Chapter 117: A Momentary Peace

"Hey, Ouma! Let’s become Heroes together!"

I still remembered the warmth of those days.

I never forgot the feeling of taking the hands my precious comrades reached out to me. They were my treasures—precious, vital memories. Adventuring had been fun. Getting stronger alongside my friends had been a joy. Even though I was weak, they needed me. I was happy just being with the people who supported me.

"Hey, Ouma, what kind of Hero do you want to become?" our leader had asked.

I told him I wanted to be the kind of Hero who could overcome any obstacle with his friends to save someone. That had been my ideal since I was a child. I didn’t know why, but I’d always yearned for that vague image of heroism.

"I like that," he’d said. "I feel the same way. We’ll all get stronger in this guild, Illegal, and one day we’ll become Heroes—and save people. I want to chase my dreams, go on adventures, and become a Hero for someone’s sake."

That was the dream we once shared.

Ten years ago, my younger self thought the world was simpler. I thought there were no adventures that couldn't be overcome, that effort was always rewarded, and that I’d always be with my comrades. It was a foolish, ignorant, pathetic delusion.

Now I knew better. This world was unreasonable, absurd, and overflowing with inescapable despair. Heroes didn't exist. Because if such a person truly existed...

"Sorry, Ouma—do your best."

...then I wouldn't have ended up alone.

I’d seen someone’s records.

I’d caught a glimpse into the life of a certain man.

It was likely a resonance reaction caused by seeing Ouma-san’s Scripture during our match a few days ago. I’d unilaterally intruded on another man’s secrets—peered into a wound that never should have been exposed. I woke up with an indescribable weight in my chest.

"Come to think of it... what was I supposed to do today?"

Still half-asleep, I checked the calendar on my smartphone to confirm my schedule. A single entry stared back at me: Go out with Sol.

The catalyst had been the Naming Shiki. At the time, Sol had demanded a price for summoning her: we had to spend a day together. I had no reason to refuse, so we’d set a date. Two days had passed since the match, making today the day.

"It’s ten o'clock. Time to head to the city center. Better call her... [Summon] Sol Skoll."

After washing my face, I decided to summon her before breakfast. Sol emerged from the summoning circle wearing something different from her usual attire. She was in a black skirt and a slightly sheer blouse—a rare look for her, at least from my perspective. The clothes looked brand new; Arachne probably made them.

"You’re early, Reima."

"Well, I said we’d spend the day together, didn't I? I figured the longer we had, the better."

"I wonder why you're only thoughtful at times like this?"

"I want to thank you properly. It can't be helped."

"Heh. That’s so like Reima."

Since it was a rare holiday where my family was actually home, I decided to put some extra effort into breakfast. My dad, who usually spent his time photographing various Adventurers for interviews, was still dead to the world, likely exhausted. My mom was probably off somewhere lost in a book.

I wasn't entirely sure what defined a "high-effort breakfast," but I settled on a dish with a powerful-sounding name I’d seen on TV: Eggs Benedict.

I had bacon and eggs, so the timing was perfect. As for the vegetables, I used the ones Baal had grown, fresh from the God of Harvest. Making the poached eggs was a bit of a struggle, but I managed to finish four servings. I called the others over and took my seat.

"...Reima, is it just me, or has your cooking improved?"

"One of my comrades is a pro. I just picked up a few things from them."

"Should I be proud of my son's growth, or shocked at how distant you've become? I wonder which it is."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, I'm losing my place in this house," my mom teased. "Sol-chan, do you like Reima’s cooking?"

"I’ve always liked it," Sol said.

She was surprisingly skilled with a knife and fork. She finished chewing and dropped that line with total nonchalance.

"Ah, he’s blushing. Reima really is a pushover, isn't he?"

"Don't tease me all of a sudden. You actually surprised me."

"How entertaining."

Some things never changed. Seeing Sol act like her usual self eased the gloom a little. I couldn't stop thinking about the records I’d seen this morning—what had happened to Ouma-san. It wasn't like I could just ask him, so the thoughts had been festering. For now, I’d focus on her.

"So, Reima, you’re going out today, right? Where to?"

"...Nothing's set in stone, but I was thinking Kichijoji. Maybe hit the park. Sol likes to stay active."

"Is it big there?"

"Yeah, it’s big enough. There’s space for exercise."

"Fine, let’s go there. I’m going to crush you, so prepare yourself."

"Big talk. I don't plan on losing."

After breakfast, Sol and I headed toward Kichijoji. We took a bus to the city center, then sat through a twenty-minute train ride. Luna had been restless the first time she’d ridden a train; apparently, it ran in the family, because Sol wasn't looking particularly composed either.

"Isn't this thing... slow?"

"That’s your complaint? Well, compared to you two, I guess it is."

"It’d be faster if you just rode on my back."

"That’d be overkill. Is it so bad to take it slow once in a while?"

"I guess not, but..."

We reached Kichijoji and walked the short distance to the park. We spent the rest of the day there, together.