そのシェリルにエリオという少年が声を掛ける。その顔には軽い疑念が浮かんでいた。
「シェリル。あのアキラっていうハンターはどうなってるんだ? 全然来ないじゃないか」
「黙って待ってなさい。そう言ったでしょう?」
「でもさ、一昨日も昨日もその内に来るって言ってたけど、結局待ちぼうけ......」
いわ。どうする? もう一度アキラを探しに行く? ......駄目よ。何度もそんなことをしていたら、余計に疑われるわ)
アキラが拠点に顔を出すと言った日、皆で待っていたがアキラは結局来なかった。その翌日も来なかった。更にその翌日にも来なかった。それにより、シェリルの立場はかなり悪化していた。
シベアの徒党に所属していた子供達で構成された新たな徒党は、シェリルを新たなボスとして既に活動を再開している。縄張りや近場の荒野などで
いは既に見捨てられた。徒党の者達は裏でいろいろ不満や疑念を漏らしていた。シェリルに向けられる視線にも、既にシェリルへの疑念が大分混ざっていた。まだ表だって刃向かうほどではないが、それも時間の問題だった。
シェリルも皆の様子に気付いている。しかし打つ手が無い。アキラと連絡を取る方法は無く、宿の周辺などを探しても見付からなかった。状況を好転させる手段も思い付かず、募る焦りに追い詰められていた。
「シェリルってやつはいるか? あ、いた」
「アキラ!」
でその声は拠点の奥まで響き渡っていた。当然注目が集まり、別の部屋からも子供達が様子を見にやってくる。
シェリルは我に返ると、アキラを急いで自室まで少し強引に案内した。アキラの手を引っ張って一緒に部屋の中に入るとすぐにドアを閉める。そして内心に渦巻くものを何とか抑えつける。なぜ約束の日に来なかった、と激情のままに叫んでしまえば自分は完全に終わりだ。そう自身に必死に言い聞かせて、アキラに笑顔を向けた。
「拠点まで足を運んでいただいて本当にありがとう御座います。お待ちしておりました。その、一応予定だと先日の夜に訪ねてもらえると思っていたのですが、何かあったのですか?」
遅れたことなど気にしていない。シェリルは笑顔でそれを表した。少なくともその努力はした。
「悪いな。一応行くつもりだったんだけど、ちょっと死にかけてたんだ」
「死にかけてた!?」
シェリルは思わず声を荒らげた。アキラはシェリルのその驚きように少し驚いた後、気を取り直して平然と答える。
シェリルが絶句する。何かあったのだろうとは思っていた。だがいきなり死にかけていたとは
や体調は問題ない」
「同じ日にモンスターの群れに2度も襲われたんだ。その戦闘の後遺症というか、疲労やら何やらで遅れた。悪かった」
アキラは平然とした態度で軽く謝った。その約束をすっかり忘れていたことは、
シェリルがアキラを連れて部屋から出る。そして内心で愚痴を吐く。
(......全く、どんな理由で遅れたのか知らないけど、脅かさないでよ。どうせ武勇伝や苦労話を派手に誇張しているだけなんでしょうけど、そんな下らない冗談は
拠点の広間に集められた子供達は、上機嫌のシェリルと、その隣にいるアキラを見て、口々に感想を漏らしていた。
「本当に来た。結構疑ってたけど、本当だったんだ」
「あれがシベアを殺したハンターなのか? 俺達みたいな子供だよな。本当にあいつか?」
「話を付けたって言っていたけど、どこまで助けてくれるの? 心配だわ」
「なあ、あんまり強そうに見えないんだけど、大丈夫なのか?」
いろいろ懐疑的な意見も出ていたが、アキラと一応話を付けたという点に関しての疑惑は晴れていた。
シェリルが笑顔で自信たっぷりにアキラを紹介する。
「彼がアキラよ。知っていると思うけど、シベア達はアキラを襲って返り討ちにされたわ。その上で私達を助けてくれるのだから、絶対に失礼の無いようにお願いね」
「アキラだ。俺はシェリル個人に、個人的に協力するだけだ。ここの一員に加わる気はない。シェリルがボスだ。聞きたいことはシェリルに聞け。俺に余計なことを聞くな。俺が、聞くな、と言ったことに関しては二度と聞くな。俺からは以上だ」
子供達が戸惑いと困惑でざわつき始める。名目上はシェリルがボスだが、徒党の後ろ盾として実質的なボスとなって君臨する。代わりに自分達にいろいろ世話を焼いてくれる。そう思っていた相手が、本気で徒党に興味が無いような態度を見せたからだ。
らせていた。だがアキラは全く気にしていない。
「シェリル。ちょっと用事があるから付いてきてくれ」
そのままシェリルと一緒に出ていこうとするアキラを、我に返ったエリオが慌てた様子で呼び止める。
「ちょ、ちょっと待ってくれ! お前が本当にアキラなのか!?」
アキラが立ち止まり、振り返って面倒そうに答える。
「俺達をほったらかしにして、今まで何やってたんだよ! 徒党に加わる気はないってどういうことだ!? 俺達の面倒とかを見てくれるんじゃないのか!?」
「さっき言っただろう。その辺のことはシェリルに聞け。俺に聞くな」
その面倒だと言わんばかりの態度が、エリオを大きく刺激する。1人でシベア達を返り討ちにしたハンターが自分達の味方になったと聞いて、期待と不安を感じていた。その人物が全く顔を出さないことに不信と不満を募らせていた。
加えて先ほどの言葉とこの態度だ。エリオの中でシェリルとアキラに対する懐疑が一気に膨れ上がる。
(......下手すると俺よりも弱そうじゃないか。大丈夫なのか? こんなやつに俺達の命を預けるのか?)
シベア達はいろいろ問題の多いハンター崩れだった。だがそれでも、それに目を
めやがって!」
エリオが叫びながらアキラに殴りかかる。背後からの奇襲。ほんの数歩の距離。気付かれた様子もない。拳を握り、振りかぶり、アキラの後頭部に
床に倒れながら痛みで顔を押さえていたエリオが、自分を見下ろしているアキラに気付く。不機嫌そうな顔で握っている銃の、その銃口と目が合った。
エリオの顔が恐怖で
アキラが不機嫌そうな様子でシェリルに告げる。
「シェリル。俺はお前がどこの誰を徒党に加えようが構わないし、知ったことじゃない。でもお前がボスなんだから、部下の
を吐いている。一応、声には出していない。アキラに案内されるまま拠点を出て、そのままスラム街を進んでいた。行き先など教えられていないが、それを聞く余裕もない。エリオを無言で罵倒し続けながら、黙って後に続いていた。
すると、不意にアキラに話し掛けられる。
「確かにそういうことも頼もうと思っていました。でも少しばかりやり過ぎたかもしれません」
「そうか。悪いけど、その辺のフォローはシェリルがやってくれ。俺にそういうのを期待されても困る」
「分かりました。それで、私達はどこに向かっているんですか?」
「もうすぐだ。ああ、そこだ」
まっているトレーラーを指差した。カツラギ達の簡易店舗でもあるトレーラーだ。シェリルを連れてそこまで行くと、店番をしていたダリスがアキラに気付く。
「アキラか。もう大丈夫なのか?」
「ああ。大丈夫だ。気が付いたら3日も
アキラとダリスが軽く笑い合う。そこには年齢も立場も実力も異なるが、同じ死線を潜った者同士の気安さがあった。
「それで、何の用だ? 客なら見ていってくれ」
「いや、カツラギにちょっと話があるんだ。呼んでもらえないか?」
「ちょっと待ってろ。カツラギ! アキラが来てるぞ! 何か知らんが話があるってさ!」
奥からカツラギがやってくる。そしてアキラ達を見て軽く笑う。
カツラギも余裕の笑みを返した。
カツラギが真面目な顔でアキラの提案を思案している。自分が遺物をカツラギの店に持ち込む代わりに、シェリルの徒党に便宜を図ってほしい。そのアキラの提案を受け入れた場合の損得勘定を続けていた。
遺物の買取業者はハンターオフィス直営店以外にも山ほど存在している。それほど遺物の需要は多く、その利益も非常に大きい。カツラギも本業ではないが遺物の買取を行っている。
シェリル達への便宜も、自身の伝を使えば問題ない。スラム街の者だからと
「取引成立か?」
「まあ、待てって。それを決める前に、幾つか聞きたいことがある。まずは、お前と彼女の関係からだ」
カツラギがいろいろと値踏みするような視線をシェリルに向けた。シェリルの緊張が高まる。アキラは少し不思議そうにしていた。
「何でそんなことを聞くんだ?」
カツラギはアキラの態度からシェリルとの関係を見抜こうとして、一度棚上げした。
「次に遺物の買取の方だが、念のために言っておく。俺の店に遺物を持ち込んでも、ハンターランクは上がらねえぞ? 遺物売買に関してハンターオフィスと提携してないからな。それを踏まえての提案だろうな?」
遺物の売却でハンターランクを上げるには、最低でもハンターオフィスの提携店に持ち込む必要がある。ハンターランクの効率的な上昇を餌にして、遺物を不当に安い額で買い取ろうとする悪質な業者や詐欺も存在する。売る
「その分高値で買ってくれさえすれば文句は無い。当面はハンターランクより金が欲しい。買取額に不満が出たら、今まで通りハンターオフィスの買取所に持って行く」
カツラギは商売人の笑顔でアキラと商談成立の握手を済ませた。続けて同じ笑顔でシェリルにも握手を求める。だがシェリルは妙に戸惑ってしまい、その手を
シェリルが慌ててカツラギの手を握る。すると意外なほどに強い力で握り返された。思わず視線をその手からカツラギに移す。そしてその顔を見た途端、シェリルは固まってしまった。カツラギの笑顔から、目だけ笑みが消えていた。
カツラギはシェリルを明確に脅している。表情で、視線で、声で、握力で、その端的な要求を拒否した場合の末路を伝えていた。
な取引を成立させるには、初めからこれぐらい脅さないと話にならない。カツラギはそう思っていた。
だが少々やりすぎだった。カツラギの商売相手は荒野でモンスターと殺し合うハンター達だ。普段はそのハンター達に向けている武器商人の
カツラギもやり過ぎたと思い威圧を弱めた。そこにアキラが口を挟んでくる。
「あんまり迷惑を掛けるようなら言ってくれ。こっちでそれなりに処理する」
「具体的にはどの程度までやるんだ?」
シェリルが一度大きく震える。カツラギも少し意外に思う。どちらにも冗談には聞こえなかった。
「世の中に絶対なんかない。違うのなら、同じ日に2度もモンスターの群れに襲われるなんてことがあって
カツラギは楽しげに豪快に笑った。そしてシェリルの手を離すと、今度は愛想の良い笑みを向ける。
「脅かして悪かったな。世の中いろいろあるんだ。これからは仲良くやろうじゃないか」
シェリルは頑張って愛想笑いを浮かべようとした。だが辛うじて笑顔と呼んでも差し支えない少々
アキラがそのシェリルの様子など気にせずにカツラギに尋ねる。
「ああ、そうだ。情報端末を売ってないか? 安くてすぐに使えるやつ。機能は最低限で良い」
「最低限って言っても、人によって差があるぞ?」
「それなら2万オーラムだ」
アキラは2万オーラム支払って情報端末を買うと、一度自分の情報端末に接続して初期設定を済ませてからシェリルに渡した。
「何かあったらそれで連絡してくれ。長期間連絡が取れなかったら死んだと思ってくれ。お互いにな」
「わ、分かりました。ありがとう御座います」
「あと、定期的に拠点に顔を出してほしいって話だが、やっぱり当面は無しだ。基本的に1人で好き勝手に動いているから、下手に予定を入れるといろいろ面倒なんだ。シェリルが定期的に俺を呼び出すのは構わない。その時に用事が無くて気が乗ったら顔ぐらいは出すよ。だからって毎日呼び出すのも
顔を出したんだ。何か買っていけよ」
アキラはそう言い残して帰っていった。残ったカツラギとシェリルが顔を見合わせる。
「それじゃあ、アキラにああ言われたことだし、俺達は話を詰めるか。そっちの時間は大丈夫か?」
カツラギは再び値踏みするようにシェリルを見ると、軽く笑いながら尋ねる。
「アキラもいなくなったことだし改めて聞くが、アキラとはどういう関係なんだ?」
「なるほど。聞き直そう。お前はアキラとどういう関係になるつもりなんだ? アキラの恋人とか愛人とか、そういうのを狙ってるのか?」
下手な返事は今後に差し支えると判断して、シェリルが慎重に聞き返す。
「......それは、私の徒党への支援と、何か関係があるんですか?」
「大有りだ。俺はアキラとは良い付き合いを長く続けるつもりだが、お前ともそうなるかどうかは、お前とアキラの関係次第だからな。そうだろう? お前がアキラとより親密な関係になるのか、それともその内に捨てられるのかは知らんが、お前にその意思があるのかどうかぐらいは確認しておかないとな。で、どうなんだ? さっきのアキラの様子だと、難しいか?」
だがカツラギは再び探るようにシェリルをじっと見た後、軽く吹き出した。
「体でも使ってアキラを誘ってみたが、つれなく断られたって感じだな」
シェリルの表情が固まる。カツラギが少し不敵に楽しげに笑う。
「でもまあ、それは仕方無いんじゃないか? 悪いが、お前じゃなぁ......。ああ、別にお前を馬鹿にしている訳じゃない。これはその手の基準の話だ。多分アキラの目が肥えてるんだろう」
「......どういう意味ですか?」
カツラギはその反応を楽しむように笑っている。
「これは俺の持論なんだが、女のハンターには美人が多いんだ。ここで言うハンターってのは、ハンターとしてちゃんと稼いでいるやつらのことだ。ハンター登録をしただけの自称ハンターは別だ。美人の基準なんてものは人それぞれだろうが、それでもある程度の共通項、一定の基準はあるだろう。俺はそれを健康だと思っている」
「健康......ですか?」
「そうだ。肌の艶、髪の光沢、肉付きの状態など、より健康なほど美しいと判断されるってことだ。そういう点に限って言えば、稼ぐハンターは美人になるんだよ。健康状態が悪いと動きに支障が出るからな。危険な遺跡から生還する
「回復薬による細胞単位での治療は、一種のアンチエイジングとも言える。ハンターの中に実年齢とかけ離れた若々しさのやつがいるのは大抵そういう理由だ。まあ、そういうやつらはたっぷり稼いでいる分、美容に使える金も多くなるって話でもあるがな。それで、そういう連中とお前を見比べると、ちょっと、な。アキラの知り合いのハンターも美人だったしな」
カツラギはエレナ達のことを思い出していた。どちらもかなりの美人だった。あの時にアキラを連れ帰ったのだから、それなりに仲も良いのだろうと思っている。アキラがエレナ達の美貌に見慣れてしまい、美人の基準を引き上げていても不思議はない。そう考えていた。
「......それで、それを私に話してどうするんですか? そんなことを私に話して何の意味があるんですか?」
どこか悔しそうなシェリルの様子を見て、カツラギが意味ありげに得意げに笑う。
の意味がある。お前に良いものをやろう。ちょっと待ってろ」
カツラギはそう言い残してトレーラーの奥に戻っていった。奥からカツラギ達の声がする。
「ダリス! この前の試供品はどこに置いたんだ!」
「そうだった! 分かった!」
くしてからカツラギが戻ってくる。そして持って来た大きめのバッグをシェリルの前に置く。
「待たせたな。これをお前にやろう。お土産だ。持って帰れ」
バッグの中には消費期限が切れそうな保存食や、売り物にならない銃などが入っていた。どれもシェリル達には貴重な品だ。シェリルが慌てて頭を下げる。
カツラギがバッグの中からある袋を取り出してシェリルに見せる。
「これには化粧品とか
「長い付き合いになることを期待してるぜ?」
アキラは宿に戻る前にシズカの店に寄って弾薬補充を済ませることにした。店に入るとシズカがすぐにアキラに気付いて手招きする。そして
シズカが注文を遮ってアキラをぎゅっと抱き締めた。
アキラが突然のことに慌て出す。シズカの体温の温かさや柔らかな胸の感触に動揺しながら、困惑や気恥ずかしさなどを理由にシズカの抱擁から抜け出そうと僅かに力を込める。だがシズカはそれを分かった上で、構わずにしっかりとアキラを抱き締め続けた。
「アキラが無事で何よりだわ。弾薬の補充ね? すぐに持ってくるわ。ちょっと待っていてね」
アキラがシズカの戻りを待っていると、店に入ってきたエレナがアキラに気付いて笑って
「アキラ。目を覚ましたのね。こんなところにいるなんて、アキラが目を覚ましたら連絡しろってサラに言っておいたのに......」
エレナが情報端末の通知に気付いて言葉を止める。そして内容を確認して苦笑した。
「今来た。遅い。サラめ。忘れてたわね」
アキラがエレナに頭を下げる。
「エレナさんにも御迷惑をお掛けしました。いろいろ助けていただいて本当にありがとう御座いました。それとすみません。ベッドを占領していたみたいで」
「気にしないで。私達が一緒に寝ても大丈夫なぐらい大きいからね。それよりも、サラが無意識にアキラを抱き枕代わりにしてたけど、大丈夫? サラは身体能力拡張者だから、ああ見えて怪力なのよね。骨とか折れてない?」
拠点の前に到着すると、ここまでシェリルを送ってきたダリスがバッグを地面に無造作に置いた。
カツラギの土産は銃器等も詰め込んだ分だけかなり重く、シェリルが運ぶのは少々きつい。加えて帰路で強盗にでも遭えば、
「分かりました。送っていただいて、ここまで運んでいただいて、ありがとう御座いました」
ダリスはスラム街の子供にしては礼儀を
めようとする。
「シェ、シェリル、俺が悪かったよ」
「悪かった? 悪かったと理解できる知能があるのなら、とっとと消えなさい」
「普通の子供? 普通......ね」
いろいろ言い訳をして一向に出ていく気配が無いエリオに、いろいろ限界だったシェリルが我慢の限界を超えた。内心の激情を表に出して怒鳴りつける。
「普通の子供!? 武装したハンター崩れ3人をあっさり殺すやつが普通!? そんなことが出来る子供が普通!? あんたの頭の中の普通って何!? 普通ならあんたにも出来るの!? それならあんたもやりなさいよ! 今すぐ遺跡に行って、遺物を取ってきなさい! 帰りに遺物を狙ったやつに襲われても、返り討ちにして戻ってきなさい! 出来るんでしょう!? やりなさいよ! 今すぐ!」
「その馬鹿を追い出しなさい! 早く!」
「ま、待ってくれ!」
「早く追い出しなさい! ボスの私が指示しているでしょう!? 私がボスだって認めたんでしょう!? 違うのなら、お前らも出ていけ!」
エリオの近くにいた子供達が一度顔を見合わせる。そしてエリオの肩や腕を
まっていたものを一緒に吐き出したおかげで、ある程度は冷静さを取り戻していた。今後の対処を落ち着いて考えられる頭に戻っていた。それでも、アリシアに厳しい表情を向ける。
「......分かってる。分かってるけど、今は駄目よ。徒党にエリオを置いておく訳にはいかないわ。アリシアもそれぐらい分かるでしょう? もっと徒党の人数が増えて、エリオが混ざっていてもアキラが気が付かないぐらいになるか、時間が
別の子供が少し驚いた様子でシェリルに尋ねる。
「徒党の人数を増やすのか? こんな状態で?」
「駄目でもやるの。出来るだけ早く何らかの利益を渡せるようにしないと、アキラに見切られるわ。アキラだって慈善事業で私達の手伝いをしている訳じゃないの。アキラに見切られたら、私達は終わりよ」
「で、でもどうやって......」
「アキラのおかげでカツラギという人の伝が手に入ったわ。その人にもある程度協力してもらえることになったの。それらを足掛かりにして、いろいろやってみるしかないわね」
シェリルが床に置いていたバッグを開く。その中に入っている食料や武器を見て子供達が控えめな歓声を上げる。
「取りあえずアキラとカツラギさんのおかげでいろいろ手に入ったわ。ちゃんと計画を立てて配るから......」
シェリルが勝手にバッグの中に手を伸ばそうとする者を見て、
「私の許可なく勝手に取ったら殺すわ」
子供達の手が止まる。そしてバッグに伸ばした手をゆっくりと戻していく。
シェリルは皆を見渡すと、これから彼らを率いて徒党を発展させなければならない苦労を想像して、深く
「別に良いじゃない。いつもその格好のサラに言われたくないわ。もしかして、アキラが起きた時もその格好だったの?」
「サラ、何やってるのよ。少しは気を使いなさい」
「大丈夫。アキラの反応は悪くなかったわ」
れて軽く頭を抱えたエレナに、サラが笑って何でもないことのように付け足す。
「まあ良いじゃない。命の恩人への
「あの時に私達を助けてくれたのはアキラだったわ」
「私だって予想ぐらいはしていたわ。サラだってそうでしょう? ただ、私はアキラがそれを隠している以上、自分から確認しようとはしなかっただけよ。アキラが自分から話すとは思えないから、サラの方から聞き出したのね? 大丈夫だったの?」
サラは軽い苦笑を浮かべながら、少し申し訳なさそうな態度を見せた。
「それなら良いけど、いや、良くはないけど、無理に聞いたことをちゃんと謝ったんでしょうね?」
「それなら良いわ。命の恩人だって分かった以上、それこそ死ぬほど世話になったのだから、あんまり迷惑を掛けちゃ駄目よ?」
そこまで話してから、サラが真剣な顔をエレナに向ける。
「それでエレナにお願いがあるんだけど、エレナにもいろいろ疑問とか聞きたいことはあると思うけど、それをアキラに聞くのは
「......良いの?」
サラは余りにも簡単に話が進んだことに軽く戸惑っていた。エレナが笑って続ける。
「言ったでしょう? 私だって予想ぐらいはしていたって。だからアキラがなぜ隠していたのか、何を聞かれたくないのか、それぐらいは想像できるわ。多分サラはシズカにもいろいろ聞いたんでしょう? 安心して。私も黙ってるわ。さっきも言った通り、私だって命の恩人に迷惑を掛ける気はないわ」
「急に旧領域接続者について私に聞いてきたりもしてきたしね。サラ。本当に隠したかったら、下手なことを聞いたりしたら駄目よ? 何かを聞かれた相手は、それを聞く理由を想像するんだから」
サラは納得しながらも自分の失態を悟って少しだけ
「......やっぱりエレナに私達の交渉役を任せたのは正解だったわ」
「まあ、そっちは任せておきなさい。今度アキラに会ったら、私からもちゃんとお礼を言っておかないとね」
「それでサラ。命の恩人の正体が分かったのだけど、相手が某富豪の御曹司ではなかった感想でも聞かせてもらえる?」
「ちょっと、勘弁してよ」
サラはアキラのことで少し悩んでいたが、それが解決したことで吹っ切れた。その我に返ったとも言える心境で少々恥ずかしい空想を指摘されたこともあり、珍しくかなり照れていた。
エレナは少々気に病む様子を見せていた親友がすっかり立ち直ったのを見て、楽しげに笑っていた。
A boy named Erio came to her, it was obvious that he was suspicious of Sheryl.
"Sheryl, what the heck is going on with that Hunter Akira. He doesn't visit us at all."
"Just shut up and wait for him, didn't I tell you that already?"
"But yesterday too, we waited a whole night for him and he didn't come at all..."
[...It's bad if this goes on. What should I do? Should I go look for Akira once more...? No, I should not do that, they'll definitely be suspicious of me if I keep doing that.]
That day when Akira said to Sheryl that he would visit her base, she and all her gang members waited for him. But in the end, Akira did not come. He did not come the day after that and also the next consecutive days too. Now her position in the gang was in peril.
The children who were in Sibea's gang were already operating in the newly revived gang with Sheryl as its head. They searched the area around their territory and the wasteland near them for scrap steel and anything that can be exchanged for money. Since they would group up and go to the food distribution place together, the other gangs already knew about Sheryl's gang.
There were a lot of people talking behind Sheryl's back, some of them were saying she was lying, some of them were saying that she was not lying but Akira was actually tricking her, and some of them were saying that Akira had already abandoned her. Her gang members started to look at her with suspicion and displeasure. They also started to display their feelings in front of Sheryl. It was not as bad that they would stab her on her back, but it was only a matter of time.
Sheryl already noticed about the feelings of her gang's members. But she could do nothing about it. She had no means of contacting Akira and she could not find him even after waiting near his inn. She could not even come up with any good ideas to appease her gang members. She was basically at her wit's end.
"Is Sheryl around? Ah, there you are."
"Akira!"
Sheryl who was at her wit's end involuntarily called Akira's name in a loud voice, thus her voice was heard by everyone in her base. And so all the other children came out from their rooms to see what was going on.
Sheryl regained her composure as she dragged Akira to a private room and immediately closed the door the moment they got in. She wanted to just shout at him and ask why he did not come on the day he promised her. But she knew if she did that, it would be the end of her. Thus she desperately tried to hold herself back as she smiled at Akira.
"Thank you very much for visiting our base. I've been waiting for you. By the way, we waited for you that night, you promised you would come. But you never turned up, did something happen to you?"
Sheryl's smile showed that she did not mind him being late, or at least that was what she was trying to express with her smile.
"Sorry, I did plan to come, but I almost got killed that day."
"Almost got killed??!?!"
Sheryl could not help but scream, Akira was a bit taken aback to see Sheryl surprised. But he then calmed down and answered back.
Sheryl was lost for words. She did think that something must have happened, but she did not imagine that he was almost killed. She then regained her composure and showed that she was worried.
"Yeah, I'm not injured and I'm in good shape right now."
"I got attacked by two groups of monsters on the same day. I was too tired after the battle, or more like, I fainted out of exhaustion, that's why I couldn't come. Sorry about that."
Akira calmly replied that he was sorry. He decided not to say anything about the fact that he forgot his promise since there was no particular reason to tell her that.
Sheryl grabbed Akira by his hand as she led him out of the room. She then quietly complained.
[...Good grief. I don't mind as to why he was late, but that was really surprising. I'm sure he was only exaggerating, but I really hope he would stop joking like that.]
The children gathered in the hall inside the base. Murmurs could be heard in the hall as those children saw Sheryl standing next to Akira in a pleasant mood.
"So he finally really came, huh? I was doubting her, but it turned out to be true, huh?"
"Is that really the Hunter who killed Sibea? Doesn't he look like a small boy just like us?"
"I know that she said he'll help us, but I wonder how far he's willing to go? I'm really worried."
"Say, he doesn't look that strong though, are we really going to be okay?"
Although there were still a lot of questions, all the doubts about Sheryl talking to Akira were cleared.
Sheryl smiled as she confidently introduced Akira.
"This is Akira. I think you already know him. Sibea took some of our members to get him but he was able to fight back. But even so, he decided to help us, so be sure not to be rude to him, okay?"
"I'm Akira. I'm just helping Sheryl and I'm only helping Sheryl alone. I have no plans to get involved with any of you. Sheryl is the boss here, if you have any questions, just ask her. Don't ask me about unnecessary things. And when I say not to ask something, then never ever ask about it for a second time. That's all from me."
It was obvious that the children were flabbergasted and confused. It was because although Sheryl was their boss, the person who was backing her and virtually the person who had reign over their gang and was responsible for taking care of them showed very little interest in them.
Sheryl frowned, but Akira did not care.
"Sheryl. I have something to talk about with you, so come with me for a bit."
Seeing Sheryl was about to leave the hall with Akira, Erio suddenly stopped them.
"Whoah, wait for a sec!! Are you really Akira?"
Akira stopped, he turned back and looked annoyed.
"What have you been doing up until now abandoning us?! And what do you mean when you said that you're not going to join our gang?! Aren't you supposed to look over us?!"
"Didn't I say that you should ask that to Sheryl just now? So stop asking that to me."
Akira's way of speaking really shocked Erio. When he heard that the hunter who killed Sibea would help them out, he was feeling hopeful but also insecure at the same time. But when that person never showed himself, doubts and displeasure were piling inside his heart. And right when that person showed himself in front of him, he did not look capable at all even when he was armed. It was a huge let down for Erio.
Adding those words that Akira just said to Erio, Erio's doubt toward Sheryl and Akira peaked.
[...This boy might even be weaker than me, you know? Are we seriously going to trust our lives to this boy?!]
Sibea and his friends might be Hunters who had fallen off grace. But even so, they were strong. Thus the person who killed Sibea and caused his gang to dissolve must be someone stronger than Sibea.
"Damn you!!"
Erio shouted as he rushed towards Akira. When Akira was only a few steps away, he clenched his fist, pulled back and threw it aiming at the back of Akira's head. It did not seem like Akira noticed his intention, it was a surprise attack from his behind. Erio was sure that it would hit Akira.
Erio was lying on the ground trying to suppress the stinging pain on his face. But when he glanced at Akira who was looking down on him, he found the muzzle of Akira's gun was already pointing at him.
Erio's face turned pale as he was trembling in terror. The other kids took some distance between them in panic. Akira's expression did not change as he pulled the trigger.
After that, Akira looked angry as he spoke to Sheryl.
"Sheryl, I don't mind whomever you want to add into your gang. To be honest, I don't even give a damn f*ck. But since you're the boss, at least be sure to keep your leash on them. You better fix this situation before I misunderstand that the people are acting on your order. If that happens, no one will have a good end."
Sheryl walked beside Akira as she cursed Erio in her heart but she did not dare voice it out. She just kept following Akira silently as he took her out of the base and into the slum city. Sheryl did not know where Akira was leading her as she did not have the leeway of asking that question. She kept cursing Erio in silence as she was following Akira.
Akira suddenly spoke to her.
"Well, it's true that I asked you, but I think what you did now was an overkill."
"I see, I'm sorry but can you take care of the aftermath? I'm not good with handling that after all."
"I understand. So then, where are we heading right now?"
"You'll see, we'll be arrive there soon."
After sometime Akira stopped and pointed at a trailer. It was Katsuragi's trailer which also functioned as his moveable shop. As Akira arrived there, Darris who was watching the trailer noticed him and Sheryl.
"Akira, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Although, it was a big surprise to know that 3 days have already passed when I woke up."
Akira and Darris laughed lightly to each other. Although there were gaps in their age, ability and social status, both of them were close to each other after facing a life and death battle together.
"So then, do you need anything? If you have come to buy something, you can go ahead and take a look."
"Well, I just need to discuss something with Katsuragi, so can you please call him over?"
"Wait for a bit here then. Katsuragi!! Akira is here!! I don't know what's going on but he said he wants to talk with you."
Katsuragi then popped out from deep inside the trailer and smiled at Akira as soon as he saw him.
Katsuragi smiled back at Akira.
Katsuragi listened closely and seriously to Akira's talk. Akira's suggestion was, in exchange for bringing relics to his shop, Katsuragi had to help out Sheryl's gang. Katsuragi and Akira proceeded to calculate the possible benefit and loss that it could bring them.
There were many other places that would accept relics other than the Hunter Office, it was because the demand for relics was high and the profit that people can get from it was huge. Although it was only a side job for him, Katsuragi also bought relics.
As for the help for Sheryl's gang, it would be alright as long as they used his name. Most of the merchants would look down on the people of the slum city and raise their price to a crazy level. So it would be a big help for Sheryl and her gang to find a merchant that would not do that. Even for people from the slum city who had zero trustability, a small word from someone like Katsuragi would help them a lot.
"So do we have a deal here?"
"Well, wait for a sec. Before we decide on that, I have some questions. First of all, what is your relationship with that girl?"
Katsuragi then looked at Sheryl as if he was trying to evaluate her. Sheryl started getting nervous while Akira made an honest puzzled look.
"Why did you ask that?"
Katsuragi tried to figure out Akira's relation with Sheryl through his behaviour, then he just shelved that topic away for now.
"The next problem is about relics. You do know that even if you bring relics to my shop, you won't be able to get a rank up, right? After all, it means that you're not selling your relics to the Hunter Office, is that okay with you?"
One could only rank up by bringing relics to the Hunter Office and other shops affiliated with them. There were Hunters who tried to get a rank up by only selling cheap and bad quality relics or even fake relics. There were also cases where a fight broke because Hunters who assumed the shop where they sold their relics to be affiliated to the Hunter Office.
"I don't mind as long as you'll buy expensive relics from me. At the moment, I need money more than a Hunter rank. If I find your price is not high enough, I'll sell my relics back at the Hunter Office just like usual."
Katsuragi then smiled befitting of a merchant and sealed their deal by shaking Akira's hand. He then turned to Sheryl and extended his hand for a handshake. But Sheryl was at a loss and did not reach for his hand.
Sheryl reached Katsuragi's hand in panic and shook it. But suddenly Katsuragi gripped her hand strongly, Sheryl was so surprised that she shifted her gaze to Katsuragi. The moment she saw Katsuragi's face, Sheryl froze up. He might be smiling but his eyes were glaring at her.
It was clear that Katsuragi was threatening Sheryl through his tone, glare, expression and his strong grip. It was as if he was indicating Sheryl what would happen to her if she did not heed his warning.
When making a deal with someone from the slum city, this much of intimidation was very much necessary. That was what Katsuragi thought.
But he went too far there. Katsuragi usually made such a deal with Hunters who regularly fight monsters in the wasteland. So this level of intimidation usually shown to those Hunters was simply too much to handle for a little girl from the slum. As such, Sheryl was left trembling in fear unable to even answer back.
Katsuragi understood that he overdid it as he lowered his intimidation. But then Akira suddenly said.
"If she gives you too much trouble, then just tell me, I'll take care of her myself."
"Oh, what would you do, be more precise?"
Sheryl shivered while Katsuragi was surprised by those words since it did not sound like Akira was joking.
"There's nothing for sure in this world. If that's not true, I won't accept getting attacked by two groups of monsters on the same day."
Katsuragi laughed merrily. He then released Sheryl's hand and showed a friendly smile to her.
"Sorry that I intimidated you, after all, there are all kinds of people in this world. So I have to be careful. Putting that aside, I hope we can get along well."
Sheryl tried her best to make a friendly smile but she only ended up with a crooked smile.
Akira did not bat an eyelash on that as he continued by asking a question to Katsuragi.
"Ah, by the way, do you sell information terminal? I need something cheap that can be used without complicated setting and I'm fine with the most basic one."
"Even if you say the most basic one, every person has a different interpretation of that, you know?"
"In that case, that'll be 20,000 Aurum."
Akira handed 20,000 Aurum to Katsuragi and received the information terminal. He then connected it to his own information terminal to finish the essential settings before giving it to Sheryl.
"You can contact me with this if anything happens. If you can't contact me for an extended period of time, just assume me to be dead. Remember that I'll assume the same in case I'm unable to contact you too."
"I-I understand, thank you."
"And also, about showing up in the base regularly, as I thought it's not a good idea to decide the time now. After all, I always spend my time doing what I want to do, so it would be too much trouble if I book my schedule beforehand. I don't mind if you call me to show up in the base and if I'm in the mood, then I'll show up. But that doesn't mean that you can call me every day, okay?"
"Whoa whoa, you came here after all, so why don't you buy something before leaving?"
After saying that, Akira left. Katsuragi then turned to Sheryl.
"Well now, Akira did say that too, so let's finish up on the details, shall we? Do you have some time?"
Katsuragi took a scan of her again trying to evaluate her before he laughed lightly and asked her.
"Well, Akira is gone now so I want to ask you this again. What is your relationship with that boy?"
"I see. Let me rephrase my question then. What do you want your relationship to be? Are you aiming to be his lover or even wife perhaps?"
Sheryl knew that it might cause trouble if she gave Katsuragi a bad answer. So instead, she answered back with a question.
"...That is... He's helping my gang, is there anything more than that?"
"There're a lot of things other than that. You see, I'm planning to get along with Akira for a long time, which means that I might need to get along with you too. But that depends on what your relationship with him is, right? So I should at least confirm whether you want to get into a closer relationship with him or will he abandon you instead. So then, what is it? Looking at how he behaved just now, do you think it's possible for you?"
But Katsuragi kept staring at Sheryl while trying to look deeper into her words. He then let out a sigh.
"That sounds like you tried to seduce him with your body only to get rejected."
Sheryl froze up. Looking at that, Katsuragi just smiled invincibly.
"But still, I think it can't be helped, you know? Sorry to say this, but someone like you is just... Ah, it's not like I'm mocking you here. It's more like I'm talking about the standards, I think Akira's standards are higher."
"...What do you mean?"
Katsuragi smiled as if he found her reaction amusing to him.
"This is only my theory, but there's a lot of beautiful Hunters out there. Ah, when I say Hunters, I mean like Hunters who properly earn their money from working as a Hunter and not like those who are Hunters in name only. Of course, each person has a different basis on what kind of beauty that would make them think a girl is beautiful. But there's at least a common ground there for everyone. And I believe that would be their health."
"Health... Huh?"
"Yes, the complexity of the skin, the shine on the hairs, the amount of meat in one's body. I think most of the people think that a healthy girl is a beautiful girl. So if you use this point of view, then many of the female Hunters are beautiful girls. After all, an unhealthy girl will have problems with manoeuvring around. In order to survive in the wasteland, a Hunter should keep his or her body in tip-top shape. That's exactly why they would stock powerful medicine to heal their wounds and recover their fatigue. The healing medicines always heal wounds on the cellular level. Thus it would also heal damaged skin. Not to mention that exploring the wasteland is hard work, so it's impossible for them to get fat. Moreover, some of the medicines would instantly convert any excess fat into energy. Thus I think that health and natural look are the basis of beauty."
"The cellular level of healing from the medicines can also be thought of as an anti-ageing process. That's why some of the Hunters stay beautiful past their prime. But well, you can also say that it's due to all kinds of beauty products that they can buy from the money that they earn. So then, if we have to compare you with those girls... Well, uhh, you know... the female Hunters that Akira is acquainted with are all beautiful girls."
Katsuragi then remembered about Elena and Sara, both of them were beautiful girls. Not to mention that they brought Akira to their home when Akira fainted. So he thought that those two girls must be in a good term with Akira. Katsuragi thought that it would not be strange if Akira already got used to seeing such beautiful girls, thus his standard for beautiful girls would have been pulled higher.
"So... what do you want me to do? Is there any meaning in telling me all this?"
Seeing that there was a shred of frustration in Sheryl's behaviour, Katsuragi just gave her a meaningful smile.
"What I'm going to tell you after this is for your sake so that you understand this better. I'll give you something good, so just wait here for a bit."
After saying that, Katsuragi went back to his trailer, Sheryl could hear his voice from outside the trailer.
"Darris!! Do you know where those prototypes weapons are kept?"
"Ah, you're right!!"
Not too long after that, Katsuragi returned to Sheryl with a big rucksack and then he just put that rucksack in front of Sheryl.
"Sorry for the wait, I'll give this to you, it's a souvenir from me, take it home with you."
That bag was stuffed with foods that were near their expiration date, guns that did not sell and many other things. All of them were valuable things to Sheryl. Thus Sheryl bowed while being fl.u.s.tered.
From inside that bag, Katsuragi took out a few things and showed it to Sheryl.
"There are soaps, makeup kits and many other things inside this bag. Although they're just trial products, there are also medicines that were produced for Hunter's use, so it should be better than those cheap medicines. Remember, you should be at least beautiful enough to make Akira think that he's lucky when you try to seduce him. Let me tell you this upfront though, this is just an investment. I'm not sure why Akira helps you, but for now, you're the reason why he'll come to me to sell his relics. So you should work hard so that Akira would not abandon you, and so that he'll keep selling relics to me. You get that?"
"I'm looking forward to us working together for a long term."
Before going back to his inn, Akira decided to visit Shizuka's shop to replenish his ammo. The moment he entered the shop, Shizuka immediately noticed him and waved at him. Akira found it strange for the person at the counter to take initiative like that, but even so, he just obediently walked to the counter and went on with his order just like usual.
Shizuka stopped Akira's words and hugged him tightly.
Akira was fl.u.s.tered when Shizuka hugged him. He could feel Shizuka's body temperature and there was a soft sensation hitting him from the front. He was so embarrassed and confused as he tried to break off Shizuka's hug. But Shizuka kept her arms tight even after knowing that.
"It's all good as long as you're fine. Ammo replenishment, right? I'll bring it right away, just wait here."
While Akira was waiting for Shizuka, Elena suddenly entered the shop. She noticed Akira as she smiled at him and walked to his side.
"Akira, so you've woken up, huh? I never thought to meet you here. Although I already told Sara to contact me as soon as you wake up-"
Elena stopped her words mid-sentence as she noticed a notification came up on her information terminal. She then checked the notification and smiled bitterly.
"It just came. That Sara, she must have forgotten about it."
Akira then bowed to Elena.
"Elena-san, I'm sorry to have caused you a lot of trouble and thank you very much for taking care of me. And also, sorry for occupying the bed for a few days."
"Don't worry about that. It's big enough for us to sleep together, after all. But that aside, Sara used to unconsciously hug you like a pillow though, so are you okay? That girl is an augmented human, you know. Although she looks like that, she's actually very strong. She didn't break any of your bones, right?"
Once she arrived in front of her base, Darris who was accompanying her casually put the heavy bag that he was carrying on the ground.
The gift that she received from Katsuragi was filled with guns and other useful things, it was quite heavy so it would be hard for Sheryl to carry it herself. Moreover, it would be meaningless if that gift was robbed on her way back. That was why Katsuragi made a smart move and sent Darris to accompany her.
"I understand. Thank you very much for carrying it all the way here."
Sheryl left a positive impression on Darris as he thought that she was a girl with proper manners although she was raised in the slum city. Thus Darris left Sheryl with those words before he left the place.
Erio flinched back in fear as he tried to calm Sheryl down.
"Sh-Sheryl, I'm really sorry."
"Sorry? If you have the brain to recognize that you're at fault, then you should've been gone from here."
"A normal boy, huh? Normal... Right?"
Erio who was frozen still did not look like he could spout any excuses, while on the other hand, Sheryl had already reached her limit. As such, Sheryl had an outburst now.
"A normal kid, huh!? So for you, a kid who can defeat 3 armed Hunters is normal, huh? A kid who can do this is normal, huh?! So that's normal inside your head, huh?! If it's normal for you, then you can do that too, right? In that case, you go ahead and do that too?! Go to the ruins and get some relics then get ambushed on your way back and successfully fight your way out!! You should be able to do that, right? So go and do that!!"
"Get that fool out from here!! Quickly!!"
"P-please wait."
"Get him out of here, right now!! I'm your boss here and I'm telling you to kick him out!! You accepted that I'm the boss, right? If you don't accept me as your boss, then you get out of this place too!!"
The children around Erio then looked at each other before they grabbed Erio's shoulders and arms and dragged him outside. Erio just obediently let himself be dragged outside the base while hanging his head low.
Sheryl then let out a very long sigh and expelling all the anger left inside her heart. Thanks to that, she was at least able to clear most of the anger left inside her heart and regained her composure to think straight. But even so, she looked at Alicia with a stern look.
"...I know, I know, but we can't do that now. We can't let Erio stay in this gang, you know at least that much, right? At least until we have more people in the gang that Akira won't notice if Erio is mixed up a member of the gang or until Akira has forgotten his anger about him. But until then, we can't let him in the gang."
Other children were surprised after hearing Sheryl's words, then one of them asked Sheryl.
"Increase the members? In this situation?"
"We should at least be able to give some benefits to Akira as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would abandon us, we need to remember that he is not helping us out of kindness. If he abandons us, it would be the end for us."
"B-but how..."
"Thanks to Akira, we got a connection to a weapon merchant called Katsuragi. We are somehow able to get some help from that merchant. We have no other choice but to use that connection and try a lot of different things."
Sheryl then opened the bag which she carried. The children who saw the foods, guns and other things inside the bag could not help but let out shouts of joy.
"For now, we were able to get a lot of things thanks to Katsuragi and Akira. So we should come up with a plan before distribu-"
Sheryl caught some children trying to extend their hands to reach inside the bag, she shouted in a loud voice.
"If you take anything from it without my permission, then I'll kill you."
The children then stopped from reaching the bag before slowly retracting their arms.
Sheryl glanced at everyone there, thinking about how hard the road ahead for her was to develop the gang, she let out a big sigh.
"It's fine, isn't it? Moreover, I don't want you to preach me while you look like that yourself. Was that what you were wearing when Akira woke up?"
"Sara, what the heck were you thinking? You should at least be more careful."
"It's okay, Akira's reaction was pretty amusing."
Looking at Elena who looked like she had already given up on her, Sara just laughed lightly and said to Elena.
"Well, it's fine, right? It's just a small service for someone who we owe our lives to."
"It was Akira who saved us back then in the wasteland, you know?"
"I somehow expected that you know. Isn't it the same for you too? But since it seemed like Akira wanted to keep that a secret, I decided not to inquire him about that. I don't think that Akira would say it himself, so I bet you asked him first, right? Was it okay?"
Sara smiled bitterly as she looked a bit apologetic.
"Well, it's fine then, wait, that's not fine. You did say you are sorry for pressuring him, right?"
"It's all good then. Now that we know that he was the one who saved us, we owe him our lives, so be sure not to cause him too much trouble, okay?"
After talking thus far, Sara then looked at Elena with a serious face.
"So Elena, I have a request for you. I'm sure you have a lot of questions that you want to ask him. But please don't ask him anything and don't tell anyone about him. After all, I did promise Akira about that. So please, I'm begging you. I know that you might not be fully convinced, but please don't ask anything and promise me the same."
"...You're okay with that?"
Sara was surprised seeing how Elena just gave her promise so easily like that. But Elena just smiled and said.
"I told you this, right? I expected this, that was why I was at least able to guess why he was hiding it and what he would not want us to ask him. I bet you asked Shizuka too, right? So don't worry, I'll keep my lips sealed tight about this. And like I said before, I don't want to cause too much trouble to someone that we owe our lives to."
"After all, you suddenly asked me about the people who can connect to the old domain. Sara, when you want to hide something, you should be careful when you ask your questions, you know? Because the people that you asked would at least think of why you ask that question."
Sara realized her mistake and felt a bit downhearted, but she then decided to just change the mood and smiled.
"...As I thought, it is correct to leave negotiations to you."
"Yep, just leave that to me. Next time we meet Akira, I need to properly say my thanks too."
"Sara, now that we know the real identity of our saviour, what do you think after realising that he's not a young man from a rich family?"
"Please spare me from the teasing."
Although Sara was a bit confused about Elena's remark, she remembered the embarrassing imagination she had of their saviour. She couldn't help but blush heavily, which was rare for Sara.
Seeing how her best friend looked a bit at loss at first and finally coming to a conclusion herself, Elena just smiled amusingly.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
非公開