Ordinary Person × Modern Dungeon × Summer Vacation Life = Rise to Success!? 〜A Private Dungeon Was Made at the Remains of a Secret Base From Childhood〜 - Episode 19: Childhood Friend and a Fancy Restaurant

Episode 19: Childhood Friend and a Fancy Restaurant

“Yo, Kou-chan.”

When I opened the front door, there was Otama-chan. She had already changed.

Under her coat, she was wearing a gray, elegant one-piece dress.

“You’re dressed up.”

“Ehehe, I heard I’d be taken to a nice place. Had to put in some effort.”

“You’re not wearing a swimsuit underneath, right?”

“It’s fine, I’m wearing some really effort-put-in underwear… Wait! Idiot! What are you making me say!”

“Haha… you’re really in the mood.”

“Uu~…”

Otama-chan turned slightly red and looked down.

—After playing a ton in the private dungeon, we went back to our homes and got ready.

It’s now 5:30 in the evening. The sky was a gradient of orange and navy blue.

In the house’s yard, Otama-chan’s red compact car was parked.

“Sorry for the trouble. Getting you to drive.”

“No, not at all. You’re treating me, after all. Come on, get in.”

When I got in the passenger seat, there was a faint scent of mint.

The engine started, and an old popular song played from the speakers.

“You didn’t set the GPS. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Just head toward Eayon for now.”

“Roge~r.”

In the end, I made a reservation at the French restaurant Étoile Bleue. It was recommended by Yamada-san from the Explorer Association.

I chose the 6,600 yen per person course meal.

“It’s pretty expensive, right? Are you sure it’s okay?”

“You helped me get the magic stones too, Otama-chan. It’s not much.”

“Even though I was just playing around with my [Water User] skill……… Still, I’m happy. Dinner with you, Kou-chan.”

The car went down the mountain road and onto the prefectural road.

“I wonder if I should buy a car too.”

“If you’re working as an explorer in the countryside, a car’s a must. Trains aren’t exactly suited for carrying monster materials.”

“That’s true…”

Thinking I’d buy an SUV when I got the 5 million yen from the Association, I watched the city lights pass by behind us.

By the time we reached the town, it was already completely dark.

☆★☆

“Well then, to our reunion—cheers!”

“Cheers.”

We both lightly raised our glasses and took a sip.

I decided to drive on the way back. So, Otama-chan had red wine, and I had ginger ale.

“Haah, I feel like it’s delicious!”

“It *is* delicious.”

Even the ginger ale tasted different from the vending machine kind.

After a while, a long plate was brought over.

“Here’s the appetizer: two kinds of asparagus, today’s quiche, and pâté de campagne.”

Otama-chan said “Itadakimasu” and picked up her knife and fork.

“What is this? I don’t get it, but it’s tasty!”

Otama-chan smiled as she brought the food to her mouth.

“That’s good to hear.”

Seeing her eat happily makes it worth the treat.

I wasn’t familiar with the food either. So just like Otama-chan, all I could say was that it tasted good.

“So hey,”

Otama-chan said, cheeks slightly red—maybe because of the alcohol.

“When you get your regular license, what’s the first thing you’ll do? Got anything you want to try?”

“Hmm…”

I thought for a moment and said,

“To be honest, I haven’t really decided. Becoming an explorer was kind of my reset-in-life goal. I figured I’d start exploring the Ōta Dungeon bit by bit.”

“I see. That’s good…”

“Hm?”

Otama-chan looked a bit relieved.

“Then, wanna form a party with me? I bet it’ll be fun.”

“Eh…? What about your job at the Association?”

“I’ll keep doing that. But I was thinking, maybe we could explore together on days off…”

“I thought you were already in a party with Yamada-san from the Association.”

“Nope. It’s more like a work tag-team thing… We’ve never gone exploring on our days off. And even when I asked, she wouldn’t take me.”

“I see. Where did you want to go?”

“—Shinjuku Dungeon. I want to go to the 20th floor, also known as Dungeon-John.”

“That’s where Danpen-kun is, right?”

I’ve heard the 20th floor of the Shinjuku Dungeon is structured like a discount store. And if you beat the boss, you can shop there.

“Shinjuku is really high-difficulty. But I still want to try it once. Being an explorer, there’s this idea that if you can shop at Donki (Dungeon-John), you’re first-rate, you know?”

“First I’ve heard of that…”

“Online, it’s like that! Someday, I want to try too. I heard the recommended level is 30, so it’s pretty hard though.”

“I see… So Otama-chan has a dream too…”

A first-rate explorer recognized by all, huh.

That’s something I’m aiming for too.

“Alright. If I pass the exam safely, let’s form a party. Someday, we’ll go to the 20th floor of the Shinjuku Dungeon.”

“Really!? This isn’t some hidden camera prank, right?”

“Why would I set something like that up… I’m serious.”

“Yaaay!! I’m so happy!!”

*Clatter!*

“H-Hey…”

Otama-chan shouted loudly, and all the eyes in the restaurant turned to us.

“Ah… Sorry, sorry!”

Otama-chan bowed her head in all directions.

“So embarrassing…”

“B-But… Uu…”

Otama-chan downed her wine in one go.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“When you’re this happy, you *have* to drink! Alright, one more please!”

“…Well, whatever.”

I ordered another round of drinks for both of us.

After a while, the main meat dish—roasted duck—arrived.

“What is this, I don’t get it, but the meat flavor is super strong!! So good!!”

“…I can only say the same thing.”

If I could be more in tune with Tokyo culture like Yamada-san from the Association, maybe I’d have cooler things to say.

Still, Tokyo, huh…

“I wonder what the rest of the secret base crew is doing now?”

“…I don’t really know. I haven’t been in touch with Shi-chan since she moved to Tokyo. And I wonder what Manamin is up to……..”

“Yeah…”

Just like I reunited with Otama-chan, maybe I’ll see everyone again someday too.

Maybe they’re all involved in the explorer world too, and we’ll run into each other.

While I was thinking that—

“Kou-chan…”

Otama-chan had finished her second glass of wine and was looking at me with dazed eyes.

“I’m right here… Am I not good enough?”

“Ah, uh…”

“I’ve always, always, Kou-chan…”

“…Hm?”

“Being in a party together is the same as getting married, you know?”

“…You’re pretty drunk.”

She’s probably not a strong drinker.

“I’m not drrruuunk~!”

Then, the final dessert plate was brought out.

“Loo~~k, looks delicious. Strawberries~~!”

“That’s raspberry…”

“Rly? So sour~!”

“You’re being so random…”

—After that, I safely drove Otama-chan home.

On the way, she mumbled something like “I came prepared, so tonight I’m still okay~.” But no matter how you looked at it, she wasn’t okay.

I parked at her house and walked home myself.

“Forming a two-person explorer party, huh…”

The thought of a new future made me feel excited.

—Tonight, the stars in the sky were shining beautifully.