Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 46: That Summer, Part ②
The sudden memory of my complex resurfaced, perhaps because the me back then was about the same age as I am now.
“…In the end, I’ve always been me, haven’t I?”
I realized it in a way that stung. Even after reincarnating into this world and living as Wof, nothing about me has fundamentally changed.
That’s just who I am, I suppose.
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped me.
“Not that I actually wanted to change or anything.”
“Wof?”
Someone called out to me.
When I turned around without much thought, my heart skipped a beat.
Pale green hair with white streaks, and cat ears poking out from between the strands.
One eye hidden by her hair, a straw hat dangling behind her head.
Two white tails, one long and one short.
It was Pakila, the beautiful cat beastkin girl.
That much was clear. It was painfully clear.
“……”
“Wof? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, uh, no, it’s just… I was a bit startled.”
“Hmm?”
She was wearing a pure white sundress.
I was surprised, yes, but not just because of the unfamiliar look.
No, the real reason my heart was racing was buried deeper inside me.
Pakila’s figure in that moment overlapped faintly with someone else’s from that summer.
“……”
Even though they were completely different… was it just because of the white dress?
That must be it.
It was the same outfit; that’s why the memory surfaced.
Yes, that had to be it.
That’s why I felt shaken.
“What’s with you? You’ve been acting strange for a while now.”
“A-ah, I just didn’t expect to see you in such a different outfit.”
“I do wear this kind of thing, you know. Is it strange?”
Pakila seemed a little embarrassed.
“It suits you. A lot. Really.”
“…Oh, does it now?”
She looked down, blushing slightly.
“……”
“……”
The air between us felt odd. An awkward, almost uncomfortable tension.
“Were you out shopping or something?”
She must’ve felt it too because her voice wavered slightly as she spoke.
“Y-yes. Pakila, what were you doing?”
“A stroll.”
“By yourself?”
“Indeed. Every now and then, I feel like it. Would you care to join me?”
“Are you sure?”
“That’s the mood I’m in.”
With that, she started walking. I had no reason to refuse, so I fell in step beside her.
We walked for a bit and arrived at the ruins of an old watchtower that overlooked the town.
Though only remnants of the tower remained, the view was breathtaking. Pakila gazed at it, squinting against the sunlight.
“Did something happen?”
I realized after asking that I might have overstepped.
Pakila’s cat ears swayed gently in the breeze.
“Well, you’re not entirely unrelated. Do you recall the matter of accompanying the subjugation expedition?”
“With Megadia, right?”
“Indeed. It’s been decided, and we depart early in the morning three days from now.”
Three days from now, at dawn.
“So, it’s finally happening?”
“That’s correct.”
I wanted to say something like “Be careful,” but the thought seemed too ordinary, so I held back.
“Actually, I’m going to a dungeon too.”
“What?”
Her gaze sharpened as she looked at me.
“In three days. I’m just going as a porter and errand boy, though.”
“A hired hand, is it?”
“No, not exactly. A friend asked me to join.”
“Hmm. Which party is it?”
“Lightning Fang. Do you know them?”
“They’re a skilled grade four group, though they’re known for lacking a relic bearer.”
“They’re famous, huh?”
“Their abilities are solid. But explorers aren’t saints; there are always some who gossip or meddle—some maliciously so.”
“Bullying, then?”
“…But dealing with such things skillfully is part of one’s ability as well.”
“They’re that skilled?”
“Exemplars of what an explorer should be.”
“Exemplars…”
For Pakila to say so much about Axe-san and his team… they must be incredible.
Though, I’d rather not dwell on any potential downsides.
“You’ll likely gain what’s necessary for an explorer.”
Gain what’s necessary… does that mean…
“You mean I’ll learn?”
“You intend to become an explorer, don’t you, Wof?”
“Yes.”
“Exploring dungeons isn’t an easy feat. What do you think is an explorer’s greatest enemy?”
“Monsters?”
“The environment. Of course, monsters are a threat, but you never know what might happen in a dungeon. And there’s a limit to how much you can carry—especially food.”
“Food?”
“Most explorers focus on lightweight preserved foods. But these are often unappetizing, like salted jerky, fatty cheese, hard black bread, or dried fish. Taste isn’t a priority.”
“…That’s not very motivating.”
“It can make exploration grueling. There are also issues like sleeping arrangements. Tents and how you camp can significantly affect morale. A group like Lightning Fang will likely teach you the basics well.”
“I see… I hadn’t thought of it that way before.”
It was an eye-opening perspective.
Pakila nodded thoughtfully before continuing.
“Indeed. Teachers are rare. As I said earlier, explorers aren’t saints; they’re neither kind nor considerate. Most don’t even think about such things.”
“…You’re right.”
“You’ll understand when you see how hired hands are treated.”
“…Yes, I suppose I will.”
I recalled the events in the city.
Hired hands were treated like a slave.
“That’s why I think this is a rare and valuable opportunity.”
“Uh, um, thank you.”
“Hmm? I’ve done nothing to warrant thanks.”
Pakila looked puzzled.
“To be honest… I wasn’t very eager about this job. It just kind of happened, and I don’t really like dealing with people, so honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to it.”
I’d also been grappling with my own weakness.
Was this really okay for someone like me?
“…Hmm.”
“Until I ran into you, Pakila, I was only thinking about doing the bare minimum to get through it. That was my plan. But after talking with you—about learning—it lightened the burden on my mind a little. That’s why I wanted to thank you.”
After saying it, I felt like I’d ended up revealing too much.
It was a little embarrassing.
Pakila looked up at the sky.
“Long ago, I worked as a hired hand too.”
“You did, Pakila?”
“I was called a hired hand, but in reality, I was more of a disciple. I learned everything from an explorer I could call my master. Those lessons became part of me, and that’s how I became who I am today.”
Pakila looked at me.
“So that’s why you think of it as an opportunity to learn.”
“Indeed. Wof, you should go and learn as well. It’ll serve you well.”
Pakila smiled.
That smile overlapped with the one from her that summer.
And somehow… somehow, I felt lighter.
I didn’t know what exactly had lightened, but I definitely felt it.
“…Pakila.”
“What is it?”
“…Hey, are you hungry?”
“Now that you mention it… I suppose I am… yes.”
Pakila blushed slightly, as though embarrassed.
“If that’s the case, why don’t you come over to my place? I’ll cook something for you.”
Pakila’s eyes widened, almost like a cat’s.