Chapter 115: The two good matches and sinking into the darkness alone
“Those are some impressive clothes. They sell something like that?” (Hikaru)
“Nice, right? I got Points from the Demon Lord subjugation, so I bought them.” (Alex)
Alex was unexpectedly in a really nice suit. He even went as far as buying it with 1 Point. What an incredible westerner. His spirit of joining a party is just different.
“Buying equipment is nice, you know? The size is just right too. You got Points too, right?” (Alex)
I got 3 Points from the Demon Lord subjugation, but that disappeared from the Point Loan.
I got 1 Point from the Hero title, but I really don’t feel like using that for clothes.
“I don’t really fit the bill for a hero though.” (Hikaru)
“Oh, so you really got it too, Hikaru. We probably got it from defeating the Demon Lord, but I was a bit happy since this was my first time getting a title.” (Alex)
Must be a cultural difference.
No, the truth is that I was the type of person that wasn’t against the idea of being called a hero.
It is just that a part of me derailed somewhere.
“More importantly, the suit, the suit. How about getting one too, Hikaru?” (Alex)
“I will think about it.” (Hikaru)
I dodge the question, but it would be a waste to buy something that I could get by using money.
I would like to have at least one Barrier Stone on hand at all times, and if allowed to be greedy, even a High Heal Scroll. With those 2, I won’t be dying unless it is something really big.
“Hey, Hikaru, can I ask you one thing?” (Alex)
“If it is something I can answer.” (Hikaru)
“What’s your relationship with Rifreya-san?” (Alex)
I did know he would one day ask me this, but it seems he really was interested in it.
“A party member.” (Hikaru)
“Hmm, not going out?” (Alex)
“No way. Also…our party has already been disbanded.” (Hikaru)
“Why? Even though your battle against the Demon Lord went that well.” (Alex)
“We were simply teamed up for a limited period of time after all.” (Hikaru)
I stir the wine in my glass that I still haven’t drunk yet.
The party disband has already been decided. It is a party that barely any people even know about. That’s why it isn’t that big of a deal for it to disappear.
Even though I understand that, it still stung my heart when talking about it to others.
To the point that I can’t even show an okay face unless I borrow the power of alcohol.
Even though it was a choice I made.
“…You…are you okay?” (Alex)
Alex asked me this as he leaned on the wall just like me, but I couldn’t respond to him.
Without even knowing what kind of face I myself am making, I gulp down the remaining wine in my glass.
“Oh, Rifreya-san.” (Alex)
Rifreya, who was talking a few ways away, noticed me, and came walking here.
I ended up diverting my gaze.
Right now, for some reason, I don’t think I can talk properly with Rifreya…no, with anyone at all.
“Rifreya-san is beautiful today as well.” (Alex)
“Yeah.” (Hikaru)
“…Hey, Hikaru, please introduce me to Rifreya-san.” (Alex)
The handsome man by my side says that.
He says introduce, but they fought the Demon Lord together, so they should be acquainted already. Maybe he is trying to be considerate with me in his own way.
“Okay.” (Hikaru)
“Introducing, you know. You get what I mean, right?” (Alex)
He repeated it. In other words…he wants to make advances on her.
I honestly don’t want that, but I don’t think I have a justifiable reason to refuse it.
While we were at that, Rifreya called me.
“Aah~! Hikaru, you are drinking! Even though I was holding myself back there~.” (Rifreya)
Rifreya laughed cheerfully, and that sight looked so dazzling like a Goddess, and it was too bright for me.
Compared to that, I can’t even enjoy the party and can’t even have fun talks with other explorers, and was simply passing time without doing anything.
—At that dungeon.
It was because of that darkness inside the dungeon that I could be together with Rifreya.
Me being together with her was truly just a coincidence.
It is such a strong radiance that it made me recognize that it normally would have been impossible for me to mingle with a person like her.
I don’t remember what we talked about after that.
I introduced Alex who is the same Chosen from Earth as me, and I left that place.
Alex is also shining.
He is tall, and his smile that shows his white teeth was charming, and that picture of his standing by the side of Rifreya felt like the two looked good for each other.
Sparkling party venue, shining participants.
There’s no place for me there.
[Pan paka paan! All Chosen, good work! Thank you very much for your participation in the 1st Viewer Count Race lasting 2 weeks! It is the awaited announcement of the results!]
A thoughtless and cheerful voice suddenly rings inside my head.
Looks like the Viewer Count Race has ended.
After that, the voice was reading the names of the winners that were not me.
My name is not there.
I forfeited on the 12th day, so it is obvious.
“With this, it really is the end…huh.” (Hikaru)
I couldn’t revive Nanami.
There’s no need for me to push myself to stand out.
I will be compromising here and living in this world while still being hated by the viewers.
Alex seemed to be arguing vehemently about something and Rifreya was smiling elegantly.
I of course couldn’t hear it and I couldn’t even look at it, so I left that place silently.
I exited to the outside from the terrace, and walked through the garden.
I sat at a bench that’s far enough where I can’t hear the noise of the party.
There’s no street lights, so the garden is veiled in darkness.
The light of the moon, the blinking of the stars; none of those had the strength to shine onto my figure.
This darkness where no one will see me is comfortable for me.
The dance must have started, slightly cheerful music was being played, and the clear air of the night reached me all the way from the far venue.
Just like seeing the brightness of the Earth from far in space, it felt as if those events were happening in a far world.
The laughing of the people, the lively music; a world of light that has nothing to do with me.
Even without wanting to, I still ended up associating this with the distance between me and Rifreya from now on.
Light and darkness can’t go together.
That obvious thing -that separation- I have once again felt it here.
…From tomorrow on, I will be diving into the dungeon alone, and I will be living a lifestyle that will lower my inflated viewership.
If it is a lifestyle of hunting in the 2nd Floor, I won’t be dying or standing out.
I could leave the inn and rent an apartment somewhere.
I did feel like reducing my unnecessary expenses, and I should be able to rent an apartment now.
If it is a normal lifestyle like that, I won’t be attracting the eyes of the viewers.
Now that I have failed in reviving Nanami, I can’t bring any other choice in my life aside from living quietly.
With my back onto the bench, I absentmindedly watched the stars that twinkled differently from the ones on Earth.
I couldn’t help but remember the two weeks I spent together with Rifreya.
—I want to continue being together with you.
If only I could say that…
It would be a lie if I said that that thought didn’t surface in my mind.
But I can’t do that.
If I said that, I won’t be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life.
She can make her dream come true.
She can become a templar.
I grew sentimental for a bit as I looked up at the starry sky for a while.
…
Suddenly…
*Pah!*
A small light ball suddenly was shot into the sky, and the garden was illuminated.
“Found you!”
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