kscans

Chapter 24 -

"Eh, Hayate? Is that really you? W, why? How did you get here?"

That's a lot of questions. Well, I guess it can't be helped since she was suddenly kidnapped by the Goddess and brought here.

"Rena, your father asked me to, so I came to save you."

When I received Rena as the trophy, she suddenly appeared in mid-air.

She descended slowly after that, but her eyes were vacant and I worried if she was okay. The deal was that the dungeon conqueror could erase Rena's will if they wished, and of course, I didn't wish for that. But she remained in a daze for so long that I started to get anxious.

Rena muttered, "Help me," as if in a delirium, so I responded, and her eyes focused on me. After that, we were able to talk like she was her usual self.

By the way, when you defeat a dungeon boss, you get the trophy for clearing the dungeon after collecting the dropped items. Apparently, the item collection part is streamed, but the trophy presentation is not.

So, this conversation we're having right now shouldn't be on stream. I'm choosing to believe that. If it got broadcast that I was holding the incredibly popular streamer Rena in my arms like this, my channel would undoubtedly go up in flames. I just can't seem to figure out the right time to put her down.

So please, I hope this isn't being streamed!

"F, Father asked you for help, Hayate?"

Of course, she'd be curious about that.

Normally, you wouldn't entrust the rescue of your precious daughter to a high school student like me.

"Well, for some reason, I was able to clear the dungeons that appeared in the real world just like I did in FWO. I guess that's why he relied on me."

"I see. You really are amazing, Hayate."

"Of course, it wasn't just me. A lot of people worked to help you, Rena. The Shinonome Group gave me their full backup this time, so I was able to get here in the shortest time possible."

"I see. I have to thank everyone, then."

As if relieved and losing her strength, Rena rested her head against my body.

"I was so scared. I was so scared that I was going to stop being me. Thank you for coming to save me."

"You're welcome."

We've been talking for a while, and nothing seems off.

Rena is probably fine.

But just in case, I should probably confirm this one thing.

"By the way, Rena. You don't, like, have a crush on me or anything, do you?"

"Huh?"

"Ah, well, you see... Rena, you were made into this dungeon's trophy, and apparently, the first person to clear it had the option to erase your personality and make it whatever they wanted. Of course, I didn't ask for that. I wished for you to be returned just as you were. So this is just to check if you haven't been given a personality that's submissive to me or something."

Please say you don't like me.

Otherwise, I'm going to get erased by Shinonome-san.

"...I do like you."

"Eh."

"I like you, Hayate. But it's not because my personality was changed to be that way. I was a fan of yours from before. I've been watching your streams forever. I even commented on them, you know?"

"S, seriously? W, well, but in the game, you always picked fights with me at every opportunity, and the first time we met you suddenly told me to PVP you... I thought you saw me as an enemy."

"I wouldn't invite you to a party if I saw you as an enemy. It's just... I was embarrassed!"

"Oh, like how kids pull pranks on the person they like to get their attention."

"Don't lump me in with elementary school boys. I am aware of it, for your information."

She's kind of cute. A tsundere beauty, I could get behind that.

"I've been a fan of yours for so long. The reason I invited you to a party wasn't because of some ulterior motive, it was simply because I wanted to play with you. I thought you were cool from the moment I first saw you. And then you, of all people, rushed to my rescue when I was in a pinch."

Rena lifted her face and looked me straight in the eyes.

"I fell in love with you! It can't be helped, can it!?"

...Are you serious?

No, I get it. If your idol comes to save you when you're in a desperate situation and coolly defeats the enemy, I can understand falling for them even more.

I don't mind being liked by a beautiful girl like Rena, either. I had a lot of fun when we partied up and cleared that dungeon. We had great conversations. We have a lot of the same hobbies. If we both liked each other, I would want to try dating her.

But, right now is a bad time.

"I'm happy you feel that way. I think... I like you too, Rena."

"Eh!? Th, then! Would you, like, go out with me?"

"I'm sorry. I can't date you for a while, Rena."

"W, why?"

"I promised your father that I would safely rescue you from the dungeon, Rena."

"You accomplished that, didn't you?"

"Yes. The 'safely' part is what's important."

"What do you mean?"

"Even if your feelings for me are your own, other people won't know if that's really true. From an outsider's perspective, they'll suspect that I used my privilege as the dungeon conqueror to change your personality."

"I, I'll tell them Hayate would never do something like that! I'll convince everyone who doubts it!!"

"That's the one thing you can't do. Because the people who doubt it will just think that I ordered you to say that."

"Auu... Then, what do I have to do to date you, Hayate?"

She really wants to date me.

In that case, I should respond to her seriously.

"I need you to wait just a little while. The world is in a crazy state right now, but I think this is my chance. Me, who could barely make enough to live on my own from game streaming, can now earn a fortune by clearing real-life dungeons. I'll earn a ton of money, make a name for myself, and become a man worthy of you, Rena. When that happens, I'll be the one to ask you out. How does that sound?"

"So, you mean I have to pretend I don't have any feelings for you until then? Are secret phone calls not allowed either? I want to go on dates with you."

"I think a phone call now and then would be fine, but if we act too couple-like, it'll get out easily. Through this whole incident, I've experienced firsthand just how seriously insane the Shinonome Group's information network is. And by the way, if they think I rewrote your personality, I'll probably be erased."

"I, I'll never let that happen!!"

"Right. You'll try to protect me. But the people around you will just think I ordered you to protect me. The moment I'm suspected, it's over for me. I like you, Rena. That's why I need a little time until we can date properly."

"...If you make me wait too long, I won't be able to hold back my feelings for you. I won't be able to stand it."

Rena placed her hand on my cheek.

"You'd better do your absolute best."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

I have a new goal.

I will become someone who the whole world looks at, even with the daughter of the president of the Shinonome Zaibatsu whose group has over a million employees and total assets exceeding 500 trillion yen as his girlfriend, and thinks, 'Yeah, I guess he's okay'!

Uoooooooh! I'm gonna do it!!

"Ah. Hayate, let me whisper something in your ear."

"Hm? What is it?"

I leaned my ear closer to the mouth of Rena, whom I was still holding.

There's no one else here, why is she doing this, I wondered.

I felt something soft touch my cheek.

"...Huh?"

W, was that just now, could it be?

"That's my thank you for coming to save me today. This much should be okay, right?"

Did Rena just kiss me!? On the cheek, though.

That was my first!

"When we're properly dating, I'll give you one on the lips."

"R, right. I see..."

I see. If we can properly date, I can kiss Rena.

Uoooooooooooh!

I'm gonna do it!!

I'll conquer every single dungeon in the world!!