kscans

Chapter 246 - More Than the Morning Sun

Less than a week remained until the day of the final battle.

It was the last weekend before the Guivre subjugation. And as for what I was doing…

"I’d been wanting to go camping together again, but I never thought we’d be able to come so soon."

Under a sky full of stars, I took a sip of the coffee Mia-san had brewed for me.

The sweetness of sugar and the smoothness of milk, perfectly balanced by the bitterness, spread through my mouth.

"You're right… we have Yamadera-san to thank for this."

That opportunistic monk might be a handful, but he was a good person too.

After all, he had lent us this mountain, a different one from where that monster had been found.

Apparently, he had once planned to turn this place into a campsite, riding the boom, and had even installed some facilities. A story I'd heard somewhere before.

But with the monster situation, the demand for campsites had plummeted. Now it was just treated as one of his training grounds, but for today, it was all ours.

"…The sky is beautiful, isn’t it?"

Sitting in the chair next to me, she murmured, gazing up at the stars.

You’re the one who’s beautiful, I thought, but I didn't have the guts to say such a cheesy line. Besides, it felt like saying something like that right now would just be tactless.

The sky was like a canvas scattered with jewels. And in its midst, a round moon glowed faintly.

The season for moon-viewing was over, but to me, it was more than beautiful enough.

It would be a waste to use this as a pickup line. I just gazed at the sky alongside her and nodded.

"It is. The moon is beautiful."

"…Is that a Natsume Soseki reference?"

"In our situation, saying ‘I can die happy now’ would be way too ominous."

"That’s true."

Mia-san giggled.

Then, she lowered her gaze to the mug she held in both hands.

"…We’ve found our ‘answers,’ haven’t we? We both have."

"Yeah. That night, we were both so lost, but we found them surprisingly quickly."

—Will you continue to venture into the labyrinth?

—Of course. And I’ll even slay that dragon.

If I told my past self from our last camping trip that, he would undoubtedly look at me as if I were a suicidal maniac.

But I’ve already decided.

"Well, unlike you, Mia-san, I can’t give a clear reason. I have too many reasons for deciding to fight, so I can't put it into words properly."

"I think that’s fine. Whether it's simple or complex doesn't make one better than the other. The fact that you were able to find an answer at all—that in itself is a huge thing."

"I guess so."

"Yes. It is."

The sound of two people sipping coffee melted into the night.

"…Do you think we can win?"

"We can win… let’s believe that."

At Mia-san’s question, I laughed, though it sounded unconfident even to my own ears.

"I believe we have a chance. We’re stronger than we were last time. And this time, the other candidates will be there too. Our fighting strength is dozens of times greater than it was then."

"That’s true… Normally, it would be a situation where we’d be fighting over the kill, not just winning. The fact that we can’t be sure of victory is what makes that dragon so terrifying."

"Yeah… it really is terrifying."

Ripples formed on the surface of my coffee.

Remembering the beast’s form, my hand had started to tremble slightly. I realized this and gave a bitter smile.

"In that case, Mia-san, you—"

"I won’t run."

Just as I was about to say, 'It's okay to run,' remembering what Aira-san had said to me, Mia-san cut me off.

"I won’t run away."

"…Right. I thought you’d say that."

I returned her earnest gaze with a smile.

Some people are happy to be told, 'It's okay to run.' And some are not. That’s all there is to it.

If she didn’t need to hear it, saying anything more would be uncouth. I just had to stand with her and swing my weapon.

"…Now then. Putting that settled matter aside, shall we talk about something else?"

Her quiet mood vanished as she laughed cheerfully.

"That's a sudden change of topic. So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Let's see…"

As if to say the dragon talk was over, Mia-san brought her right index finger to her lips in a thoughtful pose.

When a beautiful person does it, almost anything looks good. As I was thinking that, she smiled like a child who had just thought of a prank.

"How about some love talk? It’s a classic for school trips, isn’t it?"

"Isn't that something girls do with each other?"

"It’s fine. Come on, Kyouta-kun. You first."

"What, I have to start?"

"You’re the man, so show me your cool side."

"Wow, that’s sexist."

As Mia-san giggled, I lightly scratched the back of my head.

You second-rate disappointing college girl. Should I just say your name as the person I’m interested in?

…If I had that kind of courage, the number of years I've been single wouldn't equal my age.

I let out a small sigh and returned my gaze to the starry sky.

"Even if you say that… there’s no one specific I want to date, so I don’t have much to talk about."

I wasn’t lying. It wasn’t just ‘one specific person’; when I thought of who I’d like to date, five names came to mind: Erina-san, Aira-san, Mia-san, and the odd couple.

…I really am a fickle person.

Was I always this much of a loser? Japanese law only allows you to date one person, and I was chasing not two, but five rabbits. I had a feeling the chances of me ending up with no one were higher.

I'm so pathetic…

"Oh? So you don’t have a type? Like, you prefer long hair or short hair?"

"Not really. As long as the hairstyle suits them, either is fine."

"What about tall or short?"

"That doesn't matter either. Tall or short, I don't mind."

"Well then, what about chests?"

"…I, uh, think a person’s worth isn’t determined by their appearance…!"

"You hesitated a lot just now."

"It’s what’s inside. It’s what’s inside that counts, Mia-san."

I felt a deadpan stare from my side, but I ignored it with all my might.

Honestly, I wanted to shout 'I love them! Big boobs!' into the night mountain, but that would make me a pervert. I wanted to avoid becoming an 'A-Rank Candidate' in that sense at all costs.

I was different from perverts like Mia-san and Erina-san.

"Did you just think something rude?"

"NO, NOTHING."

"Please turn this way for a moment."

"Hahaha. No, really. I would never think anything improper."

"Come on, it's fine. Oh, please put your mug on the table, okay?"

"…?"

She was being unusually persistent compared to our usual banter, and was even saying strange things.

Puzzled, I obediently placed my mug on the table and turned my gaze towards her.

And then.

"Ngh?!"

"Ta-da…"

Breasts.

Mia-san was lying sideways on the reclining camping chair, facing me. Her shirt was pulled up to around her neck.

In a pose like a gravure idol, her upper body was exposed, clad only in a small, black triangle of fabric.

Her slender, yet soft-looking waist. Her small navel. And above all, her chest, which could only be described as bountiful.

Her breasts pressed together, forming a deep valley. I could see their plump texture, and I could imagine their softness and firmness.

Showing off her bountiful chest, with the straps digging in slightly, Mia-san smiled at me, her face bright red.

"It’s a swimsuit, just so you know. I wouldn’t show you my underwear when we’re not even dating yet."

"…! …?!"

No words came out. All I could do was open and close my mouth like a goldfish.

Wait… are those two sacred mountains? Twin peaks?

And was it my imagination, or were the tips slightly…

"Okay, that’s enough! I can’t take it anymore!"

Mia-san sat up and hastily pulled her shirt and sweater back down.

As she did, her breasts swayed with a 'bounce♡ jiggle♡'. Was she trying to tempt me?

As forbidden desire and reason waged war within me, she looked at me, her ears still red.

"I’ll ask one more time. Do you prefer larger chests or smaller ones?"

"Larger."

"Excellent."

Mia-san folded her arms under her chest and nodded in satisfaction. Wait, did she pull this stunt just to make me say that?

Is she an idiot? Should I get on my knees and thank her? Thank you very much.

"…You know, Kyouta-kun. I have a feeling that if you got a girlfriend, you’d become even more of a love-struck fool than you already are."

"Men are just like that… wait, what’s with that evaluation, like I’m already a love-struck fool?!"

"Oh? Then can you swear you won’t sneak into my tent tonight?"

"Of course I can! Don’t you underestimate my orichalcum-grade self-control!"

"…Is it self-control, or are you just a coward?"

"You’ve said it now, you disappointing sequel!"

"I am not a disappointment. I am intellectually cool."

"…You sound just like Aira-san right now."

"To me, that is a compliment."

Mia-san looked genuinely happy, her confident smile accompanied by a puff of her chest.

The movement once again drew my gaze to her chest, but with my own rare self-control, I turned my face to the night sky.

"Yeah, yeah. I know you love your big sister."

"Are you jealous? Don’t worry. I love you and Erina-san just as much."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

I casually brushed off her tacked-on follow-up and picked up my coffee from the table.

After taking a sip, I tilted my head.

I thought there was a little more left… maybe it was my imagination.

"I’m a gentleman, so I won’t ‘misunderstand’ and attack you, but you shouldn’t do that kind of thing with other guys."

"I see, so you are jealous after all!"

"No, I’m being serious…"

Isn’t this girl a little too defenseless? Right now, my reason and my animal instincts are locked in a fierce battle.

I know Mia-san loves her sister in more ways than one. So I mustn’t misunderstand.

The idiotic thought, 'Does she have the same level of affection for me as she does for Aira-san? If I made a move, would we be in bed the same day?' surfaced, but I slammed the lid on it. It was the painful fantasy of a virgin.

"Anyway, I’m the only one who’s been talking about my preferences. Don’t you have any, Mia-san, since you’re the one who brought it up?"

"H-How shameless! What are you trying to make me say?!"

"What are you planning to say, you disappointing college girl part two."

The ultimate disappointment put her hands on her cheeks and writhed, as if saying 'Oh, you.'

Amazing. If you just took a snapshot of this, she’d look like a maiden blushing with shame, but in reality, she’s just a sis-con with a brain that's gone completely pink.

"Well, anyway! Just don’t sneak into my tent, okay! If you let yourself get carried away and do ‘that kind of thing’ out here, the god of camping will hate you and you’ll die!"

"I’ll die?"

"That’s right! You’ll get your stomach sliced open with a chainsaw, or your head bashed in with a hatchet!"

"You’ve been watching slasher movies, haven’t you?"

"My sister’s top recommendation, just last week!"

"It’s nice that you two get along."

"Yes!!"

What a fine reply.

"…You call me a love-struck fool, but I bet your pink-brained tendencies would accelerate even more if you got a boyfriend, Mia-san."

"I agree with that. I’d probably pin him down on the bed while shouting, ‘I love you. You walking amusement park of perversion! You’re under arrest for violating building codes!’"

"So you were self-aware."

And you're still like that even with self-awareness. Also, how do you come up with a line that would kill a century of love stone dead while sober?

And most importantly, don’t give me that confident, smug look. You ultimate disappointing overlord.

To think there was another beautiful disappointment in this world who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Aira-san. As expected of sisters.

"Phew… shall we get some sleep soon?"

"Even though we just had coffee."

"When there’s a good song on the radio, that alone can make you sleepy, you know?"

"Is that so?"

"It is! Because this is camping!"

Following Mia-san’s lead as she drained the last of her coffee, I poured mine down my throat too.

"I’ll wash these, so give me your cup."

"Are you sure? Thanks. Then I’ll take care of the table and chairs."

"Okay. I’ll leave that to you."

I handed her the empty mug and folded the chair, hoisting it onto my shoulder.

I could carry them all at once in terms of weight, but their size made it awkward.

As I was wondering in what order to carry them to the light truck, Mia-san turned back to me.

"Oh, right."

"Yes?"

Holding the mugs in both hands, she gave me a shy, yet devilish smile.

"Thank you for the meal."

"…? You're welcome, thank you for the meal too?"

It was true that it was polite to say that after finishing a drink.

But her smile was strangely alluring, and it made my own cheeks flush a little.

…Both of those mugs had the same design. Could it be… no, that’s impossible.

Shaking off the thought that had popped into my head, I carried the chair to the truck.

Needless to say, even after I got into my tent and wrapped myself in a blanket, I couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

I could hear a calm melody coming from her tent, but my heart was pounding too loudly to enjoy the music or the atmosphere.

I managed to fall asleep after about an hour, but it was a light sleep, to say the least.

But still…

The next morning, the sunrise that I watched alongside a somehow equally sleepy Mia-san was more beautiful than any jewel.

"Hey, Kyouta-kun."

"…What is it?"

But even more beautiful than that sunrise.

"Let’s come again. Next time, with everyone."

To think that the girl who smiled as she said that was more beautiful… was, I had to admit, a pretty cheesy thought. I let out a wry smile.

"Yeah. Definitely."

I gave a firm nod.

＊　　　　＊　　　　　＊

And so, the days, which were slightly different from usual but could still be called ‘daily life,’ passed by.

And the day that could be called the most ‘extraordinary’ of my life arrived.

October 31st.

At a time when I would normally be getting ready for school, I was checking the contents of a backpack instead of a school bag.

I had prepared the day before, and the day before that, and even before that, but I compared it against the list in my hand as a final check.

Once that was done, I slung the backpack over my shoulders. Then, I shouldered the duffel bag containing Blanc. Feeling the heavy weight, I lightly patted the bag.

When I headed to the entrance, my parents were already waiting.

Both of them wore expressions I didn’t know how to describe.

"…Kyouta."

My mother pulled me into a hug.

My father placed a hand on my head.

"—Take care."

"—I’m off."

There were so many things we wanted to say, so many things we should have said.

But that could wait. It could wait until I got back.

So I would go with a smile. Because my parents were holding back their tears and smiling for me.

Fortune comes to a smiling gate. It was better for luck.

And above all.

"Yo!"

"Morning."

I didn’t want to show a face on the verge of tears from anxiety to the person waiting for me outside the door.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Of course."

A simple confirmation.

That was fine. This was fine. With Erina-san, this was all that was needed.

I handed my luggage to her to store in her [Item Box]. I had already given her my weapon case via Shizuku-san.

It was the same routine as when we went on a dungeon exploration. As I savored that, Erina-san said, ‘Oh, right,’ and looked at me.

"Hey, hey, Kyou-chan. About that ‘confession’ from the other day. They told me I only got three points. What kind of thing would be better?"

"…? Oh, that thing that was like a variation of the ‘I love you game’."

For a moment I didn’t know what she was talking about, but then I understood and clapped my hands.

"It was something like, ‘I’ve fallen in love with your eyes, ya know,’ right?"

"‘ZEEEEEE!’ Kyou-chan. That part’s important!"

"That’s the number one thing to fix, you idiot. Stop with the ‘ZEEEEEE.’ And in your case, Erina-san, saying ‘you’ instead of ‘ya’ would probably create a better atmosphere. Definitely."

"Seriously?"

I gave a small shrug at her listless reply.

I thought it was fine to be our usual selves, but I didn’t expect this. I felt like an idiot for being so tense inside.

…Yeah.

"Thanks, Erina-san."

"Don’t mention it! For what?"

I offered a wry smile at Erina-san, who gave me a thumbs-up and then tilted her head in confusion. I gently held out my left hand.

"Shall we go?"

"You bet!"

She took my hand firmly for the teleportation.

The softness and warmth that I felt were more reassuring than the pounding of my heart.

I wonder if Erina-san felt the same way… No, that was a little too sentimental.

She grinned.

"‘Invisible Ninjas’! Move out!"

"Too soon, too soon. Save that for when we get to the gate, at least."

"Right! Huh?! Your comeback is different from usual!"

Just for today, with that ridiculous name.

Let’s go slay a dragon.