That Summer ②
The reason I suddenly remembered that, likely because of my own complex, was probably because my age back then was close to my current age now.
“…So I’m still just me after all, huh?”
Somehow, I’d realized it.
Even being reincarnated into this world and living as Woff, I hadn’t changed from my previous life.
That’s just who I am, I suppose.
I mocked myself inwardly.
“Well, it’s not like I particularly want to change, though.”
“Woff?”
Someone called my name.
When I casually turned around, my heart skipped a beat—
Light green hair with white streaks.
Cat ears peeked out from gaps in her hair.
One eye was hidden by her hair, and she had a straw hat hanging on her back.
Two white tails, one long and one short.
It was the beautiful cat beastman girl, Ms. Pachira.
I knew that. I knew that very well.
“………”
“Woff? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, no, well, I was just a little surprised.”
“Hmm?”
She was wearing a pure white one-piece dress.
I was certainly surprised to see her dressed differently than usual.
But that wasn’t it. That wasn’t the main reason for the jolt deep in my heart.
Ms. Pachira’s figure faintly overlapped with the girl from that summer.
“……………”
Even though they’re completely different… maybe it’s because of the white dress?
That must be it.
It was just because the clothes were similar.
Right.
That’s why I was just flustered.
“What’s been the matter with you for a bit now, lad?”
“Ah, um, it’s just that you look different from usual.”
“I wear things like this sometimes, too. Is it strange…?”
Ms. Pachira looked slightly embarrassed.
“It suits you. Very, very much.”
“…I-Is that so?”
She looked down shyly.
“…”
“…”
The air felt kind of awkward. Strangely, uncomfortably awkward.
“Were you, by the way, doing some shopping…?”
Perhaps she felt the same way.
Ms. Pachira’s voice was a bit strained.
“Y-Yes. What were you doing, Ms. Pachira?”
“Taking a walk.”
“By yourself?”
“Aye. Sometimes, I just feel like it. How about you join me?”
“Is that alright?”
“That’s the mood I’m in.”
She started walking. Having no reason to refuse, I walked beside her.
After walking a short distance, we arrived at the ruins of a watchtower overlooking the town.
Only remnants of the Tower remained here and there, but the view was excellent.
Ms. Pachira gazed out, squinting slightly against the light.
“Did something happen?”
As soon as I asked, I felt I might have overstepped.
Ms. Pachira’s cat ears twitched in the breeze.
“Well now. It’s not unrelated to you, lad. Do you recall the matter of accompanying the anomaly subjugation?”
“Ms. Megadia’s, right?”
“Mhm. It’s been decided that I’ll accompany her, and the departure is set for the early morning three days from now.”
Early morning, three days from now, huh?
“So you’re finally going.”
“Aye, that’s right.”
Be careful.
I was about to say the commonplace phrase, but stopped myself.
“Actually, I’m going to a Dungeon too.”
“What did you say?”
The look in her eyes as she turned to me changed.
“Three days from now. As a Baggage Carrier, doing odd jobs.”
“Hoh. A Hired Pup, perhaps?”
“No, not a Hired Pup. An acquaintance asked me.”
“Hmm. You’re going into a Dungeon too, eh. Which party?”
“Fang of Thunder. Have you heard of them?”
“A capable Tier IV party, aren’t they. They’re also famous for not having any Relic users.”
“…They’re famous, huh?”
“Their skill is undeniable. However, Seekers aren’t exactly a gathering of saints, y’see. There are plenty who say things or cause trouble. Maliciously, y’know.”
“Like bullying?”
“—But, being able to handle that sort of thing well is also a sign of their skill.”
“Are they really that good?”
“They’re a model for what Seekers should be.”
“A model…”
For Ms. Pachira to say that much about them… Ax and the others must be amazing.
Though I should probably turn a blind eye to the drawbacks that come with it.
“You’ll likely learn things necessary for a Seeker.”
Learn necessary things. Does that mean…
“You mean I can learn from them?”
“You intend to become a Seeker, don’t you, Woff?”
“Yes.”
“Dungeon Exploration. It is no simple task. Woff. What do you think is the greatest enemy in exploration?”
“Monsters?”
“The environment. Of course, monsters are also a threat. But you never know what might happen inside a Dungeon. And the luggage you can carry is limited. Especially food, y’see.”
“Food?”
“Most Seekers prioritize preserved foods, considering the weight. But preserved foods are limited, and the thinking is just ‘as long as it fills your stomach,’ so… salt-cured dried meat. Cheese thick with fat. Hard black bread. Dried fish. It tends to be things like that. Taste is secondary.”
“…That doesn’t sound very motivating.”
“Exploration becomes painful, y’see. There’s also the issue of sleeping arrangements. Tents, how to set up camp… it’s clear that the environment affects a Seeker’s motivation, up and down. Since Fang of Thunder has the basics down, they’ll likely teach you properly.”
“I see……… Learning. I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
Realizing there was such a way to think about it was like scales falling from my eyes.
Ms. Pachira paused with a “Hmm,” then continued.
“Aye. Those willing to teach are rare indeed. As I said earlier, Seekers are not saints. It’s mostly folks who aren’t kind or gentle. They don’t even think that way.”
“…Right.”
“You can tell just by looking at how Hired Pups are treated.”
“…That’s true.”
I recalled the things I’d seen in town.
They were treated almost like slaves.
“So I think this is a rare, good opportunity.”
“Ah, um, thank you very much.”
“Hmm? I haven’t done anything deserving of thanks.”
Ms. Pachira looked perplexed.
“To be honest, Ms. Pachira… I wasn’t very enthusiastic about this job. It just sort of happened, and I don’t really want to get involved with people, so… frankly, I disliked the idea.”
There was also the fact that I’d keenly felt my own weakness.
Is it okay for someone like me?
“…Hmm.”
“Until I met you just now, Ms. Pachira, I was just thinking I had to do what needed to be done. That was it. But talking with you—about learning—that idea has made me feel a little better. That’s why I wanted to thank you.”
After saying it, I felt like I’d revealed more than I should have.
I felt a little embarrassed. Ms. Pachira looked up at the sky.
“A long time ago, y’see. I used to be a Hired Pup.”
“You were, Ms. Pachira?”
“They called it Hired Pup, but in reality, I was more like an apprentice. I learned everything from a Seeker I could call my master. That truly became a part of me, and it’s why I am who I am today.”
Ms. Pachira looked at me.
“So that’s why you were able to think about it in terms of learning.”
“Mhm. Woff. You go and learn, too. It will surely benefit you.”
Ms. Pachira smiled.
And it overlapped with the smile of the girl from that summer.
When that happened, somehow… somehow, I felt lighter.
I didn’t know what felt lighter, but I definitely felt lighter.
“…Ms. Pachira.”
“What is it?”
“…Aren’t you hungry?”
“Hmm. Well now. Now that you mention it, I am hungry… y’see.”
Ms. Pachira blushed, looking embarrassed.
“In that case, I’m about to cook dinner at my place. Would you like to eat with me?”
Ms. Pachira’s eyes widened just like a cat’s.