Chapter 103 - She’s Like a Bright Red Flame That Burns Quietly (3) (2/2)

“Mikuma, san?”

“Yes?”

Rouge addressed Mikuma.

“I heard that you know a lot, so I’m sure we’ll have more opportunities to meet in the future. Rouge is fine, let’s get along, okay.”

“Ok ya, then I’m fine with Yunno. Mikuma Yunno. Nice to meet you.”

“N. I don’t need formal language.”

“Eh, ah, I see. Best regards, Rouge.”

“N.”

Rouge, apparently satisfied, nodded briefly and shifted her gaze to me.

“I haven’t talked to many other races. Was it alright?”

“Oh, oh. In fact, you’re better at it than I am. It’s amazing.”

“I see. I was praised. I’m happy.”

Rouge snorted, blushed a little and nodded repeatedly.

Her expression never changes, but maybe she’s an emotional person?

Even so, I and the others related to the Kazamachi household, are too bad at socializing.

Aoi still puts herself on guard when she meets humans and beastmen other than us, and Mikuma is not very good at talking with the opposite sex.

What, birds of a feather flock together?

“Okay then, Mikuma. I’ll contact you later.”

“Yup. Please find Aoi and the others soon! See you later?”

“Ah, see you later.”

When I finished replying, I tapped the screen to end the call.

“This is a phone. I’ve heard about it, and I’ve seen some people holding it to their ears, but it’s the first time I’ve actually talked to someone far away. I’m glad.”

“Haha, is that so?”

I pressed the home button while smiling at Rouge who was deeply moved looking at the smartphone.

“Hmm?”

Huh?

There was a number next to the email icon informing me of notifications.

Fourteen? How did this happen?

Oh, right. During a call, it vibrates to notify me of an incoming mail, so I didn’t notice since I was running around so much.

“Kunpei. Where’s the community center?”

“Hmm? Ah, straight down this road… Rouge! Are you going to keep going like this!? I can walk! Put me down!”

“Nope.”

Rouge carried me on her shoulders without minding that I was struggling about.

“Does this hurt your back?”

“Guh… It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt.”

I guess this is better than the princess carry.

“I don’t think you’re aware, but it’s a serious injury.”

Gasario had already retrieved the magic shield that had fallen on the ground into his pocket.

“Eh? Really?”

“Really.”

Huh? Sure, it hurt, but I didn’t think the wound itself was that bad, just a lot of blood.

“… Shouhei’s going to be angry.”

“Haha, why are you worried about him getting angry?”

Gasaraio laughed with a dumbfounded voice.

You don’t know, so you can laugh.

It’s scary when my brother gets mad!

“Let’s go, then.”

“Ah, yeah, please.”

Despite carrying an adult man by himself, Rouge walked with plenty of room to spare.

Somehow, this is kind of depressing.

Dejectedly, I operated my smartphone with a hand I wasn’t accustomed to.

The first one was from my dad.

【Are you at school right now? I finally got in touch with Shouhei. I tried to call you as well, but the line seems to be busy, and I couldn’t get through.

You know the old man at the drugstore, right? That guy seems to be from the fire department. Shouhei, Aoi, the twins and Yuri-san are taking refuge at the community center by his instructions.

Apparently Shouhei lost his phone in this confusion, so he was in trouble because he did not know your number. My number was registered with the homeowners’ association, so he was able to find it at the community center.

I told you to contact Shouhei, so please call the number below.

I’m in a hurry to get back home, but I am in the middle of running after I abandoned my car because of restrictions and congestations.

So I will count on you. If you can pick me up, I want you to pick me up】

Wow, really? I should have read it earlier. There’s a link to the phone number for the community center at the bottom.

Was it a coincidence that I was able to get in touch with Mikuma?

But now I know where Aoi and the others are. Are they all at the community center that we’re heading to?

Then, I can see them soon.

I patted my chest in relief on Rouge’s shoulder and bent my neck slightly to look at Ruten’s remains.

The former strong enemy was still divided into two and burning.

Since it was in the middle of the asphalt, the flames will not spread.

“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong?”

Gasaraio who was walking behind Rouge, responded to my voice.

“No, maybe I was mistaken.”

That’s right.

There’s no way it’d be able to move in that state.