CH 40

[This and That are Different Story]

Thanks to Sakurai’s words, Higaki could avoid the definite severance of their relationship, but the feeling of guilt in her heart was still heavy.

It was not only to her master, the Sword Saint – Sanuki Shoichiro, but also to Sakurai.

In the end, Higaki continued to apologize even after Sakurai left, but Sanuki just said “Ou,” and did not say he forgive her.

Still, even just being able to apologize made her heart felt a little lighter; if she was not allowed to even apologize… imagining such situation, she was able to understand that apology had the power to save not only the victim but also the one who apologize.

However, it is also true that apologizing and being forgiven are two different things.

In this case, Sanuki had heard from Sakurai what he was going to do in advance, so he had arranged some things so that it did not turn into a big problem, making the event be treated as an ‘unfortunate accident in the middle of the training of fellow disciples.’

In other words, although it did not lead to them being judged by the law, Higaki had continue to atone and reflect on herself.

“What… should I do from now on?” Higaki muttered, remembering the back of Sakurai, who had left the guild first.

The back was different from the usual confident one, it gave off the impression as though it was small and lacking in ambition.

“That guy, since waking up in the hospital until coming to here. Even while I was packing my luggage in the hospital room, even while we were waiting to be called in the waiting room, and even on the way to this adventurer’s guild, he did not do even one practice-swing.” (Sakurai)

Sakurai, who usually would start practice-swinging with a wooden sword he took out of nowhere whenever he had free time even for only a dozen of seconds, had not practice-swinging even once today.

Even taking it as because he was in the period of recuperation, it would still be unusual for anyone who knew him.

Actually, even Sanuki, who was unperturbed by most things, made a small surprised voice, “Hou?” hearing the story.

“To keep pondering and worrying about that is something that Young Lady has to do, no?” (Sanuki)

“…That is, right. Pardon me.” (Higaki)

“Still, for the boy to be in a state where he even forgot to train, it might partly because of me, how should I wring him to get him back to shape, I wonder?” (Sanuki)

“Teacher!” Higaki yelled at Sanuki, who began to ponder while stroking his chin.

Yet, as a matter of fact, Sakurai had become quite temporarily only because his reason and instinct were making an action plan for repaying the debt and raising level based on the game knowledge inside his mind.

Advanced information gathering and planning were important to get things done efficiently. Sakurai too worked based on this idea, so he sometimes behaved like this, but… due to his usual behavior, neither Higaki nor Sanuki could guess that.

“Lessee, since that boy seems to be lacking in motivation… Did you guys just do something big somewhere?” (Sanuki)

“Teacher knows what it is?” (Higaki)

“Isn’t it because of the so-called burnout syndrome, the one where you feel sluggish after doing a big work? The current boy must have used up his energy because of the big work, so he’s lacking motivation.” (Sanuki)

That said, the burnout syndrome that Sanuki mentioned was also a fact.

Sakurai kept faintly worrying about matters was also because his motivation to support his decision was at an all-time low.

After all, there was also the fact Sakurai kept fighting without sleep nor rest, making a frantic effort in order to save Iris.

Even after that, he was unable to rest; even though he spent nearly three months in the Netherworld, Sakurai frequently visited and got caught up or caused uproar in the Tower.

If dust is piled up, it becomes a mountain. The mental fatigue that he had accumulated without even himself knowing had piled up to the point it showed on his face.

“Most of the time, you will recover after taking things slow for a while, but there are also those who absentmindedly keep moving by habit. That kind of guys usually would end up dying suddenly because of a trivial mistake, y’see; it would be troubling if he ends up like that.” (Sanuki)

For a moment, what was projected in the two’s minds was the figure of Sakurai unconsciously stepping into a dungeon while being carried away by the habits ingrained in his body.

And as if invited by a monster that came into his view, he totteringly approached it and without noticing a pitfall, he… they could imagine such a scene vividly.

If it’s him, he would end up like that, without a doubt. Then he would die again.

Higaki was sure of that.

“T-Teacher! How, how can I make Sakurai quickly regain his spirit!? At this rate, he will die again!” (Higaki)

“Ou. I can’t deny that, and it’s not a laughing matter either. If he dies again, all my efforts will come to nothing after all. Now then, what is the quickest and easiest way to make someone lively again, I wonder…” (Sanuki)

Sanuki placed his glass on the table, then deliberately pursed his lips and stroked his chin with his fingers.

Then after thinking about it for a dozen seconds, Sanuki clapped his hands and smiled as though he came up with a good idea.

“I know. There is an excellent way for a man in that state to regain his spirit.” (Sanuki)

“Is that true!? Is that something that I can do too…?” (Higaki)

“Rather, this is something that only Young Lady can do.” (Sanuki)

“Only I can do…?” (Higaki)

“Aye.” (Sanuki)

Being asked by Higaki, Sanuki folded his arms and leaned his back on the sofa while puffing out his chest.

Then he confidently told Higaki,

“Young Lady, have a secret date with the boy at night and pop his cherry in one shot! Most men will be revived with that, you know—!”

That firm and clear voice spread to the surroundings, some of the adventurers who were listening quietly agreed.

Higaki on the other hand had a few seconds of stiffening before understanding the meaning of those words, then when she understood, her face turned bright red.

And when the blood rose up above her head——

“H-HAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?!?!?”

——She, without being afraid of the attention of the surrounding people, screamed so loud that it echoed throughout the guild.