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 7   Kana: December 25^th

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As days passed by, with occasional participation in classes and diving into dungeons, it finally came to the end of the year, the last day of activities.

“Well then, Igami-san, this wraps up the year. Let’s meet again next year,” said one of them.

“Don’t forget our promise!” added another.

“Ah, thank you very much.”

“Have a great New Year.”

“Yeah, stay well. Happy New Year.”

Perhaps because it was the last day of the year, the four of them came to see me off at the school gate.

I waved with one hand in response to their greetings and boarded the bus that would take me home, leaving them behind.

The next time we meet will be in the new year.

And once we reunite, there will be a short break before school starts again.

From there, I’ll participate in classes as usual, dive into dungeons, and casually share my knowledge and experiences. In about three months, our team’s activities will come to an end.

But still, three more months. Will it really end this time?

While pondering over such thoughts, memories of the past few months since meeting Miyano and the others come flooding back. The most vivid memory is encountering that special-grade monster. I never expected to encounter it again this year.

Lost in memories, the bus finally stops near my home, and I start walking towards my apartment.

“The year is ending already. Time flies,” I muttered.

Casually, I looked up at the sky, and unexpectedly, memories I didn’t want to recall, memories I should have forgotten, resurfaced.

“…Or maybe not? It’s only been ten years since then when I think about it. Maybe it’s too slow,” I pondered.

Time can be cruel. It flows despite our wish for it to stop, eroding everything away.

Objects, memories, feelings—everything. It’s like a disease that eats away at the heart.

And yet, strangely enough, time often feels slow. It only adds to the suffering.

“Hey, what do you think?”

There shouldn’t be anyone nearby.

Nevertheless, I found myself voicing my question as if asking someone who wasn’t there.

…Even though there wouldn’t be an answer.

“Why did you have to die?”

It should be a sad thing. It should have been a heartbreaking moment. At that time, I kept crying, not wanting to accept reality.

But now, why can’t tears flow anymore? Why is that?

“I guess being an adventurer sucks after all. Yeah. That’s why I’m definitely quitting this time,” I muttered to myself, trying to convince myself, and started walking back home.

──Asada Kana──

Today is December 25th. School is on break, and two students, Haruka Abe and Yuzu Kitahara, were enjoying their day off.

The two had made plans to meet with their friends and fellow team members, Mizuki Miyano and Kana Asada, but before that, they had come to the area near the station for some shopping.

“Hmm?”

This area has the most shops lined up, which is why Haruka stopped and tilted her head, seemingly finding something interesting.

“Haruka-chan?”

“…Is it just my imagination?”

Yuzu called out to Haruka, who suddenly stopped, but Haruka kept her gaze fixed in a different direction, unmoving.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… I saw Koosuke just now.”

Concerned, Yuzu peered into Haruka’s face, and finally, Haruka snapped out of her thoughts and shared what she had seen.

“Oh, really—”

“He was with a woman.”

“—Huh?”

But the words that followed seemed to foreshadow some kind of turmoil.

“What, what does that mean!?”

“Calm down, Kana.”

After finishing their shopping, the two headed to Kana Asada’s room in the dormitory at the promised time.

And now, they were discussing what they had witnessed today, and this was the outcome. As they finished their conversation, Kana suddenly yelled out.

“…What kind of person was she?”

Mizuki tried to soothe Kana and directed her question towards Haruka, who had brought up the cause of Kana’s outburst.

“A woman with long black hair.”

“I see… Huh? But didn’t Igami-san mention having something to do?”

For a moment, silence fell upon the room at Haruka’s words, but Mizuki suddenly recalled a conversation she had with Kousuke before and unintentionally voiced her thoughts.

“A date?”

“But I thought Igami-san said he doesn’t have a girlfriend before?”

“That’s true. But he’s not the type of person to openly talk about such things. There’s a possibility he was keeping it a secret, don’t you think?”

Koosuke had mentioned having plans for today, December 25th. However, he had also said he didn’t have a significant other. So, what could this incident today possibly mean? They discussed it further.

“Or maybe it’s work?”

“Work as a date?”

“Is it a date for work, or work as a date… which one could it be?”

Although they said they would discuss it, it wasn’t a particularly serious conversation. It was just one of the topics among high school girls. Eventually, the conversation would casually shift to the next topic.

Well, since Koosuke was somewhat familiar to them, the topic would probably generate some excitement.

However, not everyone could easily let go of the conversation.

“Wh-where did you see them?”

At that moment, the three team members, excluding Kana, remembered. Oh no, they thought to themselves.

Koosuke himself insisted that he wasn’t bothered by it, and he hadn’t noticed the situation either, but without a doubt… No, perhaps Kana herself wasn’t truly aware of her own feelings.

However, the other three knew that Kana had feelings for Koosuke. It was just too obvious. One could argue that the one who didn’t notice had a problem.

In reality, there was indeed an issue with Koosuke, but Mizuki and the others were unaware of it.

But well, they should have easily imagined what would happen if they brought up such a topic in front of Kana, and what she would think about it.

Still, the reason Haruka and the others discussed Koosuke was because to them, he was like a teacher, someone who exuded a fatherly aura.

But for Kana, it was different.

Haruka could have lied or tried to divert Kana’s question, or even admonish her.

“At the north exit of the station. We lost sight of them immediately.”

However, considering whether it would be unkind as a friend to tell a lie or deceive her at this moment, Haruka chose to answer honestly.

“N-no… but it wouldn’t be strange for Igami-san to have a romantic partner. At first, he put up walls, but deep down, he’s a really good person.”

“That’s right. Watanabe-san and the others seem to be married too.”

Kana seemed at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond to Haruka’s answer. Mizuki continued the conversation, trying to ensure that Kana didn’t develop any undue hatred towards Koosuke, and Yuzu also joined in.

Well, in Yuzu’s case, she might have just reacted to the conversation without much thought.

“But she might be quite young, right?”

The conversation didn’t end there. Haruka dropped another bombshell.

“H-How young are we talking?”

“…Maybe early twenties? …Hmm, perhaps even a bit younger?”

“What… what should I do…”

Kana visibly started to panic at Haruka’s words.

Observing Kana’s state, Mizuki placed a hand on her mouth, pondered for a moment, took a deep breath, and then addressed Kana.

“…Honestly, what do you think, Kana?”

“…About what?”

“About Igami-san. You understand, don’t you?”

“What do you mean… I don’t even…”