kscans

Chapter 24 - Epilogue - Part 1

Chapter One: Epilogue - Part 1

"Regarding the simultaneous dungeon stampedes that occurred in three locations the other day, the Minister of Dungeon Countermeasures will hold a press conference today—"

"The recent stampedes have resulted in a total of over three thousand dead and missing. In response, the government has—"

"Two of the three locations were in Tokyo and Chiba, within the Kanto region. These are densely populated areas! And yet, the Self-Defense Force—"

"The SDF focused its efforts on defending the Kanto region, and forces were dispatched to the remaining location over an hour after the stampede was confirmed. Are you telling me the provinces get pushed aside even at a time like this? Answer me, Prime Minister!"

"Rumors are circulating that the American ambassador was caught up in the Tokyo stampede, and the United States government is demanding an explanation of the situation—"

"During the stampede in Chiba, eyewitness reports have surfaced online of three young girls who fought monsters and saved people. Their dedication and heroism have been—"

"Look at this. This is the reality for a region abandoned by the capital. The search for the missing is still ongoing—"

It was the day after the battle with the Orc Champion. The news on TV and the internet was completely dominated by talk of the stampedes.

Of course, the main focus was on Tokyo, followed by Chiba. Our town came in third.

It was a little complicated. While I wanted to be angry that our rescue had been delayed, the situation was also convenient in some ways.

[Sage's Nucleus]

My unique skill. The ultimate treasure of alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone, which, depending on how it's used, can create infinite wealth and life. And my own heart possessed that same power.

If anyone found out about this, it would undoubtedly lead to trouble.

I didn't think I'd immediately be turned into a lab rat or locked away, but... I was worried I might eventually face such a fate.

That's why I usually tried to play it off, but... I'd had no choice but to use it on Erina-san, who was on the verge of death after saving my parents.

I had no regrets about it. Probably. It's pathetic that I can't say for sure, but I wanted to believe that if I were in the same situation again, I'd do the same thing.

In any case, Erina-san now knew I had the power to heal others, and it was highly likely that Aira-san had figured it out, too.

After a night to think it over, the gravity of the situation was giving me a headache.

And yet, the two of them...

"Kyou-chan, Kyou-chan. When you're adding sugar, it's better to put it on the spoon before putting it in your cup, you know?"

"Oh, is that right?"

"Hmph. You'll never be popular with table manners like that, Kyou-chan-kun. And that's why you're a virgin."

"That's enough out of you. Besides, aren't you adding way too much sugar...?"

Somehow, they were acting completely normal.

We were at the same café we'd visited on the way back from the adventurer exam. Apparently, Aira-san had a craving for their croissants again. On top of that, she'd said she didn't want to go alone and dragged us along.

I didn't mind that in itself—in fact, after all the trouble I caused yesterday, I felt it was the least I could do. But...

They were so completely normal that it was making me restless.

"...Um. Aren't you going to ask? About yesterday."

"Hm? Oh, right. That car. I told you to just leave it somewhere, but your parents insisted on reporting it to the police. What happened with that?"

"Huh? Oh, no, they said it was fine since it was an 'emergency situation.' Apparently, the original owner didn't mind, either."

I say 'apparently' because I wasn't there.

We had floored it for a considerable distance from my house to that point, even with the teleportation in between. If the police had found us, it would have been a whole lot of trouble.

For her part, Erina-san had refused to meet the police, declaring, 'I'm a ninja!' so the two of us left after making sure the area was safe.

My parents, on the other hand, felt it was wrong to abandon a borrowed car and went to explain the situation to the police who had cordoned off the town. They were vague about our involvement, though.

They said it also helped that the car's owner had been taken into police protection, which made everything go smoothly. I guess you could call it good luck... although, considering they were caught in a stampede in the first place, maybe it's better to say they have bad luck that turns good.

"It was an emergency, after all. The police, who were already on the back foot, probably didn't want to pursue it unnecessarily. If the original owner is fine with it, then there's no problem at all. Just as I said!"

Aira-san puffed out her chest with a triumphant look. It felt like it had been a surprisingly long time since I'd last seen her face.

In reality, we'd only met for the first time a little over half a month ago, but we talked so often via [Telepathy] that it felt like we'd known each other for a while.

Seeing her in person like this, I was struck once again by how beautiful she was. Silky silver hair, skin so clear it was almost translucent. An intelligent sort of beauty.

And on top of that, a figure like a pin-up model, curvy in all the right places.

...Whoa, stop. If I start getting self-conscious, I won't be able to talk normally.

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"I know! I know what Kyou-chan wants to ask!"

"...Go ahead."

The self-proclaimed ninja, who had mistaken this for a quiz show, raised her hand, so I nodded for her to answer.

"You want to know if we're going to ask whether you could really feel my boobs from the wind pressure!!"

"Like hell I do, you numbskull!"

"Wow, I haven't heard 'numbskull' in a while..."

"Aww, I was wrong?"

I already tested that back at the training facility when I found out I could run at seventy kilometers per hour.

To be honest, I couldn't really tell. I don't even know what the real thing feels like, so I had no way of confirming it.

"...Look."

I glanced around.

Luckily, there were no other customers. The staff didn't seem to be paying us any particular attention, either.

"...Aren't you going to ask about how I healed Erina-san's arm?"

"Eh? But you want to keep it a secret, right?"

"And we have no intention of forcing it out of you, nor do we plan on telling anyone else."

"Oh..."

Their answers were so nonchalant that it felt like a total letdown.

Seeing my reaction, Aira-san took a sip of her tea and gave me a cynical smile.

"To be honest, it'd be a lie to say I'm not interested. But when I weigh the pros and cons of forcing the information out of you, it's just not worth it."

"Uh, huh."

"Someone who specializes in researching skills would probably do anything to find out. That's how powerful your healing effect was. But what I want to know about are dungeons."

She rested her elbows on the table, interlaced her fingers, and placed her delicate chin on top of them.

"You're an excellent combatant, Kyou-chan-kun. That was proven in our last battle. You're too valuable to let go of now. Let's continue to get along, shall we?"

I couldn't help but swallow hard at her bewitching smile.

The unexpected, alluring atmosphere, combined with eyes that seemed to see right through me, created an incredible pressure. I straightened my back and answered.

"...Understood. I look forward to working with you."

"Good. I'm counting on you, Kyou-chan-kun."

It wasn't just pure goodwill. But her reasoning was sound.

I still didn't know much about her, but it seemed I could trust her.

"Also, keep playing games with me. If I get lonely, I'll cry."

"...Right."

"It's strange, but everyone I play against seems to unfriend me one after another..."

I feel like I know more than enough about things I'd rather not. Like how she loves to spawn-camp and taunt people by crouch-spamming in fighting games.

"I'm a ninja, you know! I have no intention of trying to uncover a fellow ninja's secret arts!"

"Yeah, but I'm not a ninja."

"!?"

Please stop making that blank, shocked face. It's common knowledge. Adventurers and ninjas are two different professions.

"No way... but we're the [Invisible Ninjas]..."

"You're still using that name...?"

"But yesterday I introduced us like that to a bunch of people while looking for your parents..."

"What in the world have you done?"

No, calm down. Surely she didn't go around showing my parents' photo while using such a ridiculous name.

It's only minor damage. Is it minor? It's probably minor.

"I even told my friends at school that's our party name."

"That's a fatal blow."

No way. Could it be that I'm secretly known as one of the crazy ninjas?

Is that why I can't make any friends at school!?

...Right. No, it's not. It's because I never know what to say to people and just passively wait for them to talk to me. I know that, damn it.

"At least, let's at least change the name. I don't care about the ninja part at this point. Just the name!"

"No! I will master the way of the ninja together with this name!"

"What's with that resolve? Does it have some deep meaning...?"

"It's the fruit of my labor! I spent a whole five seconds thinking of it!"

"That's a pretty flimsy 'fruit of labor.'"

At least say you spent three days and three nights on it. You can't even make instant ramen in five seconds.

"Well, what name do you want, Kyou-chan?"

"Uh, well, you can't just ask me that out of the blue."

"Think seriously! This is about our future!!"

"You're being too loud, and stop saying things that'll give people the wrong idea!"

See, now the staff is looking over here with surprised faces. Oh, and now they're giving me a look like I'm a piece of trash.

It's not what you think. This isn't some lover's quarrel.

"Hahaha. You lose, Kyou-chan-kun."

"What part of that was a competition?"

"Then, to celebrate the official formation of the [Invisible Ninjas]..."

Aira-san snapped her fingers, and a waiter brought over a bottle of champagne.

...Champagne!?

"Let's have a toast!"

"Wait a minute. Let's just remember what time it is and how old we are."

"Are you saying it's a crime to drink in broad daylight in front of a minor!?"

"It's not a crime, but read the room!"

More specifically, look at the staff's faces.

"Shut up! My delicate heart is wounded after getting chewed out by Grandma yesterday!"

"Look, I feel really bad about yesterday, but that's a separate issue."

"She confiscated my entire stash of Strong Z▢r▢! Told me to take care of my liver!"

"You really should take care of it. Take a day off from drinking."

"As if an Awakened Person would die from a little alcohol! This has been my dream! To chug a bottle in broad daylight in front of someone who can't drink!"

"Please don't chug champagne from the bottle. And throw away such a pathetic dream."

"No, what I'm throwing away are the prejudices known as common sense! Now, let's open—"

"Senpai."

Erina-san stared at Aira-san with a smile, holding up her phone.

"Should I call your grandma?"

"Hmph... Sir. Can I take this to go?"

I feel like I just witnessed an unshakeable power dynamic.

"Oh, I can't? Then could you keep it for me... Yes..."

After watching the waiter take the champagne away, Aira-san elegantly re-crossed her legs.

"Well then... since we have a minor present, let's toast with tea. Try not to clink the cups, alright?"

"You got it, senpai!"

"Ah, yes."

I had enough compassion not to point out the tears welling up in Aira-san's eyes.

"Then, to celebrate the formation of the [Invisible Ninjas]. Cheers."

"Cheers!"

"Ugh... Fine. Cheers."

I raised my teacup slightly in agreement.

From the bottom of my heart, I hated that increeeeedibly lame name, but Aira-san was a benefactor, and Erina-san was a great benefactor and a friend.

I'll concede this one.

But don't underestimate me. I will absolutely, definitely prove that name wrong someday...!

"Oh, I'll pay for this... It's not enough to make up for yesterday, but at the very least..."

"Oh? Taking home champagne paid for with a minor's money? I like it!"

"When you put it like that, I suddenly don't want to pay anymore."

"Hey, hey! More importantly, Kyou-chan, you did that thing where you went gyun! with the fire on your sword and then baa! right? That was a ninjutsu! Was it Fire Style!? Or Wind Style!?"

"I don't think it was ninjutsu."

"............A rogue ninja!?"

"That's not it, either."

...Well, whatever the case may be.

It seems this new 'ordinary' and 'extraordinary' life of mine is set to continue for a little while longer.