Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 8

by Ryo Shirakome

“Yue-san, I have to keep up appearances somehow.”

  Kouki turned to Hajime in disbelief. Hajime just looked away, pointedly ignoring everyone.

  —Interviewer: So does that mean you loved Mr. Nagumo from the moment you met him?

  Princess Shea: Nope, not one bit. My whole family was about to be executed, so I was more worried about keeping them alive than what kind of person Hajime-san was.

  How cruel fate can be! Right after escaping one crisis, Princess Shea ran headlong into another! Truly the gods have it out for this girl!—

  “The reason everyone was about to get executed was because you, Miss Reporter, voted for it. It wasn’t the gods who had it out for me, but you guys!”

  “I can’t tell if she’s a dedicated author, or just impudent.”

  —Interviewer: In that case, when was it that you first noticed you loved him?

  Princess Shea: I think it was when Hajime-san faced the council of elders and said, “Shea’s the love of my life! I won’t forgive you if you try and take her away from me!” Man, that sent shivers down my spine...—

  “Hey! I never said anything like that!”

  Everyone’s gazes turned to Shea. Cold sweat ran down her forehead, and her bunny ears waved back and forth.

  “Sorry... I got a little carried away.”

  Shea was still a girl, after all. She wanted to make the story of her first love sound special. Everyone’s expressions turned kind, and Yue followed up with, “He did say ‘I won’t let you take these guys away from me,’ though.”

  “I-I’m surprised you still remember that, Yue.”

  Yue remembered what he’d said back then almost word for word. This time, everyone’s gazes turned to Hajime.

  “O-Oh god... why didn’t I pick a better way to phrase that?” Hajime muttered while covering his reddening face.

  —Well, you can see how they formed such a deep bond after that. And so, this is how our Princess Shea splendidly defeated Yue and became Nagumo’s sole girlfriend. It appears Yue has given the couple her blessings as well. I admire her for admitting her defeat in such a gentle manner. I suppose even she realized that there was no way she could win against Princess Shea’s charms. At any rate, my thanks to Princess Shea for regaling us with such a moving tale.—

  Yue’s head swiveled toward Shea.

  “Shea, what’s the meaning of this?”

  “I-I-I-I don’t know! I never said anything like that!”

  “...Okay. In that case, I’m going to go kill Mao real quick.”

  “Yue, calm down!”

  Kaori grabbed Yue’s arms and pinned them behind her back.

  “I’ll kill that bitch,” Yue muttered while struggling to break free from Kaori’s grip.

  I guess she bent the truth a little to make the story more relatable for other beastmen... Hajime thought absently to himself.

  “Th-This Mao woman seems to have no regard for her life,” said Tio. Everyone nodded in agreement.

  —Next, I asked princess Shea if she was worried about the other girls traveling with Nagumo. She didn’t seem to understand the intent behind my question, so I rephrased it. I asked her what she thought of her fellow female companions. Recorded below is her answer, word for word.—

  “What!? Word for word!? She said she was going to edit out the embarrassing bits!” Shea exclaimed.

  The other girls’ eyes glinted with a dangerous light, and they gazed at their magazines with newfound intensity.

  —I love all of them. I love them so much sometimes I think the reason I was born was so that I could meet them.—

  “Ugh,” Shea groaned and flopped onto the table in front of her. Her face was beet-red, and she was covering her bunny ears with both hands.

  —Yue-san feels like my big sister. She’s the one who taught me how to fight and was my very first friend. I became who I am thanks to her. I won’t forgive anyone who tries to hurt her, even if that someone is Hajime-san.—

  A faint blush spread across Yue’s cheeks, and she looked warmly at Shea.

  —As for Kaori-san... Actually, when I first met her I thought she was really annoying!—

  Kaori jumped up in shock at those words.

  “Wait, Shea didn’t like me!?” she yelled.

  —I mean, she kept comparing herself to us all the time, and it was a real pain. She should have just, you know, done things with more of a bang. Or like a whoosh.—

  Kouki turned to Ryutarou and muttered,

  “You know, Shea-san’s thought processes are a lot like yours.”

  “Hey, Kouki, what the hell’s that supposed to mean, huh?”

  Eyes glued to the page, Kaori ignored both of them.

  —But, well, Yue-san really likes her! She’s always teasing Kaori-san every chance she gets! She’s like one of those older schoolkids who’s always bullying someone younger than her because she can’t admit she likes her! Curse you, Kaori-san, stealing my Yue-san for yourself. You already have Shizuku-san, so go flirt with her Instead!—

  Kaori glanced over at Yue. Yue turned up her nose and looked away, but Kaori could tell that she was blushing. That caused Kaori to blush as well, and she looked down awkwardly.

  “Wait, am I being totally ignored here? Not that I mind, but...” Shizuku muttered to herself.

  This must be the loneliness Shea feels.

  —Still, you know, she’s probably the person I respect the most now.—

  Everyone turned to Shea in surprise. She was still covering her ears and didn’t react.

  —When she’d died and been reduced to just a soul, the first thing she asked for was the strength to keep fighting together with us. She even sacrificed her body to get stronger. That was when I realized she’d actually been a really strong girl all along. Unlike me, she’d been jealous of Yue-san, and unlike me, she’d always been worried about how she was weaker than everyone. But she was able to overcome all of those feelings and become the person she is today. I think she’s definitely a way stronger person than I am.—

  Kaori’s eyes went wide, and her hands started to tremble as she continued reading.

  —So right now, I love her too. And she’s someone I aspire to be like. I won’t let anything ever get Kaori-san down again. I’ll protect her.—

  Kaori hugged Shea tight. Shea looked up in surprise, but Kaori didn’t let go.

  “You know, this is starting to make me a little jealous.”

  “Mmm... Same.”

  Yue nodded to Shizuku, and both girls shared a rueful smile.

  “Oh, it seems Shea said something about me as well.”

  Tio flipped the page, excited.

  —Tio-san? Oh, she’s a huge pervert!—

  “Why!? Why must you do this to me, Sheaaaaaaaaaaaa!? All I wished for was some kind words!”

  Even though you’re a masochist? Everyone thought simultaneously as they glared at Tio. Tio dropped to all fours and started banging her fist against the ground.

  “Umm, Tio-san. There’s more!”

  “Truly? Is there hope for me yet?” Tio returned to her seat and picked up the magazine.

  —Seriously, who awakens to their fetishes by having a giant stake driven through their ass!? That’s not normal!—

  “I was a fool to hope! Shea hates me!” Tio once again fell to the ground and started slamming her fist against it. Suzu, who’d taken a liking to Tio after the battle with the cockroaches, consoled her until she was ready to read on.

  —But well, I think Tio-san might be the one who understands us best. Whenever something happens, she’s there with the right advice to give. It’s like she’s always watching over us.—

  Tio made an odd noise, and her ears went red.

  —She’s actually a really nice person who’s always doing her best to help us. And even though she’s a pervert, she’s actually the most composed out of all of us. I think Hajime-san knows that too, which is why he always relies on her when things start looking bad.—

  Eyes sparkling, Tio
turned to Hajime.

  “Don’t stare at me at like that,” he said, and awkwardly looked away.

  —You always feel safe when she’s by your side. Also, please keep this off the record, but she reminds me a lot of my mom. So, well, I love her too. Ehehe. Oh, but my mom wasn’t a huge pervert like she is!—

  If only she wasn’t a pervert, Tio would be perfect. Disappointed, Yue gave her a scathing glare.

  “Seriously... Give me back my respect and admiration.”

  “P-Please forgive me...” Tio covered her face and looked away. Not because she was hurt by Yue’s words, though. She was just embarrassed, and more than a little happy, at how much Shea praised her.

  —By the way, it’s Hajime-san’s fault that Tio-san became a pervert, so I’m expecting him to take responsibility for that. If he ever throws Tio-san away because she’s a pervert, I’m going to send him flying with Drucken.—

  Hajime groaned. He looked as though he’d just swallowed a bug.

  “Master, you will take responsibility, will you not?” Grinning, Tio turned to him, as did the rest of the party.

  After a moment’s hesitation, Hajime sighed in resignation and looked Tio in the eyes.

  “At the very least, I’d never leave you because you’re a pervert. And it’s true that I rely on you more than anyone. Ever since you joined the party I’ve felt a lot safer.”

  “O-Oh, I see. As long as you understand...” Tio looked down, struggling to process the waterfall of emotions that had just crashed down on her. Her bashful expression looked nothing like when Hajime was stepping on her, and for once she looked like the peerless beauty she was.

  Kouki and Ryutarou gulped, spellbound. Meanwhile, Suzu and Shizuku smiled proudly at her.

  Hajime awkwardly cleared his throat to lighten the mood.

  “Ahem. Apparently, Shea said some stuff about Amanogawa and the others too. Let’s keep reading, guys.”

  “What? We’re in here too?”

  Kouki and Ryutarou back down at their magazines, interested to find out what Shea thought of them.

  —Huh? The hero? Hmm. I don’t really know him that well. I haven’t talked to him or his friend that much. They’re just not that interesting to me.—

  “I figured as much,” Kouki muttered, his eyes glazing over.

  “I’m just ‘the friend?’ Shea-san, please don’t tell me you don’t remember my name?” Ryutarou muttered, his eyes looking at nothing.

  —As for Suzu-san... Whenever she sees me and Yue-san, or Kaori-san and Shizuku-san, she gets this sad look in her eyes.—

  Suzu gasped, and Kaori and Shizuku shot her worried looks.

  —I mean, I know why she gets that look. That’s why I was happy when she asked Hajime-san to take her with us again. Because it means she hasn’t given up yet. She still wants to keep on trying. I really like people like her.—

  Suzu fidgeted bashfully, while Kouki and Ryutarou slumped onto the table. The difference between Suzu’s treatment and theirs had been the final blow.

  “And Shizuku-san... Well, it’s just a matter of time for her!”

  “What!? What’s that supposed to mean!?” Shizuku shouted.

  Meanwhile, Yue, Kaori, and Tio nodded in agreement.

  “Seriously, what’s that supposed to mean!?”

  No one answered her.

  —Shizuku-san looks like she always has it together, but honestly, I feel like she’s a bit of a handful. Even though it seems like she’s always looking after Kaori-san, it’s actually Kaori-san who’s looking after her. Whenever I see the two of them together, it doesn’t feel like Shizuku-san’s babysitting her, but more like she’s clinging to her.—

  Shizuku looked up, stunned. Her gaze wandered about aimlessly as she tried to process that.

  “Well, everyone else already knew you’re obsessed with Kaori, Yaegashi,” Hajime chuckled. Yue and the others nodded in agreement.

  “Ehehe, Don’t worry Shizuku-chan, I love you too,” Kaori said with a smile. In response, Shizuku wrapped her ponytail around her face, pulled her knees up, and buried it between them. Is that the Yaegashi-style embarrassment guarding stance? Hajime thought idly. Grinning, Suzu gleefully read the next passage aloud.

  —How do I put this... She’s a really cute girl. If we’re all carnivores, then I’d say Shizuku’s the only herbivore.—

  Hajime and the others repeated the word “herbivore” to themselves, then nodded in understanding, making Shizuku twitch from behind her ponytail. The party then returned their attention to the magazine. It appeared the special feature on Shea was almost over.

  —And that wraps up Princess Shea’s thoughts on her comrades. As expected of Nagumo’s one and only lover, she’s both magnanimous and perceptive. Truly, she stands a level above the other girls. I’m certain our beloved Princess Shea and Nagumo’s love will last forever.—

  “She’s really pushing Shea...”

  “That won’t save her from my wrath...”

  “Yep, I think we need to have a little talk with Mao.”

  Reporter Mao’s future was starting to look bleak.

  —Before ending the interview, I asked Princess Shea one final question. “What is the most important thing to you?”

  Princess Shea: ...The future. I think the most important thing to me is the future. There’s a valuable lesson that I, Shea Haulia the Diviner, learned, and it’s something I want to pass on to all of you. Prophecies aren’t something that come true, they’re something you make come true. As long as you keep working toward the future you desire, you’ll be able to reach it one day. I guarantee it.

  There you have it, folks. Princess Shea is the person she is today because she kept working toward the wonderful future she envisioned for herself. As a reporter, I am honored to have interviewed someone as great as Princess Shea. Thank you so much. And that’s all for the Princess Shea special feature.—

  For a while, no one said anything. They all just looked kindly down at Shea.

  “Ugh... It’s embarrassing how cool I tried to sound at the end there. I got way too into that interview and got totally carried away.”

  Shea mentally berated herself for trying to act cool and give the readers life advice at the end.

  “Please say something, guys,” Shea muttered, as the silence started to stretch. However, Hajime and the others remained quiet, their gentle gazes feeling like piercing glares to Shea.

  “Grrr! It’s not fair if I’m the only one who gets a public execution! Let’s take a look at your guys’ interviews too! I bet they’re just all as embarrassing as the Hero’s!”

  “That reminds me, this has been published all across the city, hasn’t it? Hahaha, looks like everyone in Verbergen thinks I’m gay. Hahaha...”

  Kouki laughed mirthlessly, his spirit broken. Shea flipped through the magazine while Ryutarou tried to smack his friend back to his senses.

  —An Exciting Interview With Cam Haulia, Champion Of All Beastmen!

  Cam: My name is Cambanties, dark hunter of the forbidden depths. And I have only one thing to say. Our mighty Boss, Hajime Nagumo, the crimson sovereign of the white night, divine destroyer of—

  A single gunshot interrupted the group’s reading. They all jumped and looked up at Hajime.

  “Don’t move. Don’t read another word. Move anything, especially your eyes, and I kill you.”

  He sounded like a terrorist as he gathered everyone’s magazines, ripped out the offending pages, threw them onto the ground, and incinerated them in 3000-degree flames.

  “Now then, let’s keep reading while I kill Cam. What’s wrong, guys? Turn the page while I go find Mao and kill her too.”

  It appeared Hajime had some embarrassing moments recorded in this magazine as well. Sadly, he knew it was too late, and that his “legendary” feats and new nickname had already spread throughout Verbergen. However, Hajime’s public execution had caused Shea collateral damage as well, and she flopped onto the table again. She likely wouldn’t ri
se again. Everyone aside from Shea silently turned the page and read.

  —The Relationship Between The Chosen--

  This article’s headline was simple. “Chosen” was the term used by beastmen to refer to people who’d conquered at least one labyrinth, meaning this article was likely about the party as a whole. The fact that this wasn’t a special feature showed the difference in treatment Shea received compared to the rest of the party.

  —We asked the Chosen, Nagumo, Yue, Kaori-sama, Tio, and Shizuku about their relationship. It’s clear from a glance that all of these girls have feelings for Nagumo. But what are their thoughts regarding each other, their rivals?—

  Unlike Shea, Hajime and the other girls didn’t panic. They were confident that they’d picked their words carefully enough during the interview to not embarrass themselves. However, Kaori did exclaim “How come I’m the only one with a -sama after my name!?” while Shizuku undid her ponytail and shouted, “Hey, doesn’t that make it sound like I’m in love with Nagumo-kun, too!?”

  Kouki turned to her and spoke in a strained voice.

  “They just lumped all the Chosen together. What’re you getting so worked up over, Shizuku?”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah. Good point.” Shizuku straightened her back while avoiding Kouki’s gaze. Kaori found her friend’s reaction odd, but she swallowed her words and turned back to the article.

  —As we’re running out of pages, I’ll just summarize how the interviews with them went.—

  “What?” Yue and the other girls exclaimed.

  —There’s not enough space to go into detail about Yue’s feelings for Princess Shea. Needless to say, the two care very much for each other. In fact, during the interview, Yue gushed for so long about Shea that I nearly threw up. I must confess, readers, I’m a failure of a writer. I mentioned Yue in the article’s headline, yet I’m not even including her interview. I wish I could hang myself. Unfortunately, I’m a harpy, so it wouldn’t even hurt.—

  It was hard to tell if Mao was actually regretting her actions or not.

  —Moving on, Kaori-sama and Yue’s relationship is quite an odd one. When I asked the girls about each other, they gave me a neverending litany of insults. It made the interview drag on longer than it needed to, honestly.—