Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter 23   Please let us win

“Ah… seriously, I’m so bored.”

While working in the alchemy room, Miyano and the others suddenly showed up.

However, Asada, being the avant-garde type, seemed to be bored because she couldn’t understand what I was doing, even after observing my work for a while.

“I did say that. Weren’t you listening?”

But since I had anticipated this to happen, I continued working while giving a casual response.

“I was listening, but I thought there would be something more interesting to see.”

“Well, that’s a shame. Well, if you’re bored even staying here, why don’t you go to the training ground? If it’s available, that is.”

“Hmm… alright. It seems like it’s free, so I’ll go there.”

“Take the healer Kitahara with you, just in case. Well, if Kitahara agrees, that is.”

“Oh, it’s fine with me.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Finally, it seemed like they had decided to stop watching my work. Well, as expected, it went as I had predicted.

At that moment, Asada seemed to want to say something to me for a brief moment, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.

“Abe…”

“I’m fine. I’ll stay here and watch.”

“…Is it fun?”

“Yeah. It’s beautiful.”

“…Ah, right, you can see my magic power.”

Normally, my magic power, which should be invisible due to its amount, can be seen by this person. Therefore, their perspective on the work must be different from the other three.

“If it’s fun for you… well, whatever. So, you guys should hurry up and go.”

“Um, what about Mizuki-chan…?”

“It’s fine. Let’s go, Yuzu.”

While Kitahara tried to invite Miyano, Asada stopped her and forcibly took her away.

It’s not that Miyano is being left out as a comrade. Given Asada’s personality, she would forcefully confront and argue even if there was something unpleasant.

That’s why Asada left with Kitahara without calling out to Miyano. There must be a reason behind it, related to that “reason” when they decided to go to the training room.

“She’s surprisingly perceptive and caring, isn’t he?”

“Kana loves children, despite her appearance.”

As I murmured to myself without addressing anyone, Abe reacted and responded.

“…Is that so?”

“She occasionally volunteers at childcare facilities and such.”

“Surprising… or maybe not?”

She dyes her hair and gives off a somewhat flashy vibe in terms of appearance and attitude, but considering her caring nature, it’s not too surprising.

“And also…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to start alchemy work now.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t do alchemy?”

“It’s not good to keep saying that I can’t do something forever. It’s a good opportunity, so I want to give it a try.”

Although it’s not necessarily wrong… it feels rather sudden.

“So, I left that to them.”

“I see. Abe is unexpectedly meddlesome, or rather, she may seem unmotivated, but when the time comes, she gets things done.”

“Koosuke is the same. That’s why I sent both of them.”

“Well, maybe. But hey, don’t get your hopes up.”

“Right. I’m looking forward to it.”

As Abe said that, she headed towards an alchemy table located a little further away from the one I was using.

I explicitly told her not to have any expectations, and yet… honestly…

…Now, what should I say in a situation like this?

Asada and Abe were acting differently than usual because Miyano seemed off.

It’s not like she’s depressed, but the atmosphere has become gloomy. If I were to put it into words, she seems burdened with something.

I don’t know why that is. Asada and Kitahara seemed fine when they met in the morning, but Miyano’s demeanor changed after they went to pick up Abe.

That’s why it ended up with only Miyano and me remaining, as the three of them didn’t tell me anything and entrusted me with handling it somehow.

Personally, I have very little experience dealing with high school girls’ problems. At most, I’ve had a consultation with my middle school niece and received some advice from the members of this team during summer vacation.

Considering that, I think it’s too much of a burden to expect me to solve a high school girl’s problems. But I can’t just ignore it.

Diving into the dungeon with such clearly unresolved problems will only lead to her demise.

For now, nothing will change if I don’t talk to her.

“Miyano.”

“I’m sorry. But I won’t inconvenience anyone, so it’s okay–”

“It’s your choice to put up a strong front, and you can do as you please. However, when it comes to matters involving the team, you need to talk about it. Otherwise, even if your actions were meant for the sake of the team, it could end up causing trouble instead.”

As soon as I called out her name, Miyano tried to answer without looking at me, but I interrupted her and spoke.

“…You’re not going to comfort me, are you?”

“Do you really think I would do something like that?”

There’s no point in comforting her at this moment. I don’t even know why she’s feeling down, so anything I say would be off the mark.

“Well, who knows? But I think you probably would. Igami-san, you usually keep your distance from us, but when it comes to the team, you’re someone who acts seriously for its sake.”

Throughout our previous adventures, I made sure not to get too close to her. I said it was because I wasn’t used to interacting with high school girls… I see, so she noticed that I was keeping my distance.

“I see…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, that’s a grateful assessment… but even if that’s the case, you don’t want me to comfort you, right? Well, actually, you’re not even sad. What you’re feeling is probably anger, though I’m not entirely sure.”

“You’re amazing, Igami-san. Can you see through everything?”

“It’s just too obvious.”

“Is that so?”

For someone who’s supposed to be sad, she keeps everyone at such a distance.

Even if she’s feeling overwhelmed, the magical energy leaking from her body is somewhat too aggressive.

Even someone other than me would notice the emotions of Miyano in such a state.

“So, what’s been weighing on your mind? What are you so angry about?”

“…After summer vacation, there will be a sports festival at this school, and it seems like it’s designed to be more like an adventurer training school… Well, I guess you know about it since you were also at this school, Igami-san.”

Miyano remained silent for a while in response to my question, but she slowly began speaking in a small voice, unlike her usual self.

“A sports festival? Ah, I vaguely remember something like that.”

To be honest, the sports festival doesn’t leave much of an impression on me. Well, I, or rather the short-term group, didn’t participate. Or rather, we didn’t have the time for it.

“In that sports festival… or rather, in the ranking matches, we were challenged.”

“I see.”

“But the opponents are teams ranked higher than us…”

“So the chances of winning are slim?”

“Yes.”

I thought they were quite capable for students, but they still can’t win?

In that case, do the opponents have special-class members? Or maybe they’re all first-class and have incredible coordination.

Well, it’s safe to say that there won’t be anyone like me, so I can be an exception. If everyone fought like me, my advantages would disappear.

“First of all, is it okay if I ask why you were targeted like that?”

“It’s because I’m a special-class.”

“Because you’re a special-class?… And they wanted you to join their team?”

“Yes.”

“Then the opponent must be a first-year student who’s in that student council, right?”

When I first came to this school, I encountered a young lady near the gate. I remember she was a special-class and was trying to recruit Miyano into her own team. She fits the description of the current situation.

Miyano nodded slightly in response to my words, but she seemed to be trembling slightly.

“So, what do you want to do… or rather, what do you want from me?”

Mizuki Miyano is a strong girl. It’s not just in terms of talent, but also in terms of her inner strength. She can handle most things on her own.

And yet, she’s showing this vulnerable side now. In that case, I believe there must be something she wants to ask of me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be speaking like this.

“Please, help us win.”