The Virgin Hero Who Fought in the Dungeon for 20 Years Returned to the Surface Only to Find the Population of the World Has Dropped Drastically, with a Male-to-Female Ratio of 1:1000 - 89

Chapter 89: A Joyful Bus Ride

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The practicum was conducted in a live-combat format. That said, it didn’t involve actually fighting monsters. The focus of the Healing and Recovery Department was strictly on mastering healing techniques. Since the blessings granted to explorers—including Ryuuto—could not be used outside of a dungeon, the location was moved from school to the outskirts. Specifically, to the Hachioji Dungeon, the closest one to the Tokyo area.

Oh? What a nostalgic place.

Ryuuto thought that when he heard the location. It felt wasteful to spend nearly an hour and a half just on the round trip, but Hachioji Dungeon was the only place close to Tokyo that was beginner-friendly and guaranteed to be safe for the students. Not just the Healing and Recovery Department, but also the Warrior, Mage, and Scout Department frequently used the area for their practicums, and it wasn’t uncommon for high-ranking explorers to participate as instructors.

“A bus trip, huh?”

“All right, Sakazaki-kun and the Healing and Recovery Department team, off to Hachioji Dungeon we go~! Don’t get careless just because it’s a practicum class or you’ll get hurt!”

Their homeroom teacher, Koyomi, was waving a tiny flag while dressed in a bus tour guide cosplay. On top of that, she kept shooting Ryuuto flirtatious glances. This earned her complete disapproval from the entire class.

“C’mon, Sensei. Seeing you like that is making me cringe…”

“You really tried, huh?”

“Please don’t use confusion to cop a feel on Ryuuto-sama~”

But Koyomi completely ignored the crowd’s grumblings.

This teacher’s mental fortitude is amazing.

“Okay then, Sakazaki-kun, why don’t you sit next to Sensei?”

“I must respectfully decline.”

The atmosphere left him no choice but to respond that way.

Ryuuto took a seat in the very back row of the bus. He tended to get motion sickness on larger buses, so he avoided sitting in the front. Still, sitting dead center in the last row meant both seats beside him were open. He had no idea how much quiet competition was going on among the girls in his class for those spots.

“Pardon me. May I sit here?”

“O-Oh.”

The one who sat next to him was a girl named Mikaze Rurikawa, who had a samurai-like air to her. Even though she wore the standard school uniform properly, her presence exuded a traditional Japanese aesthetic. 

For some reason, she carried an impressive-looking katana at her waist. Her straight, glossy black hair was beautiful. Her eyebrows were on the thicker side but refined, and her facial features were striking. In short, she was a classic Japanese beauty. 

She had a slender jawline, a large bust, a tight waist, and long, graceful limbs—all of which gave her a commanding presence. To be honest, Ryuuto found her almost too perfect, which made him feel awkward around her. From his perspective—still stuck in his mindset from 20 years ago—he figured that one wrong joke could set off a full-blown rage fit from her.

Oh crap. I didn’t know there was a beauty like her still around. If I talk to her the wrong way, I’ll get killed, won’t I? Like, “You filthy pervert, feel my righteous justice!” or something.

“Ahem… I haven’t introduced myself, have I? I am Mikaze Rurikawa. We haven’t had the chance to speak until now, but perhaps it’s fate that we’re seated together. I hope we can get along.”

“O-Oh. Rurikawa-san, right?”

“Mikaze.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone calls me Mikaze. I’d be happy if Sakazaki-dono would do the same.”

“…Got it. Then you can call me Ryuuto. I’m not into stiff formalities. Let’s get along well, Mikaze.”

“Mm. Ryuuto-dono. Looking forward to it.”

Mikaze’s expression softened like a flower blooming. The contrast was so striking that Ryuuto’s heart skipped a beat. When he reached out his hand, Mikaze gently took it in both of hers. Even someone as dense as Ryuuto could tell that her face had gone red all the way to her ears.

“Oh my, Mikaze-san. You’re awfully polite today. That’s not like you at all, is it?”

“…Ugh. You’re here.”

“I’ve been here the whole time, thank you very much.”

A girl with curly blonde hair suddenly spoke up from Ryuuto’s left. Her loud voice made Ryuuto’s ears ring, but he kept a straight face, trying to act composed in front of someone older.

These girls have some serious presence.

The other iconic girl from the Healing and Recovery Department, on par with the elegant Mikaze, was named Ema Gionji. She was likely a half-Japanese girl, judging by her naturally golden hair. Crossing her long legs, Ema gave Ryuuto a cheerful smile.

“Oh dear, I almost forgot to introduce myself. Ryuuto-sama, my name is Ema Gionji. I hold the top rank in healing skills within our division. I’d be delighted if you remembered me as such.”

“O-Oh. That’s impressive.”

Ryuuto’s eyes weren’t on her words but on the overwhelmingly prominent chest that looked ready to burst through her uniform.

Holy crap! What even is that?! Up close, her boobs look absurdly massive. Can they even let someone like her roam free like this?

“Mufun~”

Ema noticed his gaze, but rather than being put off, she puffed her chest out proudly, practically flaunting it. She must have had enormous confidence in her figure. As far as Ryuuto knew, this was the first time he’d seen a chest bigger than Kyouka Kuonji’s. With her jacket and shirt unbuttoned, the plump cleavage was almost overwhelming.

“My name is Ema. I can cook, clean, wash, and sew. Not to mention, though it may sound boastful, my family’s steel business is quite successful. If Ryuuto-sama wishes, I can offer unlimited support to you. It must be fate that we ended up in the same class. If you’re ever inclined, I’d be honored if you’d consider me.”

“Huh? Ah, yeah. I mean, we’re in the same class, so we should definitely get along. Uh…”

“Just Ema, like Mikaze. Feel free to drop the honorifics.”

“Oh, Ema. Got it. Nice to meet you.”

“Um, if I may… I have one small request.”

Ema, who had radiated confidence until now, suddenly lowered her gaze like a typical teenage girl.

“What is it?”

“May I… May I touch the hand of the great hero, Ryuuto-sama?”

“Oh, a handshake? Sure, no problem.”

“Ah…”

Ema took Ryuuto’s hand and gently brought it up to her lips, then began tracing each of his fingers one by one with deliberate care.

Whoa, this is kinda erotic. Not that I’m into fingers or anything, but still.

The sensation tickled Ryuuto, and he shivered slightly. Ema’s nails were painted a deep, elegant red, and just the slow movement of her hands made him feel strangely unsettled.

“Haah…”

When Ema looked up suddenly, her face had transformed into one of total desire. Her eyes were glazed with longing, her lips trembling.

“That’s enough.”

Suddenly, as if sensing danger, Mikaze stepped in between them and pulled Ema away.

“Oh my, says the one who thoroughly enjoyed Ryuuto-sama’s hand just a moment ago.”

“Ahem. More importantly, Ryuuto-dono, I’ve heard you have extensive combat experience from your time in the dungeon. Though it pains me to admit it, I’m currently partnered with Ema here. I was wondering if you could share any advice for a healer during dungeon exploration?”

“Hmm… Well, let’s see.”

“Mikaze?! That’s incredibly rude of you to Ryuuto-sama!”

“Y-Yes, you’re right. Ryuuto-dono, I apologize for the sudden question. I’m not very used to social situations…”

“Nah, it’s fine. It’s not a big deal. There’s really only one important thing.”

“And that is…?”

“Don’t die first.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Mikaze and Ema both froze, mouths slightly agape. Ryuuto looked at their faces and thought to himself how even beautiful women could make silly expressions and still look like art.

“I’m not joking. A healer in the party can’t go down first. Even if all your teammates are wiped out, if the healer stays alive, there’s still a chance at winning. A good healer is more valuable than a strong attacker. Beyond that… Well, it comes down to luck.”

“Luck, huh…”

“Luck, you say…”

“Call it fortune, if you like. Some might say it’s a supernatural belief. Even if you don’t believe in gods or spirits, plenty of people believe in luck. Or fate, maybe. But if luck abandons you, even someone weaker can beat you. In a fight to the death, it’s often something ridiculously minor that determines the winner. That’s what I’ve learned from experience.”

“Ryuuto-dono, is there any way to increase that luck?”

“Eh? I guess… Do good deeds? Or not. I dunno.”

“Oh no, my horoscope today said I’d have bad luck… So disheartening.”

“Ema, today’s lucky item to restore your luck is something orange. Here, have this lemon drop.”

“Oh, Mikaze, I’ll forgive you just for today! Mmm… It’s so sweet, it’s like my cheeks are melting.”

Ryuuto gave a wry smile as he watched the high school explorer girls fuss over horoscopes and lucky charms. Before long, the bus arrived at Hachioji, where the dungeon awaited.

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