It was an uninteresting life.

My family, the building, the school, my classmates, my friends, everything seemed as rough as black and white, and I was helplessly bored.

I hate myself for being able to do anything. That's why we ask others about the future...... I couldn't find what I wanted to do because I could do whatever I wanted to be or didn't want to be, so I felt envious of the "dreams" that other people talked about.

I like fiction, fantasy and science fiction...... I was thrilled by the appearance of the main characters surviving in a fantasy world. It's not about romance, suspense, or history...... I loved stories that were far from reality.

The bottom line is that I was attracted to the unreal, which was different from reality.

I want to get out of my parents' expectations, from the jealousy of my brother, from the envy of others, from all the gazes directed at me.

I even wanted to get away from the world.

 

"I wish I didn't have a sister!!"

 

Words said to me by my younger brother.

My younger brother taunted me with tears in his eyes and a trembling voice.

She should have treated her normally as an older sister.

Where did I go wrong?

No, this is an excuse, there was certainly a cut. The words of my parents who cite me every time. My brother's heart, which was constantly compared to me, was getting more and more worn out.

I know my parents don't have any ill will. Because of his lack of malice, his parents' words pierced his heart as the sharpest knife of any of his brother's.

The younger brother wanted love from his parents. He cursed me because he didn't get it, and that was it.

 

Yes, it's all my fault.

If you pretend I can't, it's because I'm here...... I wish that I, who was only looking at the exterior, would disappear somewhere far away .......

 

 

●

 

 

「...... Huh...... Huh?"

 

I don't like it, I've dreamed.

When I wake up, feeling uncomfortable in my lazy body, I notice that my clothes are wet for some reason.

If you look around, you can see overgrown trees and a gently flowing river.

Why am I here? Sure enough, I went out to train with Usato and the others early in the morning, encountered bandits, and was attacked by monsters...... ...... and

 

"That's right! Usato-kun!!"

 

When I finally remembered everything, I turned blue in the face and looked for Usato-kun who had protected me.

 

「......... Wow."

"It was good...... ...... was there."

 

Usato-kun was lying face down right next to me, unconscious.

Countless scratches are etched on his clothes.

He was hit by a monster while protecting me, and we were both launched into the sky. I don't remember what happened after that, but I think it fell into the river after that and ended up here.

If that's the case...

 

"Usato carried me here with ......."

 

Moving my eyes to the upper reaches of the gently flowing river, I saw a large waterfall with a drop of about 20 meters with a loud roar and splash.

 

"I'm sorry......."

 

It must have been hard to bring him here.

For the time being, I have to find a safe place -- I try to lift Usato's body from below and carry it on my back.

Ugh, heavy .......

 

"I am a woman who always repays the favor I have received...... Whew."

 

Besides, it was originally my fault that he came to this world.

That's why we must never let him die.

Keep your mind on yourself, Usato-kun!

 

"Inugami-senpai, it's okay now. I've just woken up."

"Aren't you going to wake up early......

 

My resolve was in vain.

Usato wakes up from his fainting and gets off my back and moves his body while checking for injuries. His entire body is enveloped in a pale green aura, so he seems to be exercising healing magic.

But, Usato-kun, where should I direct this nowhere to go resolution?

I feel like I've said something quite embarrassing.

 

"Are you okay, Inugami-senpai?"

"That's more of my line......

"I'm fine, I'm used to it."

 

I think it's something you shouldn't get used to.

But awkward. It's okay that I acted with the intention of protecting Usato-kun from the demons, but in the end, I was the one who protected him.

It's just unfortunate.

 

「...... Inugami-senpai, first of all, I will explain the current situation."

"What...... Ahh

 

Usato talks to me with a serious expression on his face and explains where he is.

According to him, Usato and I were blown into the forest by a boar monster called Fallboa, and then fell into the river and came to shore near a slow-flowing basin.

At that time, it ...... that Usato fainted from exhaustion.

It's pretty much the same as I expected, but it put a lot of strain on Usato.

 

「...... I'm sorry, Usato-kun."

"Don't apologize, it's something I did on my own. It's more about where you are."

 

Even so, I'll care.

But I can't stay depressed forever, so I try to keep my cool on the surface.

 

"This forest is the forest I survived for about 10 days, a place called the 'Darkness of Ringle.'"

"This is what you were talking about......"

 

Isn't this place pretty bad, then?

I'm glad I wasn't attacked by a demon while me and Usato were unconscious.

 

"Then I need to get out of here right away......

"It's dangerous, and as far as the sky goes, it's going to be dark soon. No matter how strong your seniors are, it's impossible to deal with a monster that you don't know where it will come from, right?"

"Ugh......"

 

It's true that it's impossible for me to fight the monsters that attack me in the dark.

 

"So let's move after it's light."

"But when it's dark, it's ......."

"I used to live on a tree to escape the eyes of monsters, but can you climb a tree?"

"I've never climbed a tree, so I'm not confident."

 

I wasn't allowed to play like that.

Usato is used to climbing trees, but if I fall from a tree, I might die if I don't do it right.

Usato crosses his arms at my words and worries.

After a long deliberation, the answer that came out was--

 

"Okay, let's do it here."

"Yes!?"

 

Usato said as he pointed to the ground.

Aren't there a lot of monsters at night?

 

"There's a waterside nearby, and even if you go out of your way to find a base, you'll only be attacked by monsters."

"Yes, that's true......

"Well, that's the rule."

 

Usato begins to gather leaves and branches in front of me as he is accustomed to it. Soon the leaves and branches of the tree are piled up, what exactly is Usato going to do? I haven't done much camping or anything, so I can't help him.

 

"Inugami-senpai, please use your magic to light a fire, and if you make a bonfire, most monsters will not approach you because they are afraid of fire."

"Oh, yes, I know."

 

As Usato-kun tells him, he shoots an electric shock that will be a spark on the branches of a pile of trees and ignites them.

A warm fire burns loudly with smoke. When I held my hands to the fire, I felt a chill because my clothes were wet.

 

"Senior, what's your luggage?"

"Yes, I have a backpack and a sword."

 

Fortunately, there are clothes available, so you can change clothes if you are not wet.

Besides clothes, a knife and a map. You can't use a map, but a knife does.

When I looked into the backpack, I found that the clothes were in a dry state, perhaps because fortunately the water had not penetrated.

 

"Good, it's dry."

"Why don't you get dressed?" My clothes dry quickly, so I don't have to worry about it."

"Okay, but before that...... I'll get my sword and knife out."

 

He places them in front of Usato's eyes and moves to a place where he can change clothes with his clothes.

At that time, as promised, I would say a word to Mr. Usato.

 

"Don't peep, okay?"

"Huh?"

 

The reaction now was a little hurtful.

 

 

●

 

The change of clothes I brought with me was like the kind of jersey you would wear at school. It's not the clothes I'm used to wearing, but I can't complain.

Even Usato is putting up with wet clothes.

The surroundings become dark, and the pale flame of the bonfire illuminates the surroundings. A beastly voice echoes in the forest...... It's probably the voice of a monster, but it's still scary to think that it might be attacked.

Usato used to be able to live in a forest like this for 10 days.

 

「...... I'm hungry."

"That's right."

"Actually, I haven't eaten anything since morning."

 

Certainly, he didn't say anything, probably because he left the kingdom early in the morning.

The essential food was brought by the two guards, so I didn't. Even if we say that we will procure food, in such a dark place, we will not find food, but on the contrary, we will become food for monsters.

I was stuck, and the moment the words popped into my head, I realized that Usato was looking at me.

 

「...... What is it, Usato-kun?"

"Senpai...... There's a river, isn't there?"

 

What? What's wrong with that?

 

●

 

 

A waterfall that rumbles loudly.

While dipping both hands in the gently flowing river. I look back and look at Usato, who has taken the distance.

 

"Is this okay?"

"I'm okay with evacuation, and it's okay to say hello at any time."

 

What is evacuation...... Well, no.

He closes his eyes, feels the magic in his body, and gathers the magic he has refined in his arms.

Don't release it right away, but accumulate it and release it all at once. The unleashed magic transforms into lightning and is released from his hands immersed in the river as if overflowing.

After a momentary discharge, a fish-like creature floats up around the place where both hands were dipped.

 

"Ha, ha, ...... is magic to catch fish."

 

Slightly depressed, he turned to Usato and said--

 

"No, really, I'm glad I had a senior ......."

 

It was highly acclaimed. No, I'm rather impressed.

I don't feel bad. I don't feel bad about it...... I can't honestly rejoice.

After that, I cooked a couple of fish that floated up so that I could eat them.

I just took the entrails and grilled them, so the taste wasn't flattering, but I was able to satisfy my hunger.

 

"No, it's different when Inugami-senpai is around."

"No, no, that's too much of an exaggeration."

"If Inugami-senpai is with you, I think I can live for another three months."

"What? Is that so?"

 

It's embarrassing, isn't it?

After all, two people are better than one. But Usato-kun, you're too direct.

I was embarrassed in general.

 

"Yes, you can light a fire, you can catch fish, you just want one in the house."

"Am I a home appliance or something!?"

 

The degree of directness was different.

However, as a senior, it's okay to be tossed around by juniors, so you have to show your dignity as a senior here.

 

"It's awful, Usato-kun, what do you think of me?"

「...... Weird people?"

 

Guha......!

The words I released came back to me with a change ball. How do I look in your eyes, Usato-kun? But when I look back on my actions so far, it's frustrating to know that people say that! But when you say it to your face, it's kind of damaging!

For a while, when I was depressed by Usato's "weird person" remark, Usato, who was guarding the fire, sighed and urged me to rest.

 

"It's already dark, so I think it's time to go to bed, right? I'm watching the fire."

"No, no, I can't leave it to Usato-kun alone, I'......."

「...... Then let's take turns watching. I'll wake you up when it's time, so please sleep until then."

 

If that's what you're going to say, I'm going to take Usato's word for it.

Hehehe, but I'm not going to be fooled. Having said that, you're not going to wake me up until morning, are you?

As someone who enjoys many books, I ...... that your actions are as easy to understand as if you were holding them in your hands!

That kind of kindness is counterproductive to me. In fact, it only makes me feel weird guilty.

But it's also true that I'm tired. Usato-kun is right here, let's take a break and take his place.

 

"Ah, then let me rest for a bit...... Don't attack me."

「...... I don't."

「!?」

 

You don't have to say it that way.

As soon as I lay down, sleep demons attacked.

Just a little, a little rest, I'm not going to sleep deeply. As I ruminated in my head, my consciousness gradually became more distant and I fell asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Inugami-senpai, it's a turn."

「......... How many times do you have to beat my expectations before you feel better?"

 

It was still dark around me. I was woken up normally.

Usato-kun, the guy called you, the guy called you is ......!