“By the way, may I ask
you for your father’s name?” (Kaike)
“Oh… Abe Kou.”
(Shuu)
ćI immediately thought of my
birth father, my real father’s name.
“Um… he was like a
recluse even among Free Folks, so I don’t think anyone knows him.” (Shuu)
“But he was a great
hunter, wasn’t he?” (Kaike)
“That’s right… he was a
great father.” (Shuu)
ćThe real one is an ordinary
employee in the accounting department of a canning factory. He was a man who
was respectable, but not a millimeter above his wife’s salary. When I heard
that he had an allowance of 3,000 yen a month, I almost cried.
“Have you been to the
village where you used to live?” (Kaike)
“No, I haven’t
returned……. I don’t think there are any houses or if the village is still
standing…”
ćDetailed answers come flying. Sticky-cold
sweat was running down my skin.
“Ms. Tamiko. Do you know
the names of either your mother and her partner?” (Kaike)
“Mother is Kinko, squeak.
Her partner is… Usui Katsuo, I squeak?” (Tamiko)
“Which Tribe did they
belong to?” (Kaike)
“I never learned.”
(Tamiko)
ćThey were real hunters who
were active on the surface, and there was no lie about how they got there or
about Tamiko’s birth story. The guild headquarters would not be able to find
any cracks even if they were investigated.
ćāI see,” Kaike mumbled in
her mouth and wrote everything down with a flick of her pen. A minute or so
passed without anyone uttering a word.
“That’s right… It’s not
uncommon for Free Folk to come, but I’d like to say clearly that it is unheard
of where a level 68 and your story to appear. It’s hard to make a decision on
my own, so I am not sure if you passed or failed.” (Kaike)
“Seriously?” (Shuu)
ćUnexpected. A chill ran down
my spine.
“Based on what you have
told us, I would like to consult with our supervisor and make another decision
on whether or not to continue with the registration as guild members and
issuance of family registers, is that okay?” (Kaike)
ćAccording to Obuchi, the guild
is more concerned with trust when it comes to allowing Free Folk to register as
hunters. This is because there is also
the aspect of issuing a family register on behalf of the city hall.
ćHowever, there is also the
dilemma of securing the best personnel possible. This is because it leads to
results as a branch and returns in the form of tax revenue to the city. As long
as they can determine that the candidate is not a danger to the city, a level
68 is too great a weapon to not be used.
ćObuchi also feared that it
could be a double-edged sword in the case of a moderate interviewee, but that
is about to happen. It’s a bit of a problem. If the interviewer had to re-do it
and ask for another Test Sheet ājust to be sureā, everything that had been
built up to this point would collapse. What was the point of even taking up
sumo wrestling in this new world?
“…Ms. Kaike. why don’t
we go outside and talk? I’m sorry, but you two are going to have to wait a
little while.” (Aomoto)
ćAomoto got up and left the
room with Kaike. She probably intends to discuss whether or not she wants to
continue this interview. I hope the good feeling I got from Aomoto will lead me
in the right direction.
“Are they ācompanionsā, squeak?”
(Tamiko)
“Maybe it’s different.”
(Shuu)
~3rd Person Perspective~
“If I can’t make a clear
decision here, another branch might take them. He’s a real talent, and I’m sure
he’ll become someone big.” (Aomoto)
“That may be so…”
(Kaike)
“I’m sure you know that
even if he has the skill [Self-Regeneration], an insignia can’t be erased by
gouging out the entire flesh, right? He is definitely a genuine Free Folk. He
has no criminal record. Then, as usual, we can interview him to see if he is a
trustworthy ‘good person’ and decide whether or not he should be accepted.”
(Aomoto)
“Butā¦” (Kaike)
“If he says he’ll bring
himself to another branch, weāll allow a valuable talent to escape, especially
given the current situation in the city—the loss would be painful.”
(Aomoto)
ćKaike is scratching her head.
“The Sugamo branch has a
short history and is a step or two behind the other branches in both name and
reality. It’s so young that a young woman like me is the member’s
representative.” (Aomoto)
“No, that’s…”
(Kaike)
“Well, there’s a chance
he’s a big scammer or someone diabolical. Though I’m not sure how he could be a
bad guy, as far as I’ve seen him act and talk so far, I just can’t see him as someone
evil… Well, anyway you-know-that-too- right?ā (Aomoto)
ćKaike looks a little anxious.
“If that’s the case, we
can go through the usual interview process and we can decide if he is worthy of
bearing a part of the Sugamo branch’s name.” (Aomoto)
“…I understand. I will
make a decision with my own eyes.” (Kaike)
~Shuuās Perspective~
ćThey returned and sat down
again across from us.
ćI was feeling restless. Tamiko
though seems to be mysteriously calm.
“…I’m sorry for keeping
you waiting… Let’s continue the interview. After that, we will make a
decision on whether or not you can register.” (Kaike)
“Thank you.” (Shuu)
ćI was inwardly relieved. I glanced
at Tamiko and she nodded. It seems that she understands the situation in her
own way.
ćNow, the interview could
continue without the “discovery of an [Master Threadweaver] ” and the
“detection of fake backgrounds” that Noa and the others had been most
worried about.
ćIt was very unfortunate that I
had to tell these two serious and good-looking women a lie about my background,
but I hope they will forgive me as it was a lie so I would not cause them
trouble. I will surely contribute to this branch when I become a hunter of
Sugamo (I am very determined).
(Now all that’s left is the question-and-answer
part… I hate this…) (Shuu)
ćNot surprisingly, hunters
place a lot of emphasis on trust. They want to be able to see through this
interview to get a sense of who the others are and prevent them from adding
“bad apples” to their group.
ćOf course, it may not be
perfect (some branches have even accepted [Udeochi] like the one I defeated the
other day). But that doesn’t mean they will let me off the hook. Especially for
those who are not very good at interviewing, it is inevitable that this will be
the last hurdle.
ć—However, surprisingly. I
was wrong.
ćAfter that, the interviewer
asked the usual interview questions, or rather, the familiar ones.
“What motivated you to
become a hunter?” (Kaike)
“What kind of work do you
think you are suited for?” (Kaike)
“Are you reluctant to
hunt Metro Beasts?” (Kaike)
“Are you willing to take
the life of a criminal, such as bandits?” (Kaike)
“What creature made the
most impression on you so far?” (Kaike)
“Conversely, what did you
find most painful?” (Kaike)
“What is something you
that find worth doing in life?” (Kaike)
ćetc.
ć—I wondered what they were
trying to analyze with these questions.
ćBut I took my time to answer
each question with a safe answer, but as much as possible without lying.
ćI was worried that Tamiko
might give them a bad answer, but she was surprisingly different from her usual
“blabber mouth with zero filter act” choosing her words carefully and
honestly saying “I don’t know” when she didn’t understand the meaning
of a question. Her special training with Yui seems to have paid off
ćKaike’s pen is running over
each answer. Aomoto crosses her arms and looks alternately at me and Tamiko.
“Then the last question. What
kind of hunter do you both want to be in the future?” (Kaike)
ćI think for a few seconds and
then speak honestly.
“I haven’t thought about
it actually, since I’ve made it to the surface alive… Though, I’d like to be
free to explore wherever I want.” (Shuu)
ćI swallow the words “including
outside the walls that cover this countryā. I don’t intend to go out of my way
to violate a taboo.”
“I want to be Abeshuuās partner
squeak, just like my mom and hers, squeak.” (Tamiko)
ćI looked at Tamiko and she
glanced up and smiled.
“…Yes, thank you.
That’s all the questions I have.” (Kaike)
ćKaike makes eye contact with
Aomoto. They both give a small nod.
“…A mixture of clear
white and various pale shades… Both of you have a beautiful, marbled canvas.”
(Kaike)
“What?” (Shuu)
“No, nothing”
(Kaike)
ćKaike chuckles as if to shrug
it off. I flip through the paper on the board and nod a few times. [T/N:
Kaike seems to have some form of skill [Risk Counter].]
“Yes, it looks fine. …I
will allow both of you to register as hunters in the Sugamo branch.”
(Kaike)
“Seriously!? We did
it!” (Shuu)
“We’ll did it! Pigyaa!”
(Tamiko)
ćThe weight on my shoulders was
suddenly lifted, and I and Tamiko took each other’s hands and danced.
“The actual activities
will only become possible after the training, but …… as a member of the
same Sugamo branch, let’s work hard together from now on. I look forward to
working with you.” (Aomoto)
“Thank you!” (Shuu)
“Thanks, squeak!”
(Tamiko)
“Tomorrow, we will go
through the training and insignia procedures here. Can you come back at the
same time?” (Kaike)
“Yes, that’s perfect!”
(Shuu)
“Okay, squeak!”
(Tamiko)
ćThe two of us are so excited
that we are almost shouting. Kaike just smiles back.
“Then, please come back
tomorrow. Weāre done for today.” (Kaike)
“Wait.” (Aomoto)
ćAomoto interrupts with a sharp
tone.
“I forgot one thing.
Something important.” (Aomoto)
ćThe two of us are suddenly fidgeting
with her sudden words. I’d like you to excuse me for any more problems, even
though I managed to finish things miraculously. Even if I just did it, I can’t take
the same amount of heat as before.
“…I have already
confirmed the insignia on Abe-shi’s… But Tamiko-shi’s was not yet confirmed.
I don’t doubt it, but… as an interviewer, I still have to confirm it.”
(Aomoto)
ćAomoto stood up. Slowly and steadily
approached.
“Ah, insignia? None,
squeak.” (Tamiko)
“I know. But a fluff like
you—someone different, a furry creature has limited space for insignia and it
is often replaced by issuing some kind of ornament. Well… I have to check it
as an interviewer. I hope you understand.” (Aomoto)
“What are you squeaking?”
(Tamiko)
ćAomoto clutched Tamiko stopping
Tamiko from saying anything else.
“Ah! surely, a Fluff—No,
it’s not here! Then maybe here, eh!?” (Aomoto)
ćAomoto’s fingers roam around
Tamiko’s body, ruffling her fur.
“Hey, squeak it! Thereās
nothing squeak! Don’t touch there, squeak!” (Tamiko)
ćTamiko’s squeaky voice echoes
through the room. I looked at Kaike to see if this was a legitimate inspection,
but she read her own notes and pretended not to notice.
“Oh, how magical this feels…
a perfect fit in anyoneās hand… then thereās this tail that makes you want to
fluff it forever…! I’m sorry, my fingers, I canāt stop…!” (Aomoto)
“Pigyaaaa! Not my tummy,
squeak! Squeak me Abeshuu!” (Tamiko)
ćAomoto, with her eyes
bloodshot and delivering pecks on a squirrel, had neither the dignity of a Yokozuna
nor the pride of a representative. I had already noticed that she was, in
essence, a member of the same people as Obuchi. The constant stares he was
giving Tamiko were of that sort.
“Ms. Kaike, is she a bit
of a simpleton?” (Shuu)
“But she is a well-loved person.”
(Kaike)
ćKaike does not deny that she
is a simpleton.
ćThough she is a popular simpleton.
People call those mascots.
“Woah, youāre so cute!
No, I’m sorry! I will apologize by giving you a lot of acorns later, no, this
is a legitimate inspection! Where’s the insignia!? Here, In this fluffy belly!?
Is there an insignia on the tip of the tail?” (Aomoto)
“Pigyaaaa! Stop it, so
good, squeak! Really squeaking good… Ah… Abeshuu… Don’t look, squeak…!”
(Tamiko)
“Is this NTR (cuckolding)?”
(Shuu)