As expected, the tables in the dining area were packed with spectators drifting over from the event space. Fortunately, we managed to snag a few seats just as some people were leaving.
Now that we had a spot, I figured I should go buy some drinks.
"I’ll go grab some tea for everyone. You guys stay here and save our spots while you chat."
"Oh, Onii-chan, I’ll help too."
"No, I can manage on my own..."
"It’s fine! Let’s go."
"Ah, alright..."
Mika took my hand and pulled me along rather forcefully toward the food stalls. Once we were far enough away that the others couldn't see us, Mika spoke up, her expression clouding with concern.
"Hey, Onii-chan?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"After seeing the performances at the event just now, Asami-chan and Hino-san were whispering—it seemed almost unconscious—about maybe becoming explorers."
I see... so that was why she’d insisted on coming along. She wanted to consult with me.
Admittedly, after watching that event, it was perhaps inevitable that Tatebayashi-san and her friend would think the profession looked appealing. However, the display they’d just witnessed only showcased the merits of being an explorer.
"I get it. Just to be clear, they didn't say it directly to you, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Then maybe I should ask for their thoughts on the event later and then mention the negative side of things."
If you make a decision based on only one side of a situation, you often end up regretting it when the other side finally reveals itself. To avoid that, it’s better to make a judgment after seeing the whole picture.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—since we were active explorers, we had plenty of experiences to share that could serve as a reference for Tatebayashi-san and the others. Though in my case, only some of my experiences would be considered typical.
"Is it... okay to talk about it now?"
"Actually, it’s probably better to do it now. Once someone makes up their mind, it’s psychologically difficult for them to reconsider, even if the advice they receive is sound."
Making a choice is a heavy burden. Once that weight is lifted by making a decision, people can become stubborn, refusing to change their minds even when presented with valid points. If it were a trivial matter, it wouldn't be an issue, but this was a choice that could affect their entire lives.
To ensure they didn't end up regretting their path later, it was best to provide advice while they were still open to it. Of course, one had to be mindful of the timing and setting.
"...You're probably right."
"It’ll be hard for you and Saori to bring it up, so I’ll handle the talking. You and Saori-chan just stay close and listen. Tatebayashi-san and the others will probably find it easier to hear me out if you’re there, since they can gauge your reactions."
Mika gave a small nod, though a hint of hesitation remained on her face.
It wasn't as if I’d be lying to them, but some of the reality might be hard to believe. In those moments, seeing Mika and Saori-chan nodding along with serious expressions would lend my words the credibility they needed.
"Alright, let's grab the drinks and head back. We shouldn't keep those three waiting."
"Yeah."
We quickly purchased plastic bottles of tea for everyone at a stall that wasn't too crowded, and then Mika and I returned to the table. For the record, I paid for the drinks.
When we got back, Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san were excitedly peppering Saori-chan with questions about the explorer demonstrations.
To an amateur's eye, the displays were impressive—designed specifically to be easy-to-understand showcases of superhuman talent.
"Hey, Saori-chan, can you guys do stuff like that too!?"
"E-err... what kind of stuff?"
"That weightlifting they did at the start! I knew you guys could move fast because I saw the seniors at the sports festival, but I had no idea explorers could do stuff like that!"
"I know! I never imagined someone so petite could lift a massive motorcycle like it was nothing..."
It seemed their understanding of an explorer's physical abilities was based on the appeal demonstrations we’d done at the sports festival. As a result, the agility-based performances today hadn't made much of an impact. Instead, the weightlifting—a simple, raw display of power—had really struck a chord with them.
Expectation and admiration shone in their eyes as they turned to Saori-chan. Saori-chan, meanwhile, looked quite flustered.
"I-I'm afraid lifting a huge bike like that is impossible for me..."
"Wait, really?"
"I guess it's not something every explorer can do..."
"Y-yeah. We only recently started out, so our levels aren't that high. That person was probably at a much higher level than us. As an explorer’s level increases, they get a power-up bonus to their physical abilities..."
Looking a bit dejected, as if she felt she’d failed to meet their expectations, Saori-chan explained that she couldn't pull off such a stunt. It was true; given the level difference, Mika and Saori-chan couldn't mimic that weightlifter yet.
As for us? Well... the answer should be obvious.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I've got the drinks."
"Here, one for everyone."
Mika and I sat down, placing the tea and a bag of petit castella cakes on the table.
"I'm so sorry. Thank you for going to get those for us."
"Thank you very much."
"Oh, let me pay for my tea."
"Don't worry about it. My treat."
I held up a hand to stop Hino-san as she reached for her wallet. It wasn't a major expense, and it looked like everyone had already spent a fair bit of their allowance on lunch.
It would be a miserable end to the day if someone couldn't afford their train fare home.
"Are you sure? You even did the legwork to get them..."
"It's fine, really....Though, don't think I'm going to treat you to everything, okay?"
"Gulp!"
While Saori-chan looked apologetic, Mika’s eyes had sparkled the moment she heard it was my treat. I made sure to give her a pointed look. She was definitely planning to mooch off me just then.
I gave Mika a deadpan stare as she averted her eyes, then turned back to the others.
"Anyway, how was the stage event?"
"Oh, yes. It was very impressive."
"I didn't realize explorers were capable of so much."
"Seeing that small person show so much strength was amazing!"
As expected, the initial weightlifting was what had stuck with them. Come to think of it, I’d never shown them that side of things. There aren't many opportunities for casual weightlifting in a normal school environment.
While I was reflecting on that, Hino-san leaned in with a look of pure curiosity.
"Saori-chan said she couldn't do it, but what about you, Senpai? Could you lift that bike?"
"The bike? Hmm... I suppose I could. I've never actually tried, though."
In truth, I felt like I could probably lift a car if I had to. The difficulty would likely be the awkward shape rather than the actual weight.
"Really!?"
"Yeah. Well, I haven't tested my limits, but things I used to think were heavy don't feel like much of anything now."
Even though it’s technically for camouflage, the backpack I carry for overnight dungeon exploration is quite heavy, yet I never feel its weight while moving through the dungeon. On the way back, once it's stuffed with drop items, it probably weighs as much as the loads carried by professional mountain porters. Even when fighting monsters, I don't really notice the pack on my back.
If someone were to ask exactly how much I could lift, I’d have to say it’s a considerable amount.
"That's incredible... Explorers really are amazing."
"It depends on the individual's level. Leveling up grants a bonus to your physical stats, so high-level explorers see a massive boost. Though, honestly, it’s not a very useful ability in everyday life."
"Wait, it’s not?"
"Think about it. How often do you need to lift a motorcycle in your daily routine? Almost never, right? Staking your life against monsters just for a skill you might use once every few decades... that seems like a lot of wasted effort."
"..."
Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san were left with complicated expressions.
Then again, who knows? In a few years, maybe fighting monsters will replace going to the gym. People will turn anything into a business these days.
"That being said, I suppose there's an appeal to heavy things feeling light."
"E-exactly! It would be so convenient if heavy things weren't a struggle anymore."
"Like when you go shopping and end up with way more bags than you expected. Just having that not be a burden would be a huge plus."
"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose you're right."
I threw out a casual comment to lighten the mood, and the somewhat heavy atmosphere dissipated. Everyone offered strained smiles, looking a bit like they’d just swallowed something bitter.
Regardless, we chatted about our impressions of the event while snacking on the castella and sipping our tea.
After our break, we spent some time browsing the corporate booths. Our primary goal was to see what kind of work various dungeon-related companies offered. Most were professional, legitimate businesses with fair working conditions, though a few suspicious ones were mixed in. By "suspicious," I don't mean the predatory "black" consultant firms like the one that tried to scout Taiga-niisan, but rather companies with punishing delivery quotas—like the ones that demand a specific number of rare drop items every month, banking entirely on the explorer's luck.
Once we’d seen enough, we hit the merchandise area. I figured something consumable would make the best souvenir, so I picked up some retort curry made with orc meat. Even if it’s a non-standard ingredient, most people like curry, so it’s a safe bet.
"The sun is still brutal out here..."
"Yeah, standing in the direct sunlight is going to be rough."
"The cool air inside made the outdoor heat feel even more oppressive."
The three of us shielded our eyes with our hands, glancing worriedly at Tatebayashi-san and Hino-san, who were already starting to wilt. We had a bit more physical resistance, but the sudden temperature jump was clearly taking a toll on the two ordinary girls.
"You guys okay? Should we take shelter in the shade for a bit until you adjust?"
"...No, the shade won't help us adjust that quickly. Let's just keep moving."
"I'd rather be on a cool bus or train than standing out here."
"Fair enough. Let's hurry to the bus stop, then."
We led the two wilting girls to the stop, but our luck ran out. A bus for the station had just pulled away, and the next one wasn't due for ten minutes. To make matters worse, while the bus stop had a roof, it was made of transparent plastic that offered zero shade.
Watching the two of them suffer in the heat was pitiable. I pulled out a promotional fan I’d picked up at the venue and began fanning them.
"Whoa!?"
"Wait, Senpai!? That’s way too much wind! A hand fan shouldn't be able to do that!"
I used as much strength as I could without snapping the cheap plastic, sending a powerful gust their way. The force was easily equal to an electric fan on its highest setting, and it sent their hair flying.
Though they were startled at first, they quickly grew used to it and leaned into my manual fan-powered "engine" to cool off.
"Ahhh, that feels so good..."
Bathed in the artificial gale, the two of them finally looked relaxed. I didn't want them getting heatstroke at the very end of the trip, and fanning them wasn't exactly tiring for me, so I kept at it until the bus arrived.
And so, the event came to a slightly unceremonious but successful end. Tomorrow, it’s back to the explorer grind.