Chapter 15 - Criticizing Kaori (1/2)
A week ago, after everyone got their status plate, Rio had negotiated with Captain Meld to lend Hajime an exclusive, personal workshop. Despite their status as Apostles of God that allowed them to enjoy many privileges, Rio had still had a meeting with the king and the experienced Synergists who worked for the royal family to get his plan approved.
It was fortunate that Rio had enough experience in dealing with people with a high profile. In the past, Rio had been a student council president in his high school and he was quite good at politicking. Also, he was a good conversationalist.
Rio didn't delude himself that he was a master politician, but he knew about politic enough to not seem like a total newbie in front of the king and his loyal officers. Rio treated their meeting as one of his past meetings when he tried to push a proposal for a big scale activity to his former headmaster.
After giving some convincing arguments and promising the king that he and Hajime would share the completed product with the Kingdom, Hajime received his exclusive, personal workshop and resources for his works. As an aside, Rio had done all of those was because of his pity for Hajime when they boy became widely known as the weakest student with a commonplace job.
The location of Hajime's personal workshop was close to Knight's barracks and residential area of the Court Magicians. It was the place where other Synergists who worked for the kingdom were located.
On the way to their destination, Rio and Kouki's group said nothing, advancing in silence. There was an awkward atmosphere around them, but Rio easily disregarded this awkwardness. Kaori was the only one who was oblivious to the awkwardness, but she was ignoring the silence because she was over the moon from finally having a chance to meet her crush after a long week of separation.
”Say, Kaori...” Rio called Kaori abruptly, grabbing other's attention. He was still watching ahead as he walked.
”Yes?” Kaori returned back from her Lala Land and looked at Rio's back since he was walking ahead of the others.
The rest were watching the exchange silently. Inwardly, they were grateful for the sudden change in the mood. But, Rio's next words changed their opinions.
”Do you like Hajime? I mean romantically...”
They all stopped dead on their track. When Rio sensed that, he also stopped, turned around, and saw that they had a dumbstruck expression. However, their reactions had two different meanings.
Kouki and Ryutarou were dumbfounded for they thought that Rio's question was very outrageous in and of itself. They couldn't imagine Kaori having romantic interest toward someone like Hajime Nagumo. They only know Hajime as a no-good Otaku, after all.
Meanwhile, Kaori and Shizuku were speechless because Rio's inquiry had hit the bullseye. Shizuku knew that Kaori had a crush on Hajime and Kaori herself didn't hide it from her best friend—Shizuku. In fact, they had some embarrassing adventures together because of Kaori's wilfulness to get closer to and know Hajime better. For example, a certain visit of two goddesses in the eroge shop in Akihabara. For the more detailed event, you could check out the official materials of Arifureta Sokugyou de Sekai Saikyou.
Back to Rio and the rest of the real heroes of this world...
”W-wait for a sec! What did you mean by that, Rio? There is no way Kaori has THAT kind of interest for Nagumo, right? Am I right, Kaori? What... Kaori? What are you... Don't tell me...”
Kouki had protested first. He didn't want to believe in it, but after looking in Kaori's direction, he saw Kaori's beet-red face and shy expression. It was when Kouki realized that Rio's question was hitting the bullseye. He became speechless and stared at Kaori blankly.
Meanwhile, Rio ignored Kouki who acted like he had lost his family's jewel. Ryutarou was watching the procession with a dumbfounded look. Just like your typical muscle head who was too lazy to use his mind. And Shizuku was watching everything with an anxious look.