Episode 57: Aftermath

Once I was outside, I summoned Sol and had him thaw out the remnants of my magic to prevent the environmental damage from spreading any further. From there, I teleported directly to a government facility in Shinjuku with Yamato and his entourage, where I was promptly ushered into a common room.

"First of all, Grandpa... what were you even doing in that Dungeon?"

"I told you, didn't I? I mentioned I was heading there for a bit of warrior training."

"I heard that part. That’s exactly why I thought it would be the perfect first job for Reima-kun and dispatched him. If you were actually going to be there, I would’ve liked a heads-up."

Saaya, her light green hair reaching down to her shoulders, interrogated Yamato while radiating an overwhelming, stifling pressure. At a glance, Yamato didn't look the least bit repentant, but he was breaking out in a cold sweat—actually, it was more like a literal cold shower. He was clearly weak against her.

I sat back and watched, content to treat it like someone else's problem as long as the spearhead wasn't pointed at me. Though, once she was done with him...

"Now then, Reima-kun..."

Here it comes. My turn in the crosshairs... Yeah, I figured as much.

"I am so, so sorry! I never imagined I’d end up throwing you into an S-Rank Dungeon right out of the gate."

"Wait... you're not going to lecture me?"

"Well, I have a few things I could say. Even if it was to take down an S-Rank Goliath, you did manage to cause some collateral damage outside the Dungeon. But based on Grandpa’s report, you didn't really have a choice, did you? You can't exactly pull your punches against an opponent like that."

She poured me a cup of tea as she spoke, her kindness only making my guilt worse. It wasn't exactly like that, I thought. I just got a little too excited and poured way too much mana into [Dain]... The atmosphere didn't exactly lend itself to that confession, so I just kept my mouth shut and let the waves of apology wash over me.

"Anyway, good work. Your pay should be deposited into your account later. More importantly, thank you for protecting the people in that region."

"It was... nothing. Thanks."

"Hehe. I thought so when we met here before, but you really aren't used to being praised, are you? You're strong, Reima-kun. You should take more pride in that."

"I'll give it some thought."

"Haa... honestly, if only the other S-Rank kids were like you. I mean, Ayane-chan and Goro-kun are decent enough, but everyone else has such... difficult personalities."

I took a moment to recall the S-Rankers I’d encountered so far.

Yamato was a battle-crazed maniac. Tsubaki was... basically the same. I already knew Laura had a habit of charging blindly into things because she was an airhead, and as for Ena... well, the less said about her, the better.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to start venting. Ugh, the paperwork for this is going to be such a nightmare."

I’d noticed this during our last meeting, but this woman was a natural-born magnet for trouble and hard labor. We hadn't even known each other for two weeks, but she was kind enough to send over the materials I’d requested almost instantly. The least I could do was offer a bit of appreciation.

"You've had a long day, Saaya-san. Maybe I can treat you to dinner sometime?"

"Thanks... but it’s fine. I’m an adult, even if I'm only A-rank, and you're still a student. If anything, let me treat you. I’m the one who's deeply in your debt."

"Did I do something?"

"Plenty. Most notably, that monster data you sent to the government. It’s been a huge help in advancing our conquest strategies. And then there's one other thing... but that’s personal, so I’ll keep it to myself."

She gave me a reflective smile and thanked me one more time before shifting her gaze back to Yamato.

"Grandpa, those snacks were for Reima-kun. Don't you dare touch them."

"You're awfully protective of young Reima. Have you finally fallen for him, Saaya? He’s impossibly strong, sure, but you should get to know each other first. Maybe start by exchanging letters, really build a—ghuak!"

Before Yamato could finish his thought, Saaya delivered a mana-infused hand-chop directly into the crown of his head. A sickeningly dull thud echoed through the room—a pathetic sound for the Modern Strongest to make. The impact was heavy enough to leave a visible dent in the table.

"Grandpa, shut up. Sorry, Reima-kun. I’ll finish lecturing this senile old man later."

"Uh... is he alive?"

"He’s not the type of old man who dies from something like this. He’ll be fine."

"If you say so... but he’s stopped moving."

"Wait—ah, Grandpa! Wake up!"

I made a mental note to never, ever get on Saaya's bad side. Since she told me I was free to go, I decided to take the hint and headed back home.

"I think I just saw my late wife waving at me from the other side..."

Saaya Kusanagi and Yamato Kusanagi were the only two left in the common room. Yamato, finally reviving as he rubbed his forehead, muttered the words resentfully while Saaya sipped her tea.

"You brought it on yourself. You shouldn't tease people."

"No, usually you wouldn't snap like that... Are you seriously in love with him?"

"Hmm... it’s probably closer to admiration."

"What happened?"

Unable to suppress his curiosity at his granddaughter’s uncharacteristic behavior, Yamato pressed for details. Saaya considered it for a long moment before finally speaking, on the condition that he never tell Reima.

"You remember that Curse Dungeon in Shibuya? I was part of the team requested to handle it back when I was still B-rank. He saved my life back then."

"That’s news to me. I'll have to thank the boy."

"That’s exactly why you can't tell him! I was just one of the many people he saved that day. Besides, he doesn't seem to remember it at all... and honestly, I’m happy with the supporting relationship we have now."

"You've got it bad, then. Still, for someone as stiff as you to feel that way... won't it interfere with your main job?"

Yamato sighed, speaking as both a grandfather and her "Number One Fan" who knew the truth about her other persona.

"You mean my activities? Reima-kun doesn't seem interested in that world at all, so don't you dare say a word!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But what are you going to do about the live show at the festival? Won't he find out then? He goes to Meikutsu High School; he’s bound to be there helping out."

"Fufufu, don't worry about that, Grandpa. My stage makeup is perfect. Besides, I know how to keep my public and private lives separate."

"If you say so... but you've always been a bit impulsive, Saaya."

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

The conversation continued in the common room long after Reima had left, the secrets shared there destined to remain unknown to him for the time being.