"..."


    "What''s wrong? You look so gloomy."


    "...I''ve been thinking that despite rarelying to school because of dungeons, it''s already the summer break of my third year in high school."


    "Ah…"


    In the ssroom that had emptied out, I found myself lost in thought, but the time had already passed 1 PM. Today was the closing ceremony for the first semester of our third year. We gathered in the gym, where the principal gave an unnecessarily long speech… and then everything wrapped up before noon. Everyone felt the start of summer vacation and dispersed at once.


    Watching them enjoy their youthful days, I couldn''t help but feel a little hollow, like I was just a corporate drone in the dungeon.


    "Buttely, you''ve beening to school quite often, right?"


    "...Maybe because I''ve made some friends."


    "You mean me? That makes me happy."


    When she gives me that pure smile, it makes me feel weak, so please stop.


    In reality, I never missed school except for public absences, but there were times when I went on overnight dungeon expeditions to Kyushu simply because I didn''t feel like going to school. It was a way to skip ss. Well, even if public absences are counted as attendance, it doesn''t mean I''m exempt from regr exams, so I still had to study hard.


    Lately, since I''ve made a friend in Asakawa-san, I''ve been trying to go to school as much as possible. Because of that, Shinano-san teased me by saying, "Kisaragi-kun finally has a youth!"


    "Speaking of summer break…"


    "Do you want to go somewhere!?"


    "...What about studying for entrance exams?"


    For a third-year high school student, summer means either studying for exams or finishing thest of your club activities. The fact that she''s asking about going out makes me think Asakawa-san is really an extrovert. For someone like me who eitherzes around under the air conditioner or dives into dungeons, such a thought process is unimaginable.


    "Entrance exams, huh…"


    When you bring up studying for entrance exams to a third-year high school girl, it usually doesn''t put them in a good mood, but Asakawa-san seems more pensive than upset.


    "You see, I''m a bit conflicted…"


    "Conflicted? About your choice of university?"


    "Well, not exactly. I''m wondering if I should go to university or just continue as a dungeon streamer."


    It''s a tough choice, no doubt.


    For someone like me, who already has a solid standing as an EX-rank explorer, there''s no need to go to university at all. The fact that I probably wouldn''t be able to attend regrly, like in high school, is another reason.


    Asakawa-san could likely make a living as an explorer and streamer if she continues as she is. However, the issue is how her parents feel about it. Being a streamer is one thing, but living as an explorer who risks their life is something an ordinary person would consider insane.


    "My parents are supportive, saying I should live the life I want… but I still can''t decide."


    "It''s a major life decision. It''s understandable."


    Well, I never had parents from the start, so it was irrelevant for me, but Asakawa-san isn''t in the same situation.


    "Hey… do you know any explorers who''ve continued even into old age?"


    "My grandma… Jinguji Kaede-san is one."


    "Oh… Japan''s strongest?"


    Now that she mentions it, that nickname does ring a bell. I only remembered her as the fastest explorer.


    "She''s 67 years old this year."


    "Really!? I thought she was younger."


    "Maybe it''s because she''s been an explorer, but she still stands tall and looks quite impressive."


    "Yeah. She''s probably a role model for many women."


    And to think her husband is just a regr person. Can you believe someone could marry such an extraordinary woman and still be considered an ordinary person? Even at 67, she''s strong enough to spar with me head-on.


    "Well, her fighting style ispletely different from yours, but… she''s strong."


    "I wonder if I could be like that?"


    "Who knows."


    People born in recent years tend to have a higher potential for magical power. It''s not a hypothesis but a fact. Yet, even in this age, Jinguji Kaede exists as someone whose strength far surpasses recent explorers, like a glitch in the world.


    Well, there are always people who are like glitches, regardless of the era. I''m somewhat aware that I''m one of those people. I know my strength isn''t something I''ve gained through effort but rather a natural talent.


    "That was kind of a strange conversation, huh?"


    "Was it? Isn''t this the kind of conversation close friends have?"


    Whether the topics are specific or vague might depend on the person, but at least for me, I think friends should be able to talk about their future without hesitation.


    "Friends, huh."


    Asakawa-san muttered the word "friends" as if she were savoring it, looking somewhat lonely. Seeing that expression made me want to think deeply about it, but knowing I''m not very perceptive when ites to people''s feelings, I figured it''s best not to say anything foolish.


    "…As I mentioned before, I''m thinking of starting a streamingpany."


    "Oh… the one where you''lle to get me?"


    "Y-Yes… but doesn''t that phrase create some misunderstandings?"


    "It''s fine!"


    No, it''s not fine at all.


    "So, I was thinking of making it a dungeon streamingpany… but maybe it would be better to ept other types of streamers too."


    "Why''s that?"


    "Well… I did some research online, and it turns out there aren''t that many dungeon streamers."


    "Oh, you didn''t know?"


    I had no idea.


    I just assumed that since Asakawa-san was doing it, everyone else was too, but I was surprised to find out how few people actually do it. Well, there are a few, but it seems like streams of the top floors or upper floors have be unpopr recently, and they''re struggling.


    "Not everyone can stream from the lower or deep floors like you, Kisaragi-kun… so in that sense, you might be monopolizing the audience."


    "..."


    I can''t deny it.


    "And you''re okay with that?"


    "Are you?"


    Let it go.


    "I really want you to join mypany."


    "You mentioned that before."


    "…I know it''s a selfish request, but would you consider not going to university and working for me instead?"


    "…Is this a proposal?"


    I-I know asking someone to work for you sounds like a proposal, but that''s not what I meant!


    Why is Asakawa-san blushing? If you''re the one teasing, you shouldn''t be embarrassed!


    "W-Well, I wouldn''t mind if it means I get to work with you."


    "With me?"


    "Yes."


    Well, I''m trying to recruit someone close to me, so I can''t really say anything, but is it okay to work for someone just because they''re the boss?


    "Because we''re friends, right?"


    "…Yes, Asakawa-san is my friend."


    "I see."


    Why!?


    Why does she seem a little upset when I agree that we''re friends!?


    "It''s okay. I''ll slowly help you be more aware of these thingster."


    "M-More aware… of emotions?"


    "Everything, really."


    Uh… is this what they call a woman''s heart? I have no idea how to understand it.