arc4 · 063-ch63

Episode 63: Cultural Festival

It was a Sunday in mid-October. Despite it being a rare day off, Suzuka was surprisingly outside the dungeon.

"We're doing a haunted house for Class 1-B~!"

"How about some yakisoba from Class 3-A!!"

Stalls were set up everywhere like at a festival, and lively voices rang out. This was Hachioji Explorer High School. Today was the cultural festival, and Kirin had invited him.

Many adults besides students were visiting, and it was bustling.

"Man, it's been a while since a day off~."

Yasu stretched his arms as if working out stiffness. He looked somewhat tired—probably busy studying.

"It's not Takaozan High School's cultural festival, you know. At Explorer High."

"It's fine, it's fine. I'm just curious what a high school cultural festival is like, so I came."

Yasu is usually chased by entrance exam studies, but Suzuka invited him to come along to Explorer High's cultural festival. Apparently he's already covered the exam scope, but he's busy with things like review or getting ahead on the high school curriculum.

I heard advanced schools often send first-year high schoolers to cram schools to prepare for college entrance exams, so maybe this is preparation for that.

"Being an explorer high school, everyone's cute, huh! So this is what high school is like."

"True. Their skin is beautiful even without makeup. That's youth."

Being a school for aspiring explorers, everyone had a refreshing quality like sports club members. Maybe because their stats are high, both guys and girls had high facial attractiveness values. Perhaps that's why I often saw students from other schools approaching Explorer High students.

"We get looked at quite a bit too, huh."

"I've gotten used to it lately."

Suzuka mostly just went back and forth between school, home, and the dungeon, so he didn't go to crowded places much. So when he came to a place with many strangers like today, they'd stare at his face rudely and it was annoying.

"At least we don't get hit on."

"Go look at your face in a mirror right now. When a handsome guy is surly, he looks super grumpy so people don't approach him."

He thought that himself too. Because his face was too perfectly formed, he had an intimidating presence just by staying silent. Back when he wasn't used to this face yet, there were times when he'd be startled seeing himself in the mirror.

In contrast, Yasu was a gentle guy who smiled by default, so he got hit on by girls anywhere—on the street, at cram school. But Suzuka had never been hit on even once. Sure, Yasu was handsome, but Suzuka was handsome in a different genre from Yasu, so he should get hit on too.

"Lucky getting hit on. I want to get hit on too."

"No way. If someone hit on you, you'd definitely coldly brush them off."

"That's not true! ...It shouldn't be."

He doesn't have confidence that he'd respond kindly with a smile. Besides, the dungeon's fun right now so he doesn't have time to devote to romance.

But Suzuka is also a guy, so he gets pent up too. He has money now, so if he could use sex services it'd be perfect.

"Or maybe you're not being seen as a guy."

"That seems kinda childish."

"No no lol. I mean people think you're a girl lol. You might get hit on by guys faster lol."

It's becoming a standard joke, but as a result of becoming too handsome, Suzuka has an appearance that transcends gender. If you call it androgynous it sounds nice, but his frame is slender and his skin is white, so at first glance he didn't not look like a girl.

Statistically he should easily win an arm-wrestling match against a muscle-bound macho man, but it didn't show up as muscle.

"Oh, isn't that Jozenji-san? Did you come?"

Just when he was talking with Yasu about 'Let's bet on whether a guy or a girl hits on me first', he was called out to by a deep, manly voice. Looking over, a dignified-looking man with a familiar face stood there.

Built like a pro wrestler or rugby player, with a serious and honest face that was manly. He was the type who'd probably be popular with guys in a different genre from Suzuka.

"Ah, from the monster train back then..."

"I'm Ryonan from Parks. Thank you so much back then. I'm sorry we parted without being able to properly thank you."

Ryonan bowed his head. Though he had some stiff aspects, he was a very good-natured young man. Suzuka liked him.

"No, it couldn't be helped back then. I don't mind it either."

They should have been a different party from Parks, but one Explorer High student had died. In that situation, they thanked Suzuka and left, so that's more than enough.

"Please don't use honorifics. For explorers, strength is everything. Having Jozenji-san use honorifics with me feels itchy."

"Oh, is that how it is?"

"That's how it is."

He probably has some attachment to it. We probably won't meet again, so it's best to go along with him.

"Ah, speaking of which, this is my friend Ando. And this is Ryonan-san."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ryonan, a third year at Explorer High. I was saved by Jozenji-san in the dungeon just the other day."

Ryonan and Yasu bowed their heads to each other.

"Jozenji-san, are you coming to Explorer High next year?"

"No, I don't plan to enter. I got invited today. That Kirin who was with me back then is a student here."

"Oh, Rikuzen-senpai's sister, right. I'm also participating in today's martial arts festival. Please come watch if you like."

So saying, Ryonan bowed his head and left. Even though he was the one saved, taking that attitude toward a middle school third year Suzuka as a high school third year showed quite some character. Suzuka probably couldn't be like that.

"Martial arts festival, huh. When was it again?"

"It should be from the afternoon. Check the pamphlet we got at reception."

The martial arts festival is the biggest event of Explorer High's cultural festival. Magic is completely prohibited. Only wooden weapons dropped from goblins can be used—a close-quarters martial arts tournament.

Skill use is permitted, so the fact that you can win with skills even with a level difference is probably one of its appeals. The martial arts festival is also a tradition at Explorer High, and since healers with recovery magic are dispatched from the Explorer Association, you don't have to worry even if you get injured.

There's also a magic arts festival happening at the same time. This is like clay pigeon shooting—you shoot down unglazed clay dishes flying in the air with magic.

It requires the rapid-fire capability and precision of magic, so it's quite a difficult competition for Explorer High students with low skill levels, but since fire and water fly out it's also a popular attraction.

The magic arts festival was held on Saturday, so unfortunately you can't see it today.

"Anyway, a guy hit on you first."

"No, that doesn't count. It was an acquaintance."

"A bet's a bet."

"Damn it. Can't be helped. I'll treat you to lunch."

What awful timing, Ryonan.

Suzuka's stock, which should have gone up, was unfairly lowered a bit by Ryonan.

◇

Kirin's class seemed to be running a cafe. The classroom 1-A he was called to was already lined up with several groups, so it must be popular.

"There's a line, but is this okay?"

"You have an acquaintance, right? Sure, let's line up."

A student stands at the front of the line. It seems like the style where you write your name and wait like at a family restaurant.

"Welcome~! This is 'Gorgeously Gorgeous Cafe'. Please write your name and wait~."

'Gorgeously Gorgeous Cafe', huh. Cultural festival store names are weird. It was the same when I was in high school.

Thinking that was nostalgic, he headed to reception.

"Ah, two people."

"Welcome~! Please write your name here... um, not Iron Pipe... Jozenji-san?"

The girl at reception stared at Suzuka's face and said that.

"Eh, yeah. That's right."

"Ah, w-wait a moment please!"

So saying, she went inside the classroom. The classroom entrance was covered with a black curtain, so you couldn't see inside.

Just as he was about to write his name taking a pen, Kirin came out of the classroom.

"Yo, Suzuka-chan. Welcome to 'Gorgeously Gorgeous Cafe'."

Kirin was cosplaying as a maid. No, calling it cosplay—it suited her too well.

Not the miniskirt maid outfit like a maid cafe, but wearing a Victorian-style long skirt, Kirin bowed elegantly. Her piercings were as flashy as usual, but she wore it in her own style including that.

Seeing Kirin, I realized it's true that beautiful women look good in anything they wear.

"Come on, I saved Suzuka-chan a seat. Please, come inside."

"For real? Sorry, and thanks."

It seemed like he made her worry. Following Kirin inside. The interior was also particular, built like a classic cafe.

"This is the menu. Pancakes are probably the recommendation."

Since she recommended them, he ordered two pancakes and two coffees.

When Kirin left the seat to prepare, Yasu next to him nudged him with his elbow. When he looked, wondering what, Yasu was frozen stiff.

"What's wrong, Yasu. Ah, I forgot to introduce you. Next time they come I'll introduce you."

"No, that's not it. Your acquaintance... don't tell me it's that super beautiful lady?"

"Yeah. Ah, you thought my acquaintance was a guy? Too naive. My acquaintances aren't just the buff Ryonan. I have female acquaintances too."

Yasu was shocked like he was surprised. What a rude guy.

But since he's always exploring dungeons solo and never talks about romance stuff, it's probably understandable he'd think that.

"That's amazing. You got to know such a beautiful woman."

"That's explorers for you. But you get picked up too, right?"

"No way, I wouldn't get picked up by someone that beautiful. Explorers really are different."

Since coming to Explorer High, Yasu had heard the surrounding kids saying "cute cute" about everything. Among them, the zoo members had high stats so they were one head more beautiful than the rest.

Maybe even without that, the reason 1-A's attraction is crowded might be because of people like Kirin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Ya-ho~ Suzuka-chan. Long time no see~."

The ones who brought the food were Kirin and Inurakuse. Inurakuse was tall with a model figure, and she also looked good in a maid outfit. With her light brown hair too, she was a Western-style maid through and through.

With two beautiful women, Kirin and Inurakuse, serving, it certainly had a gorgeous atmosphere. Looking around, somewhat mature students were doing butlers and maids, so that might be the concept.

"Ah, Kirin and you guys too? I'll move."

Since the drinks brought included ones for Kirin and Inurakuse, Suzuka moved next to Yasu.

"What about Nyako and Kotori?"

"Those two are doing PR. They were here until just now, but the timing was bad."

While serving, Kirin told him.

"Thanks for the seat. Ah, it's nice to meet you. I'm Inurakuse, a first year at Explorer High."

"Same, I'm Rikuzen Kirin, a first year."

"Ah, um, I'm Ando Yasunori, Suzuka's friend! Suzuka calls me Yasu. Nice to meet you."

Looking at Yasu next to him, his face was bright red. Inurakuse was also a beautiful older sister type with narrow eyes, so maybe he's weak to older women.

It's pitiful to tease him so he doesn't. If a middle schooler had two beautiful women like that come, his face would turn red too. Suzuka also thought the two were very beautiful, but Suzuka, whose inner self is 30 years old, can't take a fresh attitude like Yasu. He just thinks youth is nice.

"Yasu-kun was dungeon exploring with Suzuka-chan, right?"

"Yes. Only in District 1, though."

"Even so, that's amazing. Just being able to keep up with Suzuka-chan's pace in dungeon exploration is something to be proud of."

Both Inurakuse and Kirin seem interested in Yasu. You can tell from their appearance that their stats are booming, so there's no doubt he did dungeon exploration with Suzuka.

For them, Yasu, who explored alongside Suzuka who boasts strength like a fierce demon, is worth respecting just for that.

Yasu also seems to find it easy to talk about a common topic, and he talks freely—about how Suzuka suddenly got interested and went into the dungeon alone, about how she went dungeon diving with a metal bat and school tracksuit, about how Suzuka doesn't understand the concept of safety margin.

It's mostly fact so he can't say anything, and he thought it was better than Yasu looking uncomfortable, so he just let it flow.

"Ah haha! Suzuka-chan was full throttle from the start, huh!"

"Not really, Wanko. When I first went to the dungeon, I only fought Drunken Sheep."

"No no lol. A middle schooler alone, and going dungeon exploration with a metal bat as a weapon at that point is already crazy lol."

"That's true. Even for us, we did at least minimum training before entering the dungeon."

For them, the fact that Suzuka's screws were loose was common knowledge, and listening to the story they thought again that she really was crazy.

In addition to that, Yasu, who kept up with such a Suzuka without training, holding a shovel, was also a man who couldn't be called normal. They were saying 'this guy is crazy', but you're plenty crazy too. That's their impression.

"Speaking of which, has Suzuka-chan become a fourth-rank explorer yet?"

Kirin asked Suzuka. When they went to see a movie together last time, Suzuka had said she finished exploring District 1-3. If so, the next exploration area would naturally be Floor 2, District 1.

The promotion exam for fourth-rank explorer is to defeat a monster in Floor 2, District 1 specified by the accompanying examiner. Thinking Suzuka could become a fourth-rank explorer anytime soon, Kirin asked assuming she already had.

"Eh, you're already a fourth-rank explorer?"

"No, not at all. Not at all. I'm exploring District 1-4 right now."

At those words, the shop buzzed for a moment. General customers didn't change, but Explorer High students were listening in on Suzuka and the others' conversation. They knew Suzuka was the Iron Pipe Princess and were interested.

"Whoa. Just as Kirin predicted."

"Right? Suzuka-chan would go toward District 4 which seems more interesting than hunting area bosses."

It seemed she was fishing. Suzuka agreed with Kirin's words.

"That's right! District 4 is interesting! Lots of treasure chests, and all the monsters that come out are strong! Kirin and you guys should go to District 4 too."

"Ah, we plan to. We're aiming to be the strongest."

It's a chuunibyou line, but it sounds dignified when Kirin says it. After all, it's not about what words you say, but who says them that matters. When a beautiful person says it, it's like a movie scene.

They had fun talking about trivial things like how District 4 was and helping her brother level up. Feeling guilty about keeping the two staff members tied up, after eating the pancakes they decided to go to the next place to fully enjoy the cultural festival.

On the way, they met Kotori and Nekoyashika who were doing PR, at the martial arts festival Ryonan and Nekoyashika had a close match in the finals but Nekoyashika's spirit overpowered him in a great match and Nekoyashika won, they slapped Yasu who said since there were more cute girls than he imagined he might go to Explorer High, and it was a satisfying day off spent outside the dungeon for the first time in a while.