◇ Tsuzuri’s POV ◇
「Still, I find it hard to believe… that an ordinary student could take down a mutant ogre…」
「Yes, but here is the proof of subjugation.」
「Hmm… Couldn’t it be… a case of falsification just to secure a better exam result?」
「Do you think it looks that way?」
I shot a sharp glare at the skeptical higher-ups.
「Ugh… Well, for now, I’ll accept it. What about the boy in question?」
「Yes. Thanks to his natural healing magic, his recovery is progressing rapidly.」
「Healing magic, huh… From the reports we received from the hospital, it seems like it does more than just speed up recovery…」
「Indeed. From here on out, we’ll have to let his growth progress naturally…」
As I set down the report with a sigh, I could tell from their sour expressions that they were displeased by the lack of any real breakthroughs.
「Very well. We’ll keep an eye on him for now. Make sure the surveillance is thorough.」
「Understood. I’ll arrange things so that he acts on his own without feeling pressured.」
「I’m counting on you. If this works out, we’ll be able to climb the ranks—and that means a promotion for you too.」
「Yes, sir.」
After being unceremoniously dismissed from the meeting, I walked down the hallway.
「Ugh… seriously hopeless!」
I couldn’t help but curse under my breath.
My superiors are former bureaucrats or people who used to hold high positions, living off the system’s sweet nectar. After the change in administration, their influence dwindled, and they crawled their way to the Dungeon Bureau to avoid getting cut off.
「Well, at least thanks to that person, I’m not being forced to deal with all the trouble…」
— Bzzzt — Bzzzt
My phone vibrated. When I checked the screen, I saw that it was from the Old Man.
「Hello…」
『Tsuzuri-kun, it’s me.』
「Ah, good evening, Hiiragi-san.」
The voice on the other end wasn’t that of an old man’s—it was young and lively.
『I wanted to ask you about something, so I called. Do you have time later today?』
「Yes, I’m free today.」
『Good. Then let’s have a chat with my wife as well. I’ll send a car to pick you up in about an hour.』
「Understood.」
『Alright, see you then.』
The call ended.
「Haa… Yuuki-kun, you’re gonna owe me for this…」
As I adjusted my schedule to accommodate this new appointment, I couldn’t help but feel the workload related to Yuuki-kun was steadily increasing.
「Haa… He’s probably off flirting with Hikari-chan right now anyway… Tch!」
Every time I’ve gone to observe him, I always end up walking in on them being all lovey-dovey. Why is that?
「Are they doing this just to spite me? Are they rubbing it in because I’m nearing my thirties and still single?!」
These days, it’s not unusual for someone my age to be unmarried—but for some reason, my luck with men has been particularly bad lately.
「Haa… Isn’t there a decent guy out there somewhere…?」
With slumped shoulders, I headed back toward my department.
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## ※ This content contains some unsettling elements and mild sexual references. Reader discretion advised.
◇ ??? Side ◇
「Alright, that’s a wrap! Great job, everyone!」
「Phew… Seriously, how long did they expect me to wait…」
I packed up my stuff after finishing my modeling gig. Sure, the shoot was rescheduled last minute, but the sheer disorganization meant I was stuck waiting forever. Naturally, my irritation was through the roof.
Masking my frustration, I went around greeting the staff when today’s co-model, Rena, walked over.
「Hey, Kia-kun, are you free after this? If you’re up for it, wanna grab some dinner together?」
(As clueless and annoying as always… but at least she’s got the looks and body for it. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Hikari lately, so I guess I’ll just make do with a girl like her…)
「Sure, sounds good. I don’t have school tomorrow anyway.」
「Yay! Great! My treat, okay? What do you feel like eating?」
「Hmm… I haven’t eaten out in a while. Do you know any good places?」
Hearing that, Rena pulled out her phone and scrolled through some pictures from restaurants she’d visited.
「Let’s see… Oh, how about this place? It’s a yakiniku spot I went to with my friends recently. The food was amazing! Would that be alright?」
She showed me her phone while looping her arm around mine.
The pack of losers who’d been eyeing her all day, hoping to ask her out after the shoot, shot daggers at me with their envious stares.
(Sure, she’s one of the girls who fawns over me, but she’s way out of your league, you pathetic trash.)
「Sounds good! That place looks delicious. Let’s go!」
I flashed Rena the kind of smile that could make any girl melt, playing up the sweet, boyish act she loved. Easy. She was always quick to fall for that.
We hopped into a taxi her manager arranged, had dinner, and afterward, we ended up at a hotel where I had my fun.
「Ugh… Spending time with an airhead really drains me…」
The next morning, I returned home after sneaking out early. A letter had arrived — the results from an ability assessment I’d taken at my manager’s request some time ago.
「An ability test… I didn’t care much about this, but… wait a second!」
As I read through it, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
「I knew it… I’ve got everything going for me!」
The letter revealed that my assigned job class was the rare and prestigious 【Knight】. Alongside it was a pamphlet for transfer enrollment into a newly established school for explorers.
「With this, I can finally steal Hikari away from that loser! No… no, this isn’t just about her… The whole world’s gonna kneel before me!!」
I couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling inside me.
「Hahaha… Haahahaha!!」
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