arc2 · 070-ch70

Chapter 70: Dining & Shopping

My experience grinding—disguised as a "test run" at the Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon—was over, and I'd safely returned to the first floor using a Transfer Stone.

I had Himehana go back to Tokyo Station once to put Asahi in a locker. I figured I'd sneak back and pick it up on the way home.

Alright, time to meet up with Himehana. I closed all the restaurant recommendation sites I'd been browsing one after another, shut down the computer, paid my bill, and left the manga café.

▽▽▽

"Ah, Sota! Good work!"

"Good work, Himehana."

Himehana, changed out of her dungeon reinforced suit, was waving and walking toward me. That light blue fluttery skirt is cute as hell. Is this what they call gap moe?

Himehana's already famous enough to rival idols, so she was in disguise with a hat, sunglasses, and mask. Still, was it just my imagination that I could feel an aura she couldn't fully hide? No—several people passing by were turning their heads, so it definitely wasn't my imagination.

Knowing I was about to have a meal alone with someone this popular—even if it was just to thank her—I couldn't help feeling a little superior.

"So, where should we go?"

"I reserved a nice place, I'll show you the way."

Ohoo! I just happened to make a reservation online earlier, but didn't that sound pretty cool?

"Ahaha, that's not very like you, but I'm happy! Thanks!"

Ugh, she kinda made fun of me a little. True, that wasn't very like me. But I wanted to look at least a little cool in front of Himehana. Though it seems like it backfired. She's always so natural and genuine, after all.

"Alright, then follow me. This way."

Having given up on trying to impress, I started walking side by side with Himehana. To an outsider, we might look like a couple. Actually, with me in a mask and hood pulled down deep and Himehana in full disguise, walking together we probably looked like a celebrity couple on a secret date. We might be standing out even more...

Anyway, this suspicious pair—me walking nervously and Himehana walking confidently and cheerfully—entered the somewhat fancy restaurant I'd reserved.

Last time was an Italian place, so this time I went with a Western restaurant with a nice view. I even ordered a course meal, something I'd never done before.

"Hehehe, Sota, you're totally trying too hard! I'd have fun anywhere as long as I'm with you—a burger joint would've been perfectly fine!"

Ugh, she saw right through my attempt to look cool. Yeah, Himehana doesn't care about being treated to expensive food. With her personality, she'd probably hate feeling like she's being accommodated. Between that lame line earlier and now this, I've got some reflecting to do.

"But if you reserved this place for my sake, then I'm actually happy about that too!"

Hey! Which is it!? Don't tell me she's enjoying toying with my fragile male pride!?

"Next time we'll go to a family restaurant."

I ended up sounding a bit blunt to hide my embarrassment. Seeing me like that, Himehana just laughed heartily. Well, as long as she's having fun either way, I guess it's fine.

Fitting for a fancy restaurant, we ate small dishes brought out one at a time while I enjoyed my conversation with Himehana.

"So, what should we do now? I still have some time..."

After enjoying our meal, Himehana asked me that as we left the restaurant. Hmm, it is a bit early to head home. In that case, there's something I want to buy—maybe I should ask Himehana to come along?

"Ah, there's something I want to buy. Would you mind coming with me?"

"Eh!? You want me to come with you!? Of course!? Wait? Ah, shopping!? Yeah!? I'm fine! Totally fine!"

I just asked her if she'd come shopping with me, and she got inexplicably hyped. What's up with her? Did she just remember something she wanted to buy too?

"It'd be reassuring to have you with me. I want to buy some potions, so I was thinking of going to Dungeon Mart—is that okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good! I should stock up on potions too!"

With Himehana on board, the two of us headed to a nearby Dungeon Mart.

▽▽▽

"Welcome."

I gave a slight bow to the female staff member at the entrance and headed into Dungeon Mart. They sold all kinds of potions, of course, but also weapons, armor, and accessories. My goal was potions, but I'm interested in weapons too, so I figured I'd check those out later.

We made our way to the potion section first.

"Let's get thirty Low-grade Potions and ten Mid-grade Potions. Also, are there any other potions you'd recommend?"

I put thirty Low-grade Potions at 10,000 yen each into the basket and asked the staff to prepare ten Mid-grade Potions at 1,000,000 yen each. I caught the store's exclusive security guard looking stunned.

"Hmm. The most common type of dungeon monsters are the ones that use poison, so Antidote Potions would be good to have."

Alright, I'll take Himehana's advice and get some Antidote Potions. I asked for ten Antidote Potions at 50,000 yen each, and just in case, added one Paralysis Cure at 100,000 yen. Himehana seemed to be buying about five Mid-grade Potions herself.

We each paid for our items and decided to go check out the weapons next.

Still carrying our bags, we hopped in the elevator and headed to the floor where weapons were sold. We'd bought quite a lot, but surprisingly the bags weren't that heavy. Must be because my physical abilities had improved from leveling up.

"Whoa, that's awesome. Someday I want to..."

The weapon floor had all sorts of weapons lined up. Swords, spears, even katanas. Most of the weapons here were made of Magic Iron. There were a few made of Magic Silver and Magic Gold too, though they were eye-poppingly expensive.

However, they didn't seem to carry mithril weapons like Himehana's. Those were probably so rare that there wasn't enough to stock store shelves. Which meant Himehana's twin swords were worth more than any weapon in this store.

Browsing through the store, the dagger section caught my eye. I wondered if I could somehow attach one to Asahi, so I took a look.

(Yeah, knife attacks seem pretty hard to pull off...)

If I asked President Yamamoto, he might figure something out. But as Himehana suggested, reinforcing Asahi itself with Magic Iron seemed like the more promising approach.

After that, we went to the armor floor where Himehana bought some gloves, and then we left the store.

"Sota, today was seriously so much fun! Thank you!"

"No way, I'm the one who should be thanking you. I leveled up AND got drop items from you—huge help. Let's explore together again sometime."

"!? Of course! Let's dive together again!"

I hit Level 10 from this expedition, but I'm still aiming higher. That's why I wanted to keep leveling up with Himehana. Of course, I have every intention of working hard on my own too—I can't rely on her forever.

Even so, having Himehana agree to dive together again, I thanked my amazing childhood friend and we parted ways.

After parting with Himehana, I sneakily took out my drone at Tokyo Station and headed home.

Oh right, I forgot to call Yamamoto-san. I called President Yamamoto while walking, explained the situation, and got him to agree to reinforce Asahi.