kscans

Chapter 119 - A Man Lin-san Would Definitely Hate

After I finished my consultation with Nanapon about the dangerous-sounding item, I moved to the front and rejoined Yoshino-san and Lin-san. We walked towards the Gate, chatting normally as a group of four. Neither Yoshino-san nor Lin-san mentioned the fact that Nanapon and I had been whispering to each other.

As we continued down the road, the Gate came into view. From a distance, I could see a few figures, just like in the morning.

"We’re here. Where are you going with Asakura-san, Okita-san? You mentioned Ginza," Nanapon asked.

"We’re going for some non-conveyor belt sushi."

"You’re such a nouveau riche…"

That’s what I am, so what can I do about it? It’s something you’d want to try at least once.

"This is unrelated, but be careful of scams. Adventurers who are thought to have money often get investment offers," Lin-san warned.

"That kind of thing happens…?"

"Adventurers often earn a lot of money at a relatively young age and then retire, right? When that happens, they start thinking about asset management, and that’s when they get targeted."

That sounds scary. I don’t know anything about that stuff, so I’d probably be easily deceived.

"I’ll leave that kind of thing to Kaede-chan."

I’m going to give her all my money anyway.

"That’s a good idea. She’s a guild employee, and she’s responsible."

Kaede-chan does seem very capable. But that’s strange… we graduated from the same university and had similar grades… Is this the difference in natural intelligence?

As I was pondering Lin-san’s warning, we arrived at the safe area in front of the Gate. Suddenly, Yoshino-san and Lin-san stopped in their tracks.

"Hm? What’s wrong?"

I looked at the two of them who had stopped. Nanapon, like me, didn’t seem to know why they had stopped and was also looking at them.

"...Lin, what should we do? Should we send Okita-kun and Nanapon back first?" Yoshino-san asked Lin-san, ignoring me.

"It’s too late. He’s looking right at us."

Looking?

Lin-san’s words piqued my curiosity, so I scanned the adventurers loitering in front of the Gate. And then I saw him, an adventurer who was staring right at us.

The man was dressed so casually that, not to be one to talk, I couldn’t imagine he was here for an adventure. He was wearing a jacket, completely in plain clothes. Not only that, but he didn't have a weapon, or even a bag.

"What do you think he wants?"

"Who knows? Either way, it’s probably not for anything good. Okita-kun, don’t you dare do that cocky thing you’re so good at," Lin-san warned me.

"I’m not going to get cocky… Anyway, who is he?"

"You don’t know?"

Could it be that this man is famous?

"Okita-san, Okita-san, isn’t that the A-rank, Kiryu-san?"

Kiryu? Ah…

Nanapon’s words finally jogged my memory. It was indeed the A-rank, Kiryu Akira. He was one of the adventurers even I knew of.

"I didn’t recognize him… He should wear his armor."

When I saw him on TV, he was wearing some magnificent, shiny silver armor.

"You can tell by his face. He’s handsome, isn’t he?"

"What? You like guys like that?"

"He’s at least more handsome than you, Okita-san. My friends from college and high school all said he was handsome."

Hmm… Well, he is good-looking. His brown hair is perfectly styled, and he has a flashy vibe. He’s probably popular with women.

"Kaede-chan said he’s a promiscuous man who goes through women one after another."

I have a vague memory of her saying something like that. I think she said I was better… or so I think.

"Oh, so he’s a playb… never mind… I’ll pass. On second thought, I think Okita-san is better."

Nanapon sure has good eyes, seeing as she has Clairvoyance. By the way, why are you blushing a little?

"Of course, of course."

"Eleanor-san is cooler, though."

You always have to add that one extra comment.

"Yes, yes, Okita-kun, you’re very handsome. So please be quiet. Don’t you dare pick a fight with an A-rank," Lin-san said, trying to stop me with words that clearly held no sincerity.

"I won’t. A-ranks are scary."

I don’t know for sure, but he must be strong.

"Scary? I seem to remember being tripped by someone…" Yoshino-san muttered under her breath.

"That was because you attacked me, Yoshino-san. You masochist."

"...I’m not an M. I’m not an M."

Yoshino-san mumbled her denial. She must have been told that a few times.

"Whatever, let’s go. I want to get home soon."

Lin-san, who needed to go shopping and prepare dinner, hurried us along and started walking towards the Gate. Yoshino-san rushed to follow her, so Nanapon and I fell in behind them.

As we approached the Gate, Kiryu Akira predictably approached us.

"Hello, Yoshino-san."

Kiryu greeted her, glancing briefly at me and Nanapon. However, he quickly looked away and addressed Yoshino-san, who was also an A-rank.

"Kiryu-kun… Hello."

Yoshino-san’s tone was slightly lower than usual, and from her earlier conversation with Lin-san, I could tell she didn’t particularly like him.

"Are you out adventuring, Yoshino-san?"

"Well, as you can see. What are you doing here? You don’t look like you’re here to adventure…"

"I had something I wanted to talk to you about, Yoshino-san."

I figured. He was clearly waiting here. Just like Yoshino-san the other day.

"Talk? What is it? If you could make it quick, I’d appreciate it."

Yoshino-san glanced at Lin-san. Lin-san had her arms crossed and was tapping her finger impatiently, looking annoyed. A little scary.

"Hayashi-san is the same as always," Kiryu said with a wry smile, looking at Lin-san. By the way, Hayashi?

"Don’t call me by my maiden name. I’m Shimizu now."

Apparently, Lin-san’s maiden name is Hayashi. Hayashi Lin… It’s Lin-Lin! Pfft.

"...Okita-kun, is something the matter?" Lin-san glared at me.

"No…"

Her nickname was definitely Lin-Lin.

"Kiryu-kun, what did you want to talk about?" Yoshino-san asked Kiryu, her gaze shifting from me and Lin-san with a look of exasperation.

"Ah, do you know Eleanor Ocean?"

So he wanted to ask about Eleanor-san after all…

"I’d like to ask if there’s any adventurer who doesn’t know her," Yoshino-san replied.

"True. But that’s not what I mean. Yoshino-san, have you met with that witch?"

Was there a witness somewhere? The only times I met Yoshino-san as Eleanor were in front of the Gate on this Mireille Road, at the family restaurant, and at my house.

"I passed by her here once before. We only spoke for a moment."

"I see. And other than that?"

"We haven’t met. As you know, that witch is elusive."

She’s going to pretend the family restaurant meeting didn’t happen, let alone my house. Well, the chances of there being a witness there were low. I did give an autograph to a little girl and caused a domestic dispute, though…

"I see. So she does appear here…"

"Just like the information online says. You’re free to contact the witch, but remember your position as an A-rank and don’t cause any trouble."

This person making this incredibly respectable statement is the very A-rank who betrayed her cousin for money.

"I know. By the way, who is that girl?" Kiryu’s gaze shifted to Nanapon. I was apparently being ignored. As expected of a womanizer.

"Just a casual acquaintance. Think of it as training a rookie."

"I see… You and your group are the same as always… My name is Kiryu Akira. It’s nice to meet you."

Kiryu extended a hand to Nanapon, who was peeking out from behind me. In response, Nanapon, who was shy and had a slight fear of strange men, quickly ducked back behind me.

"Huh?"

Kiryu tilted his head, seeing Nanapon hide.

I felt a little sense of satisfaction.

"Kiryu-kun, she’s just shy," Yoshino-san said, covering for her.

"...Okita-san, this person is bad news. Please get us out of here quickly," Nanapon whispered from behind me.

"Shy?"

"She’s from an all-girls school," Yoshino-san fabricated.

"Oh, an all-girls school. Nice."

While Yoshino-san and Kiryu were talking, Nanapon was frantically tapping on my back behind me where they couldn’t see.

Something was definitely up…

"Yoshino-san, Kiryu-san, I’m sorry, but I have something to do after this, so I’m going to head back," I said, interrupting their conversation.

"I’m heading back too. I have to make dinner," Lin-san chimed in, piggybacking on my excuse.

"Ah, that’s right. Kiryu-kun, I’m sorry, but we’re done for the day. See you around," Yoshino-san said.

"...Ah, right. Sorry for holding you up."

Kiryu glared at me for a moment before quickly putting on a smile to respond to Yoshino-san. Honestly, I respect how quickly he can switch like that.

As I was feeling a little impressed, Lin-san quickly headed for the Gate, while Nanapon desperately pushed my back from behind. I let myself be carried along by Nanapon’s feeble pushing and headed for the Gate. Beside us, Yoshino-san was watching Nanapon with a curious expression.

After parting ways with Kiryu, we reached the area right in front of the Gate, and Lin-san stopped.

"Yokokawa, what happened?" Lin-san asked Nanapon.

"Let’s just go home for now. I’ll contact you later."

"I see. Then tell Yoshino. I’m going shopping and then heading home."

Well, it was true that she had things to do.

"Alright, this is where we part ways. Good work today," Yoshino-san said, offering a closing remark.

"Good work. Thanks for today."

"Thank you very much."

Nanapon and I expressed our thanks.

"It was nothing. See you again."

With that, Yoshino-san and Lin-san passed through the Gate.

"Let’s go back too."

"Right."

Nanapon and I also passed through the Gate and returned to the guild.