kscans

Chapter 128 - The Rinzaki Family's Circumstances

"I see. So, Eric-san, you’re in the import/export business, traveling to all sorts of countries."

"That’s right. I can’t very well drag my daughter all over the world with me, so I often have to rely on her grandmother. She seems to be doing… well."

"…Yes."

Sitting in the passenger seat of the rental car Eric-san was driving, I forced a dry laugh.

Should I tell him about the time she got her arm blown off by an `Orc Champion`, or when she dislocated her shoulder fighting the Lefkos and the `Rey Cuelebre`?

As I pondered this, I glanced at the women in the back seat.

"And then, Mom! Shī-chan said this: ‘An eggplant that cannot fly is just an eggplant’!"

"Oh, how very poetic!"

"Is your sense of aesthetics broken?"

"And in response, Ā-chan said, ‘I like my eggplant fried’!"

"That girl was definitely escaping from reality."

"It’s a common saying, isn’t it? ‘Never teach your bride about fried eggplant and Karl Marx.’"

"First I’ve ever heard of it. Fried eggplant and economics have absolutely nothing to do with each other. And at least make it autumn eggplant."

"Kyou-chan… you must be a member of the ‘Imperial System Must Die’ cult!"

"Sorry, but can I first express my surprise that you could even hear me?"

"Kyouta-kun, you’ll have a hard time in the future if you’re like that."

"Oh, right. Is the imperial system still the mainstream overseas?"

"The future is the Shaku-kan system!"

"This isn’t the Edo period."

Why did she say that with enough passion to have focus lines in a manga?

Don’t. Use. Focus lines.

"Kyou-chan, how are you going to survive as a ninja like that!?"

I’m not.

"To think Erina’s boyfriend is in such a state… I’m worried."

"Excuse me, Eric-san. Could you change our destination to a hospital?"

"Kyou-chan! The hospital won’t teach you about the Shaku-kan system!"

"I’m going to ask them how to fix your heads."

"How naive, Kyouta-kun. The doctors have already given up on us!"

"Please don’t say it like ‘the die is cast.’ Caesar himself would be furious."

───Clatter-clatter.

"Don’t actually roll dice! You’ll lose them in the car!"

"It’s a six, so we’ll travel 600 kilometers!"

"Where are we even going!?"

"Erina… not bad!"

"Could you please not make it a competition? And you’re using the metric system anyway!"

"Are you talking down to me?"

"Ah, sorry. It just slipped out…"

For a few seconds, an awkward silence filled the car.

Crap. This is all so absurd that I retorted in my usual tone…

"And you are to call me Mama!"

"Is your sense of personal space broken!?"

"I don’t like it when kids like you use polite language with me."

"Then what I was doing before should have been fine!"

"Kyouta-kun."

"Ah, sorry, Eric-san. For being so loud."

"Please, continue."

"When you’re done driving, you need to face them. Your wife and your daughter."

This is supposed to be your role, you know? At least handle your wife. Seriously.

What is with that woman? She’s like Erina-san, but with black hair and black eyes, and just a little older. They aren’t sisters, are they?

Suddenly, Rina-san’s elegant face became stern.

"A husband facing his wife and child… I sense a drama in the making…!"

"This is a broadcast accident. We’d get complaints asking how many minutes we’re wasting on this pointless conversation."

"Kyou-chan! Don’t talk about accidents while we’re driving, it’s bad luck!"

"Sorry, let me rephrase. Are you two trying to compete for the worst ratings ever!?"

"I think it’s important to aim for number one, no matter what it is."

"Don’t aim for number one from the bottom!"

"Kyou-chan. If you give up, the game, and your life, are over!"

"What I want to give up on is your brain!"

Facing the machine-gun fire from the back seat, I quietly held my head in my hands. I can’t believe how much harder this is with two of them.

Can you believe it? It hasn’t even been ten minutes since we got in the car…

I needed to change the subject, so I turned my gaze to Eric-san beside me.

"By the way, where are we heading now?"

"Let’s see. First, we’re going to buy some souvenirs for my subordinates and business partners."

"…? Wouldn’t someone in the import/export business be able to buy better things from all over?"

"No, Kyouta-kun. It’s precisely because of my job that things I’ve ‘gone and bought myself’ have value. Besides, there are some things you can only buy around here."

"Huh…?"

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　　＊

The place we arrived at looked, at first glance, like a large jewelry store.

However, it didn’t deal in jewels or watches, nor designer bags or clothing.

‘Specialty Store for Monster-Derived Crafts’

Apparently, these kinds of shops had started popping up recently. When I looked it up on my phone just now, I saw that the `Dungeon Agency` was also involved.

Basically, it was a store that processed drop items into craftwork and sold them.

A quick glance showed chopstick rests made from some kind of fang, coins sorted by rank and monster type, a silver mask that held a strange amount of mana, an overly ornate scabbard, and various other things.

There was even a vase made from a drop item of a ‘B-Rank Monster,’ which had supposedly been procured from the Self-Defense Force.

Of course, being craftwork, none of them looked like they could be used in combat. Maybe if Ooyama-san worked on them, there’d be a chance… no, probably not. The quality of that mana, while high in output, seemed lacking in durability.

"Look, look, Mom! Isn’t this necklace nice?"

"It is. If I remember correctly, the color of the dress that’s in style right now is…"

"Yes! This piece uses a custom-made cord woven from the silk of a spider-type monster."

A tough-looking guard, clearly an `Awakened Person` from the feel of his mana, stood watch at the entrance, and there were multiple security cameras inside.

Given the merchandise, the security was tight. I leaned against the wall, watching Erina-san and Rina-san pick out souvenirs while talking to a clerk.

I don’t really get these kinds of shops, or rather, items that require a sense of taste.

Rina-san’s frivolous demeanor from the car was gone, and now she was saying something complicated.

What’s all this about trendy dresses and suits? Isn’t a dress a dress, and a suit a suit?

"My wife is good at switching between on and off, you see. And she’s a great help, building relationships with the wives of my business partners."

"I see…"

For some reason, Eric-san was standing next to me instead of joining them.

I wanted to just blend into the background, but I couldn’t very well ignore him. I just nodded with a vague smile.

"…Say, Kyouta-kun."

"Ah, yes. What is it?"

"In the car, I said my daughter was doing well, but… ‘how many times has she nearly died?’"

"—!"

I instinctively held my breath at Eric-san’s hesitant question.

His expression and tone were anxious, but I could sense a conviction behind his words.

"Her grandmother would call me occasionally to tell me how she was doing, but considering her condition, well…"

"Her condition…?"

When I tilted my head in confusion, Eric-san looked back at me, surprised.

After a moment of thought, he opened his mouth, though still with some hesitation.

"That girl… Erina, she has no sense of pain."

His words brought me not surprise, but… a sense of understanding.

Erina-san had been seriously injured many times before. Her arm had been torn off, her shoulder dislocated.

And yet, I remembered she had always continued fighting with a smile, just like usual.

I’d thought she was just pushing through it on adrenaline, like I do, but something had always felt off.

"…I see."

"To be precise, she had no sense of pain. After she became an `Awakened Person`, her pain receptors recovered. But she’s spent more of her life without it. She’s quite skilled, so she can apparently turn her sense of pain on and off at will."

I glanced over at Erina-san.

She was laughing innocently, chatting with her mother. It was the same as always, a truly carefree expression on her face.

"It was difficult when she was little. Since she couldn’t feel pain, she wouldn’t notice when she got hurt like other children. She’d jump from high places and playfully ram into walls with all her strength. It was common for us to find out she’d broken a bone without even knowing."

"That sounds… exhausting."

"And… I was worried that she might grow up unable to understand the ‘pain of others.’"

"……"

Unable to empathize with pain.

It sounds like something out of an edgy teenager’s fantasy, but if it were real, it would be no laughing matter.

People grow up learning what they dislike having done to them, and what actions are dangerous.

There are some who can’t understand such things even with a normal sense of pain, but most people learn and become adults.

Empathy is an ability that is absolutely necessary for living in a society.

Humans cannot survive without being in groups. And people feel fear and revulsion towards ‘a person who cannot understand the pain of others and casually resorts to violence.’

In fact, her classmates are utterly terrified of Erina-san. They see her as a monster they cannot comprehend.

"So, I had her learn various martial arts. Kendo, Judo, Karate. I wanted to teach her logically how people can be broken, and I also wanted her to learn about group activities."

"So that’s where her movements come from."

"…Well, I did have her read a lot of manga to get her interested in martial arts, and she ended up being a little influenced by it."

"A little???"

I couldn’t help but give Eric-san a skeptical look, and he immediately averted his gaze.

Could this man be the reason for her obsession with being a ‘ninja’?

"I-I couldn’t help it…! She would only do things she was interested in…! So I tried to get her interested with manga and anime…!"

"Ah, no. I think that was the right call. Yes."

"I just never expected her to be influenced to that extent…!"

"I suppose that would be hard to predict…"

What Eric-san was saying made sense.

But that aside, as someone who had been roped into a group with the ridiculous name `Invisible Ninjas`, I couldn’t help but want to say something.

"Ahem! Well, you see. What I mean is, she probably still turns off her sense of pain when she fights, so I figured she gets injured a lot."

"…Yes. And for that, I’m sorry."

"It’s not your place to apologize. It’s all her choice. Erina chose to fight of her own accord. No one else has a say in it."

Watching his daughter, he continued in a calm tone.

"…She’s grown into a strong girl. Unlike me."

"…?"

As he murmured that, I felt like his eyes were looking at something other than his daughter.

But his gaze quickly fell.

"…No, it’s nothing. Just a silly story. Forget I said anything."

As he said that and shook his head slightly, for some reason, I kept my eyes on him.

Normally, when someone says that, I back off immediately. But this time, I pressed on.

Seriously, the Arisugawa clan has way too many landmines. I wish they’d just get it all out in the open before it gets congested.

"It looks like those two will be a while longer with their souvenir shopping. Would you mind if I asked?"

"Eh? A-are you sure you want to?"

"Yes. I’m sure. Please."

At my words, Eric-san fidgeted with his fingers in a troubled manner, before he began to speak in bits and pieces.

"…Well, you see. Do you know that I’m adopted?"

"Yes. I heard from Erina-san."

"I see. My biological parents died in an accident, and when I was seven, I was taken in by my current parents… my aunt and uncle."

As if recalling something, Eric-san looked up at the ceiling.

I was sure he wasn’t seeing the sterile concrete, but…

"They were kind people. They raised me like I was their own family. They accepted me. …Everyone except my older sister."

"…Aira-san’s mother?"

"Yes."

I didn’t have a very good impression of her, but Eric-san’s tone was calm.

"The company I run now was originally supposed to be inherited by my sister. She loved the sea, you see. She used to tell me, back when we were still just cousins, that she wanted to travel to different countries by ship."

"I see."

"But I stole that dream from her. In those days, it was a given that the eldest son would inherit. So, even though I was adopted, as a close blood relative, I took over the company, and my sister was married off somewhere. That was what was expected. Well, in the end, my last name changed too."

As a modern kid, the story felt strange.

But in Eric-san’s time… the Showa era, it was probably perfectly normal. On top of that, Professor Arisugawa’s family was a ducal house in England.

It may not have been a strict tradition, but that kind of value system wasn’t surprising.

"My sister became apathetic towards everything, just drifting along with what others wanted, after I came to that house…. So, you see. What I mean is."

As if making a confession of guilt, Eric-san continued.

"I’ve always wondered… if it’s my fault that my sister became like that, and that her daughters have had such a hard time. I can’t help but wonder. That’s the kind of weak man I am."

"No, that’s not right."

I answered his words bluntly.

I wondered what he was going to say, and it turned out to be something like that. It was just too self-deprecating.

"Isn’t that what you just said? ‘It was her choice.’ It’s the same thing. The one who walked that path was Aira-san’s mother, and the position you’re in now is because of your own will. There’s no reason for you to feel guilty, Eric-san."

"…Haha. My wife told me the same thing."

"Then it’s two against one. By majority vote, our opinion is correct."

"Huh… You really do say similar things. Though, she said it a bit differently back then…"

"Also."

I moved to stand in front of Eric-san, who had been looking down slightly, and met his eyes.

"I don’t think you need to feel guilty, but that aside, I think it’s natural to worry like that. It’s just part of being human, so it’s not about being weak or strong. Probably."

After saying that, I calmed down a bit.

There I go again. The boisterous mood from the car was still lingering, and it was affecting my tone.

It’s always been like this. The atmosphere of a place changes, but I get carried away by my emotions. I misread the room.

That’s why I had trouble fitting in in middle school, and ended up quietly spending my time in a corner with my old friends.

I berated myself for not learning my lesson and shrunk back to my original position.

"…That’s the second time someone has told me that."

From beside me, I heard a small, stifled laugh.

"I thought you might be similar to me, but I feel like you’re also similar to my wife. Or maybe that part is the influence of Erina, her grandmother… or perhaps, Aira-chan and the others?"

"Um… sorry. I got carried away."

"No, it’s fine. That’s right… it’s natural, huh? I’ve always thought it was a bit ungentlemanly to just accept things like that, but… maybe it’s okay, as long as I’m still worrying about it."

"I think so, probably. I don’t really know, though…"

"You suddenly sound so unsure, Kyouta-kun."

"No, I’m really sorry. For a stranger to say such… selfish things…"

I wish a hole would open up and swallow me. Or that I could turn back time…!

On the verge of tears, I averted my gaze with all my might. So embarrassing…!

"I’m glad a boy like you is by Erina’s side. And… you’re good friends with Aira-chan and Mia-chan too, aren’t you? I’ve heard from my mother-in-law and Erina."

"Huh? Well, probably, I guess…"

"I know it must be a lot, but please look after all three of them. It’s still awkward for me to interact with those two, and my wife doesn’t seem to intend to get involved in this matter… so, could you, you know, support them?"

"Um… I’ll do my best."

I’m no counselor, and my social skills are low to begin with.

My personality isn’t suited for healing emotional wounds. I’d rather they ask someone else, but I couldn’t say that.

…No. That’s just an excuse.

As inappropriate as it was… a small part of me was happy to be told that it was okay for me to be by their side.

Just a little bit, though.

"You also have quite a difficult personality, don’t you?"

"You think so…?"

"I do."

I returned Eric-san’s gentle smile with a wry one.

And so, we shared a laugh for a few seconds, when—

"I smell a home-wrecker!!"

Oh, there she is.

"Oh, there she is."

"You say that as if some pesky bug has appeared. You little homewrecker!"

"It’s a misunderstanding. And please don’t shout inside the store."

My inner thoughts had slipped out, and Rina-san shot me a sharp glare.

"Eric’s chastity is mine! I won’t let you have it!"

"I don’t want it."

"What! Are you saying Eric isn’t attractive!?"

"That’s not what I meant."

"He’s amazing at night! To be specific, his offense is!"

"What is she saying in front of a child?"

"Mom, Kyou-chan, what are you talking about?"

"You mustn’t listen, Erina-san! It will pollute your ears!"

"The reason Erina doesn’t have a little brother or sister is because raising a child on a ship would be too difficult, you know."

"I told you, we’re in a store! Look, you’re making the clerk uncomfortable!"

"Oh, don’t mind me. We get crazy customers all the time."

"You do!?"

"Hey, did that clerk just call me crazy?"

"It’s a fact, so there’s nothing you can do about it."

"That’s what I was thinking!!"

"Hmph. To be told that even by my own daughter… This is a child’s growth, I see."

"Eric-san! She’s your wife, do something! Wait, he’s gone!?"

I looked beside me, but he was no longer there. You’ve got to be kidding me, when did he…!?

Damn it! The personalities of these ridiculous beauties in front of me were so overwhelming that I missed it!

"If you’re looking for the other customer, he completed his payment and shipping arrangements, and said he was heading back to the car first."

"That bastard ran away!? Excuse me!"

"Well then, we shall take our leave as well. Good day."

"Thank you very much! We’ll be back!"

"Thank you very much. We look forward to your next visit."

Sent off by the clerk, who was bowing with a perfect business smile, we left the store.

Eric-san wasn’t in the parking lot. I looked around and spotted him in front of a vending machine on the opposite sidewalk.

He moves surprisingly fast…!

As I stood there in shock, I was about to call out to him to unload these ridiculous beauties onto him when—

A white van stopped, blocking the way.

"Huh?"

"—!"

As I was wondering why it had stopped in such a place, Erina-san instantly deployed her `Arcane Gear` and turned invisible.

Then, just as she drew her ninja sword and was about to run, several other cars sped past and screeched to a halt.

And when my vision cleared.

Both the white van and Eric-san were gone.

"Ki—"

Who shouted it?

Was it me, or the guards in front of the store? I couldn’t be sure.

"KIDNAPPING—!!"