Chapter 12

(A/N: I used a lot of the source material between the conversation of Kaori and Hajime.)

We arrived in the outpost town of Horaud, together with Captain Meld and a few of his knights. It was a small but cozy town overall.

We arrived at a state-run inn, and everyone had to share a room. I was sharing a room with Hajime. As we arrived toward at our room, Hajime dived into his bed with a relieved sigh.

He seemed so happy with a single bed. I don't know why. Maybe he feels strained living in such a luxurious place.

I wouldn't get him because that was how I used to live back on earth.

Tomorrow they would all enter the labyrinth. The plan was to go no further than floor twenty, which according to Captain Meld was still high enough that the knights would be able to protect them all.

I sighed feeling that tomorrow wouldn't be as simple as everyone said it would be. My intuition has never been wrong.

As it was getting late, I laid in bed thinking about the future. Hajime was reading a picture book that described the monsters that inhabited the lower levels of the dungeon.

He seemed to be dozing off but then we heard a knock at the door. Since Hajime was closer to the door, I let him open the door.

I was honestly interested in who wanted to visit at this late at night.

Hajime looked hesitant to open the door. That is when we heard a voice on the other side of the door.

Kaori – "Nagumo-kun are you awake? It's me, Shirasaki. Can we talk for a bit?"

I was a bit stumped on why Kaori wanted to visit Hajime at this late at night. Hajime stiffened up for a second before hurriedly rushing over to the door.

Well, that was fast. He looked faster than the Usain bolt.

He quickly opened the door, and standing on the other side was Kaori, wearing nothing but a cardigan over her pure white negligee.

I stiffened up a bit thinking if she wanted to take extreme measures on Hajime here and now. Did she want to give him a heart attack?

I hear Hajime letting out some kind of weird dialect.

Hajime – "What in tarnation?"

I chuckled a bit knowing how he felt. Even I was tempted by how beautiful she was, but I simply don't have any special feelings toward her. As a friend yes, but as a potential lover no.

Hajime seemed to recompose himself and the two continued their conversation. Then Hajime invited her in.

They both ignored me as if I weren't here. Hajime looked to be brewing tea and brought the tea over to her.

This was really entertaining. Watching how things played out. He really wanted to do this more often.

The two are awkward now, but Hajime seemed to gather the courage to talk.

Hajime – "So what was it you wanted to talk to me about? The dungeon trip tomorrow?"

Kaori – "I want you… to stay here when we go to the labyrinth tomorrow. I'll connive the instructors and the rest of our classmates, so please don't go!"

I was a bit stumped. I honestly thought she came here to seduce Hajime, but I guess I was wrong.

Hajime seemed to be bewildered to think. His brain then rebooted up.

Hajime – "Umm… I do realize I'd just get in your way, but… I don't think they'll let me skip out after I've come this far already."

Kaori – "That's not it! It's not because I think you're a burden or anything!"

I sigh a bit looking at the situation.

Kaori – "Umm, you see, I just have this really bad feeling. I was sleeping just a moment ago, and... I was having this dream... You were in it, Nagumo-kun... but you wouldn't answer even when I called your name... and no matter how much I ran, I could never reach you... Then at the end..."

Hajime – "And then at the end?"

Kaori – "…You vanished…"

Hajime – "I see…"

This really did sound ominous. I honestly already thought with what I am feeling the trip would not be what it seems, but now with Kaori and the dream, my belief in the trip was reaffirmed once again. The trip will be something else.

The silence continued in the room.

Hajime – "It was just a dream, Shirasaki-san. We'll have Captain Meld's veteran knights with us, along with some ridiculously strong people like Amanogawa-kun. Or rather, a ton, since all of our classmates have pretty broken skills. So much so that I actually pity our enemies a little. You probably just had that kind of dream because you've been seeing just how weak I am up close recently. And... And if you're still worried..."

Kaori – "Then what?"

Hajime – "Why don't you protect me?"

I almost laughed right then and there. This was simply too entertaining. I really wished for some popcorn.

Hajime – "Your job was Priest, right, Shirasaki-san? That's a job that excels in healing magic, isn't it? So no matter what happens to me... even if I get mortally wounded, you should be able to heal me, Shirasaki-san. So will you protect me, please? That way I'll be fine no matter what happens."

The conversation then continued and they talked about how Hajime never changed and how Kaori saw him prostrating himself in front of someone trying to save them and how he was the courage to bow to save and not through violence.

In the end, Kaori said she would protect him. During their little conversation, I sneaked out to get popcorn and quickly came back.

Hajime thanked her and then there was silence. However, in that silence, they could hear someone chewing on something.

They both turned around and saw me looking at them, holding some popcorn and looking at them.

This was honestly too entertaining.

Hajime and Kaori just continued to stare at me while I continued to stare at the back while eating popcorn.

Ains – "Don't mind me… continue…"

They both got out of their stupor and Kaori yells with a flushed face.

Kaori – "What are you doing here!?"

I just stare at her with a deadpan expression.

Ains – "You do realize I have been here from the beginning, right? I mean this is our room, not yours."

I continued to eat popcorn and stare at them.

Kaori then realizes it was her mistake but then she suddenly asked me another question.

Kaori – "I am sorry about that, but why do you have popcorn."

Ains – "Your actions and conversation were too entertaining. It was like watching a Novela so how could I not have popcorn."

They look at me with deadpan expressions and stared at me.

Their stares hurt so I put the popcorn down.

I tsked at them and thought I should have eaten quieter.