I Got Fired as a Hero Today - Vol.1 Chapter 15: Arata, Dreaming on the Sickbed

He returned to the dormitory.

He’s really tired from walking non-stop. An alternate world without trains, buses, or taxis is physically demanding.

The carriage was running, but he didn’t even know how to get on it.

It might be something only nobles ride.

Ankle pain, headache. There was no sign of improvement. In fact, the ankle seemed to have worsened, possibly because he had been walking around.

He didn’t have lunch because he had no appetite.

He’ll just stay in his room and brew some healing potions.

He really needs to take a break, but he still wants to practice making recovery potions.

The set of healing potions contained many unknown materials that one would never encounter in the original world.

However, these seem to be some of the cheaper materials for recovery potions, such as the herb rat whiskers. These are whiskers from rats that have been raised on herbs as food.

The higher-tier materials for this would be dragon whiskers or unicorn manes, for example.

If he uses materials that are difficult to obtain, the effectiveness of the healing potion will also increase.

Crush these materials finely, simmer them, and infuse them with magical power to create a healing potion.

By the way, since the antidote is made in a similar way, he also bought some poison-removing herbs.

When he was working like this, he thought he could acquire a new skill on the status screen, but nothing appeared.

It doesn’t go so smoothly.

Are the conditions under which something is displayed as obtainable based on a critical situation or according to necessity?

Or is it not possible to acquire any skill?

He doesn’t know if they exist, but he wants skills like those of an [Alchemist] or an [Alchemical Engineer].

For now, he tried drinking the recovery potion he made.

It was bitter and hard to drink.

It feels like it worked for his ankle and headache, but then again, it doesn’t.

As the shopkeeper of the tool store explained, the effect is probably just so-so.

He was exhausted as he lay down on the bed.

He fell asleep just like that.

◆◆◆

Again, he was dreaming about old memories.

The sound of the machine’s motor echoes.

The smell of machine oil.

This is a memory of when Arata was working at a small factory.

“This month is almost over. Please prioritize the tasks due on the 20th.”

Arata was instructed to do so by the department head.

The amount of work that was brought to him was quite substantial.

Considering the remaining days, he had no choice but to work overtime.

He was exhausted as he returned home to find the lights on in the apartment.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back!”

Since he had given Kotoko a spare key, she could come and go freely at any time.

When Kotoko visits at night, she usually stays over.

Arata took a shower right away.

The smell of factory oil clinging to the body is unpleasant for those who are not working.

Kotoko is not good at cooking.

Since he could do things he learned in home economics class, he was able to cook rice and make miso soup.

That said, Arata was also tired from work and found cooking to be exhausting.

He was grateful for all the preparation he did.

He grilled fish, made a salad, and ate.

After her university lectures, Kotoko went out with her friends and had a meal.

Since she also works part-time, doesn’t Kotoko, the university student, have more free time and pocket money?

Kotoko had been spending more time playing video games in Arata’s apartment room.

This is because Arata doesn’t have time on weekdays.

Kotoko preferred playing RPGs over action games.

It seems she likes to steadily accumulate experience points and clear the game.

So, Kotoko also cleared the RPG that Arata had bought but got bored with halfway through and never finished.

Since they could only play outside on Sundays, they cherished their days off.

“Arata, where are we going next Sunday?”

“Aquarium?”

“It’s a classic.”

“No?”

“Sure. Do you want to go see a movie afterward?”

“Let’s do that.”

Kotoko was popular at university too and received many invitations.

Since Arata understood that, they were actively going out together on dates without cutting corners.

It’s really just an ordinary scene of Arata and Kotoko’s daily life.

The scene changes again.

It’s the memory of that day.

Kotoko, who usually wears warm-toned makeup, had a makeup color she had never seen before.

She had transformed into a cool makeup look with cool-toned colors.

“I’ve fallen in love with someone.”

Kotoko’s eyes were not looking at Arata.

Why?

He’ll make her happy.

Is it really going to end that easily?

The man who came is giving off a dependable vibe.

Tanned, riding in a truck, the next president.

Jealousy, envy, anger, murderous intent.

However, he didn’t want any of those emotions to be perceived.

Even if he had murderous intent, there was no way he could carry it out.

Even if they were to fight, he would probably end up getting beaten.

He can only cry and give up.

He didn’t want anyone to know how miserable he was.

So, he calmly continues training and pretends to be his normal self.

It’s not to become a hero.

To survive in this world.

◆◆◆

Arata woke up with a headache.

It was getting dark outside the window.

His condition hadn’t improved.

Rather, it had gotten worse.

He can’t even make a sound.

There’s no medicine. He has already taken the recovery potion. Saliva and nasal mucus are dripping down.

Tears also flow.

A [Healing] spell was added to the light attribute.

However, he can’t use healing magic.

Even if he can heal others, he can’t heal himself.

The magic he wants right now isn’t that.

He wants a magic spell or skill that can heal himself.

He can’t even sit up.

Arata had already resigned himself to the fact that he would die like this.

Dying without having anything.

When he reached under the bed, he grabbed something.

It was the leftover herbs from making the healing potion.

It’s the unprocessed medicinal herbs that were growing wild in the mountains.

Since it’s called a medicinal herb, it must have some kind of efficacy.

He put it in his mouth and chewed it noisily.

His eyes are vacant.

The last sight he saw was Chloe and Suzu.

The fortune teller also said that he’s just an ordinary man.

It was great to meet such beautiful girls.

He lost consciousness while thinking about such things.

◆◆◆

She was gazing at the moon.

The moon in this world is different from the moon on Earth.

Kotoko was thinking about her parents on Earth and her friends from university.

People who are not here right now.

For Kotoko, the most reliable person right now is Atsushi.

She also thinks it’s a bit questionable to rely on a guy she has only been dating for about two weeks.

Somehow, Kotoko’s feelings for Arata had cooled down, and with her friend’s invitation, she decided to join a mixer.

The Atsushi she met there, unlike Arata, seemed to have financial stability.

Atsushi liked Kotoko and they went out with the group several times.

That was something Arata didn’t know.

Before long, Kotoko found herself drawn to Atsushi.

Having a car was also a big deal.

Indeed, it’s nice to travel by bicycle, bus, or train with someone she likes, but having them come pick her up at home is a big deal.

Women wake up earlier than men and take more time to get ready, including doing their makeup.

From there, if she has to transfer trains to get to her destination, she feels burdened.

As long as she’s ready, Atsushi will come pick her up and take her to the date course by car.

For Kotoko, who had only ever dated Arata, it was a new experience.

She looked at the night view, stayed at the hotel, and was held in Atsushi’s arms.

Kotoko wants to believe that her choice is not wrong.

Arata was kind and was doing his best for himself.

But as a woman, it’s only natural to be attracted to those who already have something rather than those who don’t.

But… Kotoko cried a little.

Is that for Arata?

Was it because she was intoxicated by the sight of herself gazing at the moon?