Chapter 78

This story is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names are all fictitious and have no connection to any real entities.

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073＿Reunion

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Thinking it was time to leave after the ceremony and dealing with Akaba and the others, I was walking down the hallway when someone stopped me. It was a familiar face.

"Is something wrong?"

"Could I have a moment to talk?"

It was a former classmate, a male student. He wore glasses, was slender, but tall. He looked more like a geek than an intellectual.

"I was just about to leave the castle, so can we finish this here?"

"I don't mind, but won't Fujii be upset?"

"……"

Does this guy know my true identity? How did he find out? Where did I slip up?

I tried to keep quiet, so there's no way he should have figured it out. Who would think this meek-looking guy is Fujii? Besides, he said it so confidently...

"I don't mean to be hostile. I just want to talk."

"……Alright."

We returned to the waiting room.

"Make sure no one comes in. Keep watch outside the room."

"Master…"

"Anneliese, I'm Toy."

I placed my hand on Anneliese's worried face.

"It's okay."

"Okay."

We entered the room and sat on the sofa.

"So, what's this about?"

"I want you to take me out of this castle."

"Huh?"

What is this guy talking about? That's something a cute girl would say. Wait, no. Why should I be the one to take him out? And why can't he go out on his own?

"The people in this castle are mostly nice. But when I go out, I have guards following me, which is annoying. And as you know, our classmates are all jerks. I want to enjoy this different world, but living in the castle is not what I want, and having guards follow me every time I go out is a pain. You understand, right, Fujii?"

The people in the castle are all nice. I'm a bit surprised by that. I thought there would be some snobby nobles.

So, you want me to help you run away?

"First, I'm not Fujii."

"Ah, right. You're Baron Toy Futsickle."

No need to mention the setting.

"But, Toy is Fujii, right? And Futsickle sounds like Fujiwara no Kamatari or Nakatomi no Kamatari. And using a wisteria crest, which no one else in this world uses, clearly indicates you're Japanese, and specifically from the Fujiwara lineage. Fujii is a branch of the Fujiwara clan, so it makes sense that your crest would be a wisteria. It's common for branches of the Fujiwara clan to change their surnames in the regions. And out of the 35 classmates, only 34 are here. The missing one is Fujii. With all these clues, it's clear that Toy is Fujii."

This guy talks a lot. And he seems to be completely convinced that I'm Fujii. He's right, but saying yes right away feels like admitting defeat.

"I'm not asking you to feed Fujii. I just want you to take me under your protection. I can work, too. I'm an item producer, so I can make not just weapons and armor, but useful items as well. Having me around will be convenient."

He talks non-stop. Is he holding in a lot of frustration?

I knew he was an item producer from the detailed appraisal, but what should I do? He doesn't seem to be lying. I don't sense any hostility or malice. What's the right choice?

"I'm just a baron. I can't protect you."

"Then, can I stay with you? Just that would be enough. As a baron, you live in a manor, right? There must be an empty room. And if I stay here, I might accidentally say something."

If he starts talking about why he thinks I'm Fujii, it could get complicated.

The duke doesn't interfere much to avoid provoking me. But because of the demon slaying, the princess might believe the rumors and take action. I like my current life, and I don't want it ruined.

Back in Japan, he was indifferent to me. We hardly ever talked, and even when I was ignored by other classmates, he only spoke to me when necessary. That was the extent of our relationship.

If he asked me to help him now, I would refuse, but I don't have any bad feelings towards Yamato, who is just an acquaintance. I don't mind helping him.

He's somewhat capable, so I don't mind taking him along. I'll make him work hard like a horse. It's only fair to demand some return.

Given our relationship, that's reasonable.

"We'll need to sign a magic contract."

"Sure. I won't say anything about Fujii, I mean, Toy. I'll sign the contract."

"It can't be done right away. I need to talk to the duke. Please wait a while."

"Okay. I can wait a little. Oh, by the way, you probably don't remember my name, right? I'm Fujiwara Yamato. Call me Yamato. I'm not from the main line, but I'm a descendant of the Fujiwara clan. We're the same, Toy."

The Fujii family is a branch of a branch of the Fujiwara clan. Tracing back, we share the same blood, but we're distant relatives. Some people I thought were strangers might be closer relatives.

We agreed to use each other and shook hands. Just then, the outside became noisy. I wondered what was happening when there was a knock on the door, and I allowed entry.

"Someone has come to see you."

Anneliese's words made me tilt my head. I don't know anyone in this castle, at least not as Toy.

I looked at Yamato, but he shook his head.

"Alright. Show them in."

"I'll take my leave."

As Yamato stood up, a guest entered.

"Oh..."

Yamato muttered.

The person who appeared was a classmate, someone I knew well.

―――Miyajima Sayaka.

The only girl in school who genuinely cared about me.

Sayaka often protected me, protesting against those who said cruel things. What does she want from me?

"Huh?"

Sayaka burst into tears as soon as she entered the room.

What's going on? Why is she crying? I haven't done anything!

I looked at Yamato, but he was also flustered. We both shook our heads to indicate we had no idea.

Anneliese comforted the crying Sayaka, holding her shoulder. Anneliese was also confused, but I had no idea what was going on.

"Please, have a seat."

I asked Anneliese to help Sayaka sit on the sofa.

We could only wait for her to calm down.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy..."

"Happy about what?"

Anneliese stayed with us. I'm not good with women.

"I'm so happy that Fujii is alive."

Again... How did she figure out it was me?

Yamato was shaking his head so hard it looked like it might fall off. He wouldn't have told Sayaka about me, since we made a deal.

"What's going on with Fujii? You called Toy 'Fujii' just now, too?"

Anneliese looked straight at me. I can't hide this. I was planning to tell her eventually, but not at this moment.

First, Sayaka. How did she know it was me? Did she figure it out from my name or crest like Yamato?

"I recognized Fujii from your posture and the way you walk. At first, I was really worried because you looked different, but when I saw how you looked at Akaba and the others, I was sure it was you."

Do I have such distinctive posture and walk? I'm shorter and my body shape has changed. Yet, she recognized me...

I guess the way I look at Akaba and the others, thinking of them as worse than garbage, is a distinctive feature.

"I'm so glad you're alive. I didn't want to think I'd never see you again..."

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"It's okay. As long as you're alive."

It's very touching to hear this from a friend. She always cared about me, and she's the only one I want to protect.

"I plan to live with Toy. Sayaka, why don't you come with us? We can be together from now on."

Yamato, you're making decisions without my consent...

"Really...? Is that okay?"

Looking up at me with those eyes, I couldn't say no. I didn't intend to, anyway.

"One or two, it's the same. If Sayaka wants to, it's fine."

"Okay. Please take me with you."

The problem is the country. How do I justify taking these two in? If I just say I want to take them, it will be dismissed.

I'm not sure how the country views the hero. If they just want the dungeon monsters hunted, then two producers aren't that important. But since they were taken semi-forcibly, they seem to be treated seriously, whether combat or production.

I'll have to consult the duke. I don't know how to handle this, but the duke will figure it out. I solved the nest incident, and I helped with the rebellion and demon slaying in the castle, so a little favor shouldn't be a problem.

Now, how do I explain this to Anneliese? Honesty is the best policy in situations like this.

Thank you for reading.

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