Back to the Town

By the time we returned, the surroundings had already begun to darken. Still, the areas around facilities like the watchtower had sporadically placed streetlights, seemingly magical devices, making activities quite normal.

 

After the Ladder-raising hunt, there were still tasks to be done. The materials from the captured monsters would go to the state army. We had to deliver them to the filling station and submit a simple report.

 

"Sensei, we'll take care of it, so please leave it to us."

"Hmm? Even if you say that... I can't just go to the girls' dormitory..."

"Why not take her to your place? Senpai will be delighted too, you know?"

"Hey, you guys!"

"Hehehe, Sensei also wants to get a home soon, right?"

"Stop teasing me..."

 

Even so, judging from the previous feeling, she would probably wake up in another 1 to 2 hours. I asked the guy managing the carriage to let me rest until I woke up at the carriage parking lot.

 

 

... I gently looked at Kimishima's arm. However, it seemed that it was not yet completed; the number on the divine citizen card had not appeared. It felt like upgrading a computer or something. I gazed at the peacefully sleeping Kimishima.

 

...

 

...She's beautiful after all...

 

Gradually, as Kimishima's complexion improved, I found myself thinking about such things while looking at her face. I hastily shook my head to dispel any improper thoughts.

 

…Hmm?

 

Turning around, I saw a shadow quickly hiding. Really, it's just Nishina and Sakuragi. It seemed like they had been taking actions lately to bring me and Kimishima closer. Maybe I needed to warn them properly...

 

But, right now, I just hadn't fully accepted Kimishima because of my position. I hadn't clearly rejected her either. I knew that this vague attitude was not good.

 

But... even now, I looked at the bracelet still on my left hand. At Kimishima's request, I left it on, and she wore a ring of the same design on her finger.

 

"Hmm..."

 

At that moment, Kimishima opened her eyes.

 

"…Where?"

"It's Dudur Valley's carriage yard. Are you okay?"

"Yes... I'm fine. Thank you."

 

Saying that, Kimishima sat up. I reached out and supported her as she got up.

 

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

 

As I replied, Kimishima gently touched her own lips.

 

"Sensei, did we... kiss?"

"Huh? Wha-? N-no, we didn't."

"...Hehehe. Too bad. I'm always okay, you know?"

“D-Don't say foolish things."

 

Kimishima laughed mischievously, and I blushed, stumbling over my words.

 

"Well, Nishina-kun and Miki-chan are peeking, right?"

 

Kimishima happily turned towards where the two were hiding. After a while, the two appeared with embarrassed expressions.

 

"Did you notice?"

"That's obvious."

"Well, it's just you two who have that kind of skill. How nice."

"Even so, we've been in a situation where we could die at any time. We don't want to do it even if we're asked."

"Well, that's true, but..."

 

Since we had been in Dudur Valley, we noticed something. Our scouting or presence-detection abilities, so to speak, had become unusually high for both me and Kimishima. According to Yazzak-san, being exposed to extreme situations for a long time, and probably during that time when ascending up the Ladder, we likely developed self-defensive presence-sensing skills.

Apparently, such things were quite common in this world.

Afterward, there might be a chance to take a bath, so we headed towards it. Since the city's functions hadn't fully returned, a joint bathhouse had been set up by the state army. It wasn't particularly clean in terms of facilities, but for Japanese people, being able to refresh themselves was a welcome thing. However, considering the closing time, it might be a bit tight. The four of us headed quickly to the bath.

 

"Ah, I already stopped the fire, but the water might still be warm, so it might be halfway."

"Sorry, even though you've closed it."

"What are you talking about? There's no one who would say no to a Celestial and a Tendai."

"I'm really sorry."

 

Even here, we were treated favorably due to our status. Feeling sorry, and with the monsters dismantled and our bodies dirty, and having sweated, we took advantage of the offer and bathed. As we were about to enter, the bathhouse attendant suddenly remembered something.

 

"Oh, no. There's a little kid here doing the cleaning. Let me tell him to leave for a moment."

"Eh? No, no, it's fine. Please don't mind it."

 

Apparently, a child from the neighborhood came here to earn some pocket money by cleaning the bath. It wasn't as spacious as a large bath, but it was okay to let him clean in a corner while we washed. Rather, it was his job, so it was fine.

 

In this world, too, men's and women's baths were properly separated, so I went with Nishina to the men's dressing room.

Clang.

 

When we entered the bath, a child who was inside hurriedly tried to leave. I desperately stopped him and told him not to mind. The child, while we washed ourselves thoroughly, continued to clean, trying not to bother us.

The hot water from the faucet had stopped, as he said. It couldn't be helped, so we received hot water from the bath and washed ourselves.

 

...But, I'd been feeling eyes on me since earlier. When I looked, it turned out that the child who was cleaning was the same one who was washing dishes the other day. I remembered that at that time, he muttered "Lord Celestial”. It seemed like he was looking at me with admiration.

 

"Um... I'm Shigeto. Nice to meet you."

"Yes."

"I'm Takato. Impressive, doing bathhouse cleaning."

"Yes... I'm working here... they let me."

"How old are you?"

"...12."

"If you say you're 12... Around elementary school or first-year middle school? Where are your parents?"

"They're not here... I don't have any."

"I-I see... um, why are you in this town?"

"Grandpa's house is here... I thought it would be nice to have my own house."

 

It seemed that his father died early, and he ended up coming to this village without knowing what to do. It was understandable for a boy around 12 to have such a longing for his own home, but it was something that I, as a working adult, could understand very well.

I still didn't quite understand the living standards and such in this world, but there were people who hunted monsters for a living. In such a situation, many children may become orphans early.

 

"Didn't you work in the kitchen? Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"But if I don't earn money..."

"Hmm? ...Well, that's true."

 

I was about to ask if there was something he wanted, but upon further thought, it wasn't at that level. Living alone in a city undergoing reconstruction without parents must be tough, just trying to earn enough for daily meals.

 

Come to think of it, sometimes I saw children wandering around the city... Was it because of my profession as a teacher that I was particularly concerned about such things?

 

Despite acting superior, Nishina, who was soaking in the bathtub next to me, was only in his first year of high school. He was around 15. Was it really okay for him to face the challenges of fighting every day? Such thoughts crossed my mind.

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