Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man? - Volume 5 Chapter 72 The hero comes back alive

“——Nevertheless, we surprisingly get together quite often, don’t we?”

“Yeah. We all have our own homes, and I was mentally prepared for the team to disband, but we still manage to meet up every two or three months.”

After the revelation of my new ability and various investigations, the initially planned one month passed in the blink of an eye.

Having passed the planned one month, I acquired a new residence and decided to move from the laboratory. At that time, as expected, Nina threw a tantrum, but I managed to convince her to let me go outside more frequently by making it a condition. Well, Nina has calmed down lately, and it’s a good opportunity to get her used to going outside. After all, I can’t keep her locked up there forever.

So, a few days after the move, Hiro called, and I, along with the former team members, gathered at my new home.

Well, when I say gathered, it’s mostly just a lazy home drinking session and chatting.

“——So when the hell are you going to accept those four?”

But then, Kei, with a flushed face from drinking, brought up such a topic.

The four he mentioned are undoubtedly Miyano and the others.

I don’t want to dwell on this topic too much, but Kei continues talking as if he knows about it.

“I know you’re troubled, and it’s reasonable to be troubled as a person with common sense. But seriously, it’s getting annoying.”

Annoying, huh… I’ve received criticism before, but it’s never been put so plainly.

Maybe these words came out because he’s drunk, but that means it’s Kei’s true feelings.

“Using age, multiple partners, and being former students as excuses, your indecisive attitude, without making things clear, is irritating to watch.”

…Well, that’s probably true. My actions, when compared to common sense, shouldn’t be wrong. However, considering the feelings of Miyano and the others, it could be a big mistake. Those who are observing our relationship probably find it unpleasant as well, I understand that.

“Whether you accept them or push them away, make it clear. I told you, depending on your attitude, you might ruin the lives of those four. That’s why I arranged that date to let you make a decision, but you keep making ambiguous remarks, dragging it out. Make up your mind and be clear about it already.”

I understand that… I understand, but what should I do? Respond positively to the feelings of all four? Or maybe choose one of them? Either way, it’s a problem. Or is the option of not choosing anyone viable, but that’s…

“It’s not like I’m saying this for your sake. It’s for my own sake. From an outsider’s perspective, your indecisiveness is quite annoying.”

“…That’s because you’re not the one directly involved.”

I understand. Kei’s criticism isn’t wrong. However, even knowing that, complaints involuntarily spilled out of my mouth.

“Yeah, that’s right. I can say whatever I want since I’m just a bystander. But whether I’m an outsider or not, I think I understand what’s right and wrong.”

Saying that, Kei took a sip of his drink, exhaled once, and then continued speaking.

“I don’t care if you like them. Whether you date all four, go on to marry them, the country won’t view it as a problem. Well, in reality, you probably can’t have a polygamous marriage with all four, so it’ll likely be a common-law marriage. Still, you won’t be held guilty for it. The girls themselves have agreed that they’re okay with all four together. So, all that’s left is for you to accept them.”

In fact, the country has never considered it a problem since the time when Miyano and the others were still students and underage. It’s the result of thier wish for them to stay in this country and their idea of making it easier to manage by keeping us together. Therefore, there’s no issue regarding the law. After all, they are already adults. Engaging with them won’t result in committing a crime. Morally, ethically, and in terms of human emotions, having all four together might be problematic.

Moreover, Miyano and the others have clearly expressed their feelings to an extent. As Kei says, all that remains is for me to accept them, and everything will fall into place.

“Your problem isn’t indecisiveness; you’re just seeking comfort. Despite your wishy-washy attitude, they are willing to accept you. So, you prefer to stay in this comfortable state. You usually act all mature and reject them citing age as a reason, but when it comes down to it, are you going to rely on those younger than you? That’s quite hypocritical.”

“…”

“Don’t keep running away forever. If you’re going to accept them, do it quickly. If you’re going to push them away, do it promptly. If you can’t decide, then…”

As I silently listened to Kei, for some reason, his words abruptly stopped.

“Hey? …Is he sleeping?”

“Ah, he’s out cold.”

“Well, I thought he was speaking quite aggressively; turns out he was thoroughly drunk.”

“But seriously, to fall asleep at such a perfect timing, is this for real?”

Peering into Kei’s face, who suddenly fell silent, Yasu confirmed it, and Hiro nodded as if understanding. Watching the three of them, I felt a small sense of relief. It seemed like I might get away without further interrogation.

“Koo. I won’t say not to take Kei’s words to heart. Even we felt it was bothersome, if not irritating, to some extent. I understand that it feels comfortable now, but if you wish for something to change, take the initiative now. I know it might be annoying for you to be told this, but you have to make a move for a future that suits you.”

“Well, yeah. I get it… Well, no… I understand.”

I truly understand. There’s nothing that remains constant, and if I don’t take the initiative to change, things will inevitably turn for the worse.

“Ah, but anyway, about the reason we gathered today, Koo, there’s something we need to talk to you about.”

“A talk with me? It’s not something troublesome, is it?”

“Unfortunately, it is. To put it simply, your existence has been exposed.”

Exposed? To whom? The country already knows about me, and there shouldn’t be anyone else who would cause trouble if they found out…

“Even if it’s exposed, it’s not like you’ve been hiding anything wrong, and the ‘higher-ups’ are aware of it, so that part is not an issue.”

“So, what exactly…”

“The public found out. It’s about the ‘Survivor’ returning to life.”

“…Is that bad?”

“Well, it’s not necessarily bad, but you don’t seem to grasp your situation well. Before, it was circulating among a pretty minor group of people, but now the name ‘Survivor, Koosuke Igami’ has considerable name recognition. After all, you’re the modern hero who saved the world.”

“I’m not a hero or anything…”

You could say I was just being a bit stubborn at the end. In reality, the four of them, including me, simply assisted in defeating the real culprit. I didn’t do anything to be called a hero.

“That might have been your view back then, right? At that time, if you hadn’t destroyed the gate that was probably the source of the disaster, humanity would have perished sooner or later. No joke. There’s a person who risked their life to prevent that. What else do you call such a person if not a hero?”

“But in reality, it was Miyano and the others who brought it to the point of stopping it, right?”

“Maybe. But that’s a fact that wasn’t visible from the outside. The truth seen by those who didn’t enter the gate at that time, including us, is that you stayed behind and destroyed the gate. That’s all.”

Well, if you only look at the results, that might be true. Unwillingly, I understand that facts and truths can be different.

“…Well, I get it. But what’s the problem if that gets exposed? Sure, there might be some fuss, but isn’t that temporary?”

“That’s why you don’t understand, O Hero.”

“…How about we just take a look at it? It might be quicker.”

“Hmm? Oh, right.”

Yasu handed me the smartphone, and Hiro, who had checked it, now showed it to me. What on earth is captured on the screen?

“What’s this?”

“What do you mean? Aren’t you checking the net at all?”

“You… as a hero, there’s a whole festival going on because of the information that the ‘hero has returned.’”

When I checked the smartphone screen handed to me, there were lines of text like ‘The hero’s return,’ ‘Survivor is alive,’ and it seemed quite exaggerated and eye-catching.

“If you look at this, you’ll understand, right? Regardless of how you perceive it, you saved the world. It doesn’t matter how you see it yourself. Officially, it was listed as missing and presumed dead, but in the public’s perception, you’re already dead. I don’t know if you’re aware, but there are countries that have awarded medals and titles to the ‘Koosuke Igami’ hero. Probably because they thought you were dead, they were throwing a lavish party. Now, here you are, rising from the depths of hell. So, what do you think will happen?”

Titles and all that, I don’t know anything about them, but for now, let’s put that aside. What will happen?

“Are they coming to erase the one who gave it because it’s a hindrance?”

“It’s not that extreme. After all, it’s just an honor without substance. Even if you give it to someone else, it doesn’t have much meaning. But, how do you think it looks from the general public’s perspective? A hero who saved the world, received titles and whatnot across countries, presumed to be dead in a desperate situation, has ‘returned to life.’ It’s like another alias for you. There will be those trying to use this, and, in fact, various offers are already coming in. Press conferences, interviews, and offers for positions.”

Regardless of public perception, I haven’t done anything significant. Even if I’m burdened with titles and medals, it’s troublesome enough, and on top of that, interviews and positions… it’s seriously troublesome.

“…Reject them all.”

“I figured you’d say that. That’s why I’m here. I’m a staff member at the Adventurer’s Guild and your acquaintance.”

I thought it was a bit late for a housewarming party, but I see. It wasn’t about coordinating everyone’s schedule, waiting until I settled down, or anything like that. Hiro needed to meet me, so it was arranged accordingly.

“So… you want me to do something?”

“Simply put, that’s the idea. ‘Higher-ups’ want you to express your intentions in your own words. If you show up and clearly state your intentions, no one will be able to invite you. At least, refusing invitations won’t become a problem anymore.”

“If that’s all it takes to end everything, well…”

It’s troublesome, but if a clear refusal will end everything, I’m willing to cooperate. It will probably still be a hassle to refuse, so I might as well go along with it once.

“I see. Well, that’s great! Thank you for accepting it so readily. Now, with this, you won’t receive any complaints from ‘Higher-ups,’ the guild, or the school.”

“…So, if I accept this, I just have to speak a bit at a press conference or something?”

“That’s right. You just need to talk. However, what you’re going to do is not a press conference. What you’ll be doing is—”

Hiro paused for a moment, then grinned with a sly expression, looking at me.

“—a speech.”

…What did he say?