Why not go to JUSCO with me, Valkyrie? Volume 1 Chapter 4

Translator: Crown Princess JUSCO(Kaelpie)    Editor: Ozlarus    TLC: s.h.i.+mizuA, Kenar

Princess Fau: "…Welcome to the Heikei Public elementary school."

Princess Pau: "Oh my, it's the eighth princess of the aliens, you're in the same cla.s.s as me?"

Princess Fau: "…Yeah. All lower grade cla.s.ses from first to third are here. …By the way, the multi-legged infantry is here too."

Multi-legged Infantry: "Kyupi, kyupi"

１

Heike town's otherworld-government-in-exile-asylum policy is also a de-population measure.

As a result, the asylum seekers had free tuition at public schools, and the town hall provides subsidies for the families housing them. This subsidy must be the reason why Grandma, who is a notoriously stingy person, didn't kick out Krau and Princess Pau.

I don't know whether that old hag is being greedy or not, but after learning that they won't put a financial burden on us, Krau seemed a lot more relaxed. Perhaps the subsidy is given by the town hall so the natives wouldn't be worried. By the way, unlike Krau, the princess was relaxing from the start.

And a few days later…

"Well then, let's go."(Rinichirou)

"Ma'am, see you later."(Krau)

"Uu, I'm sleepy…"(Paulirifa)

The time is 7:55 in the morning.

Krau, Princess Pau and I, the three of us leave the house as usual. Princess Pau is dressed as usual only with a radoseru and me and Krau are wearing our school uniforms.

Krau's uniform was just delivered from a clothing store the day before yesterday. It's a countryside cla.s.sic sailor uniform. However, both her hands were fitted with gauntlets and her war sword, Rozeum, was hung from her waist. That was a line the Valkyrie wasn't willing to cross.

In any case, with that getup, we walked for three minutes to the bus stop and from there, it was a ten-minute ride to school. 

When we get off at the bus stop, Princess Pau leaves us and walks to the elementary school. As usual, she stayed up all night on the internet and her legs were dragging due to the lack of sleep.

After seeing the back of such princess, Krau and I head to our cla.s.sroom while chatting with a cla.s.smate we met in front of the bus stop.

"How about my hair? Today I tried changing the style, I braided it a little."(Krau)

"Kisha, shurururu"(Minakami)

"Q…Quit it, if you compliment me so much I'll be embarra.s.sed!"(krau)

Krau was terrified by Minakami when they first met but now they've become close friends. Minakami originally was the guardian G.o.ddess of Atlantis, so she's good dealing with people, which is probably why they get along. Their conversations were often lively.

On the other hand, the other girl in the cla.s.s, Miya is-

"G-Good morning, Krauzera…"(Miyafuji)

"Yes… Good Morning, Miss Miyatou…"

She was still subtly awkward around her.

I don't know why but the two of them don't really open up to each other. Is it because of the attack from the other day?

"Kisha, shururururu?"(Minakami)

What is it Minakami? Why would I be the reason?.

Why do you think that they were competing for me? Krau wanted to marry me merely to obtain nationality and it makes no sense why Miya would burning in jealousy from it.

It's troubling that girls are quick to turn anything into a love story. Krau coming over from Minakami had a blus.h.i.+ng face for some reason.

"Kisha, shuru? Shurururu?"(Minakami)

"….Kuu, Kill!"(Krauzera)

Are you not satisfied if you don't say it at least once a day Krau?

２

-Ding dong dang dong.

The chime echoes the wooden school building

After school, the female knight Krau is busy.

"Kisha, shurururu."(Minakami)(Kaelpie: Minakami is my favourite character)

Although Minakami suggested that everyone goes somewhere together on the way home-

"I'm sorry, but I have to refuse."(Krauzera)

And just like that, Krau refused.

"Kisha, shururu?"(Minakami)

"That's right. Rinichirou's grandmother asked me. After shopping for dinner, I have to dust the hallway, clean up the garden and clean the bathroom."(Krauzera)

Old hag, you are making her work too much as usual.

"Then, with that, I'm leaving."

Krau says that and leaves. It's still too early for the bus so she runs back with her own feet. While watching her back the girls of the cla.s.s start talking.

"Kisha, shurururu…"(Minakami)

"Yeah, well… I'm also somehow worried about Rinichirou's house."(Miya)

Please stop it. Please don't look at me like that, Miya, Minakami.

Especially Miya's eyes. It as if saying "I'm not on the greatest terms with Krau but I cannot overlook something like this".

"It's not like that! I always object! If you listen to what grandma says one by one, it will be endless! But Krau still does it nonetheless!"(Rinichirou)

Also, I'm not letting her do it by herself. I'm helping her out too. It's just that she takes on new tasks as she pleases when I'm not looking.

"Kisha, Shuru?"(Minakami)

"Well, that's true but… Okay, you can put it that way."(Rinichirou)

"Kisha"(Minakami)

３

The rosebud Krauzera was in a modest market, where only half a dozen shops lined up-The so-called 'shopping district' in j.a.pan to buy ingredients for today's dinner

"-Oh Krauzera, you're the one going shopping? Potatoes and onions, are you making nikujaga dinner?"

"-Krauzera, you're such a good child, doing housework all the time. That's right, I'll give you some candy. Because the candy is good for your throat, take three."

"-Oh, Krauzera, would you like to come in and drink some tea? By the way, could you please take that box on top of the shelf? Yeah yeah, the blue one."

Just by walking by, Krau was called out many times. In this town, everyone is friendly. Especially the old people. They're always open and gentle, completely defenseless.

Rinichirou said that "the sense of closeness that unique to the countryside" where "the concept of privacy is almost non-existent".

But, the same goes for a battlefield. Privacy doesn't exist there in the first place. On the frontline where arrows and sowsspells flutter, being alone will cost you your life; in the camp, she slept, changed clothes, and even went to the bathroom together with the other Valkyries. Compared to that, this town is much cozier.

Surrounded by the smiles of old people, a smile slowly appears on Krauzera's face. She smiled more than ever since she came to "Sphera". At the Seta house. At school. In town. This is the first time she used so many facial expressions.

(The people of this town are wonderful… Is it because there is no war here?)(Krauzera)

Of course, she knows that this "Sphera" is not a fantasy utopia. She saw it on the TV news. Just like " Seedbed" there is always conflict happening somewhere, and this Heike town just happens to be peaceful at the moment. But that fact did not impair the appeal of this town to Krauzera.

Before long, she returns to the Seta house and stores the bought ingredients in the fridge. Then she changed into something easy to move — her gym jersey and left the house again.

４

About 30 minutes after Krau have went back from school-

(…that Krau, I wonder what she's doing right now?)(Rinichirou)

While thinking about that, the bus showed up at the school's bus stop.

I'm rocked by the bus as it takes me home. …Though on the way there I saw a familiar figure through the window and quickly got off at the bus stop along the way.

When I got off the bus, there were only green farm fields spread all around me, and in one of those rice paddy,

"Hey Krau, what are you doing?"(Rinichirou)

For some reason, Krau stood there; wearing a red tracksuit and black rubber boots, and with a plastic garbage bag in hand. Moreover, since it was a rice paddy that just has been planted, she was covered in mud.

"Rinichirou huh. 'What I am doing', of course, I'm catching locusts."(Krauzera)

"Catching locusts!?"(Rinichirou)

"That's right. This farmland is pesticide free owned by a friend of your grandmother and I was asked to exterminate the locusts. She believes that I could finish it soon with my skill."(Krauzera)

Grandma, you even asked her to do such a thing.

Now that you mention it, it's already that season. In general, the locust season is autumn but, in this town's case, because of the effect of a scientific experiments accident done 50 years ago, the locust ecology is different and they pop up earlier.

It's a through pest extermination and it's seriously hard work. If you play truant it could cause serious damage.

"If you wanna catch locusts, shouldn't you start from the ridge first?"(Rinichirou)

"Your grandmother's friend seems to have done that. I have been tasked with the one inside the rice paddy."(Krauzera)

So the most troublesome part was forced onto you?

"I have to finish it quickly. Your grandmother told me to clean the garden and water the plants after this."(Krauzera)

Old hag, just how much are you going to make her work?

Krau had picked up the locusts one by one and thrown them into the plastic bag with a swift motion, making it look easy.

"Look Krau, as I've said before… You don't have to do everything Grandma tells you to, okay? If you never refuse that old hag she'll end up working endlessly."(Rinichirou)

But Krau just laughed and answered me

"Don't worry. I'm not doing this unwillingly."(Krauzera)

"Is that so?"(Rinichirou)

"Yes. Her Highness has ordered me to "listen to what Ma'am Grandmother says". Following the will of her mistress is a pleasure for a Rosebud."(Krauzera)

"As I've said, you better stop that. I don't think it's a good idea to just listen to what people tell you blindly."(Rinichirou)

"Haha, even so, please don't worry. In the first place, compared to warfare and sword training, this level of labour is a child's play. This body has fought the orc armies and other countries' rosebuds after all. …Also, I'm enjoying this lifestyle."(Krauzera)

"Is that true?"(Rinichirou)

"It's true. Look at the scenery of this town."(Krauzera)

She turns around to look at her surroundings. The view of green mountains and fields spreading out under a blue sky.

"I live in this beautiful town and being helpful to people with something other than a sword. That makes me tremendously happy. I was brought up to be a rosebud since I was born, all I've ever known was a life of fighting; to be able to be of use with housework and agriculture…"(Krauzera)

"Krau…"(Rinichirou)

While talking unexpectedly heavy words, Krau grabs another locust with her hand. Her muddy face had a satisfied smile.

"This world is wonderful. Every day is full of fresh joy. I'm sure your grandmother gave me work because she sympathizes with my feelings. I'm so happy."(Krauzera)

"No no no no! I'm really sure she didn't!"(Rinichirou)

Krau, aren't you being too gullible here? Because of that, you're being worked to the bone by grandma.

"Good grief… Krau can you turn around for a moment?"(Rinichirou)

It was good that I bring the gym jersey.

"? I don't mind but, what will you do?"(Krauzera)

Then I pulled out my jersey from the sport bag and quickly changed from my trousers after checking if anyone is around.

"Alright, I'm set."(Rinichirou)

"…? Rinichirou, what are you doing?"(Krauzera)

"I've decided. I'm going to help you."(Rinichirou)

Since there were no rubber boots for me I rolled up the sports jersey to above my knees and stepped onto the rice paddy barefoot. It's been a while since I last stepped in the mud with my bare feet. It was lukewarm and ticklish.

"…Are you sure?"(Krauzera)

"Of course. I'm not that heartless to make you do this type of work all alone."(Rinichirou)

I immediately caught a locust with one hand. It's struggling, sandwiched between my fingers.

"Sorry, Rinichirou…"(Krauzera)

"Look, my grandma asked you to do this. You don't need to thank me. Besides, I'm not particularly doing this out of kindness. Minakami and Miya are also worried about you too. Everyone would want to help you."(Rinichirou)

When I answered like that, Krau chuckled again. And then she turned her face to the clear blue sky.

"Haha… This town is really beautiful… The sky is so clear, the mountains so green and the people's hearts…"(Krauzera)

"Is that so."(Rinichirou)

"I-I'll say this just in case,  I'm not looking up because I don't want you to see my face okay! I'm just looking at the sky! Not because I'm crying! Don't get me wrong okay!"(Krauzera)

"What's with you suddenly? Even if you tell me that, I can't really imagine you crying."(Rinichirou)

"U…Uu, if so, then that's good! Perhaps my face might be red but it's not because I was embarra.s.sed! The sun is hot and it's making my face red! Do you understand!?"(Krauzera)

"Y-Yeah, I got it."(Rinichirou)

She's been staring at the sky for a while now, but I can't tell if she's trying to hold back the tears or just looking at the sky. In any case, one thing is for sure.

Krau, a female knight who came from a different world, was enjoying her life here. The life in this unremarkable countryside town.

-But, there's also someone who didn't. 'Being able to like the countryside' is a kind of special skill. Not everyone can do it.

While Krau and I were catching locusts and putting them in a bag, catching, putting them in the bag, rinse and repeat- A familiar face walked by on the side of the road.

"…Everyone, carry on. …Heave ho, heave ho."

[[Kyupi, kyupi]]

"As expected from the eighth princess, showing such kindness to such person. This minister Wii is impressed."

It was Miya and the aliens, the 'legitimate provisional government of Hastur Intergalactic Military Empire' bunch.

By the command of the seven-year-old of the eighth princess Fau, about 10 of the multi-legged infantrymen carried *something* with great enthusiasm.

If you look at it closely-

"That is…Her Highness!? Wait, you aliens! Where are you taking my master!"(Krauzera)

Krau noticed, and raised her voice.

Yeah. It was the princess. The aliens were carrying Krau's master, Princess Pau.

５

"Hold it! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, what are you doing, kidnapping my mistress… [omitted] …Kill!"(Krauzera)

Hey Krau, your j.a.panese is weird.

"What's with that [omitted], Krau?"

"Y-yeah… What I wanted to say was: 'What are you doing, kidnapping my mistress? Don't tell me, are you going to humiliate the princess? Or do you want to humiliate me by taking the princess as a hostage? You must be intended to humiliate me as revenge for the other day but since you can't fight me face to face you had to take a hostage to blackmail me, right?! Just like the game her highness was playing. Just like the cheap female-knight-got-humiliated type eroge game. However, if my mistress is captured, I can't do anything against you and will have no choice but to be humiliated. But I'm a proud Rosebud of the Holy Eis United Kingdom, I would choose death before humiliate. Kill me.' but it was too long and got omitted."(Krauzera) (Kaelpie: You better be grateful I translated all that cuz I could've just as well put: "RAPE? RAPE? RAPE? RAPE. RAPE. RAPE. RAPE. RAPE. KILL.")

No, I pretty much knew what the contents of [omitted] were! Or rather it was almost exactly like I imagined! Even if I look like this, I got a good mark on Modern j.a.panese subject! And it was filled up with reading between the lines!

"And also…It's because you told me to 'stop using the word humiliate so much'. I thought it was vulgar so I had it omitted…"(Krauzera)

And yet you said it all in the end. But it's good to feel shy.

"But don't get me wrong Rinichirou! Don't you ever think that I did it to please you! Do you get it?!"(Krauzera)

"Let's stop with this topic, okay! It doesn't matter right now! What about the princess!"(Rinichirou)

"Ah, w-well, yeah. Aliens, return the princess!"(Krauzera)

Krau blocks the aliens' path, still in her muddy rubber boots and gym jersey, using the insect net in place of a sword.

However, princess Fau told Krau.

"…Female knight, we met at such a good place. …I'm not here to humiliate you."(Fau)

"What did you say…? Then why?"(Krauzera)

"…I brought her along because Pau suddenly collapsed. …We were playing in the park together and she suddenly fainted."(Fau)

Wait, you two are close friends? I heard they were in the same cla.s.s in elementary school so it's good they've become friends.

But why would she faint…

"…I told her that 'Jump is published on Tuesday around here' and then fainted while letting out a weird noise."(Fau)

What kind of reason is that!? On the other hand, the princess in question fainted while muttering deliriously,

"Mhhmmmm… I already, can't buy jump on Monday…"(Pau)

She mumbling that like she was having a nightmare. Is it that much of a shock?

"Your Highness, I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know you liked jump that much…"(Krauzera)

However, when she heard Krau, the eighth princess Fau shook her head.

"…Wrong. …That's not the case, female knight."(Fau)

"It's not?"(Krauzera)

"…It's not that she doesn't get to read jump. …She when she knew that 'While everyone in j.a.pan is reading Jump on Mondays, it's not available in this countryside where she lives', she fainted out of sadness."(Fau)

That's right… I understood that. The release date of Jump is not only a number.

I could imagine how sad and painful it must be for everyone in the world to have something in their hands except you just because 'I live in this town'. That's why the princess fainted.

It seems Krau understood as well, as she quietly cast her eyes down.

"Is that so… For her highness, this place is too painful."(Krauzera)

Krau stops catching locusts, picks up princess Pau from the aliens, hangs her on her back and carries her home. If it's by her foot, it's a minute from here to my house.

６

A few minutes later at my house.

"My poor princess…. I'm humbled by your company and yet…."(Krauzera)

Krau gazed at the princess Pau slept in the futon beside her.

Her face is like that of a mother whose child fell sick. In this short time, she(Krau) seems to have gotten a little haggard.

"Rinichirou, does this disqualify me from being a rosebud?"(Krauzera)

"…? Why would you say something like that all of a sudden?"(Rinichirou)

"Her Highness was suffering so much, but I couldn't notice. On the contrary, I even enjoyed living in this town! This town that tormented her highness! As a knight(rosebud) who sworn to protect his master, this is nothing but a disgrace…"(Krauzera)

"That's…"(Rinichirou)

"I was convinced 'Because it's such a comfortable town for me, her Highness must be pleased as well'… Oh, how stupid I am!"(Krauzera)

Strictly speaking, she's right.

Krau probably could enjoy the countryside because she has the calmness of an adult. While she is the same age as me, she was also a soldier- in other words, a real adult and a full member of the society.

But the princess is different. She was but a child. Moreover, she knew what a gorgeous city is albeit small parts of it… You can't get her to like this town.

"Your Highness, please forgive me… Kuh, This is why someone please kill me!"(Krauzera)

That was the heaviest 'Kill me' so far.

In the futon, Princess Pau squirmed in her sleep.

"Mmmhmmm… It sucks that Jump comes out on Tuesdays… And then Goraku[1] somehow come out on Thursday here in Chubu; that schedule drives me mad, mhmmhmmm…"(Paulirirfa)

…Wait, isn't her sleeptalk oddly relaxed!?

"Mmm hmmm… Let me explain. The Weekly Manga Goraku (aimed for an adult man) is published on Friday nationwide, but just in Chubu region, they're out one day earlier. This is nothing but a trivia."

What a trivia worth to die for. You, you actually already awake, don't you?

"Mhmmhmmm… Those child from lower grade of elementary school, you've comes to the park to play, why are you sucking on flower's nectar. Cops and robber, and the like… Nowadays, when children gather in the park to play, usually it should be 3DS or PSP… It's already become a social problem, so why you all didn't do it too… well, those nectars are sure a delicacy, and the cops and robber is also kind of fun but…"

It's fine as long as you had fun, right. It's something that won't be a social problem you know.

Thanks to the princess' stupid sleeptalk, the serious mood has been dissipated. I don't feel the need to pity after all.

However, Krau still keeps her gloomy face. For her who has a high sense of pride, it hurts her to see her suffer even with that stupid sleeptalk.

"Hey Rinichirou, What should I do?… What do you think I should do to help her highness?"(Krauzera)

"Krau…"(Rinichirou)

For example, if they were to move to the city, I'm sure that princess' stress would be gone.

However, it would be difficult for otherworld refugees to get a permanent resident except in Heikei. Different from what grandma have said, there is no way you can simply get j.a.panese nationality by marrying a j.a.panese.

In the first place, a human being couldn't simply change their residence. Even that also true for a native j.a.panese. There many who want to abandon their hometown, but continue to be bound by the land where they live.

Therefore, the realistic solution for this is-

"It can't be helped then… Let's give the princess a little chance to taste the City's air."

"The City's  air?"

Tomorrow is a Sat.u.r.day, a day off. Good timing.

To those sad people who long for the distant city, but stuck to live surrounded by greenery- There is a place that could heal our heart.

The so-called JUSCO. A utopia for our weekend.

Footnotes:

Goraku or Weekly Manga Goraku, manga magazine published by Nihon Bungeisha since 1968.