kscans

Chapter 78 - Epilogue - Part One

‘The dungeon overflow that occurred the day before yesterday has resulted in 61 confirmed deaths. The search for the missing continues.’

‘Once again, the source of the dungeon was a vacant house that had been abandoned for three years since the death of its residents. From the burnt ruins, the gate has been—’

‘This is government negligence! They were repeatedly warned about the dangers of vacant houses, and now this happens. So many promising young people have become victims!’

‘Look at this. The police are now entering the vacant house, accompanied by city officials!’

‘I can’t help but worry that the day will come when the government broadly interprets this law. Yes, we are in a national crisis. But to use that as a pretext to infringe upon the rights of the people—’

‘I hear that civilian Awakened Persons also fought against the monsters in this recent overflow, is that right?’

‘Yes. Without their efforts, the death toll would have exceeded three digits. However, the government has announced that because they were a group of minors, their personal information will not be disclosed.’

‘Why was the JSDF’s deployment delayed this time?! It’s because some members acted on their own and headed to the scene! This has caused chaos in the chain of command, according to reports. This is a case of troops running wild! How will you take responsibility, Minister of Defense?!’

‘They headed to the scene, engaged the enemy, and died before receiving permission to deploy. Was their action heroic, or was it reckless? Tonight, we will discuss this with a panel of experts.’

‘We hope that all those affected can safely return to their normal lives… Now, for our next story! Tomorrow, a joint U.S.-Japan military—’

Several days had passed since the sports festival… since the demons went on their rampage.

It was a weekday, but after something like that, school was obviously canceled for the time being. Apparently, they were moving up the start of summer vacation. It seemed tough for the students preparing for exams.

I learned from the TV that the gate had appeared in a vacant house about three kilometers from the school.

It was just recently that the Dungeon Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had begun working together to start forcibly inspecting abandoned houses. It really was just a hair’s breadth away.

It was nothing short of bad luck. And another thing I learned from TV… the JSDF members killed by the demon had gone there on their own initiative.

A total of twenty-four people. They had rushed to the scene, thinking it would be too late if they waited for permission from their superiors. They were engaging the lesser demons when they were incinerated by the mana cannon, along with the surrounding buildings.

For JSDF personnel to take up arms without permission is not something to be praised.

But they did it knowing that, trying to save us. To not be grateful for that would be against all reason… or so I thought.

I quietly made my way to the place where they had fought, making sure no one saw me. On the way, I stopped by a flower shop to buy a bouquet.

The site was close to the gate and was cordoned off, but next to it was a spot where bouquets and sake bottles had been placed. Along with tributes for the civilian victims, there were also message boards with messages for the JSDF members.

It seemed others had the same idea. I placed my flowers there as well and put my hands together.

…Thank you for your hard work. May you rest in peace. Thank you for coming to save us.

Amidst the loud noise of heavy machinery, I offered my words of gratitude and respect. I didn't think they would reach the deceased, but it was my own way of finding closure.

After a few seconds of prayer, I turned to leave. As I did, my eyes met with a JSDF member who had been watching me. We both gave a slightly awkward nod and then shared a wry smile.

…The actions of the soldiers who died in that battle cannot be publicly praised.

Still, they seemed to think that there was no harm in at least offering a prayer.

As I walked home, I found myself looking around for some reason.

After what had happened, the streets were deserted. But I couldn’t help but wonder.

I thought we would be hounded by the media after fighting the demons… but that hadn't really happened.

I was glad about that. I knew nothing good would come from becoming famous over something like this. Above all, I hated being asked a million prying questions.

But it was also strange. I always imagined that reporters would swarm in at times like these…

I tilted my head in confusion for a moment, then went straight home.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

"That’s because society has gotten used to ‘overflows.’"

"Used to them…?"

The next day, at Aira-san’s house, I posed my question to her, and that was the answer I received.

"Did you think that was inappropriate? I agree, but that’s just how the world works. Even for you, thinking about what’s for dinner tonight is more meaningful than some tragedy on the other side of the TV, right?"

"Well, I guess so…"

"Just this year alone, how many dungeon overflows have there been… To put it bluntly, society has a short attention span. There are other topics of conversation now, too."

"…You’re right."

Now that she mentioned it, that made sense.

I felt a brief moment of irritation, but when I calmed down, I realized I was no different. After all, the reason we had gathered at her house today was for a ‘victory party.’ We were all here to celebrate surviving that battle.

Considering I had just gone to pay my respects to the deceased JSDF members the other day, I suppose I was also part of that ‘fickle society.’

"And well, I suppose ‘Grandma’s name’ might have something to do with it too…"

"Grandma? You mean the professor? I didn’t realize she was such a renowned scholar."

"Mmm… no. As a scholar, Grandma doesn’t have enough authority to sway politicians or the media. It’s just that Grandma’s ‘family’ is a little influential, that’s all."

"Huh…?"

"More importantly, Kyo-chan-kun."

Aira-san’s voice was laced with unconcealed glee.

"Why are you keeping your face down? When you talk to people, you should look them in the eyes, you know?"

"That’s right, Kyo-chan! Look at us!!"

"You useless beauties…!"

Right now, my head was bowed. If I looked up, I would naturally see things I didn’t want to see, and the psychic damage would be unbearable.

What could I see other than the shiny floor? My own padded chest and skirt.

That’s right, I was cross-dressing.

"Why am I in this outfit again…!"

"Because I didn’t get to see it."

"And I wanted to see it again!!"

"Like I care, you idiots! And isn’t this skirt a little shorter than before?!"

"I thought it would be a nice touch!"

"You bastard!"

"YES! Today, I am a bastard, pyon!"

I desperately tried to pull the hem down, but it was completely useless. The draft was unbearable, so I was keeping my legs pressed tightly together to mitigate it even a little.

This was humiliating. Truly humiliating. And the worst part was…

"Honestly, now," Aira-san said, sighing as if to say, ‘good grief.’

"We’re cosplaying like this too so you wouldn’t be the only one embarrassed, you know?"

"Greetings, I’m a bunny ninja!!"

The foolishness of me falling for such bait was making me sad…!

Of course, at first, I refused to cross-dress. But then Aira-san and the others said they would cosplay too… in slightly risqué outfits, and I couldn’t help but agree.

My past self was an idiot! A blockhead with a one-track mind!

"Come, come. At least take a good look at our lovely figures. It’s your rightful reward."

"Grh…!"

At Aira-san’s words, I decided to raise my head.

───Past me, good job!!

I couldn’t suppress the triumphant fist pump in my mind. I really am an idiot…

Aira-san sat in a chair with a smug look, her legs crossed. She was currently wearing a cheongsam.

Her long silver hair was styled into two buns, and she held a fan in her hand, black with gold fur trim.

Her shoulder-baring cheongsam was also black with gold embroidery, just like the fan. It had a large slit, through which her plump thighs peeked out, dazzlingly bright. It was strange how her legs were so slender from the knee down.

But above all, her chest. Contrary to her delicate shoulders and slender waist, her ‘F-cup’ bust was tightly packed into the dress, looking almost painful.

And there was a diamond-shaped opening in the center of her chest. What was that for? Did it get stuffy? Because her boobs were so big?

With a slight blush on her cheeks, Aira-san smiled, fan in hand. Damn, her face and figure were as good as ever!

And next to her was Erina-san.

"Heh heh. Just for today, I’m a fusion of a ninja and a bunny."

The self-proclaimed ninja, spouting nonsense as usual today, stood with her hands on her hips, smiling.

Yes, as she herself said, she was a ‘bunny girl.’

Black bunny ears swayed atop her head, her shimmering blonde hair tied into pigtails. A red ribbon was tied under her smiling, beautiful face.

Her bare white shoulders and her voluptuous bust, looking ready to spill out. The tight bunny suit revealed a deep cleavage without reservation.

And her lower half was just as daring, with a high-cut design that drew my eyes to her groin. Her healthy, toned thighs were visible all the way to the hip, a truly dazzling sight.

The combination of fishnet thigh-highs over her beautiful legs was also alluring. What was with this self-proclaimed ninja? Was she a seduction specialist?

She also had a smug look on her face, but her cheeks were slightly red. It seemed she did have a sense of shame, after all.

"A-Aren’t you two embarrassed? In those outfits… or are they even outfits?"

"Of course, it’s embarrassing."

"Honestly, my face is burning up!"

"Then why did you wear them?"

"Because I wanted to see you cross-dress, even if it meant paying this price."

"It was worth wearing it, Kyo-chan!"

"You should value yourselves more…!"

They were both incredibly beautiful with great figures, so this was genuinely dangerous.

"Hearing that from you while you’re staring at our chests and legs just makes you sound like one of those old guys who lecture girls at hostess clubs, Kyo-chan-kun."

"You know, Kyo-chan, if you’re not careful, you seem like the type to really mess up with women."

"Guh…!"

I stubbornly let out only a grunt. I couldn’t say anything more in response.

It couldn’t be helped…! They were both gorgeous on the outside, even if they were train wrecks on the inside! It was beyond lewd! It was ultra-lewd!!

At this point, should I just give in and stare at them until their images were burned into my retinas?

"Ahem! To get back to the topic of why you’re not being interviewed, it’s not that there are zero inquiries."

"I see."

Her face, already red, turned a shade redder as she picked up a wine glass. Hey, this person is finally going to drink in front of minors.

On the living room table, snacks and chocolates were spread out on plates, with smaller plates and chopsticks for each person. At a glance, it looked like a suitable gathering for students, but the box of chocolates I saw… I think I’d seen it on TV before, from a famous place in a Tokyo underground mall.

I heard from Erina-san that it was a small token of gratitude from the professor. She was absent again this time, but that was out of consideration to ‘not interfere with the young people’s fun’ and because she was handling the paperwork for the ‘possession permit for the demon’s drop items’ on our behalf.

Dealing with drop items from an overflow was apparently quite a hassle. Just like with ‘Lefkos,’ there was an incredible amount of paperwork to fill out.

But I digress. I brought my attention back to Aira-san’s story.

"Not zero, you say?"

"There are plenty of low-quality media outlets in the world. They don’t care about regulations from above or anything else. If there’s a story that will sell, even if it’s a fabrication, they’ll do anything. Especially freelance reporters who aren’t affiliated with a publishing house."

"I see."

"However… it is strange that there are so few of even those types. Something might be going on, so be careful how you act."

"…Given my current outfit, isn’t it already too late for that?"

"I have no intention of going outside in this, and thanks to Grandma pulling some ‘strings,’ the security of this house, including magical defenses, is top-notch. Feel free to let loose and have fun."

"Number one, Erina! I’m singing!"

"Alright, first, let’s stop Erina-kun from letting loose."

"Calm down, Erina-san. You’re terribly tone-deaf. Please restrain yourself at a celebration."

"You’re both so mean!?"

The truth can be cruel sometimes.

I slowly shook my head at Erina-san, who was holding the microphone with her pinky finger extended for no reason.

That aside, she really was huge. I won’t say where, but huge.

"Ugh… then you sing, Kyo-chan."

"Uh, well, I’m not exactly a good singer either. I’m pretty bad, actually."

"Oh, dear. Then it seems I have no choice but to sing. What kind of song would you like? My main repertoire includes ‘Matsuo the Midwife’ and ‘Yo Mama’s Belly Button Missile.’"

"What kind of crappy selection is that?"

"My, my, Kyo-chan-kun, such vulgar language. Please use more refined words."

"That’s wight!!"

"Please put your hands on your chests and reflect on your own past statements."

Aira-san and Erina-san gently placed their hands on their own chests.

…The way their chests squished under their white palms was just too lewd.

"Indeed. I was a flawless young lady, with nothing to be ashamed of!"

"Usually a sheltered lady, but secretly a cool and beautiful ninja. That’s me!"

"Please go see a neurosurgeon. Or failing that, a psychiatrist."

As I was having this conversation with the two useless beauties, a ‘ding-dong’ sound echoed.

It seemed we had a visitor.

"Hm. A solicitor or a delivery? If it’s a solicitor, I’ll send them away. If it’s a delivery, I’ll have them leave it at the door. Worst case, I’ll have Kyo-chan deal with it."

"Uh, me?"

"Of course. If a beauty like me went out in this outfit, I’d be worried about the other person’s sanity! They might just Lupin Dive me on the spot!"

"So you were aware that you’re chipping away at my sanity."

"On that note, if you were Lupin Dived, you could fight them off, right?"

"And why am I the one being hypothetically dived upon?"

While I was ‘stalling’ Aira-san like this, Erina-san, who had checked the intercom camera, smiled and remotely unlocked the gate.

"Okay! You two, come on in!"

"Huh? Erina-kun. What is the meaning of…"

Heh heh heh… I did say, ‘You’re gonna get it later,’ Aira-san.

Ignoring her confusion, footsteps approached from the entrance. The gate was closed again with the flip of a switch, and the lock was engaged.

In other words, there was no escape for this frail college student.

"Excuse us."

"Yo, we’re comin’ in."

"Welcome, Ā-chan! Shī-chan!"

"　"

Reinforcements in the form of two high school girls have arrived!

Aira-san froze, still holding the microphone and fan. Her face was as expressionless as a Noh mask as she looked at Erina-san.

"…Erina-kun?"

"I got permission from your grandmother, Paisen!"

The self-proclaimed ninja flashed a V-sign with a huge smile.

"…Kyo-chan-kun?"

"Well, you know. They have enough connection to this and played a big enough part to be invited to the victory party."

I replied with a business smile.

I’d have to expose my own shame, but at this point, I was taking her down with me. You too will know the pain of your own low communication skills…!

"Y-You set me up! Both of you!!"

"Huh, what are you talking about?"

"I don’t really know what you’re saying."

"At least Kyo-chan-kun is a willing accomplice, I see!"

She shrieked and slammed the microphone and fan onto the table before grabbing my shoulders.

Whoa, too close, too close. And don’t move so suddenly. Your chest is jiggling!

"Um, would it have been better if we didn’t come…?"

Busujima-san asked awkwardly, and Aira-san, with an agility that belied her usual frailty, hid behind me.

Hey, your chest is pressing against me!

The plump, soft sensation against my back. It had less rebound than Ooyama-san’s, but because of that, it felt like I could sink into it forever.

…I leaned forward even more, to straighten the hem of my skirt.

Hey, useless college student. Don’t press yourself against me even more. It’s dangerously dangerous.

"N-No… not at all…"

"It’s okay, you two. Paisen is just shy around new people!"

Erina-san answered with a smile in place of Aira-san, whose voice was as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz.

"Today’s condition for Kyo-chan’s sake is costumes!"

"Could you not make it sound like it was my idea?"

"Both of you, I’ve prepared a lot of costumes in the next room, so let’s get changed!"

"Damn, I thought it was strange you were ordering so many costumes…!"

"…Conversely, you didn’t find it suspicious?"

"Well, she said she was going to have Mia wear them later…"

Miyoshi-san had been targeted without her knowledge. May she rest in peace.

"Understood. Then I shall cosplay as a yuki-onna."

"Kimonos look better on those with smaller chests, so I think that’s a good choice."

"So for the well-endowed Shizuku-san, it’s adhesive bandages. Got it."

"Oi. Is groveling enough?"

"Just apologize normally."

"My bad. Just make it Frankenstein’s monster or something."

"You are forgiven."

For a moment, I honestly prayed, ‘Don’t apologize!’ I don’t think I’m in the wrong here.

After Busujima-san and the others were led to the next room by Erina-san…

"Hmph… It seems they fled from the pressure I exude."

"Your voice is trembling."

Aira-san moved away from my back and wiped the sweat from her brow with a triumphant smile.

Then, she picked up the wine bottle and glass from the table and turned on her heel.

"Farewell, Kyo-chan-kun. You young people enjoy yourselves. I shall have an elegant wine time in my room while watching Ni●douga."

"Oh, Paisen!"

Click. The door to the next room opened, and Erina-san poked her head out.

"I have a message from your grandmother. She says, ‘It’s about time you got a little more used to people. I will not permit you to abandon your guests and hide in your room’!"

And with that, Erina-san went back into the other room.

Aira-san was silent for a few seconds, then she unceremoniously placed the glass on the table, poured wine into it, and started chugging it.

"Hey—"

Awakened Persons are abnormally resistant to alcohol, but it was still scary to watch. I didn’t think she’d collapse from acute alcohol poisoning, but…

She placed the empty glass on the table and looked at me with glazed eyes.

"Kyo-chan-kun."

"Y-Yes."

"I am drunk."

"Uh-huh."

"I am drunk. No matter what anyone says, I am drunk."

"Are you trying to hypnotize yourself?"

"Alright! In that case, I’ll prepare some games so I can claim to have ‘entertained’ you without having to speak! Help me prepare, Kyo-chan-kun! Even you would probably die in a space full of nothing but girls in cosplay, right?!"

"Yes, sir!"

"I am not a ‘sir.’ Say ‘ma’am’! Or ‘Big Sis’!"

"Yes, ma’am! And ‘Big Sis’ is really pushing it, seriously!"

"Shut up! Move, move!"

After that, we played an absurd amount of ‘Super Matsuo Racing’ and ‘Matsuo Naval Battle’ before calling it a day.

I want to strongly state that the reason my controls were so bad was because of the vile visual distractions from the two useless beauties. And also Busujima-san’s strangely alluring nape, and Ooyama-san’s mountains getting defenselessly close.

Well… in any case. I think it was a fun victory party, even in a non-perverted sense.

Under the darkening sky that felt sweltering despite it being only June,

I walked home, thinking about how wonderful pants are.