Once the meeting was over, our schedule for the day was complete. The Department of Literature had significantly fewer class hours compared to the science departments. If you attended, you were considered excellent, which was the norm for humanities students. Additionally, there were more female students in the humanities, and recently, even companies focused on communication skills when hiring for non-technical positions. That was the reality of the divide between the arts and sciences. By the way, the key to determining whether a male university student was in the sciences or humanities was whether he wore checkered shirts or striped shirts.
As for distinguishing female students, I had no idea. Wasn't it something like, if they had dyed hair and were bubbly, they were in the humanities? As I thought so, Hinata, who is the first of such "capacious" girls, said.
"It looks like the theme this time is 'stars.' I wonder what I should write."
"Hinata, if I remember correctly, you write tanka poetry, right?"
"Yes, I do, but I haven't decided whether to go with classical or modern tanka."
After the meeting concluded, and amidst the commotion as club members dispersed, for some reason, the four of us—three guys and Hinata—found ourselves heading toward the school's main gate. We had somehow ended up together.
The topic of discussion was the work we had to write during the summer break.
"Senpai, why are you writing a fantasy novel again?"
"Oh, well, in a manner of speaking."
It all started when I began keeping a diary to remember my past life in the other world. Over time, I found writing to be enjoyable.
Seeing this, Souji laughed and told Hinata.
"Hinata, this guy's novel is something else."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, he used five whole pages to describe a single goblin, and it got rejected."
"Uh, what's with that?"
Stop looking at me like you're watching something pitiful!
"Hey! I poured all my effort into drawing a realistic portrayal, but it was rejected as 'disgusting.'"
Despite meticulously describing everything from the goblin's physical traits to its behavior based on my real-life experiences, it was deemed "disgusting." It was probably the most accurate portrayal of a goblin in the world.
Incidentally, the only person who found it interesting was Kuroi-san, who liked horror novels. I hadn't intended to write horror, though.
Hinata said incredulously.
"I've never heard of someone using five pages to describe a goblin."
"But aren't there light novels where they spend an unnecessarily long time describing panties or something? Isn't it kind of similar?"
"If you spent five pages describing panties, that would be equally disturbing. For the author."
Her words were too logical, and it hurt my chest. I was more upset because it felt like I could write that much if I wanted to.
Seeing me like that, Souji remembered something and called out to Matsuda.
"Speaking of getting rejected, Matsuda, didn't you write a hobby-filled S&M novel last year and get rejected? Right, Matsuda?"
"..."
"Hey, Matsuda, what's wrong?"
Huh, what's going on?
We turned our gaze in the same direction as Matsuda, who was staring blankly ahead.
"Matsuda-san, is something the matter? Are you suffering from a terminal illness or something?"
"Hinata, don't talk about your senpai as if he's a terminal case."
By the way, Matsuda-san is always in the terminal phase. The initial "M" in his name was not a lie.
"Oh, that...!"
Matsuda, who was known for being noisy at all times, muttered.
Following his line of sight, the three of us also looked in the same direction and then.
"Oh, wow, was there a girl like that at our school?"
"She's... beautiful."
Souji and Hinata exclaimed in surprise.
It wasn't surprising; I was also speechless. In the direction of our gaze, there was a girl who seemed to be looking around the university curiously. But...
"Why...?"
I couldn't help but groan and place my hand on my forehead.
Meanwhile, the girl we were all staring at continued to walk, finally noticing me. She approached me with her golden hair in braids, dressed in a nun's outfit that was entirely unsuitable for a university.
"Finally, I found you, Yuusuke-san!"
Lisha, the saint from another world who I left at home, for some reason, was there.
I mean, why?
"Yuusuke-san, can you hear me?"
Stop it. Don't call my name loudly. Don't wave. I'm currently trying my best to act like I don't know anyone.
However, my futile resistance was in vain, and Souji and the others were looking at me with great interest.
"Yuusuke-san?"
"..."
And finally, Lisha stood right in front of me.
With her unbelievably beautiful features that made her seem like she belonged to a different species, perfect proportions, and, above all, an irresistible presence that drew people in. She truly lived up to the name of a saint, capable of turning even this rural university into a divine space.
How on earth did this woman manage to find her way here...?
"Um, excuse me, Senpai, do you know this person...?"
Hinata asked hesitantly, seeming somewhat overwhelmed by the aura of a saint emanating from Lisha. Nonetheless, the two guys were still standing there like statues. That said something.
But did I really know her?
"Well, in a way, I do."
Unfortunately.
Hinata made a somewhat bitter face. I wasn't sure why she was making that expression, but deep down, I felt similarly.
"Ugh, seriously...?"
"Even so, I only know her to some extent."
There's no use dwelling on it any further. I told the three of them to wait for me and then pulled Lisha aside.
"So, why are you here? And how did you find this place?"
I asked Lisha when we were a little away from the others. I was sure I had left a note telling her to leave.
Lisha's expression darkened, and she replied while looking down slightly.
"I'm sorry. But there's no one else in this world I can rely on right now. As for how I found this place, I just walked around aimlessly, and I ended up here."
Seriously, this saint was amazing! To think she could find her way just by walking around. She was clearly favored by the gods. But that was beside the point. Just because the gods favored her didn't mean she could sway my iron will.
"So, regarding that, you should look for the person who came here with you originally. They are probably looking for you as well, and with your LUCK stat, you'll surely find each other easily."
"LUCK stat...?"
"It's like the power of destiny. It's something only saints have."
I wished she would use that power to find the knight who came with her instead of me.
"However, I've already decided to make you my knight. You may not realize it while you're here, but in Asteris, being a holy knight who protects the saint is one of the most prestigious positions in the world. Once the battle is over, I will definitely reward you accordingly."
"Even if it's prestigious and comes with rewards, I'm firmly declining."
"What...?"
Despite my firm refusal earlier, Lisha once again froze in shock.
Did she think I refused because there were no benefits? I've finally been released from the duty of being the Hero and can enjoy my student life. At least wait until after graduation and give me an official job offer with a high salary, lots of days off, and good benefits. If it involves commuting to another world, I'll pass.
"Oh, um, then what do you want? Ugh, don't tell me it's, um, something... indecent!"
"What are you saying, you little brat?"
"B-brat...!?"
Despite being sheltered, she had quite the vivid imagination. She probably learned it from reading heroic tales of the past Heroes. There were certainly many stories about Heroes being united with saints or princesses. In reality, marrying someone from a completely different culture with a vastly different sense of money and culture was more challenging than defeating the Demon Lord. Do you understand that?
As I sighed in exasperation, Lisha's face turned bright red, and she denied my words.
"Uh, so, um, I'm not a little girl anymore! I've already turned sixteen, and it's been a year since I became an adult!"
"Well, it may be like that in Asteris, but..."
Sixteen, huh? That's still quite young. Especially considering... certain things.
But sixteen was still far from being an adult. Even a twenty-year-old guy like me considered her high school girls. It would be a crime to get involved.
"Anyway, I have no intention of becoming your knight or helping you any further. Look elsewhere."
"But..."
Although it pained me to see Lisha's face, which resembled that of a mother being pushed away by her child, I had to be resolute in this matter.
Even if I were to be looked at with teary eyes, I, who had resigned as a Hero, had no intention of getting involved in the God-Demon War again.
"Anyway, nothing will start by staying here. Let's go look for the person who came with you."
"Hey, Yuusuke, what are you doing making a girl cry like this?"
Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight pressing against me from behind, and when I turned to the side, Souji had his arm around my shoulder.
Well, it's true that Lisha has teary eyes, but it's not like I made her cry... right?
As I noticed something and looked around, I saw students on campus watching me from a distance, casting suspicious glances at me, as if they were looking at a criminal.
—Huh? What's with that guy?
—Is it some kind of crime?"
—Shouldn't we report it?"
Whispers filled with suspicion reached my ears from the surroundings.
Oh no. Objectively speaking, right now, I must look like a villain who made a foreign, blonde, underage girl cry on a university campus.
Souji was laughing, but his expression was serious. This guy, despite his appearance, had a strong sense of justice.
"Wait a minute! This is all a misunderstanding! I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Then why is this girl crying?"
"...Well, you see, it's just a little difference of opinion."
I was saying it myself, but it felt awkward. I couldn't tell the truth, and I wasn't skilled enough with words to craft a believable lie.
"What? A difference of opinion? What are you talking about?"
"By the way, what's the relationship between you and this girl, Senpai?"
Indeed, Souji had a dubious expression, and Hinata, who had suddenly appeared from behind, was also giving me a piercing look.
Hey, what about Matsuda? Don't leave Matsuda-san all alone!
"No, I mean... um..."
"Please wait, don't blame Yuusuke-san. It's my fault."
As I hesitated to speak, Lisha, still teary-eyed, suddenly spoke up to defend me. Despite her sadness, her eyes held a sincere determination.
But for some reason, I felt an urgent need to silence this girl immediately, as if my instincts as a former Hero were warning me that this was a dangerous situation.
"Hey, Lis—"
"—Just the other day, he helped me, and I stayed at his place without being able to repay his kindness. I'm the one who's being selfish."
I was a step too late.
"""...!?"""
Souji and Hinata, and even the people around us, stared at me with a tremendous amount of pressure.
Well, sure, I let her stay over. An underage, blonde foreign girl in the home of a single guy.
That was a fact.
But nothing happened! I just provided first aid to the injured Lisha and made her breakfast. It should be considered a commendable act.
But I knew that saying that would only drag me further into this quagmire.
Suddenly, Souji's hand was placed gently on my shoulder.
Hinata took out her smartphone, trembling hands dialing a number.
"Yuusuke, I won't say bad things about you, so turn yourself in."
"W-w-what was that number again, 1-1-0?"
"At least, let's decide between turning yourselves in or be arrested."
Is that so?
"Wait, I did let her stay over, but there were extenuating circumstances, and I haven't done anything wrong, and besides, this girl is, uh..."
"Please, Yuusuke-san, don't say anything bad about her. It's your fault."
As I stumbled over my words, the looks Souji and Hinata were giving me became colder than ever.
And, by the way, what about Matsuda? He was inexplicably staring at Lisha and muttering, "My queen..."
I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.
"Alright, that's enough!"
"Eek! Kyaa!"
I grabbed Lisha's hand and started running. Ignoring the shocked trio, we pushed our way through the crowd.
In other words, we were making our escape.
When in doubt, flee. The ancients had some wise sayings.
I've honed my combat skills as a Hero, but my social skills are worse than an average middle schooler's. As an irregular Hero, I couldn't participate in social circles, and my interactions with people were kept to a minimum. I've lived this way for over four years, and I don't possess the power to change the current situation.
However, I excel at resolving situations physically.
So, in the end, this was undoubtedly the right decision.
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