arc2 · 095-ch95

Chapter 95: My Childhood Friend Came as a Guest Lecturer, Part 1

So, the explorer exam application I'd filled out yesterday was sent to Arihara-san first thing in the morning. There's no turning back now. With that resolve, I wanted to prepare properly for the exam.

"Morning."

"Good morning, Onii-chan!"

"Good morning. You're early again today."

After washing my face and getting dressed, I greeted Mom in the kitchen and Umi, who was already at the table. Huh, today's breakfast is toast with potato salad... and grilled bacon? Umi, isn't this the same as that morning set we had at that café the other day!? Umi doesn't know any better, so she's just happily chowing down, but could this mean...

"Mom, did you maybe get accepted for the café job?"

I threw that out there to test the waters.

"Oh my, how'd you figure that out? I was going to announce it later."

I knew it. She's already practicing the café menu.

"Just a hunch! Congratulations, Mom!"

"Congratulations, Mom! That's great!"

Umi stopped eating too, beaming as she offered her congratulations. Yeah, yeah, this calls for a celebration!

"Fufu, thank you. It's only three days a week, but I'll be working Sundays too, so Umi, I'll need you to help out around the house."

"Leave it to me! I'll do my best!"

Oh, Umi's even making a fist—she's totally fired up! I gotta cherish this life where the three of us are working together as a family.

With that thought, I quietly renewed my determination while eating a breakfast that was even better than what that café served.

▽▽▽

"Well then, I'm off."

"Okay, have a safe trip!"

After finishing breakfast and getting ready, I headed out. Umi had already left for elementary school. She takes the bus, so she has to leave pretty early. Umi's working hard too. I straightened up and headed out myself.

Not too long ago, I thought people in the apartment building would be looking at me like "Who's this guy?" but lately, I keep getting stopped for greetings all over the place. They smile and say hello, so of course I smile back, but I guess I'm finally being recognized as a proper resident? After exchanging greetings with the many ladies I passed in the hallways, I left the building.

I took the train to university as usual today, but for some reason, the car I was in was packed way more than the others? The car right in front had visible empty seats, so why was mine looking like rush hour in here? And it felt like there were mostly women.

I panicked for a second thinking I'd accidentally gotten on a women-only car, but looking around, there was no such sign, and nobody kicked me off, so I just kept my head down and stayed quiet.

When I got off the train and casually glanced back, I could see the people from my car migrating to the cars in front and behind. What the heck—if you were gonna do that anyway, just start there and it wouldn't have been so crowded.

I tilted my head at the mysterious phenomenon but picked up the pace toward university.

▽▽▽

(Whoa whoa, isn't this going a bit overboard?)

The moment I passed through the university gates, I stopped dead in my tracks. The cause was a single banner hanging down from the rooftop.

"Welcome! C-Rank Explorer Hanazono Himehana!"

It was written in bright red letters on a massive banner, sticking out like a sore thumb. If it were me, I'd be telling them to stop because it's embarrassing, but does Himehana even know about this?

With that worry in mind, I headed into the university.

Today's lecture by Himehana was supposed to be held in the large lecture hall. Since it was a special lecture, anyone could attend if they signed up. When I entered the hall, a ton of students had already claimed seats. Normally for lectures, the back rows fill up first, but today it seemed like the front rows were filling up from the front.

Impressed by how popular she was, I managed to snag the best seat—far corner in the very back. As far as I was concerned, that was exactly where I wanted to be, so I was grateful.

I sat down and checked my phone for messages. There was a reply from Ounabara-san of Sato Fisheries. The dungeon attack date was set—next Wednesday. They'd signed up for a bunch of options, so I needed to bring my A-game.

The surroundings got a little noisy, so I glanced up to find that the seats around me had filled up. They'd been filling from the front just a moment ago, yet somehow my area was packed first. What was going on? And was it my imagination, or were they all female students...

(Hope Himehana doesn't get the wrong idea...)

For a second, I considered moving seats, but people kept pouring in and all the seats were about to be taken anyway, so I gave up. I was sitting in a corner like this—Himehana probably wouldn't even notice me.

"Yo, yo, it's packed as hell today! Where's my seat?"

Just when I thought things were getting noisy with the growing crowd, an even louder nuisance showed up. Why the heck was that guy attending a special lecture? Don't tell me he's gonna say he's one of Himehana's fans.

"Satoru-san, over here! This seat's open!"

One of his usual lackeys had apparently saved him a seat and was calling Ohsaki over.

"This far back!? You should've come earlier and saved us the middle like always!"

"Sorry. The seats filled up fast today..."

Ohsaki showed up late and started complaining. The people around him seemed to be keeping their distance to avoid getting involved.

"Still, Himehana as a guest lecturer? She really moved up in the world!"

"Eh? You know Himehana-san, Satoru-san?"

Surprised by Ohsaki's unexpected remark, the surrounding students got interested, and the area suddenly went quiet.

"Yeah! Well, 'know' is a strong word—it's more like she knows who I am. I mean, I've been a celebrity since freshman year, you know! After this lecture, she's probably gonna come begging me to join her party, right?"

Uh, dude, I've never once heard Himehana mention your name? Is this guy okay? The students around him look like they're barely holding in their laughter.

"Satoru-san, isn't that what people call a 'stranger'?"

Pfft! You didn't have to call him out like that! You made me crack up!

"Hah? No way. This is what they call unrequited love. I mean, if she came crying and begging, I might consider joining her party."

"Satoru-san, before that, you'd need to pass the explorer exam."

BAHAHA! Is this a comedy skit!? Are these guys doing a routine!? Look, the students around them are all looking down with their shoulders shaking!

"Shut up! I told you the exam went well this time, didn't I? I'll be an explorer by next month!"

The guy who couldn't even get "Dungeon Modification" right is saying what now...

"Ahh, speaking of which, haven't seen that guy around lately? Did he finally give up on becoming an explorer and drop out? GAHAHAHAHA!"

Hm? Haven't seen "that guy"? Dropped out of university? Wait, is he talking about me? But I'm right here. I'm not even hiding my face. Or is he targeting someone other than me this time?

Well, whatever—not my problem. He hasn't been bothering me lately, so I wasn't about to go poking the hornet's nest.

In the end, he sat down in a seat toward the middle of the very last row. He ended up kinda close, but thinking about it that way, I owed those students who'd formed a buffer around me. Thanks to them, I avoided the worst-case scenario of him sitting right next to me.

Oh, looks like time was up while all that was going on. The university bigwigs were taking their seats on the stage. Apparently, Himehana had become such a presence that even the higher-ups were dragged out for this.

Then one of the professors stepped up to the mic and started speaking. Behind him on the screen, Himehana's photo and accomplishments were displayed. The venue buzzed for a moment but quickly went quiet.

After the professor's introduction, it was finally time for Himehana to appear.

My childhood friend came walking out from the side of the stage, little steps at a time. Since she was here as a lecturer today, she was wearing a suit. Was this the first time I'd seen Himehana in a suit since the entrance ceremony?

"Kyaaa! Himehana-saaan!"

"Whoa!? She's the real deal!?"

"She's way cuter than in the videos!?"

Despite the deafening cheers, Himehana didn't seem particularly nervous. She glanced around the venue, then spoke her first words.

"Hm!? Souta! You really did come! Let's grab a meal together after this!"

The venue froze in an instant.