Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 283


Kazuki's point of view starts in the second half.

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　Our conversation with Falga was over, and the magic communication with Mialak had been cut off.
　He must have been able to read what had happened on our journey through our respective weapons.
　So I can't accept that I'm the only one being treated like an oddball...but I really do think that senpai was doing some pretty good things too.
　Anyway, the problem is the scroll.
　Right now, Kazuki is already agonizing over his worries, and this situation is adding insult to injury, so I can't help but scratch my head.

"Sorry, Usato, senpai. I'll be back first."

　After the discussion was over, all I could do was watch Kazuki leave the hall with an awkward smile on his face.
　Lloyd-sama and Welshi-san had already left, and the only ones left were Leona-san, Senpai, and me.

"Kazuki-dono seems to be quite troubled."
"Leona-san..."

　Leona-san, who was in the hall, walked over to me.

"I wish there was something I could do..."
"That’s a difficult question... Honestly, there's nothing I can say to Kazuki-dono. The meaning of returning home is different for us and you..."
"...Yes"

　For us, going back to where we were born and raised means saying goodbye to this world.
　There is only one scroll.
　There is no portion of coming back here.

"By the way, will Suzune also be staying in this world?"
"Yes. I don't have any lingering feelings anyway."
"I see. I'm sure you have your own circumstances. I don't intend to say anything, but... it must be especially hard on Kazuki-dono."
"That's, right..."

　I can't say it's that simple.
　At least, from what I've heard, Senpai doesn't have many attachments to the former world.
　She must have experienced and made that decision immediately after coming to this world.
　
"I think we should talk about it sometime."
"But what should we talk about..."
"You'll be fine. Your words are more powerful than you know. I'm sure your friend, Kazuki-dono, thinks so, too."
"Leona-san..."

　Maybe I should try talking to him face to face for once.
　Senpai nodded in agreement, seemingly intending to do the same.

"I think you should just talk to him as if you were going to hit each other on the riverbank."
"That kind of forceful..."
"I think that's the kind of assertiveness we need right now."
"I don't think he should be hitting each other with Usato..."

　Leona-san was smiling wryly and saying some really cruel things.
　I-I wouldn't go as far as to fight Kazuki in a fistfight, would I...?

"Anyway, I'll talk to him later."
"You'd better do that. It will be too late once he regrets it."

　It would be no good to just leave him alone and see him suffering like this.

"Leona-san, you're going back to Mialak now, right?"
"Yeah, I have to report to Falga-sama and Norn-sama. But... I guess we will see each other again soon."
"Indeed"

　A meeting of representatives from each country is expected to take place in the future.
　Although no definite schedule has been set, it is highly likely that I, as a participant, will be invited to the meeting.
　...No, it looks like I'm really going to be made to realize that I'm out of place.
　Above all, I think it's a really big deal that the Demon King might turn up at this event.

"Before you leave for Mialak, please stop by the Rescue Squad."
"I will do so. It's a well-known Rescue Squad, and I'd love to see them."

　When that happens we'll have to welcome her too.
　With the fun for later, we go out the hallway through the hall doors.

"We're going to Kazuki's place."
"Yeah, I hope the talk goes in a good direction."
"Yes"

　After parting with Leona-san, I and senpai headed straight to where we thought Kazuki would be.
　According to senpai, he is either in the garden or in his room, so let's head there first.

"Well, what should we talk about first?"
"I think we should start with a fun topic for some refreshment, don't you think?"
"Fun topic..."

　... The first thing that came to mind was the topic of training, and I realized that this might be quite dangerous.
　However, at least it is something that can stimulate conversation, even for me.
　Arriving at the garden while having a light chat with my senpai, I go outside and find Kazuki, ——— Frana-san and Celia-sama in my line of sight.

"That, something's wrong."
"The situation is tense..."

　The atmosphere between the three of them was not the usual fluffy one.
　It was somewhat tense ——— Frana-san was radiating a sense of tension as if she was in the middle of a battle, while Kazuki looked cornered in a way that was unlike his usual self.
　Sensing something unusual in the air, I and my senpai quickly approached the place where the tables and chairs were laid out———,

"Hmph!"
"Nuguh?!"

　With a powerful voice, Frana-san punched Kazuki on the cheek.
　Kazuki was pushed backwards with quite a bit of force and fell on his bottom, touching his cheek in a daze.

""...Eh?""
　
　Behind Frana-san, who was breathing heavily, is Celia-sama, who is forcing herself to make a stern face and cross her arms.
　Kazuki was sitting slightly in a duck-like pose, unable to comprehend the situation.
　———It was obvious that this was not the kind of atmosphere where I should be present.
　I instinctively exchanged glances with senpai, who was standing next to me with her eyes wide open.

"Eh, a scene of carnage? Is it a scene of carnage?"
"I never thought that Frana-san would punch him ... Ah, Kazuki has noticed us."

　Kazuki looked over at me as if asking for help, but before he could, Feana-san and Celia-sama looked at me with a fierce look in their eyes.

"Kazuki, do your best!"
"Now's the time to show your manliness, Kazuki-kun!"

　We both gave Kazuki a thumbs up and decided to hide in the shadows and watch what was happening.

"Both of you?!"
"What are you looking at, Kazuki?"
"Kazuki-sama?"

　I have no idea how this situation came to be.
　I don't know for sure, but I do know that the current situation is definitely a turning point that will bring some kind of change to Kazuki.
　Anyway, do your best, Kazuki!

●
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　Return to my original world.
　It was something I had been trying not to think about for a long time.
　At first, I wanted to go back, but as I spent time in this world, I got to know a lot of people and learned a lot of good things.
　But I have a family.
　My parents raised me this far———if I don't go home, I will never be able to show filial piety to them, and I will never see them again.
　I have to choose one or the other.
　But if I discard one of the worlds, I can never come back to it. That fact is the only thing that has been tormenting my mind for a long time.
　But until today, I have not been able to make a decision, and in fact, I have been abandoning the very idea of thinking about it.

"———Haa"

　The time limit of the scroll that Falga-sama mentioned.
　Well, to be precise, if the "coordinates" and "time" of our world are engraved into it beforehand, then we have time ——— but I can't spend the time in this world with my thoughts in limbo until I can make a decision.
　Usato is already looking ahead to what he must do in the future.
　For the sake of humans and for the sake of the demon tribe living in the demon king's territory, he has made the decision to leave even his own world behind and act according to his own ideas.
　Meanwhile, I'm just worrying, not knowing what to do from now on.
　My mission as a hero is over.
　So, what should I do from here on out? I had no idea.

"Kazuki-sama, are you okay?"
"Celia... and Frana too..."
"You seem worried again."

　While I was pondering alone in the garden, Frana and Celia came over.
　I smile, feeling sorry for making them worry all the time.

"Sorry, I don't think I can decide yet."
"There's no need to rush. Whatever path you choose, we will accept that fact."

　Celia's kind words make my heart ache.
　It's not their fault.
　It's my own indecisiveness that is at fault.

"Uhm, you see."

　I don't want to choose.
　I can't bring myself to abandon either of them.
　With those thoughts in mind, I spoke to the two of them.

"Flana, Celia, do you guys want me to stay...? If that's what you want, then I'll———"
"Please wait, Kazuki-sama."

　Before I could finish, Celia stopped me.
　When I looked up, taken aback by their unusual, strong tone of voice, their expressions seemed somewhat angry.
　Eh, what? That's scary...
　Just as I instinctively backed away, it was Flana who spoke next.

"Kazuki, are you serious... saying that?"
"...Yeah"

　At that moment, Frana's face turned stern.
　Stunned by her expression, which she only shows in the middle of a fight, she grabbed me by the collar and, for some reason, raised her fist and slammed it into my cheek.
　———Impact.
　Having been hit by that punch with such force that I sat down on the ground, I looked up at her in confusion.

"Eh? Wh-What? It hurts...?"
"Fuu———"

　Did I get hit?
　And with a fist?
　Not with a slap, but a straight punch?
　As I was still confused, I suddenly found Senpai and Usato looking at me with surprised eyes.
　They didn't seem to understand the situation either, and looked at me and Frana with confused expressions, but then, as if they had thought something, they nodded once and gave me a thumbs up.

"Kazuki, do your best!"
"Now's the time to show your manliness, Kazuki!"
"Both of you?!"

　Don't just come here and try to read the mood in a weird way!
　I reach out for help to the two people who uselessly click well together, but Frana and Celia are standing in front of me.

"I wonder where you're looking, Kazuki."
"Kazuki-sama?"

　This was an impressive performance that was unimaginable from the usual two...!
　Just as I was feeling overwhelmed, Frana stepped in front of me.

"F-Frana...Frana-san?"
"Just shut up and listen. I'm going to get unreasonably angry at you now."
"Eh...?"

　As I unintentionally began speaking politely, Frana crossed her arms and looked down at me.
　Her eyes were burning with anger, signifying how much my words had tugged at her heartstrings.

"If we want, you will stay in this world. Is that what you were trying to say earlier?"
"Y-Yeah... I know it's pathetic, but..."
"No. I don't think it's pathetic or anything. I understand why you would think that way. But, you know what, Kazuki, that's not right, is it?"

　I was speechless as Franna spoke as if to persuade me.
　Didn't she hit me because she thought I was pathetic for saying such things and was disappointed?

"That's not for us to decide."
"But, I..."
"I know without asking that both worlds are important for you. But this is a choice you absolutely must make."

　A choice I have to make myself.
　Frana's expression turned pained as she continued speaking.

"We also want you to stay in this world. You're an important person to us, after all. It's only natural that we would feel that way."
"In that case, that's all the more reason———"
"But I'm sure your father and mother want you to come back just as much as we do... no, I'm sure they want you to come back even more."
"......!"
"It is the reason why you are so distressed. Therefore, we should not be selfish to ask you to stay in this world. Above all, your happiness should be prioritized after saving this country."

　What a fool I was.
　I am so ashamed of myself for having said something so insensitive without thinking of Frana and Celia's feelings.

"I know it sounds harsh, but ... don't give up choosing and don't try to take the easy way out. What lies ahead is not who you are that we know."
"...Yeah...yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I was wrong."

　This is something I, myself, absolutely have to answer for.
　Realizing this once again, I stand up with my cheeks pressed together, determined to give a definite answer no matter how much it bothers me.

"...Are you okay? I hit you pretty hard though..."
"Haha, I'm fine. But, you know, I think you went a bit too far with the illusion magic. My vision's still all over the place."
"Eh? I didn't use it... did it hit your chin?!"
"It's quite swollen..."

　I chuckle at them as they begin to apply recovery magic in a flustered manner.
　Then, sighing lightly, Frana turns her attention to Usato and Senpai, who are watching us from the shadows.

"Two people hiding there."
""!?""
"Come here."

　Senpai and Usato are called by Frana and come to this place looking extremely awkward.
　Senpai, perhaps confused that she did not hear what we were talking about, calls out to Frana hesitantly.

"Frana... Mm-mm, Frana-san. Should I seiza?" (Note: kneeling with the tops of the feet flat on the floor, and sitting on the soles)
"No, why are you using polite language, Suzune? Just act like usual, okay?"
"...Frana, the tsundere type and the violent type are similar but not the same. Don't stray from the path, okay?"
"I'm sorry. Could you speak to me in a human language?"
"Kyaun"

　Senpai is hit with a counterattack with a smile and is defeated.
　As expected of Frana, she knows how to treat senpai well.
　Usato glances at the defeated senpai from the sidelines and, with a slight smile on his face, extends his palm towards her.

"Frana-san, I'm fine."
"R-Really?"
"I'm prepared to be scolded."
"It's not fine at all, is it? There's no need to prepare yourself for that, okay?"

　It seemed like he thought he would get scolded just like me.
　That wasn't the case, and Frana, with her hands on her hips in exasperation, spoke to the two, who were seiza for some reason.

"Anyway, let's talk. Nothing good will come from just holding on to our worries. We should let it all out and clear this person's head!"
"I see, so that's what we can do for Kazuki-kun."

　Frana continued speaking to Senpai and Usato, who seemed convinced.

"Also, if you can, do a mock battle or whatever and exercise until you collapse!"
"If we were to exercise until I collapse, who knows how long it would take!"

　Usato suddenly raised his hand and said something strange.
　He glanced at the reactions of those around him, and she grabbed his face, veins popping out of his forehead.

"Usato, I'm talking about human standards? Hey, do you understand?"
"No, it was just a little joke... an ogre joke..."
"Why can't you stand it when I'm grabbing your face? You ridiculous human! Mou~! For now, everyone, sit down!"

　She pulls away from Usato, who is still acting normally despite the iron claw that he just barely took, and urges them to sit down in a chair.
　Celia, who had forced her eyebrows to furrow and frown in response, smiles her original gentle smile and lightly claps her hands.

"In that case, let me prepare something sweet! Eva from Samarial sent me some delicious treats!"

　Usato was surprised when Celia said this and asked a maid who was waiting nearby for some sweets.

"Celia-sama, did you know Eva?"
"Yes! I haven't met her yet, but we started exchanging letters after Father introduced us! Fufu, I've heard a lot about Usato-san!"
"Is that so? I'm glad to see that Eva is doing well."
"Gununu, I didn't expect Samarial's support to reach this far...!"

　Everyone sat down around the table in their chairs.
　Seeing this lively yet fun exchange, the gloomy mood I had felt earlier had already vanished.

"...Thank you"

　I'm still troubled by it.
　The regrets will remain.
　There will be times when I miss the world I didn't choose.
　But even so, I must make the choice that has been given to me.

"Hmm? Kazuki, did you say something?"
"...No, it's nothing."

　But even so, I will never forget this view.
　At this moment, I have important people who care about me, even though I am so indecisive.

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

This was the episode where Kazuki got hit with a fist.
It didn't solve his worries, but he's feeling better now.