Chapter 123 - Ordinary Words
The comicalization of 'Slow Life of an A-Rank Adventurer' is currently being serialized on Web Comic Action and Nico Nico Seiga!
The release of the third volume from Nox Novels has also been decided. I will announce the release information and such soon.
After delivering Kyle to Lauren-san's house, I immediately ran toward my own home.
The sunlight was sinking further and further, and the sky was being dyed madder red.
It was rare for a hunt to take this long. Moreover, this time it wasn't the usual forest, but the deep mountains where many monsters lived.
Since I hadn't returned home to report my safety yet, Flora might be more worried than usual.
When I imagined Flora in such a state, my chest felt as if it were being squeezed tight.
Once I passed through the center of the village where people gathered, there was only a single path leading to the flower field.
Since there were no people around anymore, I ran at full speed.
After passing through the tree-lined road and following the path all the way, my house finally came into view.
Since I had been running at full power, the actual time must have been short, but it felt like a considerable amount of time had passed.
Being in a bit of a hurry, I didn't follow the path but cut across the grassland, where I saw Flora and Aisha outside the house.
"That's why I'm telling you, it's fine. Even if his companion is unreliable, there's no way Aldo would get injured by the monsters around here, right? You know what kind of adventurer he is, Flora."
"T-That may be true, but look at the time. It's already past the time he usually comes home. What if he injured his leg like Lauren-san did...!"
"I understand you're anxious after seeing Lauren-san's injury, but you're thinking too much about the worst-case scenario. I'm sure they caught a huge amount of prey and it's taking time to carry it. Look, deer are heavy and always take time to transport, right?"
"...I suppose so. I hope that's the case."
While having such a conversation, Flora stared anxiously toward the flower field with Aisha by her side.
As expected, Flora seemed very worried.
Hearing the conversation between the two, I couldn't hold back any longer and called out from a distance.
"Flora!"
"Aldo-san's voice...! Aisha, where is Aldo-san!?"
"Calm down. I don't know why, but the voice is coming from behind us, not the flower field."
"Behind us!?"
Told that by Aisha, Flora turned around toward me.
Flora, who had looked so anxious, showed a relieved smile once she clearly spotted me.
I headed straight to where Flora was.
"Sorry, Flora. I got late because I was delivering Kyle to his house. I should have shown my face properly since I knew you'd be worried."
"...I was a little worried, but it's fine. For me, nothing makes me happier than Aldo-san returning safely."
Even though I had caused her considerable worry, Flora welcomed me warmly without saying a single word of complaint.
That kindness made me happy, but I couldn't just take advantage of it.
"Thank you, Flora. From next time, I'll definitely report my safety."
"Yes!"
When I made that vow as if to discipline my own soft heart, Flora smiled brightly, though she looked a little surprised.
"...Somehow, I feel like I'm completely in the way."
As Flora and I were smiling at each other, Aisha said somewhat sulkily.
"S-Sorry, Aisha! I didn't mean it like that!"
"It's fine, it's fine. In front of a lover, even a best friend is a secondary existence."
She said it like a joke, but she was sulking more than I thought.
She must have stayed by Flora's side the whole time while she was anxious. The moment I returned, if she was treated as if she were forgotten, it was natural for her to get a bit moody.
"To me, Aisha is also an irreplaceable best friend! Don't say such a thing!"
"H-Hey, I said it was a joke. I don't really think anything that cold!"
"Is that true?"
"It's true."
For Aisha, she probably intended to tease Flora a bit as a small revenge.
However, she seemed embarrassed herself by Flora's heartfelt words.
The interaction between the two was charming, and as I watched while laughing instinctively, Aisha glared at me.
"...What are you laughing at? In the first place, if Aldo had shown his face before making a detour, I wouldn't have needed to soothe Flora, you know?"
"I am reflecting on my actions."
When she put it that way, I couldn't say a word in return.
Considering she stayed by the anxious Flora's side, I was also full of gratitude toward Aisha.
"Aisha, as thanks for staying with her, why don't you stay for dinner?"
"...It's a lovely invitation, but I'm not a woman so oblivious that I'd intrude here. I'll come to eat another time, so look forward to the meal then."
After saying that, Aisha turned her back and walked toward the south.
She's usually lazy and slacks off on her work, but at times like this, she's cool and reliable.
As I was thinking idly about that, Flora looked up at me and asked hesitantly.
"Um, Aldo-san. How was Kyle-kun?"
"He wasn't injured, and he was able to hunt a Horned Rabbit without any problems. I'm sure he'll be fine now."
I couldn't say that his fear of monsters was completely removed, but at the very least, I didn't think he'd be unable to enter the forest or freeze up like before.
And the anxiety he feared deep in his heart—like being abandoned by Lauren-san—must have been clearly cleared up too.
"I see. I'm really glad."
When I briefly explained the general circumstances, Flora showed a relieved expression.
Flora had been quite worried about Kyle. She must be truly happy that he was safe.
"Um, Aldo-san."
"Hmm?"
When I was called and turned that way, Flora hugged me as if leaning against me.
A faint, sweet scent tickled my nostrils, and her warm, soft body temperature was transmitted to me.
I wrapped my arms around her back as if to receive Flora's body.
After feeling her warmth while clinging together for a while, Flora, who had been buried in my chest, looked up at me and smiled.
"Welcome home."
"Yeah, I'm back."
An exchange of short, ordinary words.
But those words made me strongly recognize that this was the place I belonged.
I plan to update until a good stopping point around this week or next week.