待ち合わせ
勇者を初めて見た感想は、『爽やかなイケメン』だった。
宿を出た時、城は直ぐに見つかった。というか、この国で最も高くて大きな建物だったから多分何処に居ても見えただろう。更に言えば、宿はかなり城に近い場所に立っている。数分歩けばすぐに城の前の門まで辿り着く事が出来た。
そして、門番に勇者に会いたいと言ったのだけど、取り合って貰えない。とりあえず口八丁手八丁で言い包めようとしたんだけど、幸いにも勇者の方から出て来てくれた。
「勇者、であってる?」
「ああ、俺が勇者だ!」
慌てた様子で出て来たから、多分何処かから僕の姿が見えたんだろう。学ランしか持ってないとはいえ、この服を見れば異世界人ってことは直ぐに分かるだろうしね。勇者として歓迎してくれているとはいえ、周囲は世界の違う人間だらけだ。
心の隅に、郷愁の想いがないわけがない。元の世界になんの未練もない限りはね。だから、僕を見ればすぐに出てくると思ってたよ。運が良かった。
「え、と......もしかして、だけど......その......」
すると、勇者は最初の一声にあった勢いが急に失速して、しどろもどろに挙動不審な態度になった。
まぁ、異世界人かどうか聞くのはやり辛いか。まして、これで僕がこの世界の人間だったら恥ずかしいもんね。
「君がどういう世界から来たのかは知らないけど......日本とか地球とか、そういう言葉を知ってる?」
「っ! あ、ああ知ってる! ってことは......あんたも?」
「ああ、そうだよ。僕は君と
直接異世界人という単語は使わずとも、勇者と僕、お互いが同じく異世界から来た人間だということは十分に伝わったらしい。
彼は途端に満開の笑顔を浮かべ、少し安堵した様に嘆息した。
「俺と同じ境遇の奴がいたんだなぁ......悪いけどちょっと安心したよ」
「まぁ僕は君よりも先にこの世界に来てたんだけどね」
「そうなのか......えーと......名前を聞いても良いか?」
「僕のことはきつねって呼んでよ、気易く先輩でも良いよ」
彼の見た目は僕よりも背が高く、見上げないと視線が合わない。体格はがっしりしてるけどすらっと長い。服装はこの世界の物だけど、手足が長いから似合ってる。
でも顔立ちはまだ若干若いからから多分年下だろうな。異世界来たのも僕が先だし、先輩で合ってる筈だ。
「ハハハッ、そうだな......じゃあそうさせてもらうよ、きつね先輩」
「あ、呼んでくれるんだ......ちなみに歳幾つ?」
「17だ」
「良かった、年齢的にも先輩だった」
これで僕より年上だったらどうしようかと思った。年上に先輩とか呼ばせるのはちょっと気が引けるからね。
というかこの勇者君随分とフレンドリーだな、かなり高いコミュニケーションスキルを持っているらしい。元の世界じゃ随分とリア充生活を送っていたんだろうなぁ、死ねばいいのに。
「えーと......それで、きつね先輩はなんで此処に?」
「うん、僕は君に用があって来たんだ」
「俺に?」
勇者君は首を傾げて腕を組む。
まぁ僕と君とじゃこの世界での境遇が全く違うから、そう思うのは仕方がない。魔王討伐を目的における君と違って、僕は元の世界に戻ることしか目的に出来ないんだし。
「とりあえず......じっくり話がしたいんだけど、時間ある?」
なんにせよ、話をしない限りは始まらない。勇者として召喚され、この世界にやってきた彼と、死んで訳も分からずこの世界にやってきた僕、その違いはなんなのか、そして僕が元の世界に帰る方法は果たしてあるのか―――。
―――期待を裏切らないでくれよ? 勇者君。
「......分かった、後でギルドへ行くつもりなんだ......待っててくれるか?」
「良いよ、それじゃあまたあとでね」
そうして、僕らは一旦別れる。再度会う約束を取り付けて、僕はギルドへと向かう。お互いに背を踵を返し、僕は元来た道を、彼は城の中へと歩き出した。
とりあえず、勇者に話を聞く約束を取り付けられた。この一歩は大きい。後は話を聞いて、どういう結論を出すか......だね。
「......それにしても......」
少し進んだ所で、僕は首だけ振り向いた。視線の先には、城の中へと去っていく勇者の背中。
「―――なんて威圧感だ、流石勇者だね」
目の前にした時から感じていた、英雄の風格と威圧感。ただでさえ背の高い彼だけど、僕の印象ではもっとずっと大きく見えた。今だってそうだ、去りゆく背中はまるで、巨人の様に大きく聳え立っている。
怖い怖い、流石は勇者......僕とは格が違うね。
「きつねさん?」
「大丈夫、行こうかフィニアちゃん」
実は勇者に会う前にお面の中に入って貰っていたフィニアちゃんが顔を出し、訝しげに僕に話し掛けて来た。妖精は彼にとって珍しいだろうし、理性的な会話をする為に隠れていて貰ったんだ。
僕はそれに対して薄ら笑いを浮かべて返す。振り向いた視線を切って、再度歩きだす。まずは冒険者ギルドへ行くとしよう。
扉を開けて、中に入る。ミニエラに居た時とは見覚えのない顔ばかりだけど、その一人一人が僕よりも遥かに強い冒険者達の視線が、僕に集まる。
そして、
「―――シッ!!」
一瞬で僕の目の前にやってきた人影が、僕の頭を蹴り飛ばしてきた。
「あぎッ!?」
「ッッァイ!!」
頭にめり込んでくるのは、固い靴の感触。そのまま誰かの気合の入った大声と共に、僕は入り口の場所から真横へとぶっ飛ばされ、壁に当たって止まった。
そしてさっきまで僕が立っていた場所から、着地する音が響く。ギルド内の喧騒も、その着地音がはっきり聞こえる位に収まっていた。
「......どういうこと?」
「きつねさん、大丈夫?」
「うん、大丈夫なんだけど......どういうこと?」
フィニアちゃんの言葉に返しながら、僕は困惑する。そして状況を理解するべく、着地音のした場所を見た。
そこには、見覚えのある少女がいた。ミアちゃんと同じ様な制服を見に纏い、小柄でありながら豊満な胸を携えて、勝気な瞳で僕を見ている。こめかみには青筋が立っていて、どう見ても怒っているようだった。
そうだ、思い出した。あの子は此処のエース受付嬢......ルーナちゃんだ。昨日僕の発言にブチ切れたんだっけ。まだ怒ってたのか、随分と根に持つなこの子。面倒な。
「えー......と、昨日のことまだ怒ってるの?」
「あったりまえよ! あれだけコケにされて許すわけないでしょ!」
「受付嬢なのに随分とまぁ好戦的な子だなぁ」
「この国じゃ受付嬢だって強く在るのが常識よ、寧ろ受付嬢にも勝てないようじゃこの国で生きていけないわよ?」
此処の受付嬢ってそんな強いのか。流石は軍事国家、戦闘狂の桃源郷、やることなすことみんな脳筋思考か。まぁだからこそ強いんだろうけど。
とはいえ、この子の怒りをどう沈めるべきかなぁ......謝っても許してくれなさそうだしなぁ......まぁ別に良いか、許して貰わなくても。此処に来たのは勇者との待ち合わせだし。
「面倒臭いなぁ......この子」
「今なんて言った?」
「はぁ......あ、この席座っても良い?」
「え? あ、ああ別に構わねぇけど......」
「無視しないでよ!!」
地団駄を踏むルーナちゃんを無視して、僕は手近に空いていた椅子に座った。隣に座っていた筋肉質な冒険者の男に一応確認は取ったし、勇者が来るまで此処で座っていよう。
そう思っていたら、僕の肩にルーナちゃんが手を乗せて来た。
「あのね......私を―――」
「ごめんね、僕心に決めた人がいるんだ......だから君の気持ちには」
「なんで私がアンタに告白したみたいになってんのよ!!」
なんだ、告白じゃなかったのか。ちょっと俯いて話し掛けて来たからさっきまでの怒りは照れ隠しだったのかと思ったのに。なんだかショックだなぁ、裏切られた気分だ。
「この裏切り者!」
「殺してやろうかアンタ!?」
「ねぇフィニアちゃん......僕初めて女の子に告白されると思ったんよ? なのにいざ蓋を開けてみればこれだよ......何なの?」
「自信過剰だよきつねさん! きつねさんが人間に告白される筈ないじゃない!」
「フィニアちゃん、君は今僕にトドメを刺した」
告白じゃないなら興味ないよ。面倒な子の相手はレイラちゃんで間に合ってるんだし、あまり絡まないで欲しいなぁ。
ぎゃーぎゃーと騒ぐルーナちゃんは放っておいて、僕は頬杖を付きながら勇者を待つ。
そういえばルルちゃん達はどうしてるかな。楽しんでいれば良いんだけど、レイラちゃんがちゃんと護衛してくれてるか不安だな。あの子結構マイペースだし、自分勝手だから。
「ちょっと!」
「なんだよ、さっきから騒がしいよ?」
「うっ......アンタが無視するからでしょ?」
「無視されることするからでしょ?」
「殴られたいのアンタ!?」
正直何言ってるか分からないから笑えて来た。子供がじゃれついてきた感覚だね、まぁ彼女の場合そのじゃれつきのパワーが半端無いんだけどさ。でも結構からかい甲斐のある子だ。仲良くはしたくないけど。
顔を真っ赤にして憤慨するルーナちゃんだけど、他の受付嬢の子に呼ばれて渋々戻って行った。最後まで僕を睨んでいたけど、正直僕は悪くないと思う。少なくとも今日は何もしてないよね、僕。
あーあ、周囲の視線が痛いや。
桔音と別れた後、凪は直ぐに部屋へと戻って来ていた。
未だに眠っていたセシルをすぐに起こして、外へ出る準備を整え始める。今は早く桔音と話がしたいという考えが前に出て、逸る気持ちを抑えきれずにいた。
セシルはそんな凪を見て、どういうことなのか全く理解出来ていなかったけれど、手早く支度を整える様子を見て、自分もと急いで身支度を整え出す。
そして、そこからしばらくして支度を整えた凪は、服の上から防具や武器を装備して、昨日の内に纏めておいた荷物を抱える。セシルもいつもの巫女服を着て直ぐに意識を切り替えた。
「そんなに急いでどうされたんですか? ナギ様」
「ん、ああ......ちょっと面白い人に会ってな。さっきギルドで待ち合わせしたんだよ」
「へぇ......そうなんですか」
「なんでも俺と話をしたいらしくてな、俺も話をしたい人だったから早く行きたくて」
凪はうずうずした様子で部屋を出る。セシルもそれに続いた。どうやら彼はすぐにでもギルドへ向かいたいと思っているらしく、早足で廊下を歩いている。
そんな様子にセシルは少し考えて、近くを通りかかったメイドに話しかけた。
「あの、ちょっとよろしいですか?」
「私と勇者様は先にギルドへと発ちますので、シルフィとジークにはギルドへ来るように伝えてください」
「かしこまりました、お気を付けて」
シルフィとジーク、この二人は今回勇者と魔王討伐の旅に出る為に王が用意した人材だ。Aランクの実力を持つ魔法使いのシルフィと、同じくAランクの剣士のジーク、共にかなり腕の立つ実力者だ。
本来ならば一緒に城を出発する予定だったのだが、予想外に凪が早々に出発しようとしているので、後から付いて来て貰うことにしたのである。
そしてそれに了承したメイドが頭を下げた後、セシルはパタパタと凪の後を追って駆けていく。
「待って下さいナギ様!」
「楽しみなのは分かりましたが、もう少し落ち付いて下さい。待ち合わせしているのなら相手は逃げたりしませんよ。それに、ギルドまでの道を知らないでしょう?」
「あ、ああ......そうだな、悪い」
セシルに注意されて、勢いを削がれた凪。少しばかり申し訳なさそうに彼は頭を掻きながら、しょぼんと肩を落とす。まるで親に叱られた子供の様だ。
「ふふふ......それじゃあ行きましょうか。案内致します、冒険者ギルドまで」
そしてそんな彼を見たセシルは、可笑しそうにクスクスと笑って、今度は凪の前を歩く。セシルが肩を落とした凪の手を取ると、彼も気を取り直してまた歩きだした。
勇者なのにどこか子供っぽくて、でも優しい男。それが芹沢凪だ。
「頼りにしてるよ、セシル」
「お任せ下さい、私は貴方の巫女ですから」
この世界に来てからまだ一週間と少し、けれどその短い時間の中で、二人の間には確かな絆が築かれていた。
Appointment
My first impression upon seeing the hero was 'a refreshingly cool hunk'.
When I left the inn, I could immediately find where the castle was. Or rather, since it was the largest and the tallest building in this whole country, perhaps it could be seen from anywhere within this country, right? Moreover, the inn was located pretty close to the castle. I could immediately arrived at the castle's entrance after walking for several minutes.
After that, I told the gatekeepers that I wanted to meet the hero, but unfortunately they didn't allow me to meet him. And when I tried to deceive them using my eloquence, luckily the hero appeared here himself.
"Are you perhaps, the hero?"
"Yes, I'm the hero!"
Since he hurriedly ran here, perhaps he saw me from somewhere, didn't he? Even though I wore nothing but this gakuran, but if he saw this clothes, I was sure he would immediately understand that I also similarly came from another world, after all.
That's why, if he saw me, I thought that perhaps he would immediately came out. Seems like my luck is pretty good here.
"Ah, umm... by any chance... umm...."
There, the spirit he had when he first appeared here has been diminished, and he acts in flusters.
Well, inquiring someone whether he is an other worlder or not is pretty hard, after all.
"I don't know from which world you came, but... earth or japan, do you know any of it?"
"!! Y, yes, I know it! That means... you too?"
"Yup, that's right. I'm also similarly an ( - - ) as you."
When I directly say that I'm also an other worlder in our native language, I and the hero, seems like we can pretty much grasp that we came from the same world.
He immediately floats a full face smile, and let out a sigh in relief.
"So there's someone with same circumstance as me here, huh... sorry but, it slightly put me in relief."
"Well, I came to this world earlier than you, though."
"Is that so? ... umm... is it okay if I inquire your name?"
"My name is Kitsune, to make it more familiar, you may also add 'senpai' suffix at it, you know?"
Appearance-wise, he's taller than me, our gazes won't meet unless I look up at him. His body is firm but slim and long. His attires are the one from this world, but since he has long limbs so it suits him well.
But, since his face looks pretty young, I think he's younger than me, isn't he? I came here earlier, after all, so I'm sure that I'm the senior here.
"Hahaha, you're right... then, I'll gladly refer you at such, Kitsune-senpai."
"Ah, you really call me so, huh... by the way, how old are you?"
"I'm 17."
"Good, even age-wise I'm the senior here."
If he were older than me, I was wondering what should I do. Being called senpai by someone older is a bit awkward, after all.
Or rather, this hero seems pretty friendly, huh. Seems like he has a considerably high communication ability. At our former world, seems like he was a person who would live a normal fags life, wasn't he? It would be good if he just blow himself up and die, though.
"Umm... and then, why are you here, Kitsune-senpai?"
"Ah, I come here because I have some business with you."
"With me?"
Hero-kun inclines his head and folds his arms.
Different from you who have the goal to subjugate the demon lord, my goal is nothing but to return to our former world, after all.
"Well... at least, I want to have a thorough chat with you, but, do you have any time?"
He, who was summoned here as hero, and me, who suddenly at this world upon my death, what's the difference between us, also, whether he know a way for me to return to our former world--
--please don't betray my expectation, hero-kun.
"...got it, I'm intending to go to the guild later, so... could you wait for me there?"
"Fine. Well then, see you later."
After that, I leave that place. Having decided our rendezvous place, I go to the guild. We return to where we came from respectively, I walk through the city street, and he walks toward the castle.
With this, I've got an appointment to have a chat with the hero. This is a great step. After listening to the story he has, what kind of decision I'll make... who knows.
"...nevertheless...."
After walking for a while, I turn only my face. The one I'm looking at is, the back of the hero who is walking toward the castle.
"--what an intimidating air, as expected of a hero, right?"
I've felt it ever since he was before me, the intimidating air of a hero. Even though he's pretty tall already, I feel like he looks even greater in my eyes. Even right now is the same, his leaving back is, greatly standing firm as if a giant.
How scary, as expected of hero... our airs are greatly different, right?
"Kitsune-san?"
"I'm fine, shall we go, Finia-chan."
Before I met the hero, I asked Finia-chan to return inside the mask, and now she has appeared here again and dubiously calling out to me. I'm sure a fairy is very rare for him, that's why I asked her to hide so that I could have a calm conversation with him.
I answer her with my usual faint smile. Turning my face, I continue to walk again. For now, let's go to adventurer guild first.
Opening the door, I enter the guild. Everyone here are all unfamiliar faces, but those seemingly strong adventurer's gazes are all gathered at me.
And then,
"--DIE!!"
The person who suddenly appeared before me is, laying a kick at my head.
"Agi!?"
"Ai!!"
The one touching my head is, the sensation of hard boots. Together with someone's scream of fighting spirit, I'm horizontally blown away from the entrance toward the wall.
And then, from the place I was there just a moment ago, I can hear a sound of someone is landing there. Even the clatter inside the guild is settled down to the point I can hear that landing sound.
"...what happens?"
"Kitsune-san, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, but... what happens?"
While answering Finia-chan's words, I'm bewildered. And then, to grasp the situation, I look toward where the landing sound comes from.
There, a familiar girl is standing there. Wearing similar uniform as Mia-chan, even though she has a petite body, she possess voluptuous breasts, and she's staring at me a determined eyes. Since there are veins popping out at her forehead, no matter how you look at it, she's angry.
Ah right, I remember her. She's the ace receptionist here... Runa-chan. She was enraged because of my remark, wasn't she? So she's still angry, huh, what an avengeful girl. How troublesome.
"Umm... are you still angry because of what I said yesterday?"
"That's a matter of course! After making a fool of me that much, there's no way I'll forgive you that easily, don't I?"
"Even though you're a receptionist, what a belligerent girl you are."
"At this country, it's already a common sense that even the receptionist are strong, or rather, if you can't beat a receptionist, then there's no way you'll be able to survive here, you know?"
Are the receptionists here really that strong? As expected of military country, huh. Lair of battles junkies, there's nothing but muscle brain here, huh. Well, that's exactly why they're strong, right?
Nonetheless, what should I do about her anger, I wonder? ... it doesn't seems like she'd forgive me if I apologize either, after all... well, whatever, even if she won't forgive me. My reason coming here is to meet the hero, after all.
"How troublesome... this girl."
"What did you say?!"
"Haa... ah, is it okay if I sit here?"
"Eh? Ah, I don't mind, but...."
"DON'T IGNORE ME!!!"
Ignoring Runa-chan who's stomping her feet, I sit at the nearby open seat. I've asked permission to the muscled adventurer who sit there, after all, so let's just sit there while waiting for the hero to be arriving here.
When I thought so, Runa-chan's hand is placed atop my shoulder.
"You see... I--"
"Sorry, I already have someone I love, so... sorry, I can't answer your feeling."
"Why did you make it as if I were going to confess to you!!"
What, it wasn't a confession, huh. Since you were calling out to me while hanging your head, so I thought all of your angry acts thus far were to hide your embarrassment, though. I'm somewhat shocked here, I feel like I just got betrayed.
"You traitor!"
"Do you really want to die that badly?!"
"Say, Finia-chan... I thought that finally there was a girl who was going to confess to me, you know? But it all comes to this... what the hell is this?"
"Please don't be too overconfident, Kitsune-san! Just think about it logically, there's no way you'll ever be confessed to by a human, right?"
"Finia-chan, you just gave me the finishing blow there."
If it isn't a confession then I'm not interested at all. Taking care of troublesome girl, Leila-chan is more than enough for me already, so please don't bother me that much.
Ignoring the screaming and squealing Runa-chan, I rest my chin atop my hand while waiting for the hero.
It's good as long as they're having fun, but I'm a bit worried about whether Leila-chan properly guard them or not. That girl is pretty much always at her own pace and moreover a selfish one, after all.
"Hey!"
"What is it? You've been so noisy ever since a moment ago, you know?"
"Gu... that's because you've been ignoring me, don't you?"
"That's because you've been doing something that makes me want to ignore you, don't you?"
"I really want to hit you!!"
I really just laughing because I don't understand what she says. This feels as if playing around with a kid, well, in her case, her playful power isn't something to be laughed at, though. But she sure is someone that makes me want to tease her. I have no intention to befriend her, though.
Runa-chan's face is bright red and glaring at me with resentment, but she reluctantly return to her seat after being called by the other receptionist. She keeps glaring at me to the bitter ends, but I honestly think that I didn't do anything wrong. At least, today I haven't done anything wrong, I think.
Ah, the gazes from the surrounding are hurt.
After parting with Kitsune, Nagi immediately returned to his room.
Immediately woke the sleeping Cecil up, he started his preparation to go out. He was in high spirit and could only think about his urge to meet and had a chat with Kitsune as soon as possible.
Looking at such Nagi, Cecil couldn't understand what happened, but looking at him nimbly finishing his preparations, she also hurriedly started preparing herself.
And then, after preparing himself for a while, Nagi already equipped his armor atop his clothes, and placed the sword at his waist, and then he immediately took the luggage they had prepared the day before. After wearing her usual miko clothes, Cecil immediately let out her mind.
"What happened to be in that hurry, Nagi-sama?"
"Hmm, ah... I just met a pretty interesting person. And we've promised to have a chat in the guild later."
"Hee... I see."
"Seems like he has something to discuss about with me, and since I also want to have a chat with him so I want to go there as soon as possible."
Nagi left the room with an excited expression. Cecil walked following him. Seemingly wanted to go to the guild as soon as possible, he walked briskly through the hallway.
Looking at that, Cecil thought about it a bit, and then calling out to a maid nearby.
"Umm, do you have a second?"
"I and Hero-sama are going to go to the guild ahead, so please tell Silphy and Jik to meet us there."
"Certainly, please be careful."
Silphy and Jik, those two were the persons who were prepared by the king to aid the hero to subjugate the demon lord on this journey. An A rank magician, Silphy, and an A rank swordsman, Jik, both of them were people with pretty outstanding prowess.
The initial plan was they were going to departure from the castle together, but since Nagi unexpectedly wanted to departure earlier, so it was decided that they were going to meet them at the guild later.
Acknowledging that, the maid bowed her head, and Cecil hurriedly ran after Nagi.
"Please wait for me, Nagi-sama."
"I do understand that you're excited about it, but please calm yourself a bit. If you've promised to meet again then, I'm sure he wouldn't go anywhere. Moreover, do you even know the way toward the guild is?"
"Ah... you're right, sorry."
Getting cautioned by Cecil, Nagi suppressed his excitement. Feeling a bit apologetic, he scratched his head, and dejectedly dropped his shoulders. As if a child that got scolded by his parent.
"Fufufu... well then, shall we get going. I'll guide you till the adventurer guild."
Looking as such Nagi, Cecil chuckled as if looking at something funny, and then walked before Nagi. When she grabbed the dejected Nagi's hand, he started walking again after pulling himself together.
Even though he was a hero, he was somewhat childish, however still a kind man. That was Serizawa Nagi.
"I'll be relying on you, Cecil."
"Please leave it to me, because I'm your miko, after all."
It was just a bit more than a week ever since he came to this world, however, within such a short period, a bound was surely had been built between the two of them.
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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