I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 20

Episode 20

“Wow, you’re really energetic. I heard you’re an explorer. That’s amazing. I’m terrible at anything involving conflict, so I really admire you.” 

W-What? Starting with that right away? 

I felt my cheek twitch slightly but quickly realized he wasn’t being sarcastic. His expression showed genuine admiration. 

“Well, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Don’t worry, I’ll handle anything that threatens the three of you.” 

“That’s reassuring to hear. Yuna, go ahead and introduce yourself.” 

“…Okay.” 

At Takashi-san’s prompting, Yuna turned her gaze toward me and smiled brightly. 

She tilted her head slightly, her long brown hair swaying, and greeted us cheerfully. 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yuna Harukaze. Please take care of me.” 

“Nice to meet you too, Yuna-chan.” 

“Yes, please take care of me, Misaki-san, Haruto-san.” 

Yuna bowed politely, her behavior poised and refined. Takashi-san hesitated briefly before speaking. 

“We’re going to be family from now on, so there’s no need to be so formal, don’t you think?” 

“…Is that so?” 

Yuna cast a tentative glance at my mom, who responded with a soft, warm smile, clearly happy. 

“I’m fine with it, and Haruto won’t mind either.” 

“…Yeah, I’m pretty relaxed myself.” 

As I dialed back my polished exterior, Yuna gave a small, wry smile. She finally loosened up a bit. 

“Alright. I’m not great at being stiff and formal anyway.” 

Though her tone hadn’t changed much, the atmosphere around her clearly softened. 

Mom and Takashi-san both looked noticeably relieved—probably because they’d been worried about whether Yuna and I would get along. 

We continued chatting casually while placing our orders. 

By the way, Mom and Takashi-san seem really close. They’ve been laughing and talking nonstop. 

Seeing that, I felt reassured. Mom had found someone like that—a good person. I could honestly feel happy for her. 

This way, even if something happens to me, Mom won’t be left alone. 

I noticed her glass was empty as I finished my cola and stood up. 

“Mom, need me to get you anything?” 

“Could you grab me some orange juice?” 

“Sure.” 

“Oh, Dad, do you want anything?” 

Yuna had just finished her drink. She asked Takashi-san the same question. Should I wait for her, or go now? 

As I hesitated, Yuna stood up. 

“Let’s go together.” 

Carrying two glasses, she tilted her head slightly toward me. 

Man, she’s cute. If she weren’t my stepsister, I might’ve fallen for her. 

……Good call waiting, apparently. 

“Alright, let’s go.” 

We walked side by side toward the drink bar. 

Since it was lunchtime on a weekend, the place was crowded. There was a bit of a wait to pour drinks. 

As I was idly observing the crowd, Yuna spoke. 

“I’ve got something to talk about.” 

Her voice had shifted—a step lower, more serious. 

Her expression remained the same, but her tone carried a prickly, distant edge. 

I knew that tone well. 

I could already guess what was coming next. 

“Yeah, what’s up?” 

Still, I smiled, hoping I was wrong. 

But Yuna’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. 

“My dad doesn’t watch much TV or check the internet, so he doesn’t know… but I know all about you.” 

“…..All about me, huh?” 

Her words and expression were utterly accusatory. 

*An S-Rank Explorer who doesn’t do anything.* 

Her eyes seemed to say exactly that. 

She’s got me. That’s what I am. Yup, definitely disliked. Sorry, Mom. 

“Right… so, you know all about me.”

“Honestly, I hate people like you. You’ve got talent, but you don’t use it. An S-Rank Explorer who wastes his potential… I’m embarrassed and disgusted to have someone like you as family.” 

Her voice was cold, cutting, and merciless. 

But I was used to it. This kind of criticism, the harsh judgment of the world, was nothing new to me. 

So, I forced myself to smile, suppressing the sting in my chest. 

“Yeah, I get why you’d think that.” 

“But, I’m not going to get in the way of my dad’s remarriage. He’s been through a lot…..… and seeing him happy now, I wouldn’t ruin that for anything.” 

What a kindhearted girl.  

I nodded firmly, as her sentiment mirrored my own.  

“…I feel the same. Mom’s been through a lot over the years.”  

“…But isn’t part of that *your* fault? I can imagine how much she must’ve endured because of youhe things people probably said about her.”  

Yuna’s words were laced with pure disgust, her tone unmistakably sincere in its loathing. 

Yeah, that tracks.  

“Well… you’re not wrong.”  

“I’ll never accept you. And just so we’re clear, don’t try anything weird just because I’m super cute! If you do, I’ll expose you online for the world to see!”  

“You really just called yourself cute?”  

“Because I *am* cute!”  

“…Okay, okay, I get it. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything. You’re my stepsister, after all.”  

Mom, turns out teenage girls really care about stuff like this!  

“…And I hate that whole ‘stepsister’ thing too. I was born just one day later than you, you know.”  

(Note: The term used: 義妹 (ぎまい) explicitly refers to a “younger stepsister” in Japanese.) 

She glared daggers at me. My birthday is August 16th, and hers is August 17th.  

It seemed like this fact particularly irked her. Her indignation was almost funny, and I had to suppress a chuckle.  

“Well, there’s not much I can do about that. …Anyway, let’s try to get along from now on.”  

“Yeah, sure. Let’s.”  

I said it casually, and she responded with a forced smile. It was as if she was deliberately dispelling the tense atmosphere.  

Her demeanor suggested she would keep this surface-level friendliness. But her deeper feelings wouldn’t budge.  

And I got it.  

Her dislike of me was understandable. It was just like how the public’s opinion of me didn’t change easily.  

Family relationships wouldn’t transform overnight either.  

All I could do was to accept it.