After talking it over, we decide we can’t ride the train with our bags full, but Youko can’t bear to just sit and watch either, so she gets us transportation. It’s a private bus of the association.
We sit in the back, and talk about what happened yesterday, and stuff like the fields of flowers in the dungeon.
“Yes. The flowers were really pretty, but all I really remember is walking in the forests.”
“Uuh…!”
“Come on Aki. I had fun. I got to see what Shouta normally does.”
“True. And I got to see him fighting a new kind of monster. I feel like you’re going to keep revealing all sorts of secrets.”
“Well, that’s kind of like my dream.”
“Really? Then I will do what I can to help!”
“Thanks Maki.”
“What about me?”
“You too Aki, let’s keep working together.”
“Fufun.”
We spent some nice time together, while the driver looks at us with a lukewarm expression.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
We separate near the entrance after reaching branch 525 of the dungeon association. The girls are wearing their regular clothes, so they use an employee entrance in the back, and I enter through the front.
It’s just before dusk, the time when I can see adventurers here and there who have finished making money for the day.
It’s only been one day, but I really do prefer the mood here in 525. In the 810 branch, there were couples all over, and it honestly gave me heartburn. Although I can’t say it wasn’t nice when Aki and Maki clung to me because they didn’t want that environment to beat them…
And as I immerse myself in these feelings, someone suddenly talks to me.
“Oh, Shouta!?”
“Ah, hello Shouta.”
It’s First Magnitude Star. They’re probably on their way back too.
“It’s been a few days. I almost didn’t recognize you in your new equipment.”
“Yes, but that’s not all. It even feels like you came out on top in an intense battle… Just where have you been training, hahaha!?”
“Ah… Well, a lot happened.”
I could tell these people, but how jealous would everyone else around us be if I said I went to the Heart Dungeon?
“Hou… It really does feel like he’s experienced something. We can’t get careless either. See you next time Shouta. Tell us some interesting stories if we do!”
I hear as they leave with bright smiles. They really are pleasant people.
Well then, I think it’s time. I walk towards Hana, who is a little away from the reception desk, and she greets me with a smile.
“Welcome back Shouta. I heard you faced some trouble, but I’m glad to see you’re not hurt.”
“Thank you Hana.”
This is Hana, the one who took me to the branch manager’s office that one time, and the one who actually feels like an older sister.
Like Maki, her name tag has three stars, making her a high rank receptionist. And apparently she’s the manager’s right hand woman too. Like an adjutant.
“Are Aki and Maki ready? They’re taking a while.”
“About that, sorry Shouta. They’re not coming.”
“Eh, why… Ah…”
I get it.
“Yes. The branch manager called them.”
“…I’m going too.”
“Fufu, then I will take you.”
“Please do.”
Well, that makes sense.
They used a paid something to take a day off, and actually went to a neighboring dungeon and caused a big mess for the manager there… Yep, and it’s all my fault. If she’s going to be mad at them, I need to hurry and go have her be mad at me instead.
“Manager, I’m coming in…”
“Hana, nice work out… Welcome, Amachi.”
The branch manager is releasing more pressure than usual. She’s really angry… I feel like Aki is cowering, and Maki is flustered over my arrival.
What did she say to them?
“Aki, Maki. Wait outside until I call you. Me and him… Need to have a nice big talk.”
““…Yes.””
For once, they don’t argue, and just leave.
It’s just me and the branch manager in her office now… Oh?
When did Hana leave?
“Well then Amachi. I heard what happened from my daughters. And there’s something I want to say.”
“Hum… I was the one who led them around.”
“Wrong.”
“Oh? Then is it about letting them watch me fight rare monsters up close?”
“Wrong again.”
“T-then, coming back a day later…?”
“Unfortunately, not that either.”
“…Hnn?”
Then why is she mad?
Is it not because of what happened in the dungeon?
Then, something outside of it…?
But then what happened outside…
Ah.
“…”
“It looks like you figured something out.”
“…Yes.”
“I’m pretty sure I told you that day. I don’t accept your relationship with my daughters. And right after that, you stay in their place. Fufu… You’ve got guts, don’t you??”
Her pressure rises to levels not normally seen in this world.
I feel my body freeze, as I’m more scared than when I was about the powered up Golden Worm.
“I want my daughters to be happy. From what I know, they’re most energetic and smile more when you’re around. It’s frustrating, but I have to give you that. But, like I said before, if you’re lagging behind rare monsters of the second floor, I’m not entrusting them to you.”
This is where she’ll tell me to get my hands off them. That she won’t accept our relationship yet, and that I’m not good enough.
That I need to work harder so I won’t make Maki, and Aki too, sad. That’s what’s coming.
That’s what I should expect, right?
“Branch manager.”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t told you… Or them directly, but there is something I want to tell you.”
“…”
“Please let me have them. Not as exclusives, in a real way.”
“…You can say something like that to me? I admire your courage. But I don’t think you get it, so I will put it bluntly. You’re not good enough.”
“Branch manager, please use Appraisal on me again. I’m showing you this out of good faith and resolve.”
I use Appraisal Obstruction on my level, Level Gacha, and Compression. Everything else is open.
“…Fine, let’s see if you’re worth… Eh? W-what is this? In such a short amount of time…”
The branch manager freezes as she sees my stats.
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