Chapter 74

Well, putting aside all the ups and downs, the time at the arcade was fun. I tried all the games, but in the end, I ended up mainly playing the UFO catcher.

"Eh, is it okay? You're giving it to me? For real!?"

"Of course. If you don't want it, I can take it home and give it to my sister."

"I want it, I want it, I really want it! Hehe... I'm so happy!"

I managed to get a few stuffed animals and gave them to Sayama-san. I thought for a moment that using my enhanced physical abilities as an explorer was cheating... but it turned out that those abilities weren't really useful for the UFO catcher. It's more about skill and strategy. I ended up spending a fair amount of money, but I managed to get the things I wanted, so I guess it was worth it.

Before we knew it, it was already evening. The happy time was coming to an end, and the bittersweet moment of parting was approaching, signaling the end of our date. We left the shopping mall and crossed the bridge together. Unlike the way there, we walked slowly, savoring the moment.

"Kouhei-kun, thank you so much for today. I had a great time!"

"Say... Li, Li-sa, Li-sa-san. Thank you, too."

We had become so close that we were now on a first-name basis. Well, I was still a bit nervous.

I feel like I got to know Sayama-san... no, Li-sa-san much better today. I'm sure she also got to know me better.

"From tomorrow, we'll call each other by our first names, right? People might think we're dating."

"Eh!? W-Well, maybe. I-I get embarrassed by that kind of thing."

"...Hehe! I'm not troubled by it. You're so nice."

She suddenly got really close, and I was a bit at a loss for how to respond. It was like a hit-and-run!

Li-sa-san gave me a slightly mature smile, as if she had just teased me with some advanced technique.

"Kouhei-kun. I... we! We want to be a part of your daily life."

"Daily life? What do you mean?"

"Ah..."

She looked like she had just realized something. What's going on?

What does she mean by being a part of my daily life? I tilted my head in confusion, and she started speaking a bit faster.

"T-There's Goudou-san for the explorer side of you, right? I'm jealous, but we can't compete with her in that area! So, I want to be a part of your daily life, just a normal part of it!"

"Li-sa-san..."

"...When you're tired from dungeons and battles, come home. Not just me, but everyone. We all care about you."

...What a wonderful thing to say. I never thought I would have a place to come home to, other than with my family. I was genuinely moved.

Li-sa-san must have wanted to convey this to me throughout the day. Not as a dungeon explorer, but as a high school student, there are people like Li-sa-san, Matsuda-kun, Kudo-san, Kataoka-kun, and Tono-san. They are all there for me.

Having friends, having a place to come home to, is such a wonderful thing.

"Thank you, Li-sa-san."

"...Well, that's all for now. The best is yet to come, right?"

"What do you mean by 'the best is yet to come'?"

"Hmm? A fun school life is just beginning! Right, Kouhei-kun! Exploring is great, but hang out with us too, okay?"

"Of course! I really had a great time today!"

Li-sa-san responded with a heartfelt smile to my sincere words.

"Hehe! That's right, that's right!"

And so, my first student date ended on a good note, deepening our bond.

It was getting a bit dark, so I walked Li-sa-san to her house and then headed home. I should make it back in time for dinner. I wonder what we're having. I hope it's meat!

While I was walking and thinking about that, someone called out to me.

"Hello."

There was no presence nearby, so who was it?

I turned around to see a child. A silver-haired, breathtakingly cute child. It was hard to tell if it was a boy or a girl.

Eh? Who are you?

"Hehe. Did I surprise you? Sorry? I just wanted to ask for directions."

"Ah, sure. Where are you going? Are you alone? Your parents?"

"I'm going to meet my parents. Hehe, it's a bit complicated."

The child, who was beautiful even when smiling wryly, asked for directions to the shopping district in the neighboring town. It seemed they had taken a wrong turn.

You're so calm, yet so clumsy.

"Ha... Well, that's a detour, isn't it?"

"My condolences. Can't you call your parents and have them come pick you up?"

"Hmm... Yeah, I can. I'll try that, thanks. You're a good person. It's been a while since I felt so warm."

The child smiled kindly, thanked me, and turned to leave. They were being a bit dramatic.

– In that instant, only words were left for me.

"I'm glad I met you, the next Administrator."

"......Huh!?"

"Let's meet again someday, kind person. In some form, we are destined to be connected."

I couldn't help but look back – but the child was gone!?

They were nowhere to be found. There wasn't even a shadow. It was as if they had never been there. Ehh...?

『...Meeting you so soon, huh? Even though we can't do much, we should do what we can, right?』

"Who was that, Liebe...?"

『It was the terminal of the thing that woke up the other day. Liebe doesn't know anything more.』

"Scary..."

This is a horror story. Seriously, a horror story.

The thing that woke up... is it the final boss? Scary...

A seasonal out-of-place spirit test after a date. That's how I felt.

---

At this point, I'll take a break. In the next part, I'll include an episode explaining the titles.

As of the time I posted this story:

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- Overall: Daily 17th, Weekly 11th, Monthly 12th

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