“It has been a while.”


  Sakurai-kun takes a seat without waiting for our approval.

  His attire is different from the one of before, simple clothing that looks like that of a commoner.

  But clothes that don’t have a single spec of dust or wrinkles stick out like a sore thumb in this bar with a lot of dirty adventurers.

  “L-Light Her—Mgh?!” (Lucy)

  Lucy was about to shout out loud, so I hurriedly covered her mouth.

  “N-Nice to meet you… I am honored to be able to meet you.” (Nina)

  Nina-san is letting out a rare nervous voice.

  “I am surprised you could tell that we were here.” (Fujiwara)

  Fuji-yan speaks out the natural question.

  “I had a report that the Fujiwara Store had given us Knight Order a great amount of supplies, you see.” (Sakurai)

  “Fuji-yan, you were even doing something like that?” (Makoto)

  “It was simply a bribe. The Sun Knight Order is the largest army of the continent. There’s no loss in getting along with them.” (Fujiwara)

  Is ‘bribe’ something you say while laughing?

  I wonder if Fuji-yan seriously is the same age as me.

  “There’re many members who are big fans of the whisky of Makkaren. This contribution is greatly appreciated.” (Sakurai)

  Sakurai-kun says with a refreshing smile.

  “To think even Takatsuki-kun is here. I am glad I made the time.” (Sakurai)

  “Y-Yeah, it has been a while. You are looking good.” (Makoto)

  He is slapping my shoulder like an american, celebrating our reunion.

  Each gesture of his really stands out.

  He really hasn’t changed at all.

  “I heard that you came here to subjugate a Taboo Dragon?” (Makoto)

  “That’s right. They pushed a troublesome job to me just because I am a newbie knight.” (Sakurai)

  The Light Hero says this with a slightly troubled expression.

  “It should be easy for you, Sakurai-kun, right?” (Makoto)

  “That’s not true. I just arrived today. Right! If you know Laberintos well, Takatsuki-kun, will you guide us?” (Sakurai)

  “Alright! We will do i—MGH?!” (Lucy)

  Lucy was about to make a mistake here, so I once again covered her mouth.

  “We just arrived today as well. I am sorry, but I don’t think we will be of help.” (Makoto)

  “I see, that’s a shame.” (Sakurai)

  There’s no way he was seriously asking for us to guide him, right?

  After that, we listened to the stories about his pains as a hero which Fuji-yan pulled out from him with his speaking ability.

  It was for around 15 minutes, I think.

  At the end, ‘I have some other business, so see you later’, is what he said and left.

  What did he come here for?

  He didn’t drink one sip.

  Did he come here to have a casual talk?

  ◇◇

  “Man, that was nerve-wracking.” (Nina)

  Nina-san who was stiff from nervousness says this.

  “What’s that about ‘maybe he doesn’t remember me’?! You were crazy friendly with each other!” (Lucy)

  Lucy was super excited.

  “Well now, that was surprising.” (Fujiwara)

  “Were you close with Sakurai-kun, Fuji-yan?” (Makoto)

  “No, not at all-desu zo. Isn’t he close to you, Takki-dono?” (Fujiwara)

  “There’s no way that’s the case.” (Makoto)

  I have never spoken to him in class.

  “Makoto! Why did you refuse to guide him in Laberintos?! What a waste.” (Lucy)

  “Are you an idiot? Their objective is to slay a dragon in the Lower Floor. There’s no way we can guide him. Don’t take him seriously.” (Makoto)

  “Sakurai-dono seemed like he was somewhat serious though.” (Fujiwara)

  “When Goshujin-sama says it, it has convincing power.” (Nina)

  It is not like Nina-san knows he can read minds.

  “Well, I don’t really understand, but let’s go back to drinking.” (Makoto)

  I munch on a fried potato.

  It is cold already.

  “Why are you so calm…?” (Lucy)

  Lucy looked at me with a face of amazement, but I met him everyday at the time when we were classmates, you know.

  It isn’t really something to make a fuss about.

  “Ah, crap. We haven’t decided where to stay.” (Makoto)

  “If that’s the case, there’s no need to worry-desu zo. I have already reserved the lodging of you two.” (Fujiwara)

  “Thanks as always.” (Makoto)

  Fuji-yan had made reservations in an inn where merchants stay.

  The soft futons have a whole lot of feathers in it.

  To think there were feathered futons in a parallel world.

  ◇◇

  The next day, Fuji-yan said he had some negotiations to make and went somewhere with Nina-san.

  We should aim to go a bit deeper in our exploration.

  Second day of the Laberintos exploration.

  “What will the route of today be?” (Lucy)

  Lucy asks.

  “Water Cave.” (Makoto)

  “Eeh, again?” (Lucy)

  “Now now, look at this.” (Makoto)

  I showed her the map of the Upper Floor.

  “The Grand Waterfall of Laberintos?” (Lucy)

  “I heard that it fights for the top spot of the best views in Laberintos.” (Makoto)

  “Hoooh… It is popular with couples too. It says that the Adventurer Guild is accepting tours to view the Grand Waterfall… Is this place really a dungeon?” (Lucy)

  It is true that if you only look at this, you would think of it as just a touristic spot.

  “There’s a lot of monsters lately, so the number of customers is low apparently.” (Makoto)

  “Hmm, couples, huh…” (Lucy)

  “Lucy, what’s the matter?” (Makoto)

  “Eh? No, it is nothing! If Makoto wants to go no matter what, I’ve got no choice but to follow, huh!” (Lucy)

  She agreed.

  It is now the second time we have been going to the Water Cave since yesterday.

  But there’s the chance that Minotaurs are moving around there, so we can’t lower our guards.

  The water dungeon is pretty dark and gloomy, but there’s light stones here and there, so the cave itself is being lighted up in a blue hue.

  The deeper we go, the bluer it gets, and it turns into a fantastical sight.

  (Dungeons are nice.) (Makoto)

  The monsters showing up are weak, so we were able to take our time exploring.

  Maybe because the Minotaur showed up yesterday in the Water Cave, we didn’t pass by too many adventurers.

  We slowly moved forward with my Detection skill on.

  I felt an irregularity when we were quite a lot deeper than yesterday.

  It is not monsters. Something is following us close behind.

  When we changed directions, they would imitate us.

  (This is…) (Makoto)

  “Lucy”, I whisper.

  “We are being followed.” (Makoto)