CH 116

Episode 116: A New Encounter

"Explanation of practical training."

"Do you feel like I have to participate too?"

"Hmm."

After finishing school classes for the first time in a while, Shia invites me to the Dungeon Exploration Club.

Come to think of it, Aki said that the practical training will start after Golden Week. Haa ... If possible, I don't want to participate.

If I get involved with other explorers, even though I've become able to defeat D-rank monsters, I'll be able to see how they will soon overtake me.

It's painful.

But since I made a promise, I intend to keep it.

"I see. Then, let's go together."

"Hmm."

Shia and I first detect the outside of the classroom to check for any signs, confirm where the Student Council President is, and then head to the Exploration Club exclusive building in a way that we won't meet. I felt a sign that she was going to catch up with us halfway through, but Shia and I moved quickly.

"Oh! Are you guys on the way to the Exploration Building too?"

Saotome-senpai calls out to us. Long story short, he's the head of the Dungeon Exploration Club that we're heading to.

It seems that senpai is also heading to the exclusive building of the Dungeon Exploration Department.

"Hello. Does that mean Senpai is as well?"

"Yeah. First-year dungeon practical training starts tomorrow, right? I have to explain that."

Saotome-senpai answers my question with a slightly troubled expression.

It seems to be difficult because there are roles that must be fulfilled in various events as the person in charge.

"I see. Is that the role of the person in charge?"

"Yes."

While we were talking, we arrive at the Exploration Building.

"Then, I'm ready, so I'm going first, okay?"

"Understood."

Saotome-senpai goes inside first, Shia and I go to the reception desk and proceed to the designated room.

"Here?"

"Hmm."

Shia seems to be used to it because she always comes here.

She nods without hesitation at my question.

The door is an automatic door that opens when pushed, so when I pushed the button provided, the door opened without a sound.

The inside is like a newly built classroom, and the seats are filled one by one from the front. However, it seemed that we were already the last ones, and the only seats left were the last row seats.

Among the people gathered there are acquaintances such as Aki, our fellow classmates, and fellow dormitory students, as well as members I have never seen before.

The members I've never seen before are probably explorers of a class other than ours.

"Ara, Katsuragi-san and umm ..."

As soon as we enter, a female upperclassman wearing glasses who is standing next to us notices Alexia, but she is at a loss for words when she sees me for the first time.

"I'm Satou Fuhito."

I introduced myself as if to send out a lifeboat.

"Ah ~, I heard about you. Are you going to participate in the practical training from today?"

The glasses-senpai seems to have heard of the name I mention, and claps her hands with a refreshed expression.

She probably heard about me from Saotome-senpai.

"Yes, I am."

"Then, please sit down with Katsuragi-san."

"I understand."

The conversation progresses naturally and we sit down in two seats at the end of the row nearby.

"Who was that person just now?"

I whisper to Shia who is sitting next to me on the left and ask about the identity of the glasses-senpai from before.

"Vice Director, Kisaragi Sayaka."

"Kisaragi-senpai, huh?"

"Hmm."

Shia answers my question in a straightforwards manner as usual.

I see, so that person is the Vice Director?

I feel refreshed, like a fish bone stuck in my throat has been removed.

A few minutes after we took a seat, the door at the back of the room opens, and Saotome-senpai and several others who seem to be seniors from the Dungeon Exploration Club enter the classroom.

Saotome-senpai stands in front of a figurine that looks like a podium, and the other seniors line up on both sides. Kisaragi-senpai follows after them and stands next to Saotome-senpai.

"Ah ~, ah ~, mic test, mic test. Are you all here?"

After checking the microphone, Saotome-senpai moves his mouth away from the microphone and asks Kisaragi.

"I think everyone who can come currently has come."

Kisaragi checks while flipping through the roster list, but it seems that the people who aren't here aren't just skipping.

"Is that so, then let's move on to the hands-on training."

-Baaan

"Whew. Looks like I made it in time!!"

The moment Saotome-senpai heard Kisaragi-senpai's reply and was about to explain the practical training, the sound of the door slamming in the back of the room along with the echo of a girl's voice reverberated.

When I look over there, I see a girl with long black hair tied up in a ponytail. She is a beautiful girl with ocher eyes that show a strong will. Her well-proportioned features are beautiful enough to attract the attention of men.

"Um, who are you?"

Vice Director Kisaragi asks while fixing her glasses.

"I'm Shimotsuki Amane. I'm finally able to come today!!"

Her fearless smile gives off the atmosphere of a fighter.

"Shimotsuki, Shimotsuki ... Ah, found it!!"

Kisaragi-senpai seems to have found it after looking over the roster list for a while.

"Ah, so that's you. Please take an empty seat. The explanation is just beginning."

"I understand!!"

When Kisaragi-senpai urges her to take a seat, she sits on my right.

"I'm Shimotsuki Amane. Nice to meet you."

She sits next to me and smiles at me.

She's quite a beautiful girl, so normally I'd be taken aback, but I hang around Shia after all. I don't get taken aback with such a casual opponent.

"Oh, I'm Satou Fuhito. Nice to meet you."

"Heeeh ... you ..."

As soon as I introduce myself, she narrows her eyes and stares at me as if evaluating me.