Episode 1: I was summoned to another world, but I was abandoned because I was "unemployed"

"Oh, brave hero! I'm glad you came!"

　The boy was shocked by that familiar line...I Am Hanakiru Uta stands there, stunned.

　In front of me was an arrogant old man sitting on a throne.

　Looking around, the room is reminiscent of a Western castle, with its white walls and pillars.

　And...at his feet was a magic circle with a geometric pattern drawn on it.

　What this situation means is that...

"Summon to another world...?"

　It wasn't Uta who tweeted that.

　It was one of the friends I was supposed to be walking home with.

　Uta wasn't the only one in the middle of the magic circle; there were four other people there too.

　They are classmates at the same high school and have been friends since childhood.

　He was wearing his high school uniform blazer and had a confused look on his face.

Nagumo Tatsuya

　He is a boy with a refreshing face and is the leader of the group.

　He has excellent grades. He is the ace of the soccer team and an athlete. He is a perfect person who is popular with girls.

Chika Kitagawa

　A tall girl with long brown hair in a ponytail.

　A tall girl who is the captain of the girls' basketball team. She is loved by boys, but even more so by girls, she is like a prince.

Higashiyama  Miko

　A gal with short dyed blonde hair and ear piercings.

　A fashionable girl who seems to be active as a reader model. Even though it's the same uniform, when she wears it, it looks like a different outfit.

Nishinomiya Kazuha

　A beautiful and pure girl with glossy black hair like a crow's feathers that reaches down to her waist.

　She is the daughter of a flower arrangement master. Her every move is beautiful, and you can sense her good upbringing. Her pure and dignified features are like those of an exquisite Japanese doll.

　And... that boy, Hanakiru Uta.

　He is of average build and  He has average features. His grades and athletic ability are both average.

　Compared to the four others who stand out so much, he just feels out of place.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　Because of my unusual katakana name, I was often teased by my classmates in elementary school.

　However, he doesn't dislike his name that much, as it's thanks to it that he's been able to become good friends with his four childhood friends.

"Thank you for responding to my summons, heroes. I ask that you save our country!"

　Ignoring the confused Uta and his four childhood friends, an arrogant man sitting on the throne in front of them...probably the King, continued speaking.

　The King's words can be summarised as follows:

　The name of this country is the Kingdom of Fafnir.

　A country in the south of the continent. It is fairly large, but not large enough to be called a great power.

　To the north lies a country called Demon Country, inhabited by non-human races, and its Demon King is waging a war of aggression against the surrounding countries.

　For now, another country is acting as a buffer, so the Kingdom of Fafnir is unharmed. However, the Demon King's evil hand will eventually reach out to it.

　In order to save the country, he carried out a summoning of a hero, a tradition passed down since ancient times.

　After listening to the King's explanation, Tatsuya asked on behalf of the group.

"So, we were summoned to fight the Demon King? Is there no way to return to our world?"

"Um... If we defeat the Demon King, we'll know how to return to our world."

　No, why?

　I understand why this country summoned us, but the idea that defeating the Demon King would reveal the way back home seems odd.

　I can't help but think that this is just an excuse to get them to fight the Demon King.

　It seems they all had the same question, and the other four besides Uta all had doubtful looks on their faces.

"Now then, let me check your 'job'. I'd like you to place your hand over this crystal."

"...Then I'll do it."

　He probably thought that resisting in this situation would not be a good idea.

　Tatsuya represented the group and touched the crystal held by the wizard-like man.

　Then, letters that look very similar to the alphabet appear in the crystal ball.

"Wow... This person's job is 'Hero'! Wonderful!"

"Am I... the hero?"

　Tatsuya had a complicated look on his face after hearing the magician's words.

　Although he isn't completely opposed to being chosen as the hero, he probably can't fully accept the situation.

"Well then, I'll be next..."

　Next, Chika, Miko, and Kazuha touch the crystal in that order.

　Their titles were displayed on the crystal: 『Sword Saint』, 『Sage』, and 『Saint』.

"Amazing! It seems summoning you all was not a mistake after all!"

　The King cheered and looked at Uta with expectant eyes.

　Uta had no choice but to touch the crystal.

"Huh... 'Unemployed'?"

　The wizard muttered.

　There was a commotion in the throne room and the King looked obviously uncomfortable.

"Hmm... Perhaps the boy over there is just an ordinary citizen who got caught up in the summoning. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"No... that's fine though..."

　Uta grimaces.

　He may have been trying to hide it, but ever since the word "unemployed" appeared on the crystal, the King had been openly looking down on Uta.

"So... what should I do? Being unemployed means I can't fight the Demon King, right?"

"I will give Lord Uta a dowry, so I would like him to go down to the town and live there."

"Wait a second! You mean kick him out?!"

　Chika cried out in protest.

"We're going to be training in this castle, right? Does that mean I'm going to be separated from him?!"

"No way. There's no way I'd kick Uta out."

"I-I don't want to be separated from Uta either."

　Following Chika, Miko and Kazuha also raise their voices in protest.

　Tatsuya has a strange look on his face.

　Uta and Tatsuya have been friends since childhood, but their relationship has become a bit complicated recently.

　Apparently, three other girls were involved in this... but Uta didn't quite understand the details.

"However, if you stay in the castle, you will also be caught up in the battle with the Demon King. There is also a possibility that you will be taken hostage by the enemy, so I think it would be safer if you left the castle."

"But still..."

"Ummm... Chika, it's fine. I don't mind leaving the castle."

"Uta?"

"Hey... Uta! What are you talking about?!"

"Y-yes, Uta!"

　The three girls were packed up.

　Uta takes a step back and expresses his opinion.

"No no, I'm unemployed so I'd be a burden here. Besides... I want to go down to the town and find a way to return to my original world from another direction. Even if I defeat the Demon King, there's no guarantee that I'll be able to return to my original world."

"it is……"

"I'm fine... you know that, right?"

"…………"

　When I told them to include them, the three of them reluctantly backed down.

　Apparently, he understood.

　Uta breathes a sigh of relief.

"Well then, I'll be leaving the castle. You'll give me an allowance, right?"

"Ah... it's a bit of a distance to the castle town, so I'll have a soldier guide us."

"Thank you very much."

　Uta gives a token thank you, accepts the money, and leaves the castle.

　My friends looked like they wanted to say something, but I just smiled and said, "Don't worry."