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

by Ryo Shirakome

  Yue and Kaori glared at each other, their spirit stands fizzling into existence. Before they could start fighting though, the next few sentences distracted them.

  —Despite the harsh insults, both girls’ faces lit up when they talked about each other. It’s obvious they don’t dislike each other. This is just my impression as a reporter, but I believe that Yue enjoys the time she spends with Kaori-sama, while Kaori-sama treasures the relationship she has with Yue. At the very least, when she was talking about Kaori-sama, Yue’s expression had the same warmth as when she was talking about Shea. Similarly, Kaori-sama’s smile was as gentle as when she talked about Shizuku. While their feelings toward each other may not be the same as their feelings toward Shea or Shizuku, they are at least just as strong.—

  “Don’t misunderstand... It’s not like I like you or anything, Kaori.”

  “You’re the one misunderstanding here, Yue. It’s not like I like you or anything, either.”

  The two tsunderes were in perfect sync. Though they both harrumphed and turned away from each other, their cheeks were red.

  —Furthermore, I’ve heard quite a few stories about Kaori-sama from ardent believers of Kaorism. According to one adherent, after watching Yue prank Kaori-sama, he approached Kaori-sama and asked, “Should we sneak into her room at night and get back at her for you?” Supposedly, Kaori-sama flew into a rage upon hearing that and said, “Yue’s one of my best friends! If you harm even a hair on her head, I’ll disintegrate the lot of you!”—

  Kaori slumped onto the table.

  “W-We’re not really friends or anything. Just rivals,” she muttered.

  Yue glanced over at Kaori, her blush growing deeper.

  —What was perhaps more surprising though, was when Yue told me that she holds a great amount of respect for Tio, of all people.—

  “F-For me?” Tio exclaimed, her eyes wide. It was especially surprising considering Yue had just told off Tio minutes before. Panicking, Yue tried to explain herself, but before she could Hajime read the next few lines aloud.

  “When she was talking about Tio, Yue’s expression appeared quite exasperated, but this perceptive reporter spotted hints of respect and admiration as well. Moreover, Yue’s own words confirmed her feelings. Though I doubt she hadn’t intended to let it slip, near the end of our interview Yue muttered “The fact that she never changes is... reassuring.” Unbelievable as it may sound, Yue holds just as much respect for Tio as Princess Shea.—

  “D-Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like I respect you or anything, Tio.”

  “Fufu, is that so? I see... So you do not respect me at all. But even if you do not, you still find my presence reassuring. Fear not, I will always be by your side.” Tio’s tone was teasing, but there was a hint of happiness in it as well. Fourth to fall, Yue also slumped onto the table, together with Shea and Kaori.

  “I don’t see that side of you often, Yue,” Hajime said as he grinned and turned the page.

  —Shizuku’s comments were far too serious and boring, so I’ve omitted them from the article.—

  “Sorry, I’m too serious and boring to be reported on.”

  Shizuku once again wrapped her ponytail around her face. It appeared this was a touchy subject for her.

  —Tio was, as everyone else describes her, a huge pervert, But also a reliable, knowledgeable dragonman. Below is one of the exchanges that left the greatest impression on me.

  Tio: Hm? If I were to describe Yue and the others in a single word, what would it be? Fufu, were you expecting a cliched response such as ‘my rivals,’ perhaps? My apologies for disappointing you. If I were to pick a single word... it would be miracles. Every one of my comrades is a miracle. That we were all able to meet each other is a miracle as well. We have a normal boy who crawled his way out of the abyss. A 300-year-old vampire who escaped from an eternal seal. The only rabbitman in generations to be born with mana. A strong-willed priest who made the body of an apostle her own. Who could possibly have imagined such absurd people could exist? Surely not even god predicted this. Everyone’s existence, and our chance meetings, are all miracles. Right now, my life is filled with miracles. And nothing could make me happier.—

  Tio slumped onto the table.

  “I certainly did say that. But in my defense, I let myself get carried away in the heat of the moment,” Tio croaked.

  Even she was embarrassed at how those words sounded when read aloud by someone else. With this, Yue, Shea, Kaori, and Tio were all slumped on the table, while Shizuku was hiding behind her ponytail. The only party members still standing were Hajime, Kouki, Ryutarou, and Suzu. And Kouki had been nearly destroyed by the article calling him gay, so in reality, only three people had any HP left.

  “What a terrifying magazine. It’s managed to my kill off my entire party.”

  “It looks like... there’s not much to your section, just like with Shizushizu.”

  “But unlike Shizuku, Mao asked you some pretty interesting questions, didn’t she, Nagumo? And look, it’s not like your questions got skipped over.”

  “Hey, Nagumo... is it just me... or are you used to giving interviews? These answers all sound like a pro’s.”

  “My mom’s a really famous shoujo manga author, so she often gets called for interviews and stuff. On top of that, she likes messing with people, so she always gives crazy replies to all the questions. And I’m the one she always ropes into helping her rehearse her answers.”

  You never know what kind of skills will come in handy.

  Suzu turned to the last page of the Chosen article.

  “Oh, it looks like she ended the article with Yue-san’s interview.”

  Yue twitched. She desperately thought back to her interview, trying to remember if she’d said anything embarrassing or not. She’s really cute when she’s like that, Hajime thought as he read through the interview.

  —Seeing as Princess Shea has officially become one of Nagumo’s girlfriends, I asked Yue what she thought about all the girls vying for his affection. Even I, a humble reporter, could tell that her bond with Nagumo has grown since her last visit to Verbergen. And as a fellow beastman, I wanted to make sure she won’t be harassing Princess Shea now that she has to share Nagumo’s affection.—

  “So she knew Yue hadn’t backed off, but she wrote all that crap anyway. She really doesn’t value her life, huh?”

  As Mao was treating Yue like she was the head wife in this article it was clear she had a solid understanding of their relationship. The fact that she pushed Shea anyway for the sake of encouraging fellow beastmen meant she valued her magazine more than her life.

  —As an apology to Yue, and as a nice way to round off this article, I have, in the end, decided to include her interview as is.—

  “Ah, she totally backpedaled on her earlier decision.”

  “I can see why. Yue-san’s scary when she’s mad.”

  Suzu and Ryutarou could practically hear “Sorry for saying all that stuff, please forgive me,” dripping from the words on the page. As most of the party had been downed, Suzu decided to read aloud the words of Hajime’s beloved Yue.

  —Everything I hold dear was given to me by Hajime. If he hadn’t freed me that day, I would likely still be trapped in the dark depths of the abyss.—

  Everyone listened silently, hanging on to Suzu’s every word.

  —He gave me a reason to live. Thanks to him, I met my best friend, a member of the race I admire so much, and a friend I can be myself around. I’m sure that from here on out, I’ll keep receiving things from Hajime, which is why I want Hajime to find things important to him as well. Whether they be people, objects, or something else entirely. Once this journey is over, I want to see Hajime smiling in the sunlight, surrounded by tons of people he treasures.—

  It was for that reason that Yue had first accepted Shea. She wanted the boy she’d met in the abyss to one day be able to smile in the light.

  Absolute silence filled the clearing. Even the insect
s had stopped chirping. Finally, the silence was broken by the sound of Hajime flopping onto the table. He was red to the tips of his ears. Hearing the vampire princess’ heartfelt confession had been too embarrassing to bear. This was the first time anyone saw the monster of the abyss trembling in embarrassment.

  “In the end, looks like Nagumo’s entire party got KO’d.”

  “God, that was so sweet it gave me diabetes. I need coffee or something to clear my mouth out. Come on, Kouki, let’s get outta here.”

  “O-Okay... Yeah, that seems like a good idea. Oh, but let’s go somewhere quiet, Ryutarou. I don’t want anyone in Verbergen to see me with another man.”

  “Ah, wait! I’ll go with you guys! It’s too awkward to stay here!”

  Kouki, Ryutarou, and Suzu left the clearing in a hurry. Hajime and the others laid on the table like that for a long time after they left. Hearing their comrades true feelings had left everyone embarrassed beyond belief.

  The sun’s dappled rays warmed the group’s backs as they laid there in a harmonious circle.

  The scene was both a miracle and a sign of a bright future to come.

  The first issue of the revived Verbergen Monthly turned out to be such a huge hit that Mao had to do multiple prints. Shea’s story, in particular, was an inspiration to beastmen everywhere and was eventually republished in Verbergen as a fairy tale. Centuries later, Shea’s cinderella-esque love story became a legend.

  Afterword

  Hey everyone, it’s your favorite chuuni lover, Ryo Shirakome. Thank you so much for picking up volume 8 of Arifureta. How’d you like it? I hope you had fun reading it... because it was a tough one to write! Of course, I still had tons of fun writing it, too. Still, writing about love is like walking across the field map while poisoned. You just keep on taking damage as you write one embarrassing scene after another. And this volume had much more romance in it than any other...

  Anyway, putting my embarrassment aside, this is the first volume that’s had any major changes from the web version. The biggest one being Shea’s relationship. But considering the past seven volumes, it just felt too cruel for her wish not to be granted. Though I’m curious what you readers think of it.

  Are you happy it finally happened or were you hoping Hajime would stick to just Yue all the way to the end? To be honest, I’m kind of scared to find out.

  Speaking of changes, Hajime went through quite the transformation this volume. All the meetings he’s had up until now have been slowly influencing him, but finding a way back home was the final catalyst for his massive shift in personality. I’m both extremely curious and extremely terrified to know what you all think of these changes within him as well. But I suppose all changes are like that. They bring with them a mixture of fear and excitement.

  Either way, we’re finally nearing the home stretch of Arifureta’s story. I hope you’ll be willing to follow me to the journey’s end, changes and all.

  It looks like I’ve got some extra pages left, so let’s shamelessly advertise my other works. This volume released at the same time as the third volume of the manga, and the first volume of the spin-off manga. As always, RoGa-sensei’s art is absolutely jaw-dropping. And Misaki Mori-sensei’s art for the spin-off is quite a treat as well. For a comedy manga, it’s perfect. I highly recommend checking them both out.

  And now, time for the acknowledgments. Thanks as always to Takayaki-sensei, RoGa-sensei, Misaki Mori-sensei, and Ataru Kamichi-sensei, the illustrator for the Arifureta Zero manga, for all of their godlike drawings. You bring my works to life. Much thanks to the editors, proofreaders, and publication staff, who are the only reason this book is in your hands right now. Really, thank you all so much.

  And lastly, thank you, dear reader, for picking up this book! And thank you to all my fans on Narou. Each and every one of you has my eternal gratitude. May we meet again in the next installment of Arifureta.

  Ryo Shirakome

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  Copyright

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

  by Ryo Shirakome

  Translated by Ningen

  Edited by DxS

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2018 Ryo Shirakome

  Illustrations by Takaya-ki

  Cover illustration by Takaya-ki

  All rights reserved.

  Original Japanese edition published in 2018 by OVERLAP, Inc.

  This English edition is published by arrangement with OVERLAP, Inc., Tokyo

  English translation © 2018 J-Novel Club LLC

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property 5s69wer.

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  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  Ebook edition 1.0: October 2018 5s69wer