After hopping between several trains, we finally arrived at the station closest to the dungeon.
There were no mishaps this time—no missed transfers or insufficient balances on our IC cards. We had arrived exactly on schedule, and yet...
"They're definitely still tailing us," I murmured.
"Yeah," Yuji replied. "Three of them... right?"
"It looks like they’ve assigned one person to each of us, excluding Mika-chan and Saori-chan."
As we walked through the rotary outside the station, I spoke quietly with Yuji about our "Guests." While we were on the train, I’d picked up the signs of our tails grouping together. They were likely coordinating their surveillance plan for the next leg of the trip.
However, their little huddle had confirmed their objective.
"As I thought, we're the targets," I said.
"Yeah. Between being civilian explorers who took down an area boss and being among the few who’ve cleared the Advanced Zone, we’re bound to be a blip on the Dungeon Association's radar. They probably find us quite intriguing."
"Got to admire the dedication, watching us even during Golden Week."
This was their second investigation. They had likely grown curious because we’d suddenly resumed activity after nearly a month of staying quiet following the area boss kill.
In reality, we just hadn’t been able to do much for half a month because our exams overlapped with our schedule...
"Onii-chan, hurry! If we don't get the food now, there won't be anything left!"
"Yeah, sorry! I’m coming!"
Mika was beckoning to me from in front of a convenience store near the station. Since I couldn't see Saori-chan or Hiiragi-san, the two of them must have already headed inside.
Yuji and I cut our conversation short and picked up the pace to catch up with Mika.
"Geez, you guys are so slow! There are tons of other people buying stuff today. If you don't hurry, the good items will be gone!"
"Sorry, sorry. Come on, let's head in."
I offered Mika a light apology and gave her a gentle nudge on the back as we entered. The store was already packed with customers, and the food section was a chaotic mess.
Over in one corner, Hiiragi-san and Saori-chan were waiting with sandwiches and bottled drinks in hand.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said.
"You two took your time," Hiiragi-san noted. "You'd better choose quickly or you'll be left with nothing."
"Wait, is it really that bad?"
"They seem to have stocked up, but not enough for this many shoppers. It looks like the popular items are already sold out."
Hiiragi-san pointed toward the display shelves for the onigiri and sandwiches. Indeed, several rows were completely bare.
"Yikes, we'd better grab something fast."
"See? It's because you and Yuji were so slow, Onii-chan!"
"My bad, my bad. Anyway, Hiiragi-san, Saori-chan, just wait here a moment. We'll go grab our stuff."
"Alright."
"Okay!"
After checking in with them, the three of us charged into the fray at the crowded shelves.
Now, let's see what's left...
After leaving the convenience store, we made our way toward the bus stop while stowing our purchases in our backpacks.
"Crisis averted. I'm glad they still had onigiri with the fillings I like," I said.
"What do you mean 'crisis averted'?! They were almost completely sold out!"
"Hey, it's fine, isn't it? We managed to get them in the end."
Since we had almost missed out, Mika kept complaining as she tucked her shopping bag away. To be fair, by the time we’d reached the shelves, several varieties of onigiri and sandwiches were already gone, and only two or three of the remaining items were left on the racks.
As Mika and I continued our bickering, Hiiragi-san cut in with a frown.
"Both of you, that's enough. You're bothering the people around you."
Hiiragi-san shifted her gaze slightly. Following it, I saw several people waiting for the bus who were scowling at us for being too noisy.
Ah... sorry.
"It's not that you need to apologize to me, but just be mindful," Hiiragi-san chided.
"Ah, right."
"...Yes."
Being scolded like that made both Mika and me look away in embarrassment. I could sense Yuji and Saori-chan stifling wry smiles at our expense. Man, that was awkward.
Feeling a bit sheepish, I glanced at Mika and muttered a quick apology.
"Sorry about that, Mika."
"No, I said too much too. Sorry, Onii-chan."
Mika and I looked at each other and shared a small, wry laugh.
Then, seeing that we had made up, Hiiragi-san spoke again.
"Now then, since you two have calmed down, shall we join the queue?"
"Yeah, let's."
"Right."
"Okay."
"Yes!"
We joined the end of the line to wait for the bus. According to the timetable, one should be arriving in less than ten minutes. While Mika and Saori-chan started chatting happily, the three of us spoke in low voices about our Guests.
"...So, where are they?"
"Over there," Yuji replied. "In front of the smoking area by the taxi stand. Pretending to smoke while trying to look like they aren't watching us."
"What amateur surveillance," Hiiragi-san whispered. "They're focusing on us far too much. At that point, they might as well just announce they're tailing us."
"Isn't it better that they're easy to spot? Makes it easier for us to keep track of them," I murmured.
Yuji shook his head slightly.
"That might not be the case. Those three could be decoys while the real professional stays hidden. Since their gaze is so obvious, it could be used to camouflage someone else's."
"That is a possibility," Hiiragi-san agreed. "However, as far as I can tell, there's no one else acting suspiciously."
"I'm with Hiiragi-san. I don't sense anyone else particularly suspicious," I added.
"Me neither. But the possibility isn't zero. All I'm saying is don't get too complacent."
At Yuji's warning, Hiiragi-san and I sharpened our focus and gave small nods. Compared to the disciples I’d faced during Genya-san’s training, this surveillance was so clumsy that I might have been subconsciously underestimating them.
The theory that they were decoys for someone more skilled wasn't entirely far-fetched.
"I'll be careful."
"I will too."
"I just hope I'm overthinking it..."
"No, it's better to be cautious. This is the second time they've watched us, after all. They likely know our identities from the first time, so they might be putting more effort into this than we think."
The first time was about the area boss—a check on our power and character. This time, it was because we’d cleared the trap training facility. It was entirely possible they were now taking our detection abilities into account.
"True."
As we continued our private discussion, Mika spoke up with a look of suspicion.
"Hey, Onii-chan? What have you three been whispering about this whole time?"
"Hm? Oh, just a little something. About what we're doing after we get back from the dungeon."
I used our post-dungeon plans as a cover. I couldn't exactly tell Mika or Saori-chan that we were currently under surveillance.
"Hmm."
"What's with the 'hmm'?"
"Oh, look! The bus is here!"
Mika gave a disinterested reply, her attention immediately shifting to the bus. I felt relieved that I had successfully distracted her, though her sudden lack of interest after being the one to ask was a bit odd.
But before I could press Mika further, two buses appeared in succession at the station rotary.
"With two buses, we should be able to get on right away."
"...Yeah, you're right."
The arrival of the transport caused the topic to fade away.
As I let out a sigh, Yuji nudged me in the side.
"They're moving. They're coming this way."
"...I see."
It seemed the Watchers were planning to board the same bus as us. A line had already formed behind us, which likely worked in their favor—it allowed them to stay in the same vicinity without getting uncomfortably close to their targets. That is, unless they ended up on a different bus.
The Watchers lined up about a dozen people behind us.
"Come on, let's get on."
"Ah, right."
Our turn to board came, and we stepped onto the bus. It was already packed, and there were no seats left. We managed to get Mika and Saori-chan into the last two available spots while the rest of us grabbed onto the hand straps.
And then...
"Excuse me! We're at capacity! Everyone else, please take the bus behind us! I'm closing the doors now, please step away from the entrance... Closing!"
The driver's announcement rang out, and the doors were mercilessly shut just as the person in front of the Watchers was about to board. In that moment, I felt the Watchers' gaze on us intensify significantly. Out of curiosity, I glanced out the window of the closed doors. Standing there were three young adults—two men and a woman—looking absolutely dejected.
Oblivious to the Watchers' frustration, the bus began to pull away slowly.
"They failed their surveillance before we even reached the dungeon..." I muttered.
"Yeah..."
"I wonder if they'll follow us inside," Hiiragi-san whispered.
"Who knows? But at that rate, I don't think they'd be able to keep up with us in a dungeon anyway."
They really were a trio defined by a lack of skill and experience.
As we watched the three of them board the second bus in the distance, our bus drove smoothly toward the dungeon entrance.
After arriving at the dungeon, we quickly completed the entry procedures to put some distance between us and our tails. We only had a ten to fifteen-minute lead before their bus arrived, so we had to make every second count.
Yuji and I finished changing in the locker room and did a final check of our gear. Then we sat in the waiting area, waiting for Mika and the others to emerge. A moment later, I felt a sharp gaze for a split second, and I saw the trio of Watchers walk past us and head into their respective locker rooms.
"About ten minutes," I said, checking my watch.
"Yeah. Since the entry queue will widen the gap further, we should be able to lose them if we play this right. Provided the girls aren't too slow with their warm-ups."
"Skipping warm-ups would be a bad idea. Still, if we can get into a private room before they finish changing, we might be able to shake them. Honestly, exploring a dungeon while being watched is the last thing I want to do."
I didn't intend to reveal our secrets, but I hated having my options restricted. If it were just us, we could manage, but with Mika and Saori-chan along, the stakes were different.
"Regardless... I hope Mika and the others come out soon..."
"I talked to Hiiragi-san beforehand, so they should be faster than last time," Yuji noted.
"I hope so..."
I turned my gaze toward the locker rooms. Women’s preparations always seemed to take longer for one reason or another. I wondered who would be faster—the girls, or the male Watchers. Just as that thought crossed my mind, I finished the paperwork for our private room.
While I was sitting back down, Mika and the others finally emerged.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Onii-chan!"
"Yeah. You sure finished quickly today, though..."
"I had a lot of trouble with my armor last time, so I practiced putting it on over and over at home! I can do it easily now, so I finished changing way faster!"
Mika did a proud little spin to show off. Indeed, all the buckles and straps of her armor were securely fastened. She must have practiced quite a bit.
"Heh, impressive."
"Yes, she was actually quite efficient today," Hiiragi-san added.
"I see."
Shortly after Mika, Hiiragi-san and Saori-chan joined us.
"Sorry for the wait," Saori-chan said. "I think I was the one who took the longest this time."
"Ah, don't worry about it. We aren't in a huge rush."
Truthfully, I did want to hurry, but since I hadn't told them about the Watchers, I couldn't exactly complain. At any rate, they’d made it out before the male Watchers, so it was fine.
"Since everyone's here, I've reserved a private room. Let's head over."
"A private room? Like last time?"
"It's Room 3 today. Since it's the start of the trip, we need to warm up properly so no one gets hurt."
I led the group toward the private rooms. Hopefully, this would be enough to lose our tails... but I wasn't holding my breath.