Chapter 45 - Let’s Explore the Neighborhood Dungeon! (1) (1/2)
“Are you an idiot?”
“Huh?”
Why was I insulted?
“Hmm, and? You were threatened, couldn’t say a word back, and that’s it? Then the kids and Aoi-chan were gone?”
“Haaaa”
Father let out a really deep sigh.
“Yes, Kunpei-kun. Stand up.”
“Eh?”
I stood up like I was told.
“Father Punch!”
“Buhaa!”
I was blown away and crashed into the wall.
“Okay, the punishment is over.”
W-wa-wait!
“Why’d you just hit me!”
I asked father a natural question while rubbing my right cheek that was punched.
I just explained the circumstances to my father and Shouhei who came home during dinner!
“For not knowing that, is the reason probably.”
He crossed his arms with a self-satisfied look.
Hey, lately, the people around me aren’t speaking Japanese.
“… and nii-chan, you didn’t take a step outside the room since earlier?”
Shouhei, who took my tea cup in exchange, was watching anxiously.
“Hey, Kunpei. How old are you?”
“Hah? 16, what about it!?”
Even as a joke, I’m the eldest son! Do you think I would not even remember my own age!
“Un, 16. Being a kid is also a good thing, isn’t that right?”
What was that about, old man.
“Eh?”
I still don’t understand what he’s trying to say.
“Yes, certainly, there are a lot of dangers if you live. I’ve also experienced it. The times that I thought I might die can‘t even be counted with two hands.”
There wasn’t that many.
But, I do remember several times.
When you marched into the tribes meeting, or when you were run over by a dump truck, I thought that you might die.
“Even so, I didn’t die. Do you know why?”
“Because… you were lucky?”
“That’s probably true. But, the main reason was…”
He smiled meaningfully.
“…because I really didn’t want to die.”
“Eh?”
“A human being can do whatever if they are worried about death, but they can also do that if they don’t want to die. Rather, the latter may be stronger.”
Well, even if they say they’ll die, I’ve never actually seen them die.
“You, and Aoi-chan are your thoughts about not wanting the kids to die that weak?”
… No such thing.
That’s why…
“That’s why! Aoi’s mother’s complaint!”
“You can quickly find a hole in her argument, right?”
What’s up with that! I’m an idiot, so I don’t understand!
“That’s because you guys are trying to do something with just the two of you alone.”
“Eh?”
Ah, but they only have us to depend on.
“Well, it’s a dragon, they’ve always done things alone so they think like that. But, think about it. Haven’t you and Shouhei been raised by an unreliable father since seven years ago?”
There is no reason that I can not rely on you…
“I wonder what I would do if you guys asked for help. If bad guys came, well, I just bought this house, but I could just sell it and move, and a life on the run with that money seems fun. I feel bad for Shouhei, how about that?”
“I’m different. I can’t live on alone.”
Shouhei quietly nodded while holding a pair of chopsticks in one hand.
“Look at the youngest child’s understanding. If Shouhei was troubled, would you sell some organs?”