Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN)-Chapter 530

Interlude Around That Time, at Earth ③

Going back slightly in time. Bus guide-oneesan aka Amai Anju got attacked and her head went cray cray, but Aiko (clone) saved her. Then the next morning.

「Towa-chan, thank you so much for sheltering me.」

「Don’t mind it pyon. We’re comrades who both know the hidden side of the world. Don’t be a stranger pyon.」

Her place of refuge──the rabbit eared maid senpai aka Usami Towa who she had gotten on a really good term with since the assault incident at Christmas energetically fluttered her rabbit eared maid outfit while making her attached rabbit ears went *pyon* and puffing out her chest.

By the way, rabbit senpai had jumped into this industry relatively right away after she graduated from high school, so she was a tough veteran with ten years of rabbit eared maid history this year. The experienced old timer aura she gave off was real.

That way of living was like declaring “I am rabbit eared maid”, just like a certain main character who lived ephemerally and introduced himself as Gunda*. (TN: A trivia, ephemeral in Japan is “setsuna”)

She would never forget to add Pyon at the end of her sentence no matter what once she had worn the rabbit eared maid uniform. No matter what kind of time it was, no matter what kind of place she was at, she would boldly Pyon with her head held high.

According to the person herself, this was the Pyon of the soul. Pyon was undying as long as she was a rabbit eared maid.

Truly a pro among pros. A genuine pro rabbit eared maid. Rabbit eared maid was her lifework.

That was why she had also received informal offer to not only be the manager of a new café, but also as the supervising rabbit eared maid (area manager) of all the cafes at the area. Surely she would walk the path of Pyon for her whole life.

Getting back on topic.(Well it doesn’t really matter)

「Let’s move on, first is eating breakfast pyon. Here is our store’s prided Moe MoeUsapyon Omelet Rice pyon.」

「Waah, so cute! It’s shaped like rabbiit~」

「Need help pyon? If it’s now you can even take a photo with it for free──」

「Ah, that’s fine.」

「……That so pyon」

Even if the café hadn’t opened, even if they were at the nap room at the back of the store where their voices wouldn’t reach any customer, it didn’t matter.

She Twinkled while making horizontal peace sign, rabbit ears went Pyon! The twinkling smile was the default♪ The drink and breakfast on the tray she was holding with one hand weren’t even shaken!

There was no way she could just lend this place and go home by herself even though her friend has just gotten attacked! And so Usa-senpai stayed together with her. She was the perfect rabbit eared maid senpai even though she was with friend and it was still morning.

For some reason even the regular customers called Usa-senpai with the honorific “senpai”. That senpai arranged the omelet rices and ice café au lait for two on the table even while looking a bit dejected.

Bus guide-san said thanks. Then she said Itadakimasu! while putting her palms together and stuffed her mouth with the omelet rice. The dish was superb. Usa-senpai’s cooking skill was also first class.

However, when bus guide-san sipped the ice café au lait next……

「Tsu, ……so it’s still insufficient, pyon……」

「Ah, no, that’s not true you know? Yep, I can drink this alright.」

「Kuh, what right do I have to call myself a rabbit eared maid when I’m unable to draw out the word delicious from my friend’s mouth! But, however! Should I just stay quiet seeing my friend rushing straight into diabetes-……aa, no good pyon! Please don’t drink with that kind of sorrowful expression pyon! This is my sanctuary! Not even the slightest sadness is allowed pyon!」

She quietly held out the jar of sugar cubes. The expression of Usa-senpai looked like she had chewed a hundred bitter grapes from making the painful decision. Just add a little bit, just one or two sugar cubes at most──she strongly, strongly pleaded with her gaze but……

Amai-oneesan’s expression brightened radiantly. Like a little girl who received her birthday present. And then, she tilted the whole jar and *Splash-*.

「No, seriously. You’ll seriously get diabetes……」

For a moment, Usa-senpai’s base self came out. Perhaps it was just her imagination but the ice café au lait looked viscous like jelly. She was seriously worried for her friend’s body.

「I’m getting healthy checkup every year but, I never got it even once you know? Rather, my health even got praised as extraordinary.」

「Human body is a mystery pyon.」

The two were enjoying breakfast even while having such talk when……

「Good morning-!! I’m here!!」

It was a super annoy──energetic voice. The nap room’s door was slammed open along with it. Truly annoying.

The identity of the annoying person was the one who protected bus guide-san and evacuated her until here, daily adventuring type high school girl──nicknamed “kouhai-chan” alias Hino Rin.

She was in her school uniform but, perhaps because she was inside the café, she was equipping rabbit ears.

「I’ve told you how many times to knock──」

「I’m sorry-, Usa-senpai! I heard voices sounding like having some fun talk so my body just moved!!」

She didn’t sound apologetic at all. She was even shrewdly preparing café au lait for herself. Usa-senpai looked exasperated.

Then as soon as she sat beside her, her gaze busily looked at the omelet rice and her face with expectation.

She wondered why. Even though this girl was her rabbit eared maid kouhai, she was instead seeing the illusion of dog ears and dog tails energetically wagging.

It couldn’t be helped, so she said Say aa~ to this adorable kouhai who she really couldn’t come to hate at all. Kouhai-chan seemed to have been waiting for that and said Aa~ without any reservation.

She chewed *mokyumokyu* with full mouth while saying 「Nnnn~~ delish! As expected from Usa-senpai’s omelet rice!」 cheerily. Her feet were also kicking up and down under the table.

「Fufu, you two are so close~」

Bus guide-san too was smiling cheerfully from the warm sight.

「That’s because she’s my great rabbit eared maid senpai! As a rabbit eared maid, my respect for Usa-senpai is at max value!」

「In Rin’s case, I think she ought to be called a battle maid instead pyon.」

Usa-senpai wiped the ketchup stuck on the corner of Kouhai-chan’s mouth while looking at the thing she leaned against the table. It was a long object wrapped in a bag──the content must be a bamboo sword and a wooden sword.

She had never actually seen her fight with them but, she often practiced at the back alley during her part-time’s break time.

During those times, this terrifying kouhai would unleash consecutive thrusts with speed that Usa-senpai’s eyes couldn’t follow. For an instant, it would look like the wooden sword was split into three. It was a terrifying thrust even seen from the side.

That attack, it would definitely kill if it hit human body pyon? Or rather, please stop muttering forehead, throat, heart while training pyon……that’s too much killing intent pyon……she recalled how she instantly got a shiver through her spine.

And yet, 「Kuh, this half-baked three stages thrust……won’t reach-……when’ll I be able to use Kuz*ryuuzen……」 she would say that with a vexed look. Of course, she would do that with her rabbit ears and fluttery maid skirt swaying from the breeze.

Usa-senpai honestly thought it was terrifying. Just what is she planning to fight pyon……or rather, this kouhai, she’s definitely planning to do someone in pyon……she thought.

「I think she’s going to go off the rail and show up in the news one day pyon. My heart is already prepared to answer the reporter “I knew she would do this one day pyon. She was always a dangerous fellow pyon” when that time come pyon.」

「What do you mean by that, Usa-senpai. Ah, also one more bite!」

Here, say aa~ pyon. Aa~♪Delish!

「Rabbit eared maid onee-san is, doing aa~n♡ with a rabbit eared JK……」(TN: JK, Joushi Kousei, means high school girl)

「So precious……it’s simply precious. Nagumo, it feels like I now also understand what precious means……」

Suddenly, there were the voices of men who sounded like they had just gotten enlightened.

「Hih」

The bus guide-san raised her voice. Her gaze turned toward the nap room’s door. Or to be more accurate the door’s rim.

There were two extremely disgusting suspicious people there, peeking inside with their heads positioned like totem pole, and their expression looking to be in ecstasy.

They were Nakano Shinji and Saito Yoshiki.

「What are you two doing……」

「Ah, Aiko-san!」

Entering inside was Aiko in her suits. Of course, it was the clone. Bus guide-san’s expression instantly changed to relieve.

Seeing that, Aiko (clone) grinned. That smile was containing pressure toward Shinji and Yoshiki.

「……You two really aren’t doing anything right?」

「「That’s horrible. Even though we’re just standing guard with everything we got!」」

The two were so in harmony with each other that Kouhai-chan reflexively tsukkomi-ed, So close. Aiko-sensei’s smile deepened as though to say, That sounds even more suspicious instead…….

「Please be at ease pyon. I aksi stayed here last night just in case pyon. The two of them were obediently staying at the café pyon.」

Usa-senpai gave testimony of their innocence with a wry smile.

Actually, Shinji and Yoshiki also got called here as temporary guards. They spent the night yesterday inside the café.

They were bodyguards so it was only natural for them to stay nearby but……

However, there was a small problem with them. Yes, it was their ulterior motive.

It was creepy how furious they became once they learned that Hajime had exchanged phone number with bus guide-san but, right after they heard about the Christmas incident and the misunderstanding was solved, they looked at each other and grinned.

It would still be better if they were just putting up a front, but then they tried to investigate Amai-oneesan’s information, not just her contact number but even her private information, then inviting her to a date in a very roundabout way……

Then when they saw they had no hope with her, they blatantly pressed her to gather her fellow bus guides for a mixer, and finally they abandoned any hint of pride or respectability and begged her while doing dogeza.

And the clincher.

「It’s true that they obeyed the prohibition from entering the back room but……just when I wondered why they were being too quiet, they were actually sitting on their knees in front of the door and ears pressed close to hear the sounds we made even just for a bit……as expected that’s just gro──cough. You two are warned pyon.」

「Uwaa……」

「Stop that kouhai! A girl’s “uwaa” hit deeper for us than a direct insult-」

「We can’t help it! We have to stay under the same roof with ladies this pretty! Any man would naturally get high tensioned!」

A desperate defense. No wonder they were put in a different room even for breakfast.

Even so bus guide-san muttered 「I’m sorry you two have to go through that even though you’re protecting me……」 and attempted to take breakfast together with them, but of course Usa-senpai stopped her.

That was because she didn’t want her friend’s spirit eroded right from the morning. She was a working adult. Today too would be a day of labor for her. It would be wearing down her if she kept these two company since morning.

「Uu, I thought if we’re lucky we would at least be able to chat a bit by staying the night……and yet they went inside the nap room early……」

「Don’t cry Shinji. We are bodyguards. Guards staying awake the whole night is only expected……」

Do that if you already know, a co~old gaze that seemed to say that stabbed them from Kouhai-chan.

Also, Kouhai-chanhad gone home. Just in case she ought to stay together with the others here as a guard, or perhaps as a guarded person, but she was still living with her parents.

The daughter who should be going out to have fun with an older lady came back to take her wooden sword with an urgent look, then she stayed the night away without even giving any explanation or even calling home, and in the end, even though she should have morning training with kendo club the next day, she didn’t return home with her uniform still left behind.

Although they understood about their daughter’s constitution where trouble just loved her, as parents they were still worried. And so, Aiko requested some demons to patrol and be guard while urging Kouhai-chan to return home a bit.

「……You two, were unable to be satisfied by Towa’s service pyon?」

As expected from Usa-senpai. Apparently she was serving even people like these two properly. Anyone inside the store who didn’t have ill intention was her master. I’ll get them hooked till the bottom of their heart pyon! Such professional spirit could be seen from her!

That pro spirit and technique,

「「Tsuuu!!?」」

Easily pierced through these incorrigible duo.

A rabbit eared maid Onee-san were looking at them with teary eyes. Her hands were tightly clasped together in front of her mouth. Of course, she also didn’t forget to gaze at them from below.

Sly! As expected from the rabbit eared maid Onee-san! Truly sly!!

They got it. That this was just acting. Yeah, they totally got it!

But however! Was such little detail matter when in front of this “cuteness”? No, no they said!!

「N-no, we’re totally satisfied! The dinner and the breakfast were both the best!! Like the heart mark drawn with ketchup, it was perfect I should say!」

「The bunny pyon pose was also super duper cute! The photo we took together will be my family’s treasure for generations-」

Shinji and Yoshiki’s hearts seemed to have gone completely *Moe kyun*. They were getting completely tamed by Usa-senpai’s wiles. They had the expression of a dreamer. They looked completely disgusting. Kouhai-chan’s hand unconsciously reached toward her sword bag.

「Oh maan, maid café is really great……I think it’s the culmination of human civilization.」

「I saw the photos inside the store. The maids here are seriously high leveled……」

They got that much level of satisfaction just from Usa-senpai alone. What would happen in they came here while the store was open? The two shivered with blushing cheeks. Kouhai-chan and bus guide-san shivered from watching them. Got to drink some café au lait!

「Theeen, will you come again next time and not as bodyguard? Goshujin-sama?」

「「We’ll come back everyday!!」」

Two new dear customers(Goshujin-sama), get!! A bright smile that seemed to come from such voice of the heart formed on Usa-senpai’s face.

As expected from Usa-senpai! The next hall of fame(Legend) candidate of maid café business.

「Err~, should we start moving on soon?」

Aiko (clone) who had been watching them over smilingly opened her mouth when she saw the right timing.

She was in her so called “Awakened Ai-chan Mode” as usual. Her gesture of brushing her hair to behind her ear and her standing pose with her arms folded looked strangely captivating.

Kouhai-chan whispered 「As I thought, the usual Ai-chan-sensei might be better……」

She had picker her with care this morning just in case but, the way she dealt with her thankful parents, and also thesmart conversation they had inside the car……

To be honest, it felt uncomfortable for Kouhai-chan. Apparently Shinji and Yoshiki also felt the same. They corrected their sitting posture awkwardly to listen attentively to the talk.

Aiko squinted her eyes and said 「You two are such good boys♪」 affectionately seeing that, so it made them even more fidgety.

「About the attackers, there was a call from the demons chasing them. It seems they had left Japan in the first flight this morning.」

「Eh, even though it was just yesterday?」

Bus guide-san’s eyes widened in surprise.

They were looking for some kind of book. They looked convinced that bus guide-san didn’t have it but, she thought they would search around for it a bit more around.

They looked just that tenacious. And most of all, they also looked somewhat cornered.

「Yes. Apparently they boarded a flight to US. The demons also seem to board the same flight. They said that they will thoroughly investigate their organization and objective.」

「Is that so……」

Bus guide-san looked somewhat dissatisfied. It was due to her rule of thumb. Apparently the attackers withdrawing too easily just made her uneasy instead.

Awakened Ai-chan (clone) took Amai-san’s hand and kindly grasped it.

「From their conversation, we learned that they fear the returnees──which mean us. Apparently they’re sneaking their members into all kinds of organizations but……」

「Aa~, so a lot of their friends got awakened to volunteer mentality by Nagumo’s hand huh.」

「They spent a lot of effort and asset trying to investigate the returnees using other organizations as cover, but the whole lot of them just got sent off to do charity activities somewhere.」

Shinji and Yoshiki smiled wryly. Aiko nodded.

「It seems that they have also learned how Amai-san obtained connection with Nagumo family from the Christmas incident last year. They saw that the connection is still weak and decided to attack but……」

「It doesn’t change the fact that they had tried something with someone connected to Nagumo-senpai so they hurriedly escape to other country. Apparently they also had learned that senpai and others are currently absent.」

Kouhai-chan who had received explanation on her way here inside the car moved her cup to her lips and noticed that it was already empty. Her face turned sad.

Bus guide-san looked at her own café au lait and offered 「I only have a bit left but, take it if you want」. Because they were also still in the middle of conversation, Kouhai-chan put the cup into her mouth without any vigilance.

It only had a bit left. Which meant, she was drinking the part where the soaked sugar cubes that still hadn’t managed to melt completely was settling down at the bottom of the cup.

Kouhai-chan stiffened and let out a strange scream 「Nnaaah!?」. The violent sweetness almost dragged her consciousness to darkness but she desperately endured it.

「Putting it another way, it was something they wanted so much they attacked Anju-chan knowing the risk pyon? Does it look like they’ll come again pyon?」

Usa-senpai asked worriedly.

「No, it looks like they also have other plan at the work, so for the time being they’ll be focusing their effort there. They were talking in the direction of washing their hands of Amai-san.」

Bus guide-san patted her chest in relief. Usa-senpai too must be feeling nervous inside by the unusual event that suddenly visited. Tension noticeably left her shoulders.

「I believe the demons will find out about their objective, organization, and action in the future after two or three days of investigation but……it’s alright for you to consider the situation settled for the time being. Right now we’re still waiting for additional information. I’ll send this information to my main body too, so in case the worst happen we can expect help. It’ll be fine.」

That’s why, don’t worry, Aiko said with a smile while looking at bus guide-san. Of course, she did that while holding her hand reassuringly.

Bus guide-san unconsciously almost said 「Onee-chan……」. Her cheeks also reddened.

As expected, this awakened Ai-chan was dangerous in various senses. She would have to go to school too today but, surely vice principal would put her under his close observation.

And then, he would definitely show no mercy this time if there was an opening. Yes, he would carried out a forced transportation to the hospital so Aiko could see a doctor for the mind.

Putting aside the match of Vice Principal VS Aiko (clone) that would happen at school.

「Err, then will it be fine even if I go home?」

「Yes, it’s not a problem. Although, we can’t let our guard down just because of this, so just in case I’m thinking to ask some demons to guard you until we learn for sure that there’s really no more problem. Are you alright with that?」

「D-demons……is it……」

Bus guide-san looked like she didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t like she was doubting Aiko but, surely there weren’t many humans who could easily nod when being told that demons would be stationed near them. It was plain scary.

「Wait wait, Sensei. If it’s guards then you have us here. It doesn’t matter whether it’s at home or at work, we’ll stick around anywhere.」

「It’s going to be alright, Amai-san. We’ll always at your side from good morning until good evening!!」

「That’s why.」

Two boys full of ulterior motive always staying close by. It was plainly suffering. Because, they were already like this at the present.

Aiko implicitly said “I chose the wrong personnel” with a sweet smile of a lovely mature woman. Shinji and Yoshiki were dumbfounded seeing it.

「Y-you must be joking, Sensei. Are you going to take away this delicious situation of guarding a cute Onee-san from us!?」

「It’s because you mentioned “delicious” there.」

「Got it, we got it. We’ll toss away the hope of getting to enter an older Onee-san’s home if circumstances permit. We’ll be on standby outside, so you don’t have anything else to complain about right?」

「There are a lot of things to complain.」

Two males constantly monitoring a particular room from outside the apartment building. It was plainly a cause to call the police.

「Or rather, in the first place. I relied on both of you because it was an emergency situation but……even you two have works right? There’s no way I can tie up the two of you in this matters for days.」

In that respect, the demons were always free. Rather, there were a lot of demons waiting for work.

Aiko showed the two a gaze of gratitude and consideration for coming running here when she called.

「「……」」

However, Shinji and Yoshiki averted their eyes completely. Aiko-chan-sensei’s eyes cooled down drastically.

「Don’t tell me……you two didn’t get fired from your part-time work again, right?」

「W-we haven’t been fired. Yet.」

「But, it’s a coincident that lately we’ve been talking with each other, like the part-time right now just doesn’t suit us isn’t it~, or there should be a more fitting work that’s worth doing for us isn’t it~」

It’s more motivating to have job of guarding a cute Onee-sanain’t it? Then, ain’t it fine to take this chance to quit and prioritize the bodyguarding? They apparently had such calculation.

「That’s no good, you two! That’s irresponsible! Besides, if you two keep living aimlessly like this than your parents──」

「D-don’t say the same thing like Kaa-chan please! Sometimes even a sound argument is just violence you know-」

「Right now we’re just having a soul searching journey! We’re looking for the answer just what is a work that’s truly suitable for us! Watch after us supportively!」

Everyone in that place thought, These guys are hopeless. Something need to be done about this quickly……

And so, as an older Onee-san, as a full-fledged member of society, bus guide-san also smiled sweetly while telling them plain and clear.

「Nakano-kun, Saito-kun. I’m really thankful for the two of you taking your time to guard me. Work hard at your job!!」

「「It’s oveerrr!?」」

She was honestly grateful that the two of them came running here for her. It was exactly because she was grateful to the two of them that Shinji and Yoshiki also found it somewhat hard to keep doggedly insisting.

Our dream of a mixer with bus guide Onee-sans, goes up in smoke-. Shinji and Yoshiki became wrapped in the aura like a defeated army scattered to all directions. But the others ignored them for now.

「Err, then, just for a short while……can I ask the demons to guard me?」

「Of course.」

It was a bit, no, to be honest it was really scary. It was even more so because she was someone who knew really well the terror that was brought about by supernatural existence. However, there was no other option when she thought about the trouble that she might impose on the future of two youths and their coworkers in their part-time places.

Seeing through that feeling from bus guide-san’s expression, Kouhai-chan who had been guzzling down water nonstop since some time ago to wash down the sweetness inside her mouth finally took a breath and spoke up.

「It’ll be fine, Amai-san.」

「Rin-chan……could it be, Rin-chan too?」

「Yes, it looks like I’ll also have guards following me. It seems that they never show themselves usually, and it also seems they’ll also respect my privacy so……isn’t it fine to just think of them like a guardian spirit?」

「Y-you’re really tough Rin-chan……」

Kouhai-chan didn’t look particularly concerned. Bus guide-san looked half impressed and half creeped out. But, she got an understanding from Kouhai-chan’s next words.

「No no, I’m not tough or anything……they’re that Nagumo-senpai’s underlings you know? There’s no way they’ll do anything to us.」

「Aa~~, so it’s something like that……」

She had a point. That was the best guarantee of safety one could ask for. Also there would be no worry in that point too based on the personnel selection or rather demon selection. After all in the first place the demons that Aiko (clone) relied on had gone through a selection and judged by Hajime that there was definitely no problem with them.

It should be insanity to have supernatural being at your side 24/7 but, the feeling of dread was lessening thanks to Kouhai-chan’s nonchalant attitude and also her trust toward Aiko and others.

To show that, bus guide-san let out a sigh Fuu~h from her lips to let go of her tension.

「……What is it, Nakano-senpai, Saito-senpai. Grinning like that……is there something you want to say to me?」

Suddenly there was a terribly displeased voice. Kouhai-chan was glaring at her two senpais. Both Shinji and Yoshiki were certainly grinning. No, it was just the two of them. Usa-senpai too. Even Aiko was smiling for some reason.

「Not reallyyy?」

「We aren’t thinking of anything like, she trust Nagumo from the bottom of her heart despite everything she said about him huuh~, not at all you knoow?」

「Tsu, haa? Haah? I don’t know what you’re talking about!」

「It’s fine even if you become slightly more honest Rin pyon.」

「I’m honest though!? I only said that I honestly believed in Nagumo-senpai’s diabolic personality and tyrannical leadership! Even demons wouldn’t go against that! If they do that they absolutely will be subjected to something so terrifying death will be better!」

Yep yep, you’re right. The three said with lukewarm eyes.

Usually Hajime getting idolized by a female kouhai would simply be a target of jealousy for them but, after watching her involvement with Hajime ever since they were still in school, Kouhai-chan was placed in a different grouping even for Shinji and Yoshiki.

……Well, it would be a lie if these two who were like the embodiment of jealousy said that they really wasn’t jealous at all. Only right now their desire to tease won over!

「Please stop giving me that kind of warm gaze! That’s the height of unjust accusation!! Here-, look at these goosebumps! After all that person is my fated enemy to the end!」

Kouhai-chan wished to deny her senpais’ misunderstanding no matter what but, their gazes became even more lukewarm the more she denied it.

And so, it couldn’t be helped.

「……If words aren’t enough to convince you, my only choice is to unleash the “True – Three Stage Thrust”……it’s the fault of you senpais for making me do this.」

Apparently the practice that Usa-senpai had sometimes watched had already arrived at the completion for the time being before she knew it. To a degree that it even had the word “True” attached for some reason when the technique was combined with the ability of the artifact black wooden sword.

Kouhai-chan took out the black wooden sword with veins pulsing angrily on her forehead. She muttered 「Awaken, Tou*ako」 and at the same time the black wooden sword emitted crimson radiance! (TN: Touyako = Lake Touya)

WAAAH, the senpais screamed and ran. And then,

「Wawawa-, Rin-chan calm down! That technique can easily kill human you know!?」

「It’s fine. You senpais won’t listen at all unless I go this far after allll」

「Wait pyon-!! I’m just an ordinary civilian pyon!?」

Bus guide-san knew how powerful Kouhai-chan’s combat technique was, so she reflexively put her in full nelson from behind to stop her. Usa-senpai leaped behind Shinji and Yoshiki with a terrifically sharp step to use them as shield.

Meanwhile,

「Fufu, everyone is so energetic right from the morning~. I’ll tell the main body that everyone is having fun over here. Aa, but everyone! You will be later going to school or work if you don’t start preparing already! Keep the games at moderation!」

The main body would be running around in panic like a small animal if she was in this situation, but the awakened Ai-chan was calm as expected.

After that, the battle of two senpais VS Kouhai-chan got too heated up and spilled out to outside the store. As expected they got recorded by passerby……

A high school girl wearing rabbit ears drove away two trespassers using a wooden sword. It was a courageous action in order to save the rabbit eared maid who was her senpai at work! The topic went viral in internet, and on top of that it also became news.

As a café that became hot topic, the number of customers temporarily exploded. But it was a digress.

Of course, police was gathering leads to find the two trespassers.

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Like that, around three days passed. At night.

「Really, where did that person go……」

Bus guide-san had finished work and muttered while trudgingly walking home through a residential area with many street lamps shining bright.

These three days were completely peaceful. She didn’t get attacked nor there was any sign pointing to that. But, it also wasn’t the case that nothing had happened at all.

「To be absent from work for three days even though I want to discuss about this attack……」

There was a coworker who hadn’t showed themselves ever since the day of the attack. Yes, it was that bus driver who wore hat too deep that it covered his eyes.

That driver was bad in social interaction, surly, and there was nobody even in the workplace who knew him well. He had the aura like a really old veteran in the workplace but, in the first place he had only joined the current workplace around two years ago.

That person had a hidden side just like bus guide-san, which was something she learned during Christmas. When she was asked to transport a suspicious book.

「From what I heard, he’s apparently absent because of family matter but……he’s definitely connected with the attack this time. What’s more, it might be a hostile connection with the attackers. That person felt like an explorer after all.」

If it was him, then perhaps he knew the identity of the attackers and the book they sought, and also could predict how things would develop from here? She had such thought, but it was completely contrary to her expectations.

Until now she believed that the greatest and strongest key to her survival was “see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil”, so she only received the minimum explanation of the situation even during Christmas. Rather, she even refused to hear any more information than that.

Explorers who defended against the wicked scheme of worshippers……no matter how many lives she had it wouldn’t be enough if she got dragged into their strife.

Naturally she also didn’t even want to know about the driver’s background. Rather, she even wanted to lament why “someone related to that side” was in the same workplace with her.

She chose to maintain her current situation because she got acquainted with Nagumo family and made some reliable friends, but without that she would surely switch job to a faraway place.

「If I knew this would happen, I would ask him about his background and many other things……at the very least, if I knew how to contact the hidden side or something……」

Her new friends who did everything in their capacity to protect her, the boys whose strength could definitely be trusted even though their gazes toward her were a bit obscene, and then Aiko who was a member of Nagumo family.

As expected it would go against her moral code if she completely left everything to them even though it was her who dragged them into this matter, so she thought to gather information. But despite finally mustering her courage, she already ran into a wall early on.

「……Umm, demon-san? You’re there, right? Thank you very much for guarding me again today.」

She couldn’t see its appearance. There was also no sign of it. But, even now the supernatural existence should be nearby guarding her. She hesitantly said her thanks to it. It was something she had been doing everyday for these three days.

Each time, unnatural shadow would pass over mirror or water, or perhaps the wall or ground. There also would be a faint repulsive voice that sounded like it echoed from the bottom of hell answering her, which showed that it wasn’t lacking in manner. Just in case, she also said good morning until good evening to it. Greeting was important after all.

But, today was a bit different than usual.

「……Eh? Demon-san? Hello?」

There was no reply. There still was no contact from the demons going until USA in pursuit of the attackers, so the protection mission here should still be in effect. At the very least, bus guide-san hadn’t received any call about it.

「Umm……?」

D-don’t tell me I did something that anger them? Uneasiness and nervousness welled up that bus guide-san spontaneously stopped walking.

In the end……there was a reply. But, it was in a different way than usual.

Something detached from the shadow of bus guide-san that was stretched long from the street lamp’s illumination and rose up slowly.

Bus guide-san almost screamed reflexively, but she saw the thing that had the shape really similar with a demonic gargoyle was putting its finger over its lips, so she swallowed her scream.

「Are you demon-san who’s protecting me?」

The demon nodded shortly and bus guide-san patted her chest in relief.

But, even that relief only lasted a moment.

「Eh? There is nobody around?」

She noticed the abnormality. When she realized there wasn’t anybody else on the street other than her. The demon was being excessively on guard against the surrounding while pointing at itself.

「Demon-san used your mysterious power to clear away the people?」

It nodded back again. Naturally, the question why it did that formed in her mind. But, there wasn’t any time for her to ask that.

Because a man in black clothes turned around the corner without even showing any sign of noticing the domain that should be cleared from any people from entering.

「Tsu, you’re!」

He looked familiar to her. He was on of the people attacking her three days ago. If she remembered right, he should be the man who got hit by Kouhai-chan with game technique called “Giant Hunt*ng” or something and convulsed on the ground like crazy after that.

「Even though there hasn’t been any call or anything……how’re you here-」

The bodyguard demon moved before the man could answer anything. It closed the distance like a gale and swung its arm to smash the man to the ground.

A human opponent wouldn’t be able to even react and end up kissing the ground. And then there was no way he would be able to escape from the demon’s physical strength once he was captured.

But, however, that was in the case if the opponent was a human.

──Tsuuu!!?

She could feel the astonishment and worry from the demon. It was only natural. After all, the attacker’s appearance distorted together with his clothes, then the distortion immediately spread like tsunami and completely enveloped the demon.

「A, ah, aah」

The demon struggled desperately. But, it couldn’t escape from there.

Yes, it couldn’t escape from that repulsive existence that overcame even demon.

「Why-, whyyy-」

The man’s form was just a camouflage.

Perhaps describing it as a slime with iridescent color would be the closest. The body surface bubbled and burbled as it bloated up like tumor. Organs that looked like mouths of human and various animals could also be seen here and there.

The demon seemed to use some kind of power. The being’s form that whittled down on human sanity was blasted away powerfully, like it was hollowed out whole. However, the being wasn’t completely removed.

There, another blow came. The surrounding manholes clattered and from there iridescent colored liquid burst out like fountains.

That was the limit. To the demon’s resistance. And also to bus guide-san’s mind.

「NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!?」

She dashed to the opposite direction. There was no hesitation in it. She abandoned the demon. Because she knew.

Just how powerless human was in front of them. Just how would it end for her if she hesitated even for a moment.

That was why, she ran. She simply, simply ran away!!

Bus guide-san took out a pack of café au lait from her pocket.

Sugar content, give me strength just like usual!!She yelled while crying.

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「I ran away like that, but, it was different from usual……it’ll catch me for sure……for some reason I could feel that kind of will from it……it chased me no matter how far I ran……and then, I didn’t even have any free time to use my smartphone, and I also ran out of café au lait, just when I thought it was over for me the keyholder I was given……」

The place changed, to the rest spot of the hot spring area of luxury cruise Avenst that was moored on the sky dragon world.

Bus guide-san screamed like mad the moment she woke up like she had seen a nightmare, but café au lait filled with sugar cubes was handed to her and she drank it while explaining.

While also half-crying and shining faintly. Because she would immediately be driven into insanity again if she didn’t have “Soul Repose” casted on her periodically. Though it looked like she had calmed down considerably while talking.

「Aiko」

Confirming the safety of people involved and increase of security had been done the moment bus guide-san rushed in but, Hajime checked once more to make sure.

Aiko whose gaze was slightly wandering through empty air reported the information she obtained from her clone.

「Nothing really happened with my clone. And it looks like there’s nothing particularly strange happening to Hino-san and others.」

「I see.」

They could be at ease for the time being. Yue and Yuuka and others also patted their chests in relief.

Although, the situation was as it was. The opponent defeated a demon, and they also couldn’t contact the demons who followed the attackers to USA.

They couldn’t view the situation optimistically by all means.

「For now, let’s investigate the enemy’s true identity and arrange bodyguards other than demons too. Perhaps it’s a monster with attribute that’s strong against demon after all.」

Bus guide-san had been allowed to talk at her own pace due to her horribly unstable mental state but, they should ask her about the situation in detail including the monster’s true identity soon.

With that thought Hajime met bus guide-san’s eyes once more, but it was exactly at that moment.

Hajime’s smartphone rang. When he looked at the screen, the caller’s name there was──

「From Endou?」

Hajime and co reflexively looked at each other.

The timing was suspect. He picked the call with speaker mode turned on even while feeling a bad premonition.

『Nagumo? It’s me, me! You know it’s me』

「Normally I’ll make a joke that I’m not interested with scam but, right now isn’t the time for that. Tell me your business right away.」

『O-ou? No, you know, right now, I’m at US for my work with the respond department, but here, I met with a slightly strange kid, no, strange living thing? Anyway it’s something like that.』

Hajime and co looked at each other again. Ryuutarou and others muttered 「Oi oi, there’s no way isn’t it?」 with twitching faces.

『And then you know, that kid is looking for something, a book? And somehow or something someone among us has it……anyway, I’m calling you to check whether you have any idea about some strange book or something──』

Shia and Kaori already pressed their hands on their faces. Yuuka and others were holding their heads in their hands.

Abyss lord, aa, abyss lord. Just why, why was he always timely like this. No, not yet. This still didn’t mean that he was related for sure with the incident this time……

「Myuu? What’s wrong?」

「Fue? Ah, hm~m……say, mama, this is just a guess but……」

For some reason Myuu and Remia were whispering with each other but, their voices got drowned by a voice with highly excited tension. Through the speaker.

『Ah, wait, Rana!?』

『Boss! Please listen! It finally appeared!』

「Too loud……why are you that excited huh?」

Rana who apparently accompanied Kousuke with the mission yelled. She yelled the proof that the situation they were facing was completely related with the situation over here.

『The seventh wife candidate iii~~~ss, a slime type monster girl if you can believe it!! She’s sopping slimy with iridescent color when she showed her true nature, so she’s a bit nauseating to look at but I think she’s an outstanding material!! And most of all, she got attached to Kou-kun in one shot!!』

「Take her back to where you found her right away!」

Bus guide-san screamed and toppled over the moment she heard the words sopping slimy with iridescent color. Aiko and Kaori and others hurriedly nursed her.

「……Hajime, how about telling them to secure her for now?」

「Umu. It looks like we wouldst be able to obtain information about the enemy.」

Yue and Tio suggested with wry smiles. Hajime made an obviously reluctant expression.

Although, they said exactly the right thing. And so, he obediently nodded,

「Endou, I’m going there right now. Don’t let your iridescent colored new girlfriend get away.」

『Eh? Right now!? No wait she isn’t a girlfriend though!?』

Hajime ignored Kousuke’s tsukkomi and activated the compass.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

※Material introduction

– The peak of civilization that mankind created

From Nagisa Kaworu of [Neon Genesis Evangelion]

– I’m rabbit eared maid-

From Setsuna F Seiei of [Mobile Suit Gundam OO].

– Kuzuryuuzen

A technigue of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu from [Rurouni Kenshin].

– True Three Stage Thrust

The technique that Okita Souji of Shinsengumi specialized on. What Kouhai-chan could do is just quick continuous thrusts in the end, but when she activated the black wooden sword, the thrusts became almost simultaneous thanks to the body strengthening from the artifact. That’s the “True”. Also, it’s possible to perform pseudo Kuzuryuuzen when the artifact’s magical function is used but Kouhai-chan won’t use it. Because she can’t stomach feeling like she can use it only because it’s allowed by Nagumo-senpai. She’s in the middle of training in order to be able to use it by her own strength. Just where’s she heading to……

– Giant Hunting

From combat technique of [Elden Ring].

– Iridescent colored slime

It’s modeled from a life form that appeared in Cthulhu Mythology work. It cries「Tekelili!」.

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