An Incompetent Explorer Who Failed to Make His High School Debut but Mastered Being a Human Being

Episode 114: Is the Outer Moat Filled in a Place I Don't Know About?

"Yo."

"Good morning."

 The morning after the holidays.

"How was your Golden Week?"

 Aki, who was with me at breakfast, casually asks me.

"I'm tired because of many things."

"Haa ... I knew it. I'm so jealous that you've crossed the line!!"

"I didn't cross anything!!"

 With a tired expression on my face, Aki said something incomprehensible about something he had misunderstood, so I instinctively stood up and objected.

 My voice was so loud that the gaze of the nearby people hurt.

"That's why, I told you that I don't have that kind of relationship with Shia, okay?"

"Are you really in a position that you can say that ..."

 When I sit down in a cold sweat and whisper, Aki mutters in amazement.

"What? Is there something?"

"Don't you hear rumors?"

"What did you say?"

 When I questioned Aki's attitude and asked him, he answered simply. I don't understand his words so I ask again.

"You know, I think you already know, but Alexia-chan stands out a lot. If there's a change in her, it will be noticed right away. When you came back from your parents' house, she was wearing plain clothes that we had never seen before, and you were happily walking side by side. From the outside, it looks exactly like you're dating."

"Huh?"

 Listening to Aki's story, I leak a stupid voice.

 I understand that Shia stands out. But I'm just a mob who failed even in his High School Debut. On the contrary, I am a dropout of an explorer who has nothing but proficiency. It doesn't make sense for someone like that to become rumored to be with Shia. It's likely to be out of proportion.

"No, no, no, it's really impossible for me and Shia to be dating, right?"

"But you're the only one Alexia-chan calls by a nickname, you're the only one she goes out with, you're the only one she talks to at school, and you're the only one Alexia-chan gets along with."

 Certainly, Shia was definitely together with me except when she was at the study session.

 From teh outside, it may look like that, but it can't be helped. As expected, Shia would be uncomfortable with such rumors, so I should tell her that there would be bad rumors if she is with me. After that, Shia would be convinced and dissolve the party.

 Being unable to be with a beautiful girl is sad for a healthy High School boy, but I think Shia's reputation and whether she's happy is more important than that.

 I guess I'll be out of the role soon.

"No, no. Anyway, it's clear that Shia and I don't have that kind of relationship. At first Shia and I couldn't even get along."

"I don't think so. At least I think you and Alexia-chan are a good match."

 What are you talking about?

 Aki mutters something incomprehensible again.

 There's no way Shia and I are a good match.

 I strongly disagree.

"Because you're so good at taking care of her. Alexia-chan is the type of person who is a bit 'Poya Poya', a caring guy like you would be a good fit. Alexia-chan is also taking care of you."(TN:Apologies, I can't figure out what 'Poya Poya' is, the kanji is ポヤポヤ and I guess it's some sort of description, but I can't find anything other than people asking what it means.)

"She can talk normally with you ..."

 Aki's words certainly make me unconsciously be reminded of myself being inadvertently cared for by Alexia.

 However, it's frustrating that I can't argue with anything, so I replied with the best words I could think of.

"It's because I'm talking to you, and because I'm your friend. Have you actually seen Alexia-chan talk to anyone?"

"... I haven't."

 However, the intention of objecting came back as a boomerang that made no sound.

 It was a perfect boomerang.

 It's true that I've seen Alexia talking to her classmates and Aki in the dormitory, but it all started with the other party. I have never seen Shia actively talking to someone other than myself.

 But it's also possible that she's talking in my absence.

"Such as talking at Dungeon Exploration Club's study session ..."

"Hey. She's taking lectures with her classmates in the dormitory, but it's always the other person who talks."

 Seriously ...

 Shia, who is so introverted, gets along well with me. Certainly, if you look at it objectively, it wouldn't be strange if it looked like we were dating.

 It's true that being able to go out with such a beautiful girl is nothing short of a pleasure.

 But the connectiong between me and Shia is that of an employer and an employee.

 That's all.

"We're just on good terms because we're forming a party due to certain circumstances. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Haa ... if you say so, then it must be so, but remember that the people around you don't think so, okay?"

"I understand."

 Aki gives advice with a serious face even though he's astonished at my answer.

 I deeply nodded at his too serious expression.