Chapter 32.1

“The atmosphere of the cla.s.s is getting better. Having traveled together, I understand that Kyousuke is a good guy after all. Because you will forgive us if we apologize, I proposed to do it properly.”

Now, before the Player Character was the last boss, Count Dracula stood in his way. Suou’s eyes were s.h.i.+ning.

Copied from  

It felt like it had been a long time he was last praised. Kogane, even while being surprised at himself, smoothly cleared the stage. Could it be that my dynamic vision and reflexes have been enhanced by becoming a high elf? If that’s the case, I want to play FPS in this form all the more. Kogane who once experienced a complete defeat against a friend, now wanted to challenge that guy again.

What Suou was playing was a portable version of a gothic horror action game released by Konami in 1993. [Notes] He had seen Kyousuke played an older version of this game sometime.

“Utsurogi-kun, I hate parsley!”

 

He was the same type as the hateful bad students who extorted money from Kogane when he was in 1st grade. Namely, a yankee.

“Softhearted is also fine. Maybe.”

 

 

 

Nevertheless, he entered the hall and went around the back of the boy to check the screen. The boy was playing an old game released more than 15 years ago. Looking at the floor, lots of game softwares of the same era were piled up.

 

“Ah, right…. What’s the matter? Was.h.i.+o. You’re being formal.”

“Yea. Hang in there you three. Have some guts. I’m rooting for you.”

“But it’s impossible for me alone, if Saa-chan clings to Utsurogi-kun while naked, he may be able to regain his desire.”

 

“To me? For what?”

 

“Is that so? it’s a secretary thing…”

 

Rather than a man, he was a boy. Body build was slight good, although there were many aggressive parts in his facial features, his looks itself seemed innocent. Most of all, he was wearing a gakuran.

 

“Uuuu … Utsurogi-kun~, pa–parsley … is deliciouss…!”

 

“Ahh, yeah.”

Indeed, it was a game full of appropriate ambiance to play in this castle with its devil castle-like appearance.

Suou bared his fangs just like count Dracula, threatening Kogane. Startled, his body reflexively trembled.

She had gathered a complete set of easy-to-move clothing in this kingdom. As a result, there were many voice of grief about her greatly diminished level of exposure outfit.

Kogane took up the controller which was bluntly thrust toward him.

With those words, they had reconciled for the time being. From around Kyousuke’s shoulders, Rin suddenly stretched out her hands and started clapping ∗pachi pachi∗. Following that, Kensaki and Sak.u.ma also applauded.

 

“I, I’m also sorry. That is, I don’t have a head to lower, but anyway, sorry.”

Kogane unintentionally muttered.

Well, in fact, the mood of the cla.s.s was getting better than before.

“Ah—, nn—. Uh, that is…”

 

“What are you saying this late in the game. It was Was.h.i.+o who said to go.”

Suou was bad.

Kogane’s understanding couldn’t keep up. Wasn’t this a different world?

If examined carefully, he could see that there was some nuances in Rin&rsqu

o;s words. Softhearted, there is a fine line between softhearted and something not so. Although it would be a lie to say that the continuation of Rin’s words didn’t bother him, Kyousuke didn’t ask her about it in the end. [Notes]

 

“Ah…. Sorry…”

At least, the strained atmosphere like the first week after the trip was no longer. There was also the fact that everyone got some leeway now.

That wasn’t everything. The controller was properly connected to the game console, and the game console was connected to an LCD TV. And then the game console and the LCD TV’s power cords were extended to a big machine that he had never seen before.

 

Since Suou suddenly presented his hand, Kogane tried to grasp it in return, but he was confused as that was a clenched fist.

“You’re good.”

Kogane’s eyes couldn’t break away from the items reminiscent of his homeland.

 

 

“Completely s.h.i.+tty…”

Suou smiled grinningly with his white teeth. As expected, his sharp fangs looked awfully conspicuous.

“Was.h.i.+o and Shokuzura are not being honest.”

He is playing video game.

Lastly, Was.h.i.+o looked away awkwardly as if trying to be shy, then he finally breathed a sigh and lower his head.

The girl who reigned at the top of the cla.s.s caste for the first time said something like 『Since the cla.s.s is such a small group of people after all—』.

While we’re still alive, I want to say a word of apology at least.

Rin while applauding faintly muttered.

Ahh, and Kyousuke recalled. Speaking of which, their mood was considerably dangerous at the start. Especially Was.h.i.+o, he aggressively tried to pick quarrels. At the time of the disturbance in the dining room also, they broke me apart.

 

“Oh s.h.i.+t…! I died again!”

 

“Ah, umm…. Suou-san, was it…?”

 

Rin raised a big voice all of a sudden and the gazes of the cla.s.s were all directed over here.

Said Kensaki while proudly crossing her arms.

 

 

Kogane answered briefly and handled the controller without any slight shaking. Suou also swallowed his saliva and said no more. In the reception room of the old castle, only the sound of the game coming from the TV and Kogane hitting the b.u.t.tons ∗clack clack∗ could be heard.

Well, it appeared that the crisis of breaking up the cla.s.s was avoided for the time being. In the royal palace’s great dining room, Kyousuke group were having their last royal capital meals while patting their chest in relieve.

Kyousuke nodded.

 

“Well—, to be able to forgive anything is one of Utsurogi-kun’s good points…”

“Himemizu…?”

“Parsley!? This is the first time I see someone who say that they like parsley as a side dis.h.!.+”

 

As far as Kogane knew, the area around this castle had never seen the blue sky. Heavy and dark clouds covered the sky like a dome and it often rained. Like this the tree will grow well, Kogane thought.

“Everyone’s ill will?”

 

“A friend greeting. Nice to meet you.”

After that, Was.h.i.+o and the others were treated coldly by the cla.s.s since they were formerly parts of Kogane’s clique. Nevertheless, Ryuzaki’s team formation had been successful and they gradually made friends with everyone as before.

“Seem so. Since Utsurogi-kun and Hino-kun are lovey-dovey, you didn’t know. But I feel that the cracks are slowly, slowly being mended compared to the beginning of the trip.”

Following Hakuba, Shokuzura dropped down all his tentacles on the floor in place of lowering his head.

 

“What the h.e.l.l, you. Well then, let’s see how you fare.”

While walking in the old castle with a depressed feeling, he felt nostalgic for some reason. But then, he heard something in the direction of the reception hall in this castle where no sound could ever be heard.

“Eh, umm. But, umm, well, it’s good that everyone in the cla.s.s has united together!”

“Ahh…”

 

 

 

Kyousuke nodded seriously. Kyousuke and Rin were currently eating in the combined state. As the meals themselves were served for 37 people, Rin was delighted to be able to eat the share of 2 people.

 

In the end, Kogane failed to defeat Count Dracula at the very last moment and he got a game over.

Kyousuke also got confused by the crazy words that Rin had suggested. Sak.u.ma too, her face also turned bright red, she was fidgeting bashfully and murmured 『Utsurogi-kun’s desire…』. This trend doesn’t seem to be any good.

“As Was.h.i.+o’s team leader, I also wholeheartedly agree.”

“The thing in the corridor of the base, and the thing in the dining room.”

 

However,

 

 

I wonder how everyone in my cla.s.s is doing? That red winged devil ——— no, he called himself p.a.w.n, didn’t he? That p.a.w.n said that he would attack the base again. Was everyone at the base safe when he attacked?

Read at

 

Gakuran. Why are you wearing such a thing? And, Kogane stopped thinking. Rather than that, the thing that the boy held in his hand was more shocking.

“What was that about regaining my desire…”

 

“Saa-chan may also be busy, but please come hugging Utsurogi-kun once in a while.”

 

 

“He–hey … oi. We’re going at this timing…?”

“I quite like it though.”

 

When Kogane said 『Sorry』, Suou answer 『it’s fine it’s fine』 without minding it at all. I don’t think that I will be forgiven even if I apologize for the things that I’ve done to the cla.s.s. But if it was Kyousuke, I feel that he would give the same response as Suou.

“What is it Himemizu. That way of speaking that contains some hidden meanings.”

“Eh, y–yeah…. It’s fine but…”

“Don’t be hesitant. That’s not manly.”

“But Hakuba has already apologized.”

For a while, Suou sat on the sofa while watching the TV screen with a sour look, but when Kogane successfully defeated the boss of stage 1, he leaned forward.

 

 

What there were three people, Was.h.i.+o, Shokuzura and Hakuba. Behind them stood the public morals committee member Kensaki with her arms crossed.

“Hi–Himemizu!?”

Rin murmured with a voice that was still somewhat tearful.

 

This castle stood in a densely grown forest. Looking outside through the broken windows, he could see a ruined townscape among the trees. The town was destroyed a long time ago, the trees grew there and a forest was made. It appeared to be such a place.

However, Rin didn’t say a word about the true intention behind her words and he couldn’t understand their meanings in the end. She just silently digested the chicken paste. While Kyousuke was tilting his head, he reached out for the remaining parsleys but his arm stopped as if it was paralyzed.

~ Part 1 ~

Kogane felt suspicious and opened the door. In the center of the reception hall, a single man was sitting on a torn up sofa.

“It’s not only me that’s funny today! Is it not the case that you’ve been funny since forever!”

“Sorry. Utsurogi.”

 

“……?”

“It’s fine it’s fine. Don’t mind it. You’re quite good. What’s your name again?”

In the meantime, he had already rushed into the last block of the stage 8. Before they noticed, a few hours had already pa.s.sed. Suou was completely absorbed in Kogane’s play, he sometimes uttered words of admiration such as 『incredible』 and 『not bad』.

 

Behind Was.h.i.+o who was speaking hesitantly as if embarra.s.sed, Hakuba floated a bitter smile.

“Is this guy the boss?”

Looking at this situation, Sak.u.ma was confused, so she changed the subject a little forcibly.

 

He wanted to quickly get away, but the presence of the TV and the game console in front of him wouldn’t allow it.

“Hmm…?”

“Well, if Himemizu hate it, then it’s fine.”

 

Was.h.i.+o who was leading ahead looked awkward and hesitant for some reason. Noticing the gazes of Kyousuke group, he breathed a sigh and stepped forward after making up his resolution.

 

The boy said so without looking away from the TV screen.

 

 

 

“Nn—n. It’s nothing. I also think that the matter this time is fine like this.”

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at that Suou, Kogane was reminded of Utsurogi Kyousuke for some reason.

 

 

In the end, I missed the chance to apologize to everyone in the cla.s.s.

The 4th cla.s.s meeting in a different world ended safely. With Ryuzaki and Rin skillfully laying the groundwork, all 37 people decided to leave the kingdom. When he went to inform Her Majesty the Queen of that, she smiled sweetly and responded 『Let us respect your courageous decision』.

“But Akira would get angry saying that I’m too good-natured.”

Kaminari and Hanazono had also firmly decided to follow along as a result of talking it out with their close friends. From Hanazono, while I’m still troubled whether or not to return to being human, at least, my thought and feelings are the same as Sugiura’s in that I want us to stay together until the very last minute, that was her honest answer. They were going to act together until they arrived at the eastern forest where Master Majina lived.

A video game controller. Is that a PlayStation?

 

For a moment, thorn-like things stood up on Rin’s entire body, shortly after that, sweats started flowing like waterfall. No, this is not sweats. It’s tears.

 

 

 

“Kogane? I will welcome you again. I’m Suou. Suou the Knight.”

“Y–yo, Utsurogi…”

That day, Kogane was finally allowed free movement in the old castle. I’ve been locked up in jail all this time, and everyday I felt like my mind is going crazy, but perhaps I should think that it was good enough I wasn’t killed. Kogane aimlessly wandered in the old castle alone.

It’s been a long time since I last touch a controller. Although he hadn’t touched a game controller for quite sometime even when he was human, the feeling of plastic fitting in his hands were nostalgic. The feeling of the start and select b.u.t.tons made of rubber was also like that.

While Sak.u.ma was nibbling on a bread, she summarized the contents of the 4th cla.s.s meeting.

Because of tension, his fingers slipped and he made a regrettable mistake. A little impatience, he continued committing several blunders and his Life Point kept decreasing.

“Geez, making the record of proceedings is really tiring…”

Although her eccentric behavior didn’t start just now, he was still a little worried watching her.

Sak.u.ma was also nodding ∗un un∗. Certainly, she might be an easy-to-understand example. Before the trip, there didn’t seem many students in the cla.s.s whom she was on good term with (actually, she had a surprising friend called Akai), but after coming here, her circle of friends had been spreading well, from the cla.s.s rep Ryuzaki, Kagoi who was on the same team, the team leaders Kensaki and Uozumi, to Akai’s followers Harui and Hebitsuka, in addition to the lone wolf Inugami.

Was.h.i.+o made a relieved expression and looked at Hakuba and Shokuzura. Since Shokuzura had no face it was difficult to understand, but he probably was feeling relieved like Was.h.i.+o.

In the background of Was.h.i.+o group, Kensaki was making a guts pose. Is there any meaning in that? Kyousuke didn’t know.

“We have united, or should I say, everyone’s ill will is slowly disappearing.”

“Yeah, it’s good. It’s very good.”

“What’s this?”

There was also the fact the difficult of this game was originally high. But more than just that, his play was fatally lacking. He couldn’t master even the most basic movements such as jumping.

 

Although I said it’s fine but will I be able to do well? Kogane’s specialty was full-fledged 3D action games, starting with FPS. A game like this was more or less Kyousuke’s specialty instead.

 

 

 

“I don’t really mind. Please raise your head.”

Staring, he kept watching Suou played.

 

“What, what’s wrong Himemizu! You are a little funny today!”

 

 

 

 

“DO NOT GIVE UUUUPPPP!!”

Episode 32 — Countdown

Even though she’s a girl who eats even shrimp sh.e.l.l and potato skin.

“Re–really.”

 

Thereupon, Suou finally laughed and made Kogane’s hand into a fist, he b.u.mped his own fist against Kogane’s like that, after that he b.u.mped it from above and finally from below.

 

“Eeeh!? Wh–what are you saying Himemizu-san!”

“No that…, it’s just. Umm…”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Suddenly, Kyousuke heard such a conversation from behind. Kyousuke turned around, and Sak.u.ma who was sitting opposite of him, s.h.i.+fted her posture in order to peek behind his back.

“Kogane. Kogane Yos.h.i.+ki.”

 

Saying so, Rin’s body stretched out like a tentacle from around Kyousuke’s shoulders. The extended arm grabbed the parsleys and tossed them into Kyousuke’s mouth as is. A refres.h.i.+ng bitter taste pa.s.sed through his throat, then they immediately flopped down onto Rin’s body.

A curt manner of speaking as if spitting. He’s the type that I’m weak against, thought Kogane.

“We came to apologize to Utsurogi.”

 

 

 

 

“Yo, high elf.”

By the way, at the 2nd cla.s.s meeting, Kuremori had said 『Going back to our world is on hold』 but the day after the 3rd cla.s.s meeting was over, he said 『Whether or not to return is on hold, but I will take care of the heavy cruiser』 and went back to the fortress line in the West. For a week since then, it seemed that he had been maintaining the heavy cruiser while helping out the reconstruction of the fortress line at the same time. The knights of the fortress line also helped out quite a lot, and the reinforcement seemed to be going well.

“Aaan!?”

“…!?”

 

“Ou. Knight Suou. Suou Takas.h.i.+ is also fine.”

Saying so and Hakuba went forward and carefully lowered his head to Kyousuke.

“To think that there is something that you cannot eat, this is pretty shocking, but.”

“I was wrong, Utsurogi. Sorry, forgive me.”

 

 

 

“Why did you give up!? Don’t you like it, parsley! Do not say 『I like it so I’m going to eat it separately』 or something like that! What about it! What of the others! If you like it, show a bit more guts!”

 

No, well, I can do better than Suou. With a carefree feeling, he started the game.

 

© 2024 www.topnovel.cc