Becoming an adult.
This can be interpreted in both good and bad ways depending on the person.
If we take good examples, it means becoming aware of one’s sense of responsibility and living independently.
So, what would be considered becoming an adult in a bad sense?
As far as I can think of, it’s things like indulging in alcohol or gambling, becoming dependent on things that are only allowed as an adult, leading to statements like “I don’t want to become an adult like that.”
Now, why am I thinking about this?
“Oh, Egawa-kun, you’re getting promoted soon.”
“Yeah! The higher-ups recognized my achievements. I’m so happy!”
The conversation is all about work, work, work. When I was a student, we talked about delicious food, who was cool, who was cute, what about that idol, did you hear their new song? etc. It was all private matters.
Wouldn’t you say that changes in conversation like this also make you realize you’ve become an adult?
But everyone has become an adult.
Talking more about work than private life… it feels so empty.
Unfortunately, I can’t talk about my work.
Well, not that I *can’t*.
“By the way, Tanaka-kun, what kind of work are you doing now?”
“Ah, construction? Yeah, that.”
Most of my business content is confidential, so I can’t exactly say I’m working on improving dungeons. I have to be vague. Construction industry, yes, that’s not wrong. Since what I build is a dungeon, there’s more destruction through combat than building, but what I’m doing is like finding flaws in buildings. It falls under the construction industry, not the security industry, or so I should think.
“Wow! Are you building buildings?”
As the drinks flowed, the atmosphere began to lighten up. Hanabishi-san was to my right, and Egawa to my left. The conversation naturally turned to work, and when Hanabishi-san asked what I was doing now and I replied with my profession, she exclaimed with a smile.
“Which company? Maybe we have connections.”
Perhaps it’s an easy topic to get into, Egawa also joins the conversation, but personally, I’d prefer not to. If the conversation goes any deeper, I might slip up eventually.
“Ah, no, it’s not building and that kind of site, but more like design? If I had to say, I’m in a department that focuses on structural flaws and improving the safety of buildings.”
It’s not wrong. Although there are more cases of destruction than construction, by pointing out weak points in defense within the dungeon, I make it harder to attack structurally and improve the safety of the defense side.
“Have you heard of [MAO Corporation]? That’s where I work.”
And our company, which outwardly operates as a trading company. I don’t know if they know that, but it’s okay to mention it. By hinting that there’s a construction department within that division, I can cover it up.
“Ah! That company! There’s a rumor that despite being a new entrant, they have carved out their own market and are making profits.”
Egawa, who knows of it but has no connection to us, speaks excitedly, and I give a bitter smile. Ah, indeed, we have our own unique market. In another world, though. It’s because we have a resource base that doesn’t adhere to common sense that the rumors aren’t wrong. According to inside rumors, they’re apparently in talks with the Japanese government to build an oil base on the Pacific Ocean and export oil, which the Demon Lord’s Army doesn’t use. Having money is better than not, I suppose. I can’t help but sigh inwardly, wondering how much profit they intend to rake in, but I show no outward expression and casually say that’s what the rumors are saying. Instead of getting excited like Egawa, they seem to be riding along with the good news he’s heard.
“I’ve heard of that company from customers too. They say they scout talent from various countries.”
“Hanabishi-san, you work at a hair salon, right?”
“Yes, so I happen to hear all sorts of things.”
And for me, this is a good opportunity to hear how my current company is perceived by the public. Hanabishi-san agrees with Egawa and says she’s heard of it too.
“But I heard they use strange flyers too, is that true?”
“Gulp!?”
So, just as I was about to casually ask and drink, the topic of that flyer came up, and I ended up choking. Although it’s not in use now, the painful memory of our past recruitment efforts pierces my heart.
“Um, is that about our company’s magic-related stuff? It’s a special kind, where the written words can’t be seen unless you follow certain procedures.”
Yes, I am… lying. It’s the kind that can’t be seen unless you have a certain level of magical aptitude. No matter how much you try, if you don’t have the aptitude, it’s just paper.
“Wow! That sounds interesting! Can I buy it?”
Hanabishi-san innocently finds it interesting, but unfortunately, I cannot fulfill her wish.
“We did a monitor test and found it didn’t have much use. Unfortunately, it’s not for sale.”
“What a shame, it sounded interesting.”
I’ve distributed quite a few, but without the aptitude, it’s just blank paper. I drink my sake, thinking that it probably won’t be noticed.
“Ah, I don’t have any money, so I can’t buy the new bag. I really like it~”
“Megumi, you always waste money, that’s why it happens. You should save more.”
“It’s because my salary is too low! If you gave me a little more, I could have bought the bag and saved more!”
And sometimes, the power of alcohol brings up topics unrelated to the flow of the conversation. One of my classmates, sitting across from me, suddenly complains like she’s venting, saying she can’t buy what she wants. Thinking they’re good friends, I, who originally didn’t have much desire for material things, am free from such worries. Even with games, I don’t buy the trendy ones right away, but wait until they become old and cheap. Even when I started drinking, it was mostly cheap sake. The only thing I spent money on was Kendo equipment. Lately, with my finances improving, I buy things immediately if I think they’re necessary for work, and I also buy things as gifts for Suella and the others. However, I rarely buy things for myself. There was also the sad reality of having no time to use them due to working long hours.
“That’s an excuse?”
“I know that!! Rather, it’s because you make more than me, Wengmei, that you can talk about saving money!!”
“I don’t think that’s related.”
Still, I don’t think I was this extravagant before.
“Ugh, speaking of which, how much does everyone earn?”
While Egawa and Hanabishi-san and I are watching this, they turn their attention to us, perhaps realizing they can’t win with words.
“I make about eight million, I guess?”
“That much!? Hey, Saho!?”
“I don’t earn that much? Less than half.”
“That’s still plenty!”
And perhaps because he’s the most confident in this group, Egawa answers first. Hanabishi-san fumbles a bit, perhaps hesitant to say it clearly, but what should I do? It would be bad for the atmosphere if Egawa and Hanabishi-san answer and I don’t.
“So, Tanaka-kun?”
“Do I have to answer?”
“It’s not that you *have* to, but we’re curious!!”
It’s probably due to the alcohol, but I honestly don’t want to answer. Isn’t this kind of talk against etiquette? But then I recall that at a demon’s banquet, there was no etiquette, so perhaps my common sense is a bit skewed. I guess I was probably drunk. If so, I need to think about how to answer without being too conspicuous. Answering honestly is definitely out. If I gave my net income from last year, I could easily surpass Egawa’s annual income, not just slightly but overwhelmingly. That’s bad, very bad. My intuition whispers that it’s a landmine, to the extent that I can’t even think of a reason why it’s so bad.
“…I’ll leave it to your imagination.”
“Eh! It’s fine, it won’t decrease anything. Egawa-kun and Saho both said it.”
“Yes, I’m curious too. Hey, Sagami-san?”
“Eh!? Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, but…”
However, it appears heaven has turned against me. It seems I’ve turned Egawa, who spoke honestly, and the three women at this table against me. In that case, I’ll have to prepare to be shamed.
“Around five million, not reaching it.”
I added a little to the monthly income written on the flyer. For someone my age, that’s quite a good amount, and it’s not a wildly unusual figure. Because I hesitated once, they might think I’m holding back because I’m losing to Egawa, but that can’t be helped.
“That’s a lie.”
“A lie?”
“Because Tanaka-kun, you thought about it for a moment.”
I thought so, but it didn’t work out as I expected. While looking into Hanabishi-san’s sharp gaze, she declared the annual income I stated to be a lie. No, even if it were a lie, it would have been a great help if she had just agreed and said, “Yes, that’s right.”
“No, it’s not necessarily a lie…”
“Is that so? I’m quite sensitive to lies. When I talk to customers, I sometimes get a feeling that they’re lying.”
I don’t know what Hanabishi-san’s intentions are. But…
“Hey, is that true?”
A sweet, whispering, seductive voice reaches my ears. The sound of someone swallowing can be heard. In the past, I would have been startled by such a gesture.
“Well, that’s what I said my annual income was. It hasn’t changed.”
Unfortunately, I’m not so novice as to fall for seduction, nor am I starving for women. I react not to the body that is gently brought closer, but simply respond calmly.
“Is that so? Too bad, I was wrong.”
“Ah, too bad.”
After a few seconds of that exchange, Hanabishi-san quickly removes her seductive aura, separates herself, and takes a sip of her cocktail. Wondering what that previous exchange was about, she doesn’t seem particularly bothered. In the past, after such an exchange, I would have been flustered or spent the whole time wondering what was going on, unable to even taste my drink. Now, I can handle it without getting nervous. Thinking that I’ve become quite jaded, I give a bitter smile. The two sitting opposite and Egawa beside me are also staring at me, wondering what that exchange was about, but I say no more.
“Is it okay?”
“You heard it, right? I have a fiancée. If I were to cheat here, it would be too much to bear.”
“She turned down my invitation, you know?”
However, only Egawa asks me a single question. I don’t ask what he means. It’s impossible not to understand what Hanabishi-san’s actions meant with that kind of proximity. From Egawa’s perspective, who is currently a winner, he can’t help but think it’s a waste.
“Well then, my condolences.”
And, feeling a little smug, I gulp down my sake, which now tastes a little better.
“Wow, I’ve never seen a guy turn down Saho before.”
“Me neither.”
“Me too, it’s the first time I’ve been rejected.”
Whether it’s a joke at a drinking party or not, the female classmates seem to have seen something unbelievable.
“I wonder what kind of person Tanaka-kun’s fiancée is, to be able to reject Saho?”
“Hmm, maybe she’s incredibly beautiful?”
“If she was rejected for that reason, I’d understand, but that’s complex in itself.”
The next object of their interest is the existence of my fiancée, who has created the atmosphere of this gathering.
“I’m curious too. Do you have any photos, Tanaka?”
“Ah, photos, huh…”
Egawa also joins in the topic, and once again, I’ll be pressed. Well, what should I do? I wonder if this place was always this pushy? I recall the contents of my smartphone. Would Suella be mistaken for cosplay? Memoria is close to human, but might be mistaken for such a hobby. Himik is impossible due to her wings. In that case, is there anything suitable that I took recently?
“I do have some.”
“Eh! I’m curious! Let me see, let me see!”
“Well, I guess it’s okay.”
And so, I operate my smartphone and show a certain photo.
“Here.”
“Whoa, she’s more beautiful than Saho.”
“Megumi? We’ll talk later.”
“Is she foreign?”
“Where did you meet someone like this?”
It’s a photo I took the other day when I went on a date with Evia. Since she’s covered in an illusion on the surface, she still appears human in the photo. This must be what they mean by ‘utterly speechless’. A photo of us hugging and taking a selfie together seems to be an effective and legitimate reason for refusing Hanabishi-san’s invitation.
“It’s a secret.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I reply to Egawa. He laughs and calls me a bastard, and as if to repay the favor, Egawa gathers the reunion members, shows them the photo, and starts making a fuss. Before I knew it, I had become a “winner” who had snagged a beautiful wife, and the male classmates started interacting with me.
“Next time you come, bring your beautiful wife!!”
“If I feel like it.”
“Definitely! And introduce us to your beautiful wife’s acquaintances!!”
Time flies by. Before I knew it, the reunion was drawing to a close, and talk of a second party emerged. However, I decided to end it there. Egawa also invited me, but Hanabishi-san was also there, and I found it troublesome to get involved any further, so I declined. Leaving behind Tadokoro’s shouts, I leave the reunion.
It was my first normal banquet in a while. No oni, no undead, no demons, no fallen angels, no Demon Lord. It was a peaceful drinking party without any trouble. I walked past those who would probably drink more and headed towards the station.
“I think it was fun, but to feel like something was missing… have I become too jaded?”
Suddenly, my overall assessment of this reunion slips out. Passing safely, ending safely. That’s normal, that’s everyday life. Feeling a sense of dissatisfaction with such a scene, what on earth should I do?
“Yeah, I think I kind of understand why the instructors became unconventional.”
It was a reunion that made me feel this way. And after Golden Week ends, the fantasy that has become my current everyday life will arrive. Perhaps then, I will miss this everyday life. Thinking about it is also quite appealing.
“Just realizing that alone made it worthwhile to come.”
With that conclusion, I head home, slightly tipsy.
Today’s word:
Reconfirming the everyday is important.
Thank you for your continued feedback and corrections for typos.
This chapter concludes here.
A new chapter will begin next time.
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The first volume of this novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content is a revised and expanded version of the story posted on Shousetsuka ni Narou, with additional unpublished inter-chapters included.
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A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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