kscans

Chapter 79 - A Fun Drinking Party

After finishing my talk with Satsuki-san, I left the branch manager's office and returned to the reception desk.

"Oh, Senpai, your payment is all settled."

When I returned to the counter, Kaede-chan handed me the payment statement.

"Thanks. I really worked hard today."

"You did. And with this, you're D-rank!"

Huh?

"I haven't reached one hundred yet. It was only about thirty."

"Ah... this is your cumulative total. You defeated some before, didn't you?"

Oh, so she meant a hundred in total, including my previous kills, not starting from today.

"I see. So I'm D-rank now too..."

"That's right. Congratulations!"

Kaede-chan gave me a silent round of applause.

"Thanks. Oh, in that case, you can restore Nanapon to D-rank too."

"Hmm, I'll keep an eye on her for a little longer. I have a feeling she might get carried away."

...What is this? Do I have the wrong idea, or does it sound like she's indirectly talking about me?

"You're right. Humility is important..."

"Senpai, what's wrong?"

Kaede-chan peered into my face with a concerned look.

"Well... no, I'll tell you later."

More people were starting to show up, and it wouldn't be right to get in the way.

"I see. Well then, please wait a little bit. My shift is almost over."

At Kaede-chan's words, I looked at the clock. It was just past four forty-five.

"Alright, I'm going to take a shower and get changed. I'll wait for you out front."

"Okay! See you later then."

I left the reception area where Kaede-chan was and headed to the changing room. Unlike in the morning, there were a few men getting changed.

So it gets a little more crowded in the evening, huh...

I averted my eyes from the unappealing sight of men changing, took off my clothes, and took a shower. After my shower, I got dressed and left the changing room. As I left, I glanced at the reception desk and saw that Kaede-chan was already gone.

I went straight out of the guild and decided to wait for Kaede-chan in front, looking at my phone.

Shimizu... Shimizu Lin...

I searched for the name of Lin-san, whom I had met today, on my phone.

Ah... she's B-rank. So she was way above me. She certainly seemed strong... I wasn't rude to her, was I...?

I continued to look up Yoshino-san's party, and as expected of someone so popular, there was a lot of information. There was even gossip about a passionate romance with a certain male actor.

Actually, Yoshino-san seems to be involved in a lot of sleazy gossip... There are even rumors of her AV debut. I'll have to ask her about it next time.

As I continued to look at my phone, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder. The one who had tapped my shoulder was, of course, Kaede-chan, no longer in her plain uniform from before, but in the outfit I had requested.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. What are you looking at?"

"I was looking up Yoshino-san."

"Yoshino-san? Hmm..."

Ah, those are the eyes of jealousy. What a cute girl.

"I have something to talk to you about that. It's cold, so let's go."

"Okay! The usual place?"

The usual place was an izakaya with private rooms near the guild.

"Yep. Let's go."

"Okay."

Kaede-chan said, and linked her arm with mine.

"You're so warm, Kaede-chan."

"Right? Come on, let's go."

We started walking amicably towards the izakaya. After a few minutes' walk, we arrived at the izakaya, were shown to a private room, ordered beer, and made a toast.

"Well, that was a long day."

I praised Kaede-chan as I drank my beer.

"You too, Senpai. It must have been tough being out all day."

"Well, yeah. To be honest, I'm done with Skeletons. I'm sick of them."

"I can imagine. Whether it's the Kunaar Ruins or the Diana Mine, it's all Skeletons. I'm starting to think that you and Nanaka-chan only ever turn in Skeleton swords."

We're complete Skeleton Hunters. I hate it.

"Well, that's what we are. But I'm D-rank now, so I'm done with it."

"What will you do next?"

Kaede-chan asked as she drank her beer.

"Ah, that. Actually, I met Yoshino-san at the Kunaar Ruins today."

"Oh, she's still there?"

"No, she was training rookies. Kaede-chan, do you know someone named Lin-san? Shimizu Lin-san."

"I do. The sharp-looking one, right?"

She was indeed sharp-looking. With her black ponytail, her posture and demeanor were impeccable. Honestly, she gave off more of a kendo girl vibe than Eleanor-san, Yoshino-san, or even Satsuki-san.

"Yeah, yeah. She was there too."

"I see... So that's why you were looking her up earlier?"

"Yeah. I didn't know who Lin-san was. She's B-rank, huh."

To make an excuse, I had only been looking up A-rankers. I mean, there are quite a few B-rankers.

"Well, I wouldn't expect you to know, Senpai. On the other hand, the fact that you know Yoshino-san... really shows you're a guy."

Kaede-chan looked at me with a sidelong glance.

"Well, those kinds of articles tend to catch your eye. Can't be helped."

"Hmph."

Kaede-chan pouted theatrically.

"Now, now. So anyway, I was invited to her party."

"You were, Senpai?"

"Yeah, me, not Eleanor-san."

"So she approached you, Senpai..."

Kaede-chan started to ponder.

"So I consulted with Satsuki-san about it earlier."

"What did Satsuki-san say?"

"She told me to do whatever I want. Apparently, even if Yoshino-san finds out, she can be dealt with using money."

"Ah... they're cousins who are two of a kind, after all."

That's so true. All they think about is money.

"So I thought I'd consult with you, Kaede-chan."

"What are you thinking, Senpai?"

"I'm thinking it might be a good idea. It's not a formal party, just a 'let's go together when we have time' kind of thing. She said she'd teach me various things, and more importantly, adventuring alone today made me realize how tough it is to be by myself. Not because it's dangerous, but because it's boring without anyone to talk to."

"Ah... Eleanor-san has Nanaka-chan, after all..."

That's the thing. If she didn't hate me, there would be no problem. But she's the selfish Nanapon, so it can't be helped.

"So Eleanor-san will go with Nanapon, and I'm thinking Okita-kun could go with Yoshino-san when they have time. However, they're investigating Eleanor-san."

"That's right... Hmm, can I ask you one thing?"

Kaede-chan put down her chopsticks.

"What is it?"

"Do you have any ulterior motives?"

Kaede-chan looked at me with serious eyes.

Ulterior motives... It's true she possesses a terrifying charm magic, but...

"None at all. And I have no intention of getting that deeply involved. My main adventures are with Nanapon, and this is just for when Nanapon is unavailable."

"You're talking like a total womanizer."

...She's right! It sounds like I'm saying if my main girl, Nanapon, is busy, I'll go play with my side piece, Yoshino-san!

"That's not my intention, though."

"I know. You're fundamentally honest, so you couldn't do something like that."

Is she praising me? Yes, she must be praising me!

"Hmm, well, anyway, I have no ulterior motives."

"Then isn't it fine? It's not like you're forming a party for life, and if you feel like it's not a good fit or something's off, you can just leave. In fact, that's how it is for everyone."

That's true. One of the reasons I decided to become an adventurer was that kind of detached approach to human relationships. I didn't want to deal with another asshole boss like that.

"Then maybe I'll think about it positively..."

"I think that's a good idea. Personally, I'd feel more at ease with that than with you going solo."

So that's how the person waiting and praying for your safe return feels...

"I see... Oh, and also, am I arrogant?"

"Arrogant? You, Senpai? Hmm, not to me, but I know you have that side to you. Remember, I told you to fix your belligerent streak."

"I taunted the level four swordsmanship Yoshino-san today."

"Please, just stop. I know you're happy about being level six, but that's just pathetic."

I probably shouldn't mention that I tripped her and made her fall.

"Do you really hate it?"

"You wouldn't like it if I spoke rudely to a store clerk or yelled at them in a demanding tone, would you?"

I would hate that. I never want to see that side of Kaede-chan.

"I can use polite language, you know."

"Of course you can. You're twenty-six years old. You should show a little more respect to people. Okay, repeat after me, Satsuki-san is amazing."

Kaede-chan was demanding a 'repeat after me'.

"Satsuki-san is amazing."

"Yoshino-san is an A-rank worthy of respect."

"Yoshino-san is an A-rank worthy of respect."

What is this?

"Kaede-chan is cute."

"Kaede-chan is cute."

That goes without saying.

"Yes, very good! Cheers!"

"Cheers."

Kaede-chan and I toasted with our nearly empty mugs.

"Ah, it's wonderful to have tomorrow off!"

"It is. Let's drink, let's drink!"

"Yes! Oh, let's go to karaoke! Leave it to me, the master of getting the party started!"

Kaede-chan is a master of many things.

After that, Kaede-chan and I ordered another round and had a fun time drinking. Then, for the after-party, we went to karaoke, and I took a completely wasted Kaede-chan home.