Chapter 67

2022/09/09 Addendum

According to the plan with Sazan, we were supposed to start our outing on Sunday afternoon, but upon reviewing it, we actually set out early in the morning.

Therefore, I have added an explanation for this change. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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The morning after the Rich extermination, I stepped out of my house and headed to the meeting place, basking in the very refreshing spring sunlight.

This was the outing I had agreed to with Sazan.

Initially, due to my exploration schedule, we had planned to start in the afternoon. However, I had been busy with the report on the Rich incident and other matters, so I decided to take the whole day off on Sunday.

Just then, I received a message from Sazan last night via social media, confirming the meeting time and place. When I replied that I was free all day, Sazan suggested we start early in the morning. So here I am, heading out in the morning, having rescheduled my plans.

The location is a shopping mall located beyond a bridge that spans a lake. It's a short drive, but quite a distance if you walk or cycle.

There's no train nearby, so if you use public transportation, you're limited to the bus. Taxis? They're expensive.

"Well, I can get there pretty quickly if I run," I said to myself, and started jogging—though from my perspective, it's just a light jog. To others, it probably looks like I'm sprinting at full speed with a relaxed posture, which must seem quite eerie.

Surprisingly, I crossed the bridge, which normally takes 10 to 20 minutes to cross, in just one minute!

"Yeah, I'll walk back normally," I said to myself.

The surprised glances from the sparse passersby were painful. My movements were so unnatural that they might have thought I was an explorer. However, I don't want to be treated like a suspicious person.

Back when I didn't have my skills, I once saw someone walking very slowly but abnormally fast. It was creepy, and even if they were an explorer, it was still unsettling.

So, I try to move slowly in my daily life to avoid making people uncomfortable. I don't have any urgent business that requires me to rush.

"You don't have to worry about it, you know. People will be curious for a moment, but they'll lose interest quickly. That's just human nature," Lebe said.

Maybe so, Lebe. But if there are kids like my younger self around, it's not good to give them a bad impression of explorers.

"You're such a good person," Lebe said, sounding exasperated.

I told her not to say that; I tend to overthink things.

Yesterday, the System and Lebe issued a stern warning to me and, by extension, to humans. However, Lebe seems to be back to normal. It's a relief for me, as I don't want to carry the burden of such a heavy and ominous task indefinitely.

Lebe was sensitive to my thoughts.

"I understand, Mr. Kosei. Both Lebe and the System feel deeply apologetic for the trouble we've caused you. We promise to do our best to repay you for your kindness."

Whoa, you were listening, huh? Just kidding, just kidding.

I understand that there are reasons for what you're doing, and it's not unrelated to us humans. Even if it's just a matter of being assigned, I'm determined to see it through.

"Absolutely. I will definitely repay you," Lebe said, sounding resolute, and then her presence faded.

Hey, can you stop making it sound like I'm heading into a deathtrap? It makes it seem like I'm making some kind of perverted demand, which is scary.

Please don't let the System put any weird ideas into your head. If I start receiving confusing poems, titles, and skills, I might go insane on the spot.

Despite my unease, I reached the meeting place, the entrance of the shopping mall, which wasn't open yet. It was 30 minutes before the scheduled time. I thought, "Okay, now I just have to wait for everyone to arrive."

"Yamagata-kun!"

"Huh? ...Sazan-san!"

Soon, my classmate, the gal-type girl, Sazan, arrived. She wasn't wearing her usual uniform but a light green dress with a white cardigan, looking incredibly demure. Strangely, it suited her well, despite her usually flashy appearance.

She looked so demure and cute. Honestly, she's super cute.

My heart started racing. Being alone with such a high-level girl is nerve-wracking. But I can't help feeling excited.

The super cute Sazan smiled at me.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting?"

"N-no, I just got here. That dress... it really suits you. It's super cute. I was mesmerized."

"Hehe... Hehe! Really, really!"

Sazan blushed, looking happy and playful, and patted my back. We were so close! I've never been this close to a girl before, so I was extremely nervous. Come on, where are the others?

"Um, everyone should be here soon, right?"

"Huh? But it's a date today, just the two of us. What are you talking about?"

"……………………Huh!?"

I couldn't help but let out a loud, surprised exclamation.

Wait, what? This is a date? Just the two of us? What? What?

Scary...

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