ch161-ch180 · 166-ch166

Chapter 166: Haru-kun and Sou-chan

"Then I'll call you... Haru-kun?"

We're back on Floor 1, so "President" is about to become a problem.

The problem being: the moment she says "President," the natural question is—president of what?

If Kasumi-san ever learned I'm the president of an organization even I didn't know existed—the Goddess Fanclub...

There's nothing between me and Mizuki—it was a one-sided crush on my end. No wrongdoing whatsoever.

Nothing wrong, and yet something tells me Kasumi-san finding out would not go well...

Even "she's basically an idol to me" wouldn't leave anyone in a good mood.

Must keep it hidden...

Claiming "student council president" would get exposed in a heartbeat, so that dodge is off the table.

Hence my request to change what she calls me—and this is the result.

"Stop. The only person who calls me 'Haru-kun' is Soushi's mother, you know?"

In that case, Soushi gets called "Sou-chan," too.

His mother calls him "Sou-chan," you see.

Such a clingy mother—and she actually allowed her son to become an adventurer.

Or maybe she's just understanding like that...

She's a gentle, easygoing person, but she seems to have the heart to let her son chase what he wants to do.

"Oho. His mother, hmm...? What's she like?"

Whoa—way too perceptive...

Normally she wouldn't give it a second thought, but at THIS moment...

There's nothing I can say to that...

Sou-chan, buddy, do something.

"My mom? She spoils Haruki rotten. Snacks and juice come out ONLY when Haruki's over. She's a total cheapskate with my allowance, but the second I say I'm hanging out with Haruki—money appears. When I told her I was becoming an adventurer, it was 'well, if it's with Haruki...'"

Soushi's grades are, charitably, poor. Without me, he might have repeated a year twice—once in first year, once in second.

I get being trusted, but isn't this a bit much trust...?

(Ah—Kasumi-san's at the warehouse.)

The warehouse came into 【Presence Detection】 range—Kasumi-san is inside.

And not on the second floor—the ground floor.

It's past five, so she must have been waiting, worried.

Stats sharpen her ears, but a building muffles sound, and she isn't expecting us from outside—she hasn't noticed us yet, I'd say...

"And what do they call you, Soushi? Sou-kun?"

"Sou-chan."

"Huh? Nah... they just call me Soushi, normally."

Lying, that one.

He's looking right at me—meaning "keep it under your hat," I'd wager.

"Anyway... 'Haru-kun' is out too, then."

"'Haru-kun,' my foot. Don't get cocky."

"'What should we do now?'"

"'We'll go home and talk it over... Sorry, but not today...'"

"'...Yes. I'll handle it better next time.'"

"'No, Ryoko, this isn't your fault. Who knew it'd come out that fast...'"

I doubt talking it over today would fix anything...

They need some time to let it breathe.

Rushing never helps.

Oh—Kasumi-san's coming out.

Has she spotted us?

We're right at the fork ourselves—Association facilities, or the turn to the warehouse...

Maybe this is where we split?

"Association's just ahead—let's call it here."

"Oh... yeah. Um..."

Hearing me, Aikawa looks at Soushi.

Come on, Soushi. Last chance.

Summer break starts tomorrow—no seeing Aikawa for a whole month.

"Right... See you, Aikawa. We'll be at the Chiba branch all summer, so—come adventure with us whenever you're free."

THAT'S your invitation?!

Or... is that technically an invitation?

Feels like he shelved the whole issue.

Couldn't commit, so he's carrying it over to next time.

Well, they have each other's contact info; no need to invite her in front of the old man, I suppose...

"U-um! Can I join your party? Both of you? We fought together today and it went great, didn't it? Me and Soushi are about the same level, right? Um, and also... is that a no?"

Ahhhhh.

"...Is there some kind of problem?"

Yes.

A problem has just been born.

Enter Kasumi-san.

The old-timer's group heard that too and are coming over.

This is getting complicated.

Officially it's a party of two—me and Soushi. In practice, Kasumi-san's in it.

Inviting Aikawa naturally means clearing it with Kasumi-san.

That part's fine—but with the old-timer's crowd right there, I can't even ask her.

Maybe that's exactly why Soushi hadn't invited her.

Everyone talks it over first, then... I see.

"Watanabe-san, it's nothing. Just the children, being children. But what about you—what brings you out here?"

Makihara-san addresses Watanabe-san.

Acquaintances?

Kasumi-san has already changed clothes.

Close enough to casually ask what an employee was doing in the dungeon after hours?

"Makihara-senpai. Good work today. These two are under my care—they're late coming back, and I was worried. Is something the matter with these two?"

Senpai?

What kind of senpai, I wonder?

"Oh my, is that so? Then we've done wrong. We kept them busy, that's why they're late. I do apologize. Please don't be cross with them."

"I see. So that's what this was."

Did Makihara-san assume we were planning to sprint home or something?

With 【Gate】 we'd be home in a flash—but not with other people along.

Kasumi-san put it together immediately, so she accepted it without digging deeper.

"Oh my? Watanabe-san, have you changed a little? Time was, a rookie late coming back got an immediate, no-questions lecture, didn't they? Your whole air is so much softer now... Is it the breathing room that came with Triple-Rank? Or is it that fiancé of yours? Fufu—it must be the latter."

F-fiancé!?

Kasumi-san's?!

Could it be—no, no "could it" about it. It's me...

I did turn down the poaching offer from Association headquarters using exactly that reason—that I'm planning to get married...

That IS the plan, technically, but nothing's decided and I haven't told a soul...

And it's already spreading...

"Ah, no, that's... um. Have I changed?"

Kasumi-san glances my way again and again, asking Makihara-san back with an adorable little gesture.

Has she changed?

Well—she was kind from the start, that much is certain...

"What's this about a party?"

The old-timer rounds on Aikawa.

Oh, right—forgot about that problem.

"How is that your business? You made whatever party you liked and did as you pleased, so I'll do as I please too. Come on, Soushi, Haru-kun."

Ah...

"Haru...kun...?"

The air changes.

Aikawa starts toward the Association, but neither Soushi nor I move.

Neither do the old-timer or Makihara-san.

"Come on, you two, let's GO! Ugh, fine, I'm done with you!"

Either she hasn't noticed Kasumi-san's shift, or she's just mad at us too—she tries to leave alone.

"...Wait."

Eep.

"...No, you haven't changed at all."

Only Makihara-san's murmur echoed through the silence...