Novels


    Im scared of fighting those words came weakly from the timid Kazuki .


    Generally, that would be the normal reaction . Also, we were still only in high school . Excluding Inukami-senpai, Kazukis reaction was the expected response .


    It wasnt like he was a hero from a story or an arrogant protagonist; he was just a normal young man .


    During the time when I fought outside of the Kingdom… Fighting with monsters, I was really scared . I nearly froze in place when I first encountered them .


    ……


    But when they attacked, I desperately… desperately resisted…… When I defeated them… I once again realized just how optimistic I was viewing this world .


    Calm down, Kazuki .


    Kazuki was different from Inukami-senpai and he was highly sensitive .


    In Inukami-senpais case, she truly accepted this world while Kazuki only accepted this world to a necessary degree and didnt think much about it . I could imagine that he was having a mental breakdown .


    In reality, Kazuki was getting worked up on his emotions as his light magic was leaking out from both of his hands and illuminated the surroundings . Noticing my words, he suppressed the light magic but his expression was still dark .


    Even the Maous army, theyve come to attack us and will try to come kill me… That makes me tremendously afraid . But even though I was being a coward, the people in this kingdom were kind and cheered me on . They had expectations… Right now, thats putting more pressure on me than anything else .


    It was a burden shared by past heroes . Just by being a hero, other peoples gazes would revere you . I was sure that a great burden was being placed on Kazuki because of that . This wasnt something people would normally experience .


    That was why I could only say one thing to him .


    Kazuki, its fine even if you dont fight .


    ……Hah?


    This conversation with Kazuki… how much it would decrease our war potential… that was irrelevant . There was no need to involve ourselves in this war since we got dragged into it . No matter how heartless that seemed, Kazuki had that right .


    I mean… No one wants to die . I really do understand .


    W-wait a moment! If I dont fight, what are you going to do, Usato!?


    Ill be going . Its hard for me to die after all .


    Also, I unexpectedly had other reasons too .


    Inside the Rescue Squad, for people like Olga-san or Uluru-san… Also for Roses sake .


    Thats not the problem right!?!? Usato, arent you also scared of dying!?!?


    Ill be fine!


    !?


    Without thinking, I replied like that .


    I dont mean it like that, what do you want to do!? Youre scared of fighting, right!? If thats so, its okay to run away!! I… and probably Inukami-senpai, the King, Sergio-san, Welsey-san, Sigris-san, Seria-sama wont blame you!!


    ……Ah……


    Crap, did I overdo it a little?


    Kazuki hung his head low while covering his eyes with both of his hands .


    *


    Im such a pathetic person .


    I avoided everything around me… In the end, I couldnt even face myself . I had no idea what to say to the other party so that everyone would be happy . It was always like this . It was the vice president that everyone wanted after all . It was everyone who wanted to fight that Maous army . Always, always, always, always, always, I would always try to match with my surroundings . Since everyone wanted it, they would be delighted . I say everyone but majority are always girls .


    That was why being told by Usato to its fine to not fight…… If he were to say instead, Dont go out and fight, I would surely decide to not fight .


    But he knew something about me and said those words instead .


    … . Im scared of fighting… But you know—


    At first, I was furious .


    They called us out of their own convenience, telling the heroes to fight with the Maous army and everything… But you know, everyone in this country were really good people .


    The King, Seria… . Everyone, everyone… warm and gentle people who didnt have anything hidden under them . That was why there was no way I could let danger approach these people .


    That was why… Even if it was for such a small reason… I—


    I guess I dont want to die .


    *


    After a brief period of silence while Kazuki was thinking, I heard the words I guess I dont want to die from him . Did he find his resolve…?


    … . Yeah, Im afraid . But… Ill try it…


    … . He found his determination .


    I didnt know what kind of answer he found within himself but I wouldnt say anything since it was something that Kazuki convinced himself with . … . Or rather, I didnt have the qualifications to do so .


    I see .


    Thanks, Usato .


    Were friends, dont mind it .


    … . . Y-yeah!


    S-so embarrassingggggggggggggggggggggggg!!


    I wanted to find a hole and hide in it! This wasnt my character at all! I was supposed to be more of a dry character but—! Ah I should stop it, I cant change what was done even if I wanted to .


    Erm, I should probably return to the castle now . Sorry for waking you up at night . Afterwards, Ill think about it and reach answers on my own .


    Good luck .


    Then, good night .


    With the moonlight illuminating the path, Kazuki jogged away . His back somehow seemed stronger than before .


    I saw him off till I couldnt see his back anymore . I started walking back to the lodgings while giving a big yawn . Tomorrow I would have training to prepare for the Maous army . It wouldnt do if I didnt go back to my bed soon .


    Fuah~ … . . Im sleepy, Ill go back and sleep .


    Wellll~ was that what people refer to as mens friendship? I sure got to see something nice .


    I heard a voice from behind .


    But as I knew who was speaking, I didnt turn around . For the time being, I should say something back .


    I am truly sorry, Im sleepy so I have no time to bother with you so… If its possible, leave it for tomorrow… Inukami-senpai… .


    I didnt notice her at all but I wasnt that surprised since it wasnt that weird for her to be here .


    … . Huh? Your reaction is a little odd? In this kind of situation it should be W-why is Suzune-senpai here right now!? or Uwaaaah!! Suzu-tan is hereeeee!!!! shouldnt you be raising your voice like that!?


    Please dont change how I address Senpai… Well anyhow, I bet since its Senpai, you noticed that Kazuki was acting odd…


    Suzune-senpai and Suzu-tan I had never called her like that even once .


    From what it looked like, Inukami-senpai noticed Kazukis unusual state as she was the president of the student council . Most likely, she chased after Kazuki when she saw that he left in the middle of the night .


    Good grief, she should have come out in the beginning if she was here… . Well, she was reading the situation in a sense .


    Hey, why is it that Usato-kun is somewhat dry towards me? Did I do something to offend you? If you can, I want you to tell me so I can fix it right away .


    Why are you that frantic about it… Or rather, Senpai should return back to the castle…


    … . Im almost about to cry .


    Good joke .


    Something like Senpai crying .


    No, if she really cried, I would probably be kneeling down on the ground (Dogeza) but since she said Im almost about to cry herself, it should still be fine .


    I thought I would be walking back but thanks to the appearance of Inukami-senpai, I was once again stopped .


    Next to me was Inukami-senpai who was looking at the moon while emotionally muttering,


    It seems Kazuki-kun has gotten over it now . In certain sense, he was always lacking something from being isolated by the same sex…


    … . I… . really did want Kazuki to run away…


    The words I spoke to Kazuki were my true thoughts .


    If you didnt want to fight, wasnt it fine to just not fight? Was it absolutely necessary to go to a place full of death and dangers? Somehow that was sad .


    While I thought so, I looked towards the direction where Kazuki took off .


    I didnt know what she was thinking but Inukami-senpai placed her hand on my shoulder .


    …Usato-kun… do you not want me to fight?


    Thats for sure . But Senpai doesnt think I dont want to fight at all so…


    ……… . Then, if I told you I didnt want to fight, would you comfort me!?


    What are you saying? You .


    Fufufu, youve finally dropped the honorifics .


    I really dont know this person anymore .


    As expected, Kazuki and Inukami-senpai were fundamentally different .


    I wouldnt comfort you, Inukami-senpai is Inukami-senpai, isnt that right? Would you be alright with a junior comforting you, Senpai?


    Muu, being a senpai is irrelevant isnt it…


    Kazuki is a classmate friend . Thats more than sufficient for me .


    Turning my back to Inukami-senpai, I started walking back towards the house .


    Turning my head back a little, I could see Senpai had her eyes casted down .


    … . Maybe I exaggerated it a little too much?


    I should follow-up . I felt somewhat bad .


    But—


    Usato-kun, the bar for capturing and clearing you is a little too high . You should show more of your dere side . … . Nn? Were you about to say something just now?


    … . . Its nothing .


    I-I see . I should . . … return back to the castle soon… . … good night .


    Good night, Senpai .


    The words I was about to say were stopped by Inukami-senpais and I could only remain silent . After bidding farewell to her, I quickly returned back to the lodgings .


    … . . What was Inukami-senpai trying to do with me? I felt that it was relatively serious .