Chapter 9

"An adult?"

"Me...?"

"No, no, that's not it."

"Yeah. Even though we're angry, you don't seem to care at all... I think that's pretty impressive."

Hiyama also agreed.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Before all this, you seemed like a normal boy, but now you're so calm. Look, the combat group is all riled up, and we're just complaining about everything except for the girls who sell themselves."

"…Yeah. They're all so messed up over there…"

"…You're just detached."

If I were in the same situation as everyone else, I wouldn't be this calm. After all, I'm the only one who can return to Japan...

Thinking about that, I can easily brush off any insults. Even if they yell at me, I don't really care.

All of this is because of this survival situation... No, the people like Taniizumi and the players are also to blame. The base group should be taken on parties to help them defend themselves, but they don't do that.

It would be more efficient to let them fight weaker monsters in a place where they exist. The only thing I can think of is a desire for control.

I remember this from elementary school. In PE class, they would divide the teams based on who was good at sports, just to win. The teacher didn't interfere, saying it was up to the students, but the team captains would always make these kinds of divisions.

Luckily, Shigemasa objected and joined the weaker team. When Shigemasa's team won, the strong team would always make excuses.

It was a foul. It was a goal. That guy cheated. And so on.

Me? I joined the weaker team when Shigemasa invited me. It was more fun being with him.

"Thanks. By the way, will Himeeno-san... participate in the operation?"

I know Shigemasa and Hiyama are leading it, but I haven't heard if Himeeno-san will join.

"Hmm... I'm still thinking, but since I'm the healer for the base group, I probably have to go, right?"

That's true. Himeeno-san is a convenient healer. Even though she's part of the base group, she's also been invited to the combat group. If you overlook the fact that her healing takes time, she can be used like a regular healer.

Moreover, she can also recover magic power, which is a significant advantage over those who can only heal injuries.

However, Himeeno-san herself has stubbornly refused the invitations from Taniizumi and the others. Of course, there are reasons why they don't force her to join. Himeeno-san has refused, and there is someone who can maintain the barrier that protects the base. Maintaining the barrier requires a lot of magic power, and while it's known that magic power can be recovered through sleep, it's impossible to maintain the barrier for 24 hours with just sleep.

Therefore, Himeeno-san's base healing is necessary to recover magic power. As a result, Himeeno-san has the option to choose between the combat group and the base group.

"Why does Himeeno-san help the base group?"

"…At first, it was because she was treated as a second-string player, but later it was because of the combat group's attitude… I didn't want to become like them, and I didn't want to be tainted, so I couldn't back down. It's the same feeling as Sakaguchi-kun and Hiyama-san."

Himeeno-san was popular in class, but now she has given up that position. Taniizumi sometimes tries to invite her for "nighttime fun," but she politely declines.

"I wouldn't want to go with someone who has such an attitude, no matter what."

Hiyama-san feels the same way. Well, Taniizumi doesn't have the power to force Himeeno-san or Hiyama-san to do anything... yet. Even in this extreme situation, it hasn't reached the point where he can force relationships.

Moreover, many of Taniizumi's faction are targeting Himeeno-san and Hiyama-san, so they can't use force. They are probably also concerned about Ono, who is suspected by Shigemasa and, despite his bad character, is essential for updating weapons. If relations with Ono, who likes women, deteriorate, it will be impossible to update weapons.

Therefore, to monopolize Himeeno-san and Hiyama-san, one needs decisive strength. In that sense, the combat group is not a monolithic entity. If we can break them down, we might be able to do something.

"Thank you, Himeeno-san."

"You're welcome."

Himeeno-san, who is kind to everyone, may or may not have romantic feelings for me. I think the advantageous mental state of being able to return to Japan is making me hesitant to let my feelings show.

"I should do something to thank you."

"No, no, it's bad to take something when we're sharing resources!"

There is a rule that anything in one's bag belongs to the owner. In other words, anything brought from Japan belongs to the owner. I thought people would share, but many wanted to keep things for themselves. Well, there were still bentos in the bags.

Taniizumi wasn't that bad. But... he might start confiscating things from people who are hiding resources. Even if there's no food, there might be something valuable.

There are students who secretly... hide things. Himeeno-san probably senses this and refuses.

But it's okay. I secretly kept some candy (second batch) just in case, and I'll share it with Himeeno-san. Of course, I'll share with Hiyama-san too. This time, it's hard candy.

"I still have some in my bag. If you want, you can have it. It's a bit old, but..."

Of course, it's not old. I bought it yesterday.

"Really... Hashihara-kun, you haven't been eating much, so it's bad to give you candy. Rather, Hashihara-kun should..."

"Right... Hashihara-kun hasn't been eating much lately."

At that, I smiled confidently.

"It's okay. I can only offer this much, and you've been healing me so much. Let me repay you. Hiyama-san is working hard for everyone, so you can't collapse here."

I think I smiled wryly. But Himeeno-san must have understood my intention and smiled back.

"Alright. I'll keep it for now. When I can offer something in return, I'll take it."

"Then that's fine."

She took it, but she doesn't seem like she'll eat it... a bit disappointing.

"I... still can't take it."

Hiyama-san returned it.

"Then what should I do—"

"Would you be happy if I ate this candy in front of you?"

Himeeno-san and Hiyama-san glared at me together.

Ugh... I have no choice.

I put the candy in my mouth and started to roll it around. The sweet taste spread in my mouth.

"Thank you, Hashihara-kun."

Hiyama-san smiled at me. I don't think it's that great, but...

Anyway, I need to think of a way to help everyone. However, if I bring too many supplies from Japan, it will be suspicious. Hiyama-san would worry about me if I gave out candy for free... it's a difficult problem.

As the sun set, the air of the other world, the daily life of the other world... the base group felt suffocated. In this sudden survival situation, where they feel like they are being restrained, it's not surprising if their dissatisfaction explodes. Attacking the combat group head-on is impossible.

Not exactly brainwashed by Taniizumi, but the combat group needs to respect the base group... to understand that they are human and that there will be severe retaliation if they are mistreated. It should be a fair situation, but the biggest problem is the difference in perception among the combat group. The base group should be a lifeline for the combat group.

In an RPG, if you play with restrictions like not using the forge that Shigemasa is in charge of, you can easily imagine how difficult it would be. The combat group would also be in trouble. In a game, some might complete it, but this is the reality of the other world. We don't know what happens if you die, and it's not a problem to test. In such a situation, you can't do a hardcore playthrough.

Therefore, the combat group, led by Taniizumi, needs to respect the base group, but this is the current situation. They favor the useful base group and neglect the useless ones, treating them like NPCs. ...The cause of this is probably Ono's duplication ability.

At worst, they think they can use the base group's abilities when needed, without killing them. That doesn't mean Ono is bad. The situation doesn't allow for equality. So, within the base group, there is an atmosphere of serving the combat group to ensure their own safety. Despite being stupid, Taniizumi's charisma resonates.

The women in the base group are better off. In the worst case, they can offer their bodies and be accepted. The men, on the other hand, are in a terrible situation.

Even though I can return to Japan, I am given the minimum food, but the situation where I can't eat enough is quite serious. No one has collapsed yet, but some are complaining of health issues due to stress. Thanks to Himeeno-san, physical problems are solved, but mental issues are another matter. These problems are persistent. We need to do something about it.

If this place were a country or a city... anywhere with other people, it would be better. In such a place, the status of the base group wouldn't be so low. The survival situation is dividing our positions.

...I'll think about it when we return to Japan. It's about time to buy more snacks, so it's a good opportunity. Otherwise, I can't think clearly.