Kiraboshi Yoshiko and Jougasaki Kawai.
I haven’t heard the exact details of how the two became friends again.
However, looking at Kiraboshi’s radiant expression and Jougasaki’s demeanor like a frightened kitten, one could easily imagine.
Kageichi himself doesn’t particularly care about Jougasaki, so he’s fine with whatever the two of them want to do.
Now, it’s time for some witty banter.
“What do you think, Jougasaki-san? Personally, I think Kiraboshi-san is suited to be a Hunter, or a Cleaner of Dungeons.”
“I-Is that… something… I should answer…?”
“Of course. Her work ethic is earnest and meticulous. She possesses a high level of observation skills and calm action when dealing with Monsters, and above all, she has the right amount of guts and madness. As someone who has experienced it, wouldn’t you agree?”
Jougasaki’s shoulders jumped at Kageichi’s reply, and soon she began to pale and tremble like a little rabbit.
It seems the two are bound by a deeper friendship than Kageichi imagined. That’s a very good thing.
“Umm… Kiraboshi-san… I just didn’t know… but I think… she’s very… suited for it. E-Even when she’s defeating Monsters, she pounces with that face… and punches…”
“Jougasaki-san. Please don’t make me sound like just a violent woman, okay?”
“Hii… I-I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright. And you don’t have to be so scared. We’re friends, right?”
Kiraboshi smiled sweetly, and Jougasaki nodded, her whole body stiffening.
From an old man’s perspective, it’s wonderful to see two classmates getting along, and the growth of his disciple is also remarkable. It was worth the effort he put in behind the scenes.
“Ah, youth,” Kageichi said, teasing the two while finishing the documents, and then closed his laptop.
He’ll leave the rest to them.
Although they are high school students, they are not children, so it’s not good for adults to interfere more than necessary.
Besides, Kageichi has other work to do.
“Kiraboshi-san. Thank you for your cooperation in creating the report. …And I’m sorry, but I must excuse myself for today. I have a flight scheduled.”
“Sensei, are you going on a trip?”
“Just a few errands. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
Adjusting his tie, Kageichi thanked the two, took the bill, and left the café.
–When he was first asked to take her on as a disciple, he honestly didn’t have high expectations, he thinks.
But Kiraboshi has grown far beyond Kageichi’s imagination.
She will eventually become a valuable asset, and he will continue to see interesting things in the future.
For her future, and for Kageichi’s own peace of mind.
He must finish the last job properly, and he hurried to the airport.
*
Kiraboshi, who saw him off, smiled sweetly at Jougasaki.
“My Sensei is such an adult, isn’t he…”
“…Yes, well…”
“Jougasaki-san, if you have any worries, why don’t you consult him once?”
She whispers that Sensei will surely respond, but Jougasaki can only return a half-hearted smile.
Her thoughts are hazy and vague.
…Her mind isn’t working properly.
She never imagined that humans could be such terrifying beings.
Jougasaki is now bound by fear, only able to respond like a doll.
Trembling, she stares at Kiraboshi Yoshiko.
Her body flinches at each of her movements.
Is she displeasing her?
Will she say something unnecessary?
Will she get angry? Is she in a bad mood? Will she suddenly grab her hair and hit her because of something she blurted out–like a herbivore fearing a carnivore, she trembles at her every move, and her mind doesn’t work properly because she is so wary.
…In theory, she understands.
She should consult her mother and Jiiya about the terrible things she has done to her.
Even though Kiraboshi is strong, she is human… If she consults her mother, she should be able to do something about it.
…But. But.
What if Kiraboshi-san finds out about it…? What if there is no evidence that I was injured…?
Besides, the other day, she explained to the Labyrinth Agency people that Jougasaki and Kiraboshi had happily cleared the Dungeon together.
It would be strange to go back on that now, and besides, it is true that Jougasaki herself left the Dungeon unattended, and Kiraboshi cleaned it up–
No. Such reasoning is…
Actually, it doesn’t matter.
What Jougasaki is afraid of is that even if the truth comes out and Kiraboshi is arrested…
Even if she disappears from this world.
The image that she will crawl up from hell and attack Jougasaki again is already clinging to her like maggots–
“Jougasaki-san.”
“!”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to be so surprised anymore. If you act normal, I won’t be able to lay a hand on you. …More importantly, would you like to go shopping with me later?”
“S-Shopping…?”
“Yes. I’d like to go shopping as friends.”
Kiraboshi is as usual.
No, she’s brighter than usual, or rather, she seems more lively, and her smile seems a little softer.
–That’s why it’s eerie and terrifying.
“Jougasaki-san. There’s a large Dungeon specialty store nearby. Sensei and Hako-san said that your current weapons suit you, but still… a high school girl with only a Chainsaw and Brass Knuckles…”
“…”
“Ah, no, no, I mean, normally, I’d want a cuter weapon or a cooler magic wand… so, I was wondering if you’d like to choose one with me.”
As normal friends.
Like any ordinary, modern, Dungeon-generation high school girl, she wants to see cute weapons too.
“I’m not asking you to pay for it or anything like that. Just like a normal JK.”
“Normal…”
“Because we’re friends, right?”
Right?
She whispers, and despite the fact that it’s a friend’s invitation that she should have wanted from the bottom of her heart–she can’t be happy, and doesn’t want to be happy.
To be honest, it’s nothing but painful–why is this happening?
“Hey, Jougasaki-san. I think you’re having a hard time with our relationship right now, but…”
Kiraboshi tilts the teacup in her hand and smiles wickedly.
“That suffocation is the weight I’ve always felt from the Kamase sisters and you. It’s too late now, so please bear with it?”
“…………”
“I think it’s unfair to be a fun friend when you’re in a favorable position, but not want to be friends when you’re in an unfavorable position. …But well, I don’t think I’ll have a relationship like those sisters, where I just dominate or flatter you for my own convenience.”
She hasn’t thought about anything yet, she says as she gets up.
Let’s go shopping. She invites her as a friend.
…I.
What will become of me?
Will I continue to live my high school life while maintaining this kind of relationship with her?
Vaguely, with a head and heart that still don’t work at all–
I am just led by the hand by her, heading to a fun shopping trip like friends of the same age. There is no other choice.
I’m…
What will become of me?