nhp | (Sutamai) Character Main Story - Arakida Sosei, Vol 0 Ch 5

CHAPTER INDEX

5.1.

-CIU First Division-

Thus, the culprits for the murders taking place in District S were arrested.

Despite the fact that we had help from the folks at the NCD…

It was decided that, concerning the case this time around, all the credit would go to the First Division.

Apparently, You-san had made the necessary arrangements behind the scenes.

Hattori: What’s the status, Tsukasa?

Asagiri: They’re still remaining silent.

But I’ll definitely get them to crack.

Hattori: The other side are also nagging us to hurry up and let them know the situation.

Asagiri: Are you perhaps referring to Aoyama?

It’s fine to leave him waiting for all eternity.

Hattori: I want to have them heavily in our debt, you know.

So with that in mind, I’m counting on you to set things up favourably.

Asagiri: … I guess I have no choice then.

Tsukasa-san was currently in the middle of interrogating the crooks.

You could bet that the truth and full story would come to light soon.

Arakida: (… Even though everything supposedly went well…)

I couldn’t bring myself to even feel slightly happy about the case this time.

The reason for that was obvious.

Sugano: Hey, Sosei-san, with this matter…

Arakida: … Leave it. I’ll do it myself later.

Sugano: H-Huh?

But I’m free right now.

Arakida: … Spare me the trouble.

I’m done with asking for your help.

Sugano: …………

Arakida: …………

Natsuki and I haven’t had a decent conversation ever since you-know-what.

Even now, I was avoiding looking at him while simply answering back detachedly.

Hattori: … Goodness.

Arakida: (You’re not the one in the wrong, Natsuki.)

(… But don’t go getting yourself involved with me anymore.)

You’d feel a whole lot better if you kept a distance from me.

I have no right to be treated kindly by anyone.

Hattori: Did you say you’re free, Natsuki?

Well then, here you go. I was asked to run a small errand.

Sugano: G-Geh.

Hattori: My, my, is that a complaint?

Then how about this—it’s either the errand or a walk with me.

I’ll let you choose the one you want.

Sugano: I’m off to run an errand guys! See ya later!

Natsuki snatched the documents from You-san.

And just like that, he left on some errand or other like he was trying to make his escape.

Hattori: Sosei.

Arakida: … Yes, sir.

Hattori: I heard that you almost let the criminal get away?

Arakida: … My apologies.

Hattori: You really—how do I put it—don’t know when to throw in the towel, do you?

Are you planning on being wet behind the ears for the rest of your life?

Arakida: …………

Hattori: Think real hard about what it is that you’re lacking.

… Well, it’s a different story if you’re wanting to self-destruct though?

His piercing gaze was directly fixed on me.

A shiver ran down my spine at that icy look.

Arakida: (… It’s exactly as he said.)

As a police detective, I was inexperienced and far too ridiculously weak.

I couldn’t stay this way forever.

Hand-to-hand combat, techniques for arresting criminals, and even shooting a gun…

I needed to train myself all over again, more and more…

Arakida: (… I gotta become someone who can do everything perfectly.)

(In order to survive and not be a nuisance to anyone…)

(My only option is to get stronger and to remain alone.)

… In my head, I know what it is that I have to do.

Hattori: That so?

Zero points.

Arakida: …………

I was faced with an utterly cold expression.

When I swiftly looked away, You-san also up and left from my sight.

* * *

-Downtown-

I should have kept more of distance from everyone.

I had already planned on being forever alone, and yet I was completely lacking in resolve.

Arakida: (I’ve made myself too much at home in the First Division.)

(… Maybe it’s because I feel at ease being there that I indulged myself.)

But no more being careless.

… I wasn’t going to let anyone get any closer to me.

Arakida: (… I’ve made up my mind.)

(Never again…)

I wasn’t going to allow a single soul to take up place beside me.

From now on, I was to live out the rest of my life all on my own.

That way, I wouldn’t get tangled up nor tangle others in anything.

Arakida: …………

No matter how much of a comfortable place it was…

No. It was precisely for that reason that this was the correct thing to do.

Arakida: (I should’ve done that right from the start…)

* * *

-Boarding House: Front Door-

Arakida: … I’m home.

Upon taking off my shoes, a young woman’s voice came out from the back room.

Rei: No, please, I mean it! I can’t possibly trouble you with all that…!

Saeko: But the thing is, Rei-chan—

Arakida: (… Is that Izumi I hear? Is she dropping by again?)

(Well, whatever. It has nothing to do with me…)

I was going to live being all alone until the day I die.

Though that was what I decided, it wasn’t out of the question for someone to accidentally trespass in. Even she was no exception.

Arakida: (… Now and forever.)

(I’m no longer gonna concern myself with anyone.)

* * *

-Boarding House: Arakida’s Room-

After a while of hearing them speaking as if they were disagreeing over something or other…

It would seem that one of them had lost the battle, and the house finally became quiet.

Following on, there was the sound of gentle footsteps approaching my room.

Saeko: Sou-chan, I have news to tell you.

Arakida: … What is it?

The person popping their head into my room was Aunt Saeko, with a wide smile on her face.

5.2.

-Boarding House: Arakida’s Room-

Saeko: So you see—

Henceforth from today, I’m having Rei-chan live with us.

Arakida: … Excuse me?

(… Am I catching that right?)

(What did she just say?)

Rei: No, wait—Aunty Saeko—

I really can’t possibly trouble you that far with taking care of me!

Saeko: It’s okay, I insist. We ought to lend each other a hand in times of need.

Rei: B-But, like…

Saeko: Because didn’t you help me out before, Rei-chan?

This whole time, I’ve been thinking how it’d be nice if only I could return the favour.

Arakida: No, what… Why—

Those were the only words that I managed to string out.

Arakida: (… I don’t understand what’s going on.)

Saeko: L-Listen to this—Rei-chan’s room was flooded all thanks to the person staying one floor above her!

That’s why she has to move out, I hear. You’ve been through so much, haven’t you?

Rei: Well, yes, it’s been tough, I guess…

Arakida: (Fine, but what does that have anything to do with living here?)

(Isn’t this weird?)

Saeko: Sou-chan is happy to have you too. Aren’t you, my dear?

Arakida: No, I’m…

Saeko: There! What did I tell you?

Arakida: …………

“I’m against the idea”—what I was about to say got easily drowned out.

Arakida: (… But she’s not honestly thinking of living here, right?)

(I mean, surely she’s lost the will to have anything to do with me anymore.)

(Anyhow, I bet she’ll turn it down…)

Saeko: Plus, isn’t your workplace close from here?

I do think it’s convenient for you~

Rei: You’ve got a point, I suppose…

Arakida: …………

“Wait, hold up.” … The situation was heading in a suspicious direction.

Arakida: (… Right. How could I forget.)

(She’s got an insane amount of nerve on her, this one…)

Saeko: There’s that as well with Sou-chan being a police detective, see.

So we have the perfect crime deterrent on us, don’t we?

Rei: Y-Yeah, you’re right…

The issue of security is also taken care of…

Arakida: (… Why are you agreeing with her?)

(Actually, what am I, a guard dog or something?)

Saeko: Somehow, it doesn’t feel like you’re just anyone, Rei-chan.

It’s as if you’re my actual granddaughter, so I simply can’t leave you alone.

I’d be ever so happy if you were to come live with me. Think of it as doing me a favour!

Okay?

Rei: U-Umm, if you’re going so far as to say that, then…

In that case, I’ll definitely be paying for my share of the boarding.

Is it alright if I take you up on your offer?

Saeko: Of course!

Arakida: No, wait a minute—

Rei: Seeing as that’s how it is, Arakida-san…

I’ll be bothering you for some time here until my room is fixed.

Arakida: … What?

Rei: I’m not much of a help around the house, but pleased to be living with you.

It was an unthinkable conclusion.

Izumi had promptly lowered her head.

And once again, it was a beautiful bow.

Saeko: Well then, we must make haste with getting your room ready!

Come now, this way, Rei-chan!

Rei: Oh, okay!

Aunt Saeko, who was in good spirits, was pushing on Izumi’s back.

Was she truly… going to be living here starting from today?

Arakida: You’re kidding, right…?

* * *

Thus, the next day…

In a corner of a residential neighbourhood, there came the clear chirping of small birds.

After moving into this place, I’ve taken a rather strong liking to these quiet mornings—

-Boarding House: Dining Room—

Rei: Good morning, Arakida-san.

Breakfast is all made and ready!

Arakida: …………

—That have been effortlessly destroyed by this NCD woman.

Arakida: … Why are you here?

Rei: Huh? I said so yesterday, didn’t I?

That I’d be staying here for a while.

Arakida: (You were serious…?)

Rei: Oh, yeah. Aunty Saeko’s in the middle of pruning the garden.

Let’s see… These were your bowls, right, Arakida-san?

I wonder if the pot is done heating up…

Izumi, who was wearing an apron, was serving rice or miso soup or whatnot into my bowls.

My brain was unable to process and keep up with that reality.

Arakida: (Backup a moment here.)

(Why… How did things turn out like this?)

The more I tried to calmly break down what was happening, the more my head was panicking on its own.

Rei: Here you go, your miso soup.

Arakida: ………… Yeah.

I accepted the miso soup that was handed to me, and for a split second, I froze.

Arakida: (Isn’t this, like…)

(………… You know. Or like…)

Rei: Arakida-san? Is something wrong?

Arakida: Huh? No, it’s nothing…

(… What am I doing, thinking something weird.)

(I’m not myself.)

I waved away the stupid thought that had almost come to mind.

When I drew in a small, deep breath, Aunt Saeko returned.

Saeko: Oh my, Rei-chan, you got everything ready for me. Thank you.

Rei: No, not at all. All I did was warm up the pot and serve out the dishes…

Saeko: *Giggles* How lovely it is to somehow see you both like that.

Arakida: … What do you mean?

Saeko: It’s as if you’re newlyweds.

Rei: EH!?

Arakida: …!

Saeko: Oh, goodness me. I completely left my tools out in the garden before coming back inside.

I need to go put them away.

Arakida: (… Wait, that was…)

(… Something I was deliberately trying not to think about…)

After dropping off that single bombshell of a comment, Aunt Saeko went back the way she came.

The sound of her pitter-patter footsteps disappeared down the other side of the hallway, and a silence fell between us.

Rei: …………

Arakida: …………

Rei: Err…

A-Ahaha. Being told something like that kind of makes you blush, huh!

I w-wonder if that’s how it looked? Haha…

Arakida: What…?

Rei: H-Huh? No, t-that is… I mean, y-you know…

…………

Arakida: …………

(… Don’t just go mute midway.)

(I don’t know what’s the correct reaction to give here…)

Rei: I-It… was just her playing a teeny joke on us, right?

Arakida: ………… Obviously.

…………

Rei: U-Ummm. The rice is going to go cold.

So I’m gonna go help her out a bit!

Izumi hastily got up and made a beeline for the hallway.

When the room had at long last gone quiet, I softly pressed my hand to my forehead.

Arakida: (What am I meant to do?)

(Is it going to be like this everyday from now on…?)

If I get involved with someone, then I’ll end up hurting them and be hurt.

If I was wanting to spare myself from that, then all I had to do was be alone forever.

I wasn’t going to get buddy-buddy with others anymore.

… That was what I was supposed to have decided on.

Even she was no exception.

And yet…

Arakida: (This isn’t what I was promised…)

I wasn’t sure how to treat the distance after having someone cut in this closely.

God, I was constantly being forsaken by whatever higher power was out there.

Arakida: (… That lady said something about misfortune with women, didn’t she?)

(Could she mean this…)

What I recalled in the back of my mind were the words that the shady fortune-teller had passed onto me.

I had thought that either way, it wasn’t going to come true, but…

Arakida: … *Sigh*

I furrowed my brow as I let out a deep sigh.

… As usual, I had to admit that my life was a continuing run-in with bad luck.

When I combed back my fringe as if disheveling it, I remembered another set of words.

“The person who’s going to make you be the protagonist will be appearing shortly.”

Arakida: (… And what the hell does that mean anyway?)

(I really don’t get anything…)

… The protagonist, huh…

The words that I lightly mumbled out dispersed into the morning air, and was to be heard by no one.

* * *

However, this unfortunate “bad luck”…

Would in the near future, bestow onto me a new chapter in my life.

Of course, the one who was going to bring that about was that peculiar housemate of mine.

And who could have guessed that it would be a story I’d treasure more so than any of the books that I had stacked on my shelf?

… At the time, I had yet to even bother to realise it.