Vol 3 Chapter 5 (1/2)
Chapter 5: Iris's circumstances
2nd day of living in the Netherworld
Though in the , same as the previous day, we played around at the dehtseeing as we bought things for dinner
It stemmed from yesterday’s dinnertime
Since, not liking the Netherworld dishes served by the hotel staff, my sister filed a complaint, the expert cooks at the hotel, unfamiliar with human’s world cuisine, were at a complete loss about what kind of food to serve
Then, following Lilith-san’s “why don’t you try choosing the food you shall eat?” suggestion, we ca district
It seems that there are two places on this island with supermarkets that carry human world’s foodstuff, so we had to split into two tearedients
Since we didn’t have the tih a lottery[1] made by Lilith-san
The results of the lottery
Me & Iris
Zonmi & Kyouko & Manami
We were split into those two teams
I bet that Lilith-san has rigged the results
If not, going so hat happened yesterday… There’s no way these results came out
Let’s ratitude
× × ×
So, the chance has coap with Iris, but—
“…”
“…”
Guuuh The conversation is not very lively
Coh school) this may be the first time
Going out shopping, just the two of us alone like this…
“Hey… Iris”
“… What dost thou want?”
“Nice weather today[2]…”
“So it seems”
“Haha… Haha”
“…”
“…”
And the conversation has ceased once again
I thought that one up a little since Zon at my place… It seems I was mistaken
“Wha? That’s right, you are not wearing your usual robe today?”
While going by trial and error to stretch the conversation, I blurted that question
Iris’s clothes for today were a chic s on a plaid parka
“… Right now at this place, there’s no way I can don such a thing Those are garon bloodline”
“? Isn’t it usually the opposite?”
Despite the Netherworld having been dyed in the human world’s culture… This is indeed a different world
Looking around the area, I could see a half-hu like a pterosaur[3] soaring the skies
The red robes Iris usually wears (though out of place at the hu out here in the Netherworld
“…”
“…”
This is bad
Iris, head down and in silence, won’t lift her eyes
Could it be that I, once again… Have stepped on an outrageous landmine?
Noticing soe, I harbored that doubt
“… Ah”
Wrong
It’s not like Iris casts her glance doards with a hurt countenance
This is… The same reaction she showed on the first day, when she was surrounded by that battalion of maids
Pale-faced, Iris' figure, walking with an unsteady gait… It was as if she was scared of so
But, why?
What the heck is Iris scared of?
… I could understand the reason while listening to the surrounding sounds
“Hey Isn’t that girl, by a chance… A red dragon?” “No way! Weren’t the red dragons annihilated?” “It seeirl”
“Doesn’t the blood of a red dragon fetch a high price? If I abduct that girl I may become filthy rich” ”Moron… Stop it…”
Those were curiosity-filled glances thrown at Iris
Are you… Joking…?
Iris… Just because being born in the red dragon tribe… Has to… Be subjected to public glares like this as if it was completely normal?
So a doubt
The hut at the peak of a , doesn’t see
Surely Iris… May have been living in the human world since before I was appointed as a monster tamer
If it is like that… Why would Iris have chosen to live in the human world out of her oill?
I think I no the reason
Iris, just by walking like this in the Netherworld… Surrounded by one-sided pity directed to her… Solares filled with desire… Without doubt, iton her
That’s why… Even if italone… She must have chosen to live in the human world
“… Iris?”
Taking a peek to Iris’s face, walking next toup in her eyes
Aah
If I could, I’d like to send flying all of the Iris the theme of their conversation
However
Doing that wouldn’t solve anything
Instead,fuss—will only open the wounds wider
… Sniff
Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff!
I’ been hurt, I can’t do nothing but look from the side as a spectator
Anything Can’t I do anything?
To help the girl before me, a satisfactory way—
…
……
I think and think
This useless junk of a brain of ive me a clear answer
Not knohat’s the best I could do—
Before I knew it, I had removed my clothes
“Hey, look… That dude”
“Uwah… The worst”
“Could it be… An exhibitionist?”
I felt how, instantly, all the curiosity-filled glanced directed at Iris turned to me
… I understand
Even if I do this, it’s not like it will solve the basics
However, ifthe burden on Iris… I want to do anything I can for her
“Wha, ha Thou… What are thou doing!??”
In the end, noticing sos, Iris, in a flustered tone, hastily showed dismay
“Hehe! Don’t you know? At the human world, in areas near the shore… Isn’t it not weird to wander outside in swimsuit?”
“… E-even if it’s like that, what need did thou have to disrobe right now!?”
“My bad It seems the Netherworld’s Sun is too hot for me…”
“What art thou saying!? About the Netherworld’s Sun… Aren’t its rays weak enough for the ghoul to wander aro…”
Stopping mid-sentence, it seems that Iris has realized my intention
Iris, with her cheeks furiously blushi+ng out of character, ibly
“Though thy feelingsbesides a ”
“… OK”
Since it seems she really dislikes it, I put my clothes on in a flash
So that’s it
Itthe obvious, but… As expected, it’s e for Iris to walk besides a half-naked man
“… About that Thank thee”
“M?”
“N-no, I didn’t say anything Monster taon like reatly”
Though this tactic has ended in afrom the results, it seems that it’s not like my actions have been totally useless
The actions this time may have been more conspicuous than ever
And with this it’s case closed… Saying that with confidence, I can agree with it by far Frolances, recovered her usual mood
× × ×
Having concluded the shopping without further issue, today’s dinner was very norht
It’s been a long time since we could have such a decent meal!
With that, Kyouko & Manami’s spirits lifted
About it, isn’t this enough to last till the day after tomorrow’s dinner?
Since we’ve bought so redients, on’t be able to taste the Netherworld’s foodstuff for quite a while
Although thinking that makes me a little sad, if I ate Netherworld’s cuisine every day, sooner or later, since I'll have lost the sense of noret pulled to this side
“Chiharu Have you thought of your plans for tomorrow?”
Said Zone[4]
“That’s riiight Since we’ve expressly coplaces”
“I see Sightseeing?”
“By the way, Zonmi, is your hometown far from here?”
“Is that so? To tell the truth, it’s not so far Riding on a boat at the harbor, wouldn’t it be half a day?”
“I see Isn’t it just a tad too far?”
“… Though I’ frankly, I think it’s better that you give up”
“Why?”
“Since, Chiharu, be that as it er is too great
As this area is a neutral zone made for the tourists, it’s safe, but there are ainst humans”
“… Is that so?”
“Yeah To be exact, currently the Netherworld’s public order can be said to be the worst in a long ti over the Netherworld”
“Exactly Chiharu-sama”
Lilith-san, as looking at us dining, butted in
“I briefly explained it to you before, but currently we are in a critical state of division between conservatives, ant to maintain the status quo in the Netherworld, and the reformists, ant the Netherworld to invade and control the human world
Due to that fact, I beg you that you don’t leave the island for the duration of this trip”
“… Understood”
It’s not like I wanted to leave this island that much
Let’sfrom the two
After that
The ideas we discussed for our plans for toether—
In the end, with the plans for tomorrow still undecided, that day’s dinner came to an end
× × ×
“I know! Let’s all watch a movie!”