When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 45

“The people with you are members of Okita’s party, right?”

Just as the whole ‘let’s be friends’ phase had finally settled down, the Demon God started checking out my companions.

“Yeah, that’s right. Why?”

I wondered if he wasn’t interested in analyzing me anymore, but honestly, I didn’t care enough to ask.

“I was thinking of joining too.”

“That’s way too much firepower!”

Humans, humans, humans, a Blade Spirit, and now a Demon God… What kind of broken party is this?

“But if we’re going to play together, let’s dive deep into the dungeon.”

Even at full strength, I’d barely be able to hold my own against a half-serious Demon God. There’s no way Haruka and the others could keep up.

If we were going monster hunting, it would have to be just the two of us.

Also, aren’t you technically on the monster side?

“I don’t mind, but my party members wouldn’t be able to keep up.”

“Are these all of them?”

“Yeah.”

“What about that girl over there? The one who looks like you?”

“Someone who looks like me?”

: I don’t see the resemblance.
: Not even close.
: They’re different genders for starters.
: That doesn’t really matter, but yeah, I don’t see it.
: Okita-kun has a cute face, but Natsuki-san is more of a cool beauty.
: Agreed.

I don’t see the resemblance either.

But why does Yokota-san look so flustered?

“You’re using magic to change your appearance, aren’t you?”

“Ugh…”

“Huh?”

Just as I tilted my head in confusion, the Demon God dropped a bombshell.

Yokota-san froze.

Disguise?

Why?

“What’s going on here?”

“Wait, Okita didn’t know? Are you keeping it a secret from him? Oh… sorry. Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Was it supposed to be a secret?”

: Fufufu… If the secret’s out, so be it…
: Who the hell are you?
: Wait, is this someone Okita knows?
: Could it be… Akane-san?
: No way, right?
: That would be shocking, but if she was casually talking to Okita like that, she’d have to be a psychopath.
: Maybe Ranketsu-san…?
: That would actually be kind of awesome.
: But she’s… dead, right?

“I’m sorry, Okita-san… No, Ko-chan.”

“Huh?”

: Huh?
**: Huh?
: Who?

I had been completely convinced that this was Yokota Natsuki.

I had never doubted it.

Sure, I hadn’t known much about her before we teamed up, but still…

Yet, when the magic disguise was lifted, I found myself staring at a familiar face.

“…Sakuya-chan? …What?”

Wait.

Was that why she barely talked?

So she wouldn’t get caught?

: Wait, is this an ex-girlfriend situation…?
**: Haruka’s expression is terrifying right now…
**: Is this a love triangle?!
: There’s no way, right?

“No! She’s not my girlfriend or my ex! She’s my cousin!”

“Hehe, guess I’ve been found out~ ♡”

: Ehhhhhhhhh?!
**: Oh, she’s his cousin…
**: Wait, isn’t cousin marriage legal?
**: She’s beautiful…
: But why was she hiding her identity?

I have no idea.

But there was no doubt—she was my cousin, Kamiya Sakuya.

We hadn’t seen each other in a while, but she still had her signature straight black hair, deep black eyes, and traditional Japanese doll-like beauty.

And as you might have guessed, she’s the daughter of Professor Kamiya, the newly appointed president of the Japan Dungeon Association.

“Seriously? You’ve been backing me up all this time?”

“Backing you up… and watching you.”

“…What?”

: Why, though?
: I mean, Okita’s way too strong, so maybe that’s why?
**: Yeah, dude does crazy stuff all the time.
**: She probably thought he’d get scouted by a foreign group or something.

“You never know what you’re going to do.”

“Did you really have to go as far as disguising yourself?”

“It’s a hobby.”

“…What?”

: LOL, hobby?!
*: A cousin who disguises herself for fun and follows you to the 100th floor… I approve.
: Sakuya-san seems cool, but bro, you are not.
**: Damn.
**: The fact that Okita didn’t notice until now is impressive.
**: Probably because she was using magic.

“I mean, it’s cool, right? Like a mysterious woman in the shadows.”

“…I guess?”

: She’s kinda weird, huh?
: Definitely weird.
**: Yep, weird confirmed.

“Hey, be nice. I did save Haruka, remember?”

“If she hadn’t shielded me from that berserk dragon’s blast, I would have died.”

**: Oh, right… that happened…
**: Yeah, the other two got eaten…
**: Ew.

“…I see. Thanks.”

“No, no, no! Say it properly—‘Thank you, dear cousin!’ Now, repeat after me!”

“Thank you, dear cousin~ ♡”

“Kyaa~!”

: What are we even watching right now?
**: Cousin flirting?!
**: Well, aren’t they close… (angry glare)
**: That’s not anger, that’s jealousy.
**: Damn you, Kamiya Sakuya!
**: Wait, wasn’t Yokota-san famous for not talking?
**: Yeah, turns out she just couldn’t talk because of the disguise.

“I don’t really get what’s going on, but… it’s lively. That’s nice.”

And just like that, the Demon God officially joined Okita’s party.

“Let’s see… Okita, Okita’s woman, Okita’s cousin, Okita’s pet…”

The Demon God pointed at each of us in turn.

Effie visibly trembled at the word “pet” but was too intimidated to object.

Haruka blushed bright red at being called “Okita’s woman”—wait, she’s actually okay with that?!

Sakuya, of course, was just smiling happily.

“Then, I guess… I’ll be Okita’s mistress?”

“WHY?!”

In the blink of an eye, the Demon God changed form.