Ch.121Summer, and the Sea (1)

“Your school, it was Natori High School, right? I should be able to handle the transfer procedures easily.”

Saito Kana said with 100 percent seriousness in her tone.

“Um… is that really necessary?”

That’s what I said.

“Hey! Are you saying you don’t want to go to school with me? Huh?!”

Kana immediately responded confrontationally.

“No… that’s not it. Don’t you go to a good school? Going to a rural school seems a bit…”

That’s what I said.

That’s right. Saito Kana was attending an elite school in Tokyo. According to her background, it was an ultra-elite school attended by royalty and politicians’ heirs.

Deliberately giving that up to come here seemed a bit much, didn’t it? That’s what I was seriously thinking.

“You! You’re always chasing after girls!!! You can’t neglect your training because you’re distracted by women!! I finally have a rival!! I’m going to keep an eye on you!!”

Kana shouted with a reddened face.

“Look… Kana. I understand that having a friend for the first time is precious… but choosing a school just to follow a friend is a terrible idea! Seriously!”

I immediately shouted back.

I’ve seen so many people shed tears of blood after choosing their major or university just to follow friends or lovers!! Seriously!!!

Even if they went to the same university, there was no guarantee they’d be happy together. I’ve seen many cases where they broke up or grew distant. That’s when the harsh reality hits.

“Hey!! Why are you assuming I don’t have friends!!! And I’m not your friend, you know?!! I’m your rival!!”

Kana yelled loudly.

“Right. If that’s what Kana says…”

I looked at Kana with warm eyes. Yes, everyone has things they want to hide.

“Stop looking at me like that!!!!”

Kana hit me repeatedly.

“It doesn’t really… matter which school I go to. They’re all full of boring people who just flatter others. I can excel as an elite anywhere.”

Kana said while brushing her hair back.

“My value isn’t diminished by which school I attend. Got it? Don’t worry unnecessarily. You’re starting to annoy me.”

Really……. the textbook definition of a tsundere. Yep.

“Anyway, I’ve decided.”

Kana looked straight at me.

“While we’re attending school together, I’ll keep a close eye on you to make sure you don’t get lazy!”

Kana said, pointing her finger at me.

“………”

In the end, Kana stubbornly changed her life plans.

I felt the weight of having derailed Kana’s life. Since things had come to this… I wanted to give Kana a happy school life. That would be taking responsibility.

Come to think of it, the transfer reminded me of someone.

“I wonder if Thumbs-up Guy… will transfer too? He looked about my age.”

It would just be fun to hang out together. Honestly, just looking at his face makes me laugh.

“That damn Thumbs-up Guy!! We’re in the middle of a conversation!! Think only about me!!”

Kana, seemingly overcome with jealousy, immediately hit me on the shoulder.

“Ow! Stop being jealous! Kana!! You’re equal to or greater than Thumbs-up Guy!”

I stated firmly.

“The very fact that I’m being compared to that guy is what makes me angry!!!! You idiot!!”

Kana shouted loudly.

———

Anyway, the after-party came to an end.

Our group decided to return by car, just as we had come.

Tina and our classmates were able to return quite comfortably. The drivers employed by the Saito family would take care of them, they said. Kana had requested it.

She acts rude… but she’s secretly a good person, I tell you.

Vrooooom-!!

The car sped along the highway.

Everything was quiet.

“………”

Everyone had fallen asleep. They must be tired from watching the martial arts tournament.

“You should sleep too, Shota. You worked the hardest today.”

Gonzaemon said.

“Nah. How could I sleep when you’re driving, Master? Let’s have a heart-to-heart talk between master and disciple.”

I said with a smile.

“Hahaha! You really are like an old man… as if you’re on your second life.”

Gonzaemon laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with my response, and glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“Honestly… I don’t like your relationships with women.”

Gonzaemon said bluntly.

“……..”

Wait. The atmosphere was casual, but he suddenly started a serious conversation.

“You’d make a good son-in-law… and Umi loves you, but… the fact that there are so many other women doesn’t sit well with me. Our Umi isn’t lacking in any way.”

Gonzaemon shot a sharp glance through the rearview mirror.

Gonzaemon was serious. In that case… I had no choice but to reveal my true feelings as well.

“But… I love them all. Equally. My goal is to embrace everyone.”

I stated firmly.

“Haah… Fine. I don’t want to meddle too much in young people’s affairs, so I’ll keep my words brief. But…..”

A murderous aura emanated from Gonzaemon’s body.

Flinch-!

The killing intent was so strong that Asuna-san momentarily woke from her sleep. Wait… she sensed the killing intent? Asuna-san… what exactly is she?

“If you make Umi cry, you’ll die by my hand. Remember that.”

Gonzaemon said just that one sentence.

“Yes, yes sir…..”

I immediately cowered and replied.

———–

Anyway, after experiencing the (useful?) time of facing my father-in-law’s killing intent, we returned to Emoshita City.

“Oh!! My hometown!!!!”

Honestly, even though I hadn’t been here long since my possession, I’d grown quite attached to Emoshita City.

“Then, Master!! I’ll be heading in now!!”

I bowed my head to Gonzaemon and Asuna-san.

“Alright!!! You don’t need to come to the kendo dojo tomorrow! Get some rest!”

Gonzaemon said energetically, then hurriedly entered the dojo with his arm around Asuna-san’s waist. I had a pretty good idea of what they were going to do.

“Well… let’s go home too.”

Umi looked at me with eyes full of passion. I could tell that Eri and Taiga were also in the mood.

As expected, as soon as we arrived, I was immediately squeezed dry.

However, I was no longer left in a semi-dried state one-sidedly.

My basic physical abilities had become much stronger. Now I could handle about three of them.

“Uhngg…! This… can’t be…!”

The trio who had tried to squeeze me dry collapsed, knocked out.

“Hmph… I’m not who I used to be.”

I stood proudly naked on the bed. I was feeling my “strength” throughout my body.

“Shota… don’t stand on two feet on the bed. It’s bad manners.”

Eri immediately scolded me. She was the only normal one… the mother figure of our harem.

I should listen to mom.

“Yes.”

I immediately lay down obediently, and fell asleep while sucking on Eri’s breasts.

———

In the dream world, I opened my eyes.

Yes, the secret dungeon that only I could enter had appeared.

“Hah. You’ve come.”

Bluebeard greeted me.

Normally, Bluebeard would be there… but there were two unfamiliar people beside him.

Violet and Sasitsu.

“Violet!!!!! It’s been so long!!! Good to see you!!!!!”

I immediately tried to give Violet a friendly hug.

“Hug me!! Kyeeeeeek!!!!!!”

Right after that, I jumped high into the air.

“Kyaaak!! Stay away!! You crazy bastard!!!!”

Violet immediately started running away.

“Tag with Violet!!!!! I love it!!!”

I immediately started chasing after Violet.

“What tag?!!!! I’m running away from a crazy person!!”

Violet tried to escape from me at an incredible speed.

Hehehe. I’m already excited. Indeed… being obnoxious is the best!!! Always refreshing!!!

“Enough.”

Eventually, Bluebeard intervened.

“Really… you’re consistent even in dreams, Shota.”

Sasitsu said, looking at me.

“Is this… the real Sasitsu? Not a dream entity?”

I tilted my head and asked Sasitsu.

“Yeah… it’s really me. Bluebeard suddenly called me. Said the dream world had been opened.”

Sasitsu said.

“Bluebeard-sama. What’s going on here?”

I immediately asked Bluebeard.

“Ah. It’s nothing special. I just integrated both of your consciousness. Actually… there’s a bit of a problem.”

Bluebeard sighed as he spoke.

“Problem?”

The dungeon conquests are going smoothly, and the leveling is good. Things couldn’t be more favorable.

“Originally, the fate of saving the world rests with Sasitsu Seso Aiueo. He’s growing stronger smoothly and gaining powerful psycho-robots through the power of human bonds. However… despite that, he is weak.”

Bluebeard looked straight at me.

“It’s because you’re too competent, Arigiri Shota. Because you lead most of the situations, Sasitsu Seso’s combat sense remains that of a beginner. You must know this.”

Bluebeard stared directly at me.

“………..”

That was true. Leadership and orders were supposed to be the protagonist’s role, but with me as the main tank, Sasitsu ended up with the sweet position of dealing area damage. As a result, his specs increased, but his combat sense didn’t improve at all.

“That’s a crisis. At this rate, Sasitsu Seso won’t be able to face the great evil that’s coming. That’s why I’ve called Sasitsu Seso here as well.”

Bluebeard gave me a special mission.

“Teach him about close combat here.”

I see… so I’m supposed to grow stronger together with Sasitsu. And incidentally level up together.

“Before that.”

I immediately got to the main point.

“I’ve fought against some pretty powerful enemies, right? I’d like to convert that into stats.”

I said to Bluebeard.

I had resolved to get all my stat points calculated at once after the martial arts tournament.

“Ah. Yes. I’ve been waiting for that. That’s why I brought Violet too. Violet, go ahead and strengthen Shota.”

Bluebeard nodded.

“Here. Give me your hand.”

Violet said with a genuinely disgusted expression. She really hates me too much.

Woooong-!!

Anyway, when Violet took my hand, enhancement options appeared on my status window.

<Memory of a Powerful Enemy: NTR>

‘You eliminated your rival Nendo with an overwhelming difference. You showed the gap between males. That ruthlessness gives you strength. Strength stat increases by 5.’

<Memory of a Powerful Enemy: Saito Kana>

‘Even against an overwhelming powerhouse, your spirit didn’t break. Your Strength stat increases by 10, and you gain 70% immunity to status ailments.’

<Memory of a Powerful Enemy: Spaceship Captain>

‘So what if you’re cowardly? You’ve learned the knack of striking first with quick speed. Speed stat increases by 5.’

<Memory of a Powerful Enemy: Kujo Madoka>

‘What does it matter if she’s from a wealthy family? You properly disciplined the child. You’ve understood the principles of striking from enthusiastically spanking Madoka. Strength stat increases by 5.’

There were some rather dizzying contents, but nonetheless, there were plenty of useful benefits that couldn’t be ignored.

I immediately converted all these experiences into stats.

Flash-!!

As the status window glowed briefly, the changed stats caught my eye. The numbers had risen significantly. Compared to level 1, it was a chest-swelling improvement. Honestly, I was no longer a useless character.

Anyway, I had become stronger.

But there was one more task to do here.

The Sasitsu training project had begun.

“Offering dungeon runs. 1 gold per run. Whisper me.”

I shouted loudly.

“…Shota. Distinguish between games and reality.”

Sasitsu said in a tone that suggested he found me ridiculous.

Anyway, I took Sasitsu to the level 30 dungeon. After a few runs, Sasitsu would get a feel for how close combat works.