arc2 · 097-ch97

Chapter 97: What Happens When You Make Himehana Angry

"Who do you think you are?"

Just as Himehana was about to reach me, Ohsaki blocked her path, and she looked a little ticked off. You okay there, Ohsaki? Himehana's already a C-rank explorer, you know?

"Yo yo, you forgotten about me? It's me, Satoru Ohsaki—the guy from your class who awakened as a One-Handed Swordsman before you!"

Come to think of it, this guy even remembered me, and I was only there for a month. Does he have some kind of skill that makes him never forget people he meets?

"I have no idea who you are. Mind getting out of the way? You're in my path."

Meanwhile, Himehana clearly didn't remember Ohsaki at all. Well, I didn't remember him either.

"What the—you seriously forgot me? When you quit this university, you were crying and begging to join my party!"

What!? That happened behind my back!? Himehana wanted to join Ohsaki's party...!?

I was so shocked I nearly crumbled out of my chair. I could hear the students around us who'd been watching the whole exchange muttering in disbelief too.

But Ohsaki, either not hearing their murmurs or not caring, looked down at Himehana with supreme confidence.

"Oh yeah, now I remember. You're that guy who came crying to me when I was leaving the university, begging to join my party. I turned you down flat, remember? Also, you awakened after me, so how come you don't even have your explorer license yet? Are you stupid?"

What!? It was all a lie! Ohsaki had sounded so confident that I—and the students—completely fell for it. Seriously, how could he tell a made-up story with that much conviction? Everyone around him was totally creeped out.

"Why you little—don't get cocky just because I let you talk! Who do you think you're dealing with, you F-rank—get OFF me!"

Oh, Himehana snapped. She moved to the side at speeds my eyes couldn't follow, grabbed him by the head, and slammed him into the floor. Ooh, Ohsaki's eyes are rolling back and he's twitching. The students around him are just standing there with their mouths hanging open.

"Sota, let's go grab some food!"

Just like that, the tense atmosphere from moments ago was completely gone. Himehana flashed a huge smile and dragged me out of the chaotic lecture hall.

...Come to think of it, this is the first time Himehana's seen me since I cut my hair, isn't it? How'd she recognize me right away? And from that far, no less.

As Himehana pulled me along, I found myself quietly impressed by my childhood friend's keen eye.

▽▽▽

Once we left the university, Himehana put on a hat, mask, and sunglasses. Apparently, she was done drawing attention for the day. Not that any of that erased what had just happened, but still.

"Okay, Sota, let's go get burgers this time! My treat!"

Oh, she remembered when I took her to that fancy restaurant last time. I'll take this as her silently telling me I don't need to try so hard.

"Hmph, don't let your guard down just 'cause it's burgers. I'm gonna eat a ton!"

Himehana smiled happily at that. Well, she does make serious money. I'll graciously accept her treat today.

I walked alongside Himehana and headed for the nearest burger joint.

▽▽▽

"Uhh, I'll get the teriyaki set... LL size! And a Fleurette for dessert!"

We walked in and each ordered what we wanted from the cashier.

"Let's see, I'll have the teriyaki, cheese, and sweet chili chicken sets. Also, an orange juice, apple juice, nuggets, and the strawberry and mango sundaes, please."

Huh? I thought I was going all out, but didn't Himehana order like three times as much as me? Can she actually eat all that? Surprised by the sheer volume of our order, I paid first, and we sat down at the farthest seat in the back where nobody else was around.

"My appetite keeps going up every time I level up!"

Well, if she can eat it, no problem—and she doesn't look overweight at all. Actually, if anything, she has an incredible figure—I mean, what am I thinking!?

"So, what did you think of my talk?"

Before our orders arrived, Himehana asked for my thoughts on the lecture.

"Well, this might sound generic, but I thought it was really great. The students were all into it, and I think they learned a lot. But you praised the filming stuff too much. That has nothing to do with dungeon exploration. ...Though, it did make me kinda happy."

I scratched my cheek with my index finger to hide my embarrassment and quietly gave her my honest feedback, making sure the staff couldn't hear.

"Um, Sota's drone really did have incredible movement, and the footage looked as clean as a movie, and most of all, it saved me, so..."

Himehana seemed to have gotten embarrassed from praising me too much, and by the end she was mumbling with her head down.

As for me, I hadn't expected her to be this straightforward with her praise, so I couldn't find my next words.

"...I'm the one who should be th—" "Here's your teriyaki set!"

It got drowned out. My heartfelt "thank you," which I'd finally worked up the nerve to say, was erased by the cashier.

After that, Himehana's massive order of burgers started arriving one after another, and we were too busy to keep talking.

(There was something else I wanted to thank her for, but I guess that can wait.)

Watching Himehana chow down on the mountain of burgers, I took a bite of my own teriyaki burger.

"Oh right, why were you sitting in a seat way in the back like that? And it was all girls around you."

When she suddenly hit me with that question, straight-faced, I experienced the bizarre phenomenon of the teriyaki burger I'd been loving suddenly losing all its flavor.