ch61-ch80 · 069-ch68

Chapter 68

For the current Shirazawa Kana, Hayasaka Toru was her "ex-boyfriend from three years ago." That was simply a fact, and even now it made her a little sad.

Summer vacation of her second year of high school. A 'Dungeon Rampage' had occurred in a place Kana didn't know. Hayasaka Toru had been caught up in it — strictly speaking, only he had managed not to be caught up — and ended up completely alone.

But she only learned that later.

She knew he was going to visit his father's family home for a grave visit. On the day he was supposed to return, she contacted his mobile, but there was no reply.

Several days passed. Then Hayasaka Toru contacted her.

— I got caught up in the 'Dungeon Rampage' and my whole family died. Sorry, but I don't have the leeway to be boyfriend and girlfriend. I want to break up —

Even now, that message was saved on the cloud, and she didn't need to look it up — it was burned into her mind. At the time, Kana was still seventeen. She had no idea what she could do for a lover who'd lost his family and had to become independent.

Maybe she could have done something.

But at the time, Kana didn't know, and honestly speaking, even now she didn't know what she should have done back then.

Stick by him and comfort him? Share his pain and suffering?

Impossible. It was too heavy for a seventeen-year-old high school student. And Hayasaka Toru wasn't the kind of person who'd share that weight.

Financial support was out of the question too. Having him live at her family home because they were lovers wasn't possible either. Because up until that day, they'd just been ordinary high school students. Just an ordinary boyfriend and girlfriend.

— I understand. If you're really in trouble, let me know — I might be able to help somehow. Thank you for everything —

In the end, that was the message she sent back, and the relationship that had lasted about a year came to an end. After that, worried, she discreetly looked into what Hayasaka Toru was doing, and before she knew it, he'd started working as a cleaner at Sugai Dungeon.

A boy the same age as her — living on his own.

Thinking about it made her feel a restless anxiety, like something was clawing at the inside of her chest. Some time later, she noticed he'd started some kind of live stream called 'Cleaning Records,' but she couldn't bring herself to comment. Afraid her account would be found out, she couldn't even subscribe to his channel.

Three years passed. Shirazawa Kana became a college student. Living alone in a neighboring city, she'd joined a university explorer club and was doing a half-hearted imitation of an explorer.

In middle school explorer practicals, she'd been told her mana affinity was fairly decent, so getting her license went smoothly. When she dove into Noumi Dungeon with senior club members, she earned a decent amount of money. For an ordinary college student, at least.

She was aware that it was probably because of Hayasaka Toru's influence.

Even if it was just a hobby-level explorer activity through a university club, defeating monsters slightly reduced the chance of a 'Dungeon Rampage.' Every time she killed monsters in a dungeon and exchanged the magic cores for money at a labyrinth branch, she got a small dose of self-satisfaction.

A self-satisfaction that let her, little by little, forgive the seventeen-year-old her who could do nothing but accept the breakup... that was the kind of self-satisfaction Kana needed.

And then, one day, Hayasaka Toru became known worldwide as 'Worksite-bro,' and he suppressed the 'Dungeon Rampage' that occurred in S City.

◇◇◇

And now, that same Hayasaka Toru was sitting on a department store bench with the relaxed air of a Sunday father.

Kana first thought she was seeing things. Partly because they were in front of a women's clothing store, and partly because it made no sense that the famous 'Toru-bro' would be zoning out in a place like this. Plus, she'd never expected a coincidental reunion like this.

"...Hayasaka-kun?"

"Ah... Shirazawa...?"

The habit of hesitating slightly before forming words hadn't changed. But the expression with which he looked at Kana was one she'd never seen before. That made sense — they hadn't seen each other in three years.

From seventeen to twenty.

From high school student to college student.

Despite that, Hayasaka's appearance hadn't changed much... no, maybe he was a bit taller, and his build was sturdier. Hard to tell since he was sitting.

"Wow, uh... what a coincidence. What are you doing here?"

She tilted her head with a smile she knew was awkward.

Hayasaka curved the corner of his mouth slightly and gave a small shrug. When she'd talked about things she was happy about, things that bored her, what friends had done — he'd always made that face when she was rambling.

"Ah... just shopping. Treatin' people I owe."

"Shopping? You look like you're just sitting there, though."

"I haven't built up enough virtue to tag along on women's shopping trips."

He said it sarcastically, then let out a small "heh." This deliberate, poisonous way of speaking was also incredibly nostalgic. Because he never changed this attitude no matter who he was with, he had a hard time making a good impression... but back then, Kana was fine with that.

Because if someone got to know him deeply, other girls would start liking Hayasaka-kun too.

Those feelings were now sepia-toned too.

What she felt strongly now was — nostalgia. And a gentle ache.

A time and a set of feelings she could never get back.

"Ah, so you're waiting for a woman? If it's going to take a while, can I sit next to you?"

The reason those words slipped out so easily was probably because three years had passed. Three years ago, she'd definitely have run away.

"It's not my bench. Sit wherever you want."

"What if I said that, and I actually was someone you didn't want sitting next to you?"

"Then I'd get up and leave."

"So even as 'Toru-bro,' you haven't changed at all, huh."

She sat down next to him with a wry smile. Hayasaka made a face like he'd bitten into a bitter bug, looked up at the ceiling once, and muttered, "You knew about that?"

"How could I not? Our classmates' message groups were all buzzing about it. I got asked a lot of questions."

"...What'd you say?"

"I said I didn't know. Because I really didn't."

"Yeah, I guess."

Hayasaka let out a light sigh. His gestures were so nostalgic. The way he was quiet except when being sarcastic or complaining, the way he was oddly kind despite that — none of it had changed at all.

Yes. It was this unpretentious, quiet kindness that she'd fallen in love with.

Even though she was sure it wouldn't work out, she'd confessed anyway. And when he said yes, it was surprising — but once they actually became lovers, he was always kind. That wasn't surprising at all.

"It's strange, isn't it? Sitting next to you and talking like this, Hayasaka-kun."

She almost unconsciously blurted that out.

As expected, Hayasaka looked away awkwardly. After choosing his words with an "Ah..." just like before, he muttered:

"Well... sorry. I was too burned out to be considerate."

He was talking about the breakup, probably.

Maybe it was a good thing they'd met by chance after three years. Even though she'd always thought it couldn't be helped, she'd still been hurt. Not by Hayasaka, but by the unreasonable reality in front of her.

Why did Hayasaka-kun have to go through something like that?

Why did such unfairness have to happen, shattering their happiness? They were just living ordinary lives.

"No. I couldn't do anything for you either... even though I was your girlfriend. I wish I could have supported you."

"Nah, that's a rough thing to ask of a high schooler. If you can't, you can't."

"Don't say it like it's someone else's problem."

Kana couldn't help but laugh wryly.

Hayasaka shrugged at her, then said, after hesitating slightly:

"Shirazawa, what are you up to now?"

This question made her quite happy. Hayasaka wasn't the type to ask things just to fill silence. He'd asked because he was at least a little curious.

"Since I'm shopping at a department store, it's not like I'm waiting for someone... I'm a college student now. A private university in the next city over. Living alone."

"Huh. Is college fun?"

"I wonder. Not enough to get addicted. Actually, I'm in an explorer club. I've been to Noumi Dungeon as far as the seventh floor."

"Huh. That's surprising. My only image of college clubs was guys getting girls drunk and taking them home."

"Wow, that's some prejudice."

She giggled. She remembered how much she'd loved just chatting like this. Her chest ached a little, but only a little.

"Ah... if you're an explorer, are you shopping upstairs?"

'Upstairs' meant the explorer goods section. There weren't many places where you could actually see displayed explorer equipment on the spot. Most people bought online, but for clothes and shoes, you'd want to try them on.

"Yeah. I'm meeting someone from the club. You know, since S City's labyrinths are sealed right now, regular explorers can't enter. So we figured we'd upgrade our gear. But one person hasn't replied, and another can't seem to meet up..."

"Can't meet up?"

"She said she arrived at the department store, and I told her where I was... but I thought she'd have found me by now."

"Is that him?"

Hayasaka moved his chin slightly, indicating the right. There was a person who'd quickly ducked behind a pillar with an idol explorer poster on it.

About as slender as Kana, a bit taller. Silky hair grown to an awkward length. A pretty face... attached to a boy.

"That's probably it. Why'd he hide... ah, I see. Because he's with 'Toru-bro.' You're famous, Hayasaka-kun."

She chuckled. Then Kana waved at Watanabe Yuki — her junior from the club peeking out from behind the pillar — and signaled 'wait a bit' with her hand.

"Well, I'll be going. Your secretary, the holy sword lady, your cat neighbor — they're probably done shopping by now, right?"

"...You watched yesterday's stream too?"

"I was the one who got unilaterally dumped. Of course I'd be curious. But I'm not going to cling to you pathetically, so don't worry."

"...You're not the type for that, Shirazawa."

"Who knows? I've only been really, really in love with someone once, after all."

She said it knowing it was a little mean, and stood up.

She felt like the seventeen-year-old her was screaming that she wanted to stay by his side. But the Kana of today pulled that version of herself forward and stood up.

Three years later.

Three whole years.

Well, she'd gotten a little stronger. Just a little.

"Ah... Shirazawa."

As Kana stepped forward, Hayasaka called out to her, sounding a little hesitant. She turned halfway and looked at his expression — it was half nostalgic, half something she didn't recognize.

Three years had passed. And three years ago, there was an event that changed his life. There was no way nothing had changed.

"...What?"

"If you're an explorer... I think there might be things I can help with. My contact info hasn't changed. If you're really in trouble, contact me."

She hadn't expected that. It was incredibly surprising.

Kana's eyes went wide. Hayasaka shrugged with a wry smile.

"What? I'm not that heartless."

"But you were kind to kids and to your girlfriend, but a little cold to acquaintances."

"Saying 'don't contact me unless you're really in trouble' is pretty cold."

"I guess. But... it's unexpected. I thought you wouldn't do that kind of follow-up. Did you soften up a little, Hayasaka-kun?"

Three years ago, Kana wouldn't have said this. But now, she said it quite naturally — just what she was thinking.

Hayasaka's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he curled his mouth mischievously — with the same ease as three years ago — and said:

"I took your virginity, after all. And since we happened to run into each other like this, if you're really in trouble, I'll help within reason."

"...!"

Kana felt her face flush bright red. Right, he was also the kind of person who said things like that. He liked suddenly bringing up weird things from unexpected angles. The kind of thing someone with ordinary sensibilities like Kana would never come up with... no, maybe this was one of those "love is blind" or "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" things.

The fact that she still didn't hate it was pretty funny, actually.

"If you're going to say that, then I took your virginity too, so we're even. My contact info hasn't changed either, so if you're in trouble, I'll help within reason. Well then, Hayasaka-kun."

She'd said it.

Finally said it.

"Well then."

Putting aside their final exchange back then — Kana had wanted to part like this, not like that. She hadn't even realized it herself, but that was probably her lingering attachment and regret.

She felt like it had finally been resolved.

...She'd probably still drag it out a little, though.