[Reberu] ga Arunara Agerudesho? Mobukyara ni Tensei Shita Ore wa Gēmu Chishiki o Ikashi, Hitasura Reberu o Age Tsudzukeru - CH 96

[Giving a Proposal with a Smile]

(No, eh? Ah—…? No, I really don’t get it)

For Sakurai who was striving to raise his level every day, the problem that was plaguing Amanai was something ‘incomprehensible’.

Of course, he was still someone who had received the teaching of the ‘Sword Saint’.

Based on Julia and Luisina’s words, considering the fact Amanai was a reincarnated person, and looking back on the exchanges they had had so far, he somewhat understood what the problem.

Being strongly tied to the existence of the original protagonist, and having a low self-esteem from the beginning.

After such things as the lack of positiveness that came from him not seeing his current situation in optimistic light had accumulated, Amanai unknowingly stepped on the brake.

What shouldn’t be misunderstood was that Amanai was not pulling his punches on purpose.

As Baldasare said, ‘he’s doing his best, but he isn’t serious’ he was doing his best to deal with the matters (events) that fell onto him.

Certainly, his level was lower than Sakurai, but that was an exception because Sakurai was a leveling addict; considering that in the original game, Higaki Ao’s level was 40 when she joined the protagonist’s party in September, Amanai’s current level of 35 was pretty high.

And as Julia commented, his capability of getting a victory almost unscathed against a spear user with bare hands without using any skills was simply praise-worthy.

Still, Sakurai could only say that he didn’t get it at all.

Sakurai had always been living honestly according his desire for ‘leveling’ without worrying about what others think.

That way of living was like that of a child in a sense, and he was in a situation where ‘giving one’s best’ and ‘being serious’ were directly connected.

In his mind, ‘giving one’s best’ and ‘being serious’ were always a set; he was fundamentally unable to understand the situation where either one was lacking.

(Now~, what to do. He’s been openly pointed out in front of many students, now my strategy of raising his evaluation by lowering mine has come to nothing. In worst case, even if he’s not recognized by the surroundings, I think I can have him defeat Julia and then have her use her influence to silence the surroundings, but… Julia herself might not agree to that.)

To begin with, Sakurai cooperated with Amanai in order to legally obtain the Fool’s Necklace.

He accepted Amanai’s proposal because he thought that he, the protagonist, would probably be able to take the top position at the academy festival without difficulty. And as a protagonist, he should be able to gain victory in the duel with Julia somehow, too.

However, watching the battle, things didn’t seem going to go well.

He didn’t give a retort at Baldasare’s pointing out, and revealed his immaturity to Julia.

At this rate, would he be able ‘to beat Julia in a duel after being recognized by the surroundings’?

At least, the mentality of the current Amanai was unstable to the point that even Sakurai could discern it. Sakurai did not think that Amanai could demonstrate his true strength in such a condition.

That, in turn, would lead to a decrease in Amanai’s chance of winning the duel with Julia, and of him getting the Fool’s Necklace.

Sakurai was troubled.

Should he cast Amanai away and think of another plan, or should he devise a plan on the premise of continuing their cooperation?

“…Hmm.” (Sakurai)

His cooperative relationship with Amanai was one of an equal footing based on aligned interest which would lead him getting the reward, that was the Fool’s Necklace.

If it seemed that his purpose became unable to be achieved, he could one-sidedly dissolve their cooperation.

However, even if he was going to ‘dissolve’ it, if he were to do it in a manner that would leave a resentment, he naturally would not be able to get Amanai’s help in the future, and in the worst case, Amanai might turn hostile and get in his way.

He recalled Iris’s sermon back in the Netherworld.

The reason why he was allowed to do what he wanted was because the others and society allowed it.

If he continued to be self-indulgent and kept doing whatever he liked, after bouncing around from one place to another, his deeds would come back to bite him.

That was why, even if he was going to dissolve their cooperation, if he did so by saying, “You’re a weakling, so I’m ending our cooperation! See ya!!”, he couldn’t complain if Amani got in his way in the future.

And if he were he to throw his relationship with Amanai down to the gutter, the other reincarnated person, ‘Nanashino Katsumi’, would be waiting for him.

(We’re roughly hostile, and he may have been keeping tabs on me already, right~)

Back at the inn, Sakurai heard a lot of information about the Black Sword that was led by Nanashino.

Even though it was Nanashino’s fault, Sakurai had survived with that information, so it wouldn’t be strange if Nanashino viewed him as a hindrance and treated him as a kill-on-sight target.

Nanashino Katsumi was reincarnated as a boss character, and in terms of pure status, he was completely superior.

Back at the inn, Sakurai managed to escape alive by luck, but he himself did not believe that he could do so again for the second or the third time.

Whether to defeat him or to repel him, his chance of succeeding was abysmal.

If possible, he wanted a companion who he could drag into or push to the front when something happened.

(Rather than cast Amanai away here and cut off our ties, is it better to get along with him and maintain our relationships, and just think of it as nurturing my future problem-solving piece for the time being until the mud boat sinks?)

He repeatedly considered, and weighed the feeling of wanting to abandon him and his future use.

As a result of spending plenty of 5 minutes pondering, Sakurai decided to continue their cooperation and devise a plan.

“‘Aight, let’s do this, then.” (Sakurai)

“Oya. Did you come up with something?” (Julia)

“Well, sorta… oh, right, Julia. Do you have some time after this?” (Sakurai)

“Just say what is on your mind. You have gone along with my convenience, so now it is my turn to go along with yours.” (Julia)

“Thanks. Then, why don’t we go to a place where we can settle down first? Luisina, you come too.” (Sakurai)

“What? Don’t order me.” (Luisina)

“I’ll buy you an apple candy.” (Sakurai)

“…Humph.” (Luisina)

Looking at Luisina who turned away at his words but did not show any signs of leaving, Sakurai ended up smiling unconsciously at that childishness of hers.

Perhaps she noticed that, as Luisina clicked her tongue lightly and lightly kicked Sakurai, who was about to stand up.

Mistaking that as her urging him to buy her apple candy, Sakurai stood up while saying, “Just how much do you like apple candies…”

“Since we are going to have a talk, how about we go to a place with less people? I know a place that can be used for a secret meeting nearby.” (Julia)

“Sounds good. You two go ahead, I’ll buy an apple candy and then catch up with you.” (Sakurai)

“I choose my things on my own. Just give me the money.” (Luisina)

“Oh, ‘kay.” (Sakurai)

“So, Sakurai-kun. What is it that you want to talk about?” (Julia)

Sakurai’s proposal probably came from the conclusion he drew after pondering about Amanai’s problem.

Julia couldn’t help but hope that it would lead to Amanai becoming able to demonstrate his full power.

“It’s not that big of a deal actually. I just like to have your cooperation in a small matter.” (Sakurai)

“Would that cooperation be something worth me to agree on?” (Julia)

Sakurai made a wicked smile to the question of Julia, whose chest had become filled with desire and expectation.

From her experience, Julia knew that expression was that of someone who was confident in their own scheme.

“Good expression. Is this matter you mention something illegal?” (Julia)

“Well, you can put it that way.” (Sakurai)

“Fufu… It appears I still have a part of mischievous heart from when I was a little. I feel my heart pounding looking forward to what Sakurai-kun will tell me. So, can you at least let me hear the outline first?” (Julia)

The current Julia was like a girl whose imagination inflated in front of a present box, wondering what its content was; it was like she was asking her father for a hint of the content.

Perhaps Sakurai felt the charm of that expression, as he made a grin seemingly to arouse curiosity while saying “Can’t be helped——” and,

“——If I have to say, then the hint is kidnapping.” (Sakurai)

“Un?” (Julia)

At the clear mention of a criminal act, which was said with gentle tone, as expected, even Julia got confused.

Sakurai Tōru.

A man whose humanity was worst-class and who did not think of the necessity of choosing one’s means.