While Suzuki was at a loss by Shizuku's words, Kaori came to visit Nagumo's room, like what had happened in the original plot, wearing her quiet, feminine sleeping dress, talking about her worry, and Nagumo's situation, since, unlike Suzuki, who was reliable, Nagumo's situation was just horrible.
After all, Nagumo was a Synergist, a non-combatant job. Instead of forcing himself to join everyone, Kaori felt that Nagumo should have stayed in the castle or inn, as what they encountered tomorrow was dangerous.
Unlike Suzuki, Kaori just couldn't imagine how Nagumo could stay alive somehow.
Yet—
"Thank you, Shirasaki-san."
Nagumo knew he was weak, but he still believed there was something he could do. "I know that I am weak, yet I will try to be useful. I can even fix everyone's weapons, too."
"Nagumo-kun..."
Kaori was helpless, but Nagumo said with a gentle smile, "But, I know that I am weak, so in the case something happens, please protect me, Shirasaki-san." He knew that she was worried about him, and because of that, he knew he had to rely on someone, and if he said that, it would make her feel relieved, right?
After all, Nagumo didn't want to be hopeless; he wanted to be useful to everyone, so he decided to join this dungeon raid, as he had trained a lot.
"....."
Only Kaori was at a loss.
Could she protect Nagumo?
She was a priest!
While her job was counted as a combatant class, her main purpose was for healing, the one who was at the back instead of fighting a direct battle, so for someone like that, could she protect Nagumo?
As she looked at him, it made her feel strange somehow. Previously, she might have been fine and supported Nagumo, as she could see the different quality of courage that Nagumo possessed, yet now?
...stupid.
What did she think?!
Kaori was startled and realized how weird her thoughts were, yet even so, she tried to maintain her politeness and said, "Yes, don't worry, Nagumo-kun. I will protect you."
"Thank you, Shirasaki-san."
Nagumo smiled softly, happy with Kaori's promise. Still, she excused herself and walked away, yet she didn't notice a shadow that watched her coming out from Nagumo's room, causing this shadow to clench his fist tightly, filled with hatred. However, what Nagumo and this shadow didn't know was that instead of returning to her own room, Kaori walked around the inn aimlessly.
While Nagumo felt relieved that Kaori would protect her, Kaori wondered whether she could.
It would be fine if Nagumi had no comparison. Still, Kaori, who had been staying by Suzuki's side most of the time, even though Suzuki and Nagumo had the same non-combatant jobs, they were just different.
Moreover, under Suzuki's teaching, Kaori also knew she shouldn't cling to her naive thoughts, so this time she recognized that Nagumo's kindness and naivety were stupid and extremely childish.
Yes, she knew that it was wrong of her to think so, yet she couldn't help it, as she couldn't help but project Suzuki on Nagumo, which made her fail miserably.
Nagumo might be weak, but he was kind, and he wanted to try so that he wouldn't be a burden to everyone.
Still, Kaori didn't hate this idea, but she hoped for Nagumo, trying to be useful in his own way instead of forcing himself into the battle.
As for Suzuki?
Kaori knew that if Kouki didn't ask, Suzuki would stay at the castle, working together with the guild or the minister of finance to support them from the back, yet as Suzuki was also worried about Shizuku, he decided to help, too, and becoming a support, playing on the role where he could shine instead of forcing himself to be like others.
Everyone had their own strengths, and even if the jobs might seem useless, and couldn't work, Kaori knew how vital each of the roles was, and for Nagumo, who continued to be a fighter despite how she had reminded him previously, and even asked her to protect her... she just felt exhausted. Somehow, as her thoughts continued to occupy her, her feet led her into a place where she shouldn't be.
Yet Suzuki found himself in a situation where he didn't know what to say.
"Comforting Kaori? Are you serious?"
Did Shizuku want him to do the same thing he did with her to Kaori, too?
"...."
What was wrong with his girlfriend?
Yet, when he thought of Kaori and Shizuku together...
'No, no! What am I thinking?!'
Still, living in this world wasn't as easy as it seemed, and as he had been committing many conspiracies, threatening others, and forcing them into submission, it was impossible for him not to be stressed.
Even though it might seem Shizuku was comforted by him, her presence also healed him.
The two of them supported each other, as his heart wasn't that of a machine, and naturally, he could be exhausted, too.
While everyone was physically exhausted, he was exhausted by the constant pressure of trying to solve the world's problems, especially when he couldn't rely on Kouki and Nagumo.
Kouki was obvious, but Nagumo wasn't that reliable either.
While Nagumo was the protagonist of this world, Suzuki didn't like to wait, especially when he wasn't even sure whether his existence would bring a change to the plot.
More importantly, he didn't like relying on others to determine the outcome!
He had his own hands, powers, and abilities, so instead of relying on others, waiting for them to save him, it was better for him to do everything on his own instead of like Gojo, Jiraiya, Go Gunhee, and all others, who relied on the next generations to pass their torch, and left all the mess to the main character, yet the main character couldn't even change the status quo, and also messed up like their mentors.
Still, at this moment, he was at a loss with Shizuku's words, and he couldn't fully comprehend what this young woman was saying.
"I-I know that you might not be able to accept it, but... please... Kaori needs someone to support her, and... you are the only one that I can trust, since if you don't support her... she might break, too, so please comfort her, okay?"
Shizuku knew her words might be messed up, yet their situation was, too.
They were forcefully summoned to another world, and they might die any moment, so to handle all of that stress and pressure, one needed a way to release that pressure on their bodies.
Shizuku was lucky to have Suzuki, but what about Kaori?
Also, she had to admit that he was too strong in that "area," so if she had help, it would be wonderful, she thought.
"You don't have to agree immediately. It is a hard decision, I know, but please reconsider it, okay?"
Shizuku kissed his lips, then excused herself, since she knew that Suzuki needed time to think. Still, Suzuki was at a loss since it wasn't as heavy a decision as his girlfriend thought it would be, especially late at night, when the door of his room was knocked, and there was Kaori in front of his room.
"Um... Suzuki-kun, can-can we talk for a bit?"
"....." Suzuki.
---
By the way, I forgot to say happy 100 chapters!
Also, I broke up with my girlfriend today, so console me.
And, I don't have a harem. I believe in monogamy, even though in my country, it is allowed to have polygamy, but actually, the accurate terminology is called polygyny instead of polygamy. Still, it doesn't matter.
So, who is wrong?
It doesn't matter, but I do have my own mistakes since I snapped when everything overwhelmed me from my work, university, travel times, and how she asked for my attention all the time instead of telling her what my limit is, so she can adjust.
Still, don't worry. I am still writing.