Episode 18: Beautiful Girls Always Carry Someone’s Expectations
Toa Tsukimiya.
I refer to Toa in my heart as “Toa-chan.”
She’s a first-year student with distinctive blonde hair who seems somewhat nervous.
That’s right, she’s the same age as me and my only classmate.
Once Mizuki Senpai and Miroku Senpai graduate, it’ll just be the two of us… Awkward, huh?
“Kyaa, let’s do our best today!”
“A, yes.”
Toa probably isn’t that comfortable around me.
Even now, she reacts to every single one of my movements.
Well, it’s only natural to be wary of someone like me.
After all, I was suddenly thrown into the Sacred Lily Garden as some sort of filth.
It’s common knowledge that men who intrude on lilies carry a heavy burden.
Shit, if I were a beautiful girl, this wouldn’t have happened…
“So, what’s your usual approach when conducting rescues?”
“It’s more like accompanying Mizuki Senpai when she receives rescue requests.”
“I see…! When I occasionally follow Mizuki, it’s kind of similar. So, for today…”
“…Let’s start by walking through the Special Zone.”
“Hai, hai!”
Midday. Unlike when I’m with Mizuki Senpai, we had plenty of time.
Unlike Mizuki Senpai, who has already successfully completed numerous rescues, I don’t get direct dungeon rescue requests.
So, we start by looking for rescue signals displayed on the map, but today, there seem to be fewer dungeons than usual.
There aren’t any rescue missions of an appropriate difficulty level for us to head towards.
“Hmm, I’d really like to attempt at least one rescue. If we end up doing nothing, Mizuki might overexert herself again.”
“Yes, it would be nice to complete even one rescue or maybe find a dungeon?”
We walk through the Special Zone because there’s a possibility of encountering a dungeon.
Though the chances are slim, if we manage to find one, we can either sell the exploration rights and earn money or conquer it ourselves to obtain its core, which is quite lucrative.
“Dungeons are rarely seen around here though… And there are many other schools’ frontline school buildings in this area.”
Toa says this without hiding her sad expression.
As she mentioned, the outer perimeter of the Special Zone where we are now contains many school buildings.
These buildings, in name only, serve as observation posts to quickly respond to newly discovered dungeons, and no actual classes take place within them.
Still, they maintain the appearance of school buildings to keep up appearances.
But I know the truth—every single one of these school buildings, spread across the Special Zone, is fortified like a fortress that wouldn’t even be scratched by a thermobaric bomb.
“Even if we find a dungeon, there’s a possibility we’ll end up competing with other students for it.”
If that happens, our chances of winning will be slim.
If I were Solciera and my partner were Mizuki Senpai, we might be able to handle anything outside the top four schools, but right now, it’s just me—not in disguise—and Toa.
It’s like releasing two Maltese dogs into the Savannah. Kuun.
“Ah, I dislike conflicts… duels too.”
“Duel? Well, that might actually give us a better chance than dealing with a group.”
The competition for dungeon exploration rights becomes more intense the higher the dungeon’s grade.
High-difficulty dungeons like B-Rank ones often escalate into full-scale wars between academies.
However, lower ranks like D become more manageable; it’s considered wasteful to make a fuss, so usually, the individuals who found the dungeon settle it via duel.
This method is probably our only chance of obtaining a dungeon.
“Hahaha. Anyway, finding such a dungeon won’t be easy.”
“S-so, that’s true. Ah, hahaha.”
Our laughter overlaps.
It’s unbearably hot under the scorching sun, not even early summer yet, when we spot it hovering before us.
A vortex in space.
A distortion of spacetime—a hole marking the beginning of an incursion into this world.
Thus…
““Dungeon!?””
■
At the same moment, Mizuki lay on a bed.
Or rather, she was under house arrest.
Miroku was nearby near the door, sorting through documents while keeping an eye on her.
“Are you worried?”
Without looking up from the documents, Miroku muttered softly.
“Yeah.”
Looking out the window, Mizuki replied briefly.
The sky, fixed in clear weather, stretched endlessly with a pleasant shade of blue.
Soon, even Factom General Academy would welcome the beginning of summer.
“We will eventually graduate, leaving Kei and Toa behind… Or perhaps this academy will collapse sooner.”
“Not necessarily.”
Miroku smiled faintly.
“Since Kei joined us, our debt repayment speed has slightly improved. Besides, with the four of us, we might actually win the Occupation Festival.”
“Even if we win, will they keep their promise?”
“We’ll make sure they do. Even if they don’t, any academy capable of winning the Occupation Festival should easily attract corporate sponsors.”
Mizuki looked at Miroku and said,
“You seem to be enjoying yourself lately.”
With a puzzled look, Miroku tilted her head.
“Do I?”
“Yeah. You smile more now, like in the old days.”
“And so do you, Mizuki. Have you noticed?”
“…No, I haven’t.”
Touching her cheeks as if to verify, Mizuki coughed to cover her unease.
“In any case, those two will eventually take the lead in this Factom Academy. Kei’s paralysis poison and Toa’s armament complement each other well. I agree that gaining experience here is beneficial.”
“But you’re still fidgety about it.”
“They should have started with practice first. Toa lacks real combat experience, and while Kei does fine against monsters, he struggles in person-to-person combat due to his lack of experience.”
These words came from observing the two closely.
From Mizuki’s perspective, both possessed high potential compared to their peers.
However, they hadn’t fully realized their potential.
Rather, it might be more accurate to say that Factom General Academy lacked the environment necessary to bring out the best in them.
“You worry too much.”
“How about you?”
“I do worry a bit… But I trust that Kei can handle taking care of Toa.”
“That’s right… Yeah.”
The face of the overly serious male student popped into her mind.
His silver-blue hair and eyes that seemed to contain the depths of the endless blue sky.
Mizuki understood that being with him brought an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
“Perhaps we should include them in the dungeon rescue rotation from now on.”
Her mutterings received a gentle reply, “That sounds good.”
Wishing for the two to surpass her and become accomplished explorers, and determined to preserve this academy for their sake,
Factom General Academy’s current situation remains hopelessly dire.
Still, Teruue Mizuki must resist.
For that reason—
(The sensation during that concentrated artillery attack. If I can reach that point again.)
A stage beyond what should be possible, even if it stands on reckless actions and coincidences.
(I can become stronger.)
The flame was undoubtedly there.
Clicking the heart button allows you to easily convey your support. (Login required.)
ni hyōi tensei shita ore wa TS o akiramenai, かませ役
