c21-c40 · 039-ch39

Chapter 39 – A Hard-Fought Victory

Th-Thank goodness... I barely managed to win.

Hearing Sandai-san admit defeat, I finally let out a sigh of relief. I released my combat stance and sat down on the spot, exhaustion spilling out of me.

"Man, you guys are strong. If this had been Shibuya instead of Shinjuku, this uncle would've lost."

"Please, such praise is too generous. ...Thank you for indulging my selfish request."

"Not at all! I haven't been able to move around properly in ages, so it was actually fun. Thanks for that."

When was the last time I had such a proper, intense fight? I'd been doing nothing but cleaning work in Shinjuku for the past few years, so this pleasant fatigue felt refreshing.

The shift ended, and the surroundings changed back into the gloomy jungle terrain characteristic of Pluto Jungle. From beyond the densely packed trees, Ririka-san and Anju-san came walking toward us.

"Shibasaki-san, that was seriously amazing! Right, Ririka-san!"

"...Truly. Now I understand why Sandai was so worked up."

"Well, he's the person I'm pushing for! Though I didn't expect to get beaten so badly..."

I didn't think the gap was big enough to call it a complete beatdown, but Sandai-san was looking down slightly, as if she'd lost some confidence.

"Um, Shibasaki-san... Can I become stronger than I am now...?"

"You can."

"Huh?"

"Let's see, you're too trapped in your physical body given your abilities. Explorers should be more free."

Sandai-san looked at me with a blank expression. Was my advice too vague? I might have been a bit too ambiguous.

"Hey, hey! What do you mean by that?!"

"Hmm, for example..."

"W-Wait!"

Just as I was about to continue my explanation, Sandai-san interrupted me forcefully. Then she started muttering to herself as if entering her own world.

"I see, I understand now... I've been following other explorers too closely as examples. Skills should have more expandability... Applications for movement methods? No, with more ambiguous power... Then, that should work too!?"

She looked like ideas were flooding her mind and she couldn't stop them. Seeing her like that reminded me of my younger self, and I felt a bit nostalgic.

It would be insensitive to disturb her now.

Ririka-san seemed to sense that too, and spoke to me without getting in Sandai-san's way.

"Speaking of which, Shibasaki-san, about that bet you mentioned to Sandai before the match—how should we handle it?"

"Ah, the one where I'd ask a favor if I won."

"I'll do anything! Please, tell me anything!"

Sandai-san, who had supposedly been in her own world, suddenly jumped into the conversation.

Why is this girl so hyped up...

"No, I just wanted to ask you not to tell anyone about me. It's not something I want spread around too much."

"I intended to do that from the start!"

"That's a relief then."

"Which means that doesn't count! Please tell me something else you'd like me to do!"

"Um... then let's put it on hold for now..."

"Yes!!"

Yeah, what an energetic response.

"Also, Shibasaki-san, there's one more thing I'd like to ask!"

"What is it?"

"I'd like to exchange business cards!"

"That's... fine, I suppose."

"Ah, I see now. So that's why Sandai-san was glaring so hard at Negomin back then."

And so, for some reason, we ended up exchanging business cards. Since we'd done what needed to be done, it seemed Sandai-ren would be leaving now.

"We'll be taking our leave now! Since we came all this way, we'll dive a bit deeper into the deep layer of Shinjuku Dungeon!"

"I see. Be careful then."

"What will you do now, Shibasaki-san?"

"I still have remaining work to do."

"Huh, with that deck brush?"

"Ah..."

Right, I got worked up during the match and broke it. What should I do, hmm.

"Ah... I think I'll head home for today after all. I'm kind of tired."

"I see! Well then, until we meet again somewhere!"

"Thank you very much for today!"

"Bye-bye, Shibasaki-saaan!"

The three of them waved as they walked away. They were interesting people.

Dungeon cleaning work isn't something that requires urgency. The reason I do it almost every day is because of the tragic reality that if I don't, the workload piles up to a life-threatening degree. Well, but it's a manageable amount if I work twice as hard tomorrow. Sigh...

Anyway, I need to tell Maika-chan I'm heading back. I'd turned off my incam.

Thinking that, I powered on my incam. But there was no response from the other side. Is she in the bathroom?

"Maika-chaaan, you there?"

"..."

I could hear Maika-chan's breathing through the microphone. Good, she's there at least.

"Sorry, Maika-chan, for cutting out suddenly."

"...What happened with Sandai-sama?"

"What do you mean, what happened? We just chatted a bit."

"...I hate you, Shibasaki-san!"

"Whaaat?!"

Sh-She hates me?! Why would she say that... Could it be, the rebellious phase!?

That's what I thought, but Maika-chan muttered softly in a sorrowful tone.

"I don't mind... about Mother."

"..."

"I'm 15 years old now. I'm not that weak."

"...Sorry."

I know. I know she's a strong girl. After all, she's the child that woman gave birth to.

"Ten years, huh."

I see, it's already been ten years since that person died.