arc1 · 017-ch17
Episode 17: Back to University
After checking job requests until past noon, I spent the afternoon doing drone flight training. I wanted to do some image training while the dungeon experience was still fresh in my mind. After a good four hours of training around Mount Takao, I headed home.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back!"
When I got home, Umi had already prepared dinner. Today it was—would you believe it—sukiyaki! I'd picked up beef and tofu from the supermarket on the way back. Umi had already cut up the vegetables, so we could dig in right away.
"Mmm, delicious!"
Seeing my little sister's happy face made me feel all warm inside. I've gotta keep earning money like crazy and get my hands on a high-grade potion as soon as possible. For that reason, I picked the best-paying job for my next request.
The filming period was a lengthy three days, and the dungeon to conquer was B-rank, no less! At 500,000 yen per day, that's 1.5 million yen for three days! Plus, I'd be doing video editing and getting twenty percent of the revenue. The one who gave me this request was none other than the leader of "Kokushi Musou," the party renowned as Japan's number one.
I never thought I'd receive a request from Japan's top party. At first I was so intimidated I considered turning it down, but then I remembered that I needed to get a high-grade potion for Mom as soon as possible, so I decided to take the plunge and accept.
"By the way, Onii-chan, you said your job is a recorder, right? So that means you record explorers' activities?"
Huh?! The question Umi asked me during dinner landed a critical hit on me. How? How did she find out?!
"Um, yeah, I guess sometimes I do things like that..."
I can't lie to my little sister, so even though I knew it was pointless, I tried to give a vague answer.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Oh, that's fine. Onii-chan doesn't actually go into dungeons."
I thought Umi, who doesn't know much about dungeons, would be satisfied with that, but...
"Hmm, but you film with drones, right? You can't operate them from outside the dungeon, can you?"
Who the hell?! Who gave my little sister knowledge about dungeons?! I can't fool her like this!
"Th-that's because..."
In the end, I couldn't find a good excuse and decided to tell her everything. Knowing Umi, I don't think she'd go around telling anyone, but I made sure to give her a firm warning anyway.
Since I'd been honest with her, Umi was in a great mood, and from then on we were able to enjoy our delicious sukiyaki in peace.
"Phew, well, maybe this turned out for the best after all."
Back in my room, I muttered to myself as I thought about our earlier exchange. You can't keep secrets from family you live with forever. Accepting that, I turned on my computer.
"Oh?! Already got a reply!"
There was a response from the leader of Kokushi Musou, to whom I'd told I was taking the job. According to it, we're apparently meeting at Yatsugatake Dungeon the day after tomorrow at nine in the morning.
After a bit of research, I learned that dungeons often appear inside mountains. As a drone operator, that's great for me, but I imagine it's tough for explorers who have to go there on foot. Or maybe once their level goes up and their physical abilities improve, they can climb without any trouble?
While pondering such questions, I applied for drone flight permission from Mount Takao to Yatsugatake. What should I do when going to dungeons that appear in cities, though? I don't want to meet the client beforehand, so should I deliver it in advance, or maybe just put it in a coin locker and have the client pick it up?
I got ready for bed and lay down thinking about all that, and before I knew it, I'd fallen asleep.
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The next morning, I set foot on university campus for the first time in a year. When Mom told me I didn't have to quit, I made up my mind to graduate properly.
Even though I've been going out more recently, that's only to the vacant lot or for shopping. University, where people who know me are, is a pretty high hurdle. I'd contacted the administration office in advance, but I was still quite nervous.
Taking a deep breath in front of the gate, I slipped onto campus, trying not to draw attention to myself. Maybe because it had been a year, or because I got lost not knowing where the office was, it took quite a while.
"U-um, I'm Soramine."
The person at the office was a plump middle-aged woman, which helped me relax a little. I think I managed to speak reasonably well, considering it's me.
"Oh, you're the one who called. You've been on leave for a year, right? Don't worry. There's still time, so do your best!"
I thought the process would be more businesslike, but unexpectedly kind words struck right at my heart. Is this lady trying to make me cry?
She handed me a timetable and registration forms. Since I enrolled in the Dungeon Studies Department, there are still credits I can earn even starting now. I want to register mainly for required courses and somehow manage to graduate within four years.
If I could actually enter a dungeon and defeat monsters, I could get an explorer qualification, but I shouldn't aim that high for now. First, I should properly learn the basics so I can get a job related to dungeons. Even if I continue working as a cameraman, having knowledge about dungeons and monsters would be an advantage.
I completed the online registration on my smartphone and managed my work and lecture schedule. I think it'll be pretty tough, but since the Dungeon Studies Department has people who are actually active as explorers, it seems surprisingly flexible. There are lectures offered three times a week where you can attend any session, and some courses give credit just for submitting reports. Whoa, there are even credits you can get by raising your explorer rank.
From tomorrow, I'll be filming with Kokushi Musou for three days, so my proper return to university will have to wait until after that. I doubt anyone still remembers me, but I should keep a low profile so my identity doesn't get exposed.
Having finished all the necessary procedures, I headed home as if making my escape.