Chapter 68: Once We Became an A-Rank Party
“Hey, Kouichi! Look at this!”
Still half-asleep, I came downstairs, and Mom showed me a newspaper.
It was the “Tochinoha Newspaper,” Tochigi Prefecture’s local paper.
“Look, look! Right here, right here!”
“Making such a fuss in the morning…”
Urged on by Mom, I looked at the paper.
On the front page, there was an article like this:
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This Prefecture’s First A-Rank Party Born
Four Members from Sano City
The Dungeon Management Bureau announced on the 29th that a new A-Rank Party has been registered. The members are Natsume Kouichi-san, Omogawa Tamaki-san, Miyanohara Manami-san, and Sasarabashi Shiho-san, all four of whom are from Sano City in this prefecture. The representative, Natsume-san, stated, “As four close friends, we want to enjoy exploring together and aim to become Japan’s number one Explorer team.” Furthermore, the prefecture is considering awarding a Governor’s Commendation for this remarkable achievement.
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“Whoa…!”
This was from the interview we did the other day, before the official government announcement.
There’s even a picture of the four of us from 《Team Secret Base》.
And it’s a front-page article, no less.
I knew we were a hot topic on internet forums and such, but to be featured so prominently in a physical newspaper…
It’s quite moving.
…Huh.
“Uuu, sob, sob…”
“Mom?”
When I noticed, Mom was crying.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Kouichi… It’s just, I’m so happy that you’ve become so successful…”
“You said that the day I passed the promotion exam.”
“But seeing it in the newspaper, it feels different, more real… We don’t really look at the internet much… I’m so glad you’ve become so accomplished, Kouichi… sob, sob…”
“Mom…”
“And on top of that, a Governor’s Commendation… A Governor’s Commendation, you know, that’s something Olympic athletes and the like receive. To think that you, Kouichi, would be recognized by the prefecture like this…”
“Is that so…”
I had no idea.
I thought receiving an award would just be a hassle, but if Mom feels this strongly about it, maybe it’s better to just accept it gracefully.
“I’m going to the convenience store now to buy up all their copies of the newspaper. I have to hand them out to our acquaintances. Kouichi, you watch the house for a bit.”
“Huh? Please don’t… That’s honestly embarrassing.”
“I’ll be back in 20 minutes!”
“H-Hey!”
Mom, muttering something like, “It’ll be terrible if they sell out!” drove off to the nearby convenience store in her kei car.
“…Hmm.”
What a commotion.
Honestly, I hadn’t fully grasped what it meant to become an A-Rank Party.
So we’re treated on the same level as Olympic athletes, huh.
Curious, I checked an internet forum on my smartphone, and there were various threads related to me, even outside the Explorer boards.
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People who want to marry Explorer Natsume-kyun, gather ’round!
1: Anonymous
(*´▽`)ﾉ Hiii!♪
2: Anonymous
(*´▽`)ﾉ Hiii!♪
3: Anonymous
(*´▽`)ﾉ Hiii!♪
4: Anonymous
I wanna make hamburg steak for Ko-kyun.
He looks like he’d eat it deliciously (´ω`)
5: Anonymous
You can explore me too (´艸`)
6: Anonymous
(*´▽`)ﾉ Hiii!♪
When’s his birthday? I wanna send him a present!
7: Anonymous
Is it still not too late?
I’m throwing my hat in the ring! (〃∇〃)
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Thread to discuss Team Secret Base’s impact on the economy
29: Nameless Trader
If they can use Spatial Transfer, they probably don’t need to worry about supplies.
If they can explore the deep levels, they’ll likely be able to mine high-purity magic stones. They might even be able to export energy, let alone achieve energy self-sufficiency.
30: Nameless Trader
So, trading company stocks, or shipping line stocks?
31: Nameless Trader
Isn’t it just Dungeon Flags Stocks?
Judging by his clothes during the stream, Natsume-kun seems to be a loyal customer.
32: Nameless Trader
DunFla is already up.
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Just a thread about catching bugs with Ko-chan
1: Nanashi-san
(´∀｀)ﾉж Kabutomushi (Rhino Beetle)
2: Nanashi-san
(´∀｀)ﾉж Kanabun (Drone Beetle)
3: Nanashi-san
(´∀｀)ﾉж Agehachou (Swallowtail Butterfly)
4: Nanashi-san
(´∀｀)ﾉ≡ж It got away!
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“Hmm…”
Honestly, I’ve never experienced being the center of so much attention from everyone.
When I bought a car before, the store manager knew who I was, but that was just a local thing.
I wonder if I’m known nationwide now, regardless of the Explorer industry…
Thinking about it makes me feel a bit awkward.
And also…
“A thread for people who want to marry me, huh… Is it a joke…? Or are they after an Explorer’s income…”
There’s probably the money aspect, but does this mean I’m not that undesirable a partner?
I’ve had zero experience with being popular and have always been timid, so I don’t really get the feeling.
But…
“…I guess it’s okay to be confident, huh.”
I’m also reaching a level where I can be called top-tier.
There’s no need to think of myself as useless more than necessary, or to be self-deprecating.
Thinking that, my mood brightens.
It feels like I can start my life anew from here.
“…Hah.”
A smile escapes my lips.
“When Mom gets back, I guess I’ll go to the Private Dungeon.”
I can still advance.
I can keep moving forward, more and more.
That feeling made me happy.
Besides, the day after tomorrow, I’ll get to see all my childhood friends again.
Everyone I love.
Whether that “love” is friendship or romance, I haven’t been able to figure it out no matter how much I’ve thought about it these past few days.
As I spend time with everyone, I want to slowly realize my own feelings.
While working as an Explorer, I want to rebuild myself.
It’s okay for me to cherish myself.
That’s how I was feeling.