c21-c40 · 034-ch34

Chapter 34: The Shadow Lurks There — POV: Negomin

"Ugh... yawn... Ah, Negomin. Mornin'..."

"It's not mornin'! Get up already!"

"Gueh!"

I shove my hand into Mayoi's sleepy stomach and force her awake. The commotion must have bothered her, because Kyuu-chan, sleeping next to her, also opens her eyes.

"Huh, Negomin's here..."

"Morning, Kyuu-chan."

"Unfamiliar ceiling... where... are we...?"

"Good morning to you both. This is the 1st Floor S-rank Special Return Room."

Rose-san returns, timing it perfectly with when the two wake up. She had gone out to handle the rescued explorer.

"Ah, welcome back, Rose-san. That explorer..."

"I delivered them to the medical bureau, so I believe they'll be fine now."

"Huh, we're back...? When did we...?"

"Rose-san used her life cord to bring us back. While you two were sleeping peacefully."

The place we're in now is called the S-rank Special Return Room. Normally, when you use a life cord, you get teleported to the explorer return room on the 1st floor. That place is always packed with explorers, but... I never knew they had a room just for S-ranks. There's a fluffy sofa, some snacks, even a drink server—it really does feel like special treatment.

"Well, now that you're both awake, shall we head out?"

"Yes, we shouldn't trouble the staff by staying too long."

"Aww, I wanted to enjoy this sofa a little more..."

"Yeah, yeah, come on, we're leaving. You too, Kyuu-chan."

As I grab Mayoi by the scruff of her neck and drag her out, I call out to Kyuu-chan, but for some reason, she stands in front of me, fidgeting.

"Negomin... ever since we met, I've been wanting to say something... um..."

"What's up, Kyuu-chan?"

"I always watch your streams! Can I have your autograph!"

S-so cute~~~~!!!

I unconsciously pull Kyuu-chan, who's squeezing her eyes shut, into a hug. This girl is seriously like a small animal, so cute!! It really stirs my protective instincts.

"Wah, Negomin...!?"

"Hey Mayoi, can I have this kid?"

"Obviously not."

Tch, the older sister's guard is tight...

"Well, where should I sign? I don't have any fancy paper on me—"

"I've got some."

"...Why do you have that?"

"Duh, so I can sign autographs anytime."

"What's with that self-awareness... Here you go, Kyuu-chan."

"Th-Thank you!"

Kyuu-chan, having received the fancy paper, holds it like she's found a treasure.

Wow, I'm really glad I became a streamer. That's what I'm feeling most right now.

"Oh, since we're at it, let's exchange contact info."

"...Is that okay?"

"Of course! Come on, take out your phone!"

"Yay, I got Negomin's contact info!"

"You... well, whatever."

"Um, might I have yours as well?"

The one who said that was unmistakably Rose-san.

"Rose-san too?! ...Are you sure that's okay?"

"Of course! Actually... I don't have many friends my age."

Well, she does have an atmosphere that makes her hard to approach. I kind of get it.

"Rose has this pure, pristine vibe like you shouldn't dirty her. I don't mind though."

"You're way too familiar with people. You're even casual with me. Show some more respect, respect."

"Huh... Should I have called you Negomin-san after all?"

"Kyuu-chan, you're fine the way you are~~"

"Negomin has some creepy moments, you know. Scary."

As we exchange banter like this, Rose-san suddenly laughs. The way she laughs is exactly like a well-bred young lady—it feels so elegant that flowers might bloom around her.

"Fufu, you all really are unique and interesting. When did you all become acquainted?"

"Um, today."

"Or rather, a bit before we met Rose."

"That recently... I'm a bit envious. As you can see, I'm not good with people."

"Is that so? Well then! Let this big sister be your big sister!"

"That would... make me quite happy."

She's happy about it.

But somehow, the expression on Rose-san's face as she accepts Mayoi's nonsensical proposal feels very childlike, different from the dignified look I saw in the deep layer.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you, Rose-san?"

"Um, 18."

"Eigh... what!?"

18 years old... She became S-rank a year ago, so that means she made S-rank at 17!? Lord Sandai became S-rank at 25, and even that was considered quite young. She's seriously amazing...

The sisters don't seem to react much. They probably don't understand how impressive that is.

"Rose-san is one year older than me. I'm 17."

"I'm 19. How about you, Negomin?"

"Um, age undisclosed~☆"

I'm 24.

"She dodged it..."

"She was already talking about the taste of alcohol during her first stream three years ago, so logically speaking... mgh!"

"Kyuu-chaaan, that's far enough."

"Fufu."

I cover Kyuu-chan's mouth just as she's about to reach the truth, successfully concealing the reality.

After exchanging contact info, the four of us chatted for a while. Whether we just got along well or our wavelengths matched, it just kind of flowed that way. There were snacks and drinks here too, so the timing was perfect.

Rose-san wasn't the type who was good at talking, but the occasional crazy S-rank stories I heard from her were incredibly entertaining. Accidentally putting spilled intestines into the wrong person's body, and since they healed like that, she had to cut them open again to retrieve them—isn't that already in the realm of serial killers? And she properly healed them afterward, so you can't even complain.

And so, time passed, and it became time to part ways.

"...I would love to talk with you all more, but I have something to report to the Management Bureau, so I shall take my leave here. Well then everyone, until we meet again soon."

With those words, Rose-san stood up. The sound of her footsteps heading toward the door tapped out a pleasant rhythm. Even without asking directly, I could tell she had fun.

...Rose-san is S-rank, right? Why did she come to Shinjuku Dungeon? Actually, I still can't quite believe I managed to become friends with that person.

Following suit, Mayoi and Kyuu also stand up.

"We're tired too, so we're going home. Farewell, Negomin."

"Bye-bye, Negomin."

"See you later, Kyuu-chan. And you too, Mayoi."

I watch the two of them leave while waving. Alright, I should head home too.

I take out a mask and cap from my bag, change into my personal disguise style, and exit the room.

Walking down the long hallway and returning to the plaza, the usual scenery spreads out before me. There are more people than usual, but it's a comforting sight.

Today was an even more intense day than yesterday. A deep sigh escapes from within me. It was my first time in the deep layer, but more than anything, being near Shibasaki-san takes an extraordinary amount of energy.

Shibasaki-san was an incredible person. He possessed strength beyond what my measuring stick could gauge, yet he works as a cleaner.

That person probably embodies my ideal. If I can learn from Shibasaki-san, I believe I can become stronger too.

I take out the business card Shibasaki-san gave me and gaze at it. It simply lists the company name, Shibasaki-san's name, and the company's phone number in plain text.

No, that's no good.

I probably won't meet Shibasaki-san again. My relationship with him is only that of a streamer and her guest. Shibasaki-san has his own work. I shouldn't interfere with that. What happened yesterday and today was just a dream-like stroke of luck.

I put the business card back in my pocket.

...Let's hurry home. You did well, me.

"Ah, Negomiiin! Amazing, it's the real thing~. Do you have a moment~?"

As I'm walking through the plaza, I'm suddenly called out from behind.

Oh my, even when I hide, my aura leaks out, huh... A fan, or maybe a casual observer who recognized me and called out. Either way, I should respond.

Thinking that, I turn around.

"Ah, you found me? ...Huh?"

But there was no one there.

"...Did I mishear?"

"No, I'm right here."

Before I could suspect it was an auditory hallucination, that voice is clearly heard right by my ear.

The unseen someone weaves words with a sweet voice that seems to caress my cheek. One by one, deliberately showing me the blades hidden within, as if rolling my reaction on their tongue and enjoying it.

"You're finally alone~, I can finally talk with Negomin. Ah, don't make too much noise, okay? I don't want to make this a big deal either~"