Ichinose-san is showing signs of uneasiness. Her eyes keep alternating between the school and I, and she looks unsettled.
Yep, that’s the main issue here. To be honest, it’s not my business if something happens to these strangers. I take priority in my safety, so I don’t want to walk into danger on my own volition. As for the members in school, they should take care of themselves. If they want to live, they should think of a plan by themselves. At least that’s how this world works. But “ ”
I take a peek at Ichinose-san who is standing next to me. Her eyes look like they are trying to cling on to me. This must mean that that girl is an important existence for Ichinose-san. That Rikka-chan. Her friend.
Honestly, it’s a pain. But if I abandon Rikka-chan here, Ichinose-san might despise me. She might even leave the party. I wouldn’t want that to happen. So that’s it. It’s just like the case with Momo. If I’m dealing with complete strangers, nothing would matter. But if I were to interact with them even once, some attachments will remain.
The desire to be liked. The desire to do something for them. Emotions that cannot be casually tossed out. Nishino-kun and Rikka-chan aren’t an exception. It’s not like they’re complete strangers. Even though they have not met me, I’d rather see them alive than dead. While having those thoughts, I scratch my head. Nothing is more important than my life. Others are only secondary. That has been my philosophy thus far. And this is why I have been distancing myself from others
This is really annoying. I don’t want it. I don’t want it. I don’t want it. I don’t want to do it. I shouldn’t have formed a party in the first place. It is influencing my behaviors and altering my course of action. Having said that, I heave a big sigh.
“Momo, if we enter the school, can you identify the culprit with his smell?”
Momo nods.
“First of all, we’re going to break into the school like before. If possible, we will identify the monster tamer and leak the information to Nishino and Rikka-chan via Mail.”
“After that, we’ll meet them somewhere people don’t often go to. We don’t know when the monster tamer will strike again, so we’ll leave this place the moment we finish this task.”
“Kudou-san!”
Ichinose-san’s expression brightens up. I hate myself for feeling relieved because of her smile. It feels like being told about the kind of person that I am. Well, it’s that. Someone that is actively hunting humans is too dangerous to keep silent about, and since this won’t be the last time we get involved with a group of other people, it’s better if we do them a favor early on. So this is for both Ichinose-san and I.
I convince myself with this reasoning. I won’t be able to go on if I don’t make this kind of excuse.
“Wafu”
What is it. Momo, what are your grinning for. Ah, whatever! Let’s go. Blast it all. And this is why we entered the school premise for the second time.
CH 77
Nishino and Rikka were present in the school cafeteria. The purpose was to meet up with the members in the exploration team. While sitting on their seats, they were waiting for the others’ arrival. However, waiting quietly among all the rushing of other students was frustrating.
“Are they here yet-”
Rikka groaned and fidgeted her feet in boredom.
“They should be here in a moment. Until then, we just have to be patient.”
“Alright~”
Seeing how unwilling she was, Nishino chuckled. They exchanged some trivial conversations as they waited. Then, they noticed a few students walking in from the entrance. Witnessing the person leading the group, Nishino made a face.
“ Fuun, you guys are here on time. Turns out you aren’t so bad despite being a delinquent.” Nishino secretly laughed seeing how Miyamoto was bad-mouthing others the moment he opened his mouth to speak. Why was this man so desperate in his attempt to pick a fight with others? Or was he trying to rile them up on purpose and make them throw the first punch? If he was, there was no merit in going along with his plan regardless of how obvious it was.
“Well, thanks. So why are you even here? Aren’t we supposed to meet with the exploration team?” “Ah, yes. But things have changed. You’ll be part of the team which will scout the school perimeter to check whether there is any suspicious individual lurking about. Also, I will be in command of this operation. That’s all.” Nishino cocked his head after listening to Miyamoto’s explanations.
“Check for suspicious individuals? What does that mean?”
“The President believes that the attack was instigated by another human. She wants us to look out for the culprit.” “What ?”
Nishino’s eyes widened. As if it was news to them as well, the members behind Miyamoto made a small commotion.
“It’s apparent that you guys haven’t thought of such possibilities. Ignorant delinquents. President Igarashi recognized several points of doubt regarding the attack and realized that there was someone pulling the strings from the shadows.” “Hee I see. But according to your story, weren’t you also in the dark about this matter before she told you? Just like us ‘Ignorant delinquents’.” When Nishino responded in a provoking manner, Miyamoto’s face turned scarlet.
“Sh-shut up! Of course I realized. B-but I didn’t bother mentioning it on purpose!”
Although he could insult others without batting an eye, Miyamoto seemed incapable of being made fun of by other people. A man with low resilience. Nishino felt irritated. He was gradually becoming annoyed by Miyamoto’s attitude. Miyamoto fixed the position of his glasses in an attempt to calm himself.
“Regardless! You two were chosen as part of the team that would chase down that monster tamer To be honest, just the thought of working with you delinquents repulses me, but since President Igarashi ordered your participation, I can’t ignore it. Fuun, you delinquents should feel honored to get the opportunity to work besides me to be of use to her. You guys should be thanking me with tears!” “Nisshi, can I beat the crap out of this guy? More like, I’m going to beat the crap out of this guy. I’ll destroy his face.”
(TN: That felt so satisfying to translate) Fed up by Miyamoto’s arrogant behaviors, Rikka stood up with her weapon in hand. Just that was enough to scare Miyamoto. He cried out with a pathetic voice.
“Don’t bother, Rikka.”
“Why are you stopping me, Nisshi?”
“Nothing will change even if you beat Miyamoto right now. It’ll only trouble President Igarashi. ” “That doesn’t explain anything. And what’s wrong with troubling her? To begin with, why are you mentioning her name in this situation?” Although she was curious as to why Nishino sided with the President so much, she let go of her weapon.
“Fufun. How uncultured anyways, let’s go!”
Miyamoto, who was obviously putting up a brave front, quickly ordered their deployment. While the other members moved, Nishino was thinking.
(An existence that controls monsters how troubling )
And to control a monster as powerful as that. It was quite threatening. Indeed, they had to investigate quickly. Especially for the President.
(Yes. No matter what, I have to protect the President.)
Because she’s an important, important individual Huh? Why was she so important again? What was this? Something felt out of place. Why was he so obsessed over accomplishing the President’s orders?
“Is something wrong, Nishino-kun?”
Nishino came back to his senses when somebody besides him mentioned his name. When he looked, it was from a shot haired girl who was wearing the school’s designated jersey. It was Katsuragi, the girl they reunited with at the mall.
“Oh, Katsuragi-san. I’m fine.”
“Is that so? You were making a complicated face.”