearing her husband talking about their life
before marriage while fidgeting.
"I wonder when did it happen. Once I went out for drinking with the girls
in the university, then the next day, Kaoruko told me. [It's okay that you
don't go to the university anymore. Leave everything to me. It will be fine
if Tomoichi-san stays forever in this room] she said…"
"Kaoriii-!! The dangerous one was actually your mother! Ah, no, you are
also a dangerous enough girl huh! God dammit!"
'Tomoichi-san! Return to your senses!' Hajime said while shaking him back
and forth.
Tomoichi gasped and returned to his senses, then he looked at his daughter
who was still making racket about 'confinement-confinement'…
"Hajime-kun. Call me when it get bad. I'll give you some advice."
"…Yes, thank you very much, Tomoichi-san. If it feels like Kaori finally
become like "that", at that time please let me listen to your life experience."
Right now they looked like a happy husband and wife, so surely Tomoichi
had handled the past yandere Kaoruko well.
In Hajime's view, for the first time Tomoichi looked like a very reliable
adult.
And then, seeing Hajime honestly begging for help with an expression that
was slightly twitching, Tomoichi too was also feeling something.
The two of them exchanged a powerful handshake with each other.
Hajime and Tomoichi. It was the instant where the distance of their heart
shrunk by a little.
After that, Myuu who was actually having fun with following the track of
the Hajime before she met him remonstrated Yue and Kaori because the
group didn't make any progress at the slightest due to their quarrel.
She came forward, faced the two and pointed her finger forward and said
"Myuu know the two of you are really close with each other nano! That's
why please be a bit more quiet nano! Both Yue-oneechan and Kaorioneechan are bad nano!".
To think that a five years old little girl would caution them with "Let's be
quiet"…
Yue and Kaori who were told that they were bad got depressed and sat with
seiza posture before Myuu, and they apologized "… Sorry that Kaori is too
high spirited""Forgive Yue for her noisiness".
Like that, the group that pulled themselves back together finally teleported
to the floor 65 using the gate, toward the destination of that trap.