Ten Years After Falling Into Another World, My High School Classmates Were Summoned as Heroes

“Houshiyou, this is your share of the job this time.”

In the tavern at dusk, I distribute the share of this job with my party member and long-time partner.

“Isn’t it a bit too much?”

While lifting the heavy bag after finishing the sorting, I ask Ain.

“Ah, the scheduled escort journey this time was supposed to be ten days, right? Thanks to Houshiyou, the itinerary was shortened by two days, and the client was thrilled.”

“Is that so? In that case, I will gratefully accept it.”

Putting the received bag into a space-saving storage box, this skill may have a small capacity, but it’s so convenient that I don’t have to carry my belongings around.

“However, your skill is really enviable… With that, you could probably make a living as a merchant.”

“Really? It only fits in one bag, and living things can’t go in, so it’s not that much, right?”

“Even so, being able to transport jewels and valuables without risk is quite an advantage, isn’t it?”

While drinking the delivered ale, Ain says.

“Ah… honestly, I wouldn’t recommend that. In the past, I was almost turned into a slave because of that.”

“Yeah, it’s easy to pull off with your skills.”

“Stop it, once those kinds of rumors start, it really becomes a hassle.”

“I’m sorry, I know you’re not that kind of person, but those strangers eavesdropping will misunderstand.”

Ain looks around, and the adventurers who were eavesdropping avert their eyes.

“If you feel bad about it, treat me to a drink.”

“Alright, alright, Ryu-chan, give this guy the top-notch stuff.”

Ain calls out to the cat beast girl who is the shop’s mascot. The “top-shelf” he ordered is not the cheap ale we are drinking, but rather aged ale. Of course, the price for ale is around four to five copper coins, but for aged ale, it’s double that.

“How unusual, for you to treat me so generously.”

“What’s this, have you forgotten?”

He looks at me with a face that seems exasperated.

“Hmm? What do you mean? Is it your wedding anniversary with your wife?”

“No, that’s next month… No! Hah… Today marks five years since you and I teamed up, right?”

Is that so? I don’t really know because we’ve been working together for such a long time.

“Ah… now that you mention it, I guess I will treat you too… Ryu-san, I’ll have one of the top items as well.”

“Alright, but you two, this is unusual~”

He had set aside my share, sniffs with their nose twitching. The aged ale has an alluring and rich aroma that makes my throat rumble.

“Ah, it’s been five years since I teamed up with this guy today! It’s a milestone!”

Ain, who comes up cheerfully and puts his arm around my shoulder, pushes away Ain, who smells sweaty after work.

“Oh, I see~ Then I’ll hurry and bring it since we’re going to toast~”

While skillfully balancing with its tail, it smoothly makes its way to the old man, exchanges a few words, and quickly brings back the goods.

“Alright then~ you two, feel free to order more if you’d like!”

“Ah well~, I can’t really ask for that much, can I? Then, Ain.”

I hand the mug to Ain.

“Alright, I’ll take it!”

The two of us clinked our mugs together, raised them in cheers, and began the celebration.

◇◆◇◆

After a while of starting to drink, Ain looked up as if he remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, I happened to overhear something while I was at the guild earlier. It seems that the Holy Kingdom, our country, has summoned a hero.”

“Hero summoning?”

“What, you don’t know about hero summoning?”

“Yeah, I know, but…”

Honestly, it sounds all too familiar and brings back unpleasant memories.

“What’s wrong? You’re drinking, but you look pale?”

Ain asks curiously.

“Ah, sorry, it’s nothing. So, what about the hero summoning?”

“Well, it doesn’t really concern us. It’s not really our business, but I just overheard a bit.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t concern us… but there’s something going on, right?”

I can’t believe Ain would bring up this topic for no reason.

“No, not really? It was a huge topic of conversation in the guild. Well, if I had to say, it doesn’t really concern us that much.”

I almost slipped at those words; indeed, the upper echelons of the Holy Kingdom and the adventurers don’t have much interaction.

“More importantly, shouldn’t you be starting a family soon?”

Ain is quite drunk and has a red face and is getting all clingy.

“What’s with the suddenness? Or rather, aren’t you pretty drunk…”

“Yeah, I really feel it deeply. When I come home, my wife is there, and I realize how important it is to be able to dive into her embrace and be healed!”

“It’s fine to passionately argue, but isn’t it bad to leave your wife behind and drink the night away here?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine, today is a celebratory day!! Ryu-chan~ one more drink!!”

After being called, Ryu-chan comes over looking a bit exasperated.

“Meow, you said you were looking forward to a refill. Aren’t you drinking a bit too much?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! That’s right, Houshiyou! How about Ryu-chan!? She’s cute, popular, and has a good personality.”

Ain points at Ryu-chan and says something outrageous, and then a meat cleaver comes flying.

“Hey, Ain. Did you say something?”

Peeking out from behind the counter is a muscular cat beastman, the master of this establishment and Ryu-chan’s father.

“Ah… no… that… Houshiyou was saying something like he wants to marry Ryu-chan…”

This guy actually sold me out!?

“Oh? Houshiyou, I thought you were a decent adventurer, but you’ve been looking at my daughter like that?”

The killing intent is directed at me, and just that makes me feel like I might sober up.