Somehow, everyone is being oddly kind.

Maybe it’s because I tried my best against Rokuhara.

Tracing it back, this whole thing was technically my fault, so it does feel a bit like self-inflicted trouble. …No, wait, the real culprit is the stream! If that guy hadn’t streamed, none of this would have happened!

Next time I see them, I’m going to beat them to a pulp.

“Well then, since everyone is safe, today marks another fun day of school life.”

In the student council room, Miroku-senpai clapped her hands once and smiled as she spoke.

I glanced at the phone, wondering if she was done with phone duty, only to see that the cord had been unplugged. …Sorry for the trouble.

“I feel like I’ve done a lot of work today already… but thinking back, I haven’t actually done anything. In the end, we still couldn’t find Demonsgear.”

Mizuhi-senpai muttered in dissatisfaction as she polished her Dive Gear.

Honestly, if we had found it, that would’ve been an instant BAD END, so I really don’t want to find it. In that sense, dealing with Rokuhara is actually preferable.

“Speaking of which, Kei-kun apparently wants to register for dungeon rescue.”

“What? Is that true?”

Maybe it was a coincidence, or perhaps Miroku-senpai sensed that if things stayed like this, we’d end up back at that experimental facility again. Either way, she informed Mizuhi-senpai.

Oh, right.

Originally, I was planning to join as a new way to earn money.

“Yeah, that’s right. I’ve gotten pretty good at moving my body in beginner-level dungeons, so I figured it’d be nice if I could join you all this time.”

“I see. Then let’s go right away.”

“Huh?”

Wait, I haven’t even had breakfast yet.

Mizuhi-senpai must have noticed my reluctant gaze, because she stood up and confidently nodded.

“Don’t worry. I packed breakfast in this container. We’ll eat on the way.”

“…Is it bean sprouts again?”

“Of course.”

How do you even fight every day on that diet?

---

At the heart of Academy City Hinotsuchi.

In the very center stood a massive tower shaped like a DNA helix.

Commonly known as 『Arianrhod』.

This place housed the headquarters of the Apis Council, the organization that governed the entire academy.

The dungeon rescue system had been conceived and operated by the Apis Council up to this day.

“So this is Arianrhod…”

“Not exactly. Arianrhod refers to everything above the tenth floor of this building.”

As I looked around curiously, Mizuhi-senpai explained.

“Just being able to step into Arianrhod is proof that the Apis Council acknowledges you.”

“Huh.”

I didn’t know that.

That was never mentioned anywhere.

Actually, now that I think about it, didn’t Touraku-kun get into Arianrhod pretty early on? That guy really is something else.

“Let’s get your registration done quickly. Rescue requests are constantly popping up everywhere.”

“Oh, right.”

Following Mizuhi-senpai’s lead, I stood in front of the machine.

It looked just like a movie theater ticket machine.

The operation was pretty simple. Actually, since losing your Dive Gear was practically a death sentence in terms of personal information, just connecting to it took care of most of the process. Futuristic tech!

By the way, smartphones do exist, but explorers generally don’t carry fragile things that would obviously get wrecked in battle. Then again, what happens when a mobile game’s stamina overflows?

“With this, rescue requests will now be sent to Kei’s Dive Gear. You’ll see specific coordinates and the students currently inside the dungeon.”

Following her instructions, I operated my Dive Gear.

Sure enough, a new icon had appeared.

Upon launching it, a map of the academy city popped up, covered in red circles indicating rescue requests, each labeled with a student’s name and school emblem.

Whoa.

Honestly, the fact that my Dive Gear could project this transparent panel like a tablet was already mind-blowing, but in this world, it seemed like a normal technology.

“Well then, let’s go. It’ll be faster to explain on-site.”

“Got it.”

Mizuhi-senpai compared the various rescue requests and selected one that seemed suitable for both of us before starting to walk.

I took a step forward to follow her when—

“—Kei-kun?”

A familiar voice called out from behind.

T-This protagonist-like voice…!

I instinctively turned around.

Standing there was a young man with black hair and black eyes—the perfect model of a protagonist.

“Gatou Touraku…!”

Oh crap, it’s the real deal! The real one! Should I ask for a handshake?!

Would he sign my Dive Gear or something?!

Also, he’s tall.

Wasn’t he 180 cm? And he’s only a first-year high school student?!

And yet, someone had the guts to bully a guy taller than them? That’s not just brave—it’s outright insane.

That’s like bullying a lion in the savanna.

“—K-Kei-kun, can you hear me?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah.”

Crap, it looks like Touraku-kun was saying something, but I wasn’t listening.

Sorry. But hey, I’m just the designated loser♂, so being rude like this is only natural, right?

I can totally tell that I’m getting way too excited!

If a little kid were to meet a real hero instead of just watching a hero show, they’d probably act just like this.

That’s how much of a fan I was of Touraku-kun.

I really wanted to shake his hand somehow!

“Kei-kun, I heard you suddenly transferred to another school. So… I thought maybe I went too far in that duel.”

What a good kid~!

Even towards someone he used to bully, he’s still this considerate.

What a big-hearted man.

This is something only I, who knows the original story, can understand, but Touraku-kun felt deeply indebted to Narou Kei, the one who invited him to join a party when he had no one else to team up with.

Even when they were trapped in a dungeon together, he never once said anything bad about Narou Kei.

Well, in his case, it’s also because his home situation left his self-esteem and sense of self-worth in shambles, making him prone to self-blame.

Even so, he was still a good kid.

And now, I was being forced to interact with him as Narou Kei.

If I suddenly changed my attitude, that would be weird in its own way.

I’ll just play the loser role to the end—yelp, whimper!

“Hmph, as if you were the reason, you third-rate hack! I left Mikage Academy of my own free will!”

“But, still—”

“You’re persistent. And what’s with that look? You’re gazing at me like you pity me. Since when did you become so high and mighty?”

“Ugh… S-Sorry.”

No, I should be the one apologizing…

“I don’t have time to waste talking to you here.”

This scene didn’t even exist in the original story, so I shouldn’t talk too much.

Rokuhara-san’s behavior has already changed, so interfering with the original plot any further is dangerous.

Just then, someone suddenly jumped in between me and Touraku-kun.

A familiar half-up twin-tail of light blue hair swayed.

It was none other than Touraku-kun’s main heroine.

“What’s with your attitude towards Touraku!?”

“Futaba Mihaya…”

I was moved to tears.

Not only did I meet the protagonist, but now I got to meet the main heroine too.

Because I rushed through the transfer process right after possessing this body, I hadn’t interacted with any of the original characters.

This was our first time meeting.

As far as I know, in the latest volume of the original work, she and Touraku-kun finally got together. Congratulations!

‘Futaba Mihaya.’

Despite carrying the overwhelming “losing heroine” attribute of being the protagonist’s childhood friend and a tsundere twin-tail, she still became the undisputed main heroine.

Later on, she even becomes a top-tier A-rank explorer, a reliable partner.

Her special ability, ‘Always Landing a Fatal Blow First,’ is terrifying. If you turn her into an enemy, you’re as good as dead.

“What? Got a problem with what I said?”

“Not really. You’re just annoying, so hurry up and scram.”

“What!? Touraku, duel him again! Beat him to a pulp! If you won’t, then I will!”

“Eh!? Mihaya, you can’t!”

“Haah, you’re as noisy as ever.”

And that was her charm.

Whenever the protagonist was on the verge of giving up, she was always there to pull him forward.

Such a wonderful woman.

Especially in Volume 6’s bonus illustration—her wedding dress was—

“Pardon me, did my student do something to you?”

“Oh, Mizuhi-senpai.”

Oh crap, I totally forgot.

Sorry, senpai. My mind reverted to that of a reader.

…Wait, senpai? Why are you glaring at those two like that? Senpai!?

“What’s your deal?”

“I am Terukami Mizuhi, the Vice President of the Fectom Integrated Academy Student Council. If you wish to duel one of our students, you must go through me first. Not that someone of your level could ever stand a chance against Kei.”

“What? You wanna fight?”

“Hey, Mihaya, stop!”

“Mizuhi-senpai, please calm down. I really don’t mind.”

I tried to mediate between Touraku-kun and the others.

Sorry about this, our senpai can be a bit much. She’s not usually like this. She just looks for excuses to fight people… Okay, maybe this is just her normal behavior.

Man, it’s tough for both of us, huh? Hahaha… huh?

Wait, isn’t someone missing?

“Touraku.”

“W-What is it?”

“Where’s Lutra?”

Lutra, Touraku-kun’s contracted Demonsgear and strongest partner, wasn’t here.

She was a small girl with white hair and blue eyes.

She was usually always with Touraku-kun, so why wasn’t she here now?

Normally, during conflicts like this, she’d say, “Touraku, can I cut this guy down?” and Touraku-kun would stop her. That was their usual dynamic.

“Oh, Lutra’s at Mikage Academy. Since news of the Demonsgear spread around the academy city, the student council president decided it’d be best not to let her wander outside too much.”

“I see.”

…Wait, isn’t that my fault?

Technically speaking, isn’t that me and the streamer’s fault?

I’m so sorry, Lutra-chan. You love going out, and I ruined it for you.

“…Kei-kun, how do you know about Lutra?”

“Huh? Of course, I know—uh.”

Crap!

I wasn’t supposed to know that!

During Narou Kei’s duel, Lutra was only in a temporary contract.

That meant he didn’t know her name, her appearance, or anything about her.

What do I do? I got carried away and said too much.

“It’s none of your business. I have no obligation to answer.”

“…!? Could it be… you were the one who trapped her in that dungeon?”

“I can imagine what you’re thinking, but… that’s impossible.”

Seriously, that’s impossible.

Narou Kei is just a pathetic scumbag.

He’s just a loser♂ who licks knives for show.

“…Kei, we need to go. There’s a rescue request.”

“Understood.”

Nice assist, Mizuhi-senpai!

Later, I’ll find a way to sell off my Sorciera and treat you to some meat. Look forward to it.

“W-Wait!”

I want to wait!

But I can’t.

Touraku-kun, I’ll be cheering for your success from the shadows!

Ignoring the protagonist’s voice calling after me, I left the scene.

■

“H-He’s gone…”

“Hmph, just leave someone like that alone! That Mizuhi too—she doesn’t even realize she’s being deceived by that scumbag. She’ll regret it one day.”

Mihaya snorted in displeasure.

But Touraku was different.

“Kei-kun… was he really such a terrible guy?”

“Hah!? Do you even realize what he did to you!? You were abandoned in a dungeon! Without a Dive Gear! If Lutra hadn’t been there, who knows what would’ve happened?”

“—Yeah, Lutra was there. And maybe he knew that.”

“Hah?”

Touraku recalled the way Kei had looked at him when they first met today. Kei had ignored his greeting, instead scrutinizing him as if assessing something.

“He knew Lutra’s name.”

“He probably just heard it somewhere by chance.”

“Then there’s no way he would’ve just responded with ‘I see.’ I told him that I left Lutra behind because she’s a Demonsgear. If Kei-kun had thought Lutra was just a regular girl, he should’ve been shocked at that moment.”

Yet Kei had only responded quietly.

Not only was he completely unshaken, but he didn’t even stop to think—it was as if he accepted it as an obvious fact.

That was undeniable proof that he knew what Demonsgear was.

“Now that you mention it… Wait! That Mizuhi student from earlier! Didn’t she say she was from Fectom General Academy!?”

“Uh, yeah, she did.”

“The school where Demonsgear was found in that broadcast was also Fectom General Academy. …Could he have known that?”

Touraku nodded.

“Kei-kun was incredibly polite to that person. No—rather, his attitude toward us was so blatantly different. It was almost like he was trying to be hated… Did he have to act that way at Gekkei Academy? And more importantly, why did he even approach me back then? If he wanted to bully me, why would he suddenly target someone he had nothing to do with until now? No… I need to rethink this from the ground up—”

Just as he was about to dive deeper into his thoughts,

Touraku felt a light impact on his forehead.

When he looked up, Mihaya was staring at him, still in the position of having flicked his forehead.

“There’s no point in thinking about this any further. Whatever he’s planning, we should just focus on what we can do. Weren’t we heading to Arianrhod today?”

“Oh, right. Yeah. Thanks.”

After thanking her, Touraku walked toward the only elevator that led to Arianrhod.

(Kei-kun… What is your goal?)

The answer to that question wasn’t something he could find just yet.