Chapter 49: Hero Candidate - D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. ②

Yukiya touched his chin thoughtfully—looking irritatingly picturesque even in that pose—then suddenly said:

"Dai, Esattamente: Tu Ora... hey, honestly, how is it? Non Avrai Talento Estero—don’t tell me you can’t actually speak Italian?"

…What the hell?

"Di ciò Espresso, from what’s been spoken, Trovo Ogni Nuance—I can find every nuance. Anche Tacendo Emotioni—even if emotions are hidden."

…What the hell are you saying too?

D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. responded to Yukiya without missing a beat. In other words, they were actually having a conversation. I was the only one left behind. Yukiya, impressed, said:

"That’s amazing. You can do it in Italian too."

"I’m shocked you can speak Italian, I’m shocked D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. can speak Italian, and I’m shocked you can even make Detonate-phrases in Italian. I’m exhausted."

"It’s my native language."

"You’re Italian!?"

"My blood is half Japanese, half Italian. I was born in Italy and lived there for a while before moving here, so Japanese is actually my second language."

"Your Japanese is way too good!"

So it wasn’t that he could just speak Italian—Japanese was something he’d learned later. I hadn’t noticed at all. His pronunciation was that natural. Now that I thought about it, Yukiya’s eyes were blue. I had suspected he had some foreign blood, but I hadn’t guessed it was Italian.

"You spoke English too, right? Trilingual? Man, humanities students really are something else."

"Inori-san. Not all humanities students are trilingual. It just so happens I’m a trilingual humanities student."

"Either way, that’s awesome. So the reason you get tongue-tied when nervous is because you’re juggling foreign languages, huh? Were you a big deal back in Italy?"

Yukiya smiled. That smile looked a little sad… which probably meant exactly that. Better not press further. Maybe he was right, maybe I was expecting too much out of the humanities.

"Dunque, Eri Tu Ormai… of course, it’s you, isn’t it. Nel Atto Terminale, Eh… already heading toward the end?"

In Italian, D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. addressed Yukiya. For someone like D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E., who rarely spoke unless spoken to, this was unusual.

"What was that?"

I never thought the day would come where I’d have to ask someone else what D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. was saying. Maybe I should hand over the title of Doctor of D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. to Yukiya. But Yukiya shook his head.

"No, I didn’t fully understand. I get the meaning of the words, but his way of speaking is poetic, and without knowing more of the context, it’s hard to grasp the true intent. I’d like some more time to talk with him."

I was moved by those words.

"You actually want to keep talking with D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.…!?"

Anyone would think conversations with D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. are a hassle. I’ve always thought so myself. But I’m the only one who can really understand him, and if he ever wants to communicate something, I have to be the one to listen, or else he’ll be stuck in loneliness forever. It’s too heavy a responsibility for just me. Yukiya felt like divine help.

"I’ll lend a hand, as best I can. Inori-san, you don’t seem to have many humanities friends anyway."

Yukiya laughed at that.

"But today, we came to talk with Nemunemu, right? Let’s go. They're busy, so who knows if we’ll even catch them today."

And so, our weird little group happily entered the amusement park.

Luckily, we managed to find Nemunemu right away.

When I introduced D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. to them, they raised both hands and leaned backward like performing a figure skating move—a perfect Innbauer. It was an incredibly expressive reaction of surprise.

Nemunemu spread their arms wide, making a gesture as if they were about to release a chi blast. What the…?

They looked up at Yukiya, but Yukiya had the same “what?” expression.

Only D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. watched silently and shook their head.

Nemunemu nodded, bent down, and touched the ground.

Seeing that, D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. slowly nodded.

Nemunemu then shook their head vigorously while nodding.

What the hell is going on?

"...This is amazing. I don’t even know whether Nemunemu is amazing or D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. is amazing in this situation."

I didn’t understand a thing, but somehow they were communicating perfectly with each other.

I wanted to suspect telepathy, but probably neither of them had any special abilities like that.

"Aren’t they both amazing? I guess I wasn’t needed at all."

"No, the more people who can hold a conversation with D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E., the better."

"I’m glad I got to meet D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. too. I’ve wanted to meet him for a long time."

"Really?"

"Yes. I… well, let’s leave that story for another time. Please make time for me again someday, Inori-san."

What’s with this cute thing he just said?

He was still saying things that could pass as a romantic confession in a rom-com, but judging by the blank look he gave when I pointed it out earlier, he was just being completely oblivious.

A natural-born charmer. Truly a cute junior. Makes you want to fuss over him.

"If that’s what you want. I relied on you a bit too much, asking you to do certain things. If you have any complaints, I’ll listen."

"…I was being relied on?"

"Huh?"

Yukiya looked completely clueless, and I was surprised. He hadn’t realized at all. Or maybe I just hadn’t expressed it clearly enough myself.

Damn it. I always think most things should be communicated in words, yet I had failed to do so myself.

"Of course. I left that little Hinanoko in your care because I trusted you’d handle it somehow. But you’ve got your own life, you’re doing hero work, and on top of that, you’re a university student. Of course you’re busy. There’s not much I can do to help, but well, I can at least accompany you for stress relief."

"You must be busy too, Inori-san. But it feels good. Knowing someone as amazing as you is counting on me… it actually motivates me."

I don’t know exactly how amazing he thinks I am, but if it gives him motivation, that’s enough.

He still had a way of casually complimenting people and making them feel good.

"Then next time, you have to go bowling with me! I’ve always wanted to go, but it’s hard to do alone!"

"Leave it to me. I can do anything alone. I’ll teach you that kind of spirit."

"That kind!?"

Yukiya panicked for a moment, thinking he’d be sent to bowl alone, and I chuckled lightly.

"I’m joking. We’ll set a date and go together next time."

"Yes!"

"…By the way, should we invite anyone else?"

"I don’t know who you’d invite, and that scares me. Just you, please!"

If it’s anyone other than heroes or villains, only non-humans can come.

I could call Sudama along, but she’d probably get in the way of bowling, so it’s better to avoid it.

Eventually, Nemunemu waved us off with a gesture like they'd "worked up a good sweat."

D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. only nodded or shook their head, but Nemunemu seemed to understand everything from that.

As for D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s hero costume, it seemed Nemunemu would take care of it, so that should be fine. Thanks, Nemunemu.