Akatsuki Translations

We had come to Sensoji Temple to shop for new equipment. The suggestion to go to Sensoji came from Misuzu, as it was a mid-level dungeon shop that we didn’t normally use.

“I’m sorry about Koharu.” -Misuzu

“I’m not really mad. You have your own friendships, after all, Misuzu.” -Yuuta

In front of the Kaminarimon Gate at Sensoji Temple, there were five dungeon entrances gaping open, indicating that the Sensoji Temple Dungeon was a mid-level dungeon. Just like five years ago, there were many tourists, including a large number of foreigners.

The sweet aroma of souvenir stalls wafted through the air. I bought a skewer of potato that had been steamed and seasoned with a sweet and spicy flavor, and shared it with Misuzu.

“Sigh, I thought I was going on a date with Yuuta…” -Misuzu

“A d-date? This is a date?” -Yuuta

“I was so excited thinking I was going on a date with Yuuta today that I couldn’t sleep last night.” -Misuzu

“A date…” -Yuuta

So it was a date, huh? I thought it was a word I would never have a connection with, but this was a date.

“W-well, why did you even tell Sakaki-san about our shopping trip in the first place?” -Yuuta

“Well, she kept making fun of me when I was bragging about my boyfriend, so I got kind of angry… I ended up saying too much, including unnecessary things. Before I knew it, I was even talking about our date… Oh, of course, I didn’t say anything about Evie or Nagumo-san or Hazumi and the others.” -Misuzu

The interests of middle school students these days can be summed up as the internet, the opposite sex, and explorers. Of these three, the biggest interest is explorers, as you can become one by going to a D-Rank. It’s said that if you become an explorer and reach Level 3, you’re more amazing than the average adult.

So when you say you’re going shopping at a dungeon shop, it’s only natural for them to want to tag along. No, maybe that’s why she was grilled with questions and had no choice but to tell them.

Misuzu ate the last bite of the potato. She licked the sauce off her lips with a slurp.

“Do you want to cancel on Koharu even now?” -Misuzu

She said that, clearly being very considerate of me.

“If you promise to kiss me when it’s over, I’ll do my best.” -Yuuta

I said something like that. Misuzu’s words had put me in a really good mood.

“I will, I will. I’ll do it anytime. Want to do it now?” -Misuzu

“Not now. It’s embarrassing with everyone watching.” -Yuuta

“Ah, it’s mean of you to be embarrassed. I’m fine with showing it anytime.” -Misuzu

She tightly linked her arm with mine. Just being able to think that I was really dating the Kiriyama Misuzu made me feel good. So I decided to endure it this time. Still, I couldn’t be so foolish as to not be on guard at all before appearing in front of an explorer.

Using the Ring of Celestial Change, I returned to being a dull middle school student, while Misuzu, whose charm value was too high even after reverting, further reduced it to around 30, a face that could barely be recognized as Kiriyama Misuzu. Misuzu’s face changed from a rarely seen beauty to a commonly seen pretty girl.

“I’ll probably be made fun of again with this face.” -Yuuta

“It’s fine. Yuuta is Yuuta. I love that face of yours too. Let’s kiss a lot later. Of course, while you have that face.” -Misuzu

When Misuzu said that, I thought I didn’t care who else made fun of me.

As Sensoji Temple, originally a popular tourist spot, regained its former bustle as people got used to the dungeon, it was now the best place to blend into the crowd. Misuzu must have considered that as well.

“Extra! Extra!”

My attention was drawn to a man in his mid-thirties shouting loudly. He had a large stack of single-page newspapers in his hands.

[Raiden Dead]

The extra edition had those words printed in large letters.

“Wow, so Raiden-sama really lost.” -Misuzu

“There’s no way Ryujin would lose.” -Yuuta

“I was surprised to come out of the dungeon and find a war going on, but I’m a little relieved. Maybe Yokohama will be more livable now.” -Misuzu

Misuzu took an extra edition of the newspaper and read it. I also scanned its contents. It reported the end of the [Yokohama Dragon-Thunder Incident], which had resulted in over 10,000 civilian casualties, with Ryujin emerging victorious. Yesterday at noon, Raiden-sama, who had been revived with a resurrection remedy, apologized to Ryujin-sama to settle the matter.

“Even though it says ‘dead’, he doesn’t actually die, huh?” -Misuzu

“Well, of course. People at this level usually stock up on resurrection remedies unless something really bad happens, so even if you kill them, they won’t die easily. Besides, if Raiden-sama, who is over Level 900, were to die, it would only be a loss for Japan. Although there are issues with his conduct, he can respond to foreign invasions and is part of Japan’s military strength.” -Yuuta

“Resurrection remedies, huh… I want us to get our hands on them soon.” -Misuzu

“Then I won’t have to worry about Misuzu dying.” -Yuuta

“And I won’t have to worry about Yuuta dying.” -Misuzu

We gazed at each other and kissed lightly, even though we had said it was embarrassing with people watching.

“Hehe. But you know, they say the reason for this war is still unknown. They wrote that Ryujin-sama got furious and stormed into Yokohama with Morigami-sama because Raiden-sama’s conduct was so bad, but that’s just the media’s speculation, right?” -Misuzu

Misuzu had no idea at all. Well, of course. Even I would have just thought there might be some connection if it wasn’t for yesterday’s phone call.

“Disputes between explorers often have unclear reasons despite the large damage they cause. I don’t think Raiden-sama will say anything, and unless Ryujin-sama speaks, we probably won’t know.” -Yuuta

“I might dislike that part of Ryujin-sama a bit, not even telling us the reason for the war when so many people died.” -Misuzu

“…” -Yuuta

Raiden-sama was like a boss of explorers with bad conduct in Japan, and whenever such people were about to be judged by the law, he always interfered.

“Don’t infringe on the freedom of explorers,” he would say.

Because of that, explorers who had done such bad things that the government secretly offered money to high-level explorers to deal with them would come under Raiden-sama’s protection. Then Raiden-sama would repel the assassins sent by the government.

That was how Raiden-sama was rumored to be expanding his influence. However, this incident with Ryujin-sama made it clear that even Raiden-sama could be killed if he got carried away.

[If Ryujin-sama had been serious, Raiden-sama would have truly died without being allowed to use a resurrection remedy. While the result has both good and bad points, this will make Japan even more peaceful.]

An expert commented in the extra edition.

It was the usual comment pandering to explorers. But as a result, 10,000 civilians were caught up in the war and killed or injured. I don’t think it’s all my fault, and it would be too conceited to think that, but it does kind of get to me…

“Misuzu. Sakaki-san is at the dungeon shop, right?” -Yuuta

Not wanting to discuss this topic any further, I returned to today’s main subject.

“Yeah. Ah, there she is. Koharu!” -Misuzu

The dungeon shop at Sensoji Temple was located further down Nakamise Shopping Street. It used to be the site of a kindergarten run by the temple. However, having a kindergarten near a dungeon was dangerous, so the kindergarten was relocated and the site became a dungeon shop as is.

And while Sakaki-san was standing in front of that shop…

“Kh!” -Yuuta

Just a glimpse of the boy standing next to her almost took my breath away.

“Hey there, Rokujounokimi.” -Ikemoto

It was Ikemoto, the most unpleasant existence in this world to me. He had a smirk on his face. The days of having my dignity trampled on by Ikemoto over and over again came flooding back to my mind.

“Rokujounokimi. Fight back a little when I hit you! It’s no fun otherwise! Come on, come on!” -Ikemoto

“I told you I’m just practicing wrestling moves on you! Why are you resisting? Come on!” -Ikemoto

“Come on, giddyup! Don’t struggle! Run, I said!” -Ikemoto

“W-why is Ikemoto…” -Yuuta

For a moment, I wondered if Misuzu had called Ikemoto as well. But there was no way. Misuzu may be dense at times, but she’s not insensitive. She should know how much I would hate it if she did something like that.

“Was it Sakaki-san?” -Yuuta

Did Sakaki-san call Ikemoto? Could that even be possible? Even Sakaki-san should know that I was bullied by Ikemoto.

“Hey! Get over here already!” -Ikemoto

“Y-Yuuta, wait here! I’m going to tell Koharu to go home!” -Misuzu

Saying that, Misuzu tried to let go of my arm and run over there. But I grabbed her wrist.

“W-what? Um, just so you know, I didn’t call Ikemoto or even talk to him. You believe me, right? Yuuta… D-don’t be mad, I’m sorry.” -Misuzu

Misuzu was flustered. She seemed desperate to keep Ikemoto, who could make me dislike her, away. Misuzu was desperately trying not to be disliked by me. I must have had a really angry expression on my face right now.

“No… Sorry. Somehow, just seeing Ikemoto makes me angry. My bad for giving off a vibe that made you worry. And I’m not doubting you, Misuzu. But I don’t want to see you talking to Ikemoto.” -Yuuta

“I’m just going to tell him to go home.” -Misuzu

“I still don’t like it. Stay behind me, Misuzu. I’ll tell him to go home. Ikemoto probably just forced himself to come along with Sakaki-san or something.” -Yuuta

The moment I saw Ikemoto’s face, my heart was already unsettled because of the war, and for a moment, it exceeded my tolerance. Even so, seeing Misuzu’s reaction calmed my worst mood a little. It’s fine if she understands. As long as she doesn’t betray me, even if everyone else does, it’s fine.

“But man, he still has a disgusting face.” -Ikemoto

Ikemoto’s smirking face caught sight of me. I didn’t even want to get close to him.

“I told you to hurry up and come!!! Rokujounokimi!” -Ikemoto

“Don’t shout so loud. You’ll stand out. So, why is Ikemoto here?” -Yuuta

As I approached, I clearly expressed my unpleasant feelings in my words.

“‘Why is Ikemoto here?’ he says. Haha, did you hear that, Sakaki? This guy is acting all high and mighty like an idiot! What’s this? You think you’ve gotten strong just because you got to do something good with Kiriyama?” -Ikemoto

“Sorry, Misuzu.” -Koharu

Even though they were common words of provocation, when Ikemoto said them, they stabbed and gouged at my heart. I had been made fun of like this all the time. My dignity had been trampled on like this all the time.

“Koharu, apologize to Yuuta, not me.” -Misuzu

“Misuzu, I’ll do the talking.” -Yuuta

“‘I’ll do the talking,’ he says!? Huh!? Why are you giving orders to Kiriyama!?” -Ikemoto

Ikemoto approached us.

“Hey, you moron! I bet you’re using some weird drug on Kiriyama…! Hey, why are you kicking me, Sakaki!?” -Ikemoto

“Shut up and die, idiot! You don’t need to say unnecessary things! Sorry. Misuzu. Ikemoto insisted on coming along.” -Koharu

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Koharu.”  -Misuzu

“Sakaki-san, you know very well what Ikemoto did to me. Can you please have him go home right now?” -Yuuta

I didn’t talk directly to Ikemoto. I had originally held such a grudge against Ikemoto that I had wanted to kill him many times. Now I had the power to do that. That’s why I felt like I would really want to kill him if I talked to him carelessly.

“But Ikemoto has already come this far, isn’t it too harsh to tell him to go home? And wouldn’t it be weird if Rokujou was the only boy?” -Koharu

“What’s weird about me being the only one?” -Yuuta

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m saying you two are a mismatched couple. If even I join as a girl, Rokujou will totally stand out, right?” -Koharu

“Huh? Oh, is that what you mean?” -Yuuta

For a moment, I didn’t understand what she was saying. But when I did, it made sense. In Sakaki-san’s mind, I was still the bullied Rokujounokimi. And Kiriyama Misuzu, the top beauty of our grade, was walking next to someone like that. That alone was weird.

On top of that, if Sakaki-san joined, it would be even weirder, is what she was trying to say. Regardless of Sakaki-san’s evaluation of herself, I agreed with her evaluation of me. But it’s quite irritating. I’m starting to want to punch this girl too. Come to think of it, this girl is pretty annoying too.

“Rokujou, do you understand?” -Ikemoto

“Y-yeah. It bothers me a little, no, a lot, but certainly Ikemoto has already come this far, so I guess it’s fine if he stays just while we’re watching the shopping. But promise me just one thing.” -Yuuta

“What?” -Ikemoto

“Explorers tend to be troublesome people. That’s why we’re just going to pay here and have the dungeon items mailed to us later. And I don’t really want other explorers to know that Misuzu and I are explorers either. So I don’t want you to talk about things like that.” -Yuuta

“Huh? What are you so scared of? Are you an idiot? Acting all cautious and pretending to be a pro explorer.” -Ikemoto

“It’s fine, right, Ikemoto? I got it. I won’t talk about explorers inside. That’s okay, right?” -Yuuta

“Rokujounokimi. Let’s go to the dungeon after this is over.” -Ikemoto

Ikemoto said something incomprehensible.

“Huh? The dungeon?” -Yuuta

“That’s right.” -Ikemoto

“I don’t understand. Why would we go to the dungeon?” -Yuuta

“What are you saying? You reached Level 3, right? Show us how strong you’ve gotten. I came along because I wanted to see Rokujounokimi’s strength.” -Ikemoto

Every word was filled with mockery. He wanted to say, “I bet you’re not that big a deal.” And yet he says he wants to see my strength, how ridiculous.

“Ikemoto. I get that you look down on me. I’m actually a dull guy. Up until two weeks ago, I didn’t do anything no matter what you did to me at school. I just felt frustrated at home. But you have someone who would cry if you died too, right?” -Yuuta

“Huh? Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about?” -Ikemoto

“I’m just saying that if you don’t take the dungeon seriously, you’ll die. I actually almost died at first. It was really just luck that I survived.” -Yuuta

“‘It was really just luck,’ he says! What are you trying to act cool for! You moron!” -Ikemoto

Ikemoto kicked my leg. It didn’t hurt at all. So I wasn’t scared at all. Goblins come at you with much more force to kill. They swing their katanas with all their might. They’re always serious about killing people.

Thinking about it that way, Ikemoto is kind. At least he didn’t want to kill me even though I was weaker. That’s right. He’s kind. Thanks to him, I was able to try entering such a dangerous place alone and get close to Misuzu.

“I’m a moron anyway. Ikemoto, fine. Follow along as much as you want. Misuzu. Let’s do our shopping properly. We’re going to the dungeon again the day after tomorrow.” -Yuuta

“O-okay, but are you sure?” -Misuzu

“It’s fine now. Somehow even talking is a pain. If we don’t react, he’ll probably get bored and go home eventually.” -Yuuta

“If you’re okay with it, Yuuta.” -Misuzu

Pulling the hand of Misuzu, who looked like she wanted to say something, we entered the shop. Was Ikemoto, whom I had always thought was so scary, just like this? I used to think it hurt and I hated it when he kicked me, but was it actually not that painful at all?

Then what was I so afraid of, letting this idiot ruin my student life? I suddenly felt really stupid.

“What’s with that guy? Well, I can punish him later. Sakaki! Let’s go check out the dungeon for a bit!” -Ikemoto

“Huh? Well, I guess it’s fine. Sorry, Misuzu. I’m going to keep an eye on him since he might do something dangerous if left alone.” -Koharu

“Okay, got it. Koharu. I’m sure you know, but don’t enter the dungeon, okay? You’ll really die if you go in unarmed, so be careful.” -Misuzu

“I know, I know.” -Koharu

Just as we were about to go shopping, Sakaki-san and Ikemoto, who were supposed to be here to watch, headed towards the dungeon for some reason. Well, they probably went to the dungeon entrance as tourists.

“Yuuta. Are you sure it’s okay not to chase those two away?” -Misuzu

“It’s fine. Honestly, I thought I would be more scared if Ikemoto came in front of me even now. But I wasn’t scared at all. I’m surprised by that myself. I actually think goblins are scarier. But if I could kill goblins, why couldn’t I fight back against Ikemoto?” -Yuuta

“Yuuta…” -Misuzu

“There’s no point in me telling this to Misuzu, though…” -Yuuta

People with appearances straight out of fantasy were scattered around inside the dungeon shop. There were also many tourists. Japan, which has more advanced dungeon exploration than other countries, has many rare items inside its dungeon shops.

Necklaces that came out of gacha worth over 1 billion yen. The fictional metal orichalcum, which was said not to exist. Hihiirokane. Mithril. Being a tourist spot, there were quite a few tourists who wanted to see those rare things.

“Wow. As expected, the shop is full of high-end items. It seems best not to go to the back, but with so many great things on display, I’m surprised they don’t get stolen.” -Misuzu

“I’d like to see the idiot who tries to steal from here.” -Yuuta

“Well, I guess so. If you lay a hand on explorers’ source of income, they’ll come to kill you to the ends of the earth. Anyway, which one should I choose?” -Misuzu

I was thinking of updating our equipment, including mine, as I was worried about Misuzu’s equipment for floor exploration. However, when it’s not an item you got from rolling gacha yourself, the size is quite difficult. The shoulder pads, gauntlets, greaves, and breastplate all come in sizes that fit the person who rolled the gacha perfectly.

So in Misuzu’s case, her chest must be smaller than other explorers’, so it would be loose. No, I guess there are quite a few flat-chested people too. We decided to try on the items from the stone gacha first, which had a corner for trying on items and also had many tourists.

“Yuuta. How about this?” -Misuzu

“Looks good, doesn’t it? Show me when you try it on. I’ll be trying on next to you.” -Yuuta

“What are you saying, Yuuta? You can’t see from there, so come inside. It’s fine to be together.” -Misuzu

“No, wait a second.” -Yuuta

I was pulled into the fitting room. Misuzu in her underwear tried on several pieces of armor and showed them to me. I didn’t know where to look, but this was for moving around later. If the size was wrong, the equipment would make movement worse even though it was supposed to improve it.

“Yuuta, touch everything and check. Check if there are any gaps in my chest or butt too. Koharu and the others aren’t here, so it’s important, right?” -Misuzu

What is this girl saying? Evie too, if we don’t properly keep things in moderation, we’ll really end up having a child someday. Then we won’t be able to be explorers anymore. How outrageous. Really outrageous. But still, they’re small.

Misuzu is an A-cup, huh? Huh? She’s a B? I should touch more carefully to check? Size confirmation is bliss. I thoroughly confirmed the sizes with Misuzu.

“This one seems the best.” -Yuuta

But still, those two disappearing together, could it be that? Don’t tell me they’re doing it? Well, if that’s the case, then by all means, go ahead. It’s a relief for us too. They can’t possibly be stupid enough to enter the dungeon. Thinking that, I stopped paying any more attention to it.

“Koharu didn’t come back at all, huh?” -Misuzu

Even Misuzu, who had been absorbed in her own shopping, started to worry as Sakaki-san didn’t show up at all.

“Don’t tell me Sakaki-san entered the dungeon.” -Yuuta

“No way. Koharu knows about as much about dungeons as you, Yuuta. She understands how reckless that would be, and there’s no way she’d do something that stupid without equipment.” -Misuzu

“I guess you’re right.” -Yuuta

But if she knows as much as me, it wouldn’t be surprising if she entered the dungeon. No matter how much you research on TV or the internet, you won’t understand how scary dungeons actually are unless you go in. That’s why people who are reckless will be as reckless as they can be.

“But Ikemoto is with her too.” -Yuuta

“I thought for sure he’d pick a fight with you, Yuuta, and end up getting beaten half to death by you…” -Misuzu

So that’s what she was thinking. Just knowing that Misuzu was also angry at Ikemoto’s attitude makes me happy. And thinking that, I remember Imari.

Imari… She’s probably at school now. Even though I think I like Misuzu, I slept in the same bed as Imari yesterday. Nagumo-san said that, but if you reach that kind of thinking, it’s over in many ways. On top of that, I’m going shopping with Evie tomorrow…

“I’m just getting swept along with the flow…” -Yuuta

Swept along by the pleasure, swept along by the momentum of the girls, as I was thinking that,

“H-hey, Misuzu, it’s bad!” -Koharu

The automatic door of the dungeon shop opened and Sakaki-san rushed in. I, who was about to worry about the three girls again, pulled my thoughts back.

“Koharu, what’s wrong? And you were still at the dungeon when I didn’t see you? Where’s Ikemoto?” -Misuzu

“I think he went into the dungeon!” -Koharu

“Huh?” -Misuzu

Tourists and explorers in fantasy attire turned their gazes to see what was going on.

“Hey, hey, she said he went into the dungeon.”

“He must be a beginner, right?”

“I wonder if he can get past the magic 10.”

“There are still rare ones these days.”

The voices of the explorers could be heard. And while the conversation up to this point had been peaceful, what followed was terrible.

“How admirable. Since everyone goes to a D-Rank, there were no new people to play with, so it was boring.”

“Last time, I accidentally tore off the arm of a dungeon pet-kun while we were doing it. Even though I properly healed him, he got scared and wouldn’t go in with me anymore.”

Dungeon pets are mainly men that female explorers take into dungeons as pets. In exchange, they help them level up and take them with consent, but there are countless shady stories about them.

“That one was pitiful. He wasn’t just peeing, but doing the big one too.”

“I see. I haven’t been able to do that kind of thing for three months now.”

According to Nagumo-san, there are no beginners among the explorers entering dungeons now. So most of the people here are those who started entering dungeons before D-Rank was possible, and have no fear of entering dungeons at all.

And those kinds of people are starving for newbies right now. After hearing various things from Nagumo-san, I started looking at explorers’ underground sites that I hadn’t seen before. Anyway, new people now are having a miserable time. Even if they enter, they immediately become prey for veterans.

Photos of newbies who became prey were openly posted on underground sites. Seeing that, I realized once again that I had just been really lucky.

“I see. Sakaki-san, Ikemoto wanted to enter the dungeon, huh? Did he take proper equipment?” -Yuuta

“It didn’t seem like it, but…” -Koharu

Didn’t they go to the dungeon entrance together? Sakaki-san’s words were vague.

“Don’t tell me he went in without any equipment?” -Yuuta

“Y-yeah. Seems so.” -Koharu

Is Ikemoto an idiot? No, unlike me, his grades at school weren’t that bad. He should be smarter than me, so why did he do that?

“Koharu, is Ikemoto an idiot? Is he a little lacking?” -Misuzu

“N-no! Anyway, we have to bring him back quickly or Ikemoto will die!” -Koharu

“Sakaki-san, did Ikemoto at least take a handgun?”  -Yuuta

“Rokujou! Geez! Never mind that, please! Go save Ikemoto in the dungeon!” -Koharu

Sakaki-san’s large breasts shook as she spoke desperately. I wonder which is bigger, hers or Imari’s? No, if they’re this big, they might be bigger than Imari’s. Boobs bigger than Imari’s are amazing. I wonder if she’d get mad if I touched them?

As I was thinking that, Misuzu noticed my gaze and grabbed my butt.