NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32 - The Blue-Eyed Housemate
“Welcome back, Kenya.”
“Huh?”
I made eye contact with the girl with blue eyes. She was someone I admired countless times, someone I held in reverence.
She seemed to belong to a different world from mine, almost like a resident of another realm. Such a beautiful, strong, and noble girl was now within my reach.
In this dirty, cramped, and dark room, her presence felt completely out of place. Wearing the same uniform as Nana, she stood there as if waiting for my return.
“Why are you here? Huh? Are you real?”
“It’s been a while.”
Wow, she remembered me—I was thrilled. Indeed, I had explored dungeons with her a few times. We had exchanged greetings back then; it was exhilarating.
“It’s been a while! Wait, no! Why? Why is Aoi in my house?”
Then, I heard the door open from behind. As usual, an energetic and cheeky girl jumped on my back. She had a drink in her hand, probably bought from the vending machine nearby.
“Welcome back! Senpai! You have a visitor! How do you know such a famous person?”
“Mi, Misuzu! It’s you!”
The small, light girl jumped on me as I squatted to take off my shoes. The soft sensation on my back didn’t surprise me anymore; I was used to it. So, it didn’t matter how much she jumped on me.
“She said she had business with you, so I asked her to wait.”
This is my house; don’t make it your own. I’ve already given Misuzu a key to the house. I don’t mind her staying here, and Kenya and Nana like her, so it’s fine.
“But I don’t understand the situation at all. Can you explain, Aoi?”
“I was told I would be staying here next.”
I couldn’t make sense of it. She had always been bad at Japanese, having lived abroad for a long time. Considering that, she was quite good at it.
Pirorirorin♪ Pirorirorin♪
Then, Kenya’s phone rang. The caller was… Tanaka?
Kenya removed Misuzu from his back and answered the phone, much to her disappointment.
“Hello? Is this Tanaka?”
“Hey, Kenya, sorry to call suddenly. Do you have a couple of minutes?”
I did, but to be honest, I was busy.
“I’m a bit busy, but… yes, it’s fine.”
“Haha! So, has she arrived already?”
With that statement, Kenya realized it was the work of that black-glasses-wearing president.
“Is this Tanaka’s doing?”
“Hey, hey, don’t make it sound bad. It’s a surprise from me. Aren’t you happy?”
“Happy? I’m just surprised. Can you explain?”
“Sure, that’s why I called.”
Then, Tanaka began to explain.
Sato’s guild had disbanded, and she had nowhere to go. She lost her parents overseas and came to Japan to rely on her grandmother, who also passed away due to illness.
Despite having no family, she was revealed to be a ‘Hero.’
The rumor spread quickly, and Sato’s company, seeing profit in the hero profession, took her in. Sato’s foresight proved successful.
The once young girl grew into a beautiful top model. However, whether she grew up right, constantly entangled in adult desires, was uncertain.
That’s the background.
Her guild disbanded, and her contract with “Sugar” ended. Tanaka only told me that his negotiations were successful.
She had lived in an apartment contracted with “Sugar” but had nowhere to go, so Tanaka took her in.
“So, I want you to take her into your new guild. You’re close in age, after all!”
“That would be wonderful, but… what about her decision?”
Through the phone, I looked at her. She tilted her head, listening to Tanaka’s words.
“I have no problem.”
I put my hand over the phone to muffle the sound and spoke to Aoi.
“Are you sure? Our guild has no track record, and it’s not even established yet.”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
Oh right, she’s always been like this. She’s unfamiliar with common sense and rarely shows her emotions.
“No, if you’re willing to join, we’d be happy to have you!”
I returned to the phone.
“She seems okay with it.”
“I explained things to her beforehand. So, can I leave her in your care?”
“Uh, well, since she’s joining the guild, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Good. She’s attending the same high school as you. That’s as far as I can go.”
(I thought a transfer student at this time was odd, but it was Tanaka’s doing…)
“Then, I’ll leave the rest to you! Oh, she also has nowhere to live, so take responsibility… okay? Bye!”
“Wait, Tanaka? Tanaka?”
(Taking responsibility means that…)
Beeep Beeep Beeep
Only the mechanical sound of the phone remained in my hand. Understanding Tanaka’s last words, I looked at her in disbelief.
And those blue, gem-like eyes still stared straight at me.
…
(I’m counting on you, Kenya.)
To raise the hero and protect Kenya. Tanaka sent the hero to Kenya’s guild, believing it was a good place for gradual growth.
But there was another reason. He believed Kenya could do it.
“Youth should be with youth, so…”
(Please melt her frozen heart, the heart of a princess trapped in the past, with your overflowing warmth.)