The woman in a Japanese outfit calling me big brother looks like Kasumi, my sister I haven’t seen in six years.
But wait, why is she here!? And what’s with the outfit!?
I have to say something…
“…Hum, it’s been a while. Have you been well, Kasumi?”
“I have. It looks like you have as well.”
“Yes. By the way… What’s with the cosplay?”
“It’s not cosplay! Japanese defensive equipment is trendy in area two nowadays!”
“Really? But Kasumi… You’ve become beautiful since I last saw you.”
“Eh!? T-thanks… No, nevermind that!”
She gets mad.
Ah, this whole bit, the way she swings her arms when she gets angry… It really is my little sister Kasumi.
“I thought you quit being an adventurer, and then I saw you became an S rank, have four beautiful girls, and golems and a monster with you. I can see you’ve become really strong, but how did this happen!!?”
“Well… All I can say is a lot happened. And I never said I quit. Did you come here to check?”
“Yes! Dad was worried, thinking it could just be someone that looks like you!”
“I see. Well, I’m doing fine, so you don’t need to worry. And I’m going to be marrying them soon. Ah, I should introduce you.”
I introduce the bashful girls and the others one at a time, and Kasumi bows.
“Please look after my troublesome brother!”
“Hnfufu, we will. We like that about him.”
“Uwah, lovey-dovey.”
“Nice to meet you, Kasumi.”
“Yes, nice to meet you, Maki.”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you, Ayane.”
“It is nice to meet you, Miss Kasumi.”
“Y-yes, nice to meet you.”
Yes, I think they’ll get along. Maki is her age, but seems older because she’s more mature. I get it.
“Ah, everyone’s wearing matching rings and necklaces. And they’re so beautiful…! Did Shouta…?”
“Yes, he made them for us.”
“Made…!? I was surprised he got them! When did you get so skillful!?”
She says some rude things, but I feel like Kasumi is getting a sense of what things are like between us. Apparently she came here from area two to see if I really did become an S rank.
“So, what are you doing next, Kasumi? We’re going to the dungeon.”
“…I see being strong hasn’t changed you.”
“What?”
“A family member came to visit after a super long time, and you’re thinking about stuff you have to do.”
“Ah.”
I guess she has a point. The others are nodding too.
“But I have to fulfill a request from a friend. I can’t let personal affairs delay it. Hum, we should explain that too.”
“Don’t. I saw it from the branch manager’s office.”
“I see.”
“So people here rely on you… It makes me kind of happy.”
“Kasumi…”
She saw from close by how my stats being what they were meant everyone abandoned me. She must have a lot on her mind.
“You’ve been working hard all this time, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“…If it’s not a bother, can I go to the dungeon with you?”
“Eh?”
“I want to see how strong you’ve become. Please!”
“…Hm…”
From an Intuition point of view, it doesn’t look like she’ll get in the way, but we’re not coming back today. In fact, I intend to stay until we conquer the fifth floor. I don’t mind her seeing that, but she’d have to sleep with us. Won’t that be a problem? Especially for Aira.
I close my eyes and groan, and Aira leans on me from behind.
“You are thinking something rude, are you not, master?”
“It’s the truth.”
“But does the same not go for you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m the leader of a B rank team! You’re going to the beginner dungeon, right? I’m confident in my abilities!”
As we have the same back and forth as always where Aira reads my mind, Kasumi gets anxious and leans forward to convince me.
Do you want to go that badly? Wait, you’re B rank already? I want to say I’m impressed, but…
“Kasumi, did you tell the others back home?”
“Yes. I told them I was going to see my long lost brother!”
“Long lost… Nevermind, we’re not coming back today. I think we’re staying for a few days.”
“That’s fine. I’m used to camping. I stayed for a week not long ago.”
“And that means you might stay in a different tent.”
“Fine. I’m sure you have a lot of secrets. I can eat by myself too.”
“No, that’s too far. We’ll eat together. And you’re right, I have a lot of secrets. Don’t worry if we hide anything or you see something suspicious. It’s nothing. And don’t tell anyone about the information you get when you’re with us, unless I say it’s okay. Is that all right?”
“Yes! I won’t tell anyone!”
“…Well, you’ve never broken a promise, so I trust you.”
“Ah, you still remember.”
“It looks like you’re still wearing the hair ornament I gave you when we were kids.”
“Hehehe.”
I bought that hair ornament in a festival, before dungeons appeared. It’s been over ten years, and it looks worn out. Maybe I should use my skills to fix it.
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