Maou na Ore to Fushihime no Yubiwa

Volume 2 Prologue

In our town, Saegusa city, there is a large-scale festival held every year on the day of the Tanabata, the Saegusa festival.

Though I've said large-scale, I mean among us locals, not so large that becomes a national event…

Still, if you came and looked at this town recently, you would understand how beloved this festival is by the local inhabitants.

For example, posters were hung all over the shopping district.

Another example, people were carrying the indispensable bamboo grass to hang the tanzaku on.

After school.

Walking back home as the day comes to an end, I saw the town being dyed little by little in the festivals colors.

“Haru!”

I turned around to a familiar sounding voice and saw a person I knew.

Perfectly aligned bangs in a princess cut and a ponytail swayed by the wind.

The distinctively well-formed face had diminutive features that had established their owner as the foremost idol of the school I was attending.

Kurose Kyouko. The kind of relationship I had with the owner of the voice that had suddenly called to me, was that of childhood friends since elementary school.

“Are you going back home, Haru?”

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“Nope. I'll stop a bit by the bookstore in front of the station."

“He―. What kind of book are you going to buy? Since it's Haru, of course, it's manga?”

“NO. It's past questions from the Center Test.”

“WHY?!”

She looked at me with her eyes widened in surprise.

"Why, you ask… From next year on we'll be preparing for exams. I think it's time to start taking measures."

“…Could it be that you're thinking about taking the college entrance exam?”

“I'm not thinking much on the future, but of course I have it as a possibility… what. You don't believe I can?”

“It’s not that, but…… what about your work as a monster tamer?”

“……ahh… You meant that……”

Those who stand as a go-between for monsters and humans — monster tamers.

By chance — I came to shoulder a duty upon which the survival of the human race depends.

Shouldering that responsibility…… how come?

“……So. There hasn't been any contact even after two weeks?”

“Aahh. Have I done something…… to make that person hate me……?”

Though I didn't know until after.

It seems that in order for a rookie to work alone, an authorization from a superior (in this case, Luka) is needed.

Nevertheless.

The days pass and there's no news from my irresponsible and happy-go-lucky superior.

But I have to agree that I have to be happy for working under a woman that's a beautiful monster tamer with unusually extraordinary skills.

With the free time that this neglect play leaves me, the only thing I can do is study everyday for the exams without a care.

“That person, she’s irresponsible to the core. Could she have even already forgotten that you were her subordinate, Haru……?"

“…… Don't say it, since that's actually possible.”

If you think about her behavior, her sloppy nature makes you think that that's not really impossible.

“Hey, Kyouko.”

“What's wrong?”

“About the monster tamer job, is it covered by the welfare program?"

“You don’t know about that!?”

“At least overtime… I hope they pay overtime work.”

"And as your job searching has come to a dead end, so university!?"

“…… Hah?”

I get down when I think about the future.

What kind of social position does a demon tamer have, I wonder?

Will I have to take a loan?

I’m thinking about that kind of thing these days.

Since I don't know many details, I'm searching for a side job, though it will be difficult, I'll need to change.

“Hey. Do you have plans for later?”

“……? Not really.”

“In that case. Will you come with me to a family restaurant? I feel like eating the Royal Host's yoghurt & strawberry sundae.”

“Eeerm. That's a bit……”

Don't tell me…… She's worrying about me…?

“…… I said that, but don't mistake my meaning, ok? It's not like since it looks like you're feeling under the weather…… I've decided to hear you out or something, so don't think it's like that!”

“…… I see, thank you.”

Once she let out her true thoughts, Kyouko averted her gaze with a “pui."

“Th-, That’s why, why are you grateful, Haru!? As I said, I only want to eat a Royal Host’s yoghurt and strawberry sundae!”

It seemed her momentum would make her bite her tongue any second now.

"………"

How stupid. That the day would come that Kyouko paid attention to other people's worries…… I've never even thought that.

That's right. Why have I become so negative.

About Welfare… About taking out a loan… I can't help but consider those things.

The choice was made by no one but me…… That's just how it is.

The July sun shone brightly over the asphalt.

I followed after my childhood friend's back, that now seemed more reliable than ever.