New chapter of Ordinary Person is out (3/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 46

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The fruit dropped by the Blue Rabbit had a refined scent, a faint sweetness, and was extremely fresh and juicy. It felt as if from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I was filled with moisture, and strength welled up inside me. It was that kind of fruit. Even though I should’ve felt like I had accomplished something, somehow it left me with a lonely, melancholic feeling.

It’s a bit early, but I’ll head back for today.

On the way back to the guild, I saw the brown-skinned woman I’d seen before, fighting goblins alone. She didn’t seem to be overdoing it, and was fighting safely without any sign of danger, so I just continued walking toward the guild.

Honestly, she has a good figure, so my eyes just naturally drifted in that direction if I’m being honest. That I feel better after seeing a woman I don’t even know. I’ve definitely become a full-blown weirdo.

I’m not a pervert, okay!? I just glanced for a second, so it’s safe! Safe! You know, if someone with that kind of figure is fighting, things bounce! Any guy would naturally have his eyes drawn there! I’m glad I was alone.

While thinking such things as I walked, I spotted Kikuchi-san and the others from my class. They were the group who had teamed up with Emilia before, trying to level up.

Even Kikuchi-san can’t compete with that brown-skinned woman. I won’t say in what way, though!

“Ah! Fujikawa!” (Kikuchi)

Since she was with a group of guys, I was planning to leave without calling out, but Kikuchi-san called out to me.

Once that happened, I had no choice but to go over.

“Kikuchi-san, what’s up? A mixer?” (Kouta)

“Fujikawa, thank goodness. Can you help me? Even though I’ve refused, they keep being persistent and annoying.” (Kikuchi)

She didn’t say what exactly, but it’s probably their invitations that are annoying her.

“You’re in the way, get lost already.” (Random Guy)

“Don’t come sticking your nose in later, this has nothing to do with you.” (Another Guy)

Even though they’re the ones with no relation to this, why do people like this always say stuff like that? I’ll never understand.

I stood between Kikuchi-san’s group and the men.

“What the hell’s your problem!? You wanna go, huh!?” (Blond Guy)

“…Ah, that’s actually easier. Sure, let’s do this.” (Kouta)

Trying to talk things out was a pain, and I was debating what to do. But there was no reason for me to be afraid of some guy wearing obviously lower-grade gear.

“Don’t get cocky, bastard!” (Blond Guy)

“Please enunciate your Japanese more clearly. I don’t understand rural dialects.” (Kouta)

The blond guy in front grabbed my shirt. This was what I had been waiting for.

“With this, I believe self-defense is established, yes?” (Kouta)

With those words, I gifted him a punch to the stomach.

Two years ago, there was a legal revision that eliminated the term “excessive self-defense.” This was also one of the changes brought about by the appearance of dungeons. Especially inside dungeons, it applies often. After all, there’s no signal inside, and it easily turns into a lawless zone.

So this, too, is a proper and legal act.

“Gwaaah!? Guh…” (Blond Guy)

I had wanted to keep my dominant hand free, so I punched with my right hand, but it sank accurately into his solar plexus. I didn’t hold back much, but I didn’t expect it to hurt him that badly. He dropped to his knees and curled up. It looked just like a kneeling apology pose.

Since it is a good opportunity, should I step on his head? If I could avoid hitting the others by doing that, I think maybe that is fine.

So, I put the idea into action.

“Ghh… d-damn…” (Blond Guy)

Blond guy was mumbling something under my foot, but I didn’t care.

“So? Do the rest of you want to kiss the ground as well?” (Kouta)

There were about three other guys, but they all frantically waved their hands to deny it, apologized, and ran away.

Is there some kind of unspoken rule or something?

Still, I appreciated that they properly apologized.

“Ah, they left this guy behind. What should we do with him?” (Kouta)

I asked Kikuchi-san and the others.

“Just leave him, right? It’s not like he’s dead or anything.” (Girl from the group)

“That’s true. Alright, I’ll get going. Kikuchi-san, everyone, be careful on your way home. See you tomorrow at school.” (Kouta)

As I tried to quickly leave, Kikuchi-san and the others chased after me.

“This is where you’re supposed to ask, ‘Should I walk you out?’ you know?” (Kikuchi)

“Really? It’s still early, and I think I can hang in there a bit longer.” (Kouta)

“I haven’t even thanked you yet. Ah, thank you. You really helped me out.” (Kikuchi)

“No, no, thank you for your polite words.” (Kouta)

Since the whole Blue Rabbit incident, I wanted to get out of the dungeon early. If I didn’t shift my mood, I had no idea what kind of stupid mistake I might make. That was why my response to the blond guy ended up being kind of rough.

“Is it okay if we talk a bit while we walk?” (Kikuchi)

“Sure.” (Kouta)

“It’s about Emilia.” (Kikuchi)

Oh, this is more serious than I expected.

Even while walking, I prepared myself to listen properly. I mean mentally prepared, of course.

“Even when we invite her to go shopping or karaoke, she never comes. I heard she’s in a party with you, Fujikawa. Is there something going on?” (Kikuchi)

“Hmm… I don’t think Emilia is really trying to hide anything though…” (Kouta)

I struggled with what I should say.

Should I mention that she’s receiving funding or investment from the government, as an explorer? Maybe it’s better to call it financial aid?

I looked into it myself after that.

Receiving that kind of support isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s basically a loan. People use them normally when buying smartphones and stuff. Honestly, phone companies don’t even like full payments. So annoying! But apparently, there are quite a few people who go wild during student life and end up unable to repay their loans. In those cases, the only choices are personal bankruptcy or fleeing the country. And that affects job hunting down the road too.

No company wants to hire someone who’s careless with money and lacks planning skills. The fact that she’s not wasting time playing around right now is proof that she’s thinking seriously about her future.

Well, I’m sure she’s playing a bit, though. Maybe she’s using that time for Mira and the others. It’s a complicated issue…

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)