ch41-ch60 · 050-ch50

Chapter 50: The Receptionist's Losing Flag [Watanabe Kasumi] Part 3

SIDE: Watanabe Kasumi

Good morning.

I'm Watanabe Kasumi.

Today's schedule involves Kasugano-san coming by the Association branch after opening a bank account this morning, so I'd like to finish the morning's work as early as possible.

Though there's hardly any work to begin with.

The other staff members have already finished their morning paperwork, so I'm the only one here.

Oh, it's almost 11 o'clock.

Kasugano-san should be arriving soon.

I'd better stop with the bulletin board for now.

No disarray in my hair or uniform.

"Mmm. Mmm."

My voice seems fine too.

Oh? I can hear voices talking.

That's the voice of my junior, Hayashi Sakura.

Sakura has such a bright personality, just talking to her gives you energy—she's a really good girl.

She's very dedicated to her work, and apparently her dream is to make the Chiba branch Japan's number one dungeon branch, though her tendency to overdo things is her only flaw.

Since I'm someone who also overdoes things, we became fast friends.

""Ah......""

It's Kasugano-san.

Hmph, aren't they holding hands?

"Come, come, to my seat. Please sit down. Go on, go on."

Hmph hmph, a hand on his shoulder.

You're having him sit in your seat?

Sakura... isn't that overdoing it?

"So, how about this property?"

Hmph hmph hmph, isn't that too close?

Kasugano-san, didn't you come here to see me?

And a property? What are they looking at? I'm curious.

I can tell my eyes are getting sharper.

Is it because my eyesight gets better inside the dungeon?

This happens occasionally on the surface.

In college, I used contact lenses, but putting them in and taking them out every time I went between the dungeon and the surface was a hassle, so I started wearing glasses.

Lately, I've started wearing non-prescription glasses even inside the dungeon.

"Kasumi-san?"

Sakura, who had been glancing over here, noticed me and called out.

Um... what should I do?

"......I'll make some tea."

Yes, tea, tea.

I hate myself for not being able to honestly ask what they're doing.

When I glance at Kasugano-san again as I'm leaving the room...

He looks so happy.

Somehow I feel gloomy.

Did he smile like that when talking to me?

Sakura is a very attractive woman.

He would smile at her.

Compared to her, I...

I won't say I'm as good as Shiraishi-san, but if I could converse as well as Sakura...

"Sigh..."

Something's been off lately.

I'm worrying about Kasugano-san too much.

He's always doing reckless things...

But Kasugano-san feels different from other adventurers.

He actually listens to what I say, and he even promised not to go deeper.

Not only that, but he's overflowing with talent as an adventurer.

He gets stronger every day.

He must have chosen a Job and Status with excellent bonuses.

Judging from his movements and the fact that he's not using Weapon Enhancement, he must be a [Monk], right?

It's a shame he didn't choose a spear-type Job, but how about [Long Spearman] as a sub?

That would match my sub-job.

I'll suggest it next time.

Also, he said he'd form a party with his friend in two months—I'm worried about whether I can keep winning until then...

Hmph, hmph hmph hmph.

When I return with the tea, aren't they closer than before?

And Sakura, what kind of posture is that!

Excuse me, I'm bringing tea.

Please move apart, it's dangerous.

With a tap.

"Th-thank you very much."

Sakura, you too.

"Sorry to trouble you as always, Kasumi-san."

Apparently, they're looking at vacant properties inside the dungeon.

Dungeon land is rather expensive, but the magic stones he gave me last time came to about 300,000 yen.

If that's Kasugano-san's weekly earnings, he should be able to afford it easily.

Is he planning to rent somewhere?

But if so, why not ask me?

Hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph.

"Ah, here. This one is good. That warehouse here is vacant, right?"

Did he find a property he likes?

He's pointing to a warehouse behind the main street.

"......This is."

I lean forward involuntarily to look at the computer screen.

It's the warehouse where we always have our sparring matches.

He's renting this place?

Don't tell me he planned this from the start?

I think it's good.

I think it's really good.

"Um. I'm sorry. I just realized on the way here, but land rentals are limited to adventurers of Single-Rank and above. And you need a guarantor too."

Oh? It seems Sakura wasn't told that he reached Single-Rank.

Kasugano-san is looking at me.

Whether to tell her or not...

Let's put that on hold for now.

I'll shake my head slightly.

"There are also discounts based on the higher rank between the contract holder and guarantor, so please consider that as well."

A high-rank guarantor, huh.

Other than the Self-Defense Forces personnel in this dungeon, the only Triple-Rank would be the branch manager.

Don't tell me the branch manager foresaw this and said he could use his name?

He did say there was plenty of vacant land.

Everything according to plan, huh.

As expected of someone chosen to be branch manager.

"By the way, Kasugano-san, why did you come to the branch today? It's not just about renting a warehouse, is it? Don't tell me you came to see me?"

That's not it, Sakura.

He came to see me.

"Actually, I came because I have business with Watanabe-san."

Heh heh.

"Kasugano-san, I'll take your documents."

Shall I get to work then?

Please wait a moment.

I'll finish this quickly.

"Ah, did you skip school to go to the bank today? You can use automatic bank transfer when renting the warehouse too. You're well prepared. As expected."

Hmph hmph, hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph.

So that's how it is.

While you leave me to my work, you chat happily with Sakura?

I see.

Ah, Sakura, aren't you getting close again?

Excuse me, the documents are coming through.

Please move apart, it's dangerous.

"Please sign here."

All that's left is the branch manager's signature.

"......Finished. I'll be in the dungeon this afternoon, so if you have anything else to discuss, please do so there."

Come, come, this way to leave.

We'll talk in the dungeon after this.

︙

︙

"You're pretty fired up, huh? What's going on?"

It's Shiraishi-san.

I'll be at the dungeon window with her this afternoon.

"Fired up? Not at all. Same as always. Ei. Yah."

"Your guy isn't coming until around 4, right? It's only 1 o'clock?"

"If Kasugano-san arrives, I'll be stepping away for a bit, so can I leave this spot to you?"

"Yeah, yeah. It's not like any customers come here anyway, I could just work from here. ...Are you going to do things you can't show me?"

She's grinning, making that usual mischievous face.

She's actually quite beautiful when she's not making this face...

Also, I'm just going to check out the warehouse.

Oh, speak of the devil.

"Shall we go?"

"Ah, so that's what it was. Good luck~."

Handing Kasugano-san the competitive naginata, we head to the warehouse.

Indeed, if he can rent this warehouse, we'll be able to have our sparring matches here without anyone questioning us from now on.

Yes, from now on...

"Shall we begin?"

Hmph, he's aiming for my feet again.

This is how you do it.

"Gah!"

Ah, that might have been a bit too strong.

And he's not using a defense skill.

You can't let your guard down.

That's why Sakura and Shiraishi-san can take advantage of you.

"You seemed to be having quite an enjoyable conversation."

Hmph hmph, he took a stance.

No excuses?

Fine then.

I accept your challenge.

"!"

Blocked.

Impossible.

Just a few days ago, he was practically an amateur...

Shall I strike a bit harder?

Hmph hmph hmph.

From the front...

And he's fast too.

""......""

We're in a state of pressing against each other's weapon handles.

C-close.

Closer than with Sakura earlier.

Our eyes meet.

W-why? My heart is pounding.

Hmph hmph hmph hmph.

He's pushing.

Is this a contest of strength?

Fine, I won't lose, okay?

H-huh?

That's strange.

Guh guh guh.

I push back with all my might.

Impossible...

It can't be.

I'm a Level 31 [Naginata User].

My Strength stat is 58.

To be nearly equal to that...

Is that even possible?

No matter how excellent his Job's stat bonuses are as a [Monk], he'd need to be Level 19 to have the same Strength as me.

It took me over a year to reach that level.

It can't be.

Was he high-level from the start?

That's even more impossible.

I definitely saw him register as an adventurer just a week ago with my own eyes.

And he wasn't this strong yesterday.

I swiftly flip around and pull him down.

It would be bad to continue like this.

I've lost my concentration.

Let's talk and reset.

"I have someone in mind for a guarantor."

I'll offer up the branch manager while catching my breath.

What on earth did he do to raise his level so much?

Don't tell me he's going deep and power-leveling recklessly?

I can feel my heart beating faster.

It's alright.

He promised not to go deeper as long as I'm winning.

Calm down.

Let's get through today first.

I mustn't attack.

I'll focus on defense and wait for an opening.

Guh.

Not just strength, but speed too.

But he's careless.

Whether rushing to finish this or not, he keeps pressing forward.

In that case, I can still win.

I sweep his feet and knock him down, but he won't get up again.

It seems today ends here.

"It's just explaining to Sakura... to Hayashi that you were already Single-Rank. If you'd like, I can leave the procedures to Hayashi?"

After that, we discussed the warehouse rental procedures.

Perhaps because I'm a bit emotional, my tone becomes rougher.

Sakura seems to be quite fond of you, so why don't I tell her everything?

"No, I'd like you to handle everything regarding me, Watanabe-san."

H-huh?

Everything, with me?

My heart is pounding.

Looking at me so directly and saying such things... that's unfair.

W-well then, the guarantor should also be me...

"I'd rather not trouble you that much..."

Damn you, branch manager, everything according to plan, huh.

"The branch manager is such a good person."

"Heh heh heh. Yes, he is. Heh heh."

Perhaps because the sparring is over and I've relaxed.

I laugh involuntarily.

Ah, Kasugano-san is smiling too.

See, I can do it too.

You smiled properly while talking to me.

It's alright.

Kasugano-san listens to what I say.

He even keeps his promises.

"Heh heh, now that that's decided, shall we go back? I'll process the paperwork."

︙

︙

"Don't tell me, you finally won?"

"As if I could win. Right, Watanabe-san?"

"......That's...... right."

As if I could win.

Those words weigh heavily on me.

Do I really think so?

What if I lose?

He'll proceed as promised...?

I can't let that happen.

My breathing is ragged.

This is bad.

For now, let me escape to the back room.

"Hah, hah... Calm down, calm down..."

An adventurer's adventure has no end.

They just keep going as far as they can.

And when they reach their limit, they die easily.

That's the kind of adventurer I've seen.

He will surely not stop either.

I can tell from watching him—that's the kind of personality he has.

"...Your HP is strange. It's too high."

I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I can hear them.

The improved senses from my Status aren't limited to my eyes.

My ears too.

From the back room to the window, there's one wall but the door is left open.

At this distance, my ears can pick up their whispers.

So he is high-level after all.

And with high HP.

It seems he really is a [Monk].

I have to do something...

If his level goes up even by 1 more, he might surpass my stats.

If I lose to him... that's the same as him dying.

I absolutely don't want him to die.

He is the only one...

"Don't go to other women, okay."

"What are you talking about?"

I interrupt their conversation.

"...You're still hiding magic stones, aren't you? Hand them all over."

This is all I can do.

I'll make him show proof that he's going deeper and confront him about it.

He broke his promise, so no more matches.

Two months is fine.

Please stay put.

If your friend is with you, you won't overexert yourself.

You're that kind of gentle person, aren't you?