arc2 · 020-ch20

Chapter 2: Lonely Floor 1, District 2

Episode 20: Each Other's Path

"Sorry, Suzuka!"

　When I arrived at school in the morning, Yasu was there with his head bowed.

　Hmm? Why is this guy bowing his head?

　Yesterday was a memorable day when we defeated the Boss Fox and both reached level 10. After that, we ate yakiniku for a celebration party and pumped ourselves up to keep working hard from here on.

　The yakiniku was split evenly, so I didn't treat him, and since we can't drink alcohol, there was no getting drunk and annoying clinginess. So what happened... Oh, does he want to borrow money?

　Yasu's shovel seemed slightly warped from taking the Boss Fox's attack. It wasn't exactly broken, but maybe he wants to get a new one. If the Boss Fox had dropped any items, he could have easily bought a new shovel, but unfortunately there were no dropped items.

　The only item that dropped was the golden club that was the Boss Fox's weapon, but since it was affected by Suzuka's skill, it can't be sold. So effectively, there were no drops.

　That shovel cost 30,000 yen, after all. My weapon is a drop item so it didn't cost anything, so I could lend him that much. Rather, since we're continuing to explore, it's a necessary expense.

　Thinking that we should save up party funds if we're going to work together, Suzuka responded.

"Do you want to borrow money?"

"Money? No, that's not it."

　Oh, I guessed wrong.

"Then why are you apologizing?"

"I'm really sorry! Once summer break starts, I have to go to summer cram school, so I won't be able to go to the dungeon with you anymore!!"

"Hah!?"

　The content was surprising enough that even Suzuka couldn't help but raise his voice.

"You're not a little kid anymore, so you don't have to go to something like that!"

"No, middle schoolers are still children."

"That's true... But, summer cram school? It's not like you're an exam student."

"We're in third year of middle school, you know? We ARE exam students."

　Damn, third-year middle schoolers in summer would go to cram school, of course! I can't tell him not to study... Ah, so this is the feeling of not being able to stop someone from going to a dungeon. He's trying to do the right thing, but you can't stop it, can you.

　You can't tell a kid who says they want to study hard to stop. In this world, dungeon exploration must fall into that same framework.

　Setting that aside, Suzuka asked Yasu.

"What's the point of studying for entrance exams? Weren't you going to become an explorer?"

　Studying for entrance exams is necessary because you're taking entrance exams. If you're not taking exams, there's no need to study.

"About that... when I consulted my parents after getting home yesterday, they said all sorts of things. They told me that at the very least, I should go to high school."

"Ah~, I see. Well, it is better to graduate from high school."

　Of course, parents would want their kids to at least graduate high school. Even I was told to attend Explorer High School. Though I have no intention of going.

　Besides, for a third-year middle schooler, parents are a significant presence. A single opinion from parents can sway one's heart. Yasu wasn't originally dead set on becoming an explorer either, so this was probably a decision he made after calming down and thinking it over.

"Studying for entrance exams means you're not aiming for Explorer High School, then?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking of aiming for Takaozan High School."

　Takaozan High School is the top preparatory school in this area. Hearing that, Suzuka understood.

　That's right. This guy was originally smart. He liked robots, said he wanted to make robots in the future, and actually worked for a robot manufacturer. Unlike me, he was someone who had already decided what he wanted to do.

　Naturally, if asked to choose between a long-held dream and being an explorer that happened to be going well, he'd choose the former. You can become an explorer in high school or college, but you can't get into a good school unless you work hard now.

"Haaa~, I see, I see. Well, that can't be helped."

"I'm really sorry."

"It's fine, it's fine. Don't make that face. So, what are you going to do after going to such a prestigious school? Build robots or something?"

"I haven't given up on the explorer path either. I was thinking I'd like to try making products for explorers in the future."

"Products for explorers, huh."

　Unlike the previous world, this world has dungeons. Because of that, there are dungeon-exclusive materials and items, and completely different products from the previous world have become widespread.

　The prime example is cars in Japan—most are magic stone-powered vehicles. Gasoline cars and electric cars apparently exist overseas, but Japan was the pioneer in developing magic stone automobiles.

　This is development unique to Japan, which built its postwar recovery on dependence on dungeons.

"You've really thought this through. Well, if you're going to do it, study hard."

"Of course. My status has gone up too, so it's a breeze."

　Because there's an Intelligence stat, it's said that explorers have improved memory and comprehension. He's only level 10, but with Yasu's high stats, he probably won't fail his entrance exams.

"That said... seriously, huh. I'm back to solo again."

　At my comment, Yasu looked at me with a dubious expression.

"Suzuka. You're not thinking of exploring solo, are you?"

"Hah? What are you talking about?"

"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't... just as I thought—"

"If you're not coming, I have no choice but to go solo, right?"

　Yasu froze with his mouth open, having started to say something.

"...Are you stupid?"

　After leaving a long pause, that's what came out. Very regrettable.

"Don't you know? The one who calls someone stupid is the stupid one."

"Why would you even think of exploring solo!? It's a dungeon! You could die, you know!?"

　This guy might have actually become stupid. It's obvious you could die in a dungeon. Is he going to be okay for his entrance exams?

"You could just quietly go to Explorer High School."

"You're so duuumb. Seriously stupid. Like, mega stupid."

　Suzuka repeated "stupid" repeatedly as if returning the favor from earlier. I believe the story was that the one who calls someone stupid is the stupid one, but the very stupid Suzuka doesn't remember such things.

"Listen? That place is so fun, and you can enter for free, you know? Not only that, you even get paid money. It's a no-brainer to go in."

　To Suzuka, the dungeon isn't a place to earn money, or a place to unravel secrets. It's the ultimate fun gamble where he bets his life.

　In the end, despite losing all his assets and time-leaping, Suzuka hadn't changed a single bit. That sensation of brain juices gushing out when hitting the jackpot, that sensation of blood draining when losing everything. Those experiences where his mental state so physically affected his body were shocking experiences for Suzuka.

　In this world, he can taste that in dungeons. With something like that right before his eyes, there was no way he could stop.

"...Sigh. You're seriously not going to listen, are you."

　Seeing Suzuka's eyes shining brightly, Yasu let out a big sigh.

"Fine. I'll work hard on my exam studies, and you work hard on your exploration."

"Yeah, that's the spirit. Let's both do our best!"

"Got it. But, seriously, be careful. If you get injured, contact me. I'll use recovery magic on you."

　People who can use recovery magic are valuable. Having a user close by was fortunate for Suzuka.

"Well, homeroom's starting, so I'm heading back. See ya, Princess Suzuka."

"Die."

　Since Yasu is in a different class, he said that and left the classroom.

"Hm?"

　There, Suzuka finally noticed the surrounding gazes.

　There are almost no middle school students who have entered a dungeon and raised their level. At least in this middle school, it's only Suzuka and Yasu. And thanks to their stats, both had become frighteningly good-looking. Suzuka had become an androgynous beauty, and Yasu had become a handsome guy with a sweet face.

　In other words, what I'm trying to say is, if those two were talking together in the morning, anyone would pay attention.

"Hey, did you hear that?"

"I heard it! Princess Suzuka!!"

"They're calling her a princess!! Those two are totally a thing then!!!"

"SuzuYasu!? ...No wait, YasuSuzu is also hard to give up!!!"

"Jozenji is... a princess!?"

"Jozenji totally got a d*ck attached then!!"

"Jozenji got a d*ck attached!?"

　From here and there, voices speculating that Yasu and I were in a rose-colored relationship could be heard.

　How am I supposed to explain this... Anything I say seems like it would have the opposite effect. And I didn't get a d*ck attached. I'm definitely punching Yasu later. Now that there's no level difference, even if I do it seriously, he won't die.

　Suzuka made that vow in his heart, then buried his face in his desk to escape from reality.