ch81-ch100 · 081-ch81

Chapter 81: I Haaate You!

"It's not enough to just say sorry, you know? Is there something you want to do, and you need money for it? Then your father and I will figure something out. So stop doing anything dangerous. Okay?"

Well, it's not quite like that.

I mean, if I never had to work a day in my life and she'd take care of me and Kasumi-san, maybe I could quit...

No, no. I made my resolve.

Nothing's stopping me now.

I glance over at Kasumi-san, and—would you look at that—under the table, her hand has come to rest on top of mine.

(Whoa...)

"What's with that face? It is about money, isn't it. It's all right. Tell me how much you need. Actually, first, tell me what it is you want to do."

There's nothing I particularly want to do.

And as long as I have Kasumi-san, I don't need anything else.

"No, money's fine. Once I get into university, I'll be able to give you an easy life, actually."

"How many times do I have to say it? What's the point if you're doing dangerous things to get there? What's the point of earning all that money if you're dead?"

This time she slams her palm on the table with a bang.

Good thing there's nobody else in the restaurant, but the staff are looking this way now.

(Ow-ow-ow???)

Huh? Kasumi-san is gripping my hand.

Hard.

Isn't that a little strong?

When I look at her, her face is tense.

"Ah, sorry, sorry! And with Watanabe-san right here, too. What am I doing?"

That's right.

If my terrifying mother makes Kasumi-san hate me, who's going to fix that?

Kasumi-san's expression stays clouded.

My hand still hurts, too.

"K... Watanabe-san, are you okay?"

"Um... ma'am? May I have a word?"

"Yes, of course. And I'd like to hear what you have to say, too."

Don't put weird pressure on her, Mom.

"Thank you. The truth is, I haven't been back home—to my parents' home—in many years."

That's right. She lives on her own.

Oh, and I made it to Floor 30.

All that's left is to break through Floor 30 with Kasumi-san.

"The cause was starting this work. My parents said it seemed like dangerous work... and we fought about it. I stormed out—it was practically running away from home—and I haven't been back in years."

That one's on the parents who wouldn't understand.

Kasumi-san didn't do anything wrong.

Kasumi-san, who had been speaking toward my mother, turns to face me.

"I regret it now. So, Haruki-san. Please hear your mother out. And please explain everything to her. If the two of you don't talk it through properly now, you will absolutely regret it. Besides, I want to hear it too. Until I've heard everything, I am on your mother's side."

And with that, she lets go of my hand...

"Watanabe-san... Haruki. You heard her, didn't you? Out with all of it."

Grrrr.

They're both wearing faces like they've won.

Mother is whatever, but I suppose I'd better talk this through with Kasumi-san.

(...Tell her what?)

I made my firm resolve just now, but there's no reason behind aiming for Floor 50.

I mean, I'm doing it because it looks like I can.

Does an adventurer even need a reason to aim for Floor 50?

Well, might as well start from the top.

"I'm aiming for Floor 50."

...And I led with the conclusion.

"Floor 50? What's there? I'm sorry. I don't really understand adventurers."

Right. My mother knows nothing about dungeons...

"Floor 50 is a floor no one has ever reached. ...No one who has gone there has ever come back."

Kasumi-san fills in for me.

"What? That's not 'dangerous,' that's beyond dangerous. What are you thinking?"

Calm down.

I gesture for her to hold on and keep going.

"Unfortunately, it turns out I've got talent. If I keep this up, I'll break the world record in under five years. You can go ahead and be proud."

"You're pale as a ghost—what talent? You got hurt because you don't have any, didn't you?"

"Ma'am. Please listen. There is no doubt that Haruki-san has talent. Haruki-san is already equal to or better than a Double-Rank adventurer. I was a naginata champion back in my school days, and it took me over a year to reach the level Haruki-san is at now. But Haruki-san got past that level in just ten days since his birthday."

"Eh? A year's worth in ten days? What does that mean? ...I don't understand. What are you saying? Talent... he really has it?"

Covering fire from Kasumi-san.

Heh heh heh.

She really is on my side.

In that case, time to show off just how talented I am.

"K... Watanabe-san, listen. Actually, yesterday I went all the way to Floor 30. I'm a high-rank job holder now."

I hit her with my best smug face.

Praise me.

"Huh?"

Huh? Kasumi-san has frozen up.

Maybe I surprised her too much?

"Thirty? Is thirty good? Is it impressive? Watanabe-san? Are you okay?"

"You're not joking? You really went to Floor 30?"

Oh, she's moving again.

"Yes. Next is your turn, K... Watanabe-san. As soon as I'm back in shape, let's go."

I can't find the right timing to call her by her first name...

Maybe it's still too early.

But if we clear Floor 30 together...

"What do you think you're doing?"

Huh?

Kasumi-san grabs me by the collar.

Then she hauls me up off the seat, and now we're both standing.

"Is this some kind of joke? Do you have any idea how much your mother worried? And that was Floor 30? Why were you somewhere like that?"

"Eh? Well, I... I wanted to make Kasumi-san happy, so..."

Caught off guard, I blurt out something I shouldn't have.

"Happy? Why would I be happy that you went to Floor 30? I believed in you. I knew you'd come back. There was no way you'd get done in by something like Floor 20. All night long, the whole time, the whole time. And you betrayed that."

Kasumi-san's right hand comes down on my left shoulder.

Bonk.

Again and again. Bonk, bonk.

With no strength behind it...

"W-Watanabe-san. Calm down, please."

My mother steps in between us.

But Watanabe-san won't let go of me.

"This man! He doesn't understand your feelings at all, ma'am, or mine. This man, this man... I haaate him!"

She's crying...

Why?

"I hate you"...?

She drops to her knees.

"Okaaaay, that's enough, that's enough."

Appearing on the scene with a clap-clap of her hands is Shiraishi-san.

"Shi... ra... shi-san."

Kasumi-san lets go of me, freezes mid-motion, and stands rooted to the spot.