“Are you Katsuragi-san?”
The girl was surprised when she was suddenly called out. Thereafter, her eyes widened upon noticing Yoshino and Rikka in the parking lot.
“ Eh? Seriously? Nishino-kun? And Aisaksan? You, you guys were alive? For real?”
The short-haired girl raised a voice which was mixed with surprise and a tint of relief. This girl, Katsuragi, was once Nishino and Rikka’s classmate. They ran up to each other and were rejoiced by the reunion.
“Katsuragi-chi, long time no see~ so you weren’t hurt.” “Aisaksan I was worried about you two because you guys weren’t at school that day.” “Yeah, that’s right. Hey, Katsuragi-chi, how were you these days? And who is that besides you?” “Oh, right. Hmm, where should I start ” The sports girl, Katsuragi, explained her story to her friends. Three days ago, when monsters first started appearing, Katsuragi was at school because of club activities. There, she was ambushed by monsters and had to cooperate with the other students in order to survive. Later, they realized that not many monsters spawned near the school. As a result, the school became an evacuation center as people started gathering there.
“I see. It must have been tough on your part ” “Same goes for you, Nishino I hope Ono-kun and Shibatkun are doing well as well.” “Ah, they should be alive.” “Hey? Where are you two headed towards? If it’s fine with you guys, how about coming with-” “Of course, allow us to follow you. We were trying to get there anyways.” Unlike Nishino who looked determined, Katsuragi showed an expression of relief. Her cheeks were slightly red.
“Great. Then, should we go together?” “Sure.”
In such a way, Nishino and Rikka met their classmate and decided to head for school.
“By the way, have you guys defeated monsters yet? What did you guys choose for your occupations and skills?” A question is casually thrown their way.
“Oh, I’m-”
“I chose ‘Negotiator’ while Rikka chose ‘Adventurer’. So Rikka is responsible for combat while it does hurt my pride as a man, it seems like we aren’t allowed to change once we’ve decided on our occupations.” “So it’s like that.” Nishino’s response wasn’t particularly suspicious, so Katsuragi didn’t delve further into it. Nishino, seeing that Katsuragi wasn’t doubtful about his answer, felt relieved inside his heart.
“Is it okay ?”
Rikka quietly approached Nishino and asked.
“We don’t exactly know what is going on. Just in case, I thought it was better to hide our real occupations.” “True that.”
“What’s up with you both? Walk faster!” “Oh, we’ll be there in a moment.” Their conversation came to an abrupt stop. Yes, the truth cannot be revealed. Their actual levels and occupations included, but above all else, the world cannot know about that “skill” of theirs.
Nishino Kyouya
LV 8
Profession:
Commander LV4
Leadership LV2, Negotiation Technique LV 2, Combat Support LV 2, Command LV 3, Survival Instinct LV 2, Crisis Sensing LV 1, Good Luck LV 1, Kindred Killer LV 2 Aisaka Rikka LV 9
Berserker LV 5
Berserk LV 3, Continuous Battle LV 1, Enhanced Slash LV 2, Enhanced Strike LV 1, Physical Regeneration LV 2, Kindred Killer LV 2
CH 61
After leaving the shopping mall, I walk towards our designated meeting spot, which only takes a few minutes on foot. Since I don’t see any monsters around, I should be able to arrive unhindered.
“I’m here ”
I reach the mansion without encountering any problems. Wait. Now that I’ve arrived, I realize how we haven’t specified an exact place. Is it by the entrance? Or is it in one of the vacant rooms? For now, let’s mail Ichinose-san. Oh, something’s here. I click on the unread mail and check its content.
‘I am near the entrance.’ Or so the short mail says.
“The entrance?”
I look towards the entrance, and I don’t see anyone. But I am getting this unsettling feeling.
Momo tilts her head and also stares at the entrance. Yeah, something feels wrong. How should I describe it it’s like how one would feel when he or she looks at a piece of trick art or an illusion. Oh, another mail has arrived.
‘Sorry, I’ll undo the skill right now so please wait a while.’ “?”
When I tilt my head, I suddenly feel someone’s gaze. It’s similar to the one that I felt during my battle with the goblins. The gaze is coming from the mansion’s entrance. I squint my eyes, and – “Eh?” The scene “distorts”. The distortion settles quickly. There, I see a girl who is sitting down with her gun.
“Um, uh ”
In front of me who is confused, she stands up and lowers her head.
“This is our first time directly meeting with each other. Nice to meet you, my name is Ichinose Natsu. Please treat me well.” Having said that, the girl bows (T.N – Didn’t she already lower her head??).
“Nice to meet you too, I’m Kudou Kazuto.” I also introduce myself while lowering my head. Even though we are already acquainted, we exchange formal greetings.
“These are my party members – Momo and Aka.” “Wan!”
Momo greets her enthusiastically. Since Aka is still in its “clothe” form, it slightly shakes itself as a greeting. By the way, Ichinose-san already knows of Aka’s existence. Apparently, she met Aka along with Momo when I was out cold.
“Was that a skill?”
“Yes, my job is a , and among the skills that I acquired, there was one called ‘Cognitive Impediment’. It makes it difficult for other people to realize the user’s existence. However, there are of course several restrictions to it.” Ichinose-san blurts out an answer without any hint of hesitation. So it was “Cognitive Impediment”. How convenient. It’s a skill that truly fits a . Even so “ ” “ Is something wrong?” When I stare at her for an extended period of time, she tilts her head and asks. Hmm, yeah. Let’s just ask in a straightforward manner.
“So, I’m curious about something why have you been avoiding eye contact ever since we met?” She has been glancing sideways for a while now. Her face is neat and orderly, so it doesn’t look half bad, but surely this is not how people should behave when they’re talking with others.
“I’ve been thinking about several things.” Ichinose-san sighs deeply. She sounds a bit tired.
“It’s embarrassing to say this, but I’m an antisocial Hiki Komori. It’s to the point where I start feeling sick when I have to converse with strangers.” Well, yeah. I kind of noticed that through our exchange of mails.
“That’s why I’ve been wondering whether I would be able to bear partying up with someone else, especially when that person is of the opposite s.e.x.” “Oh, okay.” “So this is what I thought. Since we can hold normal conversations through mails, if I don’t have to face you directly, wouldn’t I be able to communicate without a problem as well? And my hypothesis turned out true.” It troubles me that a hypothesis like that holds true. Also, hearing that explanation while her head is turned gives me a peculiar feeling.
Momo still has her head tilt as if she doesn’t understand what is going on. It’s okay for you to stay oblivious, Momo. Please stay innocent.
“With all that said, I’ll be in your care.” Ichinose-san bows her head while looking to the sides.
Dude, she’s not even looking at me. Rather, she’s facing a completely different direction.
W, well, it doesn’t matter. The answer is already set in stone. I pick ‘yes’.
She must have heard the Heavenly Voice too as she looks visibly relieved. The information displayed under “Party Members” has her name in it. Let’s see Ichinose Natsu LV 20 “ Huh?”
I check the screen again.
Ichinose Natsu LV 20
Wait. What. Her level’s so high!? This person has 4 more levels than me. How much monsters have you hunted!