桔音
はHランク冒険者として依頼をこなす日々を送っていた。生活は半月程確保出来てはいるが、生活費は稼がねばならないし、リーシェに返す為のお金も出来るだけ早く確保したいところだ。
冒険者になるものは、基本的に憧れや夢といった大層素敵な理由で冒険者の道へと入っている。ただ単に稼ぎやすい職業というのもあって、金が欲しい連中もたまにいるが、どちらにせよ彼らは冒険者として大成したいと思っている。
彼らは冒険者として大成したい、となればより高いランクへと上がりたいという向上心が高いという訳だ。
なのに、
桔音という男は、Hランクの冒険者から抜け出そうという意思が感じられない。基本的に、魔獣討伐を任せられるFランクになるには元冒険者のギルド役員に認められることが原則だが、Hの次、Gランクに上がることは本当に簡単だ。Fランクに上がりたい意思表示をして、元冒険者役員の開いている訓練に参加するだけ。たったそれだけで一つランクを上げることができる。
にも拘らず、その訓練にも参加しようとしない桔音。常にHランクの大した事のない、普段誰一人としてやろうとしない依頼をこなし続けるだけの冒険者。最弱の冒険者。
故に、桔音はこの世界にやって来てから向けられていた奇異の視線に、より一層晒されるようになった。
何故上を目指さないのか、冒険者達ひいては受付嬢の面々全員が思っていた。
「は?」
先程も言った通り、冒険者は全員―――桔音を除いて全員が向上心猛々しく、自身の中にある
だから、そんな誇りを持った冒険者からすれば、桔音という冒険者らしからぬ存在は酷く心をざわつかせた。苛々させてくれる存在だ。
「だから、お前みたいな奴が冒険者なんて認めない。これ以上冒険者を穢すようなら、今すぐ冒険者を止めろ」
だから、こうして桔音に突っ掛かって来る冒険者が出てくるのは、当然のことと言えた。
「君誰? 正直言って僕は君のことを知らないんだ、知りたいとも思わないけど」
今日、ギルドへやってきた桔音の前に一人の男が立ち塞がってきた。良く見る野暮で大柄な濃い男ではなく、その男は青年だった。おそらく、桔音よりも数年年上だろう風格と、桔音が見上げなければ視線を合わせられない高い身長、腰に下げた剣は素人目から見ても中々に迫力を放っていた。
一目で分かる、格上だと。
「だからこそ、貴様は冒険者失格だ! 冒険者とは自由の人、上を目指し、魔獣を狩り、何よりも強く気高い存在だ! 貴様の様な男が踏み荒らして良い道ではない!」
桔音はその言葉で理解する。
彼は冒険者に強い憧れを持っている男だと。だからこそ、自分の行動が許せないのだろうと。
「何か言ったか?」
「君と僕でどう違うっていうんだい?」
「なに?」
だからどうした。桔音は反論する。一日一日を生きる為残飯だろうがなんだろうが漁って喰らう。桔音は死ぬわけにはいかないのだ、篠崎しおりとの約束の為にも、それだけは絶対に譲れない。一宿一飯の恩義もまだ返せていないのに、つべこべ言っている余裕はない。
「君はどうやら冒険者に並々ならぬ思い入れがあるようだけど、ランクは幾つ? 僕は知っての通り、Hランクだ」
「......Eランクだ」
桔音の問いに、彼はそう答えた。Eランク、魔獣討伐の依頼をこなせるようになり、更にランクを一つ上げた者。当然、桔音よりも数段強い。
だが、桔音は臆さない。格上だろうと、自分の生き方だけは否定させない。
「Eランク、凄いね。でも、EランクとHランクにどう違いがあるっていうんだ? 住民のお手伝いと魔獣討伐の重要さに、どう違いがあるんだ?」
「なっ......!?」
「魔獣を討伐したいだけなら外行って好きなだけ狩って来いよ、気高くありたいのなら騎士でだってそうあれるよ、お前何のために依頼を受けてるんだ?」
桔音の精神は、あの瘴気の怪物に会ってから強くなった。死を経験して、何も怖い者などなくなった。故に、桔音が彼を自分の生きる道を邪魔する者、敵だと認識したその時点で、このスキルが発動する。
―――『不気味体質』
桔音の目の前に立つ男は、桔音の雰囲気が変わったことを感じ取り、恐怖を感じた。一歩二歩と後ずさりし、その分だけ距離を取った。
「魔獣を討伐するのは人の為だろう? それは素晴らしいことで、とても尊い行動だと思うよ」
「そ、そうだ......! 冒険者はそういう存在だ!」
「じゃあ、人々の小さな悩み事はどうでもいいのかな? 来るかも分からない危機を君達が懸命に排除している間、僕は人々の小さな悩みを解決していたんだ。それは、全く、一切、何の意味も無い行動かな?」
「.........っ」
桔音の言葉に、雰囲気に、迫力に、男はなんの反論も出来なかった。ただ、桔音の放つプレッシャーに足を震わせ、関わり合いたくないと思わせる弱者の威圧に困惑していた。
「もしも、君がそう思っているんだとしたら」
「何を言って......」
「お前、冒険者失格だぜ?」
残飯を漁って何が悪い。住民を媚び諂って何が悪い。それで冒険者失格だというのなら、それこそおめでたい頭に呆れかえる馬鹿らしさだ。
弱い奴は死ぬ、簡単に死ぬ。だから必死に喰らい付いているのだ。
「っ......な......!」
男は桔音に言われたことに反論出来ない。何も言えない。ただ、冒険者失格だと思っていた相手に、冒険者失格だと突き付けられた事実にショックを受けていた。
冒険者は自由の人、気高く、強い存在、そう思っていた。いや、実際それは合っている。だが、彼は見失っていたのだ。何のために自由で、何から気高くあって、何のために強い存在なのかを。その意味を。
桔音の言う通りなのなら、強くなるのは何かを護る為、人を護る為、命を護る為だ。ただ強いだけの人間に、人は気高さなど見出せない。その強さを正しい方向へ向けられる者こそ気高いのだ。それを思い知らされた。
「じゃ、僕は仕事をするから。困っている人は見逃せないんだ、僕ってほら、清く正しい正義感溢れる青少年だからさ」
桔音はそう言って、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら男の横を通り抜けた。その際、茫然とする彼の肩をぽんと叩いたのだった。
男は、最後まで桔音に言い返す事が出来なかった。
◇
男の隣を通り過ぎた桔音は、茫然としている男を放置してミアの下へとやってきた。桔音は依頼を受ける際、ミアとその隣の青髪の受付嬢の下へ気まぐれに代わる代わる対応をお願いしている。今回はミアだったようだ。
「やぁミアちゃん、おはよう」
「おはようございます......あのきつね様、少し言い過ぎでは?」
「え、なんのこと? おはようと言っただけだけど」
「......そうですか......ところで、今日はフィニア様はいらっしゃらないんですか?」
知らぬ存ぜぬを通す桔音に、ミアは追及を諦めた。
そして桔音の右肩を見て、ミアはそう聞いた。いつも一緒にいるフィニアが桔音の傍にいないのだ。それはいつも見ている光景の一部が欠けた様なもの寂しさを感じさせている。
桔音はそんなミアに苦笑しながら答える。
「フィニアちゃんは今寝てるんだよねー」
「寝てる......?」
「うん、この中で」
そう言って、桔音はお面を指差した。実は眠ってしまうと結構朝が弱いフィニア、此処一週間は睡眠を必要としない故に夜更かししまくりだったのだが、昨晩は気まぐれにお面の中で眠った。故に、まだ眠っているというわけだ。
だが、それを聞いたミアは驚愕に瞳を目を見開いた。
「つまり......フィニア様は思想種......ということですか......?」
「あ」
桔音は思い出した。フィニアの妖精についての説明を。
沈黙する両者。冒険者達は先程桔音に言い負かされた男を気に掛けているのか、聞こえていなかったようだ。しかし、ミアとその隣に座っていた青髪の受付嬢はバッチリ聞いていたようだ。
「いや、違うよ。お面の中ってそういう意味じゃなくて、お面と僕の頭の間の空間で寝てるんだ」
「あ、ああそういうことですか......ですよね」
「......ほっ」
桔音はお面をコンコンと叩いてフィニアを起こす。そしてお面を外し、内側をミア達に見せないようにして、寝ぼけたフィニアがお面の内側から出て来たのを捕まえた。服の襟を摘まんで、ミア達に見せる。
すると、ミア達は安堵の息を吐いた。もしかしてとは思っていたが、やはり違ったようだ。
「フィニアちゃん、依頼受けるよ」
「ん~......五秒待ってね............んっ! おはようきつねさん! フィニアちゃんのお目覚めだよ!」
「うんおはよう。さ、今日も仕事しないとね」
「えー、でももう結構お金溜まったじゃん。私そろそろ身体を動かしたいな!」
「そう、僕はインドア派だからぶっちゃけ動きたくないな」
「インドアとか言ってるけど引きニート根性が染みついてるね! 本格的に駄目人間だよ!」
いつもの二人、ミアはそんな光景にふと笑った。この一週間、彼女は二人の言い合いを見慣れて来ている。一つの日常として享受している。ある意味一日の楽しみになっていると言っても良い。二人の掛け合いは見ていて面白いのだ。
「んー......じゃあどうする?」
「遊びに行こう! 今日は仕事を忘れて楽しもうよ!」
「あー......そうだね、息抜きも必要かな」
「うん!」
「じゃあリーシェちゃんでも誘って何処か美味しいものでも食べに行こうか」
「やった!」
桔音の言葉に、フィニアが喜ぶ。この一週間、リーシェと同じ宿に泊まっていながら桔音はリーシェに会っていない。朝早くにギルドを出て、かなり遅くに帰って来るからだ。朝食と夕食は食べているが、昼食は宿屋の女将にお願いして弁当を作って貰っている。
「うん、それじゃ今日は休むとしようか」
「賛成! たまには良い判断をするね! きつねさんも!」
「褒めてないよねそれ?」
桔音はフィニアの言動にツッコミを入れつつ、嬉しそうなフィニアの顔を見て苦笑する。なんだかんだ言って、桔音はフィニアの笑顔が好きなのだ。
「リーシェ......様ですか?」
とそこへミアが話に加わってきた。
「うん、僕のちょっとした恩人なんだ」
「名前からして女性のようですね」
「うん、僕と同年代位の女の子なんだ」
「......随分と親しげですね」
「妬いてません。仕事の邪魔ですので、依頼をお受けにならないようならお帰り下さい」
ミアは唐突に仕事モードに入って、桔音に事務的な反応を返す。なんというか、不機嫌な様子だ。
最近、あの言いよってきたジェノを桔音が追い払ってから、度々ミアは不機嫌になる。桔音はなんでミアがそんな態度になるのか全然理解出来ない。やったことと言えば目の前で巨乳と言い放ったり、ジェノに殴り飛ばされたり、胸を揉ませてと言ったり、碌でもないことばかりだ。余計分からなくなった。寧ろそんな自分になんとなく落ち込んだ。
とりあえず、その理由をフィニアに聞いてみる。
「フィニアちゃん、なんかミアちゃん怒ってる?」
「女の子には色々あるんだよ! 詮索しないであげて! きっと生理だから!」
「ばらしてんじゃん、盛大に乙女の秘密大暴露じゃん、もし本当だったらミアちゃん公開処刑しちゃってんじゃん」
「そういえばフィニアちゃんは生理とかあるの?」
「お、女の子になんてこと聞くの! 駄目だよきつねさん! でりかしーのない男の人はモテないんだよ!」
「僕もうフィニアちゃんが分からないよ」
フィニアに聞いても桔音は余計疲れるだけだと悟り、溜め息を吐いた。
とりあえず、今日は仕事は中止にすることにし、一旦宿に戻ってリーシェを遊びに誘うことにしたのだった。
「それじゃミアちゃん、また明日」
「じゃあね!」
「.........はい」
ミアは視線を寄越さないまま、桔音を見送った。ギルドから桔音の姿が消えたのを確認すると、仏頂面を浮かべる。
何故かは知らないが、胸がむかむかするのを感じるミア。それから今日一日、不機嫌オーラを放ったまま、やって来る冒険者達の相手をするのだった。
Ch 15
For about one week after that, Kitsune spent his every day handling requests as an H rank adventurer. Though he has already secured his daily needs for about half a month already, but it's necessary to earn the cost for their every day living and he wants to secure some money to return it to Rishe as soon as possible. 
For one to become an adventurer, he is basically on the path of the adventurer for very wonderful reasons(He yearns for it and it's his dream). The are also easy work too, but though there are people who just wants money, they also want to complete either way as an adventurer. 
They want to complete it as an adventurer, which means that they aspire to raise their ranks and complete more requests. 
but despite of that, 
A man known as Kitsune, doesn't have any intention of slipping out from H rank as an adventurer. In a standard way, though it's a principle of the guild that the guild's director which is a former adventurer has to acknowledge someone for them to raise their rank to F by subjugating monster, and for H rank adventurers, it's truly easy to become G rank. They just need to have the will to raise their rank to F and participate in the training that the former adventurer Director opened.  A singe rank can only be raised by this. 
But even so, Kitsune didn't even try to participate in that training. There's no wonderful thing in staying as an H rank adventurer, and one would only need to continue on handling the requests that no one would take. The weakest adventurer of all. 
Therefore, Kitsune who came to this world received strange glances, and it became more obvious each day. 
Why isn't he aiming for something higher?, is what not only adventurers but also all of the receptionists in the adventurer guild thought of. 
[Wha?] 
As what has been said a while ago, All of the adventurers------excluding kitsune are working hard for their ambitions, as they wear the appearance of an adventurer that they aspire of, and they make an effort to exceed their yearning everyday. Is that their reason?, in which they draw out their idea of an adventurer as an important person who won't hand over their pride and confidence that they all want to be. 
Therefore, from the proud adventurers like that, they were angry towards Kitsune who's not like an adventurer. He is an existence that made them irritated. 
[That is why, we won't admit the likes of you to be an adventurer. If you plan on defiling the name of adventurers any further then stop being an adventurer this instant] 
That is why the adventurers who came out to Kitsune says so like it is only natural. 
[Who're you? I don't know you to tell you the truth, though I wasn't thinking of knowing you too] 
Today, there is a single man who is standing on the way of Kitsune who came to the guild. He's not a boorish big man but he is just a young man. Perhaps, he's several years older than kitsune with a distinctive character, and if Kitsune doesn't look up then he won't be able to match up with his eyes, while having a sword lowered in his waist which is obviously aiming at him in which he sensed it even with his untrained eyes. 
He understood with only a single glance, with his status of course. 
[That is why you are a failure as an adventurer! An adventurer is a person of freedom, who aspires for a higher place, hunts monsters, and is a sublime existence above all! It's not a road for a man like you can tread on!] 
Kitsune understood those words. 
He is an adventurer that has a strong yearning. That is why, he couldn't forgive he's own actions. 
[What did you say?] 
[What difference are you saying about me and you?] 
[What?] 
What about it. Kitsune rebutted so. He would look for food regardless of it being leftovers or anything for the purpose of living day by day. It would be bad for Kitsune to die, for the promise he made with Shinozaki Shiori too, and that is the only thing that he cannot surrender. He also hasn't returned the hospitality that he has accepted too so he has no room to complain. 
[Though you seem to have extraordinarily gave your whole mind in becoming an adventurer apparently, but how much is your rank? As what I know, it's H rank] 
[......E rank] 
With Kitsune's question, that person answered so. E Rank, he's able to take on requests to subjugate monsters and which means he's a person who has raised his rank once. Of course, he's stronger than Kitsune several times. 
However, Kitsune isn't bothered by it. In case of the standpoint, he couldn't deny his only way of living. 
[E rank, isn't that amazing. But, what is the difference with E rank and H rank? what is the difference of helping citizens and subjugating monsters?] 
[Wha......!?] 
[If you only love to hunt monsters then go outside and hunt them as much as you want, and if you want to become a sublime existence then you should have become a knight, so what is the reason for you to take on those requests?] 
He has already experienced death and that is why he has lost the feeling of getting scared by anything. Therefore, to him who is obstructing his way of living, and at the point where he recognized him as an enemy, this skill would be invoked. 
------{Eerie Constitution} 
The man who stands in the presence of Kitsune, felt the change of atmosphere of Kitsune,  and felt fear towards him. He shyly took two steps back to make a distance from him that much. 
[You subjugate monsters for the sake of the people right? that is a magnificent and honorable action is what I think too
[Tha-, soThat's right......! An adventurer is an existence like that!] 
[Then, are the small worries of the people trivial to you? While all of you are risking your life in subjugating things I know not of, I have been solving the citizen's small worries. So are you telling me that those actions that I've been doing doesn't matter?] 
[.........] 
With Kitsune's words, The atmosphere became more heavy and no one could do a rebuttal. However, their feet trembled on the pressure that Kitsune is releasing, any they didn't want to be related to it because of the overpowering of Kitsune to them who were weak. 
[If in the case that you are thinking like that] 
[What are you saying......] 
[Aren't you the one who is a failure of being an adventurer?] 
What is wrong with looking for leftovers. What is wrong with getting along with the citizens. If everyone says that those actions make you a failure as an adventurer, then he would be amazed from the silly and absurd brain of those people. 
Weak people will die, they would easily die. That is why he desperately eats and lives. 
[......Wha......!] 
No man could say any objection to Kitsune. They couldn't say anything. However, to the people who thought that he's a failure in being an adventurer, they received the shock of them being a failure in being an adventurer. 
An adventurer is a man of freedom, sublime, and a strong existence, is what they thought. No, that fits it in fact. However, he has lost sight of something. To whose sake are they free, for whose sake are they sublime, and for whose sake do they become a strong existence. That is what he means. 
If Kitsune says so, then the purpose of becoming is for the sake of someone, for the sake of protecting people, and for the sake of protecting lives. People wouldn't see any sublimity from a person who is just strong. Only the people who use that strength in the correct way are the sublime ones. That is what he taught to them. 
[Then, Since I have more work to do. I won't overlook any troubled person, Since I'm, you know, a youth who is overflowing with justice]  (TLN: And savageness.....cuz that was SAVAGE!)
Kitsune who says so, passed over at the side of that guy while wearing a faint smile in his face. (TLN: AKA Troll face/Grin)
Every guy couldn't answer back to Kitsune even at the last minute. 
*
Kitsune who passed through the side of the man beside him, proceeded to Mia's direction while leaving that stupefied guy. When Kitsune receives requests, he would alternatively call upon Mia-chan or the blue haired girl beside her. This time seems to be Mia. 
[Hey Mia-chan, good morning] 
[A good morning to you too......Umm Kitsune-sama, haven't you overreacted for a bit?] 
[Eh, what do you mean? Though I only said good morning to you] 
[......I see......By the way, Is Finia-sama not with you?] 
Kitsune who's acting like he doesn't understand it is overlooked so Mia gave up pursuing the topic. 
And after looking at Kitsune's right shoulder, Mia asked as so. Finia who's always at the shoulder of Kitsune wasn't there. she felt lonely since a part of an everyday spectacle is missing. 
Kitsune smiled wryly as he answered Mia. 
[Finia-chan is still sleeping] 
[Sleeping......?] 
[Yes, inside this] 
While saying so, Kitsune pointed at his mask. Finia is considerably weak in the morning when actually sleeping, but though Finia stays up late with the reason of her not needing any sleep, she slept in the mask on a whim last night. Therefore, she's still asleep. 
However, Mia who has heard of that got surprised and opened her eyes widely. 
[In a word......Finia-sama is an idea type......is what you are saying......?] 
[Ah] 
Kitsune recalled it. The explanation of Finia on what her type is. 
Both of them became silent. Did the adventurers who were teaming up on Kitsune hear them, but they seem to have not heard it. However, Mia and the blue haired receptionist girl who was beside her have perfectly heard of it. 
[No, you're wrong. I didn't mean that she's sleeping inside the mask, since I meant that she's sleeping between the space of my head and this mask] 
[Ah, is that so......You're right] 
[......Hou] 
Kitsune knocks on the mask to wake up Finia. And when he took of the mask, while in the way of not showing the inside of the mas to Mia and the others, he took out the sleepy Finia from the inside of the mask. He picked her up with the collar of her clothes and showed her to Mia. 
Then, Mia vomited a sigh of relief. Though they thought if they were right, but it seems like they were wrong. 
[Finia-chan, we're receiving a request] 
[Nnn~......please wait for about 5 more seconds............HNM! Good morning Kitsune-sama!Finai-chan has awakened!] 
[Yeah good morning to you too. Then, I won't be working again for today] 
[Eeh, but didn't we have enough money collected already. I want to gradually move my body soon!] 
[Yes, but since I'm an indoor type then I really don't want to move] 
[Though you're saying you're an indoor type but it's more like you're a Hiki NEET! That's a full scale useless person you know!] 
The two of those, is the scene that Mia always sees while she laughs a bit. For this whole single week, she has become accustomed to the quarreling of these 2. You can also say that this is also an enjoying scene to her. aruYi Wei Yi Ri noLe shimininatsuteirutoYan tsutemoLiang i. The sight of these two's negotiation is also amusing. 
[Hm......then what shall we do?] 
[Let's go out and play! Let's enjoy this day while forgetting our work!] 
[Ah......that's right, a break is important too] 
[Yeah!] 
[Then let's also invite Rishe and go to someplace where delicious food is] 
[I did it!] 
With Kitsune's words, Finia is pleased. Within this week, Kitsune hasn't met Rishe even though they were staying in the same inn. Maybe it's because he would quickly go out of the inn in the morning and would come back late. Though he would eat breakfast and dinner, he would ask lunch from the landlady and a lunch box would be prepared for him. 
[Yeah, Then let's assume that this day is a rest day today] 
[Agreed! You could occasionally make a good decision! Kitsune-san too!] 
[That's not you praising me right?] 
While Kitsune was making a comeback with what Fina said, he made a wry smile while looking at the happy face of Finia. Even if they would say this and that, Kitsune liked the happy face of Finia. 
[Rishe......-sama huh?] 
Mia has joined the conversation. 
[Yep, she's my benefactor] 
[She seems to be a girl based on her name] 
[Yeah, she's a girl in the same age as me] 
[......You seem to be fairly intimate with her] 
[I.AM.NOT.JEALOUS. Since you're obstructing my work, please go home if you're not receiving a request] 
Mia suddenly turned into Work mode and she gave Kitsune a business like answer. What can be said about it, she seems to be in an ill mood. 
Recently, after he drove away Jeno who has been courting her, Mia frequently became ill humored. Kitsune couldn't understand why would Mia's attitude become like that. The oly thing that came to his mind is that he declared in her presence that she's has big breasts, got struck hard by Jeno, asked her to let him massage her breasts, but all he thought about are useless stuff. He didn't understand more and more. He got more depressed from it. 
For the time being, he asked Finia for the reason. 
[Finia-chan, it seems like Mia-chan is angry?] 
[There are various types of girls you know! Stop trying to investigate and stand up! It must be her menstruation!] 
[Don't reveal it, isn't that the grand secret of all women, if that's true then that would cause the public exclusion for Mia-chan] 
[Inidently does Finia-chan have that physiology too?] 
[Wha-, What are you trying to make a girl say! That's a bad thing to do Kitsune-san! A man who doesn't have any delicacy won't be popular you know!] 
[Even Finia-chan doesn't understand me] 
Kitsune realized that he would get more tired if he asks Finia-chan, so he vomited a sigh. 
For the time being, work shall be discontinued this day and they should return to the inn and invite Rishe to play. 
[I'll be going now Mia-chan, Let's meet up tomorrow too] 
[Good bye!] 
[.........Yes] 
Mia who hasn't sent a single glance, Kitsune has been seen off. When she has confirmed that Kitsune is gone from the guild, a sullen look has floated in her face. 
Though she doesn't understand why, she felt anger in her chest. After that, for the whole day, while shooting out an angry aura, she handled the adventurers that came for requests like that.
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/
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