Episode 100: A Moment in the Cafe

I’d moved a bit closer to the city center from my usual haunts, waiting at a certain cafe for a guest. It was around two in the afternoon—a time when I figured the place wouldn't be too crowded.

It was considerate of her to pick a time like this, but knowing who I was waiting for, I was more concerned about whether she’d actually find the place.

"She’ll be okay, right?" I muttered.

"I’ve never met her, but what are you so worried about?" Lycoris asked.

"Saaya’s got a sense of direction that’s broken in a completely different way than mine."

"That’s... tragic."

The venue was one of those stylish cafes that seemed engineered to attract women. Since I didn’t have the nerve to walk into a place like that alone, I’d brought Lycoris along for moral support. As I described the person we were waiting for, Lycoris looked down, her expression mirroring my resignation.

"It looks like she’s going to be a while. Want to order something? What’s your pick, Lycoris?"

"I want something unusual... Um, maybe this matcha waffle? And whatever Reima recommends."

Talk about an unfair curveball. I agonized over the menu. Should I choose based on her tastes, or look for a drink that actually paired well with a matcha waffle? After weighing the "unusual" requirement, I finally called the waiter over. I ordered a cake and a brown sugar latte for myself, and the matcha waffle with a milk cocoa for Lycoris.

"…Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No… I just thought you looked different. Fresh, I guess."

Lycoris wasn’t wearing her usual black, funeral-esque dress. Instead, she was in a set of casual clothes Arachne had apparently whipped up to help her blend into the modern world. Being a Hydra—a snake species—she was naturally sensitive to the cold, so she’d bundled up in a warm-looking white knit. It was a look I wasn't used to, and it felt surprisingly new.

"Arachne is amazing, isn’t she? She can make anything."

"Yeah… she did mention her creative drive has been through the roof lately."

Apparently, she’d been staying up for days on end, poring over the fashion magazines I’d given her and sewing outfits for all the Summoned Beasts. I had a fond—if exhausting—memory of her cornering me recently, treating me like a personal dress-up doll while she tested out some menswear.

Still, Saaya definitely knows her way around a good cafe.

The place had a refined Japanese atmosphere and even offered private rooms. It was the perfect spot for a small group to talk without drawing unwanted eyes.

"So, Lycoris, how have things been lately?"

Even though she stayed within my Soul World, I still didn't have a total grasp of the layout of that ridiculously oversized dimension. I was curious about how she spent her time.

"Lately, I’ve been hanging out with Behemoth. We’ve been having some very spirited discussions about poison."

"Wait… that guy can use poison too?"

"Mhm. It’s potent enough to cancel mine out, so I’ve been taking samples and using them to improve my own."

"That’s terrifying."

"That’s about it for news. Otherwise, I just drink tea and read."

"I should probably buy you some more books once we're done here today."

"Really? I’d like that."

Since we were already in the city, I figured I should pick up some souvenirs for everyone else back home, too. I was just starting to map out a shopping list while picking at the food that had arrived when the bell above the door chimed. I felt a familiar presence heading our way.

"Ah, Saaya, over here."

"Sorry, Reima-kun! I’m a little late… Oh, is this the girl from the Dungeon?"

"Yeah. This is Lycoris, one of my companions. I felt too awkward coming in here alone, so she came along to save me."

Even with her makeup done differently than usual, Saaya couldn't help but draw eyes. That was the life of an idol, I suppose. I was glad we were in a private room; if we’d been in the open seating area, the attention would have made the air feel pretty thin.

"Nice to meet you for the second time. I am Lycoris."

"Right, nice to meet you! I’m Saaya Kusanagi. I’m Reima-kun’s Dungeon Supporter."

Lycoris’s amber eyes met Saaya’s jade ones. They’d technically met once before, but they hadn't really spoken, so this was their first real interaction. Despite her usual shyness around strangers, Lycoris seemed to be taking to her quite well.

"Thank you for helping Reima during the fight with Voll," Lycoris said.

"…The Majin, you mean?"

"Yes. I wasn't there at the time."

"Then you are very welcome."

I guess the word about Saaya’s help during the Volnyux fight has made the rounds among the summons.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about today?" I asked, getting down to business.

"Oh, right! I’m here to invite you to the Adventurer Assembly next week. Apparently, they’re going to decide on your epithet."

"Wait… an epithet? They decide that at a big meeting?"

"Yep! All sorts of guilds gather there, and there’s always a ton of delicious food!"

"Huh… I didn't know that."

I knew Ayane was called the [Ice Princess], so it made sense that everyone else had one too. I made a mental note to look into it later. I bet Kaiser’s epithet was something actually cool.

"Do you think they’ve already picked one out for me?"

"Hmm, who knows? It’s probably already been decided behind the scenes."

"Now I’m actually curious."

Looking back at the S-Rank Adventurers I knew… there was Tsubaki, Ayane, and that guy Ouma. Tsubaki was the [Burning Blade], and Ouma went by [Carnage]. Given those examples, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of label they were going to slap on me.

"An epithet… I wonder what it will be," Lycoris mused.

"You too? Honestly, I’m just hoping for something unobtrusive."

Something that won’t be too embarrassing if I ever have to hand this body back to the original owner, I thought.

We spent the rest of the afternoon killing time with idle chatter. An Adventurer Assembly, huh? I wondered what kind of people would show up.

While the thought weighed on me, I spent the rest of the day with Lycoris, hoping that whatever came next would bring me closer to my goals.