天然少女
夜が明けて、一人目を覚ました僕は身体を起こした。僕は基本的に朝に強い、眼を覚ましてすぐにクリアな頭で物事が考えられる。いつまでも寝ていると母親らしい人から殴ったり蹴ったりされたからね、彼女よりも早く自分で起きないといけなかったんだよ。
横を見ると、枕の隣で大の字になって寝ているフィニアちゃん、反対側に丸くなって寝ているルルちゃんがいた。今思ったけどルルちゃん逃げ放題だったなこれ。なのに逃げなかったって事は、そういう風に言い聞かせられてきたからなのかな? 奴隷根性が染みついてるねぇ......まぁいるなら良いけど。
二人を起こさないようにベッドから降りて、一つ伸びをする。パキパキと小気味良い音が体内に響いて、固まった筋肉が解れるのを感じた。それから多少ラジオ体操的な運動をすれば、完全に頭も身体も眼を覚ましたようだ。
「さて......」
見てみるとフィニアちゃんだけだったベッドの上に、ルルちゃんみたいな可愛い子がいるというのは少し新鮮だ。滅茶苦茶長い髪の毛がシーツの上に広がっている。
「耳とか尻尾とか......どんな感覚なんだろう? いつか聞いてみようかな、出来れば触らせてもらおう」
そう呟いて、二人を起こす為に歩み寄る。フィニアちゃんは指先でつっついてやればいつも起きる。その際変な寝言っぽい台詞を吐くけど、それが面白いので止められない。
「フィニアちゃーん」
「な、なにをする......! やめろォ! やめるんだッ......! はっ、おはようきつねさん!」
今日はなんだか緊迫感溢れる台詞だったね。どんな夢見てんだか知らないけど、フィニアちゃんほんと個性的だよねぇ。
さて、ルルちゃんも起こさないと。
そう思って、ルルちゃんに近づいた。すると、僕の影が彼女の顔に掛かった瞬間怯えるように飛び起きた。自分の身体を護るように抱きしめて、僕の方を震えながら見上げてくる。
なんか凄い悪いことした気分......あの奴隷商、なにしたんだよ。
「あー......おはよう、ルルちゃん。良く眠れた?」
「ご、ごめんなさい......次は早く起きます......叩かないでください」
「あはは、フィニアちゃんこの子凄いめんどくさい」
「奴隷のプロだね!」
「どんなプロだよそれ......まぁなんだ、僕は叩いたりしないし、起こすまで寝てていいからそんな怯えないで欲しいな」
多分ずっと気を張ってたんだろうね。奴隷商人達ってなんで奴隷をちゃんと養わないんだろう? そうしたほうが商品価値も上がって売りやすくなるんじゃないのかな。上下関係をはっきりさせたかったのかな、まぁどうでもいいや。
「さ、ルルちゃん起きれる?」
「はい......」
そう言うとルルちゃんはすぐに起き上がった。そういえば学ラン貸したままだったな、今日はルルちゃんの服を買いに行こう。その後はギルド行って、お手伝い系の依頼かな。ルルちゃんにも僕達の生活に慣れて貰わないといけないし、彼女のレベルも上げないとね。
「まぁ、まずは朝ご飯だね。行くよ、二人とも」
「うん!」
「......はい」
ルルちゃんが手を握ったり開いたりしているのが見えた。表情も何処か暗い。どうしたんだろうと思って少し考えてみた。
えーと、昨日は......あ、そういうことか。
「ほら、行くよルルちゃん」
「! ......はい!」
ルルちゃんに手を差し伸べてやる。そうすると、思っていた通り無表情に、けど嬉しそうな雰囲気で僕の手を取った。
昨日は何処へ行くにもルルちゃんの手を引いてたからね、実は手を握られるのが嬉しかったのかな? 奴隷になる子ってそういう経験あまりなさそうだもんね。こんな僕で良ければ幾らでも繋いであげるよ。寧ろこっちから繋いで欲しいよね。
あれ? もしかして僕女の子と手を繋いだのってこれが初めて? うわ、緊張しちゃうな! 思わず興奮してきた!
「なんでもないよ、うん、やましいことなんて考えてないからね」
今はルルちゃんの純粋な視線がとても心に刺さる。
階段を降りて行くと、食事の準備をしているエイラさんがいた。準備と言っても旦那さんの作った料理をテーブルに運ぶだけだけどね。
「おはようございます、エイラさん」
「おっはよー! 今日も良い朝だね!」
「ああ、ご飯出来てるよ」
この宿の朝ご飯はいつもパンとサラダ、あとスープだ。なんでも、朝弱い人が食べに来ないことが多いから朝は食材の出費を抑えているらしい。
おっと、子供が出来たらちゃんと挨拶出来る子に育てないとね! 僕は至極真面目な青少年だから!
「ルルちゃん、挨拶出来る?」
「......おはよう、ございます」
「良く出来ました」
「はい、おはよう」
少し困った様な表情を浮かべたけど、ルルちゃんはちゃんと挨拶した。偉いぞ、僕がルルちゃん位の年齢なら絶対挨拶なんかしなかったけど。
とはいえ、子供が出来たら褒めてあげるのが親心だもんね。親じゃないけど。とりあえず、テレビで幸せそうな家族がやってたのを真似してルルちゃんの頭を撫でてあげた。犬だからか、ルルちゃんは頭を撫でられるのが好きみたいだ。
「この子、名前はなんていうんだい?」
「ルルちゃん」
「ルルちゃんっていうのかい、可愛い名前だね」
「でしょ? もっと褒めて良いよ」
「なんでアンタが誇らしげなんだ......」
そんな軽口を叩きながら、テーブルに着く。勿論ルルちゃんを座らせてからだ。そうしないと奴隷根性の染みついたこの子は僕と同じテーブルに座らなそうだし。
いただきますと言ってから食べ始める。昨日言ったからか、やっぱり僕が食べ始めないと食べようとしなかったけど、頷いてやると自分の前に置かれた料理を食べ始めた。フィニアちゃんにパンを千切ってあげながら、僕も手早く料理を食べ終えた。
「今日は何処へ行くの? きつねさん!」
「うん、ルルちゃんの服を買ってから......ギルドに行こうかなって」
「確かにずっときつねさんの服じゃ嫌だもんね!」
「うん、確かにそうなんだけど......なんか傷付く」
「あはっ☆」
時々フィニアちゃんは僕のことが嫌いなんじゃないかって思うほど辛辣な言葉を吐く。悪意が感じられないから全然怒れないんだけど、こう......胸にグサッとくるものがある。ルルちゃんが真似したらどうするんだ、この子の純粋な眼差しで罵倒された日には、興奮しちゃうだろ。間違えた、立ち直れないだろ。
「きつね......?」
「ん? ああ、そういえば僕の名前言ってなかったね。僕のことはきつねって呼んでね」
「きつね......様」
「うん、まぁ好きに呼ぶと良いよ」
さて、見た所ルルちゃんも食べ終わったみたいだし、そろそろ行こうかな。服買いに。ていうか服って何処で買うんだろう? 武器屋で売ってるかな? 売ってないよね流石に。
「ねぇエイラさん、ルルちゃんの服を買いたいんだけど......何処で売ってるかな?」
「服? 私の小さい頃の服なら余ってるからやろうか?」
「え、本当? じゃあ欲しいな」
やった、服代浮いた。
エイラさんが持ってきたのは緑色中心の服で、ルルちゃんにピッタリのサイズだった。試しに着せてみると、明るい茶髪が良く映える。適度におしゃれだし、ルルちゃんの素材が良いからとても可愛い。
素直にそう褒めたら、くすぐったそうにしてた。
「それじゃあ服も手に入ったことだし、ギルドに行こうか」
服を着たルルちゃんから学ランを受け取って、着る。うん、やっぱり学ランが一番しっくりくる。ステータス的に防具とかいらないしね、あって困る物でもないんだろうけど。
そう思いながら宿を出た。
◇ ◇ ◇
宿から少し歩いて、ルルちゃんをギルドの前まで連れて来た。説明していないけど、ルルちゃんは此処が何処だかちゃんと分かってるみたいだ、多分僕とは違ってギルドの看板の文字が読めるんだろう。
あ、そういえば僕って結構嫌われ者だから突っ掛かって来る人もいるんだよなぁ。ルルちゃんに被害が行かないようにちゃんと事前に言っておかないと。
「この中には僕より強い人達がいっぱいいる。話しかけてくることもあると思う、そういうときは強気で行かないと駄目だよ? 手をあげてきたら取り敢えず股間を全力で叩くんだ、分かった?」
「はい」
うん、これで大丈夫だろう。
ギルドの扉を開けて、足を踏み入れる。ルルちゃんの手を引いて中に入ると、冒険者達の視線が自然と僕の方へと向けられた。気にせず受付に向かう。
すると、一人の男が立ち塞がってきた。フィニアちゃんがルルちゃんの肩に乗り移ったが、僕は立ち塞がってきた男を見上げた。
見覚えのある顔だ。
「やぁ、この前の言いがかり君じゃないか」
「きつね......前にお前に言われたことを考えて、改めて言おう」
「お前は、冒険者失格だ......かな?」
見下すように言ってくるのは、この前僕に冒険者失格だと言ってきたEランク冒険者の青年。あの時は言い包めたけど、やっぱり納得出来なかったんだろうね。ここはまた言い負かしますか。
と、あれ?
「む......なんだ君は、此処は子供の来る所じゃないぞ?」
何故かルルちゃんが前に出た。どうしたの? なんかいやな予感がするんだけど? え、どうしたの?
「う、うるさい、このたまなし野郎」
ギルド内に、静寂が訪れた。
冒険者達も、受付嬢も、目の前の青年も、ルルちゃんの言葉に唖然となっている。これはどういうことだろうか? ルルちゃんいきなりどうしたの? 確かに強気で行けとは言ったけど、そういうこと?
「な、何を言うんだ! 失礼だぞ!」
青年が我に返り、ルルちゃんの言葉に遅れながら憤慨した。すると、ルルちゃんはキッと目尻を吊り上げると、更にその口を開く。
「し、喋らないでっ! く、臭いっ......!」
「ぐはっ......!?」
ルルちゃん、一体君に何があったんだ。たった数秒でそんなに人の心を抉れるようになったの? 僕が言った強気っていうのはアレだよ、暴言とかをサラッと受け流せるようになるってことで......あ、ルルちゃんの肩に乗ってるフィニアちゃんがにやにや笑ってる。
お 前 の 仕 業 か !
「君......僕にそんな事を言うなど......良いと思っているのか......!」
青年は嫌な汗を拭く為に手を顔にやる。すると、ルルちゃんは何を思ったか小さな拳を振り上げて、
「え、えいっ!」
青年の股間を思いっきり殴った。
「おごっ......おっ! ......おっ......!!」
青年は倒れた。それはもう勢いよく直立のまま倒れた。白眼を向いて股間を抑えている。
痛そう......下腹部がきゅってなったよ、きゅって。周りの冒険者達も股間を抑えて俯いてんじゃん。君達はあの痛みを知らないのか、僕だって小学生の頃クラスの女の子に蹴られた時死ぬかと思ったんだぞ!
「きつね様......や、やりました」
何をだよ。
確かにやっちゃったね。やるじゃなくて殺るだったけど。ルルちゃんの肩の上で笑い転げているフィニアちゃんに心底恐怖を感じたよ。無邪気って怖い。
「う、うん......よくやったね」
青年には悪いけど、ルルちゃんに悪気はないんだ。ちょっと純粋で天然なんだ、だから僕の言ったことを真に受けちゃったんだ。これは不幸な事故だったんだよ、うん、悲しい事故だった。許してちょうだい。
倒れた青年の横を通り過ぎて、僕はミアちゃんの下へとやってきた。ミアちゃんはルルちゃんを見ると、営業スマイルで対応してきた。
「こんにちはきつね様、そちらの子は奴隷ですか?」
「うん、ルルちゃんっていうんだ。可愛いでしょ?」
なんだか不服そうだけど、まぁいいや。依頼を受けよう、フィニアちゃんがタイミング良く依頼書を持ってきた。内容は薬草の採集、国の外へ出る依頼だ。外だから魔獣が出てくる危険性もあるけど、森に近づくことはないし、フィニアちゃんもいるから大丈夫かな? 達成期限は一週間で、ノルマもそれほど高くない。ついでにルルちゃんのレベルアップも出来るかな? トドメだけ刺してもレベルは上がるしね。
「じゃあこれ、受けます」
「はい、期限は一週間後ですね......っと、それでは頑張ってください」
「うん、それじゃ!」
「いってきまーす!」
ルルちゃんの手を引いて、ギルドを出る。忙しくなってきた。
こらルルちゃん、幾ら地面に倒れてるからって人を踏んづけちゃ駄目だよ。
An airheaded girl.
Dawn break, wake up by myself, I raise my body up. I'm originally a morning person, so just after waking up, my head would be immediately cleared and could be used to think about anything already. Since if I slept too long, I'll got a hit or kick from a mother like person, so I should wake up by myself before she did.
When I look at my surrounding, there is Finia-chan who is sleeping likeDa  character next to the pillow, and on the opposite side there is Lulu-chan who is sleeping while curling up. I just aware of it but wasn't Lulu-chan should be able to easily ran away like this? But since she didn't run away then that means, was it because she had been instructed this way? The servile character sure deeply attached right... well it's good that she's still here though.
Descending the bed so that won't wake those two up, I do some stretching. Delightful *Pakipaki* sounds are resounded inside my body, I can feel my stiff muscles are loosening. After that, after I did a radio calisthenics-like exercise, my head, body and also eyes are completely awaken.
"Well then...."
When I looked at it, usually there would be only Finia-chan on the bed but, to see a cute girl like Lulu-chan there is sure refreshing. Her overly long hair is spread at the bed sheet.
"Ear or tail... just how it felt? Should I try to ask for it some days, if possible I want to touch it."
While saying that, I moved to wake them up. Finia-chan was always would be awaked by just poking her with my fingertip. At that time she would say some strange sleep-talking lines but, since that is amusing so I won't stop it.
"Finia-chan."
"Wh, what are you doing...! Stop it! Stop...! Ha, good morning Kitsune-san!"
This time she said a somehow strained line huh. I don't know what she was dreaming about but, that is sure Finia-chan-like though.
Then, I should wake Lulu-chan up too.
When I think about that, I approach Lulu-chan. Then, when my shadow is covering her face, she abruptly jump at her feet as if frightened. Tightly embracing her body as if to protect it, and then raise her eyes to look at me while trembling.
I feel like just done something very bad... that slave merchant, just what he had done?
"Ah... good morning, Lulu-chan. Did you sleep properly?"
"I, I am sorry... I'm going to wake up early next time... please don't hit me."
"Ahaha, Finia-chan, this child is sure bothersome."
"She is a pro slave right!"
"What kind of pro is that... well, what is it, I'm not going to hit you, I don't mind if you overslept and woke up late so don't be so frightened like that."
Perhaps she was always bracing herself right? Why did those slave traders didn't raise their slaves properly? Isn't by doing so their commodity's value would be raised and easier to sell, right? Did they put the hierarchical that strictly? Well, ah whatever.
"Then Lulu-chan, can you get up?"
"Yes...."
After said that, Lulu-chan immediately get up. Come to think of it, she's still wearing my school uniform right? Let's go to buy a cloth for Lulu-chan today. Went to the guild after that, perhaps should I take a chore request? Since I also need to make Lulu-chan to get used to our livelihood after all, I also should increase her level.
"Well, firstly is breakfast right? Let's go, both of you."
"Yeah!"
"...Yes."
I can see Lulu-chan open up her arm as if to grasp something. She also looked somewhat gloomy. I think 'What's the matter?' and try to think about it a bit.
Hmm, yesterday... ah, I see.
"Come on, let's go Lulu-chan."
"!...Yes!"
I stretch my hand toward Lulu-chan. And then, she is still expressionless as usual but, she grab my hand with a very delighted ambiance.
It's because yesterday I always hold her hand wherever we go after all, is she perhaps really happy to holding hands? It's because as a child who become a slave, such experience is unlikely to happen after all. If you're fine with me then I'll hold your hand no matter how many times it is. Or rather, I'm the one who want to hold your hand.
Hmm? Could it be, is it my first time holding hand with a girl? Wow, I become nervous! I inevitably excited!
"No problem, yup, I'm not thinking about anything fishy after all."
Just now, Lulu-chan's pure gaze is piercing my heart.
When we descending the stair, Ayla-san who is preparing the meal, said that. Even if I say preparing, she is just carrying the food which have been cooked by her husband to the table though.
"Good morning, Ayla-san."
"Morning! Today is also a good morning right!"
"Yes, the breakfast is ready."
This inn's breakfast is always contained by bread and salad, and also soup. That is, since there are many people who are weak at morning, it seems that is to suppress breakfast's ingredients expenses.
Oops, since I've got a child, I must raise her into a child who's able to properly greet people! Since I'm a very diligent youth after all!
"Lulu-chan, can you do a greeting?"
"...Good, morning."
"You did it well."
"Yes, good morning."
She looked somewhat embarrassed but, Lulu-chan was properly greet her. Admirable, when I was at Lulu-chan's age, I absolutely never do any greeting though.
Nonetheless, when a child was able to do something, praising them is parental affection right? I'm not her parent though. For now, I try to imitate what a happy looking family at some TV show do and gently caress Lulu-chan's head. Is it perhaps because she's a dog, Lulu-chan seems very happy when her head is being petted.
"This child, what's her name?"
"Lulu-chan."
"Lulu-chan right, what a cute name."
"Right? It's okay to praise more you know."
"Why are you the one who's boasting...."
While joking like that, we finally arrived at our table. Of course I ask Lulu-chan to sit there. Otherwise with her servile character, she won't ever sit at the table as mine after all.
We start eating after said itadakimasu. Is it because I've said that yesterday, as expected she won't eat before I start to eat mine but, with a nod she start to eat the food which are placed before her. Even while tearing off some bread for Finia-chan, I nimbly finished my meal.
"Today, are we going to go somewhere? Kitsune-san!"
"Yes, after bought a clothes for Lulu-chan...I intended to go to the guild."
"Always wearing Kitsune's cloth is indeed unpleasant after all, right?"
"Yes, that's indeed right but... somehow that hurt me."
"Ahaha."
Sometimes Finia-chan would say something harsh to the point I thought that is she perhaps hate me or something. Since I can't feel any malice from it so I can't get angry but, like... it's just as if there is something piercing my heart. What if Lulu-chan is imitating your behavior? At the time I was scorned by her pure gazes, I might got excited you know. Ah I make a mistake, I might won't be able to recover you know.
"Kitsune....?"
"Hmm? Ah, come to think of it, I haven't said my name right? My name is Kitsune."
"Kitsune... sama."
"Yes, well, you could just call me whatever you want."
Well then, seems like Lulu-chan also has finished her meal, perhaps we should get going soon right? To buy a cloth. Or rather, where do I buy a cloth? Is weapon shop selling it? As expected they won't selling it right.
"Say, Ayla-san, I want to buy a cloth for Lulu-chan but... where is it sold at?"
"Cloth? Since I still have my cloth at the time I was still a kid, do you want it?"
"Eh, really? Then, with a pleasure."
Hooray, we get a cloth.
The cloth which Ayla-san bought is a green colored cloth, the size is perfectly match for Lulu-chan. When I ask her to try putting it on, her light brown hair is looked pretty. It is moderately fashionable, and Lulu-chan herself is originally very cute.
When I honestly praise her like that, she looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Well then, since we have obtained the cloth, let's go to the guild."
Receiving my school uniform back from Lulu-chan who has wear a proper cloth, I put it on. Yup, as I thought my school uniform is the most fitting. Since status wise I don't need anything like armor after all, but wearing it isn't something bothering though.
While thinking about that, we left the inn.
* * *
After walked for a while from the inn, I brought along Lulu-chan till guild's entrance. I haven't explained it but, it seems Lulu-chan is properly understand what kind of place it is, perhaps unlike me, she is able to read the guild's signboard.
Ah, come to think of it, since I'm quite a hated person so there are people who might charge toward us. I should tell her beforehand so that she won't become a victim here.
"Here, there are many people who are stronger than me. I also think that there would be someone who would come to talk to you, at that time you should stay strong no matter what happen. If there's someone who lay a hand on you, at once hit his groin as hard as you can, understand?"
"Yes."
Yup, with this there should be no problem right.
Opening the guild's door, I step my leg forward. I enter it while leading Lulu-chan by hand, adventurers' gazes are naturally turned toward me. I keep walking toward receptionist without minding about it.
And then, there's a sole man who's standing in my way. Finia-chan is transferring to Lulu-chan's shoulder, and I look up at the man who stand in my way.
A face which I remember.
"Yo, aren't you the one who falsely accused me some time ago."
"Kitsune... about the thing I've said to you before, I'll say it again."
"You are, a failure as an adventurer... right?"
The one who come as if to despise me is, a young E rank adventurer who previously said that I was a failure as an adventurer. At that time I've nicely wheedled him but, as expected he couldn't consent with that right. Here, should I confute him again.
Wha, huh?
"Hmm... what's up with you, this isn't a place for a kid you know?"
Somehow Lulu-chan is taking a step ahead. What's the matter? Somehow I feel a bad premonition about it though. Eh, what's the matter?
"Sh, shut up, you ball-less bastard."
Inside the guild, silence is spreaded.
The adventurers, receptionist girls, also the youth in front of me, everyone are dumbfounded by Lulu-chan's words. What's the meaning of this? What happen to Lulu-chan so suddenly? Indeed I've said to stay strong but, is it like that?
"Wha, what did you say! That's rude you know!"
The youth is back to his sense, while being delayed by Lulu-chan's word, he shout. And then, Lulu-chan is raising the corner of her eyes, and open her mouth up again.
"Shut up, don't talk to me! Guh, it stinks....!"
"Guha...!?"
Lulu-chan, just what happen to you? With just several seconds to be able to gouge a person's heart up? The thing I said about stay strong is that, to forthrightly ward off when someone said some thoughtless remark.... Ah, Finia-chan who is at Lulu-chan's shoulder is smirking.
So it's your evil deed huh!
"You... to say something like that to me... do you think you could just slip by like that...!"
The youth is wiping the unpleasant sweat at his face with his hand. And then, as if she has thought about something, Lulu-chan is raising her small fist overhead.
"E, ei!"
And then hit that youth groin with all her strength.
"Ugh....u! .....u.....!!"
The youth is collapsed. That is, he vigorously collapsed vertically while standing. With a white eyes, he hold his groin.
Seems like hurt... my abdomen is stinging, sting. Even the surrounding adventurers are also hung their head while holding their groin. Do you not understand that pain? Even me, at my grade school time, when I was kicked by a girl from my class, I thought that I would die you know!
"Kitsune-sama... I, I did it."
What just you did?
You're indeed did it. Not did it but hit it though. I feel fear from the depth of my heart toward Finia-chan who is laughing at Lulu-chan's shoulder. Innocent is sure frightening.
"Y, yes... you did well."
I feel bad to that youth but, Lulu-chan didn't has any ill intent. She is just pure and a bit airhead, that's why she take what I said seriously. This is a misfortune accident, yup, a sad accident. So please let it off.
Passing through the youth who is collapsed, we finally arrived at Mia-chan's place. When Mia-chan see Lulu-chan, she talks to me with her business smile.
"Good morning Kitsune-sama, does the child there is a slave?"
"Yes, her name is Lulu-chan. She's cute right?"
She looked somewhat dissatisfied but, well whatever. Taking a request, Finia-chan is bringing a request at a nice timing. The content is to gather medical herbs, a request which located at outside the country. Since it is at outside, there's a possibility that a magical beast may appeared but, since we have no intention to come near the forest, and Finia-chan is also with us so there should be no problem right? The time limit is one week, and the quota isn't that much. Perhaps, should we use this chance to raise Lulu-chan's level up? Since her level would be still increased even if we just let her to do the finishing blow after all.
"Then, we'll take this."
"Yes, the time limit is one week right... okay, then please do your best."
"Kay, well then!"
"We're going!"
Holding Lulu-chan's hand, we left the guild. Seems like we would get busy.
Hey Lulu-chan, no matter even if that person is collapsed on the floor, you shouldn't tread on him you know.
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2650bx/
こいし