Volume 4 Chapter 76 The Hero’s Worries And The Girl’s Gratitude
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
That night.
I sat alone by the pool, the quiet waters reflecting the stars above. It was part of a Love Hotel—strangely luxurious, and oddly peaceful.
The night sky stretched endlessly overhead, dotted with faint stars. The surface of the pool shimmered softly beneath their light. Beyond the railing lay the open sea, its silver waves rising and falling under the moonlight.
Reclining on a chair by the water’s edge, I stared at the sky.
War was coming.
The Kingdom of Nakuos was preparing to clash with the Demon Race. Even the Free City of Latipak had turned hostile. After all, the pirates who attacked them were officially backed by the kingdom. That truth couldn’t be hidden anymore.
The strange movements of the pirates had raised suspicions for a while. But the real trigger was us.
We helped Korukona and defeated a pirate ship. Then we infiltrated the pirates’ base, took down both them and the navy, and rescued the hostages. That uproar left the military in disarray—and let key information slip out.
The testimony from the rescued councilor’s son and the captured women confirmed what many feared: the kingdom and the pirates were connected.
That was all the Free City needed to reach its decision.
The newspapers only reported that an unknown force had used a Brownie to intervene. There was no mention of the Love Hotel. Maybe they thought it sounded too ridiculous to print. But even without full details, the truth had gotten out: someone had moved in the shadows to save the hostages.
The Free City, once neutral, now had reason to stand against the kingdom. There were whispers it might even ally with the Demon Race.
And the demons… were already preparing for war.
I thought about why they’d made up their mind. The Kingdom of Nakuos had always been at odds with the Demon Race. But the true catalyst came in recent years: the summoning of heroes.
The kingdom had summoned heroes from another world, anticipating a large-scale conflict.
That’s how we ended up here.
We were taken from our world—summoned without warning. If war broke out, if people died… it had nothing to do with us. We weren’t soldiers. We owed this world nothing.
If I could just protect the people close to me, that would be enough.
I didn’t need to be involved in anyone else’s war.
That much, I knew. And yet—
—I couldn’t settle down.
The sound of the waves, the cool breeze, the quiet pool… none of it eased the weight in my chest.
What was this feeling? Not guilt. Something sharper.
Frustration.
So this is what it feels like—to hate being used.
The kingdom summoned us without permission. Raised us as “heroes.” Tried to shape us into weapons.
And the Demon Race took advantage of that too. They manipulated things from the shadows, unleashed destruction, and attacked the kingdom.
I hated both sides.
Until now, none of it had touched me directly. But the way things were going…
What would happen next? What should I even do?
I was still lost in thought when I heard a voice behind me.
”Taro?”
I turned.
Standing there was a girl with short black hair and cat ears—Korukona.
”Hm? What’s up?”
”Are you thinking about something?”
”…Yeah, I guess.”
A breeze passed between us. The night went quiet again.
”Hey.”
”Yeah?”
She sat beside me on the recliner, her tail lightly brushing against my feet. It swayed, just a little. She might’ve been nervous.
”Taro… you’re a hero, right?”
”Sort of.”
”Sort of?”
I gave a vague reply.
”It’s not something I really talk about.”
No one ever called me a hero. And I never claimed to be one.
”I’ve never been called that properly. Doesn’t feel right to say it myself.”
”But you’ve got that kind of power, don’t you?”
Her gaze drifted around us.
This pool area—it looked open-air, but no one could see or enter. It was completely sealed off.
A private zone, part of the Love Hotel. One of the hero abilities I’d gained in this world.
”That kind of power brings expectations,” I muttered. “Big ones. Too big. I don’t want that. I don’t want to be called a hero.”
I wasn’t some noble savior.
Just a guy who ended up with strange powers… and a group of girls who somehow trusted me.
At my words, Korukona’s expression softened.
”But… I’m grateful.”
She spoke quietly, each word carefully chosen.
”You saved me from those pirates. Thanks to you, my village is safe. And not just me… you helped other people who were taken too.”
Her amber eyes looked into mine.
”To me… you are a hero.”
She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.
”So… let me thank you.”
Her hair brushed my shoulder. I felt her breath near my neck.
Then—gently—her lips touched mine.
Just for a moment.
A small, shy kiss. The best she could give, with all the courage she had.
”I don’t know what will happen with the war… but no matter what, my feelings for you won’t change.”
Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she said it straight from the heart.
Those words gently sank into my chest like warm sunlight breaking through clouds.
”…I see.”
A breeze passed through, carrying the salty scent of the sea.
For some reason, the heaviness in my chest felt a little lighter.
Korukona, this cat-eared girl, had chosen to stay by my side.
Even though the future of this world was uncertain… even though I didn’t know what path I should take…
If someone like her could be grateful to me, then maybe—just maybe—everything I’d done had meant something.
I want to help those I care about.
And if there’s someone causing trouble, I’ll stop them. That’s all there is to it.
”…Thank you.”
I murmured those words and gently placed my hand on her head, patting it softly.
”Hmm, feeling better now? Then I’ll just—huh?”
Just as she began to pull away, I wrapped my arms around her from behind.
”K-Korukona.”
We were still sitting together on the reclining chair near the pool.
As I held her from behind, her small, warm presence settled against me.
”I feel a little more like myself now… so I want to help calm you too.”
I whispered it close to her ear, arms still gently around her.
”Eh, really…?”
”Don’t you like it?”
”I-I don’t dislike it, but… here?”
We were still by the outdoor pool. The stars above reflected off the water, and the night breeze felt cool against our skin. The place was open, but quiet — no one around to see us.
”Right here.”
”Hya…!”
Her face flushed bright red, and her cat ears twitched.
I gently wrapped my arms around her from behind.
Korukona didn’t resist. Her body tensed for a moment, then relaxed into mine.
The warmth between us felt soft. Real.
”…Taro?” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the wind.
I didn’t answer. I simply rested my head against her shoulder, letting the silence say everything.
My hands found hers, fingers brushing together — delicate, unsure.
She shivered slightly, not from cold, but from something else.
Her breathing grew uneven, and I could feel the tension in her frame.
The mood shifted. Neither of us spoke. But something passed between us.
I held her a little tighter, and she leaned back into me.
Her heartbeat echoed against mine. Steady. Nervous. Wanting.
Korukona’s head tilted up toward me. Our eyes met.
”You’re acting strange tonight…”
”Sorry. I just… I want to be close to you right now.”
”…You’re warm.”
”So are you.”
The world outside faded away.
Only the sound of the water. The wind. Our breathing.
Her hands found mine again, this time holding on.
She glanced down, hesitated — then gently pressed against my chest, feeling my heartbeat.
Her eyes widened slightly, cheeks even redder.
”…You’re nervous too.”
”Yeah. Guess I am.”
Korukona fidgeted. Her tail swayed behind her.
For a moment, neither of us moved. Then, without a word, she turned and nestled into my arms.
”…Pervert.”
”Did you hate it?”
She shook her head, eyes half-lidded.
”I didn’t… hate it.”
”Then… is it okay if I stay close a little longer?”
”Mm…”
I gently took her hand, and she didn’t pull away.
”…Your hand is trembling,” she whispered.
”It’s because of you.”
She glanced up at me again, biting her lip, unsure.
”Hey, Taro… do you think I’m cute?”
”You’re beautiful.”
Her ears twitched again.
”…I see. Hehe.”
I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked up again, lips parted — and we leaned in.
A soft kiss. Short, uncertain. Like the flutter of a bird’s wings.
We parted, then kissed again. And again.
It wasn’t intense. It wasn’t rushed.
It was simply… us.
As our breathing slowed, she leaned against my chest, silent.
”…It’s kind of scary. But… I’m happy.”
”…Me too.”
I held her close.
And under the moonlight, we simply stayed like that — two hearts beating quietly, side by side.
My chest and my below swelled with anticipation.
Notes:
• Kingdom of Nakuos – The nation where the protagonist and companions were summoned as heroes.
• Latipak – A small independent state centered around its port town. Located in a strategic trade hub, it maintains neutrality despite being surrounded by large nations and Demon Race territories. It is a bustling city where humans, elves, dwarfs, and Demon Race people coexist. Known for its vibrant streets, diverse languages, and lively atmosphere.
• Korukona – A cat-eared girl with amber eyes. She is brave but vulnerable, showing honesty and gratitude. Taro rescues her from the pirate and plans to send her to her village.
• Brownie – A little sailor fairy.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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