Episode 204: Escalating incident

Ten days have passed since school resumed.

As for me, I am basically living the same life as before the high alert.

The only difference, for the time being, is the party when I go to the dungeon. Nanami, Amane, and Rei join us.

It was already during the high alert when Nanami transferred to this school, so she went to school for the first time after the high alert was lifted.

I thought Nanami would be able to make friends right away, but I have mixed feelings because I'm considered air in class.

Also, at this school, she quickly became popular with the boys, and was often confessed to. However, she seems to refuse, saying, 'First of all, the minimum requirement is to be stronger and cooler than my Onii-chan.'."

Yeah, Nanami understands, great.

If you want to go out with my Imouto, beat me first.

As for Amane, there's nothing particularly noteworthy during the dungeon capture, but it seems that after going shopping something was decided in a discussion between the girls, and she was banned from contact with me for a while.

That's right, I didn't hear it directly, I just guessed from Amane's words and actions, and the words and actions of the other girls.

As for Rei, she has a bit of work to do as an explorer, so it feels like she's getting mixed up irregularly during her free time.

It's the same for us, but Rei already doesn't need to work for money. However, when it comes to an S-rank explorer, there are times when work is arranged by the Union, so it seems that it can't be helped because it's necessary to receive a certain amount of duty as a high-rank explorer.

And the second thing is that on the way home from the dungeon, we eat and stay overnight depending on the house.

Today as well, on the way home from the dungeon, I had dinner at home, and I relaxed after the meal. Since Rei didn't have any work to do today, she dived into the dungeon with us and slowly raised her level.

"I'm sorry to always bother you."

"It's fine. Nanami and Fuhito are indebted to you, so don't worry about it."

When Rei comes home, she bows her head a little apologetically at my mother, but my mother smiles and looks at us.

"That's right. I'm always indebted to Rei. Please don't hesitate."

"Right, right, I'm really indebted to Rei-chan."

Nanami and I nod at our mother's gaze as we answer.

[ Follow-up. Recently, there have been many missing people in dungeons all over Japan, but it seems that a new victim has appeared today as well ... ]

At that time, news of the dungeon disappearance incident began to flow on the TV. This incident had already surfaced when the school started, but it seems that the number of missing explorers has been increasing recently, and it has been frequently featured in the news.

"Recently, there's been nothing but news about this incident."

My mother mutters when she hears the news.

"That's right. It's a big problem in the Union, and an investigation by high-rank explorers has begun. I've been asked by the Union to investigate, and I've dived into several dungeons in the area, but in the dungeons so far, no plausible cause has been found. However, at this time, I haven't heard of anyone disappearing in the dungeons around here."

"Is that so. I don't think anything will happen to you guys, but please don't overdo it."

It seems that the reason why Rei is often called out to work is related to these dungeon disappearance incidents, and Rei tells me the results of the investigation of the dungeon in Toshima District.

"I know. I can handle it."

"Right, right, no matter what happens, as long as Onii-chan is here, we'll be fine!!"

"Certainly, if it's Fuhito-kun, he should be able to do something about it."

"Really."

When Nanami and I reassure our mother who is worried about us, Amane mutters with a wry smile, and Rei nods with a similar smile.

THere's no way I, an E-rank explorer, can do something that even an S-rank explorer can't figure out. Nanami likes me too much, so I get that, but what exactly is the trust the other two have for me?

It's true that as an E-rank explorer, I've reached a level where I can defeat C-rank monsters due to the progress I've made in the hidden test, but for B-rank, not to mention S-rank Rei, I'm not even close.

"Don't you know anything?"

"Well, it seems that the people who were there actually disappeared in front of their eyes. However, if it's a transfer trap, they should be in the dungeon. If they're in the dungeon as a party, they know where they are in the dungeon, so if there's no sign of anyone disappearing in the dungeon, I think they got caught up in something else, but beyond that, I don't know anything."

I thought that if she knew something, I could take countermeasures, so I asked Rei, but she said that she doesn't know anything other than that it seems they disappeared like a teleportation trap and disappeared from the dungeon.

"Anyway, I have no choice but to be careful when exploring now."

"Yes."

I can't do much. I think we have to be careful anyway.

"So, that ... Um, is it okay today?"

"What?"

I couldn't understand Rei's sudden fidgeting and tilt my head.

"Mou, you already know, it's games, games!!"

"Y, yeah, that's what it is. You're really into it. Okay. What do you guys want to do?"

Rei blushes as she answers, and I ask the other three as well.

"It's fine ~ !!"

"I'm fine too."

"Hmm."

With the consent of the other three, we decide to play a game.

Even so, I didn't think Rei would be so addicted to games. Why don't you buy games when you can buy them yourself?

I have endless questions.