arc2 · 050-ch50

Chapter 50: Study Session

Side: Soramine Umi

Lately, things have been going so well that it's actually starting to freak me out a little. When Mama collapsed, I thought everything was going to fall apart—but my big brother turned out to be way too amazing.

Apparently Onii-chan is actually an Awakened Individual, and he can freely operate drones from outside the dungeon. I don't really understand how incredible that is, but using that skill, he was able to get the potion that cured Mama in no time flat.

The doctor said it costs tens of millions of yen. The number's so big my brain can't even process it, but that's like hundreds of times the two-thousand-yen allowance I got the other day, right? Just carrying that money in my wallet had me scared, but I wonder if Onii-chan is okay with it.

"What's wrong, Umi? You're spacing out."

"Oh, nothing! Just thinking about stuff."

Satsuki called out to me, and I snapped back to reality.

Today's a school holiday, so Satsuki and I came to Takashi's house. Under the pretense of a study session. Rei and Hayato are here too—

"Oh my, Umi-san. I need you to focus, or we'll have a problem. You're the only one we're counting on, you know."

That's right—Takako, who somehow heard about today's study session, is also participating. Her two lackeys aren't here, though. But, you know, Takako—she still talks the same way as always, but ever since I gave her Kureha's autograph, I feel like her attitude toward me has changed. For the better, I mean.

We're all studying together, but I'm the only one being relied on—that's kind of weird when you think about it. Still, it's way better than having her say nasty things to me. And honestly, being relied on doesn't feel bad at all.

"Uh, Umi. Could you help me with this part?"

"Oh, me too—I need help with that one."

"In that case, same for me."

On top of that, Takashi and the other boys keep asking me how to solve problems. They probably actually want to ask Satsuki, but she's not that great at studying, so I figure they're asking me as a last resort.

Hehehe, but that doesn't feel bad either. So I answer them with a smile.

But even though they're the ones who asked in the first place, they don't seem to be listening when I explain—because they ask me the exact same thing multiple times. That's weird, right? These three shouldn't be that bad at studying.

After we'd been studying for a while, Takashi's mom brought us snacks and juice. This was my first time experiencing something like that, and I don't know why, but it made me really happy. Hanging out with friends is this much fun, huh?

Takashi's mom said all the girls were adorable, and even if it was just flattery, it put me in a wonderful mood.

After the snacks, the atmosphere was no longer conducive to studying, so we decided to watch some dungeon streams instead. Takashi has a computer in his room, so he can watch videos anytime. I'm a little jealous.

"First up, we gotta go with this one. Kokushi Musou's Yatsugatake Dungeon run. Apparently, this has the most views in the entire world!"

What Takashi chose was a video from the party called Kokushi Musou, said to be Japan's number one party. Yep, I know about this one. After all, this is the video Onii-chan filmed.

"I've been thinking this since the Hyakka Ryouran video, but this SS cameraman is seriously insane!"

"Right, right! It's because SS teamed up with Kokushi Musou that we got such an amazing video!"

Rei and Hayato are praising Onii-chan so much too. It's super embarrassing, but even more than that—I'm so happy!

However, each of these videos is three hours long, and there are three of them, so there's no way we can watch all of them right now. So instead, we decided to each play our favorite scene.

"My favorite is hands down this part!"

What Takashi chose was the boss fight. He played the scene where Gaia-san, who had been struggling, defeats the Ogre Wizard thanks to Onii-chan's drone support.

"Seeing Gaia-san in trouble and making a snap decision to help—that move! Seriously has great sense!"

They're praising Onii-chan instead of Kokushi Musou's members! Thank you, Takashi!

"Mine's this one!"

What Rei chose was the scene where Soraku-san, Ryuga-san, and Gaia-san take down a giant centipede in a one-sided beatdown through their coordinated teamwork.

"I wanna be that overwhelmingly strong someday."

The three of them, who all want to become explorers, were gazing at the screen with dreamy expressions. I've never seen that look on their faces at school, so it was a little amusing.

"Alright, my turn next! I like the same scene as Takashi, but I also love this one!"

Hayato explained excitedly and at lightning speed about the battle with the first boss—a deer wreathed in lightning. Yeah, that deer really is cool. Plus, these people can apparently create their own weapons, and those scenes are cool beyond words.

"I wanna learn Weapon Generation someday too."

Hayato murmured quietly, and the other two nodded over and over. Wait, is Satsuki nodding too?

"My favorite is this part right here."

Satsuki jumped in too, showing everyone her favorite scene. The scene was where Shizuka-san collapses and Gaia-san desperately tries to save her.

"I wanna meet someone who'd worry about me that much too."

Oh boy—looks like it's not that Satsuki admires explorers, but that she admires guys like Gaia-san!

"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho! Now it's my turn, isn't it! The iconic scene I've chosen is—right here!"

What Takako chose was the scene where Shizuka-san heals Soraku-san with healing magic.

"Ahh, Shizuka-nee-sama! Shizuka-nee-sama, strong and gentle, is like a saint!"

I've been thinking this for a while, but Takako really has a thing for "nee-sama" types, doesn't she? I guess one ojou-sama is drawn to another?

"That just leaves you, Umi. What part moved you the most?"

Now that everyone had announced their favorites, Takashi asked me. Hmm, what should I do? Just knowing that Onii-chan filmed this video makes everything feel so amazing that I can't pick just one.

"Um, I haven't really watched this kind of streaming before, so I don't really know which part is the best. But everything was just so incredible—I think I was most moved when I finished watching the whole thing."

I thought everyone might be annoyed by my vague answer, but that wasn't the case at all. The three boys nodded at each other, saying stuff like "Yeah, fair enough," and Satsuki quietly smiled and leaned closer against my shoulder.

Well, except for Takako, who proudly declared, "The scene I chose is obviously the best!"

Anyway, we've finished watching the stream, so I guess it's about time?

"It's getting late, so maybe we should head home."

My words triggered everyone to start getting ready to leave. The boys asked if I wanted to come again tomorrow, but I have plans with my family, so I turned them down.

We're going to go look at a house with Onii-chan and Mama!

Having had the precious experience of gathering at a friend's house to study, I headed home satisfied that it was way more fun than I'd expected.