arc03 · 052-ep46

Episode 46: What Do We Do About Golden Week?

Past midnight on a weeknight, there's barely anyone on the streets.

Outside the station area, it's a quiet hour with hardly a stir.

In the car, meanwhile, the two of them were chatting away cheerfully in a way you'd never picture from how they usually are.

"Wow, this plushie here is adorable too! Sakurai-san, are you a fan of this series?"

"I am. I've been a fan since my student days. I've collected plenty of merchandise at home, and even now I can't help buying the new releases. I suppose I'm partial to dopey-faced, squishy little animals."

"I know, right, I know! It really is just that cute! I've got rubber straps and things on my keys too."

"Hehe. They're a little everyday comfort, aren't they?"

Girls seriously love this stuff. The characters themselves are cute, I'll admit, but me, I don't go collecting merch. Most other guys are probably the same, so this kind of character goods gets propped up almost entirely by women, I'd wager. Trends mostly seem to kick off with schoolgirls anyway.

But still. Watching the two of them hit it off better than expected made me weirdly happy.

I know how shy Aizawa is, so maybe some kind of parental pride has sprouted in me. Yup, yup—keeping at it, good girl, Aizawa.

And catching a glimpse of Sakurai-san's off-duty side felt like a little bonus. Funny how that works.

And while I was thinking all that, a very guild-staff-ish topic came up.

"But you two really are impressive. The youngest C-rank adventurer, and an alchemist's personal supporter. Keep this up and your names may spread across the whole country, not just the Akabane Guild. We guild staff will keep a watchful eye, but do be careful of the people around you."

"Thank you, Sakurai-san. Thanks to you, I can dive with an easy mind."

"I-I'll keep at it too, talking things over with the senior alchemists and the guild staff. A-and maybe now and then I'll come to you for advice too, Sakurai-san. Is that all right?"

"Of course, Aizawa-san—please consult me freely anytime. Fellow dedicated contacts of Takeru-san—let's work together."

"Yes! Please!"

Man, what a blessing.

Somehow, just working hard at the adventurer gig keeps surrounding me with people who've got my back.

Aizawa, Sakurai-san—and, well, Mio too—everyone's supporting me.

Be nice if I could return the favor someday. Is there anything I can do beyond clearing the dungeon? Worth mulling over.

"Speaking of which—what will you two be doing for Golden Week? It's not as hectic as spring break, but plenty of people come in to register for the first time, and plenty of adventurers come for expeditions too, seeing it as prime earning season……"

"Oh, right. Golden Week starts this weekend! Well, I didn't have any plans in particular, so I figured business as usual in the dungeon...... Huh, it gets crowded, then. Eh, shouldn't be an issue? Usual schedule for now."

"Me too—the usual, for now...... There's a chance we'll go somewhere as a family. My dad's always so last-minute, we might even end up taking a trip."

"During Golden Week I'll be at the guild from morning on, so please call on me if anything comes up. That said... it is a busy stretch, so if you use priority reception you may draw eyes—please forgive that."

"Ah, true enough. Put me dead last all you like—don't sweat it. Wait, does Sakurai-san even get days off?"

"I do get one day off a week, and a proper block of rest after Golden Week, so please don't worry."

That still sounds pretty rough, honestly.

But dang—Golden Week, huh.

Hadn't thought about it even a li-i-ittle bit…….

Well, a student's Golden Week is mostly weekdays—school as usual—so there's not a lot of golden in it.

That's what summer break is for.

And so, amid surprisingly cozy chit-chat, she ferried us along—and we were apparently already near Aizawa's place.

Wait, isn't that near my place too?

Huh. So they lived pretty close.

In that case, I'll just get dropped off around here too.

"Ah, here's fine. My place is around here too, so I'll walk the rest of the way. Please see Aizawa home. Thanks for today."

"Of course. Do take care. Then—see you tomorrow."

"Ah, Takeru-kun, see you tomorrow!"

"Yeah, later."

I waved the two off and walked home.

Even I know that a guy following a girl all the way to her front door is a bit much.

Gotta treasure a healthy sense of distance.

Right—home, bath, bed.

Busier than busy, but these are fulfilling days.

◇

The next morning.

Got a full night's sleep—condition's perfect again today.

Just as I was thinking I'd throw together breakfast and a bento————

Ding-dooong!

Nwah?

Who the heck is it this early...... right, there's only one person it could be…….

"Takeru~ you uuup~?"

"I'm up. What? This a wake-up call or something?"

"No, no—I brought a bento and breakfast. Let's eat together."

"…………You're serious."

"Huh? Dead serious. It's the only time of day I ever get to see you."

"Ahh... well, true enough? But we don't need to meet every single day, do we?"

"Hey, don't say something so lonely. It's barely a short while before school anyway."

"……Haah. Fine, whatever. If you're bringing food, that does kill my prep time too. I'll keep you company over breakfast a bit. In exchange—the Plunder-holder business. I am dead serious about that."

"Heheh, roger, roger!"

"You're awfully pumped this morning."

"Well~ as it just so happens, I might already have one Plunder holder secured."

"For real! Atta girl!"

"I'll arrange a meeting around Golden Week, so don't go penciling in anything weird, okay?"

"Okey-dokey, got it."

What IS this girl, seriously.

Pessimistic yet somehow proactive, nothing she does makes any sense—and underneath it all, she's genuinely capable.

Man, though—I do wonder what 【Plunder】 will become if it grows. Can't wait.

Noisier than any morning has a right to be—but the sudden good news fired me up too.

Still—her cooking is honestly good, huh.

Bacon and eggs with toast, and onion soup—it soaks right into the stomach.

Dammit... I can feel the everyday creeping in...... and the problem is, I don't even mind.