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 5 Chapter 13   Kana-chan

“Wait a moment. Yesterday? How do you know what I said yesterday?”

I thought everything would be fine, and they could enjoy the school trip without worries. But as Asada furrowed her brows, she suddenly realized something and questioned Miyano.

“Huh? Ah—”

Upon hearing Asada’s words, Miyano seemed to have realized something and glanced at me with reddened eyes.

…Oh, right. I didn’t tell her that Miyano overheard yesterday’s phone call.

Uh-oh, could this be a problematic situation?

…No, it’s just my imagination. It’s not my fault.

“Um, I’m sorry. About yesterday’s phone call with you, I… I overheard the conversation too.”

“Huh?”

As Miyano revealed this, Asada’s gaze started darting between me and Miyano.

She’s quite busy glancing back and forth. Well, let’s just smile and give her a thumbs-up for now.

She suddenly stood up and started glaring at me. Oh, she looks scary. Ah, and she should stand up more gracefully.

“Oh, uh… What’s wrong? Your voice is trembling. Are you shaking with joy?”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

While standing up and glaring at me, Asada waved her hand dramatically and shouted.

…Phew. Well, it’s true that it wasn’t good of me to let her listen to the conversation without permission, but I believe it was necessary for both of them to have a decent conversation during the trip. Did she really have the confidence to talk to Miyano properly?

“That’s right, but… ugh! Yes, I admit it, but… grrr!”

It seems Asada understood her own feelings and Miyano’s situation. She wants to say something, but she can’t express it clearly.

“What’s the matter? It’s just me being considerate as an instructor. Don’t worry about it… Geez!”

Asada grabbed the tissue box on the table and waved it towards me.

“I said something so embarrassing!”

It’s possible that she’s trying to hide her embarrassment by throwing things, but come on, don’t throw a tissue box! It can turn into a weapon if you throw it, you know!?

“Well, she was already listening anyway, so don’t worry about it.”

In the first place, she said it was embarrassing, but I was supposed to hear it from the beginning.

At that time, there was some tension between us, but still, I don’t think it’s that embarrassing for Miyano, who is the same age and the same gender, and I’ve known her longer than I’ve known Asada. She talks like that all the time.

Well, she doesn’t say it as straightforwardly as she did back then, but it’s similar, right?

“Or is there something else? Do you think she can’t handle hearing embarrassing words?”

But well, I understand that it’s embarrassing. So, I tried to lighten the atmosphere with a joke…

“…”

For some reason, Asada mumbled and averted her gaze.

“…Could you stop being so cryptic?”

“I mean… I thought it might be okay…”

…Well, yeah, I’ve heard enough about how you feel, but even so, it’s hard to know how to respond when you say something like that here.

Our silence makes the other three also stop talking, and it becomes an awkward atmosphere.

“You know, I think you sometimes self-destruct, Igami-san,” said Kitahara, breaking the silence. But, in this case, am I the one responsible for creating this weird atmosphere? If we’re talking about self-destructing, isn’t it Asada’s fault, not mine?

“In this case, isn’t it both of you?”

“Oh, well… I guess so. Can’t deny that.”

Oh well, can’t deny that. If it’s both of us, then so be it.

“Alright… whatever. Let’s get going. It’s time to leave,” I said as I stood up, and Abe and Kitahara followed suit. Miyano also stood up, and her face no longer showed any trace of the serious conversation we just had, as if it never happened.

It seems like things have eased up nicely. It was worth the playful effort.

However, Asada was still sitting there, so I picked up the tissue box she threw and placed it back on the table before addressing her.

“Hey, muscle-head girl. You should get up too. Let’s go,” I said, and Asada stood up reluctantly, and we started walking towards the meeting point.

“I mean, calling me that again… Can’t you find a different way to address me?” she replied, sulking.

“Hey, Igami-san, we usually call each other by our last names, but maybe it’s about time we started using our first names?” Miyano interjected, smiling happily, her eyes back to normal, probably healed by Kitahara.

“But Kana-oneesan is still a girl. It’s a bit harsh to call her a muscle-head,” Abe added.

“I’m still a girl, you know! Don’t ‘onee-san’ me!” Asada shouted, but I decided to ignore her.

“Hmm? Using first names, huh? Well, it’s not like I’ve thought about it much… Just go with the flow, I guess?” I replied casually.

To be honest, I don’t place too much importance on how we address each other. Whether it’s first names or last names, as long as there’s genuine affection behind it, it’s enough to show our closeness.

On the other hand, no matter how close we are, if there’s no genuine emotion behind it or if there’s contempt hidden within, then the gesture loses its meaning.

I’ve shown them my affection in my own way, though it’s a bit hard to put it into words.

But, I can understand that showing it through our words and attitudes is important too. After all, we can’t communicate telepathically.

Still, calling them by their first names… It’s a bit…

“Then, let’s see. How should I address you, Kana-chan? …Sorry, it sounded creepy even when I said it myself, so forget it.”

To be honest, it’s pretty creepy for a guy who’s approaching forty to use “chan” when referring to a high school girl.

Using her name is fine, but calling her “chan”? Nope, that’s definitely not okay. Yikes, that was close.

But, besides me, there was someone else covering their face in embarrassment.

“What’s up with them?”

“Seems like they’re cringing.”

“…”

Could it be because I called her Kana-chan?

…Well, I guess I’ll leave it be. If I dig into this, it’ll just lead to more trouble.