The Virgin Hero Who Fought in the Dungeon for 20 Years Returned to the Surface Only to Find the Population of the World Has Dropped Drastically, with a Male-to-Female Ratio of 1:1000 - 68

Chapter 68: A Stray Dog

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“I’ve got nothing to do.”

“It can’t be helped. Waiting is part of the battle too.”

Having reconciled with Rinka, Ryuuto was bored out of his mind. At Hachiōji Castle, which was now the front lines, the monster army remained entrenched and fiercely resisted, so there had been no movement in the situation.

Perhaps thanks to Rinka’s persuasion, Ryuuto had stopped rushing out meaninglessly and was now forced to remain on standby near the relatively safe main base. Deep down, though he wasn’t particularly skilled with firearms, he wanted to grab a gun, charge into the dungeon, and blow off all the pent-up frustration he’d been carrying. But since he’d made a promise to Rinka, he couldn’t just act selfishly.

Rinka sat elegantly in a chair, gazing up at the blue sky. However, her foot was tapping the ground restlessly. Though her expression remained composed, it was clear that she too was quite impatient inside.

Well, it can’t be helped. There really isn’t anything to do.

His older sister, Kazuki, had left the battlefield to report back to Tokyo, which they had recaptured last year. Yoriaki was using his massive frame to help dig trenches in a relatively safe area. As a result, only three people remained here: Ryuuto, Rinka, and Shougen — the trio of the utterly unoccupied.

“Hey, Shougen.”

“What?”

“I know we’re both so bored, but it physically pains me to keep staring at you.”

“I’m supposed to be your babysitter, you know.”

“Why the hell?”

“Why is that?”

“Seriously now. Do neither of you reflect on your own behavior?”

“Why should we?”

“There’s no need for us to do that, is there?”

“You two… Forget it.”

They looked up absentmindedly at the sky. Wisps of white cloud, like cotton candy, occasionally tore away, drifting and changing shape. Far off in the distance, the army and the Demon Lord’s forces were engaged in fierce combat — the rumbling of field artillery shook the ground like distant thunder.

“What’s that?”

Rinka was the first to notice it.

“Huh? Probably a dog.”

“Yeah, a stray dog. It’s rare to see one these days.”

From the woods to the right of the command post, a single stray dog came sprinting straight toward them. The soldiers on guard, sharp-eyed, noticed it quickly and surrounded it with rifles at the ready. They encircled the dog for a while, but apparently decided it wasn’t dangerous and waved toward Ryuuto’s group.

Ryuuto and Rinka, bored out of their minds, silently began to move toward it — but Shougen quickly stepped in front of them, spreading his long arms wide.

“Why are you stopping us?”

“Out of the way, Shougen.”

“…Just stay put until I go check it out. Please.”

Shougen jogged off. Ryuuto pouted and voiced his displeasure.

“What the hell? That makes it sound like we’re always causing trouble or something.”

“Exactly. Grouping me and Ryuuto together like that — how rude, Shougen.”

“…Huh?”

Soon, Shougen returned, holding a dog in his arms.

“Just a stray. Damn thing caused a stir for nothing.”

Ryuuto had raised many dogs since childhood and was quite knowledgeable about dog. This one was a young Shiba Inu, probably not even a year old. Shougen gently set the Shiba Inu down. Normally, Japanese breeds didn’t warm up to strangers easily, but this one was the exception . It wagged its tail so hard it looked like it might fly off. It was practically overflowing with affection.

“So cute!”

Rinka squealed in a high-pitched voice, making Ryuuto wince and cover his ears. Rinka had a habit of expressing her emotions with complete transparency, and sometimes the volume control on her voice just broke when she was overwhelmed with emotion. 

She spoke to the Shiba in a syrupy, melting voice as she stroked its head and back. Perhaps out of excitement, she had slipped into her native language from the other world — it sounded like how one might speak to a baby.

No way. This is the first time I’ve seen a girl’s eyes actually turning into hearts (♡♡) in real life.

The Shiba seemed unusually affectionate — as Rinka excitedly petted its neck and back, it rolled over with a thud and exposed its belly to them.  It was the quintessential pose of total submission. For the Shiba, it was saying, “Do with me as you will,” a sign of complete trust. Ryuuto, who prided himself on independence, felt slightly indignant.

“Hey. You’re a stray, right? Show a little pride as a wild dog, will ya?”

Flat on its back with its belly up, the Shiba panted happily, tongue hanging out. Though it didn’t wear a collar, its fur wasn’t in bad condition.

“This one’s not a real stray. It must’ve been someone’s pet.”

“Not that unusual these days.”

Shougen wasn’t particularly fond of dogs, so he kept his arms crossed and maintained some distance from the dog.

“Poor thing.”

“Hey, Shougen. This guy—”

“No.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“Ryuuto. You were gonna say something stupid like ‘let’s keep it,’ weren’t you? That’s impossible. This is a warzone.”

“C’mon, even I’m not that unreasonable.”

“Wait, we can’t keep it?”

Rinka asked sadly, crouching down and holding the Shiba’s front paw. Shougen furrowed his brow and scratched the back of his head with his right hand.

“Oh boy. It’s her this time.”

“Look, Shougen. All I wanted to ask was if I could give it a little food. In a way, this guy’s a victim of the humans’ war too.”

“Ugh. You had to say that…”

“Is there no love in your heart?”

“Gah! Getting lectured on love by Ryuuto?!”

“He’s right, he’s right! Shougen, you have no compassion! We should take care of him, just like Ryuuto says!”

“I didn’t say we should keep it, though.”

Ryuuto offered a slight correction. He didn’t have the same overwhelming affection for the pup that Rinka did.

“Listen, Rinka—”

“Nooo! John is going to be our baby!”

Rinka wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck protectively, making herself appear small. Shougen sighed in exasperation.

“C’mon, she already gave it a name. Ryuuto, can you talk some sense into her?”

“Okay, Shougen. Leave it to me.”

With a sly grin, Ryuuto placed a hand on Shougen’s shoulder. Then he crouched down in front of Rinka and gave her a little nod.

“W-What is it?”

“Rinka. You’ve got it wrong. His name… is Tarouu.”

“Don’t mess with me.”

Even Shougen couldn’t hold back a retort.

“He’s John.”

“No, he’s Tarouu. He’s a Shiba, a Japanese dog. You name a german shepherd ‘John,’ not a Shiba.”

“John. Heeere, John. Snack time~”

Rinka pulled out a stick of Umaibou from her pouch. Instantly, the dog stood up on its hind legs and began to spin in place.

“Hey, don’t bribe him with treats! Tarou! Tarou! You like ‘Tarou’ better, right? You’re a true Japanese boy, after all!”

Ryuuto cupped the Shiba’s face and gave it a light head twist, making it yelp pitifully.

“Ah! What are you doing?! You’re the worst, Ryuuto! Unbelievable!”

“I didn’t hurt him! Sorry, sorry! Tarou Shibasaki!”

“Don’t imprint a name on him while I’m distracted! Wait, what?! Shibasaki…?”

“Then how about we meet halfway and go with Johntaro?”

“Well, if Ryuuto’s willing to compromise, I guess I can too.”

“That settles it then, Shougen! This pup’s name is officially Johntaro!”

“What kind of stupid name is that? More importantly, why are you guys trying to adopt a stray dog in the middle of an operation without a second thought?”

“I’ll take good care of him, promise!”

“No you won’t. You killed off all the guppies the class was raising back in fifth grade, remember?”

“I added more later.”

“Do you really think that was something you could just add back?!”

“I got ratted out because of you, and then I got grilled at the class meeting!”

“Ryuuto, poor thing. Shougen, you’re such an unworthy friend.”

“I didn’t rat you out. It’s because you carelessly tossed them out the window! There were tons of witnesses!”

“Ryuuto, you’re an idiot.”

“Tehe.”

“Agh, just watching your husband-wife comedy routine is giving me heartburn. Whatever, it’s not like I have any say in the matter. Do what you want.”

When Shougen said that, Ryuuto and Rinka shouted in unison. 

“Yay, we win!”

And they gave each other a light jumping high five.

“Just one thing—don’t get in the way of the army folks.”

Shougen added with an irritated tone.

“Rinka! Let’s go play frisbee with Johntaro over there!”

“Sounds great!”

“It’s not great at all! That area is a minefield, for crying out loud!”

And so, they ended up—at least temporarily—taking in the stray Shiba Inu named Johntaro.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー