Side Story: Crossing the River

The next day, we'd come to the river to make our way to South Donsama.

As Wataru had said, it was a straight, well-maintained river about a hundred meters wide. Down some stairs about two meters, there was a boat landing where the ferry departed from.

Of course, there was also a sloped path for wheeled vehicles to descend.

However, we weren't at the area to get onto the ferry.

"So, today we'll be crossing the river on foot."

"Hey, hold on."

"What's wrong, Kehma-san?"

"I mean, crossing the river is fine. But how did it come to 'running across the river' being a thing?"

"Because that's this town's specialty, the river crossing challenge!"

Yeah. Following Wataru here, it turned out this was some kind of challenge spot.

It seemed Wataru was somewhat famous here as a successful crosser, too. People taking the challenge were calling out to him. "Wataru-san! Teach me the trick!" and "Yo! Are we gonna see Wataru-sensei run again today?" and "Are those people with you your students?"

By the way, the number of people who'd successfully crossed the river was apparently in the double digits, including Wataru.

"So, how about you give it a try, Kehma-san?"

No way. I don't feel like running across a river. Do I look like some sports junkie to you?

"By the way, Ortega-san, the person who runs the inn we stayed at yesterday, is also among the successful crossers. In this town, people who can cross the river are called heroes."

"Huh, thanks for the info."

"Which is why, Kehma-san, I think you should at least give it a try."

"'Which is why' my butt. I'm not doing it."

"I want to see how well you can do, Kehma."

Rokuko chimed in to support Wataru from the side. Nope! Definitely not doing it!

"It'd be dangerous if I fell into the river. I could drown."

"Oh, don't worry. This place is famous, so there's a rescue team swimming around at all times."

Famous, huh. How much free time do these people have to even have a rescue team? What about monsters? Is it safe? Ah, it's only safe during certain time slots. Huh.

"… Changing clothes after getting wet sounds like a pain."

"You have [Dry] and [Purify]. That should be enough, right?"

Kuh, life magic is too convenient!

And so, it seemed Wataru was dead set on making me try this no matter what.

"Come on, just try it once for fun."

"My policy is to not do things I can't do."

"Come on, just try!"

"There's nothing in it for me."

"You could show off for me, you know?"

Rokuko cut in with a smug look. But that's not a merit for me. If anything, failing would just guarantee a demerit.

"… Goshujin-sama."

Niku looked like she really wanted to try it. Her tail was twitching. She was definitely antsy.

"Kuro. You don't have to hold back for my sake. Go ahead."

"Okay!"

"Oh, so Kuro-chan's participating! Alright, let me show you how it's done."

Saying that, Wataru crouched into a sprinter's stance toward the river.

"Momentum is key! Kehma-san, make sure you watch closely too."

"I'm not doing it though?"

"Here I go! Hoh!"

Completely ignoring me, Wataru took off running. No, it was more like he shot out like a cannonball.

Smack! Smack! He kicked the surface, bounced, and ran right across.

… Putting his right foot forward before his left could sink, then his left before his right could sink, over and over.

Having reached the other side, Wataru came running right back.

"… And that's how you do it. So, what do you think? Did that help?"

"That's inhuman. As expected of a hero."

"Haha, you're making me blush."

You took that as a compliment?

"Um, Kuro, you don't have to push yourself."

"No, I'll do it."

"Kehma-san, you should learn from her attitude."

You can glance at me all you want. I'm still not going to do it, got it?

With that, Niku crouched into a sprinter's stance just like Wataru had.

Concentrating… she burst into a sprint. Splash, splash! She kicked off the water's surface, bounding forward.

Maybe she can actually do it? … But just as I thought that, she sank about halfway across.

Retrieved by the rescue team, Niku was brought back to where we stood.

"Ah, that was close. If you made it that far, you're almost there. They'll take you to the other side if you get past halfway."

"Muu…"

I cast [Purify] and [Dry] on Niku, whose tail was drooping in disappointment.

Then Gozoh stepped forward.

"Alright, I'll give it a shot! Roppu, pick up my bones for me."

"Oh, good luck Gozoh. I'll bring out the good stuff to drink if you make it."

"No way I'm making it! If I fail, bring it out to comfort me."

This time Gozoh took his stance. Again, a sprinter's crouch.

… He broke into a run, but sank on the first step. A nearby rescue team member collected him, and he was back in no time.

"Kuh, I knew it wouldn't work…"

"You made it about two meters at least. There, there."

Having expected the outcome, Gozoh didn't seem too down about it. He used [Dry] on himself.

"Alright, Kehma's up next!"

"No, I'm not doing it. Why are you all so set on making me cross the river?"

"Honestly, I feel like you'd actually make it across, Kehma."

"I think so too."

"Me too."

"That's a lot of expectations… but I can't do what I can't do, you know?"

Haah, fine. If they're going to be like that, why don't I just try it?

"Alright, I get it. I'll just make it to the other side."

"Oh! So Kehma-san's finally getting serious…"

Everyone so far had taken that crouching start, so I… didn't.

I just prepared to run normally.

"Oho. Going classic style, are we…? How refined."

Wataru said that, but I had no clue what he was talking about.

I didn't pay him any mind and took a step into the water. And sank.

Then I just swam toward the other side.

"Wh… at…!?"

It was pretty hard to swim with my clothes on, but even while being pulled downstream, I managed to keep going thanks to Golem Assist.

With that, I made it to the other side.

"… Phew, that was tiring. Hey, you guys, hurry up and get over here!"

"You're totally just swimming though!?"

Rokuko raised a complaint from the opposite shore, but I ignored it. I mean, I never said I was going to run across.

 

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In the end, Rokuko and the others just came along with the coach on the ferry. What the heck, doesn't that just make me look stupid?

"I'm completely defeated, Kehma-san."

Wataru said with a beaming smile. I tilted my head.

"Huh? I never said I'd run across though?"

"That's not what I mean! We'd overlooked the very essence of river crossing to begin with. Essentially, river crossing is for the purpose of reaching the other shore. There was never actually a rule about running across! In other words, Kehma-san, from the moment you started in classic style, it was your victory for returning to the fundamentals!"

What kind of ridiculous, convenient interpretation is that? I'm pulling away from you.

I could only assume Wataru, being celebrated so often, just wanted to lose to someone for once. This guy even enjoys being toyed with by Nerune. He's definitely a masochist.

"I mean, come on, even so, Kehma, that was a bit much. You could have at least taken one step on the water."

"Right? There's no way I won that. I don't know anything about 'fundamentals.'"

Thank goodness. At least Rokuko was being sensible.

Still, Wataru seemed satisfied on his own, and didn't say anything more after that.