Chapter 34

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"Well, what should we do next? Should we draw a fortune stick?"

After finishing our prayers, I ask Mika and Sae about our next plans. Since they are both test-takers this year, besides drawing a fortune stick, we could... write a wish on an ema (votive plaque)?

"Yeah, maybe we should write on an ema too?"

"We're test-takers, so we should pray for good luck. Let's go, big brother."

I am led by the two of them to the fortune stick drawing area at the shrine office. Despite a fair number of people waiting in line, the rotation of visitors is quick, and it's my turn after a few minutes. I pay the money and shake the wooden fortune stick box.

"...Number 23, huh."

A stick with a number on it pops out, and I exchange it for a fortune slip from the shrine maiden. I hold the fortune slip and move away from the area, waiting for the two of them under a sacred tree with some space.

Before long, the two of them come to me.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting! How was it, big brother? Did you get a great fortune?"

"I haven't opened it yet. I thought we could open it together."

"Really? Then let's open it!"

We open the fortune slip right there.

"Ah! It's a great fortune!"

"I got a small fortune."

Mika shows us her fortune slip with a happy look, while Sae seems a bit disappointed.

As for me...

"What's wrong, big brother? Why the long face?"

"What's the matter, big brother? Did you get a bad fortune?"

"..."

Silently, I show them my fortune slip. Upon seeing the words on it, the two of them widen their eyes.

"Great... great bad fortune...?"

"Wow, big brother, you really drew something!"

"..."

What is this? First the New Year's dream, now the fortune slip. Should I get an exorcism or something?

"Well, well, it's just a fortune slip, so there's no need to worry about it."

"...Big brother."

I try to act tough, but Mika's comforting gaze only makes it harder. As I'm feeling down about the fortune slip, Sae tentatively speaks up.

"Um, big brother? Can't you just draw another one?

"Huh? Can you draw again?"

"Yes. It's not very well-known, but you can draw a fortune slip again."

Sae explains the rules of drawing a fortune slip. If you draw a bad fortune, you can tie the slip to a tree after praying and then draw again. If you draw a good fortune, you should keep it in your wallet and tie it to a tree before drawing again. I realize I've been tying my fortune slips to trees right away. Following Sae's advice, I tie the great bad fortune slip to a tree branch, pray again, and join the line to draw another fortune slip.

The result of the second draw is...

"Minor good fortune... Well, it's better than drawing a bad or great bad fortune again."

"Cheer up, big brother. It's a minor good fortune, but the content is pretty good, right?"

"Should I draw again?"

"No, this is fine. As Mika said, the content isn't that bad."

I decline Sae's suggestion and put the fortune slip in my wallet. Drawing multiple times is a bit much, and I don't want to risk drawing another bad or great bad fortune.

For now, let's end the fortune slip-related talk here.

"By the way, what's next? The ema, right?"

"Yeah, the ema for passing the exam."

Mika and Sae take out the ema. They seem to have bought them while I was drawing the fortune slip again. Their wishes are already written, and all that's left is to hang them.

"Over there is the ema board."

Sae points to the ema board near the purification fountain, showing us where it is. I can see wooden boards that look like ema through the gaps in the crowd.

The three of us move to the ema board, where other middle school students and high school students older than me are hanging ema and praying.

"Then, big brother, we'll go hang the ema."

"Please wait for us, okay?"

"Sure."

The two of them leave to hang the ema. With nothing to do, I decide to read the wishes written on the ema hanging there.

Many ema are hanging, with various wishes written in marker.

What...?

"May I pass the entrance exam at ○○ High School!"

"May I win the lottery!"

"May I stay healthy for the whole year!"

I see, quite common wishes. Mika and Sae haven't returned yet, so I'll read a few more. What else...?

"May I get into university!"

"May I have an amicable divorce!"

"May the serialization of ○○ resume!"

"May my childhood friend not realize I'm Shinichi! By ○○○○"

"Nothing in particular"

...What are they writing? The first one has a typo! It should be "pass" not "synthesize"! This means the school will merge! And the second one, what happened? I agree with the third one; I hope it resumes soon. The fourth one, is the person here, ○○-kun? And the fifth one, why did you buy an ema?

While I'm amused by the various wishes, Mika and Sae, who have finished hanging their ema, come to me.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. What's wrong, big brother? You have a strange look on your face. Did something happen?"

"Oh, you were reading the ema?"

"Yeah, I was just passing the time while waiting for you two."

"From the look on your face, did you find something interesting? I've heard there are 'pain ema' these days."

"Pain ema? What's that?"

"Ema with anime or manga characters. They are often hung at shrines featured in the works."

"I see. Did you find a pain ema, big brother?"

"No, it wasn't a pain ema, but... this one."

I point to the problematic ema, and the two of them look at it. The moment they read the content, they burst into laughter.

"Hehe, what is this? It's a typo!"

"Really? Ah, Sae, look at this ema!"

"What... Hehe!"

We enjoy a brief session of ema appreciation, and after reading through a few more, we leave the shrine grounds and start down the stone steps. There are still many visitors climbing the steps.

While descending the steps, I ask the two of them about their plans after the New Year's visit.

"By the way, what are your plans after this?"

"Hmm, we don't have any specific plans. Right, Sae?"

"Yeah, and since it's New Year's Day, most stores should be closed, right?"

"You're right."

Most stores' New Year sales start tomorrow. The only ones open on New Year's Day are 24/7 stores.

"Then, how about we stop by a family restaurant? We're probably cold, and it would be good to warm up."

"Sure, I'm fine with that. How about you, Sae?"

"Me too."

"Then it's settled. By the way, which family restaurant is closest from here?"

Observing the town from halfway down the steps, I see a family restaurant sign not far from the shrine.

After a few minutes' walk, we arrive at the family restaurant. It's quite busy, probably because many visitors had the same idea. After waiting at the entrance for a moment, a staff member notices us and guides us to a table.

"Please press the button when you're ready to order. Enjoy your meal."

The staff member leaves the menu and departs. By the way, Mika and Sae are sitting side by side, and I'm facing them.

"I'll pay for the meal, so you two can order whatever you like."

"Really, big brother?"

"Yeah. I have the funds, so don't hesitate."

I have funds from the dungeon and a secret stash from my dad before we left. If it were just me, he wouldn't have given it to me.

Plus, I want to show off a bit as an older brother.

"Yay! Then, I'll treat myself, big brother!"

"Sure, don't hold back. Ah, but within reason, of course."

"I understand!"

Sae thanks me and starts flipping through the menu. Mika, following Sae's lead, thanks me and starts looking at the menu with her.

"Have you decided what to order?"

"Yeah, I'll have the drink bar and this, big brother."

"I'll have the drink bar and this too, please."

"Then I'll call the staff."

I press the red call button at the end of the table. A chime sounds, and a staff member approaches.

"Have you decided what to order?"

"Yes, three drink bars, and this, this, and this."

"Got it. The drink bar is self-service, so feel free to use it. Your order will be ready shortly."

The staff member explains the drink bar and leaves. I tell the two of them to go get their drinks while I stay and watch the table. They put their bags on the chairs and head to the drink bar.

After they leave, I take out my smartphone from my kimono sleeve and start checking the electronic news. One of the news items catches my eye: a room-temperature superconductor has been developed at Tokyo Institute of Technology's Kikuchi Lab. The drop item from the dungeon was the key to creating the room-temperature superconductor.

"Hmm... A room-temperature superconductor developed at Tokyo Institute of Technology's Kikuchi Lab? The drop item from the dungeon was the key...?"

This could be a major invention since the Core Crystal power generation.

I scroll through the page and continue reading the news. Apparently, the room-temperature superconductor is created by synthesizing mithril, silver, and a few other substances. It becomes superconducting at temperatures below 300K, and its potential applications in various fields are highly anticipated.

Wow, mithril... Even fantasy materials are appearing now. It must have been a first-drop bonus from the dungeon, right? Well, at this point, there are no other bonuses. I've been killing slimes every day, but I haven't seen any mithril or other fictional metals. From the information I've gathered online, the items dropped when a monster is first defeated in the dungeon are generally rare, such as gold bars in the U.S., giant diamonds in Russia, mithril in Japan, and my appraisal skill scroll. My appraisal skill, in particular, is highly efficient and cost-effective, which is unusual for a first-drop item. Mithril is likely an item that drops in the deeper levels of the dungeon.

Well, it's probably a bait to attract people to the dungeon. High risk, high reward, a true modern gold rush.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, big brother."

"Thank you for watching the table, big brother. Please go get your drink now."

I look up from my phone to see the two of them holding cups in their hands. Mika has cocoa and orange juice, while Sae has a café latte and cola.

"Then, I'll go get mine. If our orders come first, you two can start eating."

"Sure."

"Okay."

I put my phone back in my sleeve, tell them a quick word, and stand up. I get coffee and a mixed juice from the drink bar and return to the table, where our orders are already waiting. Mika's pancakes, Sae's French toast, and my cheesecake all look delicious.

The two of them have already started eating, so I sit down and take a sip of my coffee. Yeah, it warms me up. Cold days are best with a warm drink.

"By the way, big brother?"

"Hmm? What is it, Sae?"

"I heard from Mika that you go to the dungeon, right?"

I raise an eyebrow at Sae's words and look at Mika. Mika, noticing my gaze, looks away with an apologetic expression.

Sigh... It can't be helped.

I turn my gaze back to Sae and nod.

"Yeah, I do go to the dungeon."

"Really! Can I hear about the dungeon then!?"

"Um..."

I'm at a loss with Sae's eager attitude. I look at Mika for help, but she is still bowing with her hands together... Hey!

"Please, big brother. Mika doesn't tell me much about the dungeon."

"Oh, I see."

I see, Mika was unsure how to tell Sae about the dungeon. It is a difficult topic. But, throwing it all on me is not fair!

I look at Mika again, but she continues to bow.

Sigh, how should I explain this...

I've heard that great bad fortune is not included in New Year's fortune slips. Is that true?