Can a Mob Highschooler be a Normie: Chapter 115

Mob Kousei No Ore Demo Boukensha Ni Nareba Riajuu Ni Naremasuka: Chapter #115

Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain

 

 

 

 

Episode 115: Even Though You Habitually Throw Them Away as Carelessly as Pocket Tissues...

　

 

 

"This is..."

 

　The next morning, as I arrived at school, I frowned at the strange feeling.

 

　The school, which I hadn't been to in a while, clearly had a different atmosphere than before.

 

　First off, even though it was time for school, the number of students was noticeably small.

 

　The scene felt like two-thirds to half the size of what I remembered.

 

　Also, the way the students looked at me seemed to have changed a lot.

 

　Before, more than half of their gazes held curiosity or envy tinged with goodwill, and while there were negative emotions like jealousy and suspicion, they weren't particularly strong, and many students were indifferent.

 

　However, in the school I returned to after three weeks, the indifferent students were gone. About 80% of the students directed strong respect or envy towards me, while the remaining 20% harbored intense jealousy or hatred.

 

　Among the former group of students, some would even move to the side of the hallway and bow their heads as I passed. Conversely, among the latter, there were those who would deliberately bump into my shoulder or click their tongues audibly.

 

　Regardless of whether their feelings were positive or negative, neither group's behavior was typical towards a fellow student in the same school.

 

　The former group's reaction even felt closer to the hierarchical relationships in places like the National Defense Academy or something.

 

　While feeling an unsettling sense of being an outsider, I arrived at my classroom to find Shinomiya-san greeting me with her usual smile.

 

　Feeling relieved inside, I took my seat.

 

"Morning, Maro. Feels like it's been a while."

 

"Morning, Shinomiya-san. ...Where is everyone else?"

 

　As we exchanged greetings, I asked about the absence of the other top-caste members. Shinomiya-san gave me an ambiguous smile.

 

"Ah... probably everyone's skipping school again today."

 

"Huh? What do you mean?"

 

"Well, you see, lately everyone's been diving into the dungeon and not coming to school."

 

Huh? You mean I wasn't the only one skipping school to dive into the dungeon? ...Wait, uh, don't tell me...

 

　I cautiously asked, looking around the classroom where nearly half the seats were empty,

 

"Could it be that… all these empty seats are because everyone's off exploring the dungeon?"

 

"Not everyone, but, well, I guess most of them are. About two-thirds of the class are adventurers now."

 

"Seriously...?"

 

That's gotta be the Adventurers’ Club's doing, right...? There's no way regular students could afford D-rank cards so easily, so the only explanation is that the Adventurers’ Club rented them out.

 

"Is that, just our class? It's not the whole school… right?"

 

"U-m, I think our class has a particularly high number, but about half the school is probably in the Adventurers' Club now... "

 

"........................."

 

　I was absolutely stunned.

 

I'm not sure how many people are in this school, but there should be more than 600 students across all grades, you know.

 

Half of that... once you get to that number, it's not a club anymore.

 

"So, you're saying about half the school is skipping classes to dive into the dungeon?"

 

If that's the case, it's beyond the level of classroom disruption.

 

"Well, I don't think it's to that extent... It seems like they're taking turns, so maybe it's around half of that number."

 

So, in our class, it's about a third, and in other classes maybe a quarter.

 

Still a lot of absences though...

 

"That, the teachers aren't saying anything about it?"

 

"U-n, that's the thing... it seems like the teachers are really divided on the issue. It feels like they've split right down the middle into pro-Adventurers’ Club and anti- Adventurers' Club factions."

 

Uwah, it's even affecting the teachers...?

 

"Hiyori-chan is a leading figure in the pro-Adventurers‘ Club faction, and she's been constantly diving into the dungeon to guide the students. Consequently, all her classes have turned into self-study... and the other teachers of the pro-Adventurers’ Club faction are similar, so it's mostly the anti-Adventurers’ Club teachers who come around to supervise the self-study..."

 

At that point, they're not even qualified to be teachers...

 

　Even high schools known as havens for delinquents have teachers with a bit more enthusiasm than that.

 

　No wonder there's an anti-Adventurers’ Club faction. They've got colleagues dumping their work on them to go to the dungeon.

 

I can also understand the gazes I got on the way here now. Basically, the students are also divided into pro- and anti-Adventurers’ Club factions.

 

The former respect me as a higher-ranking adventurer, while the latter direct their hate towards the Adventurers’ Club for practically collapsing the education system. It wouldn't surprise me if some of those in the latter group were students who wanted to join the Adventurers’ Club but failed the interview.

 

…Well, whatever. I'll just ask Anna directly about this later.

 

"...If about a third of the class is in the dungeon, why does it seem like there are even more empty seats than that?"

 

"Those kids are absent for family reasons. Some are confined at home because attending school is considered too dangerous, and there are also quite a few families who have relocated to prefectures or islands with fewer dungeons."

 

"Ahー, I see."

 

Yeah, it's about time families like that started appearing.

　

While the school itself is safe thanks to the Adventurers’ Club, most students don't know that, and commuting to school is a risk in itself. There are statistics showing that the number of dungeons is proportional to the population, so the option of moving to less populated areas is understandable.

 

...Especially since it seems there are even teachers who come to school but don't even hold classes now. From the perspective of a regular student, there's really no reason to come.

 

Come to think of it, why is Shinomiya-san even here at school?

 

"...Shinomiya-san, why are you coming to school? Um, no offense or anything."

 

"Uh, I, well, you know...”

 

　Shinomiya-san's cheeks flushed slightly, she glanced at me, and then looked down.

 

................................................ This, reaction…

 

No, wait. Don't get the wrong idea. Remember the dark history (lessons learned) from middle school.

 

What happened when you thought the girl in the next seat had a crush on you and you tried your best to talk to her every day?

 

Remember her saying, “You sure do talk a lot, every single day...” and that fed-up look on her face.

 

...Yeah. ...I've calmed down.

 

Phew, I almost ended up not being able to talk to girls for about a year again.

 

Misunderstandings: bad, absolutely bad.

 

"Um, you see, since I live in an apartment, there's no shelter or anything, so school might actually be safer, I guess."

 

"I see."

 

See? There was a proper reason.

 

If I'd misunderstood that along the line of: "Could it be... that you wanted to see me?" I'd have died instantly. That was close.

 

The real dangerous traps aren't in dungeons, they're in everyday life.

 

『......How pitiful, Utamaro.』

 

Shut up, Renge.

 

If you're going to pity me, get me a girlfriend...!

 

『Huh~, you still haven't given up on getting a girlfriend?』

 

I ain't giving up.

 

...No, wait, having a girlfriend right now would actually be problematic.

 

Honestly, the 'people I absolutely want to protect' slot is completely full with my family and friends, I can't handle any more... oh, right.

 

"Oh, that's right. Here, I'll give this to you."

 

　I secretly handed Shinomiya-san what I had intended to give to her and the others.

 

"This...!"

 

　Shinomiya-san, having received the six D-rank cards, looked at me with wide eyes.

 

"I can't possibly accept this,"

 

　She said, glancing around.

 

"It's fine. Just take them."

 

"But..."

 

"I'm not giving them to you, just entrusting them to you."

 

"U-n, even so, I feel bad... or rather, I'm kind of scared now. How much would it cost to buy these? Whoa, my hands are starting to tremble..."

 

"Um, well, just think of them as good luck charms. It's just so you can evacuate safely if Angolmois happens during your commute or on a day off. So, I'm sorry, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't use them for adventuring or anything."

 

"No, now I'm too scared to go into any dungeon anyway. …Good luck charms, huh?"

 

"And this is for Ushikura-san... By the way, I know Shinto became an adventurer, but is Ushikura-san also…?"

 

“Oh, you have some for Shizuka, too. Shizuka's probably in the temporarily absent group. Her family owns a lot of land, so their house is pretty big and has a proper shelter. "

 

"I see... I'll leave them with you."

 

"Um, should I give them to her by myse... no, umm, okay. Thanks, I'll hold onto them. ...But are you sure it's okay?"

 

"Yeah. I'm planning on giving them out to all my close friends."

 

　I'm planning to give Ono and Ichijo-san one C-rank card each. And to the East-West duo and Shinomiya-san and the rest of the top-caste group, I'll give six D-rank cards each.

 

　I've collected enough cards for my family from this Four-Star promotion exam, so I should start giving some to my friends too.

 

　It's partly for their safety after Angolmois, but also because trustworthy individuals will become more valuable than cards themselves then.

 

"But, is it really okay to give out so many?"

 

"It's okay, it's okay."

 

　I deliberately replied with a casual attitude, like I was just treating them bread for lunch.

 

　It might come off as a bit nouveau riche and unpleasant, but this way they probably won't feel too indebted.

 

But, half the entire student body in the Adventurers’ Club, huh... It's hard to believe this is the same school where everyone would make a huge fuss if even one classmate became an adventurer.

 

I guess this is what happens with Angolmois drawing so close...

 

　I scanned the classroom with its many empty seats standing out.

 

...It’s a little disappointing that it looks like I won't be able to experience normal school life anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Cheers to Senpai passing the practical exam!"

 

　Following Anna's lively lead, we clinked our juice glasses together.

 

　After school, the initial members of the Adventure Club were throwing me a celebratory party at our usual family restaurant.

 

"So sorry about that, Maro. I know my circumstances caused you some trouble..."

 

　Right after the toast, Teacher lowered his head apologetically.

 

"No, no, it was a good experience for me."

 

"Still, to clear the practical exam so easily on the first try... Maro, you're certainly in pro-class now."

 

　Even though the public had already considered me pro-class, receiving confirmation from Teacher, a true professional, made me feel quite proud inside.

 

"Since the written exam and other requirements have been simplified, why don't you just ride this momentum and become a Four-Star, Maro?"

 

"Hmmm......."

 

"Now, now, let's not talk about that! We've finally all gathered together, let's talk about something more interesting!"

 

　As I was wondering how to respond, Anna interrupted.

 

"Did you get any interesting cards or magic items?"

 

　she asked, but her eyes, from an angle not visible to Teacher or Oribe, clearly said, "Don't say anything unnecessary."

 

Hmm... obviously I can't mention the B-rank card drop, and talking about the ones I gave to my family is also not easy, so what's left...

 

"Let's see. Arachne, Tsukumogami, Mormo... that's about it? There are no particularly interesting magic items. I got some Cold iron, so I sold them for cash."

 

"Hoo, you did get some interesting ones."

 

"Arachne, huh? I thought we had production-type cards covered, but they were mostly food-related, and this is a missing piece for us."

 

"Right. Being able to make our own clothes will be helpful."

 

　The mention of Arachne makes the women, especially Oribe who is particular about fashion, get excited.

　

Looks like that's a point of interest for them.

 

"Personally, I think the Tsukumogami is interesting too... Once Angolmois starts, I'd like to find out and see if we can turn the whole school into a Tsukumogami."

 

　At Teacher 's words, the three of us exchanged glances.

 

Turning the school itself into a Tsukumogami? That's a thought I never had...

 

"…That certainly seems worth trying."

"If we can incorporate the artificial magic items inside and turn it into a Tsukumogami, it might become immune to mechanical destruction or even be repairable with healing magic"

 

"If that's possible, the value of Tsukumogami would skyrocket."

 

"There should already be data on turning artificial magic items into Tsukumogami. If I remember correctly, they become immune to mechanical destruction."

 

"Do you know what would happen to things only placed inside the base?"

 

"Not that much detail... Besides, we don't even know how large an object we can turn be turned into a Tsukumogami. I'm sure some research institute somewhere is looking into it, though."

 

"…Yeah, you're right. I'll look into that."

 

　Anna wrote something down on her phone so she wouldn't forget, then pulled a list out of her bag and handed it to me.

 

"While we're at it, here's a list of the cards and magic items we've acquired. Is there anything you want? We'd sell it to you, though."

 

"Mm...”

 

　I quickly scanned only the C-rank cards and rare drop sections.

 

 

 

 

 

　■Card Drops

　・C-rank cards: 5 cards in total

　Gozuki (Ox-Headed Demon): An ox-headed prison guard from Hell. It is one of a pair of two cards; its true value is demonstrated when paired with Mezuki (Horse-Headed Demon). → Purchased by Oribe.

　Vouivre: A dragon-human hybrid with the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a wyvern (flying dragon). Possesses strong resistance to all magic and has an inborn skill that allows it to reflect any and all attacks once. → Kept by the Adventurers' Club.

　Joan of Arc: A subspecies of Witch. Originally human, but due to the anecdote of being burned at the stake as a witch, she appears as a monster in the dungeon. Despite being a witch, she also possesses aspects of a saint and has high stability in both offense and defense. → Rented out to Kaori Ichijo, a second-year student.

　Witch: Kept by the Adventurers' Club.

　Magus: A male version of the Witch card. → Rented out to Hiroyuki Ono, a second-year student.

 

　■Items dropped

　・Rare drops (15)

　Cold iron (10 kg x 5): 140 million yen per 10 kg. Sold for a total of about 700 million.

　Bundle of Blank Cards: Sold for 10 million yen.

　True Dragon's Horn: A Drake's horn. Using it boosts the power of magic and causes sharp horns to sprout. Can be used 5-10 times.

　Dragon’s Orb: An orb held by an Oriental Dragon. When used, it temporarily grants [Advanced-level Wizard] skill. Can be used 5-10 times.

　Famous sake and liquor store killer

　Salamander cloak

　Barometz¹

 

　Short-range Transfer Magic Card: Short-range transference/teleportation magic is contained in this card. It can be used to instantly teleport a distance of several meters to 50 meters. For emergency evasion.

　Distress Magic Card

　Level Up Magic Card

　Clairvoyance Magic Card

 

　■Carbuncle Drops

　・Garnets: 90 Garnets total. There are 20 Garnets left to collect.

 

　・Gold disappointment box

　Lottery (5): A set of ten plain black cards. When used, they are randomly transformed into monster cards.

　Treasure chest (2): A small treasure chest that can fit in both palms. When opened, it contains a card-ified item inside. It's a lottery, item version. "Inside the disappointing box, there was another disappointing box..." by An Adventurer.

　Hige-kiri: A sword said to have been used by Watanabe no Tsuna² to cut down an oni (demon). It's especially effective against Oni and hinder healing, with a fighting power equivalent to 500.

　Transfer Magic Card (2)

 

 

 

 

"Hmm... there aren't many drops compared to the number of Garnets."

 

"This time, since we couldn't easily return to the surface, we decided to go through the dungeon in one go.

　We prioritized moving forward and avoided combat as much as possible, so the drops were fewer, but we're about to clear the second lap thanks to that. However, Cold Iron is skyrocketing in price, so we're focusing on getting those drops. The sales revenue went directly towards purchasing more otherworld cross space-type skill holders like Mayoiga."

 

I see... Cold Iron is a much better source of funds than Garnets these days.

 

"Oh, you guys got a Vouivre drop, huh..."

 

"Yes. ...Do you want to buy it, Senpai?　 If I remember correctly, your Dragonet reacted to the Vouivre Diamond, right?"

 

...... Indeed, Myra responded to the Vouivre Diamond.

 

　Apparently, when we first defeated a Vouivre, she didn't say anything because of her reservations since there was a group of humans gathered (her [Selfless devotion] skill had a negative effect), but she later said that she actually felt drawn to the diamond.

 

　That means Myra would possess five different Spiritual Recurrences.

 

　I hadn't given her any Vouivre Diamonds before because they have a unique role in resolving distortions of the law of causality. I chose that rather than using them as key items. However, if a Vouivre card has dropped, then the situation is different.

 

　I thought for a moment and nodded.

 

"Yeah. Could I buy it? And this Hige-kiri as well."

 

"The Hige-kiri too? No one else wants it, so it's fine, and if you want to use it, Senpai, you don't have to buy it."

 

"No, I'll buy it. I have a few things in mind. How much will it be in total?"

 

"I see… I'll check the market price later and get back to you."

 

Well, in reality, it'll probably come out of the Garnet funds anyway.

 

...By the way, I kept forgetting to ask, but what's the deal with the state of our school?"

 

　When I suddenly remembered and asked the question, Anna looked up to the heavens with a "whoops" expression.

 

"So, noticed it after all?"

 

"Of course I noticed."

 

Are you making fun of me?

 

"Hmph, Anna, when things have come to this, it's time to pay your dues. Spill everything to Senpai."

 

"Yes, yes, you could use a little scolding from Maro. This is way too much."

 

　As Oribe and Teacher turned against her all at once, Anna scratched her cheek with a shifty expression.

 

"Well, it's not like I specifically did anything... I never once told anyone to skip school to dive into the dungeon, and the number of club members just sort of... happened, you know?"

 

"Is that so?"

 

"Yes. ...It's like, the new club members saw Senpai and us skipping classes to dive into the dungeon, and they just started copying us on their own."

 

"Ah......."

 

Right, if we were the first ones giving the example to ditch classes, it's no wonder other students started doing the same.

 

"So, how did that lead to half the entire student body becoming adventurers?"

 

"Ummm...... Well, first off, all the new club members wanted to dive into the school dungeon themselves. They had a strong image of the dungeon being part of the school, and they probably figured it would be safe if a pro was with them. ...But naturally, we couldn't just take them, right?"

 

"Well, yeah, of course not..."

 

　There's no way novice adventurers who only have D-rank cards could handle the harshness of that dungeon.

 

　If anything, they may not even make it through the desert on the first floor.

 

"But we couldn't exactly say that directly, and while we were wondering what to do with all the new members pressuring us, Ono-san showed up."

 

"Ono?”

 

"Yes, he came and prostrated himself, begging to at least give the new members a chance to repay their D-rank cards, saying he wouldn't ask us to take them to the C-rank dungeon."

 

"Hmm... so, he's saying he'll take them to the D-rank dungeon himself? And in exchange, he wants to borrow some C-rank cards?"

 

　When I said that, Teacher looked a little surprised.

 

"Maro, you figured that out?"

 

"Well... it's the kind of thing that guy would think of. "

 

　It was somewhat distasteful that I could understand Ono's thoughts.

 

　And, another thing, the new members wanting to enter the school dungeon was probably Ono's doing too, and that prostration was likely one of his signature performances.

 

"I decided to go along with that proposal, and I appointed Ono-san and Kaori Ichijo-san, who was the only female Two-Star, as the male and female leaders respectively. I rented C-rank cards to both of them. Furthermore, since they'd be going to an off-campus dungeon without professional guidance, I entrusted a Mayoiga card to Tachibana-sensei, who volunteered, and asked her to accompany them as an advisor."

 

I see... So that's why Joan of Arc and Magus were rented out.

 

　And by giving Mayoiga to the teacher, they made it possible for the novice new members to conquer the dungeon on overnight trips without stress.

 

"And that's how the environment was set up for the new members to obtain D-rank cards on their own... but here's where a problem arose."

 

"A problem?"

 

"Yes. ...The members who obtained cards started renting them out to their friends."

 

"Oh... I see."

 

Well, of course such a thing would happen.

 

　Just like I gave out D-rank cards to Shinomiya-san and the East-West duo, it is not surprising that some would rent out their D-rank cards to their good friends.

 

　Naturally, there would also be those who rent cards to the opposite sex with malicious intent. They may even demand their body in return.

 

"After learning about this from Ono-san's report, we judged that things would become problematic if this continued. I asked the students who had started renting cards to return the cards they had rented from me. Naturally, the students who had their cards confiscated then asked their friends to return the cards they had lent out.

　So, with that, things mostly returned to how they were originally, but judging that the same thing would happen again if we left it at that, I asked any students who obtained a new D-rank card to return the cards they had rented from me.

　In addition, I decided to more proactively lend the recovered cards to students with good character. If the number of adventurers in school is just going to increase indiscriminately, it's better if the Adventurers’ Club at least has some control over it.

　And so, the new members who increased in number obtained D-rank cards, then came to return them, and I would then rent them out to even more prospective members..."

 

"Like that, in this cycle, the number of adventurers in school just kept increasing,"

 

I see now.

 

　Understanding the mechanism behind why over half the students in school had become adventurers, I nodded deeply.

 

Indeed, that method would efficiently mass-produce adventurers.

 

It's a good model case of how even one Three-Star adventurer can lead to the mass production of One-Star adventurers.

 

　The reason no one had used a similar method before was likely because there was no benefit for those lending out the cards.

 

　They would bear the risk of the cards being stolen or Lost, and the return would be, at best, the monthly rental fees and gaining their favor.

 

　No one would do it unless it was a situation like this, with Angolmois approaching and needing as many manpower as possible.

 

The only downside is that this method gives Ono and the others who are actually looking after them more influence over the new members than Anna... but well, she probably understands that and it's not an issue.

 

"See? I haven't done anything particularly bad, right? Sure, I admit I increased the numbers a bit too quickly, but everyone was worried about not having the power to fight, and there haven't been any deaths or even serious injuries. Everyone was happy. Didn't you have students bowing to you in the hallway, Senpai?"

 

...Hmm.

 

Well, yeah, she hasn't actually done anything wrong?

 

　When I heard that over half the school had been brought into the fold, my first reaction was that it was too much, but hearing the explanation, there were unavoidable circumstances, and more importantly, an increase in the number of adventurers directly leads to more students being able to protect themselves.

 

　As for the concern about students abusing their card powers, if over half the school now has cards, the number of potential targets for violence would decrease, and the number of students who could stop it would also increase proportionally.

 

　In the end, it will likely lead to the stabilization of safety within the school during Angolmois.

 

It's gone beyond just classroom disruption and is practically school-wide collapse, causing trouble for the vice-principal and the other decent teachers, but honestly, schoolwork won't be of any use during Angolmois anyway...

 

It can't be helped... I guess.

 

　Just as I was starting to concede to that thought...

 

"———— But, it stole the everyday lives of the other students."

 

　A sharp remark cut through the air.

 

　I snapped my head up to look at Teacher.

 

　His expression was unusually stern as he glared directly at Anna.

 

"It was the peaceful and precious last bit of everyday life that the normal students could have had."

 

"........................Hoo."

 

　In an instant... Anna's face was completely devoid of any expression.

 

　The atmosphere in the room rapidly chilled...

 

"If… that everyday life was so important, why didn't everyone cherish it more?"

 

"What did you say...?"

 

　Teacher asked back, his brow furrowed, as Anna offered a faint, cold smile.

 

"Because, isn't that the truth? It was obvious that this everyday life wouldn't last forever. Important scholars on TV repeatedly preached the dungeon apocalypse and warned us, didn't they? But most people in the world turned their eyes away from that reality, blindly believing that tomorrow would be the same as today, forever. They didn't prepare for the crisis, nor did they try to enjoy the remaining everyday life as much as possible. They just lazily wasted it. No, they're still wasting it now. Without even realizing that this peaceful time is a luxury..."

 

"........................"

 

"I have cherished it. While preparing forces for Angolmois, I also made sure to enter the same high school as my best friend, create a club with a senior I deeply respect, watch fireworks together in the summer, and have sleepovers at school...

I've made an effort to not just prepare for the crisis, but also to enjoy the limited and precious everyday life as much as possible."

 

　Anna wore a warm smile, as if reminiscing about the enjoyable past year, but then her expression abruptly shifted to open mockery.

 

　And then, she spat out, as if discarding something unpleasant:

 

"Stole the everyday lives of the other students? Hah, who cares? They've probably been carelessly throwing away each day like those pocket tissues they hand out in the streets anyway. Don't start acting like you cherish the little bit of everyday life that's left now!"

 

　Anna glared at Teacher.

 

　As if unleashing her pent-up anger, she bared her teeth ferociously and said,

 

"————Those mobs (grasshoppers) who've spent their lives in idleness until now can just use their wasted everyday lives as a side dish to comfort themselves in the coming winter³...!"

 

　A heavy silence fell over the room. The strange pressure emanating from Anna prevented anyone from uttering a single word.

 

　Eventually, Teacher squeezed out a question,

 

"............Is that, your true feeling?"

 

　Anna responded with a smile... but it was clearly different from her usual one, a cold and sharp expression,

 

"So what if it is?"

 

"Was it a lie... that you were going to help everyone at school and the nearby residents?"

 

"Of course not! I'll definitely help them, and I promise them treatment that's far safer and more comfortable than some random shelter out there. ...They're my cute, precious future subjects (worker ants), after all!"

 

　The air was eerily heavy.

 

　Oribe and I could only huddle together in a corner, holding our breath with cold sweat trickling down our cheeks.

 

Why did it come to this...? This was supposed to be my ‘Congratulations on passing the practical exam’ party.

 

"........................Huu."

 

　Teacher remained silent for a while, looking upset, but he eventually let out a long sigh and said,

 

"...If you intend to help the nearby residents and the general students, then I have nothing more to say. ...No matter what you're really thinking inside."

 

　Hearing that, Anna exaggeratedly patted her chest in relief and clapped her hands together loudly,

 

"Ah, that's great! It would be ridiculous to fight over something so 'trivial’. Let's get along, we're comrades, after all!"

 

" 'Trivial,' is it..."

 

　Teacher muttered, almost to himself.

 

 

 

　————After that, the atmosphere was no longer conducive for continuing the meal, and the party broke up.

 

　Walking home alone, I pondered.

 

I never would have guessed that Anna harbored such venom inside...

 

"Don't start acting like you cherish the little bit of everyday life that's left now," huh.

 

　That hit a little too close to home...

 

　Anna probably didn't mean to direct that at me, and perhaps she spoke that way in that situation precisely because she doesn't think of me that way. But those words really struck a chord with me.

 

　Because I'm exactly one of those grasshoppers Anna was talking about, someone who hasn't cherished the everyday life she described.

 

　I only recently realized the importance of daily life, and now I'm belatedly trying to treasure the little bit that's left.

 

What's worse, I would have wasted even that if Renge hadn't warned me – a truly massive idiot.

 

　I can see why Anna would be angry.

 

As far as I know, no one I've met has cherished each day as much as Anna Kanou.

 

　In this world, she was one of the few people who recognized that peaceful everyday life was a precious commodity.

 

　From her perspective, people who spent their days idly must have seemed to be wasting things terribly.

 

　But... on the other hand, I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

 

　That's because I don't believe that 'everyday life spent without realizing its importance' is entirely meaningless either.

 

　That relaxed, peaceful time and those innocent smiles are things that only exist within that kind of everyday life.

 

...Anna is a bit too rushed by time.

 

It's like she's a customer at a buffet stuffing their favorite foods into their stomach right up to the time limit... as if she thinks taking it slow is a sin.

 

Teacher, on the other hand, has a laid-back side and seems to find happiness in spending free time napping... in that way, you could say the two of them are complete opposite.

 

In any case, there's no doubt that this incident has created a definite rift between Teacher and Anna.

 

　Since both of them are realists, their personal feelings probably won't hinder the Adventurers’ Club's actions, but it's clear that there's a significant difference in their ideologies.

 

"Haaah..."

 

　A sigh involuntarily escaped my lips.

 

　With Angolmois drawing so close, it's really a blow that a rift has formed between Anna and Teacher.

 

If a divide has appeared even in these peaceful times, what on earth will happen when the even harsher realities of Angolmois begin...?

 

...No, that's not right! It's not ‘what will happen?’ !

 

Why am I acting like it's someone else's problem?! If a rift has formed between the two of them, then I just need to step in between them. It's not just me, Oribe is there too.

 

Relationships are like that; it's not unusual for rifts to form over trivial things.

 

How you navigate those situations is what's important.

 

If that's the case, then the key is how much I can repair their relationship before Angolmois begins.

 

Please, let there not be any more incidents that widen the gap between them...

 

　I offered a small prayer to the night sky.

 

 

 

　

————That very night, the notification for a public recruitment to conquer an A-rank dungeon arrived for all adventurers.

 

 

 

 

[TIPS] Everyday Life

 

　Anna Kanou has always appreciated and cherished everyday life more than any other member of the Adventurers' Club. However, at the same time, she harbored deep anger and disgust towards the components (grasshoppers) that made up that everyday life which had consistently ostracized her as an outsider. As the queen ant, the only ones she loved were her fellow ants.

 

　Sayo Oribe loves everyday life more than any other member of the Adventurers' Club, but she turns a blind eye to the fact that it is finite, and has deluded herself into believing that it will last forever. She is a lazy worker ant. But the Queen is willing to tolerate it. Because among the different 'species', she is the only one who has healed the Queen's loneliness.

 

　Tsubasa Kannadzuki is the most active member of the Adventurers' Club in protecting everyday life, but he is also someone who can discard his own everyday life to protect everyone else's. Though he is also an ant, the Queen is steadily turning her suspicion into certainty regarding a faint sense of incongruity...

 

　And Kitagawa Utamaro is ――――……

 

***

 Notes:

1  A strange tree that bears sheep. Sometimes there are crab-tasting ones mixed in. It is not harmful to the human body even if eaten… supposedly.^↩

2  From a Japanese tale. Watanabe no Tsuna was a loyal retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. The tale: One night, Yorimitsu and his retainers were traveling when they encountered a terrifying oni (demon) named Ibaraki-dōji at the Rashomon gate (the southern gate of Kyoto). Tsuna managed to cut off one of Ibaraki-dōji's arms with the Hige-kiri. The demon, in pain and enraged, retreated into the darkness, leaving its severed right arm behind. This arm was said to be incredibly powerful and continued to writhe and struggle even after being severed. ^↩

3  from Aesop's fable, “The Ant and the Grasshopper”. In the story, the ant works hard to store food for the winter while the grasshopper spends the summer singing and playing, ignoring the coming hardship. When winter arrives, the grasshopper is left hungry and helpless, while the ant is prepared. Anna is portraying the 'mobs' as those who have been like the grasshopper. They have lived lazily, ignoring the warnings of the impending 'winter' (Angolmois and the end of the world). ^↩

 

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