The Chronicles of a Man Who Aspired to Be an Unparalleled Character with Hidden Weapons - The Explorer Who Conceals His Power Becomes the Strongest When He Wields a Sword - Chapter 10: After School with Sumeragi

Chapter 10: After School with Sumeragi

“May I have a moment?”

“!?”

“…Why are you looking at me as if you’ve seen a ghost?”

“You startled me!” 

I retorted loudly, to which Sumeragi looked at me curiously.

I had anticipated she might ask something about my trip to get the spiritual herb, but I thought someone of her stature would approach me more normally.

(I thought so, and yet there she was, right outside the classroom…)

I was caught off guard while heading to the bathroom, and she spoke to me there. 

She was right there as I stepped out of the classroom, startling me so much that I almost couldn’t hold it in.

“…Sorry for startling you.”

Then she bowed her head sincerely.

From our previous interactions, I knew she was a bit air-headed but fundamentally serious, considerate of others, and capable of apologizing… a bit air-headed, though.

“Are you thinking something rude?”

Or rather, I have something important to tell her.

“I’m sorry, Sumeragi. There’s something important I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Without concern for her surprise at the sudden change, I told her,

“I need to use the restroom. Please let me go.”

“!? Sorry, I’m really, really sorry…”

She really is a natural airhead.

As she bowed gracefully, her blonde hair swayed beautifully, and I couldn’t help but think such an out-of-place thought as I passed by her.

“Can we at least talk after school? How about the café in district two?”

“…That’s fine with me.”

“Settled then. See you after school.”

“Okay.”

And so, I unexpectedly made a promise with an S-rank beauty. 

Relieved by our agreement, Sumeragi fluttered her hand in a wave as she entered the classroom, and I found myself bashfully admiring her smile, even in such a simple gesture.

“Never thought my lack of experience in love would show up like this… But well, it’s normal for a guy to blush at a girl’s smile, isn’t it?”

I rationalized to myself, making my way to the restroom to refresh.

“But still, I haven’t seen that guy today either…”

I thought about Chiba.

Since the day after that incident, he hasn’t been seen, and nobody seems to be talking about it, leaving me without any information. 

I wondered if he got suspended or something because of that incident, but the truth remains unknown.

“Ah, there’s Sena!”

“Huh?”

I turned around at the sound of a cheerful girl’s voice, only to feel a sudden thump on my back.

“Don’t just jump on me like that, Saki.”

“Ehehe~, come on, it’s fine. We’re not strangers, after all.”

True, but… this girl clinging to me was Saki Maejima, an acquaintance from another class. 

More importantly, she often forms a party with Shinichi and Yoshiki, making us naturally closer through these interactions.

“Let’s go to the dungeon together again!”

“Well, if there’s a chance.”

“Yay♪ It’d be great if you could join our party permanently, Sena.”

“Thanks, but I’ll stick to solo for a while.”

She often invites me to join their party, but I generally prefer to go solo. Joining a party is more a matter of mood for me.

“Your support is really reliable, and the best part is not having to worry about our backs.”

“You should still be cautious.”

“It’s just that I trust you that much.”

“Appreciate it.”

Now that I’ve acquired the magic bow skill, I once joined them in the dungeon and truly made a difference.

The way I could freely control the trajectory of the arrows was almost unbelievable, even to me.

“Well, count on me again sometime.”

“Got it! See ya!”

By the way, Saki, who had just reached B-rank, has consistently stuck with Shinichi and the others.

“It’s comfortable, and more than anything, I want to become stronger with this team. I want to get much, much stronger!” 

That was a sentiment very much like Saki, who is always considerate of her friends.

Her positivity also seemed to have encouraged the students from the regular courses during our recent event, contributing positively.

“Really, going to the dungeon with them is always fun.”

Dungeons are fraught with danger, where a moment’s lapse can cost a life. 

Despite this, the atmosphere of continuously smiling faces, where everyone protects and fights alongside each other, is genuinely comforting and often envied by other students.

“Well, that just shows how tense things are.”

Maybe I should join Shinichi and the others in the dungeon. With that thought, I made my way back to the classroom.

Time flew by until after school. After reassuring my worried sister via a message that I was fine, I headed to the café where I was to meet Sumeragi.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, it’s fine. It was my idea, after all.”

“Really, Sumeragi, you’re strangely polite in weird ways.”

“Isn’t that normal? I… I mean, it’s strange to say it myself, but it’s because I tend to act impulsively, including the time I drew my sword on you.”

“That’s a problem.”

“Uhh…”

I chuckled as Sumeragi blushed and looked down. I took a seat facing her, and when the waiter came, I ordered some tea.

“What about you, Sumeragi?”

“I’ll have the same.”

“Very well.”

After the waiter left, Sumeragi immediately started, 

“I saw you in the S-rank dungeon yesterday.”

“Yeah.”

Ah.”

“I won’t ask what you were doing or what happened there.”

“Okay.”

“But I will ask this directly. You’re hiding your true strength, aren’t you?”

Sumeragi looked at me with a sly smile.