Chapter 81: An Unusual Announcement

The exchange meeting with Hayato and the others came to an end, and we began preparing to go home together.

By chance, and I mean truly by chance, Hayato and I found ourselves alone, so out of curiosity, I decided to ask him about his relationships with women.

At first, we were both cautiously feeling each other out, but before we knew it, the conversation heated up, and we ended up having a candid talk like two guys.

“So, in the end, have you formed good relationships with anyone other than Kyoko-san?”

“To be honest, yes, that’s true. I know it’s unfair to say it like this, but I’ve never made the first move.”

“No, it’s fine. As a fellow man, I can’t help but envy you, but I don’t have any feelings of jealousy or disdain, so rest assured.”

“Really, let’s keep this conversation between us.”

“I understand! …So, who’s your main love interest? Or is it a casual relationship with everyone?”

“Probably the latter. It’s not just emotionally, but the strong desire to comfort and console each other is a significant factor. We were in a situation where there were no other men around, and I’m also in my prime, so…”

“I understand. If I were as young as you, I would definitely be thinking about similar things.”

“Is it true that Keisuke-san is really 40 years old? You look so young… I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said you were in your thirties.”

“You’re quite something… You’re not only good-looking, but your personality is also attractive.”

Asking about relationships with multiple women might lead to being called “dishonest and irresponsible,” but given the circumstances of being isolated without anyone else and unsure if they can return to their original place, with attractive men and women around… it’s not surprising.

Well, even if someone says, “That’s not a good excuse,” they’re right, but because of his kind personality, I just can’t bring myself to dislike him.

“What about you, Keisuke-san?”

“What about me? Well…”

“Since you’re admired by such beautiful women, you must be in a relationship with someone, right?”

“…No, actually, not with anyone yet…”

“Eh? Could it be that Keisuke-san…”

“That’s not it at all! I’m just like you! I’m just hesitating or indecisive for some reason… You understand, right?”

“Keisuke-san, you’re surprisingly shy.”

“Well, not really. It’s just that once I get into a relationship with someone, I feel like it won’t stop and will continue with others one after another.”

“I see… I understand.”

“As a result, I would become more and more arrogant, eventually be abandoned, and meet my own downfall… It’s the worst, right?”

As humans, once we start feeling conceited and realize it’s allowed, there’s no limit to how far it will escalate. The word “self-restraint” exists, but once we deviate from ethics, it easily transforms into the convenient “self-esteem” that suits us.

At least, that’s what I believe, and it’s why I can’t take the first step.

“So, what about love or marriage? How do you feel about them?”

“I don’t have any desire to get married. When I was in Japan, I used to have some aspirations when I was young, but they completely disappeared after I turned 30.”

“So, you’re firm about that.”

“Well, everyone has their own values.”

“By the way, Keisuke-san, you use ‘ore’ as your first-person pronoun. Your way of speaking is quite different.”

“My usual way of speaking is for formal occasions. I use it to suppress my arrogant attitude forcibly.”

“I see. Maybe I’ll try imitating it.”

“I think you’re fine just the way you are, Hayato. I don’t know for sure, though.”

“You’re quite casual… But well, I don’t mind being approved.”

“Well, do as you like. Everything will come back to you. Please take responsibility for yourself.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

While we were engrossed in such conversation between men, everyone finished their preparations to go home and called out to us.

I could continue this kind of pointless conversation forever… Well, maybe someday, we’ll have another chance to talk.

◇◇◇

“Once the Merry Company decides on the date of their return to the city, I’ll have our scouts informed.”

“Yes, I’ll be ready to go anytime, so please take care of it.”

“Understood. Well, take care, everyone.”

“Yes!” “See you later.”

With that, we, along with Kyoko-san, began our journey back to the village. Kyoko-san expressed her desire to come with us to the village, saying that it would be difficult to part if she stayed at the fortress until the last moment.

In any case, when Hayato and the others go to the city, they will also stop by the village, so we can say our farewells at that time.

The moment I got into the carriage and entered the barrier, I glanced at Kyoko-san, who was a little sentimental.

『A unique skill holder has become a villager. It is possible to select and strengthen any one of the existing abilities.』

『Which ability do you want to strengthen?』

An announcement with different content than usual echoed in my head.

“Uh, what?”

“Village chief? What happened?”

“I was a little surprised when I suddenly heard an announcement.”

“Oh, it’s been a while since my skill level went up. What kind of ability is this time?”

“It seems that it is different. It seems that one of the abilities can be strengthened.”

“Hey, what was the trigger?”

“It’s because the unique skill possessor became a villager.”

“Then Kyoko-san. ――So, could it be that Hayato-san and the other two also become villagers?”

“Maybe”

While driving the carriage and talking to Touya, who was sitting next to the driver’s seat, Sakura, who overheard the conversation, leaned out from the carrier and asked.

Amidst the sounds of wheels and horses galloping, I was about to answer loudly, but Touya noticed and jumped onto the carrier, explaining it in my place.

(I wonder if it’s okay to make Hayato and the others villagers…)

There’s no problem with making them villagers, but if I ask them to strengthen my abilities, I’ll be indebting myself.

If Hayato and the others live in the village, I can support and help them as much as I want… But if something happens to Hayato and the others in the city or the capital, it would be difficult to help them in the current situation. In that sense, I hesitated to make them villagers.

(Rather, it’s only if they volunteer from the other side. In the worst case, if I find myself in a pinch, I can only bow my head and ask them..)

We have deepened our friendship so far. If I’m going to rely on the other person, I’d like to ask sincerely after clarifying the reason properly. With that in mind, I was planning to see them off this time.

(But before that, I need to think about which ability should be strengthened. Or rather, I don’t know how it will be strengthened… I’m in trouble.)

“Hey, everyone, please think about which one to strengthen. I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s the best.”

“I’m already considering it, so don’t worry.”

When I shouted that, Sakura replied as if it was natural.

Everyone is fluttering with allegorical opinions as if they were demonstrating their true potential. I couldn’t hear the contents properly, but only the heat was transmitted from here.

In that circle, there is also the figure of Kyoko, who has joined the group, and she is also making big gestures and speaking passionately.

I guess it’s a big reason that she hasn’t been able to meet other world fantasy lovers all this time. It seemed that she was very satisfied with the existence of the companions she had finally obtained.

◇◇◇

Eventually, we returned to the village, and a welcome party naturally followed. As soon as the women returned, they headed straight for the public bath.

They hadn’t taken a bath for several months, so Kyoko-san had a radiant expression even before bathing. Since we still had time until dinner, I hoped she could thoroughly enjoy it.

Oh, about the ability enhancement… in the end, we decided to put it on hold for a while. One of the main reasons is that we don’t know when we will have the opportunity to acquire the enhancement right again. And the other reason is that after hearing everyone’s speculations, all the enhancement possibilities they came up with seemed too fantastic, making it difficult to decide on the right one.

For example, if “Ability Mimicry” is enhanced, it would allow us to use all the skills of the villagers without any restrictions. “Information Sharing” would reveal the conditions for unlocking derived occupations or new skills. “Material Transfer” would even enable us to teleport people and possibly have free access between Japan and here.

They were all baseless interpretations, but I can’t deny the possibility completely, which further confuses my decision-making.

So, regarding this matter, I intend to become more composed and make a decision later on.

Well, regardless of which ability we enhance, there shouldn’t be any drawbacks. We obtained a guaranteed R-rarity ticket, so let’s leave it up to our luck whether we can get an SSR or not.

Ah, I should pray to the goddess just in case…

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