CH 18

[Temporary Reconciliation]

One day after the lock up and two days after the uproar.

Higaki and I are staying overnight at a hotel, using the sizeable sum of money given by Iris-san as a reward for subjugating the monsters.

We got our own private rooms, but perhaps because we have something to say to each other, right now, we are meeting face-to-face in a room like this.

Well, um… it’s that.

As Iris-san said, I also have parts where I was quite arrogant, and because I’m sure I’ll be using the ‘Fire Sword’ and ‘Fake ・ Sword Saint’s Slash’ a lot for leveling going forward, I thought I should have a heart-to-heart conversation with her so I won’t get hindered at such times.

“That, um. I apologize.”

The one who starts the conversation is Higaki.

She takes off the Sword Saint’s sword on her waist and slowly places it in front of me.

“Thinking back upon it, what I did was robbery. Moreover, I even used my position as a disciplinary committee member… no matter for what reason, it won’t change the fact that it was a misdeed. It is natural you got angry and tried to take revenge.”

I listen to those words quietly.

I wait for the continuation without touching the sword placed before me.

“I was immature. I was stupid. I spat on your accumulated efforts and just hurt you unreasonably… I am really sorry.”

She says so and bows her head.

It will be a lie if I say that I think nothing of it, and there are things I want to say and do.

However, if she, who aggravated the situation to such an extent, bowed her head to me who she hated from the bottom of her heart like this, to properly accept it should be the ‘respecting’ thing that Iris-san said.

“Well, it’s that. I also invade the dungeon without permission and did whatever I pleased, causing trouble for you. Even at that time, I said rude things to you.”

“But,”

“We both were at fault so we’re even… I’m not saying we should conclude it like that. Just that, yeah. I accept Higaki-san’s apology, and I will have the sword returned.”

Having said that, I pick up the sword that was placed before me, and this time put it before her.

I meet her eyes who is having a puzzled look, and slowly bow my head.

“I also apologize for the inconvenience I’ve caused you until now. I’m sorry.”

“…Ahh, I accept your apology.”

She picks up the sword and puts it back on her waist.

The series of exchanges was to take clear responsibility of each other’s mistakes; I still have the ownership of the sword though.

By the way, according to the natural flow of events, that sword should be in her hand.

“Ah—, Higaki-san. Um, it’s that. We can’t challenge the ‘Tower’ for a while anyway, so let’s go… I mean shall we go somewhere for a meal and discuss about the future?”

“You’re right, let’s do that. And you don’t have to use honorific, I don’t mind if you call me casually.”

“Really? I appreciate it, Ao Ao. You can call me anything you like too.”

“Though I said that, is it normal to suddenly call someone with their given name? Something like that is no good, isn’t it?”

“Seriously?”

“Well, I don’t care how you called me here. But please don’t call me that in public, you hear? It’s embarrassing after all.”

‘Ao Ao’ was the popular way of calling her among fans, so I called her so unintentionally, but I should watch what I call her, huh.

Speaking of which, is everyone on Higaki Ao’s single thread on the bulletin board doing well, I wonder?

That space which filled my screen with the great chorus of ‘Ao Ao!’ every once an hour was unexpectedly comfortable because I could remove the screw in my head. Thinking about it now, both those people who did it and I who watched it were pretty disgusting.

“Is something wrong, Sakurai? You forgot something?”

“Wha, no, it’s nothing.”

For the time, we are reconciliating, so it wouldn’t be good for each of us if we keep dragging each other down.

I judge so and leave the inn, following her.

While entrusting her – who was responsible for gathering information – to find a place to eat, I think about what to do in the period of one week while we can’t challenge the ‘Tower’.