SWNOVELXO Volume 1 Chapter 41 - Taxis Are Scary
“Alright! The talk is settled!”
Nanapon has fallen to the dark side.
Originally, she seemed quite dark.
“It’s nice that everything was settled smoothly. But you guys have become good friends, huh? Nanapon, you used to be so timid and whisper all the time.”
Come to think of it, she was timid yesterday but not today.
Her voice was normal, and she even raised her voice in retort.
Earlier, when she was alone with Satsuki, she seemed to shrink.
“Did Nanaka-chan’s fear of men get cured?”
Kaede-chan looks at Satsuki.
“I don’t know. Why is she timid around me but fine with Elenora?”
“Elenora-san is cool, but… the guild master is…”
Nanapon averted her eyes.
“Cool!? This idiot?”
“Don’t call me an idiot.”
I’m not an idiot.
I’m not an idiot.
“When I saw you on TV and even today when you were swinging your sword, it was cool.”
Heh, I have swordsmanship level 5, after all.
Oh?
“You were looking at Okita-kun yesterday too, right?”
I think he’s cooler.
He has a sword.
“I don’t like Okita-san because he seems like a murderer. He’s scary.”
Hey!
“Who’s a murderer!”
“And earlier, you touched my shoulder, so I don’t like it. It’s sexual harassment.”
…
“I paid you a million, didn’t I?”
“Senpai, that’s not it.”
Ah… Kaede-chan is cold.
“It’s okay if it’s Elenora-san, but I don’t like yesterday’s Okita-san.”
But they’re both me?
“Wait a minute. What about me? I was often told I was cool during my active days!”
Do you have to say that yourself?
This person has this unfortunate side.
“No, the person who threatened me…”
Well, of course.
“Satsuki-san, you lack elegance and mysteriousness. Like me.”
I crossed my legs and brushed my long hair with my hand.
“Shut up, you cross-dresser.”
…You shouldn’t say that.
“Setting aside Senpai’s hobby and the Guild Master’s uncoolness, it’s okay for Nanaka-chan to work with Senpai from now on?”
It’s not a hobby!
“I’m fine with Elenora-san.”
“Well, if it’s an area without Frontier people, it should be fine. Guild Master, is that okay?”
Kaede-chan checks with Satsuki.
“Fine. Hurry up and get to A-rank.”
“A-rank? Can I make it?”
Nanapon stared intently at Satsuki.
“You can. You were promising in our guild, and you have a rare skill. Trust me, a former A-rank.”
Come to think of it, this person was A-rank.
“Understood. I’ll do my best!”
Nanapon showed her determination.
“Is the conversation over? Then I’m going home. Kaede-chan, can you call me a taxi?”
“Understood.”
Kaede-chan took out her smartphone and started operating it.
“Ah, then I’ll go home today too.”
Nanapon stood up, saying that.
“Since it’s a taxi, shall I take you?”
“Ah, could you take me to Nakano Station?”
“Sure.”
Nakano is not too far.
Nanapon and I discussed our future adventures while waiting for the taxi.
When we heard from Kaede-chan that the taxi had arrived and got permission from Satsuki, we left through the back door.
As we left the back door, we could see a taxi parked in front of the parking lot.
Nanapon and I nodded to the security guard and walked to the taxi.
As we approached the taxi, the rear door opened automatically.
As I tried to get in first, putting one foot on the taxi seat and half my body and face inside, I saw a person in the back seat of the taxi.
It was a blonde woman, not Japanese.
I frowned at the black object in her hand.
What’s going on?
There was no one in the back seat until now.
This woman suddenly appeared when I tried to get in.
“Nanaka-san, I forgot that I promised to meet someone. I’m sorry, but you should go back by train after all.”
I apologized to Nanapon in the same position.
“Eh? Eh?”
Nanapon couldn’t understand the situation and was confused.
Probably, Nanapon couldn’t see inside the taxi with her x-ray vision.
“Let’s meet again if fate allows. I’ll treat you to lunch as an apology then. Bye.”
I said that and got into the taxi.
Then, the taxi’s automatic door closed, and the taxi started moving immediately.
The blonde foreigner still pointed the black object… a gun at me.
“I think it’s strange to run without knowing the destination.”
“Just accompany me on a drive.”
The taxi driver answered.
“A drive, huh? It seems like you already have a passenger?”
I glanced at the woman still pointing the gun.
“Do you mind sharing a ride?”
The woman asked with a grin.
“Well, it’s okay.”
“Do you think the girl from earlier will call for help? Are you so confident?”
“That girl from earlier? Oh, her. She’s just a female adventurer from the same guild, and I thought I’d give her a ride. It’s just that kind of relationship, so there’s no need to worry.”
I gave a casual explanation.
“You see, you and I have a long journey ahead of us, so it’s best to save your energy.”
I looked out the window at the passing cityscape, aware that the muzzle of the gun had moved away slightly.
“But that’s a matter of course.”
The journey had just begun.