After finally getting rid of the pleading Kaido, I managed to finish my paperwork just in time for my last job of the day: picking up Amelia from the hospital.
She wasn’t staying in a regular ward. Given that Amelia’s spirit had gone berserk due to the Demon Lord’s soul, it was impossible to admit her to a normal hospital. The heavily armored guards at the entrance were a clear indication of how important this facility was.
This restricted area, requiring special permission to enter, seemed like a place for secret research. Essentially, it was a facility where high-ranking individuals could be admitted discreetly. The amenities were state-of-the-art, making it, in a way, a special ward by modern Japanese hospital standards.
To even visit, let alone meet her, required paperwork and a permit from the supervisor. And I was about to enter such a place. Naturally, there were no ordinary visitors. I was the only one.
It was also the perfect time for dinner. Doctors and nurses were few and far between in the quiet corridors. I walked slowly down the silent hallway, then, with practiced ease, knocked on the door.
“Hey, you delinquent girl. You haven’t been practicing your dance, have you?”
“Ah.”
“You have, haven’t you, you brat.”
Entering the room of a patient who was probably too healthy to stay still, I opened the door based on her presence, revealing a spacious private room that could accommodate some light exercise. Of course, exercising in a hospital room wasn’t allowed. Amelia, doing a one-handed handstand with her legs spread, sheepishly sat on the bed, as if nothing had happened.
“Too late.”
“I’m sorry.”
I admonished her for her pointless actions, and Amelia promptly apologized. Her behavior was so far removed from that of a typical patient that I couldn’t help but sigh. For Amelia, who had undergone repeated, thorough examinations to ensure there were no physical or mental abnormalities, this hospital stay must have been excruciatingly boring. As a result, I’d witnessed her practicing dances in her room several times over the past few days. Hence the nickname “delinquent girl.”
I wanted to tell her to behave like a proper patient. While I understood her boredom, it was hard not to give her a disappointed look every time I visited during my breaks from paperwork. A bag containing her clothes was on the bed, indicating she was ready for me to pick her up.
“Haa, as someone your mother asked me to look after, I’d prefer if you behaved yourself.”
“Ugh, Jiro-san, bringing up Mommy is cheating!”
“Then either try to be more patient so she doesn’t have to, or don’t get caught.”
“You’re not telling me not to do it, are you, Jiro-san?”
“I’ve done similar things myself. I’m not going to be that strict.”
Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, Amelia’s behavior was something I might have done in the same situation. That’s precisely why I couldn’t completely deny it. With such thoughts in mind, I entered the room, picked up her bag, and prompted her to go. Amelia, who walked beside me, was wearing comfortable casual clothes that her mother had likely prepared: jeans, sneakers, and a slightly thick white hoodie. It was a casual, easy-to-move-in American-style outfit that suited Amelia.
Due to my considerable height, Amelia had to look up at me more than a head’s height as we chatted on the way.
“But Jiro-san, you didn’t have to visit me every day, did you? You must have been busy.”
“I was busy, but it wasn’t impossible. If I could do it, I felt it was better for my own mood to do so.”
“Is that because Mommy asked you to?”
“That’s one reason, but not the only one.”
“Mmmph, I wish you’d said you wanted to see me instead.”
“Say that when you’re a little older. Then I’ll choose my words carefully.”
Amelia’s visit wasn’t a job assigned by the supervisor. It all started when Amelia’s mother, Mie, asked me. Before Amelia was abducted to another world, she was a normal high school girl, aside from a slightly peculiar social life. She lived happily with her mother, who was a single parent, and enjoyed dancing as a hobby.
Then, during a school trip, there was a mass disappearance incident. Amelia was caught up in a kidnapping event that crossed the barrier into another world through a Hero summoning. Naturally, her single mother was understandably panicked when her only daughter suddenly vanished. However, she quickly calmed down and acted rationally – perhaps because she believed in Amelia, or perhaps because she would have been heartbroken if she didn’t pray for her safe return. To maintain a stable foundation for Amelia’s return, she worked diligently and used her free time and personal funds to create flyers and distribute them at the train station, seeking information beyond what the police could provide.
Her efforts paid off, and information reached me. From then on, as I witnessed firsthand, Amelia and the other students returned safely, without any casualties, after a series of troubles. The incident was briefly featured in the news and became a trending topic on social media as a “miraculous return.” It would have been a relief just to have them back safely. However, Amelia alone returned carrying a hidden danger: the Demon Lord’s soul. As far as the Demon Lord’s Army was concerned, Amelia had become an irreplaceable being, alongside the other Hero candidates.
This was why Amelia was able to join the company as an exception, in a workplace where she wouldn’t even be eligible for a part-time job without parental consent. She did this without informing her mother. It wasn’t coercion or a request from the company. The company tried to explain everything and seek her cooperation, but Amelia herself refused, worried about causing her mother more concern. As her child, I understood her concern, but it wasn’t wise considering the risks.
Normally, this would not be permitted. However, Amelia was allowed under an exceptional clause. Unfortunately, this exception became a problem. A Hero from the Demon Lord’s Army, who shouldn’t have appeared, emerged, and the light of his Holy Sword caused the Demon Lord’s soul within Amelia to go berserk. This resulted in her second disappearance. Not only once, but twice, she had suddenly vanished from her mother’s presence. This time, she couldn’t keep it a secret.
For the sake of the organization, the company handled the police response, and the incident was considered resolved. However, for Mie, the mother involved, things couldn’t simply be left at that. While hiding the truth or using magical means was possible, it wasn’t done. With the president’s consent, I rescued Amelia. Once she was cleared by the initial medical examination, I, along with the supervisor, arranged an appointment with Mie to explain everything and invited her to our company.
At the time, Mie wept with joy at Amelia’s safe return and, upon hearing the explanation, strongly opposed her contact with the company. This was a natural reaction for a parent. No parent should knowingly put their child in danger. Mie reacted like a sensible, ordinary person from a world I nostalgicly remembered as peaceful.
Although I hadn’t told Amelia, the company had prepared compensation and considered her resignation as a possibility. The Demon Lord’s soul was no longer inside Amelia. While she had acquired the unique ability of “Sage’s Knowledge,” it wasn’t significant enough to warrant such an exception. Therefore, her future progress was to be left to the will of her guardian and herself.
From my perspective, after building a relationship and deepening our bonds, facing a separation felt sad. However, respecting her wishes was paramount. After the explanation, I observed the situation. The result was…
“Mmph, adults are selfish. They make their own decisions when I’m not around.”
“Don’t say that. Mie’s reaction was that of a normal adult.”
“I know. I know, but does that mean my opinion can be ignored?”
“Well, she eventually agreed. So, let’s consider it settled. Although it was on the condition that she would get a job at our company.”
“Ugh, working while being watched by Mommy is complicated.”
It escalated into a rather dramatic mother-daughter argument, though not a full-blown shouting match. Mie insisted on her daughter being kept away from danger, while Amelia argued that she didn’t want to leave this place, despite the risks. From the perspective of Japanese society, Mie’s opinion was sensible and in line with both her role as a working adult and a mother. The common sense choice was to move away from danger and change environments.
Amelia, on the other hand, wanted to keep the connections she had made, starting with me and Suella, and including Kaido, Kitamiya, Minami, and Katsu, her party members. She feared that if she quit this company, her opportunities to see them would be limited to private settings, which would be difficult to arrange. She recognized the risks, but she valued what she had gained within them and considered it worth the risk. While I was happy to hear her words, as someone who had built a good relationship with her, it was a complex situation to witness her arguing with her own mother.
I understood and could agree with both Mie’s and Amelia’s arguments. They both had merits and demerits, making it hard to pick a side. However…
“If you hadn’t agreed, you wouldn’t have been able to stay at this company. So, bear with it. Besides, you’re the one who brought it up. You need to take responsibility. That’s what it means to enter society.”
“Yes!”
“Keep your ‘yes’ short; it makes a better impression.”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
In that situation, the conversation went in circles. Perhaps due to inherited traits, they both held firm to their unyielding points, colliding without changing their opinions. In the end, it escalated into a clash between Mie, who refused to sign the consent form, and Amelia, who threatened to run away from home. Both were emotional, and calm discussion was impossible. At that moment…
“If you’re so worried, Mommy, why don’t you work at this company too! Then you can work with me and won’t have to worry!”
For some reason, Amelia blurted out this sudden remark without any preamble. From an emotional Amelia’s perspective, her mother was worried because she didn’t know what her daughter was doing, and something terrible might happen, which is why she wanted her to quit. This seemed to be the logic she developed. Therefore, she reasoned that if her mother could monitor her, she would understand what she was doing.
This was an impossible request for any ordinary company. I naturally assumed Mie would dismiss it as impossible. However…
“…”
Mie began to ponder Amelia’s words.
“Fortunately, Mie had prior experience in clerical work. Her strength in paperwork convinced the supervisor.”
Mie’s Magic Aptitude was measured when she joined the company. The result was that she could break through the company’s barrier under certain conditions, but she couldn’t function as a Tester. I looked at the supervisor, wondering if they could hire such a person, but he replied, “She can’t be a Tester, but she can work in another department.”
Instead of a “No,” the answer was a surprising “Yes.” This company itself was still relatively new. The supervisor was quite receptive to the idea of acquiring someone with experience in handling administrative tasks for the Japanese side of the company. That statement calmed the mother-daughter argument and led to a discussion where they sought a compromise.
The result of that discussion was Mie’s career change. She wasn’t assigned as a Tester, but to administrative work. She would be assigned to the Personnel Department’s Tester Division, under the supervisor’s jurisdiction, as Suella’s subordinate. However, due to handover procedures, she would start next year. She would receive a higher salary and accommodation. The only downside was that her commute would be slightly longer, but Amelia stated it wouldn’t be a problem. What would be more complicated for Amelia was working alongside her mother.
Amelia seemed to wear a complicated expression, perhaps recalling the conversation. I smiled wryly and led her out of the familiar office and to my room.
“Here, come in.”
I opened the front door and gestured for Amelia to enter.
“Yeah!”
I had already informed her that we would be having a welcome-back party for Amelia. She took off her shoes and stepped inside.
“Okay, Tadashi, you’re next to us.”
“That’s right. I’ll be on the left, and Shiik on the right.”
“Then, I’ll take the spot in the middle of Tadashi.”
“Denied!”
“No, seriously, can’t the three of you get along a little better? Come on, it’s a party.”
“Loli-con Senpai, stop slacking off and help us, gozaru.”
“Loli-con, bring the dishes over here.”
“Ugh, the women are being tough on me today.”
I could see the party preparations, and I knew what everyone was doing. Perhaps I had arrived a little too early; the preparations weren’t complete, but they’d likely be finished shortly. In that space, Kaido, accompanied by the girls, was being glared at by Minami and Kitamiya.
“Katsu, I’ll handle the frying then.”
“In that case, I’ll take the salad.”
In the kitchen, Himik and Katsu were cooking.
“Suella, don’t overdo it.”
“It’s alright, Memoria. A little exercise is good for the body.”
Suella and Memoria were setting the table. And then…
“Amī.”
“Mommy!”
Mie, likely having been cooking, greeted us in her apron. Amelia ran towards her mother. Seeing the two of them laughing intimately, I felt a sense of satisfaction. Despite the past complications and lingering issues, I was content with the outcome that had been brought forth. As I watched the scene unfold…
“S-Senpai! Help me!”
I heard Kaido’s cry as the girls pulled him along.
“Get back to work. I’m tired. Himik, is there anything I can snack on? I’m a little hungry.”
I brushed it off, heading towards the kitchen, drawn by the enticing aromas. Suella noticed me and approached, so we headed to the kitchen together. Memoria, who was serving dishes, waved, so I waved back and popped a piece of fried chicken, offered by Himik’s chopsticks, into my mouth.
“This is delicious.”
I savored the taste just a few minutes before the party officially began. Moments later, with everyone present and accounted for, and even a few additions, joyful shouts erupted.
“Cheers!”
The sound of glasses clinking echoed with their pronouncements.
Today’s Word:
Even if it’s not the best, an acceptable conclusion is enough to make one smile.
This concludes the current arc. The next arc will begin shortly, so please look forward to it. If you enjoyed this story, please leave reviews, ratings, bookmarks, and other feedback.
*The first volume of this novel has been decided for publication by Hayakawa Bunko JA, released on October 18, 2018. An e-book version was also released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume will be released on December 19. The published novels include revisions and additions to the content originally posted on “Shosetsuka ni Naro,” along with previously unpublished inter-chapters. Please check out the new releases!
Furthermore, a comic adaptation has also been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
