Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (LN) - Volume 5 - Chapter SS5

The Stands 

It was a peaceful, sunny day in the floating city of Erisen. Lately, however, the city had been anything but peaceful. Today, like usual, Hajime was sitting on the pier practicing his transmutation. One of the causes of the city’s troubles walked up to him. 
“Hajime-kun, can I sit next to you?” 
“That you, Kaori? You know you don’t have to ask permission for each little thing, right?” 
Kaori blushed, and sat down close to him. Extremely close to him. Close enough that Hajime had a hard time concentrating on his transmuting. She was also in her swimsuit. 
Hajime turned to Kaori, planning on telling her to respect his personal space, when she was blown off the pier. She flew through the sky, flipping over herself multiple times, and fell into the water with a loud splash. Yue walked up and took the spot Kaori had vacated. Though she was as expressionless as usual, Hajime could tell she was satisfied. She sat down next to Hajime and stretched her bare legs. 
“Yue, did you just...” 
“What are you making, Hajime?” 
Looks like she’s at it again today too. Yue pretended she hadn’t just blown Kaori into the water and looked curiously at Hajime’s work. But before she could do much more, Kaori pulled herself back onto the pier. She was dripping wet, and her bangs covered her face so that she looked like a certain horror movie antagonist. 
“Yue, do you have anything to say for yourself? I’ll give you one chance to explain.” 
“? Who are you?” 
A vein pulsed in Kaori’s forehead. Invisible sparks flew as their gazes met. 
“Fufufu, you’re a funny one Yue. I can’t believe you’ve forgotten about the person you just threw into the sea. Is your memory really that bad?” 
“Oh. I remember now, you’re Kaori. You’re so gloomy I always forget who you are. You should try and do something about that gloominess of yours.” 
“I think you’re the one that needs to fix that leaky brain of yours.” 
Kaori and Yue both started laughing. Yue got to her feet and the two glared at each other. As always, strange creatures appeared behind both of the girls. A massive golden thunder dragon appeared behind Yue while a demon in a terrifying mask appeared behind Kaori. The dragon let out a ferocious roar while a blizzard whipped up around the demon as he tapped his sword against his shoulder. This was the reason Erisen hadn’t been peaceful in recent days. The strange apparitions that Yue and Kaori summoned were the cause of it all. Hajime knew what came next. Kaori would yell at Yue for being a bully and attack her. Yue would reply that it was Kaori’s fault for trying to be crafty and fight back. Their little catfights had become quite the spectacle, and many of Erisen’s citizens came to watch. 
“Look, they’re at it again today too. Just what are those things behind them? They look like a dragon and a demon, but how do they appear and disappear like that?” 
As Hajime watched them duel with a troubled smile, Shea walked up to him. 
“Why do you look so unhappy? By the way, you shouldn’t try to understand those apparitions. Just accept them as part of life.” 
“What are you saying, Hajime-san? Those things only pop up whenever they’re fighting over you. In other words they’re proof of their love!” 
“They better not be. What kind of symbol of love is a dragon or a demon?” 
Shea folded her ears over her head and ignored Hajime’s words. 
“I love you just as much as they do, so how come I can’t summon a spirit of love? I want one of those weird apparition thingies too!” 
That’s what she’s unhappy about? Hajime sighed as he watched Shea scrunch up her face and try to summon something. 
“I think I already know, but what are you doing?” 
“Trying to summon an apparition, obviously!” 

I’m not sure that’s something you can bring out by force... However, force was the only thing Shea could think of to use. What happened to these things being a symbol of love? 
Sky blue mana swirled around Shea and her hair began to flutter in the breeze. She let out an earth-shattering yell that sent nearby residents scurrying to safety. The sea around the pier grew choppy, and for a moment Hajime honestly thought she might summon something. But in the end, nothing happened. 
“Well, figures that wouldn’t work.” 
“Awww. What a shame.” 
Shea sank to her knees and her rabbit ears drooped in disappointment. 
“Is my love not strong enough? No way...” She muttered to herself. Hajime smiled and patted her fluffy rabbit ears. He continued playing with them until he was satisfied. 
“Well, I didn’t think you’d be able to summon one of those anyway.” 
“I don’t believe it. Do you doubt my love too, Hajime-san?” 
Shea’s mood had started to improve when Hajime began patting her, but it took a nosedive when he said that. But Hajime shook his head. 
“I don’t really... mean that in a bad way. I think those things are created from negative emotions. They’re illusions born from the negative auras those two have.” 
“Haaah... Really?” 
It wasn’t a very scientific explanation, but it seemed that Hajime had at least given it some thought. Shea stared blankly at Hajime, wondering where he was trying to go with this. Hajime pulled Shea close and ruffled her ears some more. 
“Basically, you’re not the kind of person that would have one of those. Besides, even if you don’t have a weird illusion behind you, you have two perfectly good bunny ears on top of you. You should be proud of those. At the very least, they’re good enough for me.” 
“Ugh... I wish I had more experience. I never know what to say during times like these. If only I was more girly...” 
Shea blushed and fidgeted absently for a few seconds before deciding to lean into Hajime. Her ears perked up, and she pulled Hajime’s hand closer. 
“Fufu. You don’t let any opportunity slip by, do you, Shea?” 
“Yeah. She got us there. Though it was a splendid surprise attack... I can’t believe you would try and surpass your master.” 
“Ah!?” 
Shea’s ears shot straight up. She turned around to see both Yue and Kaori smiling at her. 
“Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah” 
Rooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar. 
Kaori’s demon and Yue’s dragon growled ominously at her. 
Shea bolted. Naturally, Yue and Kaori gave chase. For some reason, the residents of Erisen cheered whenever they heard another explosion. 
“I’m so glad this city is peaceful.” 
Hajime’s words were drowned out by the sound of rumbling thunder.