Chapter 2

I came to the classroom facing the central courtyard of A University Village. This small classroom could be considered the nerve center of A University Village.

"Kaguya-senpai, are you there?"

After knocking and calling out, a loud and cheerful noise came from inside, and then a teary-eyed, large-breasted beauty burst out.

"Ikkun! You can't leave!"

She clung to me and almost knocked me over, but I braced myself and held her up. Ah, the soft and huge things through the fabric... but that's not the point.

"Kaguya-senpai, have you heard already?"

Lowering her slender body to the ground, senpai nodded with teary eyes, hugging my torso. She's so cute. Her wavy long hair smelled of the sun and earth, and just being with her made me feel at ease. She is Kaguya-senpai, my closest senior.

"Ikkun, you don't need to leave. Without you, A University Village will fall apart!"

"No, no, it won't fall apart. As long as Kaguya-senpai has the 'Farming: A' skill, A University Village is indestructible."

While trying to gently pull away from Kaguya-senpai, who was rubbing her small face against my not-so-thick chest—she's not letting go at all. She's not supposed to have any status correction skills.

Kaguya-senpai, who acts like a small animal, is a prodigy who single-handedly solved most of A University Village's food problems. The village could exist as a village solely because of her efforts. Born into a farming family and a fourth-year student in the Department of Agriculture—she was a second-year student at the time of the collapse—Kaguya-senpai possesses an A-rank skill, which is rumored to be one in ten thousand.

The A-rank correction is equivalent to 'Legendary,' and its effect is that 'crops involved with Kaguya-senpai do not get sick, yield more, and taste top-notch.' For reference, a B-rank skill is 'Master,' equivalent to a lifelong seeker in that field. A C-rank skill is 'Professional.'

Without Kaguya-senpai's 'Farming: A' skill and her knowledge and experience in farming, A University Village might have fallen apart. Her importance far outweighs mine. Despite her sniffling and clinging to me, she is truly remarkable.

"But Ikkun, you're my motivation to live! If you leave, I'll leave too!"

"Don't do that! Everyone will starve! Besides, Kaguya-senpai, you don't have any combat or status correction skills, so you'll die outside."

"Fumu..."

Kaguya-senpai, looking like a wilted flower, buried her face in my chest again.

"..."

"Kaguya-senpai, stop deep breathing there. It's embarrassing because you're sweating."

"Su... zzu..."

"Hey, what did you just inhale, Kaguya-senpai? What did you inhale?"

"But Ikkun, your 'Replication' skill is undoubtedly necessary for the village. Even if we ignore my personal feelings about not wanting you to leave, exiling you is a mistake. It's a huge loss. The hunting team doesn't seem to understand, but your importance is far greater than theirs."

"Don't suddenly get serious."

And I haven't heard the word 'baka' in a long time. Sighing, I finally managed to pull senpai away.

"You're overestimating me. My ability is convenient, but it's not essential. People might be inconvenienced without it, but the village won't fall apart."

Especially in A University Village, which is a relatively large settlement with a relatively large workforce. It was formed based on a private university in the countryside of the Kansai region, so there are many student residents who can be counted as labor.

Since the collapse of civilization two years ago, humans have returned to a village-based life similar to the Middle Ages. Japan was relatively lucky because it had many educational institutions. Many public schools designated as disaster evacuation centers had buildings that withstood natural disasters. Their structures were suitable for group living, and over the past two years, schools have become the basic units of villages. Our A University, either out of vanity or a genuine spirit of service, had buildings with very high earthquake resistance, which made it easy to transform into a village.

Just two years ago, yet so long ago. The memory of the collapse is both terrifying and nostalgic.

Thinking about the two years spent here, I raised my gaze. Through the classroom window, I could see the courtyard. What was once a place with grass and benches is now a vegetable garden.

"..."

"We farmed the fields together, didn't we?"

"Don't say it in the past tense. I still need your help."

"That's not possible. If I don't leave, I'll be forcibly expelled by Raiji."

Kaguya-senpai sniffed.

"I hate the hunting team leader. He looks at me strangely and acts too familiar. ...And he wants to expel you."

"But they do protect the university village from monsters. That's why they have a lot of influence and power—though they have bad personalities."

"..."

"Hey, Ikkun. Can't I go with you?"

"..."

Puppy eyes are unfair. I want to forgive anything. But,

"No. Kaguya-senpai, you are essential to A University Village."

I must firmly refuse. Without Kaguya-senpai, the village will collapse. A University Village has about 5,000 residents, one of the largest communities in the Kansai region. Losing a village of that size would be a significant blow to humanity.

"That's why I came to say goodbye. Goodbye."

"Uu..."

She growled like an animal and glared at me with teary eyes.

"You're right. You always wanted to leave, didn't you? You probably think this is a good opportunity."

"Gu..."

"You did say you had a dream, right? A trip around Japan in a camper van?"

"Um... that was a dream from before the collapse. It's not the right time now..."

"But you do want a slow-paced life, don't you? And you want to travel freely, right?"

She hit the nail on the head. Honestly, I had thought that if I were exiled, I could live as I pleased.

"If you take me with you, I'll forgive you."

"..."

"No, I already said no."

"Okay. Not now, then. When the world gets a bit better and A University Village no longer needs me, come and get me. Definitely. If you don't, I'll... curse you!"

I couldn't help but laugh. I don't want to be cursed.

"Alright. I'll come for you, Kaguya-senpai. In a big camper van, we'll travel together."

"Okay. So, it's not just goodbye, right? There's more to say, isn't there?"

Thinking I couldn't resist, I looked her in the eye. It was a bit embarrassing.

"See you again, Kaguya-senpai."

"Yup! See you, Ikkun!"

It's a happy thing to be able to say goodbye with a smile to someone close. To make a promise to meet again, Kaguya-senpai is truly a caring and good senior.

Of course, there might not be any roads in Japan that a camper van can drive on anymore.

If you found this interesting and are looking forward to what comes next, find the sum of the interior angles of the ☆☆☆☆☆.