“Are you feeling better, Torako?”
“As you can see, I’m being taken care of. Or rather, I’m being forced to be taken care of…”
“Look at this,” she said, showing the IV drip connected to her left hand. Torako pouted in bed, letting out an exaggerated sigh, “They’re making such a big deal out of it.”
After the previous Quest, Torako was immediately transported to the University Hospital Dungeon Department—a specialized ward for Dungeon-related cases.
However, it wasn’t a life-threatening situation; it was just a precautionary check-up.
“I could have gone home that day,” Torako grumbled, but Goto said, “Just to be sure.”
I’ll keep quiet about what he emphasized.
“Torako, is there anything you need?”
“Not really… Oh, but the Potion costs, my salary… that’s a bit of a concern.”
The policy of the workplace is that items used for Labyrinth exploration are to be prepared at one’s own expense.
It used to be a declaration system, but some idiots took advantage of it, using expensive items carelessly, and some even embezzled funds. As a result, anything exceeding the fixed subsidy had to be paid out of pocket.
It’s easy to conceal facts in the Dungeon, so there’s no helping it… Many team members are paying out of their own pockets for expensive Potions and the like.
“…Should I pay for half of your Potions?”
“Eh!? No, it’s okay, you don’t have to go that far.”
“It’s like telling the Self-Defense Forces to prepare half of their equipment at their own expense. I understand why you’re not happy about it.”
“That’s not your fault, Senpai, it’s because of the inadequate legal system. And, well, there’s the public eye.”
I often hear rumors that the Labyrinth Agency is wasting tax money.
Well, it’s also true that the budget is increasing year by year, unfortunately.
“This is troubling,” Goto said, sitting down on a nearby chair and sighing.
“…………”
“…………”
After a moment of silence.
“…Senpai, aren’t you going home? Well, I’m happy you’re here, though.”
“Hmm. Ah.”
Goto shook his burly frame, furrowing his brow.
…Hmm.
I was once again thinking about how clumsy I am.
“I don’t have the words for this kind of situation.”
“?”
“I came to visit you because I was worried, but I wish I could say something more… thoughtful.”
Since starting his career… no, even before starting his career, Goto had been focused solely on academics and work. He didn’t have the words to worry about others in his private life.
I don’t want to become a playboy, but I think a boss should have at least one word of encouragement for his subordinates.
Would management training improve this…?
As Goto furrowed his brow, Torako giggled,
“In that kind of situation, hugging your junior would make them happy, you know?”
“That’s too much.”
“I’m just kidding. Senpai, you take everything so seriously.”
A joke, huh? Seriously.
Well, thinking calmly, hugging a woman, even if she’s a subordinate, would obviously cause problems.
“Excuse me, Senpai, I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”
Torako shook the IV pole and got out of bed.
The plain, thin hospital gown swayed, and I felt an uncharacteristic flutter, but I didn’t show it on my face and remained silent with my arms crossed.
But… I sometimes wonder, does this junior realize her own charm?
The Labyrinth Agency, especially the Public Safety Division we belong to, has many male members.
Among them, there should be many who are attracted to a girl who is working hard alone, even if it’s because of her Skills—but I’ve never heard any of the team members talk about having feelings for Torako.
Everyone just says, “Well, Goto-senpai is…” or “Senpai is…” and trails off.
Hmm, as Goto was unusually considering the subtleties of relationships,
“…!”
Suddenly, a soft arm wrapped around Goto’s back.
His reaction was delayed, and someone—he knew who it was, but that’s why he lost his words.
Because it was a chair with a backrest, their skin didn’t touch directly, but Goto felt a flutter as he touched the soft upper arm unique to women, and he tried to appear calm—he had to appear calm.
“What’s wrong, Torako?”
“I’m sorry, Senpai. For doing this all of a sudden.”
“No. It’s okay.”
Because her arm was trembling, just slightly.
I’m ashamed of my lack of knowledge.
…She’s just a girl. She must have felt fear when she was exposed to danger in the Dungeon.
Goto regrets not being able to protect her.
“I’m sorry, Torako. It’s not that I was careless, but… I couldn’t even imagine that there would be an idiot who would pull the trigger in broad daylight, targeting the Labyrinth Agency. If I had been just one step slower, you would have…”
“Ah, that’s not what I was scared of. I don’t think I would have taken lethal damage even if the Sniper’s shot had pierced my heart.”
The attack power in the Dungeon depends on the Magical Power of the weapon user.
I don’t know the Sniper’s level, but Torako’s current level is 43—she has higher stats than an average A-rank Hunter. Even though she’s a support-type, she’s not so weak that she’d be taken down by a wild scammer group in one hit.
What Torako truly feared was—
“I understand why Senpai suspected Kageichi-san… He’s dangerous.”
Kageichi’s behavior was clearly unnatural.
It’s impossible not to react to the first shot from a Sniper wielding Magical Power, but to notice the second bullet with concealed Magical Power.
…If he’s that skilled, his usual behavior, which seems normal, looks unnatural in reverse.
His ability is A-rank, no, S-rank exceeding level 50.
And yet, he’s working as a B-rank—what if that disguise is the “source”?
What if his “source” is so distorted that he has to disguise himself?
Goto interrupted Torako’s concerns, saying, “I understand what you want to say… But, in principle, we owe him for saving Torako. If you say that’s all part of his plan, then so be it.”
“I know. I just wanted to sort out my feelings… Should we investigate?”
“No. If he can notice a bullet with concealed Magical Power, anyone we send will be noticed.”
If this were reality, it would be impossible for an individual to resist an organization like the country.
But in a world with Dungeons, Goto himself understands that an individual can win against many, and besides—
“There’s research that suggests that beyond S-rank, around level 80, using Skills in the real world becomes more realistic.”
“Eh. Does that mean?”
“Even outside the Dungeon, it can become a Dungeon… It’s still just a rumor, but if the Dungeon’s level increases in the future…”
The world will walk a path of greater chaos.
Well, it’s probably not going to happen right away.
“In any case, if Kageichi-shi is that capable, there’s also the option of offering a cooperative relationship without doing anything unnecessary… It’s better not to stir up a hornet’s nest at this point.”
He’s a mysterious man, but he’s definitely a reliable asset.
I shouldn’t shake hands with such a rare asset while probing with my left hand—it doesn’t suit Goto’s principles.
“Fortunately, I don’t feel any intention from him to harm us. It’s also certain from the fact that he protected Torako. Ideally, we can have a flat relationship within the scope of our duties.”
Well, I don’t know about the future—he hesitated to say what he was about to say.
…I have to become stronger too.
Not just this time. If Torako is ever in danger in front of me in the future, I won’t be able to resist the threat of the Dungeon unless I have the power to repel everything.
Should I retrain? He stared intently at his own upper arm and clenched his fist.
Then,
…He patted Torako’s arm, which was still clinging to his back, and said, “It’s about time.”
“Torako. I’d appreciate it if you could let go now.”
“I don’t want to. I don’t get opportunities like this very often.”
“What’s that?”
“I just want Senpai’s body heat right now.”
“I don’t understand…” Goto said in amazement, and Torako rubbed her forehead against him as if she was in trouble.
Stop it.
I’m certainly your superior, and it’s okay to be spoiled, but…
“A normal guy would misunderstand that. Don’t do that to other bosses.”
“What are you talking about? I wouldn’t let anyone misunderstand except for Senpai.”
“Idiot,” she whispered cutely in his ear.
Goto, while faintly harboring a different emotion from just a senior-junior relationship, shook his head, thinking, “No, no,” when his Smartphone rang.
Goto took it out of his pocket, looked at the screen—and his eyes widened in shock.
“Senpai?”
“…What does this mean? I can’t accept this, hey.”
Torako jumped at the unusually strong anger in his voice and peeked at Goto’s Smartphone.
—Notification of postponement of the forced investigation of the “Gyokuryu Society.”