Konjiki no Moji Tsukai

Oh, what are you thinking, packing your things? (Rarashik)

The one who asks Hiiro is Rarashik, with her hands in her white lab coat and her ears moving *pyoko pyoko*1.

Im going to leave on a journey immediately (Hiiro)

Haa? Immediately Didnt you say youd be leaving in a week? (Rarashik)

She thought it was strange that Hiiro had brazenly come back to her basement and started packing. However, Hiiro says hes leaving. Even though he said hed stay for a week in order to gather information.

This is rather sudden. Did something happen? (Rarashik)

No, I just did something a bit bothersome (Hiiro)

Bothersome? (Rarashik)

Dont worry. Its not something thatll cause you any trouble, Chibi-usagi2 Maybe (Hiiro)

What do you mean maybe! Well, I dont really care, but do Arnold and the others know? (Rarashik)

No (Hiiro)

Hearing that, Rarashik lets out a small sigh.

Are you fine with that? Without saying anything. How about at least waiting until they come back? To be honest, itd be helpful if you stayed a little and assisted me in my research (Rarashik)

Deep in her eyes, a light seems to shine *pikaaan*3, but Hiiro shakes his head.

Its not like Ill never see them again. As long as theyre alive Im sure well see each other again (Hiiro)

Nahaha, same could be said of you, boya4 (Rarashik)

I wont die (Hiiro)

Hiiro frowns and thinks.

(If I use the word Immortality, then No, I dont want to quit being human. Im fine as is for now) (Hiiro)

He thought that if he used Immortality then hed be able to stay alive, but there is no guarantee itll last indefinitely after he uses it, and thinking of the possible risk should he fail activating it, he couldnt bring himself to use that word.

While he was thinking that, Rarashik talks while smiling like shes having fun.

Well, putting your level aside, you seem like youll live a long life, boya (Rarashik)

After checking his bag, he picks it up.

Are you really leaving? (Rarashik)

Yeah, Im leaving before the king and his men come back (Hiiro)

Boya, just what exactly did you do? (Rarashik)

Ask that ossan5when he comes back. He can probably tell you about it (Hiiro)

In reality, when Hiiro left the <> while using Transparency, he saw Arnold and Muir. He had verified that they were heading towards the garden. He figured that if its them, they would probably be able to figure out most of the situation.

After that, Hiiro went to town and bought anything he thought necessary and put them into the bag hes carrying now.

Well, if you say youre going I wont stop you, but do you have a message you want to leave behind for them? (Rarashik)

Rarashik asks while her ears move *pyoko pyoko*.

Lets see Nothing in particular (Hiiro)

Rarashik stumbles forward with a *gaku*6

Nothing in particular, are you serious!? (Rarashik)

Rarashik looks at Hiiro, thinking he couldnt possibly be serious.

Even if you say that Ah, thats right (Hiiro)

What is it? (Rarashik)

The next time we meet, let me eat good food to my hearts content (Hiiro)

And to the jou-chan7? (Rarashik)

Tell her to become strong (Hiiro)

Got it (Rarashik)

After making sure Rarashik understood, Hiiro began climbing the ladder. Rarashik just stared as he left.

Yare yare8, my disciples sure have a strange companion (Rarashik)

Rarashik shrugs while sighing in exasperation.

Hiiro, after leaving Rarashiks place, heads immediately to the city exit.

(I didnt say anything before I left, but, well, its ossan and company. After they shout and scream theyll probably calm down) (Hiiro)

At first he had decided to travel by himself, but traveling with Arnold and Muir was more novel than he had expected. He thought that he wouldnt mind traveling together again if it were with people like them.

(Well, the next time we meet will at best be half a years time, huh) (Hiiro)

While walking, he looks toward the <>.

(Ossan and Chibi9, I wonder how theyre doing) (Hiiro)

He looked forward to it a bit.

Arriving at the city exit, Hiiro looks back toward the <> where Arnold and Muir are.

Later (Hiiro)

Though he sounded a little reluctant, Hiiro continued walking and left the country.

What did you saaaaay!? Hiiro leeeeeft!? (Arnold)

Long after Hiiro had left the country, Arnold and Muir, who had just returned to Rarashiks laboratory, were dealt a great shock.

Yup, he left lickety-split (Rarashik)

N-No way Thats too sudden (Muir)

Muir says with a shaky face, her expression turning bitter.

T-T-That bastaaaaaard!! (Arnold)

*bogon!*10

Arnold hits the wall with all of his strength. On the wall is a small crater, and fragments fall to the floor. Rarashik sighs while looking at Arnold, who is grinding his teeth.

Come on, Arnold, dont break the room. Also, theres a message from the boya (Rarashik)

M-Message? (Muir)

Muir asks.

To jou-chan, no, Muir, he said to become strong (Rarashik)

Hiiro-san said Is Is that so (Muir)

Muir understood after hearing those words that the fact Hiiro had left was neither a joke nor a lie.

Shit! That Hiiro! Whyd he leave without saying anything! (Arnold)

No, in reality he knew the reason why. He was able to determine after hearing Mimirus story from Muir that Hiiro would most likely leave the country as soon as possible. The king and his men would return soon. If it was discovered that Hiiro was the one who cured the princess, it would certainly cause a lot of trouble.

Because he didnt want to deal with that, Hiiro left as soon as he could. Arnold understood that. However, he couldnt stand that he left without even saying a single word to them.

Why didnt he say anything!? (Arnold)

Arnold was upset, thinking that Hiiro thought that they were worthless and didnt even deserve parting words. Arnold thought, though it was only for a short period of time, that they had gotten along well on their travels.

Because Hiiro didnt say anything before he left, Arnold thought that he mustnt have thought the same and became upset. However, Rarashik tells Arnold.

Arnold, the boya said this. The next time we meet, let me eat good food to my hearts content. (Rarashik)

H-Hiiro did? (Arnold)

Yeah. It seems like the bond between you three hasnt been severed yet (Rarashik)

Oji-san! (Muir)

Y-Yeah (Arnold)

Seeing Muirs joyful expression, Arnolds eyes started to get hot. If this continued, an old man pushing on years would end up crying because of a shitty conceited brat. His pride would never allow that to happen.

H-Hmph! Dont kid me! Im not his personal cook! Seriously, that Hiiro! (Arnold)11

Muir looks at Arnold, whos putting on a strong front. He was smiling with the corner of his mouth.

Fufu, Oji-san isnt honest (Muir)

W-What on earth is this girl saying! Im just stating the obvious! (Arnold)

Okaaay okay, I know youre happy, but lets get started with the program (Rarashik)

Rarashik claps her hands *pan pan* in order to get the twos attention.

Program? (Arnold)

Yeah, of course. Im talking about the training. You want to become stronger, right? (Rarashik)

Ou12! (Arnold)

Hai12! (Muir)

In order to one-up Hiiro. It goes without saying that this became one of their objectives.

Then while youre in training, work hard without a single complaint! If anyone complains Im kicking him out! (Rarashik)

Listening to Rarashiks words, Arnold and Muir look at each other and nod.

Hai! (Arnold & Muir)

They both give an enthusiastic response.

Just you wait, Hiiro. Ill punch you first thing the next time we meet! (Arnold)

Muir, as if hiding her determination, clenched her fists tightly.

(I want to stand next to those two! So Ill become strong! Ill become strong enough to be accepted by Hiiro-san! By Hiiro-san By Hiiro-san Uuu, its because Mimiru-chan said such weird thiiings) (Muir)

Muirs face steams as she becomes flustered. Seeing her like that, Arnold becomes irritated without knowing the reason and clenches his fist.

With strong resolve, the two begin taking steps towards the future. Of course, without knowing whats going on, Hiiro is traveling somewhere by himself.

And then the reunion between the two and Hiiro, which comes to be due to unbelievable circumstances, but that is a story to be revealed in the future.