"So, the last question is… about Haruka-kun."
For some reason, even in another world, I keep getting called "class president" and end up in charge of everything. Annoying.
"That guy's personality, character, and even his humanity are all problematic. But I think you can trust him."
Was that supposed to be support? It felt like some personal resentment slipped in when she called me Vice-Chairman A, but it seems the actual Vice-chairman A was the one who messed up.
"That's right. I chased him away because of my personality, but he forgave me… with a fish?"
Chika's follow-up ended with… fish…
"That's right. My bare skin was also… stared at…"
I wonder if Fukunuki-san is trying to back her up or blame me? It feels like a completely different kind of trauma is being created…from a girl.
"That girl is really annoying,… She said I wouldn't be able to apologize if I died, and that it was pointless, so she told me to meet her properly and say thank you… She made me her slave… But her name is still Bitch Leader!"
Oh no, it was shaping up to be a good story until halfway through… "please, can you at least remember my name?" "Yeah, I've only ever been called 'Chairman'… I think!?"
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Although everyone's follow-up attempts were sounding negative a bit, there was no unanimous objection to going along with me.
"Even though we all have complicated feelings, we all trust him, believe in him, and are grateful to him—or at least we should think that way… right?"
Yes, the real problem was Haruka himself being negative.
"No way, no way. Even after defeating so many kobolds the other day, I was only level 7. So even if I manage to do something now, I'll just end up holding you back."
"Everyone said it would be okay if that happened, and I'm grateful to them."
"The otakus said that too, and I'm grateful for that, but I can't form a party because I'm a loner. If I were to join you, I'd probably get the status 'tied to someone,' so I'm sorry. Thank you."
Class-rep POV
It's true that Haruka's stats are low, and although he's incredibly strong for level 7, he can't level up easily. But even so, I don't want to leave anyone behind—so why doesn't he understand?
When we were at a loss, when we were overwhelmed with despair, when we were on the verge of giving up on everything, he came to help us. He saved our lives… and our hearts.
Coming here, finally, everyone is able to laugh again.
Everyone had truly been in despair, disappointed, and had lost all hope.
And then, in just one night, the sparkle returned to everyone's eyes.
For the first time, I felt like we could make it work, that we could do something.
Because he showed us how to live a normal life right in front of our eyes.
Because he said, "That's the basic principle of life, isn't it? Living a fun, normal life," as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Is there nothing that can be done about the cruel difference in status? Why did God do such a cruel thing to Haruka? "The old man got mad when I bullied him," Haruka replied, so why did God bully him?
Even so, it seems he will follow us to town. I can think of a way to keep him from going back to this cave
"Even if your level increase is slow and bad, it doesn't mean you can't level up at all. So in 2–3 years you'll be at level 20 or 30, and with that much you should be able to live in the city. You'll manage somehow."
Yes, he said casually, but there's no way we could leave him alone in a cave for two or three years.
He suddenly found himself in another world, and because we had moved away without noticing, he was alone for 10 days. Even though he has the weakest stats of anyone, he managed to survive on his own. And then the person who came to help us—we couldn't just leave him behind. This was everyone's opinion. We would never, ever leave him behind. And if there was no other way, then it was fine to just keep him as a househusband! Well more like a Himo.
Soon we'll be at levels 20–30, but for Haruka it will take years.
I also heard from the god that in this world, the difference in level is absolute. Soon even we will undoubtedly be able to defeat goblins and kobolds. But even so, we are already level 16-19, yet we have no skills, we are the weakest, yet we are already unbeatable! And yet we can fight to such an extent that it makes you wonder what will happen when we reach level 20 or 30!
He says it's a very close call and that one hit would kill him, but I tell him he's just managing to cover it up—so I'll protect him. We'll protect him.
Yes, just as we were protected and are still being protected.
So today we're going to level up again.
I'm still scared and feeling sick.
But still, I'll fight on—protected by Haruka.
If Haruka can't become strong, then we all decided that we will become strong.
**Day 13**
Haruka's POV
The fish was delicious again this morning.
Gyogyo girl came to wake me up again; she's in charge of the fish, after all.
The girls are excited again this morning. They're all hyped up. They want fried chicken, and fish.
I guess the fact that they'll soon be able to go to town is a good motivator, but of course a 16- or 17-year-old girl wouldn't want to stay in the forest or caves forever.
The otakus were also having a blast the day before they went out to town, like high school boys. The girls also seem to be having frequent get-togethers; I wonder if they're after wild-looking guys with animal ears? Are they in the same boat as the otakus? If they start targeting little boys, I'll call the police.
We're in the forest, and we've come quite far. If we're in a party, the goblins are no match for us, even if they're high level. We only use fire bullets to support when we're about to be surrounded. I'm bored.
I'll use kobolds from lunchtime. Kobolds are speed types and will be good training. Kobolds will be better in terms of experience, since I'm bored.
I prepared lunch while I had free time. I used earth magic to make a simple grill, and fire magic to grill the fish and mushrooms on a hot plate! How I had dreamed of this day. When I wrapped them in herbs and grilled them, the aroma and slight bitterness of the fish eliminated the fishy smell.
The result is a complex and timeless flavor that will last you a whole year. Fish lovers are not just for show!
It's also popular with the ladies, and for some reason mushrooms are especially popular. Fish is delicious though?
I'll eat lunch and then look for kobolds. It's dangerous to go straight to high level, so maybe level 5 to 10 would be better?
During the mealtime meeting, we explained how to deal with kobolds: be quick and chew.
Well, at the girls are level 16, to 19, which is perfect. Now it's time for real battle, so let's all get a feel for it first. Let's go, kobolds.
There was a scream of agony, and before I could even get a sense of it, I was being bitten and gnawed.
Kobolds' speed confused them, and their teamwork and feints caused even more confusion. Now they're surrounded by 20 people—just 3 kobolds. Let's not panic!
Kobolds' SpE isn't even 40, and even though the girls are twice as fast the kobolds can keep up, and the bitches are barely managing to keep calm and prevent a total collapse.
Hmm, I think it should be good enough, right?
"Ahhh, don't just look, do something… I'll bite you!" One cried at me, or was it a scream
"That's not it, this way—no, over there—ahh, which one!?"
"No no no no no, dogs no, seriously no!"
"Ahhh~… eh… ahhh~?"
The last one seems relaxed? Or panicking? Or shaking? No, don't glare at me—look at the kobolds properly. Are you actually relaxed?
Even if I do nothing, it feels like it might somehow work out… or not. But if I do nothing I'll get yelled at, so let's reduce one.
The one with Coordination is Lv9 Kobold A. If he's gone, it should be easy. Too easy maybe, but since I'm being glared at, I should do something.
I newly acquired Parallel Thinking, probably from spamming fire bullets. Can't use it now. If I spam, I'll definitely get yelled at.
Also, I want to try the Four Great Magics or Movement that both jumped two levels. Lightning magic was practiced enough with fish girl.
Movement—I haven't used it at full power yesterday or today. Full power might revive clumsy girl mode. Beware, for I might go "dojikko." I don't want to say "fugyuuu[1]" in front of girls. Actually, I don't want to say it even alone.
I chase Kobold A from behind. Sometimes it's good to experience being chased… Yes, caught up—poke from behind with staff. Kobold A speeds up without counterattacking… I speed up too, poke again… speeds up more, circles girls' group. Will this kobold turn into butter? Butter-grilled fish sounds good.
Kobolds B and C can't keep up with the speed, coordination breaks, finally caught by bitches… Don't look. Bitches' eyes… that look… pretend I didn't see.
Suddenly Kobold A stops dead, turns and tries to claw. Foolish. Too foolish… There's no way I can stop.
I crash into him while accelerating. We tumble together. I had thrust Tree Staff? at his head on collision—bad spot, he died. Kobolds B and C met even worse fates and followed.
Messy.
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"No, I told you they're fast and bite."
Let's restart the strategy meeting. Somehow everyone's mad at me. So much kenken gōgō / kankan gakugaku.
"Sudden moving like that is impossible!"
"Just saying ' they're fast' it doesn't help!"
"What's 'bite' supposed to mean? Where's the advice in 'bite'?"
"Why were you running circles with kobolds?"
"Info too fast, only 'fast' and 'bite'—what kind of briefing is that?"
Huh? Full condemnation? Kobolds are fast and bite, right?
"No, what otaku told me was just: blue, tall, skinny, dog face. That's all. 'Fast and bite' is better info, right?" I say, while being glared at.
Huge uproar. No longer sure if it's noisy chaos or heated debate—just pure pandemonium.
"Even if we level up, upstream might have boys. Can we handle that?"
Everyone falls silent. Even otaku couldn't and fled.
No way the girls can be ready for that.
So we can't go upstream.
Not all boys went crazy, but we don't know who's safe and who'll attack. Can't test it.
Best to avoid meeting and head to town. They can't go through deep forest. If they do, it'll be the riverbank in front of cave.
Block there—otaku and girls almost no chance of meeting them. Short-term solution.
Whether I can even do it—I don't know. But I'll probably snap and do it anyway. No regrets from me. Let the boys regret.
Result: "First only 2 kobolds max, low level, 3 or more strong ones = immediate help. No chasing games."
After that, kept hunting kobolds till evening. Got used to it—1 party can reliably kill 2. Their levels rose quite a bit.
Return trip is the real battle. Even with kobolds/goblins, no teaching. Girls only: search, alert, advance, fight.
They're getting strong. My role's almost done. They can fight well enough.
Back at cave, I make beds/simple furniture in individual rooms. Won't need them soon, but since I invited them, I'll host till the end.
Taught ice magic at riverbank—well, just wrapped it again.
Dinner done, bath done. Today's over.
Made tent extra large—one-person, four-person, eight-person was too small. Twelve-person size now. Basically a dome.
Bathed, back to tent. Wait—I sensed someone coming with presence detection?
"Kyaa! Wide! Wide! Wide!"
"Huh? Why does it get bigger every time we come?"
"With a tent this big… we suffered so much in that cramped one…"
"Welcome back~ Haruka-kun. I told everyone your tent is huge—so they came~?"
"Well~ come in come in, mushroom tea too."
I sigh. Now you know why I said 12 is too small. They got my mansion house. Why are they here?
Mushroom tea…? Why are girls so obsessed with mushrooms? Dangerous ingredient? Suspicious party starting? Okay, watch from afar. No courage to enter.
Tried to escape, I was caught and dragged into my own tent. No, just watching is fine? This tent has too much skin content?
"Uh...what's going on?"
"""Uh, reflection meeting?"""
Why in the tent?
Somehow I'm sitting cross-legged in the center of the huge tent.
From the front: "Even if SpE is 40…" class rep doing reflection meeting, she's still too close.
Beside her: short-pants cross-legged Vice A, half-glaring. Legs long.
Next to her: Vice B nodding and shaking. Don't look.
Opposite right side: Vice C and nudist girl rolling around in skirts.
What? I'm guilty everywhere. Trap! This is a trap!
Left: gyogyo girl and… who are the other two? Ah, volleyball club noisy muscle-brain girls A and B.
Behind: bitches blocking. Why always behind?
No good, I'm surrounded.
Around them: mobile strike force packed in.
Why is a loner in this situation?
"So yeah, I think we definitely need at least one person for holding back."
Class rep? Does reflection meeting need this many people? Rolling ones are definitely not listening?
"And, and…" She rambles on.
What even is loner?
**Day 13 – Night – Cave Interior – Girls' Meeting**
Girls. POV
Haruka-Kun was held back as the girls chatted. The girls were reviewing today's forced reconnaissance info.
"Yeah, his eyes were completely swimming, so he's not uninterested in girls. No BL. Tch."
"Originally his gaze went to our chests and legs, so that's fine."
"Bare skin… stared at… stared at…?"
"No, you can't stare like that. Seriously…"
We've been here, in this world, for days… no, many days… without laughing…
Finally. Everyone can laugh again.
Today too—huge commotion, but everyone ended up laughing.
Because Haruka-kun is here, we feel safe.
Not just because he's strong.
Even if he was weak—it'd be fine.
Just being here is enough.
That alone lets everyone laugh.
So everyone desperately plans to hold him back…
"Tch, no BL huh!"
"Probably he's being considerate because we were attacked…? He's always like that anyway?"
"Chest faction? Leg faction? Wait—no way hybrid!!"
"Saying he won't get involved with girls… more like he won't get involved with anyone, right? Huh? If we leave him he won't care?"
"""""Aaaah…"""""
Haruka-kun hold-back meeting continued till midnight. Yeah, looks like no BL.
**Day 13 End?**
[1] ふぎゅうううぅ (fugyuuu)→ Exaggerated onomatopoeia for a clumsy/tripping/falling sound effect, usually said by cute girls in anime/manga when they mess up adorably. MC hates the idea of saying it.