kscans

Chapter 51 - Epilogue - Part One

"One week has passed since the simultaneous dungeon stampedes that can only be described as a major disaster. The search for the missing continues."

"Last time it was three locations, and this time five. Why is the number increasing? What measures is the government actually taking?"

"Again! It happened again! The Self-Defense Force prioritized the capital over the regional areas! Of course the capital and its surroundings are important to the country! But the country doesn't run on that alone!"

"Some have suggested that the delayed response from the SDF and police was caused by Awakened members resigning to become adventurers, correct?"

"Yes. With the increase in adventurer income, it has become more profitable than being a public servant. I believe the Dungeon Agency's decision to liberalize the sale of drop items was premature."

"As a result of allowing private companies to sell drop items, there are concerns that their outflow to foreign countries will delay research in Japan."

"That’s absolutely correct. The sale of drop items should be halted immediately. In the first place, there are still many unknowns about items from dungeons. They are not something that should be handled by the general public."

"But if we do that, the number of adventurers will decrease! There are testimonies from the recent stampedes that local adventurers were the ones who intercepted the monsters."

"Shouldn't the government be giving more funding to the police and SDF to secure personnel? I'm sure they have slush funds somewhere, just use that money."

"Soaring defense costs. Today, we will discuss the economic changes due to dungeons and the recovery of the stampede-affected regions with our panel of experts."

"A tragedy that struck a regional city... Amidst a stampede that claimed 200 lives, there was a lone woman who protected a shelter. We have testimony from someone who was at the shelter about who this mysterious woman is."

"A helping hand has been extended from various countries, including President Valentine of the United States. In response, the Prime Minister has expressed his gratitude."

"The mysterious trio, another great achievement!? The three girls who fought a dragon and defeated a ghost have now been spotted fighting monsters and protecting citizens here in Tokyo."

One week has passed since the battle with Leucorse. May is almost over.

The humidity is still there, but the number of rainy days has decreased significantly. As the muggy heat intensified, the news on TV was still all about that day.

Dungeon stampedes occurred in a total of five locations across Japan. The number of dead and missing is over 600 combined. The number of injured is said to exceed 1,000.

It was, without a doubt, a major disaster. Combined with the previous stampede, the country took an incredible blow, both in terms of human life and the economy.

Needless to say, Japan’s stock market, which had risen with the partial liberalization of drop item sales, plummeted once again.

...Online, there are rumors that this dungeon stampede might have been ‘deliberately caused.’

Last time, three locations. This time, five simultaneously. Since dungeon stampedes have only been happening for the past two years, we don't know what's ‘normal.’ So, we don't even know if this is an anomaly.

But if this was an unusual case, rumors are spreading that someone might have done something to cause multiple dungeons to stampede.

However, the worst-case scenario is if ‘there is no culprit.’

If it’s ‘natural’ for multiple stampedes to occur in such a short period, how on earth is Japan supposed to deal with it?

Various media outlets are reporting that many people have started to seriously consider emigrating.

...Is this country really going to be okay?

Though such dark thoughts cross my mind, there's also some personally happy news.

Regarding the incident we were involved in, Mia-san seems to be keeping her silence. I haven't received any calls from the police or the media.

Apparently, there have been some witness reports that sound like me, and Mia-san herself has testified that she ‘didn't fight alone,’ but she's playing dumb about who she was with.

The media, figuring that ‘a beautiful woman single-handedly defended a shelter’ makes for a better story, is taking advantage of her silence and writing whatever they want.

The reason I know all this is because...

"Man, Senpai is so conscientious."

"Yeah, she is."

Erina-san heard it from her on the phone and is now telling me about it.

We’re currently at Aira-san’s house, nodding in agreement as we watch TV in the living room.

"On top of that, about the drop item from Leucorse. She apparently filed an application with the city office under the story that she secured it and gave it to us as a gift! The store should be giving its approval soon, so I'll give it to you then, Kyou-chan!"

"Thanks. ...But I didn't win that fight alone. How about we make it shared property?"

"Sounds good!!"

The drop item from Leucorse.

It had completely slipped my mind at the time, but apparently Erina-san had collected it and given it to Mia-san.

However, Mia-san insisted that we were the rightful owners and has apparently gone through the procedures to legally hand it over to us, all while keeping our presence there a secret.

But because it was ‘an item obtained during a stampede,’ there's a lot of screening involved... It's all very humbling.

I don't know what kind of drop item it is yet, but apparently it’s a ‘magic tool.’ If it's useful for combat, I’ll be sure to use it for future explorations and self-defense.

"...Hey, you two."

As I was thinking about that, a voice called out from behind me.

"What is it, Aira-san? Need the bathroom? I heard you already went..."

"Need a diaper, senpai? Don't worry, I've got one ready!!"

"That's not it. Also, when I need to go to the bathroom, I’d like to go by myself. As a human being. What I wanted to say was..."

She sat on the chair, no.

"Would you mind undoing these restraints!?"

Aira-san, tied to a chair, glared at us, on the verge of tears.

"No way. You’re the one who said,"

"As thanks for saving my lovely angel Mia-chan, I’ll grant you any wish. Oh, but nothing lewd, okay!"

"Is what you said."

"I did not! I said the second half, but I did not say the first half, Erina-kun! As if I would ever call that blockheaded little sister of mine in such a way! Kyou-chan-kun, judge!"

"It was mostly accurate, so Erina-san wins."

"Victory!!"

"Noooooo waaaaaay!!"

This woman sometimes screams like a villain from a battle manga.

Aira-san thrashed her hair about, but she was currently tied to a fine-looking wooden chair with vinyl string at her hands and waist.

Well, more accurately, the string was wrapped to look like she was tied up.

"Erina-kun, this is unlawful confinement! I’ll tell Baba-sama!"

"I already got permission from Grandma!"

"Baba-sama, you traitor!"

"...Um."

I timidly spoke to the shouting Aira-san.

"If you really don’t like it—"

"What is it, Kyou-chan-kun? Are you planning to do something indecent to this defenseless me!? Like in some erotic doujinshi! Like in some erotic doujinshi!! You’re planning to do ‘bleep’ to my huge breasts with your ‘bleep,’ aren’t you!!"

"Is that true, Kyou-chan!? I’m disappointed in you! And you call yourself a ninja!"

"Shut up, you idiots. That string is just Ce—"

"Stop right there, Kyou-chan!!"

"Mmph."

Erina-san forcefully stopped my words by covering my mouth with her hand.

Whoa, her palm is on my lips...!? The sensation of her slightly cool, soft palm...!

"Well then, Senpai. We’ll be going. I’ll put on the earring just in case, so use Telepathy if something happens! But I’ll ignore anything that’s not an emergency!"

"Is there a bigger emergency than being tied up...?"

"...See you!!"

"What was that pause for!? Erina-kun! Kyou-chan-kun! Come baaaack!"

Erina-san pulled me by the hand, and we left the room.

...My lips were touched, and my hand was held.

"Jeez. You can’t do that, Kyou-chan. Senpai needs a ‘reason not to escape,’ so you can’t interfere."

"S-Sorry...!"

"Hmm? What’s wrong? Your face is all red."

"It’s nothing...!"

Calm down... just calm down.

I took a deep breath and somehow managed to compose myself, at least on the surface.

"Senpai should be able to figure out that the vinyl string is ‘just held together with cellophane tape.’ I mean, if she moves her arms or body with any real force, it's set up to come apart right away."

"Right."

Yes, those restraints are just for show. The string was lightly wrapped around her and secured in one spot with cellophane tape where she couldn’t see it.

No matter how weak she is, if she really struggled, she could get out in seconds.

"I’m sure Senpai has figured it out, too. What we want her to do."

"...Yeah."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I checked my phone; it was five minutes before the scheduled time. ‘That person’ is truly punctual.

"Coming!"

Erina-san, dressed in a kimono, cheerfully headed for the entrance. I followed a few steps behind her.

The door opened with a click, revealing Mia-san standing there.

She was wearing a white shirt, a light green jacket, and navy blue jeans. For some reason, it felt close to the color scheme of her [Arcane Gear].

She stood with her back straight, holding a small bag in both hands and bowing.

"Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me today."

"Not at all! Thanks for coming, Senpai! You're so stiff! Relax, relax."

"...No."

Mia-san, her expression still stiff, replied quietly.

"What is the meaning of this, Erina-san? You’ve been calling me every day since then, telling me to come to your grandmother's house."

"Well, because I'm worried about my family, of course. Grandma will be back in about two hours, so please wait in the living room until then!"

"...Let me say this first. I will greet your grandmother and then leave immediately."

"Okay."

"I have no intention of speaking to anyone other than you and your grandmother."

"What about Kyou-chan?"

"..."

At Erina-san’s words, Mia-san turned to me with an awkward expression.

"Hello."

"H-Hello."

"How are your injuries? Erina-san told me you’re both fine."

"Oh, I’m fine. Sorry to have worried you."

I moved my right arm slightly to show that I was okay.

After looking me over with a suspicious eye, she let out a small sigh.

"You really are a strange person."

"Huh?"

Even with Erina-san right here, I’m the one who gets that assessment?

"I heard that you were the one who arranged this meeting, Yagawa-kun."

"Uh, yes. Well, I asked Erina-san to arrange the place and contact you, but..."

"That's irrelevant. It's just... No. This isn't the place to say it. Would you like to talk, just the two of us, sometime?"

"Y-Yes?"

"I’ve become a little interested in you."

With that, Mia-san gave a small smile.

My heart rate sped up at the glint in her emerald eyes, which seemed to be studying me.

"Whoa!? Senpai, are you hitting on him!? It's a reverse pick-up!"

"What? N-No, that’s not it!"

Mia-san’s face flushed red to the tips of her ears like a kettle boiling over as she denied it.

She’s so easy to read. Also, it kind of hurts to be denied that strongly.

Her ‘interest’ must really be because she sees me as a rare creature. I don’t get it.

I can say with certainty that Erina-san and Aira-san have personalities far more deserving of being called rare creatures.

"A-Anyway! I have no intention of talking to my sister! I’m sure she’s not interested in me either..."

"She is."

Erina-san’s voice, quieter than usual, echoed.

"Senpai wanted to talk to you."

"...Please stop joking."

"See for yourself whether it’s a joke or not."

She stepped aside to clear the hallway, so I pressed my back against the wall as well.

After a few seconds of thinking with a frown, Mia-san whispered, ‘Excuse me,’ and stepped into the house.

After straightening her shoes, she walked slowly towards the living room door, trying to make as little noise as possible.

After Mia-san entered the room, Erina-san spoke to me.

"Hey. Do you think it’ll work, Kyou-chan’s plan?"

"It's not much of a plan, and I didn’t come up with it all by myself..."

We spoke in whispers, our eyes on the living room door.

This house is generally well soundproofed, so I couldn't tell what kind of conversation was happening in that room.

Maybe the sisters were trading insults, or maybe they were sitting in complete silence.

But I think something will change in their relationship.

...The plan I stumbled on at the first step before. It was simply to ‘make them talk.’

Aira-san is socially awkward, and Mia-san misunderstands her as some kind of perfect superhuman... I think. If that's the case, if they just talked honestly, their relationship would improve on its own, right?

It’s a terribly simple and easy thing. Still, the reason it couldn’t happen until now was because of the distance between them. Though I’m not confident.

Aira-san and Mia-san are both trying to put up a front. To the point where neither one can say they should meet and talk directly.

I think it’s a situation like you sometimes hear about with sibling fights, where they argue over ‘who was wrong.’ Like it's annoying to be the first to apologize.

Certainly, they grew distant due to complex family issues, but I don't think the current situation is that complicated.

The reason Erina-san and her grandmother couldn't set up something this simple was because they were too close to Aira-san.

Mia-san sees them both as being on Aira-san's side, and for Aira-san, it would be embarrassing to have her family meddling in her affairs with her sister. She would probably get stubborn and run away or start saying strange things.

That's why a third party was needed... someone who had a ‘favor’ owed to them by both sides to act as a bridge. A mediator who would make both of them think, ‘I have to save face for this person.’

Well, I don't think of that incident as a favor, and I hadn’t thought that far ahead when I first came up with the idea.

That part was something I figured out after talking with Erina-san.

Even though she usually says the most absurd things, she’s very observant of the people around her. Maybe Erina-san is the real rare creature?

"Alright! While those two are talking, let's go hang out in my room!"

"Eh, in your room, Erina-san?"

"Yep. Grandma told me to stay in the house just in case something happens."

"...Well, um... okay."

Erina-san's private room. A classmate, a beautiful girl, a friend of the opposite sex’s room.

I can feel my own eyes darting all over the place. What... should I do? Is there anything weird about my clothes?

N-No. It’s not like anything special is going to happen. There’s no need to be flustered!

What’s so special about a beautiful girl’s room!?

...No, I can’t. I’m getting dizzy from the nervousness.

"Alright. I'm going home."

"Eh, why?"

"Because my heart is about to explode."

"A fatal disease!?"

"It's fine. It'll heal if I get away from here."

"Could it be... a secret art from the ninja village...!?"

"That's not it, but I’ll go with that."

I replied with a deadpan expression to Erina-san, who was making a determined face as if she’d figured something out.

Call me a coward if you want. I can’t stay here! I’m going home!

I quickly put on my shoes and opened the door.

"Kyou-chan."

"Yes?"

I turned around at the voice behind me.

"Thanks!"

There was Erina-san, beaming with a huge smile.

...Beautiful people are unfair in so many ways.

"You’re... welcome."

"I’ll send you your own ninja uniform as a thank you gift next time!"

"Ah, I don’t need that."

"!?"

"Well then, uh... see you."

"Yep! See you!"

And with that, I left Erina-san’s house.

I walked home slowly, waiting for the redness in my cheeks to fade.

Was what I did just meddling? Now, after the fact, I question myself.

I think Mia-san stayed behind to protect the shelter because she genuinely wanted to ‘help the people who were left behind.’

There was undoubtedly goodwill in that. I’m convinced her sense of justice is real.

But apart from that, I have a feeling she also wanted to ‘get back at her sister.’

They probably would have had to fight Leucorse even without the animosity between the sisters. But if Mia-san had been able to talk to Aira-san through the earring, they could have coordinated much better.

When I think about it that way, forcing them to make up isn’t wrong... probably.

But still. It’s not like they’ll be running into high-level boss monsters that often from now on. Maybe it was too forceful after all?

This is a bad habit of mine. After I’ve done something, regret comes flooding in. It happens even when I think things through carefully beforehand, so I have a feeling it’s a habit I’ll never break.

"Haaah..."

I arrived home with a heavy sigh. It had probably been about an hour since I left Aira-san’s house.

I noticed an incoming message and looked at my phone.

"...Hah."

This time, instead of a sigh, a small laugh escaped me.

The email from Erina-san had no text, just a single attached photo.

Behind her, who was taking a selfie while laughing, were two sisters, one with silver hair and one with blonde, pulling on each other’s cheeks. They were glaring at each other, their soft-looking cheeks distorted by their fingers.

It was just a scene from a fight between ‘sisters who were very much alike,’ the kind you could see anywhere.