kscans

Chapter 74 - 074

I somehow managed to make it back.

It took a while because the god insisted on seeing me fight with my divine power released, so I ended up clearing the underground dungeon a second time.

A lot happened, and I couldn't get in touch for about three days, so I was sure Rena would be worried.

Until yesterday, my phone had been ringing nonstop. But today, there was nothing. I debated whether to call her, but I figured I needed to let her see my situation first, so I came to the Shinonome Zaibatsu headquarters.

I knew Rena was here because Kiyohara, the Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary, told me. After successfully (?) completing his request, he had me dropped off here. By the way, my arrest was apparently chalked up to a mistake in the investigation and was wiped from the record.

On the way here, Kiyohara-san also told me that from now on, I was free to move about the country without worrying about anything. I didn't understand what he meant, but he said to ask Rena for the details.

"Excuse me. Is Shinonome Rena-san here?"

I spoke to the receptionist on the first floor of the massive building.

"Y-Yes. Shizukuishi Hayate-sama, correct? I will call the young mistress right away."

It seemed Rena had told them I might be coming, which made things easier. I was led down a hallway next to the reception desk to a conference room and was told to wait there.

Rena arrived less than thirty seconds after I entered the conference room. I felt like her presence was heading toward my location even before the receptionist could have contacted her...

Maybe it was just a coincidence?

"Hayate!"

She threw her arms around me.

"Rena, I’m sorry for making you worry again."

"No, it’s okay. I’m just glad you’re safe, Hayate."

We'd only been apart for a few days, but I could feel how happy I was just being this close to Rena.

"You got here pretty fast."

"Aina told me you were here, Hayate."

"Aina-san?"

"That's the name of the high-performance AI owned by the Shinonome Group."

Huh. The AI that advised them to send me to rescue Rena. I'll have to thank her if I ever get the chance.

"By the way, Hayate, who is that girl?"

Right, she would be curious.

I hadn't come here alone. I had brought a certain personage out of the sacred domain.

"Uh, um, this is..."

"Ah! Could it be Amaterasu-sama!?"

Seeing the young girl in the kimono, Rena's excitement shot up.

"You’re so small and cute in person!"

Rena suddenly scooped up the young girl and lifted her to eye level.

"Um, Rena. That’s a little dangerous."

"Huh, why?"

Rena held the young girl and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Ignorance is a scary thing.

Rena-san, you are currently holding the god of Japan.

"So this is the girl Hayate spoke of. You are indeed as cute as he said."

"Wow! Your way of speaking is just like on SNS. Your character work is amazing. Or are you imitating your grandpa or grandma?"

"Rena, do you understand who Amaterasu-sama is?"

"Of course, I do. I follow this girl!"

Hearing that she was being followed, the god looked a little pleased.

"Her ‘gimmick’ is being the one and only god of Japan, right? If Hayate hadn't come back by tomorrow, I was thinking of asking Amaterasu-sama for help as a last resort."

"Actually... that gimmick is apparently real."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The god told me it was fine to tell Rena the truth. With the god's permission, the information restriction jutsu my master had cast was also nullified.

"The person Rena is holding right now is a real god."

"I am the one and only god of Hinomoto. You smell nice. I shall permit you to hold me in the future as well. You should feel honored."

"Ah, thank you very much."

She didn't seem to understand.

Being suddenly told someone is a god, it's not easy to believe. If I hadn't received power from her, I wouldn't believe a little girl like this was a god either.

Well, at least I explained it.

"I have a small favor to ask of you today, Rena."

"Y-Yes. What is it?"

Rena asked while still holding the god. So she's fine with that.

The god also looked comfortable, so I guess it's okay.

"You once said that if I formed a party with you, you'd introduce me to a single-person apartment, right? I formed a party with you, Rena. So I was hoping you could fulfill that promise."

"That’s fine, but... why now? You're staying at the hotel my father arranged for you, aren't you, Hayate?"

"Well, I actually messed up and destroyed the god's home. So I'll be taking care of her for a while."

Ever since I became the world's fastest to clear the Black Dungeon, my family's home has been under 24-hour surveillance by the media. It would be a huge problem if I went back there. That's why I've been living in a hotel whenever I'm in Japan.

"What. Does that mean you two are going to live together!?"

"Yeah, that’s the plan. There are too many eyes at the hotel. I was hoping to live in an apartment managed by the Shinonome Group, one with good security."

Even though the god has shown her face on SNS, she might accidentally do something incredible in her daily life. I needed an environment where she wouldn't be easily spotted by the media or anyone else.

By the way, my parents are currently living a leisurely life abroad, funded by the Shinonome Zaibatsu. I don't want to be away from Rena if I can help it, so going to stay with my parents is not an option.

"...Okay. I’ll make the arrangements. But I have a condition."

"What is it?"

Is she going to tell me to pay rent? Even if it's a bit expensive, I can afford it now.

I was temporarily arrested, but my bank account wasn't frozen. It seems the money I've earned so far is still mine to keep.

Financially, there's no problem.

That's what I thought, but the condition wasn't something like that.

Rena, blushing slightly, opened her mouth.

"I’m going to live with you two as well."

"D-Does that mean..."

C-Cohabitation!?