Genocide Reality - Chapter 22 - Repose In The Garden

“Well, now that I’ve given you a safe send off, I’ll be on my way.”

 

Mission complete, now let’s head out on a real adventure.

 

“Shinjo-kun, wait a minute!”

 

“What, Rindou? If you’ve got something important to say, say it quickly.”

 

I’ve wasted a lot of time because I matched this girl’s slow pace.

 

If I don’t go quickly, there is a possibility that Ussa and the others will come after me, and I am in a hurry to head out to explore uncharted territory as soon as possible.

 

“Um, even if I’m suddenly asked to live here, I don’t know how to…”

 

“The log house there has the bare minimum of furniture. The fields are full of fruits and vegetables, the pond is clean, and you can catch a lot of fish if you cast a fishing line in it. You can even make a Goemon-style bath using that drum can. Just lay a grate at the bottom of the drum can, burn firewood, and you’re good to go. That’s all for the instructions.”

 

“Even if you say it so quickly, I don’t really understand.”

 

“You don’t need explanations; it’s designed to be mostly self-explanatory.”

 

I’m sure the others are hard at work on their adventures as we speak, and it would be a problem if Ussa and the others caught up with me when they realized I was gone.

 

I have to move faster than anyone else; I can’t afford to relax in the Garden.

 

“I’ve never had a bath like this before, and hey, maybe you should take a bath too!”

 

“A bath, come to think of it, I haven’t had one in a while…”

 

Back when I was a civilized person, I used to take one every day, but it wasn’t because I liked it. It bothered me a bit in the first few days, but after two days of not taking one, I didn’t care at all.

 

I’ve never heard of anyone dying from not taking a bath. Adventurers who fight for their lives don’t have the luxury of worrying about their appearance.

 

“It might be a good idea to take one. I’d like you to teach me how to use this bath and stuff…”

 

“Rindou, why are you so eager to keep me here?”

 

Could it be that being left alone here is lonely?

 

If it’s some girly reason like that, I can’t keep up. I’m not here to play around, you know.

 

“Well… um, that’s right. I want to write a letter.”

 

“A letter?”

 

“Yeah, to Nanami. I thought if I suddenly disappeared, he might worry. So, I think it would be a good idea to write a letter saying that I’m okay and have someone deliver it.”

 

“I see, I hadn’t noticed that.”

 

“Nanami is a sensible and good guy, but once he gets an idea in his head, he’s pretty single-minded, so if he thought Shinjo-kun kidnapped me, or if he made a terrible mistake, it could turn into a huge misunderstanding…”

 

“No, that’s not going to happen.”

 

The other guy is that school’s number one perfect-looking guy, Nanami Shuichi.

 

He would probably worry if his childhood friend disappeared from town, but I don’t think he would be that out of line.

 

“I mean just in case, but since the situation is like this now, I think it would be better to explain it properly so that Nanami-kun can understand.”

 

“Okay, I understand. If you want to write a letter, I can wait a bit.”

 

What Kazuha said was a bit too over the top, but Nanami would be worried if he realized that his childhood friend was no longer in town.

 

Nanami Shuichi is the safety valve that prevents students from going off the deep end. I don’t know when I’ll be back on the surface next, but I should at least give him a letter to reassure him.

 

“Well, I’ll boil a bath for you.”

 

I don’t understand why she thought preparing the bath had anything to do with writing a letter, but if there’s time, maybe it’s a good idea to take a bath.

 

While you can heal physical fatigue with potions, you can’t heal mental fatigue that easily. Taking a bath to relax the mind might be a good idea.

 

“No, I’ll take care of preparing the bath. You go ahead and write the letter.”

 

“Uuu, I’ll cook dinner then!”

 

“Rindou, the letter… Oh well, go ahead and make some food then. If you decide to take a bath, I’ll boil it as soon as possible.”

 

I have to eat anyway, so I won’t refuse the offer to cook.

 

Even if I act all wild, it doesn’t mean I want to eat nothing but raw meat from giant poison insects like worms. If there’s something decent to eat here, I’ll be grateful for it.

 

I took off my chainmail and clothes and stripped down to just my underpants, lifted the drum, and jumped into the small lakeside at once.

 

I forcefully submerged the drum can underwater and then lifted it again.

 

Doing it all at once is more efficient than scooping water with a bucket. A loud splash and a strong sound of water echoed as the water’s surface rippled.

 

“That’s it!”

 

“Wow, that’s quite impressive…”

 

Kazuha, who had apparently been harvesting vegetables in the nearby field, looked at me, carrying the drum can filled with water, with a somewhat amazed expression.

 

It’s a bit tough, but I’m doing this as part of physical training. Carrying a drum can like this might not raise any specific stat, but who knows, it could improve something.

 

“If you want to boil your own bath, Rindou, there is a wooden tub, so you can get some water with it.”

 

“Okay, okay.”

 

I put the drum full of water on top of the masonry and lit the fire with a fireball in the space between the stones with the wood I had stockpiled next to the log cabin.

 

Now all that’s left to do is wait for it to burn. I would have preferred hotter water, but if Kazuha was going to be in the drum, it would have taken at most 30 minutes.

 

This time, I didn’t place a wooden slat at the bottom.

 

If it were just me, I would have gone straight in, but it was a little too wild for Kazuha, so when the water was moderately warm, I transferred it to another drum with a hose.

 

This way, the water does not get too hot, so it is safe. Using the siphon principle, as long as there is a height difference, the hot water can be easily transferred with a hose.

 

“So, what are you making, Rindou?”

 

“I have some vegetables, so I thought I’d make a pot-au-feu.”

 

Pot-au-feu is a fancy way for a girl to say it, but it’s just a stew.

 

Roughly chopped carrots, onions, turnips, and celery float in the pot.

 

According to Kazuha, the seasonings alone would be enough, since the cupboard was fully stocked with salt, spices, consommé, and other seasonings.

 

“If it’s a stew, it would be lonely without meat. Why don’t you try this?”

 

“What’s that?

 

I pull out the meat of a giant poisonous worm from my backpack.

 

The meat is a colorful mixture of blue, red, and green.

 

“Look, there was a worm on the third floor, and I saved its meat to eat later.”

 

“If you eat that raw, you’ll get a stomach ache!”

 

You won’t get a stomach ache, that’s for sure.

 

It is admittedly grotesque, but it is fresh and has a longer shelf life than the meat of other monsters, and is a safe raw meat to eat.

 

If it is safe in the game, it should not be dangerous here either.

 

Well, I was cautious at first and drank some antidote potions, but human experiments have proven that it is safe.

 

“It’s okay, I’ve eaten it many times, so it’s fine raw.”

 

“Ugh, okay, then I’ll try a bit… Hmm, it’s surprisingly mild and bland, well, I guess it’s fine.”

 

I looked at Kazuha again for a moment. She took her petty knife and cut out a small piece of the worm’s round meat, washed it down with water, and ate it.

 

Considering that I ate it in a state of battle-induced madness, it’s quite something to eat giant poisonous worm meat raw while sober. This girl is definitely something special (in a good way).

 

“As expected of your profession: cook.”

 

“I don’t really understand the whole cooking skill thing. I’ve never played games, so I just cook like I normally would.”

 

Kazuha quickly prepared and cut the giant poisonous worm meat into the right size and threw it into the big pot, turning the pot-au-feu into a vivid purple color.

 

It looked bad, but when I got a wooden plate full of it and tried it, it was delicious.

 

I mean, what the heck.

 

As it fell into my stomach, my stomach warmed up significantly. It was strange to feel my body warming up.

 

A pot of giant poisonous worm meat turned into a taste of mother’s cooking.

 

Well, I was raised in a father-son household, so I don’t know what my mother’s cooking really tasted like, but it was nostalgic.

 

It’s amazing how this grotesque meat turned into something so delicious with proper seasoning.

 

Somehow, laughter welled up inside me. When you eat something delicious, people tend to smile.

 

“Rindou, were you always a good cook?”

 

“Yeah, my parents both worked, so I ended up cooking a lot, maybe that’s why I’m good at it. I thought the flavor was alright, but… did it taste good?”

 

I nodded quietly. I’ve always liked soupy dishes, but this flavor was something entirely new to me.

 

Perhaps professions are determined not randomly but based on a person’s real-life abilities.

 

Ussa and Kumiko, who look ladylike but are actually violent, are martial artists and ninjas, while Seki, who is intelligent and gentle, is a monk.

 

Kazuha, who seems to have nothing to offer but cooking, is a cook.

 

Even though she must be hungry herself, she fed me first and happily watched me enjoy the meal.

 

When I look at Kazuha, I couldn’t help but find it endearing how much she enjoyed feeding others.

 

It is highly probable that her initial occupation was determined by her aptitude.

 

Thanks to Kazuha, another GenoReal mystery has been solved.

 

“Well, I’m done eating and I’ve already prepared the bath, so Rindou, go ahead and get in.”

 

“Well, I, um…. I’m so dirty, Shinjo-kun, you go in first!”

 

Dirty? Well, I guess Kazuha didn’t have time to take a bath either.

 

But if she says she’s dirty, I must be much worse.

 

“If you think you’re dirty, then I’m a mud monster. If it bothers you, I’ll change the water later, so go ahead and take your bath.”

 

As a girl, she probably didn’t want a guy she didn’t particularly like to bathe in the water she used.

 

I understand that sentiment, as I wouldn’t want someone bathing in water I’d already used either.

 

“In that case, I’ll go first… Shinjo-kun, absolutely no peeking, okay?”

 

“I’m not a junior high school student on a school trip, I ain’t peeking.”

 

“…I’ll step outside to wash my hair slowly once I’m warmed up, so maybe it’s okay to sneak a peek then, but absolutely no peeking!”

 

“I’m taking a nap, so give me a holler when you’re done.”

 

I used up the rest of my mana by creating strength potions and other things I needed at all times.

 

I lay down on the bed. The soft sleeping surface was a welcome change, and within five seconds, I lost consciousness.

 

Since I came to GenoReal, I had really improved my ability to fall asleep.

 

Even on the hard stone floor I can sleep soundly, so a bed would be even better.

 

“…Shinjo-kun, Shinjo-kun!”

 

“Nngh… What the hell?”

 

My peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by a voice from outside the log house.

 

What’s with all the noise, I thought Kazuha had come out of the bath.

 

I immediately got up and went outside, only to find that Kazuha was still in the drum-can bath.

 

“What… you haven’t even finished your bath, so why did you call me?”

 

“Sorry, could you please get my change of clothes and a towel from my backpack…”

 

Dumbly, she forgot to prepare a change of clothes and a bath towel.

 

Kazuha must have been tired after everything that had happened, so I guess it was inevitable.

 

However, going through a girl’s bag is a bit of a problem.

 

A change of clothes means underwear too… That’s what it means, right?

 

“Hey… What the hell color underwear am I supposed to bring?”

 

“I don’t care what color, just don’t look at them too much!”

 

It was an unreasonable request to take them without looking at them.

 

I tried to find the most modest underwear I could, but there were red, yellow… and even translucent purple ones. Seriously, I can’t bring these.

 

I managed to find some blue and white striped underwear with a cute ribbon, which seemed suitable, along with some shorts and a shirt that could pass as sleepwear and a towel.

 

“I’ll leave your clothes on the stone outside. And the towel… well, I’ll leave that here too. Just call me when you’re done.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

For a moment, I thought about handing her a bath towel, but that was not an option.

 

Her wet black hair, the slight blush on her skin that hinted at its texture and glow – it was all too tempting for the eyes.

 

“Damn it, you’re too vulnerable.”

 

I turn around and let out a sigh.

 

I like women, of course. Normally, I’d be delighted to catch a glimpse of their soft skin, but right now, I neither wanted to see nor be aware of it.

 

I don’t know why. My lower half was unusually active

 

Ever since eating that meal, my body had been oddly heated, and I had slept to try to quell it. But it had only made things worse.

 

Could that meal have contained something…stimulating?

 

No, I checked the seasonings in the pantry, and they were all ordinary. Maybe it was just my imagination.

 

I clenched my lower abdomen, thinking I could suppress it with sheer willpower, but it didn’t work.

 

I turned away in a hurry when I saw Kazuha taking a leisurely bath, but the soft contours of her breasts, thighs and ass… Was that enough to get me so excited?

 

Pathetic… I’m the one who’s defenseless and inexperienced.

 

Never look at a real live woman in a dungeon.

 

“Am I an idiot? Things are already complicated enough.”

 

Kazuha was Nanami Shuichi’s childhood friend, and if something went wrong, it would be bad.

 

Even if not, I don’t want to think about that right now. I need to cool my head. It’s partly because I’m tired, I’m sure.

 

I’m about to go on another adventure, and that kind of routine is making me feel weak.

 

Perhaps, when I truly become strong, nothing will faze me. I could become the kind of man who can smile and greet someone one moment and then engage in a deadly battle the next.

 

But that’s still far off. I’m not a drawn blade yet.

 

To strike, I need the readiness to unsheathe the blade from its scabbard. I have to suppress my emotions as much as possible to fight.

 

“Shinjo, I finished my bath…”

 

“Oh, right. Rindou, go rest now.”

 

Trying not to look too much at the flushed Kazuha, I first jumped into the lake and swam under the fiercely dripping waterfall to cool my head.

 

Then, I changed the bathwater and finally enjoyed a bath after a long time. Alternating between cold and warm water, I finally felt my emotions calming down.

 

I discarded my old underwear and clothes, wearing a fresh pair of pants and a tracksuit I obtained from a shop in town. Then, I returned to the log house.

 

“Shinjo-kun…”

 

“Rindou, did you write a letter?”

 

Kazuha shook her head vigorously, indicating that she hadn’t done it yet. Oh well, I thought.

 

I shouldn’t get caught up in Kazuha’s leisurely pace that feels too much like everyday life.

 

What can I say, I must be tired today too. I should get some rest.

 

Let’s cool down and then get back on track.

 

“…You know what?”

 

“Just write it already. In the meantime, I’ll take a short nap.”

 

I just said what I wanted to say, and I laid back down on the bed and closed my eyes.

 

In this state, I’ll initiate circuit shutdown and absolutely won’t respond.

 

“Shinjo-kun, you kinda remind me of Nanami.”

 

“Huh… What part of me is even remotely similar to someone at the opposite end of the spectrum?”

 

I don’t really care about what Kazuha is saying, but I have to deny it here.

 

The unfeeling samurai, Wataru Shinjo-sama, being compared to the volunteer-minded do-gooder Nanami Shuichi, that’s just… it’s an affront to my dignity.

 

“It’s because you’re both strong and kind.”

 

“You know, I’ve thought about this for a while, but… sometimes you deliver a critical hit to someone’s psyche, don’t you?”

 

I couldn’t get angry, so I could only manage a wry smile.

 

I can take insults from all over the world without a problem, but being called kind to women deals a serious blow to my pride.

 

“If it bothered you, I’m sorry. I meant to say that you’re similar but different. Nanami is a very good person, strong and kind, but he never thought about me.”

 

“What is this, a woman’s ramblings? Nanami cared for you so much.”

 

Compared to someone as terrible as me, Nanami undoubtedly cherished and protected Kazuha.

 

But to be spoken of like that… While it’s true that Nanami was the cause of Kazuha’s bullying, it’s still a pitiable situation.

 

“Is locking someone up in a glass case really taking care of them?”

 

“I don’t understand that sentimental analogy. I don’t know about your convenience, but Nanami was doing the best he could from the side. Do you know how lucky you are to be a childhood friend and cherished by that Nanami Shuichi?”

 

“But Nanami never said things like you do!”

 

“You’re the one who didn’t take advantage of Shuichi’s kindness and worked hard to be able to fight on your own. Nanami indulged you, but that kind of relationship is called codependency. Regardless of the outcome, if Nanami, who gave it his all both mentally and physically, is at fault… then Rindou Kazuha, you should realize that you’re a hundred times worse!”

 

“Shinjo-kun, you properly tell me that I’m bad, right? So I…”

 

“If you can realize it’s your fault, that’s good enough. It doesn’t matter what others think. You, me, Nanami, we’re all individuals. People, you see, should do what they want responsibly. That’s what it means to live, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If you understand, write a letter to Nanami, and you go to sleep too. And from tomorrow, do your best to become stronger. For people who are alive, there’s always a tomorrow.”

 

There was no intention to keep listening to the aimless ramblings of the woman. I, too, need to rest for the sake of tomorrow.

 

When I just wanted to sleep, my head felt clear.

 

※※※

 

After sleeping as much as I wanted, my head felt clear.

 

Before I knew it, Kazuha was lying beside me, wearing a white shirt and shorts instead of a nightgown, breathing happily in her sleep.

 

For some reason, my nose was tickled by a pleasant scent, wandering my gaze while thinking it was the soap she used, I couldn’t help but almost scream.

 

It’s okay that her shirt is wide open, but what’s not okay is that she’s wearing only a white shirt and no bra.

 

From the tips of her large chest to parts that shouldn’t be visible, everything is completely see-through.

 

This is more intriguing than being completely naked. Was Kazuha this type of natural?

 

“Hey… How can you be so defenseless with a stranger sleeping beside you?”

 

This is why Nanami can’t leave her alone.

 

I don’t think it’s possible since it’s a dungeon where lives are at stake, but it’s not out of the question that he might get worried and come looking for her.

 

Anyway, whether it’s from having a proper meal and getting enough rest or not, Kazuha’s black hair has regained its original luster, and her complexion has improved. She seems to have recovered her energy, so that’s a relief.

 

When I raised myself halfway, she twitched slightly, mumbled something with her mouth full, and seemed to be saying something as if she were eating. Is she still half-asleep?

 

“Ummm, Shinjo-kun… it’s so bitter, I can’t eat it.”

 

Well, of course, don’t eat it. What a strange sleep talk.

 

“But I slept well.”

 

I ate a delicious meal, took a refreshing bath, and got enough sleep to feel refreshed. I’m in a great mood.

 

I can tell time here because of the sunlight. I think this is the first time since I came to GenoReal that I have slept for such a long time, from dusk to dawn.

 

One could say that I wasted valuable time, but I can make up for the delay.

 

In this pleasant feeling of being reborn, I can strive even harder.

 

When I got up from my sleeping place and looked at the desk, there was a letter with ‘To Nanami-kun’ written on it.

 

It was a cute, girlish envelope sealed with heart-shaped stickers.

 

As expected of a girl, she had proper stationery.

 

Nanami will surely be pleased with such a cute letter.

 

“With this, all is well.”

 

I put away the letter, warmed up the purple pot-au-feu that was left in the pot for breakfast, and as I was eating it, Kazuha also woke up.

 

The pot-au-feu on the second day had the flavors of the vegetables and meat seeped in well, giving it depth. Energy was coursing through my body.

 

“Ah, Shinjo-kun, you’re up too.”

 

“I’m up. Is this letter for Nanami Shuichi okay?”

 

“Yeah, I wrote it.”

 

“Okay, well, I’m going back to my adventure. I’ll give it to your childhood friend Nanami a little later, so don’t worry. You take care too.”

 

Kazuha sees me off to the exit as I put the letter in my backpack, get my gear ready, and leave the garden.

 

Kazuha holds out the ‘Mantle of Diminishing’ that I had lent her. Oops, I almost forgot.

 

“I’ll give this back. It was a little dirty, so I washed it lightly and dried it.

 

“Oh, I see. You didn’t have to go through the trouble.”

 

I was just about to forget about it when she said, “I’ll give it back to you”.

 

She washed the mantle while I was sleeping. It wouldn’t have bothered me even if it was a bit dirty, but it’s always better when things are clean.

 

“I’ll make sure to wash your laundry too, Shinjo-kun… You will come back, right?”

 

“Huh? Oh yeah, I guess I will… Well, I might be back after a while.”

 

As I said that, Kazuha’s face lit up.

 

I had planned to just discard my dirty clothes since I didn’t intend to come back for them, but she can do as she pleases.

 

It’s not like I’m particularly concerned about Kazuha, but occasionally showing my face while I’m still alive might be a good idea.

 

The garden is an important place for me too.

 

And if I go in and out of town too often, I might get into trouble every time I do so.

 

Unless there are unavoidable circumstances, such as upgrading my rank at the oracle, I might as well take a break in the garden rather than go back to the surface.

 

“Shinjo-kun, I won’t be seeing Nanami anymore, will I?”

 

Kazuha’s casual words to me as I was leaving bothered me a little.

 

Not going to see him again, and I don’t intend to tell anyone about this place. As long as she stays holed up here, it’s likely to remain that way.

 

Looking back, I might have avoided trouble if I had double-checked by asking her here.

 

My bad habit of avoiding interactions with people sometimes ends up causing problems in the end.