I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 66

Episode 66 

“But I think this kind of relationship is wrong.” 

“…Yeah.” 

“Even if you don’t know how it will turn out, I think it’s better to talk it through and make things clear. At the very least, if I’m speaking honestly… I don’t want to see this current relationship where it feels like Rin is being taken advantage of.” 

“…Yeah, you’re right.” 

Rin’s voice was flat and lacked energy. 

……..The fact that Rin is overexerting herself might partly be due to things like online comments. But the biggest reason might be that she has no one to stand by her. 

In my case… I had Mom and people like Miyoshi-san, the local explorer. They helped me get through it somehow. But Rin is facing everything completely alone. 

…I can’t just leave her in this state. 

I’d be too worried to let her stay on her own. 

“How about… you come stay at my place for a while?” 

At my suggestion, Rin looked at me in surprise. 

“Huh?” 

“Being alone is tough, right? Have you been going to school properly this year?” 

“…Y-Yeah. I was in dungeons sometimes. But technically, I haven’t taken any days off.” 

“Then maybe it’s okay to take a break for a few days? If staying at my place doesn’t appeal to you, I could ask someone local to lend you a room.” 

That would leave her alone, but at least she’d be in a situation where I could visit her easily. 

“…You don’t have to go that far…” 

“Well, if you stayed over, Yuna would be happy too. What do you think? Want to come for a change of pace?” 

“…….Would she really be happy?” 

“Yeah, she would.” 

Rin lowered her gaze, biting her lip. But she eventually gave a small nod. 

“…Then, just for a little while.” 

“Alright, it’s decided. Should we take a taxi home? Or run?” 

“…Running would be faster.” 

“Right? Alright, let’s go.” 

Rin and I are different from the average explorer. With our decision made, I headed home with Rin. 

—

We returned to my house. 

Noticing my arrival, Mom saw Rin standing next to me and……. her eyes widened in surprise. 

“I’m back, Mom. This is—” 

“Haruto brought his girlfriend home!” 

“Hey, that’s not it!” 

…Of course, that’s the first thing she reacts to! 

Mom exclaimed in shock. She ran into the living room while still misunderstanding the situation. Soon, my stepdad showed up as well. 

Both of them gave me warm, amused looks. 

“A girl? For real? Oh, Haruto-kun, you’ve got game!” 

“Don’t make such a big deal out of it… She’s—” 

“So, she *is* your girlfriend!” 

“No, she isn’t! This is Rin Kanzaki. She’s… well, I’m not an S-rank anymore, but… she’s an S-Rank Explorer. With some complicated circumstances, I thought I could shelter her at our place.” 

“Shelter?” 

“I’ll explain in detail later. Rin, do you want to take a shower?” 

“Y-Yeah… uh, um…” 

As Rin floundered, I heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Turning to look… 

“Rin, this way.” 

Yuna descended the stairs with a smile. She called out to Rin. 

A lifesaver. If I had left things to Mom and Dad, it could have gotten messy. It was a huge relief to have someone who knew the situation step in. 

Rin looked at Yuna, a little uncertain. But she then bowed slightly. 

“Y-Yuna…! T-Thank you… f-for having me.” 

“Yeah, take it easy!” 

Mom waved cheerfully as Yuna led Rin away. 

“I prepared some clothes for you, but… will they fit?” 

Yuna must have gotten my message before we arrived and made some preparations. 

“…I’m not sure…” 

….…Yeah, the chest area might be tight. 

I mentally voiced my concern, and Yuna gave me a sharp glare. 

Probably just my imagination. 

Leaving Rin to Yuna, I guided Mom and my stepdad to the living room. 

Since they still seemed to be under the impression that Rin was my girlfriend, I needed to set the record straight. 

A little while later, Yuna returned after seeing Rin off. 

“Haruto, why did you bring Rin here?” 

“That’s one of the things I wanted to talk about. I have something to discuss with everyone… a family meeting, I guess.” 

“Does that mean I’m going to be a grandmother?” 

“And I’ll be… a grandfather?” 

“Stop it! Both of you, quit joking around!” 

We’ll never get anywhere like this! 

These two are always like this. 

It seemed like the two of them were on the same wavelength. Seeing this, Yuna let out a small sigh. She was smiling wryly. 

“So? What’s the reason behind all this?” 

I was really grateful Yuna was here. 

“Well, you see—” 

I began explaining the various issues Rin was dealing with: the online harassment she’d been facing, her family’s financial troubles, and more. 

“—That’s why I was worried about leaving her alone… So I brought her here.” 

“……..” 

As they listened intently, my stepdad and Mom’s expressions grew a bit tense. They looked at me with concern. 

“About this whole explorer thing……. Well, I don’t know much about it, but… Rin-chan’s parents—are they seriously saying those things?” 

“…Huh? Oh, uh… y-yeah, they’re serious.” 

……Mom looked scary. 

She was usually mild-mannered, but now she had a rare stern look on her face. 

Even my stepdad, who seemed a little upset too, appeared surprised at Mom’s reaction. 

Realizing this, Mom let out a breath as if to release her anger. 

“…I’ve seen how hard it’s been for you, Haruto. I know how difficult this line of work can be. That’s why I’ve always felt that the recognition and rewards you earn should be used for you. So, to hear about something like this… it’s a bit much.” 

I appreciated Mom’s thoughtfulness. Though personally, I didn’t mind if they used more of my money for themselves. Of course, if they squandered it recklessly like Rin’s family, that’d be a different story. 

“…Anyway, that’s why I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone. Would it be alright if she stayed here for a while?” 

“I’m fine with it. What about everyone else?” 

“I’m okay with it.”

“Of course, I’m fine with it too.”

…Thank goodness. 

As everyone kindly agreed, I felt relieved. Just then, Rin returned to the living room. 

“Ahh… That felt refreshing. Thank you.” 

Her hair was still damp and steaming slightly. It reflected the light softly, making her silver strands shimmer. 

The clothes she was wearing were the ones Yuna had prepared earlier………..… but wait, I recognize that hoodie. 

Rin looked at Yuna with a slightly concerned expression. 

“Yuna, there were two sets of clothes… I went with this one. Was that okay?” 

“Yeah, it’s fine. Mine wouldn’t have fit you anyway, right?” 

“…This isn’t Yuna’s?” 

“Nope, it’s Haruto’s.” 

I knew it. 

“H-Haruto’s!?” 

Rin froze on the spot. She was gripping the sleeves of the hoodie as she looked down at it in disbelief.