The day after the ring event that was watched by my mothers-in-law, we head to the 525 branch of the dungeon association. We’re not here for dungeon exploration today. There’s going to be a great promotion ceremony transmitted all over the world.
Thanks to Miki, I got away with just a ceremony on the main floor of the association when I was promoted to A and A+, but there are only a few S ranks in the world, and they’re important enough that they represent their country. This makes a small promotion ceremony impossible. This time, the square in front of the association has been reserved, and even though the notice was only sent one day before, there are many spectators and mass media here to watch the rise of a new S rank adventurer.
It’s at this point that I really feel how much the title of S rank is coveted. I’m watching this sight from the usual conference room in the association. Everyone’s eyes are on the TV that’s in the wall, where there is live coverage of what’s going on outside. It’s clear from their expressions that everyone’s looking forward to this.
“The place is packed. Are ya nervous, Shouta?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Do you know the program?”
“Yes. It’s not that complicated. Walk there when they call my name, give the badge back to Miki, get the new one. Right…?”
“Exactly!”
“So, can I just wear what I usually wear?”
We’re dressed like when we go to the dungeon, with our equipment and our weapons.
What worries me is the overall coordination. They helped me look nice, but in the end, I’m still wearing this faux barbarian style. Can I really go out looking like this?
“This is not a party, so there is no need for us adventurers to be dressed formally.”
“But still…”
“Knowers will be able to tell this equipment is not a joke, and ignorant people can make fun all they like.”
“Is that how it is?”
“That is how it is.”
Hana then calls me, and our team walks on a red carpet. I exchange badges while showered in camera flashes, and I’m recognized by the world as a top class adventurer.
With the ceremony over, I also get through the interview put together by the association, and go back home.
“…I’m tired.”
“Good job, Shouta.”
“Fufufu, your finest hour is already on the news on the internet.”
“Enki and the others are looking great too.”
‘Gogo.’
‘Popo~.’
‘Pururu.’
‘~~♪.’
It looks like they had fun too. I can tell that perfectly.
“From this point on, no adventurer in this country will be unfamiliar with you. The interview touched on it as well, but congratulations on your feats in only two months, master.”
“Ah… Thanks?”
“Geez, your reactions are always so dull. Don’t you want to show it off to the people that made fun of you? Don’t you want to be all ‘got you’?”
“Hn? Ah…”
I guess there were people like that.
But the people that made fun of me when I went to the beginner dungeon already flip-flopped, and I didn’t really interact with people in Unlucky Hall. If I were to do what Aki is talking about, it’d be with people before that, like high school or my hometown.
Honestly, I didn’t know them that well, and can’t even remember their faces or names. Not to mention that I’m from area two, not here.
I doubt anyone I knew is here in area one.
Then I notice everyone’s eyes on me.
“What?”
“It is rare to not be able to read what you are thinking.”
“I guess it’s like you’re feeling nothing?”
“It can’t be helped if you didn’t know that many people, but…”
“Au. I know very little of darling’s past!”
“Well, I haven’t told you much besides my struggles with my stats…”
Aki and Maki have heard a little, but Ayane and Aira have heard pretty much nothing. But it’s not like I purposefully didn’t tell them what they didn’t ask.
“It’s not that interesting.”
“You don’t have to tell, but I’d like to hear…”
“Yes. And mom got you to say that after the rings comes a ceremony.”
“Yes…”
That’s right.
My two mothers-in-law were very excited asking when we would have the ceremony. I don’t have a phobia of marriage, so I’m happy about it, but it feels like I’ll have very little free time and I’ll be busy all the time with preparations. That means the dungeon will have to be put on hold and I’ll have to stay a manager level 2. All I could tell them was that it would happen when things calmed down.
But since we might ‘expecting’, we should probably do it before it’s noticeable…
“I see, but putting aside when it will happen, we have to invite all of our families, right?”
“Yes. Unless we cut off relations with them.”
“Everyone knows you’re an S rank adventurer, since it was all over the news. Your family is bound to find out.”
“Don’t you get along with your family, darling? If so, I can help!”
…I guess I can tell them.
“Okay. You’re qualified to hear it.”
“Really!?”
“Thank you Shouta!”
They really don’t know anything, so where should I start… Okay. This was before I had my stats, so I guess when the world shined to me.
I’m sure Aira already looked into my family, and my mothers-in-law have too, but it’s never been brought up and they’ve never acted like they knew. Probably out of consideration.
“So where should I start?”
“First, your family!”
“Haha, okay. I lived with my father and little sister…”
Come to think of it, I was in a dorm in high school, so it’s been six years since I left the house. I think the last time I contacted them was right after I graduated…
I wonder if my dad and Kasumi are doing okay.
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