After finishing the business of cashing out our loot, we walked through the plaza toward the bus stop. The area was brightly lit by stadium floodlights, making it feel like a night game was in progress. The sun, which had been hanging on by a thread before we entered the building, had finally dipped below the mountains; now, everything outside the immediate dungeon vicinity was pitch black.
Along the way, Mika and Saori-chan were practically floating. They hummed little tunes as they walked, their exhaustion seemingly forgotten, their faces lit up with beaming smiles.
"You two are in high spirits. Is it really that exciting?"
"Of course it is!"
Both Mika and Saori-chan responded in unison, snapping back at my question as they crowded in close. Whoa, too close.
"If I add this to what I had before, I’ll be able to pay back everything I borrowed from you, Onii-chan!"
"Exactly! If we can earn as much tomorrow as we did today, I’ll have money left over even after paying back my debt!"
"I-I see..."
It seemed their financial situations were on the verge of a dramatic recovery, thanks to an income that far exceeded their expectations. They were so giddy they’d completely forgotten how drained they had looked before we reached the exchange counter.
I mean, really, Mika? Weren't you looking pale and traumatized by the shock of killing a goblin just a little while ago?
"All right, you two. That's enough for now."
"?...!?"
Unable to watch Mika and Saori-chan get any more carried away by their unexpected windfall, Yukino-san gave a light kashiwade clap to get their attention. At the sound of the clap, the two girls finally regained their composure. Realizing how they’d been acting, they blushed and hurriedly backed away from me.
Phew... They might look energetic, but it seems their gears have been sent into a strange overdrive by the fatigue of a long exploration. It would be best to finish dinner quickly and get to the hotel.
"I understand that you're happy, but girls? Kokonoe-kun looks troubled, so let's calm down a bit, shall we?"
"...Yes," they both mumbled.
Following Yukino-san's gentle scolding, Mika and Saori-chan looked down bashfully, their ears turning a deep shade of crimson.
"Uh, hey, you two? I don't particularly mind, so don't let it get to you, okay?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Y-Yes."
I gave a wry smile at their quiet responses and offered Yukino-san a slight nod of gratitude for stepping in.
Then, just to be safe, I decided to give Mika and Saori-chan a word of advice.
"By the way, just as a precaution, you should avoid making a big scene about money in public. You never know who might be eavesdropping. Right, Yuji? Yukino-san?"
"Too true. Most people are honest enough, but the nasty types have a way of crawling out of the woodwork whenever money is involved," Yuji agreed.
"Indeed. I believe it's for the best to remain discreet," Yukino-san added.
"...?"
For a moment, Mika and Saori-chan tilted their heads, not quite grasping the weight of the warning. Their expressions quickly shifted to shock as we explained further.
"In the past, there were people who would ambush explorers when they were exhausted after a run, specifically to steal the cash they’d just received for their loot."
"Back then, the payout for items was handed over in cash right at the window. Solo explorers or small groups were the primary targets for those thugs," Yuji explained.
"That's exactly why they switched to the direct deposit system," Yukino-san concluded.
"..."
Mika and Saori-chan were left speechless. They had "no way..." written all over their faces. I can understand wanting to believe better of people, but these were actual incidents.
I say "the past," but it was really only a few months ago. Right after the explorer system launched, the overall level of explorers was naturally low; most were essentially just ordinary people with slightly better physical stats. When people like that are carrying hundreds of thousands of yen while completely wiped out... well, to a criminal, they looked like sitting ducks. For a period of about a month, there were over a hundred reported cases. Most involved pickpockets who targeted explorers on their way home, waiting for them to doze off on the train or bus due to sheer fatigue. According to the criminals who were caught, they would stake out the areas near the dungeon and target beginners who were making a fuss about their big payouts.
Nowadays, the overall level of explorers has risen and the money is handled digitally, so crimes targeting explorers have largely vanished. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. In other words...
"Anyway, that's why. I know you're excited, but making it obvious that you've just come into a lot of money can attract the wrong kind of attention. It's better to keep it under wraps."
"Yeah. If you absolutely have to vent your joy, I recommend doing it somewhere private," Yuji suggested.
"Karaoke boxes have excellent soundproofing, so I'd recommend that if you feel the need to shout for joy," Yukino-san added.
"...Y-Yes."
After hearing our explanation, Mika and Saori-chan immediately began scanning the area, looking for any suspicious individuals who might be eavesdropping. It was a bit late for that if someone had been watching, but the lesson had clearly landed.
Letting out a soft sigh, I spoke to the two of them as they kept their sharp gazes fixed on the surroundings.
"We're probably fine for now, so you don't need to be that paranoid. More importantly, look. The bus is pulling into the rotary. We need to move, or we won't have time for dinner."
"Eh?...Ah!"
I pointed toward the shuttle bus winding its way down the mountain road toward the rotary, urging them to hurry. If we missed this one, we’d be in for a long wait.
Nudging Mika and Saori-chan along, I called out to the others.
"Come on, guys, let's move."
"I don't think we need to run, but... sure, lead the way," Yuji said.
"Yes, let's pick up the pace a little."
"Okay!"
"Yes!"
We headed toward the bus rotary at a light jog.
Even though it was past 7:00 PM, the bus was quite crowded. Fortunately, once we boarded, we managed to secure seats for everyone. Phew... At least we won't have to stand the whole way.
After about thirty minutes of being swayed by the packed shuttle bus, we safely arrived back at the station.
"Mmm, finally back."
Stepping off the bus, I stretched my arms high, working out the kinks in a body that had grown stiff from sitting. Given the benefits of leveling up, I really wish things like "getting stiff from sitting" would go away...
"So, what's the plan, Daiki? Did you decide on a place for dinner?"
"No, nothing specific..."
"...You didn't pick a place?"
"...My bad."
Averting my eyes from Yuji's slightly exasperated look, I turned to the three girls.
"Well, that's the situation... Is there anything specific you'd like to eat? If you don't have a preference, we can just hit up a nearby family restaurant..."
"Being asked so suddenly... nothing really comes to mind," Yukino-san admitted.
"I... think I'd like something light and refreshing," Mika said.
"If possible, I'd prefer to avoid meat," Saori-chan added.
I wracked my brain. Something light, refreshing, and not meat... That sounded like Japanese food, probably fish-focused.
I turned to Yuji to see if he had any ideas.
"Hey, Yuji? Any light Japanese places around here?"
"Light Japanese?...How about conveyor belt sushi?"
Yuji pointed toward a sign for a major sushi chain visible a short distance away....When did that get built? I didn't think it was there the last time I visited. I tilted my head, considering the suggestion.
They have a wide variety of toppings, the side menu is extensive, and as long as the place is moderately busy, a little bit of noise wouldn't be a problem. Most importantly, it could cater to everyone's individual cravings quite well. Yeah. Sushi sounded like a winner.
"How does that sound to the rest of you? Conveyor belt sushi?"
I put the question to the girls. Personally, I was perfectly happy with that choice.
"That sounds like a good idea. I’m in," Yukino-san said.
"I'm good with sushi too."
"Me too..."
With everyone in agreement, the matter was settled.
I shot a quick glance at Yuji to confirm. He gave a sharp nod, signaling his approval.
"All right, conveyor belt sushi it is. Before we head over, let's stow our extra gear in the station lockers. It’d be a pain to lug all this into the restaurant, and it would take up way too much space. I want to be able to relax for once."
We dropped off everything except our weapons and then headed for the restaurant. Now then, time to see what’s on the menu...
An hour later, we finished our meal and stepped back out into the night. The place had been crowded with other explorers stopping by after their dungeon runs, but we’d been seated relatively quickly and managed a nice, leisurely dinner.
"Thanks for the meal, Daiki."
"Thank you, Kokonoe-kun."
"Thanks for the food, Onii-chan."
"Thank you very much for the meal, Onii-san."
Yuji and Yukino-san looked triumphant, Mika had a wry smile, and Saori-chan looked a bit apologetic as they offered their thanks.
In response, I...
"Haha, don't mention it... Sigh. Damn it. If only I’d thrown scissors..."
I replied with a smile that was definitely twitching, letting out a soft groan at my own misfortune. We had made a bet that whoever lost a round of rock-paper-scissors among the three of us—Yuji, Yukino-san, and me—would pay for the whole group. As you can see, I was the loser. I paid because a bet is a bet, but... over 30,000 yen for conveyor belt sushi? That seems steep. I mean, what was up with that topping? "Extra-thick seared minotaur meat sushi"? 2,500 yen for a single plate? That's not a price you expect to see at a place with a conveyor belt.
Feeling the sudden lightness of my wallet, I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
"Anyway, everyone, check-in time is coming up. Let's get our gear from the lockers."
"Right on."
Yuji gave a short reply, patting his stomach which was visibly bulging from the sheer volume of sushi he'd consumed. For some reason, the gesture was intensely annoying.
"I know we're in a hurry, but can we at least walk at a normal pace to the station?" Yukino-san asked.
"I agree with Yukino-san..."
"I'd also prefer not to sprint right after eating..."
"...Sigh."
I let out a breath and agreed we’d walk to the station at a leisurely pace. As a result, it took us nearly three times longer to get back to the station than it had to walk to the restaurant. Still, it was less than ten minutes, so it wasn't a huge loss.
Back at the station, we retrieved our gear and approached a minivan taxi waiting at the rotary.
"Excuse me, are you free?"
"Hmm? Yeah, hop in."
"Do you know where Hotel Saiun is?"
"Hotel Saiun?...Yeah, I know it."
"Could you take us there, then?"
"...Yeah, of course. Get in."
"Thanks. Everyone, he's good to go."
After finishing negotiations with the driver—who had been sporting a subtly skeptical look—we loaded our gear into the trunk. Since it was a minivan, there was more room than a standard taxi, but with enough luggage for five people, it was still a tight squeeze.
"All right, let's head out."
"You got it."
Once everyone was buckled in, the taxi pulled away.
After about twenty minutes of driving, we arrived at our destination. We passed through a grand main gate and entered an entrance loop surrounded by thick trees. There stood a three-story building, softly illuminated by warm lighting, exuding the atmosphere of a quiet, upscale hideaway.
"..."
Overwhelmed by the dignified presence of the hotel, we all stared out the windows in silence. If I had to describe it in a word, it looked like a "retreat for adults."
Wait... huh? Are we seriously staying here tonight?
"Here we are."
"...Um, is this definitely Hotel Saiun?"
"Yes. There's no mistake. This is Hotel Saiun."
"I see..."
I double-checked with the driver to make sure he hadn't taken us to the wrong place, but he was certain.
But, man... this feels way too fancy for a group of high schoolers. While I was internally panicking, a gentlemanly doorman in a sharp uniform stepped out from the hotel to greet us.
I suppose a hotel that costs 18,000 yen for one night including breakfast counts as middle-class, but even for explorers making good money, this place felt like it had a pretty high threshold for high school students. Probably.