Kays Translations

Chapter 23: A Surprise

Unlike the close combat training which required physical exertion, practicing magic with Nina-chan was something we usually did after school. 

So, the rainy Sunday afternoon passed by quietly.

On the way, Hina came to watch our magic practice, joined us, had lunch together, and then took a nap.

We didn’t sleep in the same room that day. Nina-chan probably thought she wouldn’t have nightmares tonight.

However, I continued to have nightmares. I dreamt of heat, arrogance, and a sense of powerlessness, which weighed heavily on my chest.

“Itsuki, you don’t look so good.”

“…Hmm, do I?”

Monday morning. While carrying our heavy backpacks, we stopped at a crosswalk. Nina-chan spoke to me.

“I might have had a strange dream yesterday.”

“A strange dream? What was it about?”

“Well, I can’t remember anything except feeling bad.”

I couldn’t remember anything except the unpleasant feeling, so that’s all I could say, which seemed to worry Nina-chan.

“If you can’t sleep well, maybe you should sleep with a stuffed animal.”

“Borrow one from Hina?”

“Yeah.”

Well, even if she said, “Yeah.”

Certainly, if I asked Hina, she’d probably lend me one. 

But, is that okay? I mean, I’m almost in the third grade of elementary school. Is it still okay to sleep hugging a stuffed animal?

“Or should I sleep with you?”

“…Nah, I’m fine.”

Nina-chan said this, trying to act like an older sister, so I quietly shook my head.

“Really? Okay then.”

Please spare me from sharing a room because I can’t sleep properly when it’s the two of us in the same room because I’d be nervous.

Despite my reaction, Nina-chan didn’t change her expression and continued as the pedestrian light changed.

“By the way, do you think it’s true that the monsters have decreased?”

“Hmm? Are you talking about yesterday’s conversation?”

“Yeah.”

The conversation from yesterday was about the phone call from my father. The story about the monsters decreasing to the point where he might be able to return home wasn’t something I could conclude on my own. So, I had already conveyed it to my family, including Nina-chan.

The fact that my father can come back means Irena-san might come back too. 

“It’s hard to believe that they’ve decreased just because he said so. I mean, it didn’t feel like they increased in the first place.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

But Nina-chan’s doubt was reasonable.

It was indeed challenging to sense the increase or decrease of monsters.

If you worked as an exorcist like my father and dealt with monsters, you might understand. However, for us, who only encountered naturally occurring monsters, it was difficult to grasp whether there were more or fewer of them.

In a way, it was similar to hearing news about whether the economy was doing well or poorly on the internet.

As I pondered such things, Nina-chan, wearing a dissatisfied expression, continued.

“Besides, is it just that the number of monsters has decreased? Could they be hiding somewhere?”

“Hmm. Only ‘Fifth Rank’ and above can use ‘Conceal,’ so I don’t think they’re hiding.”

I answered as I followed Nina-chan across the crosswalk. Indeed, after hearing my father’s words, I had thought the same thing as Nina-chan.

The monsters this time were systematically increased by the members of the acting troupe. So the story was that the acting troupe actors followed instructions and hid them somewhere, right?

However, I quickly dismissed that idea.

After all, there was a magic to locate monsters, known as ‘Detection Magic.’

Certainly, the monsters created by the actors this time were also being tracked with this magic. This meant that any monster that couldn’t use ‘Conceal’ would be detected by this magic.

Nina-chan seemed somewhat dissatisfied but seemed to accept my explanation in some way.

With that slightly displeased look on her face, we headed to school together.

We didn’t touch on the topic of the acting troupe actor not being found, something that was yet to be resolved.

Lunchtime came after the boring classes at school. The fast eaters in our class rushed out to the playground energetically, and the close-knit groups of girls who made friends also left the classroom.

Then, unusually, we were called out by the teacher, not just me but Nina-chan as well.

Being summoned by a teacher at school was unimaginable except when you were in trouble. With nervous hearts, we approached the teacher’s desk. The teacher then spoke quietly.

“You know, Itsuki-kun, I wanted to thank you and Nina-chan. There’s someone who’d like to express their gratitude.”

“Gratitude?”

“Yes, it’s an old man named Hosoi-san. Do you know him?”

“Hosoi-san…?”

I wondered who that could be.

The teacher’s words didn’t ring a bell, so I tilted my head.

I thought up to the point of “grandpa with the name Hosoi,” and at that moment, it hit me.

Do you mean the president of the health food company?

I felt like the name was written on the business card he showed us earlier.

The president who was distributing the rejuvenation potion created by the monsters through the company’s distribution channels without authorization. Now that he thought about it, that was his name.

Nina-chan wasn’t aware either, so I tugged at her sleeve and whispered. 

“He’s the one from the health food company.”

Nina-chan tilted her head and asked “Health food?” but the she opened her big eyes wide, then nodded vigorously, as if she had suddenly remembered.

“I remember now. That person.”

Nina-chan nodded, and it seemed she hadn’t forgotten.

“That’s a relief. You both know him. He’s in the reception room right now, but even if it’s just for the duration of lunch break, how about going to say a brief hello?”

We exchanged glances and agreed. Well, if it’s just a greeting… That’s how we felt.

So, Nina-chan and I headed to the reception room with the teacher.

Right next to the principal’s office on the first floor, the teacher opened the door to the reception room, and an elderly man inside the room stood up when he saw us.

Sure enough, it was that president.

The old man who had approached us after school some time ago.

“It’s been a while, Itsuki-kun, Nina-chan.”

“Uh, it has… been a while…”

In front of the elderly man, who exuded a president-like aura more than ever, I inadvertently exhibited a touch of my past life’s professionalism. Well, I hadn’t worked as a professional for very long in my previous life, though.

“Thanks to both of you, I was really saved. I’m grateful.”

Saying that, Hosoi-san bowed his head. Even though both Nina-chan and I said “You’re welcome” at different times, we fell silent afterward, unsure how to continue the conversation.

…What should we talk about?

I thought it would just be a greeting since the teacher had said so, so I was at a loss.

I glanced at the teacher with a troubled expression, but she had already noticed that Hosoi-san’s cup in front of him was empty and said, “I’ll make some tea for you,” before leaving the room. Help me.

So, there were three people left in the room: me, Nina-chan, and Mr. Hosoi.

And soon, an awkward silence descended.

From the playground, you could hear the joyful voices of kids playing dodgeball and soccer.

“Why did you come to school?”

Unable to bear the silence, I asked, and Hosoi-san, sitting on the sofa, continued.

“Actually, I thought I had made a promise with you two.”

“A promise?”

“Yes, a very important promise. Don’t you remember?”

When Hosoi-san asked me that, I instinctively tilted my head.

I vaguely remembered receiving a request to exorcise monsters, but that should have fallen under the jurisdiction of the “Kamarizuki” family.

So, I didn’t have any direct recollection of making a promise.

“I see… you’ve forgotten, haven’t you?”

“I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s okay. But if you forget… I’ll have to remind you.”

Saying so, Hosoi-san gave a mischievous smile and then “undressed.”

What emerged from within him was a tiny doll made of wire and an empty can, like something a grade schooler would make during summer vacation.

As it landed on the desk, it released a “Guide Thread Silvate” simultaneously.

“Maybe you’ll remember like this?”

A high-pitched, ear-piercing, unpleasant voice.

Without understanding anything, I reflexively pushed Nina-chan down.

A moment later, there was a sound of magic exploding from above my head.

…If I had been a moment slower, I would have died.

That fact gripped my heart with a chilling fear.

But even so, I had to confront the monster in front of me.

That’s why, with a trembling voice, I threw the question “Why” at the monster in front of me.

After all this guy probably doesn’t know where he is.

Because, there’s a possibility that this guy might not even be in Japan.

“…Why are you here?”

Why is Actor from the theater troupe here?!

“At the amusement park, remember? I told you!”

But the actor from the acting troupe didn’t answer my question and just laughed.

“I’m here to kill you, Itsuki-kun! Ahaha!”

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