Chapter 34

"Are you going on a retreat this weekend with just your friends? Is it that thing with the EPO Corporation? Sounds good to me."

While pouring a glass of draft beer, Dad easily gave his approval. It seems he thinks that since I'm eighteen, I can take a certain amount of responsibility for myself. It makes me feel happy to think that I'm trusted—

"But I've been seeing this commercial a lot lately."

I shifted my gaze to the GDC Group commercial. It's just a commercial where the names of Japanese companies under the GDC Group's subsidiaries are shown along with grand natural scenery and music. I'm internally amazed at how many companies are under the GDC Group. The Ono Group was also among them. Huh?

"There's Ono Resort Group and Ono Hotels & Resorts. Are they different companies?"

"Ono Resort Group is a company mainly in western Japan, while Ono Hotels & Resorts is mainly in eastern Japan. I heard they split when they came under the GDC Group, but they still have the same management, and coupons and shareholder benefits can be used interchangeably, so they can be seen as the same company."

"Wow..."

So, my black card won't be very useful in eastern Japan, right? Or can it be used like a shareholder benefit in eastern Japan too? I'll ask Hime about it later.

"Make sure to bring some pickled plums as souvenirs."

"It's not a trip, it's work."

"What are you talking about? You always asked for souvenirs when I went on business trips, didn't you?"

Ugh, I do remember that. Well, pickled plums are fine, I guess. As we were talking, Mom came in with Cro. Cro was looking at me with an expectant gaze, pleading to be taken along.

"Cro has to stay home. The hotel we're staying at doesn't allow pets."

"Kuun."

Even if you whine in such a sad voice, it's still a no. I'll do a lot of dungeon exploration on the PD before the retreat.

"Then, we'll find a pet-friendly inn and Cro can come over at night."

"Oh, that's a good idea! It'll be a long time since we've had a trip just the two of us."

For some reason, Dad and Mom got excited.

"No, no, really? Are you serious?"

"Since we're going, we might as well send your friends along too?"

"Our car seats four."

"We can fit five if we squeeze."

Hime said she would arrive early. Well, if Mom, Milk, and Ayame sit in the back, they should fit. I'll call and check.

* * *

"Are you going in Taira's car? Yeah, I'll go with you. It's been a while since I've met Taira's parents."

* * *

Both of them agreed readily. The train would take us directly from Tenshōji to the express train Kuroshio, but Cro looks so happy, so it's fine.

"By the way, the retreat is good, but you have tests this week, right? Are you okay with your studies?"

...Oh.

* * *

That week, I took a break from dungeon exploration and D-can opening on the PD and focused on studying. Unlike Milk and Ayame, who have already completed their high school graduation requirements, and Hime, an elite university student at Kyoto University, I'm just an ordinary person, so I need to focus on my studies to avoid failing and jeopardizing my graduation. I studied hard. Studying on the PD would make me far more efficient than others, but I'm not that much of a study enthusiast. The tests ended without any issues, and I think I avoided failing. Finally, the day of the retreat arrived... but why did it turn out like this?

"What a cute little puppy. Nice to meet you, Cro."

"Cro, huh. Ayame, let me hold him again later! His fluffiness is irresistible."

It's good that Cro is so popular with the girls. The problem is, why am I sitting between Milk and Ayame? Shouldn't Mom be sitting in the back? If I were in the back, wouldn't I be on the end?

Somehow, I ended up sitting in the middle of the back seat without being given a choice.

"But, Taira's friends are such cute girls. I thought you'd bring Aoki."

"Really. Milk, you've grown so much since I last saw you."

Dad and Mom seem unusually happy. We took a short break at the Kino River Service Area. Cro was having a great time in the dog run. I told him not to bother the other dogs, and Cro, being a good boy, didn't cause any trouble. He didn't cause any trouble, but—

I was shocked when all the other dogs lay down. It was as if he was the king of dogs. Did the other dogs realize Cro isn't an ordinary dog?

The swallows flying in the sky (the Kino River Service Area has many swallow nests) didn't even come close. Since living with Cro, I haven't heard any crows in the neighborhood. Could it be... No, let's not think about it. Even though Milk, Ayame, Dad, and Mom were treating him normally... why?

Maybe the effect of the collar has worn off?

[False Collar: A magical collar. When this collar is put on a tamed monster, people around it can only perceive it as an ordinary pet.]

...People around... Ah, this pattern again. There was an owner trying to lead a large dog out of the dog run, but the dog wouldn't get up because of its loyalty to Cro, and a Chihuahua was trembling and about to faint. I decided to leave the dog run early to avoid any trouble.

Despite the issues, we arrived at Ono Resort Shirahama without visiting any tourist spots. The destination of the retreat is Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. There's also a dungeon attached to a hotel exclusively owned by the Ono Group here.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

"Uncle, Aunt, thank you. See you, Cro."

"You're welcome. Taira, I'll contact you when I bring Cro tomorrow."

"Sure thing."

As I nodded, Milk tilted her head slightly and said,

"Are you taking Cro to the dungeon too?"

"He looks cute, but he's actually quite strong."

"Really?!"

Well, it's surprising. I haven't told them he's a monster yet. When we entered the hotel, the front desk told us that Hime had already checked in and was waiting for us in the multi-purpose room. The staff said they would take our luggage to the room, so we went to the multi-purpose room.

"It's been a while since I've been to Shirahama. The hot springs at this hotel are natural. I'm looking forward to it."

"If we have time, let's take a walk on the beach or watch the sunset over Engetsu Island."

Yeah, since it's a retreat, we should enjoy ourselves. As I thought this and entered the multi-purpose room, Hime, who had heard our conversation, said,

"Everyone, this retreat isn't just for fun. You need to be a bit more serious."

Normally, I should reflect on this, but—

Wearing a panda knit cap, a panda purse, and a panda plushie on her lap, Hime lacked any authority.

"Did you have fun at A〇Venture World?"

"To put it mildly, it was the best. Why are the pandas in Japan so cute? It's a huge difference from America."

I'm glad to hear that. The correct answer last time was Shirahama, and most of you got it right.

～Introduction to Shirahama～

Shirahama is a well-known tourist town in Wakayama Prefecture. From Shin-Osaka, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by the express train Kuroshio. The Nanki Shirahama Onsen is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, and you can enjoy hot springs not only for day trips but also free foot baths while watching the sunset over Engetsu Island. In the summer, many tourists from the Kinki region visit the beach, but the most famous attraction is Adventure World.

Adventure World is home to the most pandas in Japan (as of May 18, 2024, there are four, the same number as at Ueno Zoo), all of which were born at Adventure World. The famous male panda, Eimei, who had many cubs, was returned to China in 2023. Therefore, all the pandas at Adventure World are now female, and no more pandas can be born without a male panda. Adventure World is one of the best zoos in the world for panda breeding, and it would be great if a male panda could come and restore Adventure World as the zoo with the largest number of pandas in Japan.

In addition to pandas, Adventure World has a large safari park that can be explored on foot or by bus, and various animal shows, so you won't get bored even if you spend a whole day there.

This introduction has become almost entirely about the pandas at Adventure World, but why not consider Shirahama as one of your future travel destinations?