02-12-Is that a trap?

“That’s right … When I was wondering what to do, Takagi-san helped me!”

“Hmm …”

Morning in Arcadia.

The moment I woke up, Ashima spoke to me with a snort, as if she had been waiting for me

“She said there was an extra one because Akari-san and Suzuhara  are going to be paired up.”

“Hmm …”

“I was so bad at …… badminton that Takagi san got mad at me, but I was very happy ……. As pairs were forming around me, I was wondering what kind of fancy illness I should use today …… when she said, “I’m going to pair with Ashima.” Takagi san was definitely carrying a halo on her head. ……”

“Hmm …”

“Are you listening Fujima kun?  You didn’t hear me!?　…it’s okay, I will explain it carefully again from the beginning, alright?　Well, you know there was physical education today.”

“You’re amazing. You’ve got more steel in you than my alarm. I’m listening. I’m listening to everything you’re saying, so just stop that endless loop.”

It’s kind of scary. It’s not like an alarm, it’s more like a horror story. I woke up a little scared.

“What?　Did you really hear?”

“I was listening, I mean I heard you. It was …… good.”

It sounded like the same thing that had happened between Kedoin and me, but since I had just woken up and wasn’t really thinking straight, I just told her that.

“Yes!”

Ashima’s face broke into a very happy smile.

“This is also thanks to Fujima-kun …”

“Why am I coming out?”

“It’s not only because Takagi-san asked me to, but also because the way she calls me has changed from ‘Jimiko’ to ‘Ashima’ ……”

Oh, sure.

It’s true that it’s thanks to me.

But that made me regret why I hadn’t given her a better nickname.

“Ehehe …”

Mmm. But well, she’s happy, and it’s good ……?

____

Kedoin’s tirade against the handsome B and C who made fun of me caused a stir in the class.

The group of six who were always good friends became awkward, and after gym class, only handsome B and C were in the back of the class.

That time.

“You’re an idiot. Why don’t you just leave me alone?”

“Maybe so, but isn’t it a friend’s duty to correct a mistake?”

Kedoin smiled at me, the pain in his heart reflected in his neat expression.

“I don’t know about that. I’ve never had a friend.”

I don’t have any friends, I don’t need any. By calling myself a lonely person like that, by pretending to be an invincible person, I can keep Kedoin away from me.

And maybe it’s because Kedoin received the injury that I was supposed to receive, but he tortures himself to make it profitable.

I’m such a jerk that it makes me sick. But I’ve been Tohru Fujima for fifteen years. Kedoin, go away. Go over there and say, “I’m sorry for defending that jerk. I’m sorry!” There’s still time.

But Kedoin didn’t walk away, he pointed at his own face with a stunned look on his face.

“……Ah?  What’s that”

‘I …… thought I was your friend since yesterday or so. …… Huh?”

“Haaaaahhhh!?”

Seat,

Roughly

Don’t be silly, seriously ……!

“Then, Fujima-kun, let’s be friends now!　　Hope we get along!”

“What are you doing?　　No, wait, uh, uh… The teacher said to line up. I’ll go first.”

This is the exchange between Kedoin and me……. Kedoin didn’t give a second thought to the two handsome guys, he prioritized his conversation with me.

What the hell is this?

You’re harassing me.

It still shakes my heart when I wake up like this … Is it a trap?

Is a shady guy like me the worst?

Or are they the worst?

Did you know that I was fighting such a secret battle and then you did that to win?

“Ahhhhh …”

Why do I have to think so much about reality?

I was finally able to come to this world of swords and magic because I hated reality, so why do I have to think so much about the real world in another world?

“Then I’ll start smelting and processing.”

Well, Ashima stood up.

I had been sighing a lot, but I changed gears.

“Oh. I’ll go to collect after washing my face. What about breakfast?  Should I buy it on my way home from collecting?”

“No, I mean, Fujima-kun, your magic bag is full of Orpheus sand..”

“ Wow!, that’s true”

The contents of my “Magic Bag” are filled with Orpheus Sand x50. Ashima leather bag is also full of Orpheus Sand x30. The leather bag I used to use as my main bag is filled with Orpheus White Sand x23. What the hell is this room, Koshien?{TN: A Japanese baseball stadium}

Last night, for some reason, the five of us collected Orpheus sand, and with the exception of Ashima, four of us gained the collection skill, so we were able to make progress.

The magic bag quickly filled up, and Ashima’s leather bag and my other leather bag were full of glass and white sand.

“I’ll at least alchemize the sand in this leather bag, so Fujima-kun, please go kill time somewhere for about 15 minutes.”

…….

How did this happen?

Last night’s collection. Because of the increase in the number of monsters, the reason we went to the trouble of collecting at night, when the risk was higher, was for efficiency.

I’m collecting, and Ashima is working on the workbench.

If we split up the roles, we can focus on that, and I can specialize in collecting skills and Ashima can specialize in mixing skills.

That’s why I worked so hard last night to get Ashima to smelt and blend Orpheus sand while I was collecting this morning. …… Oh, right, leather bags. ……

“I’m going to take a shower. It’ll take about twenty minutes, so don’t be in a hurry.”

“Yes, sir.”

If one of us stops working, it’s useless. ……

Anyway.

It was a bad start, but I was able to wash away my bad mood in the shower and start the day with a new vow.

Today we need to earn 2 silver for living expenses and at least 7 silver for the Kobold’s Will that we will purchase from Lydia.

24 Coppers, medicinal baths 30 bottles … I have to do my best.

I clenched my fists as I left the inn and hurried south through the bustling streets and gates of Eschmerde.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter