Chapter 6
…That's right. I completely forgot. It was when the brats came into the shop today. Before I knew it, a download complete screen had popped up.
Was it…?
"Did the data contain a virus?"
"I didn't detect anything." Ren told me.
"Contents?"
"It's a type of game where a player performs movement and information gathering by manipulating a character, fights with an enemy character, acquires an experience value and raises a level."
"Ah, an RPG, huh? Do I have to pay?" I asked once I knew what I had accidently downloaded.
"You don't have to pay for it."
"Huh… so I didn't accidentally pay for it because of those brats. Is it some kind of trial application?"
"That is unknown."
"Well, if there's nothing weird I could try it. Just to kill some time." I let out a low chuckle.
"Shall I start it?" Ren questions.
"Please do."
"Understood."
I take Ren in my arms, return to the room and sit on my bed. The virtual monitor appears showing the game.
*Help me…
*Someone, please save me… …
*Someone,
free me
from here… …
"That's a really retro screen." Kio, Nao and Mio's generation have probably never seen anything like this. Even I haven't seen this type of an old game anywhere else but on video sites. After the message from the princess was over, a title logo appeared.
SILENT † OATH
*START
CONTINUE
-MESSAGE SPEED-
SLOW *NORMAL FAST
…It's so old, it's almost strangely refreshing. While the odd feeling rises inside of me, I push 'START'. The screen changed to an open field showing a knight in blue leaving a building and walking down to the forest, entering a cave. The knight walked through the maze coming to an exist and coming across a beach. The screen went black with big white bold words saying 'TO BE CONTINUED'.
"Huh? This'll continue? Are the parts delivered periodically?" I wonder.
"Looks like it." Ren said.
"I see. It's exactly the shortness of a game you can play when you have time to kill." I said closing the game. I don't know if it was entertaining or not, but if a sequel comes out, I might play it again. As soon as I close the game screen, I yawn.
I was so focused on the game I didn't realize how tired I was. "I think it's time to get ready for bed." I close the window and curtain to the veranda and leave my room to go to the washroom.
The next day.
I go to work at Heibon as always and look after the shop from behind the counter. Ow, ow, ow… I get my usual headache and massage the inner corners of my eyes with my index finger and thumb. My head felt heavy ever since this morning. Even after I took my medicine after breakfast…
Did I catch a cold?
"Aoba-chan, I'd like to ask you to do a little delivery." Rattling noises come from the back of the store as well as Haga-san's voice.
"Ah, I'll help, …!" My legs wobble when I try to stand up. I instantly push my hand onto the counter.
"Aoba-chan, are you all right?" Haga-san called out to me in worry.
"Sorry, I feel a little dizzy." I mumbled as I tried to regain my footing.
"Please sit down I can do it. …Huuun! Ha! Hiiya!" Haga-san picked up the heavy box and slammed it down on the self "Phew."
"…" I stared at him with wide-eye filled with awe.
"Hm? What's the matter, Aoba-chan?" Haga-san asked noticing my stare.
"Ah, no, I just thought that was pretty amazing."
"Oh, it wasn't anything like that. Hahaha."
"Cleaning, cleaning." Haga-san's Allmate Bonjin-kun comes up and whirls around him.
"Ah, Bonjin-kun. Please take care of the back." Haga-san told it.
"Back, back." Bonjin-kun returns to the back of the shop.
"Ah, yes. Could I ask you to deliver this item for me?" Haga-san takes a small paper bag out of his pocket. "The order came in the middle of the night from yesterday's visitor, it's specified as a special delivery."
When I see the slip of the paper bag, I notice that the address is in the East district like we are. It would be faster to deliver this directly.
"Since one of our contractors is coming soon, I cannot leave the shop. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I'll leave right away." I said.
"Thank you very much." Haga-san smiles and walks towards the stairs to the basement.
My head still feels heavy.
…But it's my job. I'll have to try my best. I tap my forehead lightly, get myself together, and let out a short breath. I take my bag close to me with Ren in it and leave the shop with the paper bag.
"Hmm, was it faster to go this way?" I wonder out loud walking down the street.
"Yes." Ren confirm.
I walk through Aoyagi Street while having Ren navigate. In this quiet road between buildings, a familiar tag art is drawn here and there on the walls.
Beni-Shigure. Koujaku's team.
Rib teams claim their territory by drawing their tag art. This area was Koujaku's team's territory. The size of Koujaku's team is not very big. Rather, not very many are aware of Koujaku participating in Rib. He's popular among women, and therefore irritates many guys he fights very often. But he has never lost.
Before even he himself was aware, many male fans followed him because of his consecutive victories, and a team was formed just like that. Still, because he's taking care of them without being cruel, I think his character must also appeal to them. If you rely on him, you can't really complain. Lots of team members gather because they adore the leader, and they come to resemble the leader somehow.
Maybe because of them, here in Benishigure's territory there are lots of men wearing Japanese clothes without a hakama. If you just glance at them they may look evil, but they're all good guys. They help old ladies with heavy luggage, or look for a missing child's parents. That's why Beni-Shigure's popularity is pretty high in the Old Resident District.
That's also thanks to Koujaku…perhaps.
"Yo, Aoba."
"Hiya."
I exchange a greeting with a member I'm acquainted with. Some other members are talking happily with police officer. The Old Resident District's police aren't the most honest bunch of people, but depending on money or their mood they may mingle with the islanders. Some Ribsters use them to gain information or have things overlooked.
Well, whatever suits them.
As I continue walking down the street, I hear an awfully high-spirited voice come from in front of me. A group of three with one man and two women walk towards me, the women snuggling up to the man and pushing and shoving while walking.
"Oh, stop it, silly Koujaku-san!" The woman giggled.
"But I love that about you too!" The other woman squealed.
"Ahahahahaha!"
…I knew it.
Of course, the guy walking sandwiched between the two women is Koujaku. I didn't want to bump into him in this situation…I want to avoid them, but they keep coming closer and I have no choice.
"Oh, well if it isn't Aoba!" Koujaku said with a smile when he notices me walking down the street.
"…Hi there." I bluntly responded.
Koujaku's face draws into a cheerful smile.
"Aoba, Ren doing okay?" Flying next to Koujaku is his Allmate, Beni. Ren's face peeps out of the bag.
"I'm here." Ren says.
"Hoo. I see."
"Oh, Koujaku-san, is this your friend?" Woman number one says, while glances at me with judging eyes.
"Yeah, a childhood friend." Koujaku replies.
"Oh, is that so? This girl?" Woman number two speaks also giving me a judging look.
…Well then. I'm sorry that the amazing Koujaku's childhood friend doesn't measure up to the man himself.
Even though we call ourselves childhood friends, it's not like we were always together when we were small. Originally Koujaku was from the mainland, and came to this island with his mother. He was on the island for about three, four years, and then returned to the mainland with his mother again. During that time was a little vacant period, and about three years ago Koujaku suddenly came back alone.
I was surprised when he came back because he had become quite sturdy, but the faces and gestures he made when he laughed and the way he spoke hadn't changed at all. Then we started to hang out together again, and he often comes to visit my home to eat either mine or Granny's homemade cooking.
"What now, what's the matter with you?" Koujaku asked me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You don't look so hot." He said.
"! …It's nothing, really."
"Really? That's good then."
I act calm, but deep down I'm actually surprised. I definitely still have a small headache.
Do I really look that sick?
"Are you working now?" He asks.
"Yup. Unlike somebody else." When I say this sarcastically, the women standing on both sides react before Koujaku can.
"Well! It's not like Koujaku-san is playing around, you know!" Woman number one says with an attitude. Making my eyebrow to almost twitch.
"Yeah, even now he's only escorting us during his work." Woman number two nodded her head speaking in more of a calmer manner.
"…" Honestly…I just don't get what they see in him.
"Oh don't say that. Although, it's true that when I'm with such cute ladies, I can't get any work done." Oh, so I don't fall under the category of 'cute'?
"Kyah!" Woman number one blushes.
"Oh, Koujaku-san!"
Every single time, when he says things like that, wouldn't anyone else just be completely on edge…?
"It's shameful for a man to refuse a woman when she offers herself to him, right?" Beni says.
"Exactly." Koujaku nodded his head "Women are the treasures of the world. They're soft and tender, and will gently embrace a man. That's why cherishing women is a man's duty. Am I right?"
…No comment…
Koujaku puts his arms around the women's shoulders.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"I could die happily right now!"
…Kill me.
"…Well then, I'll be going." I heaved out a heavy sigh.
"Hm? Wait a minute. Hey!" As I stand completely disgusted and also completely ready to leave, woman number two calls out to me. "Here, I knew it. There's some dirt on you." The woman's skinny fingers reach out and lightly dust the collar of my jacket.
"…Ah, thanks." I thanked her.
"As expected. I love thoughtful women."
"Hee hee. …Oh?" The woman who is happy about being praised by Koujaku suddenly looks at me as if she realizes something.
"…?" I gave her a quizzical look.
"Now that I think about it, you have a beautiful shade of light blue hair at the ends."
"…!"
"Oh, that's true. I didn't notice." Woman number one says looking at my hair "It goes a lighter shade of blue compared to the rest."
"Hee hee, that's kinda pretty."
While laughing teasingly, one of the women reaches out her hand.
