I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 88

Episode 88

“Wow, is the food ready already? Oh! I need to eat quickly!” 

Saotome-san exclaimed excitedly. But Kirishima-san glared at her with a cold stare. 

“Listen, Senpai. You’re the oldest here, right? At the very least, don’t sit down without washing your hands! It’s fine if you can’t cook, but at least help set the table! Try to set an example for everyone else, please!” 

“I’ll leave that role to you. Do your best!” 

“Y-you little…” 

“Ah! No violence, please! Amakusa-kun, save me!” 

She was like a child. 

Just as this peaceful scene was unfolding, the doorbell rang with a cheerful chime. 

…Could it be Rin? She was supposed to come over today. 

While I asked Yuna and the others to prepare the table, I headed to the front door. As expected, it was her. 

When I opened the door, there stood Rin. She was slightly out of breath. 

“Sorry, am I late?” 

“No, you’re fine. Dinner’s just finished, so your timing is perfect.” 

Her hair was a little disheveled. It suggested she’d rushed to get here. Rin blushed slightly and gave an apologetic smile. 

“I flew over, but it still took longer than I thought.” 

Rin now attended her own school regularly. It seemed she had become more emotionally stable. That alone was a relief for me. 

When she said “flew over,” it likely involved her supernatural abilities. 

“………Superpowers like yours are really convenient.”

If I were to “fly”, it would just mean jumping with my own legs. 

It takes about an hour to get here by train from Rin’s house. But with her abilities, she could apparently make it in around 30 minutes. 

When we returned to the living room, everyone was already gathered. Saotome-san and Kirishima-san sat side by side at the table. While Yuna and Rin sat across from them. 

At a table meant for four people, five of us were squeezed in. A single chair was placed at the head of the table, almost like a seat of honor. And that was where I always sat. It felt a little cramped, but there wasn’t much we could do about it. 

“When everyone is together like this, it’s lively and enjoyable. This is exactly what a hot pot party should be like. Let’s take it slow and have fun today.” 

“Please don’t say that when you didn’t prepare anything, Senpai,” 

Yuna said coldly, giving Saotome-san a sharp look. Saotome-san laughed awkwardly, waving her hand. 

“S-so scary. My juniors are too strict… Don’t you think they could be a little cuter, Amakusa-kun?” 

“I think Kirishima-san is plenty cute. This time, Saotome-san, you’re the one in the wrong.” 

When I said that, Rin muttered something like “C-cute?”, while glancing at me with a sharp glare. Why? I couldn’t understand her reaction. But Saotome-san puffed out her cheeks in mock anger. 

“Everyone around me is so cold… I wish I had a group that spoiled me more.” 

“And that’s exactly why your room is such a mess,” 

Kirishima-san retorted sharply. Her comment made me recall Saotome-san’s room. 

……..…It had turned into a garbage dump within just a few days of her staying here. 

I’m not great at cleaning either. But I’d never let it get to that point. In a way, it was a talent. 

“Honestly, Senpai, you’re always—” 

“Wait, wait! Let’s save the lecture for later, okay? Everyone’s waiting, so let’s enjoy the meal for now!” 

“…Fine. I understand. Let’s eat, then.” 

Kirishima-san sighed lightly. And with that, we all put our hands together and said, “Itadakimasu,” before starting the meal. 

The sukiyaki was filled with plenty of vegetables and beef. 

The pot bubbled gently, filling the room with a warm, delicious aroma. Saotome-san reached her chopsticks toward a piece of tender-looking beef floating in the broth. She picked it up without hesitation, placed it on her plate, and smiled contentedly. 

She then quickly targeted another piece of beef, going for meat after meat after meat. 

The rest of us also took pieces of meat. We dipped them in raw egg before savoring them. 

…Delicious. Hot pot really is the best. 

As soon as Kirishima-san put the prepared meat into the hot pot, she remarked: 

“…Wouldn’t it be better if you ate some vegetables too?” 

She glared at Saotome-san with a sharp, piercing look. Her chopsticks were firmly gripping a piece of napa cabbage. 

“Come on now, I *am* eating vegetables! You know, a great researcher once said that since cows eat vegetables, eating beef is practically the same as eating vegetables.” 

“That doesn’t sound like a researcher at all. Now, eat your vegetables properly!!” 

Kirishima-san forcibly placed the vegetables onto Saotome-san’s plate. It left her shoulders slumped in defeat. 

“Fine, fine… I’ll eat them. Look, see? I’m eating them.” 

With a resigned air, Saotome-san reluctantly picked up a piece of napa cabbage and brought it to her mouth. 

……Honestly, it felt like Saotome-san was the child, and Kirishima-san was the parent. 

As I chuckled at their dynamic, Rin was looking flustered. She began piling vegetables onto her own plate. Up until a moment ago, she’d been taking only meat. Perhaps she thought she’d be scolded too. 

“V-vegetables… are delicious…” 

Rin raised her voice as though to showcase how diligently she was eating her vegetables. However, when she ate a piece of carrot, her expression stiffened—clearly, it wasn’t her favorite.