312 The Limit of Tolerance (Boredom)
Returning downstairs, the air that had begun to relax tensed again—immediately apparent.
The moment I arrived, nearly everyone’s gaze pierced me.
Oh.
Does my presence really cause such stress for everyone? Is that so.
Sugihara-kun hasn’t returned yet, and a few others are still absent. A brief pause can continue.
Therefore, I will escape this storm of stares!
That guy, Ogihara, is kneeling on the floor—but I’ll pretend I didn’t see.
Ignoring the piercing stares, I walked straight toward the door leading outside.
As I passed, Shikihara-kun started to rise, but was restrained by the two girls seated beside him.
I pretended not to notice the exchange and opened the door, stepping outside.
Phew.
What is this needle mat sensation?
Uncomfortable...
Can I just run off like this?
Not allowed?
Is that so...
After this brief pause, I’ll have to resume the briefing. But Oni-kun’s being useless again.
Oni-kun’s support is questionable.
That means someone else will have to step in. But there’s only one candidate.
That candidate, Vampire Child, was lounging with the summoned black wolf as a backrest, basking in the sun.
Hey, Vampire.
Is that alright?
Is that really alright, Vampire?
Vampire Child’s creating a scene that feels like a challenge to every vampire on Earth.
It’d be peaceful if it weren’t for the vampire.
“What?”
No, what? I’m not—
Apologize to every vampire who has not overcome full sunlight!
"Such pleasant weather. If only the smell could be managed, I could easily fall asleep here."
Apologize!
Apologize to every vampire on Earth!
It is indeed pleasant weather.
Blazing sunlight overhead.
The black wolf resting against the back of the Vampire Child is soft and fluffy—perfect as a cushion.
Even the scent drifting from the scorched wasteland could be tolerated. Truly, it feels like a good day to sleep.
As she says this, the Vampire Child actually lies down and closes their eyes.
"Ow!?"
Annoyed, she lightly kicks the Vampire Child’s side.
The Vampire Child glares back—what’s this about?—but this is unavoidable. There’s nothing to be done!
It’s all the Vampire Child’s fault!
"What? Can’t you sleep?"
No, it’s bad!
"Isn't that fine? I’m useless at that gathering anyway. If I’m not needed, skipping it’s fine too."
True, just now he was nonexistent—but now that Oni-kun’s been drifting from support, that leaves me in trouble.
I must find a way to force this one into explaining!
…Can he even explain anything?
Nothing but anxiety about this whole thing.
"Couldn’t sleep. Got bored. What else can I do?"
She says this, yawning cutely.
Her lazy posture is oddly alluring.
Honestly.
Overdoing it with the charm.
Should I pull at that scandalous chest?
Ah—no, nothing at all.
A sudden image flashes in my mind: the Demon Lord grinning darkly, hands twitching excitedly. I shake it off, abruptly forgetting the topic of breasts.
From the outset, does that creature even have an obligation to explain anything? That hero kept going on about having a right to ask questions, but honestly, do they really? We're just being considerate by telling them. There's no actual duty on our part to explain. So we should just leave them be.
Ugh.
Seems like the Vampire Child was more stressed by that briefing than I thought.
Well, I can't say I don't understand the Vampire Child's perspective.
The Vampire Child has completely severed ties with their past life.
Past life is past life, present life is present life—clearly separated. Even among reincarnates, they see themselves as no more than casual acquaintances, barely recognized.
Perhaps even less than that.
So they believe there's no obligation to be kind.
Frankly, that assessment isn't wrong.
There's no obligation to explain anything to the reincarnates—honestly, not at all.
But they are victims in their own right, so explaining things without cause—well, that’s just a reason, nothing more.
There is no obligation here. No duty.
As the Vampire Child said, the right to listen, as Yamada-kun puts it, is ultimately just a matter of our discretion.
“Rather, why is my master going to such lengths to explain things? That’s what’s truly strange. You’re the one who claims to be terrible at explanations.”
Hey, don’t say that last part!
You might be right, but there’s a difference between what’s true and what’s appropriate to say.
“Cold-blooded monster, devoid of even a shred of sentiment, my master…”
Something additional was added.
Vampire Child, you—let’s talk in private for a moment.
It seems we still lack mutual understanding.
“Hmph. Fine. I’ll take over explaining.”
I had just begun dragging the Vampire Child to my home to initiate O-HANAS-I when such an offer was made.
What... what was that...!?
The Vampire Child—reading the air like that!?
"Why the look of surprise? Do you really think I'm your master?"
Useless vampire.
Whether or not my inner thoughts reached her, the Vampire Child rose with a displeased expression.
The black wolf resting against the backrest vanished into the Vampire Child's shadow.
"Phew. Leaving it to my master would only prolong the farce. Kyōya-kun's entangled in too many complications to succeed. There's no point in dragging this out. Better to end it quickly."
She turned sharply and returned to the treehouse where the reincarnates waited.
Who is that?
That capable, composed woman-like aura—just who is she?
“What are you doing? Let’s get started quickly and end it quickly.”
The Vampire Child turned back at the door, calling out to me.
I followed, dazed as if half my soul had been drained.