Episode 143: Dinner with Childhood Friend

In a room within a high-rise building in Tokyo.

Kugamichi Sasae was simmering vegetables in the kitchen of her lavish living space, the pot bubbling gently.

Today was scheduled to be a dinner with her close friend.

"……phew"

Having finished preparing, she took a deep breath.

Just then, a cheerful knock echoed—konkon kohon♪—and Sutami Kouon appeared.

"Hey there, how's it going?"

Kouon was in high spirits. As usual.

"……All good."

"Looks like it's not. You seem kind of down."

"You're the one who's always grinning from ear to ear—*you're* the one who's strange."

Sasahide managed, somehow, to force a smile.

"Is that so? They say a smiling face brings luck, don't they?"

"I get what you mean, but I can't be like you, Kouon."

She's always been like this.

Gentle. Strong. Beautiful.

Always overflowing with a charm that draws people in.

(Compared to her, I'm... )

"Whoa! Awesome! You actually prepared a salad! Fresh vegetables—haven't seen those in ages!"

"...Homegrown. Go ahead and taste it."

"Thanks!"

Their meal together, as childhood friends, began.

"Wow! This tomato is amazing! So juicy! Just a sprinkle of salt and it's perfect—could eat a hundred like this!"

"Fu fu fu... It's fortunate that you're enjoying it so much."

The usual scene.

Hikaru talks, Sasae laughs.

Just that quiet moment.

Their conversation naturally drifted into... the topic of that "Godbeast Tamer."

"...Honestly, I'm amazed. This is the third time I've died already? That guy really doesn't mess around."

"A rival who can really give Hikaru a hard time, huh?"

Sasae gently brought her homemade soup to her lips, murmuring.

"But are you really okay? Isn't the number of times you can revive with *Immortality I* supposed to be limited?"

"Mm, yeah. Just two lives left, that's it."

"That's pretty bad, isn't it?"

"Uh-huh. We're in a real tight spot....Seems like *Immortality* won't be able to level up until the next phase."

"Still, maybe we should get someone to guard you."

"I don't need it. It's pointless now, having new allies—like how Chaoz suddenly joining the fight between Goku and Vegeta."

"...To be honest, that analogy really doesn't make sense to me."

Having grown up playing with boys, Kōon had plenty of experience with this kind of talk.

"Besides, I still don't get why he's targeting me in the first place."

"Um... could it be something personal?"

"Possible."

She used to appear on TV before the end.

She’s used to jealousy from others.

But being attacked this persistently… that’s a bit out of the ordinary.

“Anyway, I’ll handle my own situation. I’ve got a little interest in a certain ‘record’ myself… Anyway, speaking of which,”

Hikone paused, stuffing her mouth full of salad,

“Nyanya hinya hinya nyanya.”

"...What?"

"Nyanya hinya."

"Choose between eating and talking—pick one."

"Fumy."

A brief silence.

The sound of a swallow echoed.

"I'm worried about you."

"...Me?"

"Yukihime... Do you have anything on your mind? Anything bothering you?"

"Not really."

Trying to sound as natural as possible, Yukihime replied.

"I'm doing fine. Either way, I couldn't survive without this place."

Half a lie, half the truth.

Sasaegi is a "person without fangs."

Even now, she hasn't been able to kill a single "zombie."

Once, she even trained in the "Master Dungeon" hoping to change herself. …But in the end, she only realized how deeply she preferred being harmed by others rather than harming them herself.

"…How are things with En-san now?"

"Please stop."

"I think that person probably has a thing for Sasae, you know~"

"Stop it."

"What? Are you blushing?"

"Being a 'Dungeon Master' doesn't mean that kind of relationship."

"Hmmmm..."

光音 narrowed her eyes and smiled faintly.

Suddenly, an unpleasant feeling surged through Sasae's chest like a wave.

The dam within her heart was on the verge of breaking.

"Let's stop talking about this... Out there, there are still so many people suffering. Enjoying a meal like this—really, it's probably arrogant of us."

"Maybe... but if we never loosen our grip on our emotions once in a while, we might just snap, you know?"

"Yeah... Besides, Hikone always pushes herself so hard, doesn't she?"

"Of course she does. After all, I'm the 'Hero,' aren't I?"

The "Hero" possesses superior traits in every aspect compared to other "players."

Therefore, they are vastly stronger than ordinary "players."

When was it...

that she decided to use her power—light sound—for the sake of others?

That was just a short while before the world became this way.

"Still, that old geezer called 'King'—something about him just rubs me the wrong way."

"...Is that so?"

For a split second, it felt as though something deep within had been pierced—my heart leapt up.

"First off, your gaze is totally leering."

"……Hikone's a beauty, so anyone would end up looking at her like that."

"I get that, but still..."

It was characteristic of Hikone not to deny it.

"Definitely someone who was quite the charmer in her younger days."

"……Yeah, maybe."

"Seriously, completely different from En. Those two are, after all, parent and child, right?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"If it's that pair... I still think En's better, honestly. Me."

"...Are you really going to bring that up again?"

"Sure thing. Let's talk about love. I'm starving for it."

"Alright, alright."

Unfortunately...

That's not possible.

This conversation... probably being heard by the 'King'.

At that moment, a soft, steady knocking came from the door.

"Oh? Who could it be?"

Relieved that the conversation had naturally come to a pause, Sasaedi welcomed the visitor.

Standing at the door was Ayukawa Haruna, wearing only a nightgown and a coat.

"Hi there~... Wait, hold on. You're the 'Hero,' aren't you? Did I interrupt something?"

"No, it's fine... What is it?"

"I'm a messenger~♪"

She quickly handed over a single note.

"Thank you."

"And also... Ena was asking for you. She said, 'If you're free later, would you like to have tea?'~♪"

"……Yeah. I'll think about it."

She casually glanced at the note handed to her, then quietly tore it up and threw it away.

"……………………………………"

"What's wrong?"

"It's work-related. Nothing serious. Just let a few vegetables wilt a bit."

"Oh, really?"

Hikone didn't seem particularly concerned.

I'm getting good at pretending, even to myself.

My headache's really bad.

I feel nauseous.

This feeling... I really can't help it, no matter what.

Even though I know deep down it's something I can't do anything about.

In Sasaeda's mind, the message handed to her by Shunna moments ago kept cycling through her thoughts.

"Regarding the Kamata Tadayoshi case. — Processed."

Just those words, over and over, again and again.