Chapter 89

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The day after talking with Juzo, the three of us were in the classroom after school, chatting while waiting for Mika and Sae to arrive. The number of students remaining in the classroom had dwindled to a countable few.

"They're late..."

While talking with Yuzi and Hagi, I had nothing to do and started to get impatient, so I complained. But...

"It hasn't even been 20 minutes since school ended. You should be a bit more patient..."

"Yeah. Didn't you agree to come to this classroom right after school? They'll be here soon."

It seems my complaint was heard by Yuzi and Hagi, who scolded me. Well, that's true, but since I'm bored, it's okay to complain a little, right...

"By the way, Kusakari, what did your sisters say about this training? Did they refuse?"

"It's fine, they didn't refuse. Since I started going to the dungeon, I've been practicing regularly, and we do some basic training at home as well..."

After dinner yesterday, when I told Mika about the training, she agreed immediately. Perhaps because I had been showing her videos of battles in the dungeon, she seemed to understand the necessity of combat training.

"Well, at the very least, Mika and the others need to be able to use their weapons without hurting themselves..."

"Yeah. Hurting yourself with your own weapon is a joke."

"True. But sometimes, you see people doing that in the shallow floors of the dungeon."

"Yeah, there are people like that... You see explorers who can't stop their weapons and end up cutting their own feet, covered in blood. Watching them, you really wonder why they didn't practice before coming to the dungeon. Probably because of the tension and excitement of facing monsters, they swing their weapons without thinking."

"Those who use blunt weapons tend to get injured more often."

"...Yeah. Maybe they're being overwhelmed by the weight of their own weapons?"

"...Maybe we should have Mika and the others do some strength training?"

"That would be a good idea. I think it would be beneficial even if it's not a problem that can be solved by leveling up."

Considering this, maybe we should think about having Mika and the others use blunt weapons... While we were discussing what weapons to have Mika and the others use, they called out from in front of the classroom door.

"Brother! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting, it seems. I'm sorry."

"Both of you, don't just stand there, come in."

When I waved them in, Mika and Sae came into the classroom and approached us. Mika didn't seem to mind, but Sae was a bit hesitant around the other upperclassmen.

"Hello! Yuzi, Hagi! Thank you for today!"

"Um, yes... thank you!"

"Ah, you're welcome. Mika, Kishida."

"Thank you too, Kusakari, Kishida."

Mika and Sae bowed deeply, and Yuzi raised his hand lightly, while Hagi nodded. It seemed there were no strange tensions, which was good.

"Still, you were late. Did you have some class duties or something?"

"Yeah! Listen, brother!"

Mika spoke with a frustrated tone, and Sae looked unhappy. As I calmed them down and listened, the reason for their delay was related to the repeat explorers.

"They keep trying to recruit us, over and over again! They're really a nuisance, those people!"

"Mika is right! They don't consider our schedules at all and just keep pushing their own agenda!"

It seemed both of them had accumulated a lot of frustration, and they couldn't stop complaining. The three of us could only listen without saying anything. Incidentally, a few of the remaining classmates were also listening, looking stunned as they heard Mika and Sae's complaints. I made eye contact with them and apologized lightly.

After about five minutes of venting, the two of them finally calmed down.

"Wow, it sounds like it was tough..."

"Yeah, really..."

"It seems worse than I heard..."

"Yeah. They seem to have achieved some results during the Golden Week, so their behavior has gotten even worse..."

"That... we really need to do something about it, don't we?"

We all commented on their complaints, but Mika and Sae looked quite exhausted as they sat down on the nearest empty chairs. They really seemed tired.

However, there's no point in just sitting around like this.

"Well, what's the matter? Since everyone is here, let's move on. We shouldn't keep Juzo waiting too long, either."

"Yeah, that's true."

"Okay."

I called out to the two of them, and we picked up our things and stood up. Mika and Sae looked at each other and sighed before standing up as well.

"Are you both okay?"

"Yeah."

"Yes. I'm a bit mentally tired, but I'm fine."

"Alright... let's go then."

After saying goodbye to the remaining classmates, we left the classroom together. I decided to ignore the sympathetic looks they gave Mika and Sae.

---

Mika and Sae stood still, looking stunned, and stopped in front of Yuzi's house gate.

"Is this Yuzi's...?"

"It's big, isn't it?"

Sae, of course, and I realized I had never brought Mika to Yuzi's house before. It's understandable that she would be surprised on her first visit.

"What are you two doing? Don't just stand there, let's go."

"Huh, oh, yeah."

"Ah, sorry."

My voice brought them back to their senses, and they hesitantly approached the side gate where we were standing. They seemed to be acting strangely in front of Yuzi's house, which was unexpected.

It's not like they're going to be eaten or anything, so they should calm down a bit... I thought, pushing the memory of my own first visit to the back of my mind.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

"O-Oh, sorry for the intrusion."

"Sorry for the intrusion..."

We passed through the side gate one by one, with Yuzi leading the way. Mika and Sae followed, calling out as they passed through the gate... and froze.

"Well... if you stand there, we can't get in. Could you move to the back, please?"

"Ah, s-sorry!"

"Sorry! I'll move right away!"

"You don't have to jump like that... it's dangerous."

Hagi's voice called out from behind, where Mika and Sae were standing, stunned by the scene beyond the side gate. They jumped to the sides and moved away from the gate. Hagi sighed and, after confirming that they had moved, passed through the gate and closed it behind her.

"Come on, the old man is probably waiting with bated breath. Let's move to the dojo quickly."

"Yeah, that's true. Both of you, let's go?"

After confirming that the gate was closed, Yuzi called out to us. Since we had been waiting for Mika and Sae, we were a bit late. I had told Juzo yesterday that we might be a little late, so I think it's fine, but it's better to get there quickly. So, I called out to Mika and Sae, who were busily looking around the garden.

"Ah, yeah."

"Yes."

Led by Yuzi, we passed through the front garden and arrived at the entrance. During this time, Mika and Sae were frequently observing Yuzi's house and letting out small exclamations of surprise.

"We're home."

"Sorry for the intrusion."

After entering the entrance, we moved to Yuzi's room to put down our things. It's still a long walk inside the house.

"Alright, let's go to the dojo after we put down our things. Do you both have your sports clothes?"

"Ah, yes! I prepared them as you told me."

"We brought our school gym clothes and track suits... is that okay?"

"That's fine."

Yuzi confirmed with Mika and Sae if they had brought suitable clothes for exercise. I had told them to bring sports clothes the day before, but it's understandable that they only managed to bring gym clothes. Yuzi said it was fine, so it's not a problem.

After putting our things in Yuzi's room, we held our sports clothes and moved to the dojo.

---

When we entered the dojo, Juzo was meditating in the center, waiting for us. He didn't seem to notice our presence, but I knew Juzo would be aware of us.

"Grandpa."

Yuzi called out from the entrance, and Juzo opened his eyes and looked at us.

"Oh, Yuzi. You're late?"

"There were some issues."

"I see. And who are these two?"

"Ah, these are Daisuke's sister, Mika, and her friend, Kishida Sae."

"Hmm."

Juzo looked at Mika and Sae as if he was evaluating them.

"..."

The moment Juzo's gaze fell on them, they hid behind us and shrank back. Well, if you suddenly get such a gaze from Juzo, it's understandable.

"Hey, grandpa."

"Oops, sorry. Welcome, both of you."

Yuzi's reprimand made Juzo soften his gaze and smile apologetically at them.

"..."

"Hmm... did I make a bad impression?"

"If you suddenly give such an impolite gaze, it's only natural. It's your own fault."

"Well, that's true. Anyway, you two. Don't just stand there, come into the dojo."

Encouraged by Juzo, we entered the dojo. However, Mika and Sae, who were hiding behind us, were hesitant to enter.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh, oh, yeah..."

"..."

It seems they were reluctant. The reason was Juzo's gaze...

"Don't be so nervous, both of you."

"But..."

"It's not that Juzo doesn't like you. He's just interested because we brought you here. He's a good person, despite his tough appearance."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. He's very good at taking care of people."

He really is. He even teaches Yuzi's friends, who are complete beginners, personally. I think it's an unusually high level of treatment.

Mika and Sae listened to my explanation and nodded at each other. It seems the misunderstanding about their first impression was resolved.

"Let's go, then?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

I encouraged them to enter the dojo, and this time they did so willingly. We then told Juzo we would change into our training clothes.

"Alright, Hagi, could you take care of them?"

"Sure. Kusakari, Kishida, this way."

"Okay."

Mika and Sae followed Hagi to the changing room in the dojo. After seeing them off, I called out to Yuzi.

"Alright, since the three of them have gone, let's change too?"

"Yeah. We shouldn't keep the old man waiting any longer."

Yuzi and I entered the other changing room, which was on the opposite side of the one the three of them had entered. The changing room was a simple room about 4.5 tatami mats in size, with a wooden shelf and a wooden bench. We put our school uniforms on the shelf and changed into our sports clothes. Unlike the room clothes we wear in the dungeon, these were just regular track suits.

After changing quickly, I turned around and saw that Yuzi had also finished changing.

"Alright, let's go."

"Yeah."

We left the changing room and quietly sat down in front of Juzo, who was still meditating. We would wait for Hagi, Mika, and Sae to come out before speaking to Juzo.

"..."

The silence was awkward... We had been waiting for about five minutes, but the three of them still hadn't come out. I had missed the right moment to speak. Yuzi had also started meditating like Juzo, so there was no sound in the dojo.

I was hoping they would come out soon... when I heard Mika and Sae's voices from the changing room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Sorry for the delay."

They apologized for taking time to change and sat down next to me. I sighed in relief and called out to Juzo and Yuzi, who were meditating. Juzo stopped meditating, opened his eyes, and glanced at us...

"Let's start."

With those words, Juzo swung a wooden sword at Mika and Sae in a diagonal slash.

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The repeat explorers are trying to win favor by giving out sweets.

The training for the sisters has begun.