Chapter 20, Let’s Make It Clear Which One of Us Is on Top

Translator: Lizz

 

If they were going to form a joint party, they needed to talk directly. If possible, they needed to meet face to face. Because they would be comrades who overcame danger together, such things were important.

 

Seiji selected a family restaurant as the place for discussion.

 

Masato entered the restaurant with Rika.

 

“…Are we really forming a joint party?”

 

“That’s the plan, but is there any problem? I heard you were trying to form a party with him before, so I thought it would be fine.”

 

At that time, needing to earn money quickly, Rika had been cornered and acted out of desperation. Seiji, who never lost his confident and composed attitude, was someone Rika found difficult to deal with, but because she was at a loss, she wanted to cling to someone like that. No matter who it was, it was better than exploring alone and dying unnoticed. That kind of feeling, close to despair, filled her heart.

 

If she had to say whether she liked him or not, Seiji fell into the ‘somewhat disliked’ category. She had chosen him by process of elimination, not because she wanted to be involved with him. That was why she treated him coldly at the dungeon shop.

 

Normally, she would have wanted to refuse him, but Rika thought that if she said so, she would trouble Masato. Because of that, she couldn’t speak her true feelings about the joint party, nor could she complain.

 

“Uh, ah, yes. It’s fine…”

 

She looked around the family restaurant as if trying to escape the awkward atmosphere.

 

“Oh, found him! Looks like that place over there.”

 

At the innermost sofa seat of the restaurant, Seiji sat in the center, with two women seated on either side of him in a row.

 

When they saw Rika, they waved her over.

 

When they came closer, Masato and Rika, in that order, sat down facing Seiji.

 

“Hey, Tachibana-san, it’s been a while. I was surprised when I heard you quit school.”

 

Seiji spread his arms as if to say he was the star of the gathering.

 

Rika felt irritated at his insensitive choice of topic, but she reminded herself that he was someone she had to get along with from now on, so she tried not to show it outwardly.

 

“I had already told the teacher beforehand.”

 

“I see, then it couldn’t be helped. So you ended up forming a party with Masato-kun.”

 

Only then did he finally turn his gaze toward Masato.

 

“Ah, that’s right. Since your younger brother is my classmate, I’ll call you by your first name, if you don’t mind.”

 

Seiji was openly provoking him.

 

It was rare to address someone older with ‘-kun’. Usually it was used for someone younger, the same age, or… someone the speaker looked down on.

 

Not only was he suddenly calling him by his first name, but Masato also noticed from his gaze that it wasn’t meant in a friendly way.

 

Seiji clearly wanted to secure a superior position in their future relationship. That intention was obvious. Since the two women sitting beside him didn’t seem hostile, Masato judged that Seiji was acting out on his own.

 

“Ah, I don’t mind. In return, I’ll call you Seiji-kun.”

 

Their gazes locked, sparks flying between them.

 

If Masato showed weakness, Seiji would seize control, and that would affect the conditions decided within the joint party.

 

Seiji wanted to make clear who was superior.

 

Masato wanted to form the party as equal partners.

 

The struggle to define their positions began at that very moment.

 

“Sure, call me however you like.”

 

Smiling as if to brush it off, Seiji looked at the two women beside him.

 

“I think this is your first meeting, so let me introduce them. This is Nanase Reika and Nanase Hinata. They’re twin sisters, and they’ve been working together as a party.”

 

“I’m Reika. Nice to meet you. We’re twins, but I’m considered the older sister.”

 

“I’m Hinata! Nice to meet you!”

 

Reika had long straight black hair that reached her waist, giving a calm impression. Hinata’s hair was short and bleached a bright color. Her words were light, and ‘energetic child’ fit her perfectly.

 

They wore the same uniform and had similar faces, but their personalities and impressions were complete opposites.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kanamiya Masato. The girl sitting next to me is Tachibana Rika. We’ve been working together for about a month.”

 

“I’m Rika. Nice to meet you.”

 

Both of them bowed their heads lightly at the same time.

 

With that, as if to announce the stiff greetings had finally ended, Hinata spoke up with a cheerful face.

 

“Hey, Rika-san, you quit high school and tried to live solely as an explorer, right? That’s amazing!”

 

Hinata, on their first meeting, stepped right into Rika’s private matters. Rika’s expression stiffened, and noticing this, Reika quickly raised her voice.

 

“Hinata!”

 

Since they might fight monsters together from now on, they couldn’t afford to offend each other. No, more than that; if they wanted to talk about such things, they needed to take time and build a closer relationship.

 

Hinata had skipped several steps and jumped in, so it was only natural she got scolded.

 

Hinata shrank back.

 

“It’s fine. Of course you’d be curious.”

 

But that lasted only a moment. With Rika’s words, Hinata immediately bounced back to normal.

 

At the same time, Seiji looked surprised.

 

“I used to think you were sharper, more prickly, but you’ve softened.”

 

When she said she wanted to be an explorer, and when he spoke to her at the dungeon shop—both times she had been cold, and had given off a desolation impression.

 

But now, that atmosphere was gone.

 

Masato had saved her from solitude and helped her return to her true nature.

 

“I’m working with the future in mind.”

 

“Hey, hey, more than that, I want to know why you quit!”

 

“Alright. I’ll tell you a little.”

 

Smiling, Rika began to talk about how she met Masato, their explorations, and battles with monsters. When the story reached the skeleton fight, even Seiji listened intently.

 

Of course, she didn’t mention the skills Masato had gained, but she did talk about leveling up. Since anyone could see the mark on Masato’s hand, there was no need to hide it. In fact, telling them he had leveled up after a fierce battle brought more advantages.

 

“Hmm. Your resolve really is different.”

 

After hearing the whole story, Hinata folded her arms and groaned.

 

She was amazed and impressed by a world completely different from their own, where they learned from senior explorers and their explorations kept safe. Reika felt the same way.

 

But Seiji was different. Inside, he was anxious that Masato might take control of the joint party if things continued like this. To change the flow, he shifted the topic.

 

“We should order soon, or the restaurant will be inconvenienced. Don’t hold back, it’s my treat.”

 

Masato opened the menu. It was lunchtime, and he was hungry, so he quickly decided what to order.

 

“Rika-san, what do you want to eat? I’ll have the Japanese-style hamburger set with a drink, and maybe a strawberry parfait too.”

 

Rika looked at Masato after hearing his unreserved order.

 

“Don’t worry about it. Since we were invited, holding back would actually be rude to the host.”

 

He deliberately emphasized that they were guests, so being treated was their rightful due. Rika glanced at Seiji for confirmation.

 

“That’s right. Don’t hesitate, order what you like.”

 

“Alright. I’ll have the meat pasta with a drink.”

 

Since the one paying had no problem with it, Rika thought it was fine.

 

They called the waitress, placed orders for all five, and finally moved on to the main topic.