Side: Hikobashi Kakeru
The class has ended. Stretching my body feels refreshing after sitting in the same position for so long.
โHey, want to check out a club?โ
As Iโm getting ready to leave, Kitamura calls out to me. It seems heโs a little worried.
โSorry, I have some plans today. Maybe next time.โ
Clubs, huh? I canโt join a sports club. Itโs tough to hold back my physical abilities, and it feels unfair to those who take it seriously.
Our school is private, but itโs not really a strong contender since they donโt put much emphasis on sports scholarships. Iโve heard there are individuals who can compete nationally in individual events, though.
I was looking forward to joining a club.
After leaving the school, I walk a bit. Thereโs a main road nearby lined with supermarkets and drugstores. I plan to do some shopping for dinner.
Itโs been about half a month since I started living alone. Before that, I lived in the countryside with my grandparents.
I recall the times when my grandpa was alive, and we would go shopping by car. Well, Iโm too far from my hometown now, so I donโt have any memories of my grandparents here.
โWelcome! Back for another bento?โ
The supermarket is one of the larger stores in the area. There are many employees and customers, and a university student working part-time calls out to me.
โNo, today Iโm just getting some ingredients. Iโm planning to cook a bit.โ
I remember her. Weโve chatted a bit, and she recognized me because I usually come for the discounted bentos in the evening.
Sheโs an older sister type who enjoys helping others, and talking to her has left me feeling a bit embarrassed.
โYou have to make sure to eat your vegetables, okay?โ
โYes, Iโll do that.โ
I think about getting a bento for one person, but since I usually buy for one, it feels strange to say that. So I head to the ingredient section instead.
Iโm cooking for five people, after all. Just shopping for ingredients is quite the task. To be honest, Iโm not very good at Western cuisine since I lived with my grandparents. My grandma could make hamburgers and curry, so I learned from her.
I want to make sure they enjoy the food I prepare. Maybe Iโll go with hamburgers today. Sashimi is cheap, but I never really ate raw fish back home, so Iโm worried about whether it will suit their tastes.
When I step outside, the western sky is dyed orange.
โWow.โ
For some reason, I feel tears welling up, even without a clear reason.
I never cried when my grandparents passed away, nor when I was back there.
Itโs not like Iโm recalling something specific, nor am I indulging in sentimentality.
โฆAm I just tired? Iโve been on edge with the demon kingโs subjugation and everything.
I switch my mindset and hurry home.
โIโm home~โ
My companions and the demon king are there, seemingly without any conflicts.
Well, I suppose this is the kind of atmosphere it is. Itโs neither relaxing nor enjoyable, but it would be strange to feel completely at ease in a world with no ties or connections.
โWelcome back, Kakeru.โ
โSanctina? Whatโs going on? Calling me by name like thatโฆโ
While I was putting the ingredients in the fridge, Sanctina came to help, and I was surprised when she suddenly addressed me by my name.
โOh, we decided to stop calling each other the hero, demon king, and princess.โ
I see. That makes sense. Everyone must be considering how to live here for a while. I need to step up and be more responsible.
โKakeru, youโre back. This is for you.โ
Just as I was about to start preparing dinner, the demon king suddenly handed me a simple, slender bracelet. Itโs the magic item we talked about.
โI donโt need it, though?โ
โI discussed it with Filia. It includes transformation magic, translation, and a magic that prevents suspicion; itโs a mental magic, you know. It has those effects. Additionally, it also includes magic and skill sealing, and body ability suppression.โ
Iโm astonished by the demon kingโs calm explanation. I know of several magic items, and I have some from when I became a hero, but nothing this multifunctional.
โMagic and skill sealing, and body ability suppression? Is it something youโd use on a criminal?โ
โYeah, originally. I made it so you can activate or deactivate it just by thinking about it. I calculated the magic density, so it should be about the same as when you lived here.โ
She really is impressive for a demon king. Even with limited materials.
โThis is helpful. Thank you.โ
She acts with foresight. I wonder why this demon king ended up cornered in the demon kingโs castle? Or was that situation something the demon king wanted to prepare?
โBy the way, it seems like a small earthquake triggered the danger perception skill during the day. Does the danger perception skill activate for natural earthquakes?โ
As I recall the events of the day, both the demon king, or rather Noctia, and Filia, who had been watching TV in the living room, look surprised.
โKakeru, is that true?โ
Filia approaches me with a serious expression. When I mention that the danger perception skill activated at a school with no monsters and no hostile individuals, she seems deep in thought.
โThe danger perception skill doesnโt activate for pure natural phenomena. Could it be a misunderstanding?โ
When I hear Noctiaโs words, I start to lose confidence.
โIโm not sure. It was a faint sensation. If you say it could be a misunderstanding, then maybe it is.โ
โYou should have Sanctina check it out. There are quite a few cases of young people returning from the battlefield who suffer from trauma. There have been instances of people causing a fuss about the danger perception skill activating even when there wasnโt any real danger. You might be a bit too on edge.โ
I feel relieved that it might just be a misunderstanding, but Filia seems more worried instead. Sanctina is looking at me with a similar expression.
In the midst of this, Princess Pritia also approaches me.
โKakeru, I was going to tell you this when you got back. You donโt need to worry too much about us. Iโve decided to forget my position as a princess, too. I donโt know how long Iโll be staying here, but while weโre together, letโs forget about being a hero, princess, or even a demon king.โ
โYour Highnessโฆโ
It seems Princess Pritia has settled down after just one day. Her mental strength is truly admirable.
โIโm fine. More importantly, Iโll start preparing dinner now.โ
I hope itโs just a misunderstanding. I just donโt want to be treated like a PTSD patient. Itโs true that Iโm tired from everything thatโs happened.
โI think Iโll make hamburgers today. Itโs a representative dish from my country.โ
Both of us must be feeling tired and confused.
The living environment and the food in this world arenโt necessarily inferior.
In fact, the variety and quality of the ingredients readily available should be better.
If the meals suit their tastes, I believe it would reduce stress and anxiety.
Now I need to discuss the upcoming outings. I need to talk about how to spend money, and Iโm wondering if I need a smartphone. Looking at it this way, this world feels quite complex.
I havenโt really seen my neighbors since the greeting when I moved in. I suppose Iโll just consider them as a long-term homestay.
First, I need to make sure to communicate properly with everyone.