ch361-ch380 · 372-ch372

Chapter 372: The Second Time Already This New Year......

"Still, if that really is the World Tree, we ought to report it. The branch manager brought the subject up in the car on the way back, after all."

With Kasumi-san's anger settled, I figured that was the end of it—turns out it's not......

"Even if we don't, someone'll report it sooner or later, won't they?"

"The thing is, that dungeon isn't going to be enterable for a while. We've been refused entry outright—no maintenance of the 'Dungeon Gate' on the property, either. HQ seems prepared to settle in for some long-term negotiations. Worst case, I suspect they've decided one dungeon going unenterable is acceptable—no traffic means it'll vanish in five years and a new one will appear."

The HQ land department has apparently already given up.

Land prices in Tokyo were sky-high to begin with, and some places seem to be getting slapped with frankly absurd asking prices.

"There aren't many recorded cases of the World Tree, were there?"

Aikawa asks further.

"True. One per country would be a good year...... The branch manager also worried that if World Tree materials really have the fantasy effects the rumors claim, they could become the spark of a new war over them."

Countries with, and countries without, huh......

It's been 10 years since dungeons appeared on Earth, and no new war has broken out—every nation's military might is pointed at the dungeons instead.

Small-scale firefights happen, sure, and people probably die every year—but nothing you'd call a war.

Except in the countries with poor security, shootouts over dungeon ownership have already started.

The peace the dungeons had maintained, crumbling thanks to new dungeons......

Well—assuming the World Tree is worth that much, anyway.

"That might make it the only one in Japan, then. So, report to the branch manager......"

"You two handle that, please."

Kasumi-san, smiling brightly.

"Eh?"

"The branch manager shouldn't have left yet, so I'll keep him here. You two—shower and change so you don't catch cold, and then report to him."

And off she goes, just like that......

Is she still mad?

︙ ︙

"I see. A shadow that looks like the World Tree......"

Yes, this is the branch manager's office.

"Right. I didn't realize it at the time, but after hearing the World Tree talk later, I started thinking that shadow might've been it. I ran into Aikawa today and checked—she saw something like it too. Right?"

"Yes, I saw it as well. A pillar-like shadow—but the rain blurred it. I can't say for certain it was the World Tree."

That's the story we're going with.

I can hardly say we went and checked in person.

"Of all the dungeons, it had to be THAT one...... Understood. I'll report it right away."

"Great, then we'll be going."

Yes! Mission complete......

"Hold it. Is Natsuki's injury fully healed?"

He does not hold it.

We are leaving.

"Yes. Shiraishi-san treated it."

No escape, apparently—Aikawa, halfway turned toward the door, gets hauled back by her clothes.

"Shiraishi told me you were beaten soundly. I wondered if it had broken your spirit, but you seem fine there? A person can freeze up the moment an enemy stands before them, after all. Rest up properly."

She fought a Minotaur properly earlier, so she's fine.

"......I'm fine."

"Good. Stay out of the depths for a while. Can't quite trust those types, either."

The Germans, maybe?

"Yes. ......Can we go now?"

"No—let's talk a bit. About your father."

NOOO!

"Haaah."

Aikawa makes her disgust plain.

"Don't give me that look. Your papa comes by the branch often while you're at school, you know. To ask how you're doing...... Whether you're hurt. Whether you're eating right. Whether you're getting along with your friends. That sort of thing."

"......After all this time? It's a nuisance, isn't it?"

I see......

She seemed so meek about it, but he really has been keeping tabs on her.

"Don't say that. And every time, on his way out, he bows his head and asks us to look after his daughter. Not just me—all the staff, one by one. And he swears us to secrecy about his visits too, since you'd hate it."

"......"

He's been worried from the very start, and that hasn't changed.

The problem is......

"Your papa's remarrying, I hear."

There it is.

According to Kasumi-san, the wedding date is already set, too.

Shinohara-san wants Aikawa to attend the ceremony......

Kasumi-san has declared she's Aikawa's ally, but the other party is a senpai who's looked after her.

She seems stuck in the middle over it.

But Aikawa herself......

"......I'd heard something like that, yes."

That's the mood she's in, after all.

But today she declared she'd meet him at Soushi's house, and Soushi said he'd go along.

The branch manager is meddling where he needn't.

"In my case, it was my father who passed. Right around when I'd just started high school, as it happens......"

Aaaaand.

That story, round two——.

︙ ︙

"Ahhh. Finally free—. So THAT'S how Soushi caught a cold—."

Have some sympathy for me, caught in the crossfire here.

Twice already this new year, you know?

"Oh, Haruki. Still here? Well—perfect timing."

"Did you just get back, Hiramatsu-san? How was the new dungeon?"

Hiramatsu-san hails me as he comes back into the branch.

Which dungeon was he on, I wonder?

"Nah, us staff basically never go into dungeons. From the little I peeked of Floor 1, it's a dud. More importantly—Mimiko wants to see you. Asking when you're coming next. Come by tomorrow, will you?"

Now that I think of it, I haven't been to the shrine since my memory came back.

At this point I should be able to throw the left-right thrusts in proper kata form.

Even Mimiko will be surprised.

Maybe I can move up to the next step?

"Tomorrow, huh...... All right. What time should I come?"

"9's too early...... Make it 10. I won't be there, but I'll let Mimiko know—come to the shrine around then."

Elementary school's on winter break, but is just showing up unannounced all right?

Well—if Hiramatsu-san says it's fine, fine it is.

Kasumi-san's working tomorrow too, so the dungeon's out.

I'll do spear training before study, then.

︙ ︙

"......"

The next day.

At the top of the shrine steps, I notice something is off.

Someone's here......

Not Mimiko.

That part's fine—but an armored warrior stood in the shrine grounds, planted in a full guardian-statue stance......