The two-day school period came to an end, and we were back in the thick of the Golden Week holidays. Yuji had set off with Juzo-san for a regional martial arts tour, and Hiiragi-san was busy helping out at her family’s ramen shop.
As for me, I was currently sipping coffee in lonely isolation at a cafe near the station.
"...Leaving Saori-chan aside, is there really any point in meeting Mika here?"
I set my coffee back on the table and tilted my head, the question mark practically visible above my head.
Today was the day I’d promised to go shopping with Mika and Saori-chan. I’d planned to leave the house with Mika, but at the insistent urging of both her and my mother, I had been ushered out the door early. Now I was just killing time with caffeine.
Apparently, girls have all sorts of preparations to make.
For the record, my outfit was a simple combination of a white shirt, black skinny jeans, and a jacket.
"...Excuse me! One cappuccino, please."
"Coming right up! I'll have that over to you in a moment!"
I placed an order for my third drink of the morning.
Checking the time, I realized I’d already been in this cafe for nearly forty minutes. I was reaching the limit of how much time I could kill with just liquids. There were only five minutes left until our meeting time.
I pulled out my phone and tapped out a quick message to Mika.
"Sorry for the wait, here’s your cappuccino. Please, enjoy."
"Thank you."
The clerk delivered my order. On top of the milk foam, someone had used cocoa powder to draw a cute, stylized cat.
Talk about attention to detail. I hesitated for a second to ruin the art, but then I gave in, stirred it all together with a spoon, and took a sip....The taste was pretty average.
I was halfway through the cappuccino when the phone in my pocket vibrated.
"...Hm? From Mika?"
The message said they were arriving at the station very soon.
I finished the rest of the drink, took the bill, and headed to the register.
"That will be 1,350 yen. Out of 1,500... and here is 150 yen in change. Thank you very much, we hope to see you again."
After settling the bill, I left the shop and headed toward the ticket gates.
Scanning the crowd, I spotted a pair of girls with their backs to me who looked like the ones I was waiting for.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
When I spoke up, they both turned around.
"Ah, Onii-chan!"
"Ah, good morning, Onii-san."
Mika beamed a happy smile the moment she saw me, while Saori-chan gave a polite little bow as she greeted me. Both of them were wearing a bit of makeup, giving them a different aura than usual.
Mika was in a casual outfit featuring a white skirt and shirt. Saori-chan had her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, wearing a "sporty mix" look with a gray hoodie and a striped skirt.
They were both really geared up just for a shopping trip. Well, I’d heard it’s always best to lead with a compliment on their clothes...
"Good morning. Those outfits really suit you both. You look cute."
"R-really?"
"Thank you very much."
Mika’s face flushed slightly with joy, while Saori-chan accepted the compliment with a calm, composed thank-you.
Did Saori-chan think I was just being flattering? I wasn't, though; they actually did look cute.
Well, it wasn't something I needed to dwell on, so I moved the conversation along.
"Shall we head out, then?"
"Ah, yeah."
"Yes."
After buying tickets, we passed through the gates.
Since it was Golden Week, the platform was fairly crowded. While we waited for the train, I asked them about the itinerary.
"By the way, where are you two planning to go first?"
"Umm, we were thinking of starting with the department store... Is that okay with you, Saori-chan?"
"Yeah. The department store is closer to the station, after all."
Makes sense.
The main shopping district wasn't that far, but the department store inside the station building was definitely the most convenient starting point. Maybe I’d drop their bags off in a station locker later.
"I see."
"Now that we’re in high school, everyone’s starting to wear more mature fashion. The clothes we have right now are a little... well, you know," Mika said.
"It’s true. I met a friend from middle school the other day, and her style had completely changed," Saori-chan added. "I was so surprised!"
The classic "high school debut," I assumed.
...I just hope it went well for her friend. In our year, the sheer impact of the dungeons appearing ended up overshadowing most of that social posturing.
After chatting for a bit, the train pulled into the platform.
It was packed enough that finding a seat was impossible. It was only a fifteen-minute ride, though, so it didn't really matter. We stopped talking and boarded.
Once we reached the department store, we immediately started browsing the clothes, but...
"Even as an escort, this is awkward..."
I could feel the gazes of the female customers piercing my back. The two were currently in the fitting rooms, leaving me standing outside alone.
The "out of place" feeling was overwhelming.
"Onii-chan."
"Hm? Done changing?"
"Yeah."
The fitting room curtain pulled back. Mika was trying on a striped top paired with a flare skirt.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
"Yeah, it suits you perfectly."
"Really!"
Mika’s face lit up at the praise. Just then, the curtain of the adjacent booth opened, and Saori-chan stepped out. She was wearing a striped top and a long, pleated skirt.
"...How does this look?"
"It’s good. The long skirt gives you a different vibe than usual, but it really works."
"Th-thank you."
At my words, Saori-chan’s cheeks flushed a happy, bashful red.
How cute... As I was watching her expression, I felt a sharp gaze from the side.
"...What?"
"Isn't Saori-chan getting more praise than me?"
"...Is she? I didn't mean it like that..."
"Hmph."
For some reason, Mika’s mood took a nosedive, and she yanked the curtain shut.
...Did I mess up?
While I was standing there staring at the closed curtain and scratching my head, Saori-chan leaned in and whispered with a wry smile.
"Um, Onii-san?"
"Yeah? What is it, Saori-chan?"
"You don't need to worry about me. Please focus on praising Mika-chan's outfits more."
"Uh...?"
As I tilted my head in confusion, Saori-chan offered an explanation.
"Mika-chan really wants you to notice her. But because you gave me a more detailed compliment than you gave her... she’s sulking."
"Ah, I see."
"So, please make sure to praise her even more next time."
"Got it. Thanks for the heads-up."
"No problem."
With that, Saori-chan pulled her own curtain shut and went back inside.
Man, even just giving a compliment is a minefield. I rubbed my temples, already agonizing over what to say next.
I somehow managed to survive the subsequent fitting room critique session for several more outfits.
After we finished up at the department store, we moved on to a cosmetics specialty shop located in the main shopping district. It was situated in the middle of a street lined with small boutiques. Near the entrance, I could see groups of junior high and high school girls browsing...
"...Is that the place?"
"Yeah. Based on what my friends told me, that’s the one."
"...I'm not going in there."
Mika confirmed it was the right place. There was no way I was stepping inside; the difficulty level for a guy was just too high.
"I know. Onii-chan... wait for us at that cafe over there. We’ll head over as soon as we’re done."
"There... Oh, that place."
A few buildings down, I saw a sign for a cafe.
To be honest, after the lake of coffee I’d consumed this morning, I wasn't exactly thrilled, but it was infinitely better than trying to storm that cosmetics shop.
"Alright. I'll be waiting there."
"Okay."
"We'll be there as soon as we can, Onii-san."
"No rush, Saori-chan. I'll just be hanging out with a coffee, so take your time shopping."
I watched them go and then headed to the cafe.
The interior had a calm, retro feel to it, helped along by the classical music playing in the background. As I stood at the entrance, a clerk in a branded apron approached.
"Welcome. For one?"
"Yes. But two more will be joining me later."
"Understood. This way, please."
I was led to a table for four.
"Here is the menu. Please call for me once you’ve decided."
I glanced over the selection. Since I’d already had my fill of coffee, I looked for something else. No need for cake or sandwiches yet. I pressed the call bell.
"Have you decided?"
"A cocoa, please."
"One cocoa. Certainly. Please wait a moment."
I’d briefly considered tea, but I felt like I needed something sweet.
Before long, the clerk returned with the cocoa.
"Thank you for waiting. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks."
I took a sip....Sweet. Way sweeter than I’d expected.
With nothing else to do, I pulled out my phone and checked the news. This place didn't have Wi-Fi.
"Let’s see, what’s going on today..."
What’s this? A surge in the number of injured explorers during Golden Week?
I guess even if they aren't exactly "Sunday drivers," people who only visit the dungeon occasionally are prone to getting hurt if they get careless. Not that I’m one to talk.
"Anything else... oh. Test drilling for seafloor resources near Minami-Torishima scheduled to begin this summer."
According to the article, a new deep-sea work vessel—utilizing technology derived from dungeons—was set for completion around June, with test drilling planned for the summer. This new vessel was capable of operating for long periods at depths exceeding 10,000 meters. The hope was to make seafloor resource mining commercially viable.
If successful, the article claimed Japan would move toward domestic self-sufficiency not just in energy, but in minerals and other resources.
"That would be incredible if it works, but it sounds like the kind of thing other countries will start complaining about."
Japan had already caused a massive global stir just by announcing the practical application of Core Crystal power generation. Oil-producing countries, feeling the direct impact, were already hiking prices in a desperate attempt to squeeze out profit before oil became obsolete. While things had quieted down for now due to technical and economic aid, the situation remained volatile.
If Japan launched a plan that sent another shockwave through the resource sector on top of that...
"...I wonder if it’ll really be okay?"
I was starting to feel genuinely concerned.
I wasn't an expert on economics, but the Japanese economy had been clawing its way out of a long recession thanks to the dungeon boom. If we could achieve self-sufficiency in the resources we currently imported, we’d be home free.
But the risks felt high. I worried about the potential for terrorism from groups looking to protect their vested interests.
"Well, I’m sure they announced the plan with all that already factored in... I'll just assume they have it under control."
The Japanese government had a reputation for being a bit soft, but they surely wouldn't be this reckless without a plan. Especially given how they’d handled dungeon-related developments lately.
I took a sip of the now-lukewarm cocoa and exhaled a sigh, trying to vent the anxiety building in my chest.
By the time I finished the tea I’d ordered as a second drink, the cafe door opened and Mika and Saori-chan walked in.
I saw them scanning the room, so I waved to catch their eye. After telling the clerk they were joining me, they made their way over.
"Sorry for the wait!"
"We're sorry to keep you, Onii-san."
"Good job. Get everything you wanted?"
I gestured for them to take the seats opposite me and asked about their haul.
"Yeah. It was like dealing with a pro—absolutely perfect."
"Yes. We just told them what we were looking for, and they picked out exactly what suited us," Saori-chan added, looking satisfied with her bags.
"That's good. Want to order something? My treat—get whatever you like."
"Wait, really!?"
"...Is that okay, Onii-san?"
"Yeah. I can't pay for your clothes, but I can cover the food and drinks for today. Especially since I was the one who practically begged Saori-chan to come along."
I handed them the menu.
"Score!"
"Umm... then, thank you for the treat."
Mika was purely delighted, while Saori-chan gave a more modest thank-you after seeing Mika’s reaction.
"What should I get~?"
"Whatever you want, but we have lunch soon, so keep it light."
"Okay. Then... this cake set!"
"I'll have the same, then."
"Right, got it."
I pressed the call bell.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Yes. Two cake sets and one blended coffee."
"Certainly. And for the drinks with the cake sets? You can choose from coffee, tea, or orange juice."
"Uh...?"
I looked at the two to see what they wanted.
"Orange juice for me!"
"I'll have tea, please."
"We'll go with those."
"Understood. Please wait just a moment."
The clerk bowed and left.
"So... I guess that concludes the shopping for today?"
"Yep. We got everything on the list."
"Yes. Thanks to you."
They both looked quite pleased with themselves.
"Then after this, we'll find some lunch and then head to karaoke."
"Yeah. Oh, but before that, there’s something I want to talk to Onii-chan about."
"? Talk?"
I tilted my head, and Saori-chan nodded in sync with Mika.
"Wait, Saori-chan too? Is this the same topic?"
"Yeah."
"Yes."
I’d hit the nail on the head. The two of them straightened their posture, looking me in the eye with sudden, tense seriousness....What was coming?
"You see, Onii-chan..."
"We..."
We're going to take the Armed Exploration Permit for Special Underground Structures Issuance Exam!
"...Excuse me?"
...Why?
In that moment, my brain completely stalled.