Beyond the Hero’s Death – 55 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 55: Meet Again① ~A Morning That Should Have Been Just Like Any Other~

Extra Chapter: A Brand New World

PIPIPIPI—the electronic alarm from my smartphone woke me, bringing a morning no different from any other.
Thus, I quickly changed clothes as usual, ate breakfast, grabbed my bag, and walked to school.
Even though Golden Week is over and school has started, the world remains unchanged today as ever. While walking, I even have enough mental space to listen to the conversations of passersby while yawning.
The conversations of kids the same age walking by in the same school uniforms cover everything from idols to social media to anime, and even YouTubers—they're all over the place.

"……Ah, peaceful times are good indeed, good indeed."

"―――Why are you acting like such an old fart first thing in the morning?"

The girl who joined me, sighing at my mutterings, had her blonde hair pulled up in two side buns.

"Oh, Falty, good morning."

I called her name and raised my hand to greet her as we stood side by side.
With a petite stature of only about 130 cm and a doll-like, adorable appearance that captures everyone's attention, this girl is Falty Misu. She's half-Nordic and apparently comes from a good family, but she doesn't give off that prim and proper vibe. That's why we're friends who can chat casually like this, though we only met after starting high school.
"Yes, good morning. ……You're lacking energy again today, aren't you?"

"I rather call it I'm living on low fuel. I'm all for sustainability."

That's now how suistentability works, you know? Laughing at Falty, who was staring at me with a glare after responding me with those words, I matched her small steps and walked alongside her.

"Haa～…… What did my sister see in someone like you……?"

"Sister? ……What's the matter with the Vice President? "

The person Falty referred to as sister was a senpai one year older, who was serving as the school's council vice president. Unlike the younger sister, she's tall and well-proportioned, even called one of the school's three great beauties. But to think just one year's difference could make such a gap in development…… Reality is harsh.
By the way, I met Falty because I stuck my neck out when the Vice President was getting into trouble, so the fact that Falty and I are chatting like this is thanks to the Vice President bringing us together.

"Hmph, it's nothing."

Falty stuck out her tongue with a “'Nbeh!” ……Well, they say curiosity killed the cat, so I guess I won't worry about it.

"……Haaah... More importantly, is Al okay?"

Falty, who had said that, was shifting her thoughts to worrying about my friend—who would be joining us soon—and also the boy she had feelings for. ……Well, this Golden Week had its share of ups and downs, I guess.

"He'll be fine, that guy…… He's not the type to get knocked out for good by something like that.
And you know what? Childhood friends are meant to cheat and NTR each other as naturally as breathing—it seems that's a principle established by the heavens."

"What kind of stupid logic is that?"

Falty looked utterly disgusted, as if she'd been completely put off.
I heard childhood friends are supposed to be a formulaic trope where they get cuckolded and get what's coming to them afterwards, like, are you serious? It makes me want to cry just saying it! ! ! ! Damn it! !

"I'm the one who just got cheated on by my childhood friend, so trust me on this—it's true."

"Like hell I'll let you say something like 'I'm a man whose childhood friend cheated on and I'm totally fine! !
……Doesn't it make you sad to even think that? ?
Well, come on, cheer up a bit. There's bound to be at least one older woman out there who's got a crush on you, right? Yeah."

Falty tried to comfort me by saying that. ……That's an unusually narrow scope, isn't it? ? Well, whatever.

The reason I'm bringing this up is that right at the start of the Golden Week, I found out my childhood friend was cheating. I thoroughly punished the other guy and broke up with my childhood friend, so it's resolved, but I'm still heartbroken. I've always been a low-energy, low-maintenance, cost-effective guy, though.

……And soon to join us is my guy friend, who just went through a pretty rough breakup after his childhood sweetheart cheated on him.
I was walking, feeling worried since he's an important friend to me, yet confident that he'd be fine. Then I caught sight of him. A boy with fluffy brown hair and a puppy-like aura was waiting for us.

"Hey, Al."

"Good morning, Al."

"Ah! Good morning, you two! "

A gentle smile graced his face as he replied. It was Albe Riku, my classmate and friend, as well as Falty's. Among close friends, including myself, we nicknamed him Al.
Al's a calm, easygoing guy, but he's also pretty stubborn with a strong heart, and he shows incredible drive sometimes. I respect him for that. We went to the same elementary and middle school, and for some reason we just click, so we hang out a lot.

"I'm sorry I dragged both of you into this mess right at the end of the Golden Week. ……I'm fine now."

Al apologized profusely, looking genuinely sorry. Al seems to regret getting dragged into the mess with that damn bitch…… I mean, his childhood friend.
It's not like he has to worry about it, though. After all, when it comes to childhood friend NTR heartbreak, I've got a day's head start on him. About a week earlier, my childhood friend got stolen from me…… kinda makes me feel like something a vegetable prince did in some anime.

"Don't worry about it—―― I just went through the same thing myself! ! Consultations, complaints, rants—anything goes!"

"You know, your jokes aren’t funny anymore! ……But if anything happens, don't keep it to yourself—talk to someone, okay? And, you know, we're friends, so......"

Following my words, Falty's face turned bright red as she tried desperately to speak to Al. It's easy to tell when you're watching from the sidelines. Damn it…… this is frustrating. Should I make things a little steamier? !

……And so, chatting about such things, the three of us walked to school.

Several years ago, dungeons appeared all over the world, and one even appeared in the city where we live. Despite that change, we've mostly been able to live peaceful, everyday lives. The fact that every day is just the same is something to be grateful for in itself.
I―――Amagahara Uruto am content to live a peaceful life, like a plant.

"―――Raoul."

I felt as if someone had called out to me, so I stopped and turned toward the sound. Across the main street, on the opposite sidewalk, stood a stunningly beautiful girl with long black hair, wearing the same school uniform as mine, looking right at me. It wasn't like someone had called me by name, but somehow I felt like they had. ……Was there a girl like that? Even from a distance, you can tell she's beautiful, but if she's that gorgeous, I'd think she'd be the talk of the town.

"We're leaving you behind, Amagahara—."

After answering Falty's call and looking back, the girl who had been there moments ago was gone. I wonder what that was about? Well, whatever.
Now, shall we enjoy another uneventful day today?