The Matter of My Party Members Being Aware of My Desire to Be Banished - Chapter 15.5

In our party, there’s a boy who carries our luggage.

His name is Azuma Rokuto, the same age as me, 17 years old. I affectionately call him “Rokkun.”

Rokkun has the rare black hair and eyes in this world, of medium build… but lately, I feel like he’s been getting a bit more muscular.

We’ve trained together after all.

Being a porter doesn’t mean he only carries luggage.

Housekeeping and cooking are also Rokkun’s roles.

That’s why Rokkun’s mornings are earlier than everyone else’s.

“Today’s menu will be miso soup, grilled fish… and we mustn’t forget the vegetables. Balance is important, after all. Maybe I’ll make the rice a little luxurious with some mixed rice. Even if I make a lot, Honoka will be happy to eat it, right, Honoka?”

Rokkun is once again preparing a meal for us this morning.

His smooth knife skills are mesmerizing to watch.

The delicious sounds of frying with a “juwa~” and simmering with a “gutsu gutsu~” are pleasant to the ears.

The finished dishes smell so good, I’m sure they’re delicious.

Above all, Rokkun looks happy when he’s cooking.

It makes me happy just watching him.

Why can I say I’m just watching? Because I wake up early too, just to watch Rokkun cook.

I love watching Rokkun cook.

It feels warm and safe.

This must be what they call homely.

…For me, this feeling was fresh.

I was abandoned by my parents as soon as I was born and raised in an orphanage.

It’s far better than being sold as a slave. Besides, I don’t remember my parents’ faces, so I don’t really feel hatred towards them.

However, one can’t stay in the orphanage forever.

Kids like me, abandoned right after birth, or whose parents vanished or ran off in the night, kept coming without end, and the orphanage was always full.

In this country, you’re treated as an adult at 15 and can work anywhere.

And when you reach that age, the teachers at the orphanage start to give you cold looks, hinting that it’s time to leave.

It’s lonely, but it can’t be helped.

When I turned 15, I left the orphanage… and became an adventurer to support myself.

A year later, I met my current party members.

It’s fun being with everyone.

It was fun being with everyone at the orphanage too, but this is even more so.

I’m happier than I thought, having found a new place to belong and companions to share the ups and downs with.

Shi-chan, a year younger than me, acts and talks maturely but is self-conscious about her youthfulness when it comes to her chest.

Ma-san, an elf with a large bosom, has a motherly and sisterly aura that makes her approachable.

Rokkun, who takes care of our luggage, cooking, and housework and is easy to talk to and have fun with.

It’s been half a year since we started adventuring together, and I don’t feel tired of it at all.

Of course, there’ve been tough times, but overall, the first thing that comes to mind is how much fun it’s been.

Well, things might get a bit troublesome when it comes to romance and all that.

But I want to continue adventuring with this party forever.

Then, one morning came.

I woke up later than usual.

By this time, Rokkun would usually be starting to plate the food.

“I’m going to be banished from the party, awaken my powers, move to the neighboring country, and start my harem conquest! Oooooh!!”

Just as I was about to open the door, I heard such a voice.

At first, I thought I was still half asleep.

But…

“One day, I’ll awaken my power, and with this cheat ability, I’ll kill monsters instantly! And for some reason, I’ll keep rescuing and winning over the beautiful girls who get attacked by monsters along the way! I want to be popular! I want that kind of harem!”

Ah, so it wasn’t just me being half asleep.

Rokkun seems to have that kind of desire.

He’s a boy after all.

Let’s put the first half of that aside for now…

“Do you want to create a harem, Rokkun?”

That’s the part that concerns me the most.

Because I like Rokkun.

Isn’t it normal to want to have the one you like all to yourself?

“No, that, well… a harem is every man’s dream…”

“I don’t care about every man’s dream. I’m asking if you, Rokkun, want a harem.”

I couldn’t help but ask forcefully.

“Well, of course… I’d prefer a harem!”

“Really? How many girls are we talking about in a harem?”

“Uh, well… three or more…?”

“Three or more… I see…”

Me, Ma-san, and Shi-chan make three.

Yeah, that’s enough.

“I wanted to have you all to myself… but if that’s what you wish for, I guess it’s okay.”

What Rokkun says is the top priority.

Besides, with this party, it’ll surely be fun.

“We might be able to form a harem soon.”

Rokkun’s eyes sparkled at my words.

He seems to really like the idea of a harem. Well, he’s a boy after all.

“…A harem, huh? I guess it won’t be long before we have one~”

I mutter again while walking behind Rokkun.

…That’s right. Once he realizes Shi-chan’s actually a girl.

And once he realizes that he’s the only boy in a party full of girls.

And after all the members realize they like Rokkun…

Then, if everyone marries, it’ll be the harem that Rokkun wishes for.

“Hey, good morning Honoka. Today we’re finally heading off to the royal capital, huh?”

This morning too, I managed to be the first to see Rokkun’s soft smile.

“Good morning, Rokkun. Looking forward to today~”

A harem might be nice…

But when it’s just the two of us, let me monopolize you, alright?

◇◇

“Rokuto should ride in my carriage!”

“No way! Rokuto is definitely riding in mine!”

“Damn it, you’re so stubborn… At this rate, we’ll never settle this…”

“Same to you… Geez…”

“…Then, let’s have Rokuto himself decide which one of us he prefers.”

“That’s what I want!”

“Which one do you like?!”

“I’m not happy to be fought over by old men, so could you please not fight?”

Early in the morning, I wonder what I’m being shown…

As we were about to head to the royal capital by carriage, I was suddenly caught in a scuffle between two coachmen right in front of me.

Well, the old guys are actually after my “Storage” ability, not me.

There’s a lot to transport to the royal capital, and normally it would require multiple trips, but if they bring me along, they can carry a large load in one go.

I’m quite handy, aren’t I?

“Rokkun, you’re being fought over again~?”

Honoka pops her head out next to me.

“Yeah, not that I’m happy about it though.”

“Being popular must be tough. But we have a departure time to stick to… Could you two just settle it with rock-paper-scissors already?”

“Rock-paper-scissors… pon!!!”

I hadn’t thought of that.

The matter was settled instantly with a game of rock-paper-scissors.

“Nooooo! Damn it!!”

“Alright, Rokuto! I’ll have the carriage ready and waiting! The luggage is in the usual storage, take care of it!”

The bald old guy who lost at rock-paper-scissors kneels in frustration, while the bearded old guy cheerfully heads to his carriage.

“Alright… If only those were cute girls… Wait, where are Shion and Marn?”

The other two are nowhere to be seen.

“They’ll be back in a bit.”

“I see.”

They must have some things to take care of beforehand.

“Ah, I’m sitting next to Rokkun in today’s carriage, okay?”

“Alright. If Honoka’s next to me, we’ll never run out of things to talk about.”

“Hehe~. I won’t let you sleep today~”

Honoka laughs happily at my words.

She seems unusually cheerful today.

Is she that excited about going to the royal capital?