Chapter 58

As the sun rose completely, we began to move.

Thanks to the enhancement of Maki's armor, our movement went smoothly.

I was fighting a monster called Cochineal Red Feather Angel, which was composed of feathers and rings.

"..."

I pursued the Cochineal Red Feather Angel, which was trying to put some distance between us by emitting a vibration different from sound, and slashed at it with my sword.

"Kuma, separate Kosei from the group of monsters!"

"Growl!"

The Punching Bear grabbed my armor from behind and pulled.

"What are you doing! We're about to wipe out the monsters!"

"You're pushing it too far! If we get hit by a concentrated attack, it won't just be a little painful!"

"I'll be fine! Everyone, use this time to safely finish off the monsters!"

For some reason, Maki put his hand on his head, looking irritated.

"Ah, come on... Kuma, please make sure Kosei doesn't go too far forward."

"Growl"

The Punching Bear grabbed my back and prevented me from approaching the monsters.

"Hey! Let go!"

No matter how much I pulled, it wouldn't let go!

In the end, Ichi got on the Punching Bear's back and grabbed my hem.

"It's okay, just calm down."

"No... If we keep this up, everyone will—"

"It's okay, Kosei-kun is the one who's hurt, so you're a bit too anxious, aren't you?"

"But—"

"Growl?"

At that moment, the attack from the combat team hit the Cochineal Red Feather Angel.

It seemed the monsters were all wiped out.

"After confirming safety, we'll set off. Kosei, stay a bit further back."

"Kosei!?"

"Kosei, it's difficult to put you on the front line right now. Work with Kuma to take down the monsters reliably. That will be better for everyone."

Is this really for everyone's benefit...?

To take them down reliably, and yet quickly.

...This way of fighting will just cause trouble for everyone.

I need to think of a way to do it.

"Got it. I'll take them down quickly and protect everyone from the monsters' attacks."

"Yeah, but it's not about you shielding someone from the monsters' attacks. If they have a shield and can protect themselves, you can leave them for later."

"That's not right."

Maki sighed deeply at my response.

"Let's change the strategy. Kuma, if you see a monster approaching, let us know so we can launch a surprise attack. Kosei, stay close to Kuma and guard everyone."

I was about to say that this wouldn't work, but we immediately started moving.

So, we hurried on.

By noon, as we were taking a break, my classmates started to tease the Punching Bear.

The Punching Bear, being friendly, started to play with the classmates who were petting it.

"Thanks today."

"Thanks to you, we were saved."

The Punching Bear had fought alongside me against the monsters.

I was thanking it.

"Growl"

"The fur is so fluffy. I remember it can be made into gloves, right? What happens if I replenish your magic power?"

Ichi cast a magic power replenishment on the Punching Bear.

It seemed to have an effect.

It's like it's both a living being and a weapon, isn't it?

"Growl! Growl Growl!"

The Punching Bear is doing something like a bodybuilder's pose.

What kind of game is this?

It feels quite different from playing fetch with a dog.

"Ahaha! What's that?"

"Interesting!"

"Growl"

The Punching Bear showed a shy gesture to the laughing classmates.

It hid its face and peeked, deepening its bond with the classmates.

Ichi was further teasing it, riding on its back and hugging it.

"It's like a big stuffed animal. I have a big stuffed bear in my room."

"Really?"

Well, Ichi, who is a bit air-headed, fits perfectly with it.

"Fluffy. The fur is a bit dirty, so I'll straighten it out."

"Growl"

The Punching Bear also seemed to care about its fur, starting to groom itself.

Ichi and the other girls started to help enthusiastically.

"Oh, it's a girl?"

"Growl!"

"Then it's Kumako."

Hagi泽 had joined in and named the Punching Bear.

Kumako.

Should I call it that too?

"Isn't that too straightforward?"

"I've decided to call it that."

"Well, it does look like a girl, so a ribbon would be cute."

Ichi tied a ribbon around the Punching Bear, now Kumako, which seemed happy with the result.

"It's getting late..."

As the day was getting dark, it was time to set up camp again.

"Growl Growl Growl!"

"Hashibashi, aren't you going back to Japan today?"

Hagi泽, who was preparing the camp, called out to me.

"What if we get attacked while you're not watching?"

"Well, Hashibashi isn't particularly good at fighting, is he?"

"Still, it's better to have you here than not."

"Yeah, but didn't you push yourself too much today?"

"I'm not pushing myself. I'm just fighting in my own way."

Hagi泽 let out a sigh, seemingly exasperated by my response.

"Ha... Are you in a hurry to die?"

"Die? Me?"

I just want to protect everyone.

I've decided to become someone who can protect others, like Meguru.

"Growl Growl"

Kumako entered the tent I had set up for resting.

"Hashibashi, you're going to be the first to rest tonight. If you're not going back to Japan, you should rest."

"I'm still fine. Okay, I'll switch with someone else."

"That's the plan! Maki and the others have said the same thing."

Hmm... Did Hagi泽 get an order?

Then Ichi brought me some food to feed Kumako.

"Growl?"

"Isn't Kosei-kun going to eat?"

"I'm not hungry, so it's fine."

Actually, I haven't been feeling very hungry lately, which is a relief.

Eating carelessly makes me feel nauseous.

"...Don't push yourself."

"Pushing myself is just right."

I've been a bystander until now.

I intend to make up for the wasted time by working hard.

"Let me put it differently. Don't take your life lightly. I, everyone, and even Meguru will be sad."

"..."

...If you bring up Meguru, I can't argue.

I reluctantly nodded.

"Then, Kosei-kun, get some rest."

Ichi waved and left.

I lay down in the tent, and Kumako lay down next to me and hugged me.

The fluffy fur was ticklish.

"Growl"

"Ah, are you going to sleep too?"

"Growl!"

The fur has a strange luster.

As I thought this, Kumako started to pat me lightly, like a parent putting a child to sleep.

Perhaps it's a unique breathing pattern that induces sleep... my eyes feel incredibly heavy...

It's not human warmth, but the warmth is leading me to sleep.

"Growl..."

Eventually, I fell asleep with Kumako by my side.

I had a dream.

A dream of the daily life before the class transfer.

I wasn't sure if I was in it, as if I had become a ghost... a scene like I was watching the classroom through a visual transfer.

Maki was there, Hagi泽 was there, Meguru and Ichi, and all the classmates.

It was a mundane daily life.

Even though I found it boring and was tired of studying, I solved the problems that arose each time.

Classes started, everyone studied, and after school, close friends chatted.

Of course, some were in clubs, and some were working part-time.

It was an extremely ordinary scene.

But now, it's survival in a different world to cross the forest...

Ah... I used to mock it as boring, but even such a day was filled with various events and was important.

Eventually, everyone left the classroom, and the lights went out.

I... want to return to such an ordinary scene.

...Even if it can't be done, at least for those who survived.

Then, Meguru returned to the classroom.

It seemed she had forgotten something.

She was looking around.

I wanted to reach out to her, but I couldn't...

Just then, Meguru turned around.

"..."

I couldn't tell if it was my voice or hers.

But... my consciousness suddenly drifted away.