My name is Kurokata.

It's been quite some time since my last post here.

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A room reeks of blood.

A figure weeps.

Rough men bellow with laughter.

From the sidelines, I observe such a scene, detached, as if my heart isn't present.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

"Woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

This isn't about purging filth with flames.

Rather, it's about disinfecting the wounds of injured soldiers.

...Haha. What else could it possibly seem like?

"We've got an injured one--!"

"Kyaaaaa"

This wooden figurine... No, Nopo-san didn't pick up a woman; he brought in someone injured.

He's no thief; he neither sells nor harms them.

So, I'm puzzled why this female soldier is wailing.

"Come on, show me that arm! Don't hide it, you swine! Let me take care of it!!"

"I'm so sorry!!"

It's all too normal now.

Neglecting a wound means it could harbor all manner of bizarre pathogens.

It's not extortion or anything of the sort, right?

No, my subordinates are exemplary... Even a wailing child would be silenced.

In truth, they quiet down out of fear.

While lost in my thoughts, one of my subordinates approaches me, his expression bringing a wave of fear.

"Boss, I've laid the injured man on the bed! Go easy on me!"

Hey, don't just toss the injured onto the bed.

"Go easy..." When said, implies something else entirely.

In situations like this, precision is key.

"How many times must I remind you to treat the patients with respect!" And you others, don't be useless!!

""We're sorry, Deputy Leader!!""

Oh, I'm late in introducing myself.

My name is Ken Usato, but everyone calls me Usato or Deputy Leader.

Summoned to another world as a hero, I'm now the deputy leader of an organization known as the Life Rescue Team.

My specialty magic? Healing magic, a formidable magic that can cure any wound.

It's wonderful to work in a place filled with constant smiles.

"Huh..."

Back in my world, I led a very ordinary high school life, so how did I end up in such a delightful workplace? It all began with a series of mishaps.

It was a bitterly rainy day.

As school ended, I was set to head home relaxedly, but a downpour seemed to have other plans.

Having left my umbrella at home, I could only watch as other students opened theirs and confidently navigated through the rain.

No, it's not like anyone conveniently had a spare umbrella for me.

But the prospect of getting drenched was equally unappealing.

"I guess I'll wait out the rain a bit before leaving."

I wasn't in a hurry and didn't particularly dislike the rain.

However, after about 30 minutes, the rain showed no signs of stopping. Taking shelter at the entrance, I sighed involuntarily. This rain, you're going to make me despise you.

Then, an hour later, the surrounding scenery darkened, likely due to the rain clouds.

"Well, it's getting darker... Hmm?"

Two men and a woman approach the shoe rack from down the hall.

Those two... They're members of the student council.

The man is Kazuki Ryusen. Tall, with a striking presence and a flawless gal-game protagonist vibe - his name and appearance suggest a protagonist's aura. Plus, he's the vice president and a classmate of mine. To anyone's eye, he's an overachieving superhuman.

Ken Usato. In contrast, I, with nothing notable but my surname, couldn't be more different from him.

"...Oh, wow."

"What's up, Inugami-senpai?"

"He's... from your class."

Suzune Inugami, the student council president and a dignified, well-groomed senior with black hair, is admired by many, including a special subset of female students.

Rumors swirl about her and Ryusen's possible romance.

She notices me, stranded by the shoe rack.

"Don't you have an umbrella?"

"Oh, uh... Yes."

"I see, so you've been waiting for the rain to stop, but it's nearly time for the school to close..."

Was it that late already?

Checking the time on my phone and looking outside, the rain persisted.

It seemed unlikely to stop anytime soon...

I contemplated calling my parents, but with both working, I couldn't impose on them.

Inugami, arms crossed, appeared troubled.

"Hmm... It's the student council's responsibility to ensure you don't go home soaked."

"Then, senpai, shall we lend Usato-kun an umbrella?"

Ryusen, ever gracious, offers his folding umbrella.

So, his popularity among female students isn't unfounded.

Until we shared a class, I hadn't interacted with him much, but he turned out to be refreshingly genuine. Remembering my name left an impression on me.

"Thank you, Ryusen-kun."

"Please, call me Kazuki. And you..."

"It's Usato."

Kazuki and I share a school.

Yet, I never imagined becoming friends with the school's heartthrob, attracting the ire (or jealousy) of his female admirers.

"So, may I call you Usato-kun?"

"Sure, why not?"

Internally, I'm thrilled, no longer caring if this ends me - being addressed by the school's most beautiful girl.

I thought today was a loss, but it turned out quite the opposite. Befriending the school's elites was an unexpected win.

Rain, you're the best. Pour on!

Kazuki, seemingly pleased with our interaction, excitedly suggests we head home together.

For a moment, I felt an inexplicable pull towards him, but dismissed it as a desire for more male friendships. Internally apologizing for my doubts, I agreed to join him.

"Do you have any future plans?"

"I'm just a sophomore."

"Did the senior ask you that?"

"Hehe, just curious about others."

Walking on the rain-soaked roads, the absence of cars struck me as odd. Then again, who'd venture out in such weather?

The sound of rain, oddly comforting, seemed to soothe me.

Could it be that these two also emanate a calming aura?

Curious, I inquire about Inugami's career plans.

"Have you decided on a career path, being a senior?"

"Not yet."

"Isn't that a bit concerning?"

My blunt inquiry might've been inappropriate, but I shared my honest impression. After all, as a third-year, she should have some direction...

Inugami's bitter smile was uncharacteristic for someone of her stature.

"Yes, but finding my calling... Even if I did, achieving it would be swift. Sometimes, I feel out of place here."

"You're an impressive senior, Usato."

"Indeed."

"Oh, I'm not being sarcastic, am I?"

"I know," he replied, sharing a smile with Kazuki.

Inugami, her cheeks blushing, turned away, flustered.

"By the way, are Kazuki and Inugami-senpai dating?"

I ventured into the topic of interest.

Their stunned expressions answered my question.

"Huh? No, we're not."

"Yes, it's a common misconception due to our time together on the student council."

To my surprise, they weren't an item...

"It's not true, is it?"

"Hahaha, why would we lie here?"

Kazuki's friendliness exceeded my expectations.

When I expressed my initial perception of him as somewhat aloof, he chuckled, "I'd rather not hear that from Usato... I guess."

Admittedly, I mostly kept to a tight-knit circle of friends, so their assumption wasn't unfounded.

"...What was that?"

"Hmm?"

The others halted, their expressions wary. Turning around, I noticed both placing their hands to their ears, as if straining to hear something.

Did you hear something? I heard nothing.

"What's wrong with you two?"

"...Usato, didn't you hear that? Wow."

"Nothing on my end."

"I heard bells..."

The sound, apparently audible to them, puzzled me.

"There aren't any bell-tolling buildings nearby... With the rain, it's unlikely you'd hear any."

Yet, with two others affirming they heard it, dismissing it as mere imagination was difficult.

"Are you alright?"

Approaching them, a geometric pattern emerged beneath our feet.

My gamer instincts kicked in, identifying it as a magic circle.

"A magic circle?"

In a world where magic and science coexist, what place does a magic circle hold?

Overwhelmed, I tried to rationalize our situation. A glowing magic circle on the ground suggested a portal to another world. Despite the circumstances, a part of me was intrigued.

"Kazuki, what's your take on another world?!"

"What are you talking about, Usato!? Now?!"

Right, my timing couldn't have been worse. My apologies!

"Usato-kun, do you believe in magic and monsters in another world? Is there such a thing as a hero?"

"I felt a strong connection with Inugami-senpai."

Inugami, on our side, seemed to relish the concept, likely a fan of online novels and narratives.

As the magic circle's brilliance intensified, blinding me, I succumbed to a sudden wave of nausea and lost consciousness.

Awakening on a cold floor, I touched my head and felt the smooth surface beneath me, a stark contrast to the concrete I remembered.

"...Where is this?"

Surveying my surroundings revealed a splendid hall.

Before me sat a man on a grand chair, flanked by several elders.

Trying to piece together the situation without panicking, I noted the man's regal attire and crown. The elders resembled typical RPG characters.

Shifting my gaze, I observed rows of knight-like figures clad in gray armor, swords at their hips.

"Are you okay, Usato?"

"Kazuki, where on earth are we?"

Kazuki, beside me, voiced his concern.

Good, we hadn't separated. If Kazuki was here, so were the seniors.

Turning to him, I saw Inugami-senpai, already awake, nearby.

"I'm not sure, but upon awakening, we were surrounded by these strangely dressed individuals... Are you alright, senior?"

"Oh, don't worry. No one's injured."

As we all regained consciousness, the crowned man before us inspected us with an authoritative gaze.

"Seems everyone's awake."

His demeanor suggested someone of great importance, but why were we here?

As I tried to understand our surroundings, Kazuki addressed the crowned man with caution.

"Who are you?"

"How dare you speak to Mr. Lloyd so disrespectfully."

An attendant, standing beside the apparent king, rebuked Kazuki's blunt inquiry.

The king, unbothered by our confusion, gestured for calm.

"It's alright. Being summoned here so suddenly would naturally provoke such questions. Don't overreact, Sergio."

"Yes, but..."

"I apologize for my vassal's rigidity."

"Uh, okay..."

"My name is Lloyd Bluegust Ringle, king of the Lingle Kingdom."

The Lingle Kingdom, a place unknown to me.

"You seem perplexed, so I'll be brief. You've been summoned here, to the Kingdom of Lingle, as heroes."

"Heroes, you say?"

Beside me, a whisper of disbelief, likely not Inugami's, broke the silence.

Senpai, please, don't shatter the image of a composed beauty. I admired you for it.

And Kazuki, always serious, weighed his words carefully.

"Yes, heroes. A few years ago, the Demon King resurfaced, leading an army that's steadily growing in strength. Despite our best efforts, the Lingle Kingdom's forces are no match for the Demon King's army. We've managed to repel previous attacks, but the future remains uncertain... Thus, we've resorted to summoning heroes from another world, employing a forbidden technique to call upon those qualified to assist us."

Inugami-senpai, trying to contain her excitement, crumbles the image further.

"What's the criteria for selection?"

"Summoning from another world isn't arbitrary. The magic circle employs a technique to select and summon those with the right qualifications. Did you hear the bell sound when you were summoned?"

"...So, that was it? But, if that's the case, what about Usato..."

Kazuki glanced at me, his look apologetic.

The bell's sound, audible only to those qualified, meant I, who heard nothing, lacked the necessary background.

"What, am I just caught up in this?"

That was the only conclusion I could draw.

...Am I irrelevant to this? Even if I lack a background, there must be something for me here. I refuse to accept defeat!

Their puzzled looks... Yes, I understand my place here.

Realizing my inner turmoil, King Lloyd solemnly addressed the situation.

"So, you were caught up in this... I wish I could send you home, but summoning from another world is a one-way process. We can bring you here but not send you back. The same applies to the other two... I'm truly sorry... Feel free to express your anger."

...This king, despite everything, seems genuinely kind.

But, calling someone unrelated into this world through hero summoning doesn't make one inherently good.

"No--"

"Don't you dare joke about this!"

Before I could respond, Kazuki, beside me, erupted in anger.

The king's guards tensed, hands reaching for their swords.

Kazuki's anger, while appreciated, needed moderation.

"So, what's our plan? We have parents in our original world! And what about Senpai and Usato..."

"I'm sorry, but we're desperate."

Kazuki's resolve was evident as he stepped forward.

Our friendship was mere hours old, but his solidarity was heartening. I felt out of place, too caught up in the moment...

"Calm down, Kazuki. I appreciate your anger on our behalf, but what good does violence do here?"

"Shh... If that's what Usato says."

Kazuki seemed to respect my words more than I realized.

"I understand it's selfish, and there's no guarantee of a reward for dragging you into this world unwillingly. But we'll find a way to send you back. Until then... please help us."

"Mr. Lloyd!?"

The conversation advanced while I pacified Kazuki.

This wasn't the typical storyline I was accustomed to in novels!

"I am a king with a duty to protect my people. I'll lower my head as much as necessary for that cause!"

King Lloyd, rising from his throne, bowed deeply to us, an unprecedented gesture from a monarch to mere students.

In this surreal moment, Kazuki, calming down, conceded.

"...I apologize for my earlier rudeness. Please, raise your head, Your Majesty. I was too agitated... Let's start by hearing your story."

"...Thank you for your understanding."

Kazuki's nod towards King Lloyd, then at me and Inugami-senpai, who offered a supportive thumbs-up with a smile unlike any I'd seen at school, suggested he was the most entertained by our predicament.

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A comedic turn in an isekai tale... Huh?