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?

Volume 2  Chapter 10    New Year’s Story

─◆◇◆◇─

“Happy New Year!”

“Ah, Happy New Year!”

With the arrival of the new year, as promised, I was at the shrine for the first visit of the year with my team members from Miyano.

However, for some reason, Asada didn’t bother to look at me directly or even offer a proper New Year’s greeting when our eyes met.

I don’t expect her to greet me with great formality just because I’m older, but it did bother me that she didn’t even say a simple greeting.

Her usual attitude is casual or even indifferent, but I thought she would be more respectful on occasions like this.

Perhaps she’s not feeling well? Could it be related to her health?

“Hey, um… Hey, listen…”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“…It’s nothing! Happy New Year!”

As Asada blurted out those words, she quickly turned her face away.

What’s going on? I wondered, looking at the other team members, but they all avoided eye contact, forced a smile, or remained expressionless. They weren’t giving me any clues.

Oh, well, it’s not surprising that Abe is expressionless. That’s just how she always is.

“I don’t get it, but whatever. Let’s go.”

But I couldn’t stay here just because I didn’t understand. So, I said that and started moving towards the line for the shrine visit.

“Hey, do you think there really is a god when we pray?”

“Kana, you’re asking that after going to the shrine? Seriously?”

“Shut up.”

“Well, I kind of understand what Kana-chan means. I mean, in a world like this, it’s not impossible that the gate is connected to the realm of the gods, right?”

“There’s a theory that the gate leads to the mythological world.”

“Oh, really?”

“Well, it’s just a theory, and nobody knows for sure. After all, it remains unexplained.”

As we waited in line for about thirty minutes and finished our visit, I overheard a conversation from behind.

“There’s a theory that the gate is connected to the world of myths.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Well, it’s just a theory, and we don’t really know what’s actually going on. No one has been able to unravel it.”

Since nobody knows where the gate leads, it wouldn’t be surprising if it actually connected to a mythical world.

Compared to more far-fetched theories like it being connected to the realm of dreams, the idea of it leading to a mythological world seems somewhat plausible.

“Enough of that, let’s head back now that we’re done with the shrine visit.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Let’s take a look around for a moment.”

As I glanced around, I noticed several food stalls lined up on both sides of the shrine visit queue.

“…Are you suggesting I treat everyone?”

“You get it!”

“Do you all think I’m an easy target?”

“It’s time to show some generosity.”

“I don’t think I need to show it to you guys… Well, whatever. I can treat you all a little.”

The decision to treat them was merely a whim, but if I had to say why, it might be because I wanted to use at least some of the reward I received from Nina’s assistance the other day.

It didn’t feel good to have obtained that money by deceiving her, after all.

“Really? You mean it? Yes!”

“Is that okay? Kana was just joking, and now you’re treating us…”

“It’s fine, just this once. You guys don’t spend money on post-dungeon gatherings like Hiro and the others, so you deserve a treat.”

As I said that, Asada and then Abe, holding Kitahara’s hand, rushed towards a nearby food stall.

“Sorry for pushing you into this.”

Amidst all that, Miyano was the only one left behind, apologizing with a look of regret. But I think it’s okay for her to relax and enjoy herslelf once in a while.

“No worries. I said it’s not a problem. You don’t always have to be on edge. Take a cue from those guys once in a while… Well, it could be a problem if you learn too much from them, though.”

“Hehe, that’s true. Since you told me I could rely on you, I’ll do just that.”

“If it’s something that can be solved with this much adorable money, feel free to rely on me anytime. Although, if it happens too often, I might go bankrupt, so go easy on me.”

After joking like that, we walked towards Asada and the others, who had already placed their orders.

──◆◇◆◇──

“Thank you very much for today, Igami-san.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“See you again.”

“Don’t forget the start of the new school term.”

“Yeah. And you guys, remember that you’ll be diving into the dungeon after the break, so don’t slack off too much. At least do some exercise every day.”

After finishing the shrine visit and exploring the food stalls, we boarded the bus to go back home. Miyano and the others got off in front of the school, exchanging brief greetings, and then I rode the bus alone towards my own house.

“Hm? Hello, who is it?”

Just as I arrived home, the phone rang right as I was closing the front door. I checked the screen to see who it was, and it turned out to be a call from my sister who got married and moved away from our hometown. Was it a New Year’s greeting?

“Oh, Koosuke? I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“What is it? Is it more important than saying Happy New Year? If you’re telling me to come over there, I’ll have to decline.”

Thinking it was a New Year’s greeting, I answered with a bit of a prickly tone since she didn’t mention anything about it and went straight to discussing something.

“Uh, um, Happy New Year. Well, it’s not about that. Not at all. It’s more like, instead of wanting you to come here, it’s actually about us going there?”

“…So, what do you mean?”

“Well, you know, Satsuki is going to enter high school soon, right? Remember when she awakened?”

“…Ah, right. I remember being consulted about that at the time.”

Satsuki is my sister’s daughter, in other words, my niece. I recall being consulted a few years ago when she awakened her abilities.

“Right. So, Satsuki is going to attend an adventurer school for high school, and I was wondering if it would be okay for her to stay with you during spring break?”

“What? Hold on. Why would she come to my place? Is it like a substitute for a sightseeing trip to Tokyo?”

“No, no. Ah, well, she might have that intention, but that’s not why I’m asking.”

That was the only possibility that came to mind, but apparently, I was mistaken.

But if that’s not it, then what?

Towards the end of her words, there was an uncomfortably serious tone. Is something wrong?

“…Satsuki awakened her abilities, but she’s a Rank 2. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If she were a Rank 1 or a Special Rank, I would have been more at ease, but being a Rank 2… especially a Rank 2 close to Rank 3, I’m worried that something reckless might happen. I thought that you, more than any teacher, could teach her about those things in detail. So, at the very least, I want you to directly teach her the essentials before anything happens. I believe in you more than any mediocre teacher.”

“Well, if we’re talking about whether I can or cannot, I can…”

After all, I’m currently teaching students.

In fact, it would be more fitting for me to teach a Rank 2 rather than a Rank 1 or a Special Rank.

“Please. I don’t know if I should be telling you this… but I don’t want anything to happen to her. I saw how you were when Mika-chan died, and that’s what made me think this way.”

“…! I… During spring break, I’ll be quitting as an adventurer.”

“Even so, the experience and knowledge I’ve accumulated won’t disappear. I can’t teach her anything… I can’t tell her what to do when she’s in trouble, how to survive. I can’t be the person she can rely on if something happens. You might not like it, but it’s for Satsuki’s sake, for her survival.”

Her voice was more resolute than when she first called, and I understood that my sister was genuinely concerned about her own daughter. At that moment, I couldn’t refuse.

…Besides, it’s just for the short duration of spring break. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

“…I understand. It’s fine for her to stay with me, and I’ll take care of her here too.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know once the dates are decided.”

Relieved by my agreement, my sister’s voice softened a bit before I ended the call.

A child, huh…