short story (2/2)

‘When Akihiko stepped up front, Mr. heavenly king opened his mouth wide in shock, and became full of openings, so we decided to believe in Akihiko, and press on. From behind, “Woof, woof Awoooooooooooooh!!” we could hear some amazing cries of battle. Stay safe, Akihiko.’

“Akihiko was a doooooog!?”

When I first started reading, I had imagined on my own that Akihiko was in household security (NEET), but it seems he really was in the literal sense! If he were a dog, Hiros.h.i.+-kun would drop the honorifics, and his weapons would fit!

… Wait a second. So everything I imagined a human doing had been done by a dog? The DK’s strongest Four Heavenly Kings were done in by a dog! Of course the poor last one would open his mouth wide!

‘”Akihiko will be fine, right?” When I asked that, “Akihiko-san is the mighty canine who has won against countless monsters, and ground their belief that they were the strongest to the ground. As with all the other Heavenly Kings, I’m sure he’ll lose his will to fight, and hole himself up somewhere,” the princess said with a pretty smile to cheer me up.’

“Where did that princess who was probably still decent at the start go?”

‘And we finally arrived at the demon king’s room. All the good knights held up their weapons. Mom her sword, dad his spear, and the princess, her war hammer. I held up my staff and the photo of the old magic guy who collapsed halfway through the castle (not dead yet), and opened the large door.’

“Old magic guuuuuy!”

‘The demon king was sitting in a chair. He asked, “Why would humans from another world go so far for this one.” Mom said, “It’s true I thought it irrational at the start. But I don’t hate the people of this world all that much. I don’t want them to face misfortune.” As she smiled. Father said, “It’s fate,” and cut it short. The princess and the others shed tears at mom’s words, and said, “Thank you.” She had said defeating monsters was a good source of exercise and wonderful stress relief, and something about the reward being enough to pay off the loan on the house and car and everything else afterwards, hooray! Did something in her change?’

“It’s the world of adults. And did you really have to say it? I wanted to remain oblivious and feel moved with the princess and everyone else.”

And as expected and all, it ended with Hiros.h.i.+-kun’s party’s victory. The Demon King was surely strong, I couldn’t picture this family or mainly the princess being defeated at all. That was the answer.

Hiros.h.i.+-kun did his best to express the battle, but, ‘the sword mom swung went swoosh and cut the castle!’ or, ‘the princess’ hammer smashed through the wall and kapowed the Demon King!’ This ain’t human, is the only thought that really went through my head. Demon King, you did your best.

‘The demon king fell to his knees. Then from the door in the back, a girl around my age ran out. She cried and cried in front of the demon king, and coughed as she blocked our way. It seems the demon king’s daughter had an incurable illness called “Miasma Fever”. No matter how far they searched through the demon world, they couldn’t find a cure, and an old book said that there was someone in the human world who could wash away miasma with the Solace Staff of the G.o.ds. They had turned up the human world to get their hands on it.’

“So the Demon King had his own reasons.”

‘That staff had a G.o.d living in it, and only ones it took a liking to could use it. Apparently, it could produce holy water, and wash the hearts of whoever drank it. By legend, it could even purify the wicked hearts of monsters. When I asked what that meant, it seems it may let you be friends with monsters. The girl said, “I don’t have much time left in this world, and if I die, father will stop attacking the land of humans!” to the princess. It made me really sad for some reason.’

“… Wait a second, holy water? Staff of the G.o.ds? Drink it, and it will wash evil from the hearts of human and monster?”

All the way there, they were blocked by countless monsters on their path. And at the same time, they guided the way to the Demon King’s castle. At times, carrying them on their backs, they all worked together to get the party there by the end of summer break. But was there a reason for them to hurry so? A reason to go against their beloved overlord?

… That’s right, they had a reason of their own. To go against the king’s will and be thought of as traitors. Even if words didn’t get across, they had a wish they wanted to grant. And that had entrusted it. To a kind and small hero.

‘I wanted the girl who wouldn’t stop crying to cheer up. So I swung my staff. Because it had brought a smile to mom and dad and Akihiko and the princess and the old guy and the knights and the king and the monsters and everyone in the country. I thought if I did, then maybe that girl would smile.’

“Hiros.h.i.+-kun…”

‘When I made water, the girl looked shocked. “It’s tasty water, amazing water that will bring a smile to your face,” I said, and handed over the water. “If you’re scared, do you want to drink together?” and she nervously drank some with me. At that moment, the girl’s body suddenly started glowing, and a strange black thing ran away from it. I was surprised, and the girl was crying and crying again, but at the end she gave a small smile. It made me really happy.’

That’s amazing. With all that chaos, he managed to tie it up in a pretty bow. You’re amazing, Hiros.h.i.+-kun.

‘After that, the demon king thanked me, and lowered his head at the princess. He apologized to mom and dad. The demon king was really beat up, and I felt a little sorry for him.’

“Keep a hold on that kind heart of yours.”

‘The human and demon country got around to talking to one another. Maybe they can become friends one day, the princess told me. It seems the monsters who guided us were holding down the other monsters, and helping out humans. It was because of that, she said. It looks like things are going to be hard from now on, but they’ll do their best.’

The heroes that returned received a grand banquet. The princess was taking leaders.h.i.+p in mediating with the Demon King. With all he was responsible for this time around, it wouldn’t be strange if he got capital punishment.

Though Hiros.h.i.+-kun’s essay stressed how exceedingly tasty the food they put out was, so I’m sure he wasn’t informed of the specifics… but I doubt it will turn out too bad. For the humans or the monster, or the Demon King family.

“… Huh, teach?”

“Whoah! … Waait, Hiros.h.i.+-kun? Why are you in the cla.s.sroom?”

“Um~ I’m sorry. I forgot my water bottle, so I came back to get it. Mom was angry at me.”

“Water bottle? I told you to make sure you hadn’t forgotten anything. And I was even going to praise everyone for having no lost items tomorrow…”

“Eh? No way~. Teach, overlook it today! I won’t forget anything anymore!”

A child’s voice taking my eyes from the page, I found a boy I was charged with had entered the cla.s.sroom. The owner of the essay I had just been reading no less. As he put his hands together and pleaded, I let out a sigh. I’ll tell him it’ll be for this time alone. His face as he gave a wide smile was the face of a third grader you could find anywhere. Is this the hero who went on a grand adventure this break? I laughed a little to myself.

Right, since he’s here in person, I better ask what’s up with his report. It was quite nice as a story, but as expected, it isn’t something he should’ve submitted as a school report. Especially not a, ‘what I did over summer break’ essay. When I was about to open my mouth, I heard some footsteps racing down the hallway.

“Hiros.h.i.+! Don’t leave me behind, I was about to become lost!”

“Eh? Deana? Weren’t you waiting at the entranceway?”

“Mmm… I mean, I had some interest in school. I’ve always spent my time in the castle, so…”

At the fidgeting girl with blus.h.i.+ng face, I unintentionally opened my eyes wide. It was the first time I ever saw such perfectly silver hair. Not white or gray, a truly beautiful silver. For starters, she was definitely not j.a.panese. It was as if she alone lived in a different world then mine, a girl who gave off such a feel. A young girl with enough impact to blow away the thoughts I had up to that point.

Perhaps noticing my stare, or noticing for the first time I was even there, the girl called Deana’s face turned even redder as she hid behind Hiros.h.i.+-kun’s back. Looks like I saw too much, I thought and repented. On Hiros.h.i.+-kun’s explanation that I was a teacher, she finally lowered her guard.

“And Deana, you can’t run through the halls at school. Ah, teach, sorry. Deana came over to my house to play, and she doesn’t know the school’s rules.”

“Eh? Ah. I-I’m sorry. I apologize for running through the halls.”

“Um, as long as you understand, that’s fine. If you slip in the halls, you may hit your head, or run into someone else and get hurt, so you have to be careful.”

“I see, that’s right, school usually has a lot of people in it. Thank you for the warning!”

With the girl’s lively reply, I ended up smiling. She had a strange use of words, but she was quite an honest child. And keeping these two stopped up in this cla.s.sroom any longer felt a bit off.

“Now then, get back home already. Be careful of cars and bikes on the way back.”

“Mm, cars were those fast vehicles with four wheels, were they. Bikes should be a thing with two wheels. I remember sis went weak at the knees when she saw one.”

“Yeah, she finally got around to learning pedestrian crossings. She looked a little sad at how she couldn’t get all the way to school.”

“Next time, let’s all go together. I want to go to all sorts of places… someday, with my father as well.”

After my words started up a conversation between them, they gave their partings together. And lowering their heads, they left the cla.s.sroom. I somewhat saw them off, and shrugged my shoulders, as I turned my eyes back to the report I had stopped partway through.

‘August 31st, school starts tomorrow. I will never forget this fun summer for the rest of my life. Mom and dad returned home, and they’re trying to use the reward to pay off their loans in a way that doesn’t look suspicious. Akihiko took along the defeated Heavenly Kings, and went on a journey of world reformation. It sounded like fun, but when I told him to come home sometimes, he replied with a, ‘Woof!’ The old magic guy revived, and after drinking my water, he said he’s going to do his best at his job.’

The contents written were truly absurdly fantasy, and some part of me made a strange smile float on my face.

‘When we returned, the princess said she wanted me to, ‘call her sister’. I was also happy about it, so I became her little brother. The king said I could come by anytime I wanted, so I think I’ll go again. Another thing that surprised me was that the girl was going to be coming along with us. Her physical abilities were sealed with magic, and it seems people of that world can come to our world as well. Sis said she wanted to come too, so we promised we would meet again. I want to teach her all the fun places on earth.’

‘I’ll do my best to make Deana smile a lot.’

“G.o.d speed, young man. And do your best in life and parent’s day and parent-teacher conferences, me. It really won’t be a joke if I turn heroes and an otherworldly kingdom and a Demon King against me.”

I scratched my head, took the remaining essays and everything else I needed in hand, and moved my feet towards the staff office. I felt that some part of my heart had grown just a little warmer.

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