Chapter 43: The Isshiki Family Goes to Tokyo

On a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The sea outside the train window sparkles with reflected sunlight. The residential areas pass by peacefully, as we overtake small trucks on the roadside. At the baseball field on the riverbank, an elementary school club is playing a match. Crossing a large river the city changes, and after repeating this a few times, the prefecture changes too.

Mutsuki is staring intently at such scenery. Nearly an hour has passed since our departure, and the landscape is gradually changing to an urban one. It seems incredibly fascinating to him, as he barely utters a word.

This express train has box seats, and sitting across from me is Shiraishi-san, looking at her smartphone. She’s wearing a light yellow coat folded on her lap, along with a beige sweater and a breezy blue long skirt.

The Isshiki family also bought new clothes for this season, and all of us are dressed in unfamiliar casual wear.

Nina and Mitsuru each have a large bag on their laps. I’m in charge of one Boston bag and one carry-on case. Both contain the family’s belongings, so they’re enormous.

In the adjacent box seat, four people are engrossed in a game of shiritori. Mitsuru is at a disadvantage. I hope he can somehow assert his dignity as the second son.
[T/N: Shiritoi is a popular Japanese word game great for practicing vocabulary]

For about a week until Friday, we’ll be living in Tokyo. We’ve explained the circumstances to the school and kindergarten, so we’ve been allowed some time off.

Shiraishi-san is acting as our guardian. The reason we can all go to Tokyo is that Shiraishi-san vouched for us with the dungeon management as a condition for my participation. I heard she even fiercely negotiated about the accommodations where we’ll be staying.

Our eyes met. Her eyes are as big and beautiful as always.

“Thank you for coming with us.”
“It’s all good, as long as Isshiki-kun can focus.”

“Still, I’m amazed you managed to get accommodations for everyone approved…”
“Well, honestly, I thought I might get fired, but I managed somehow.”

“Did you really take such a big risk?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I even looked for a new job just in case.”

“That’s not ‘fine’ at all…!”

That should be more of a last resort rather than the first option. Shiraishi-san thumps her chest lightly with her fist.

“It’s a small price if it means getting to promote you nationwide, Isshiki-kun.”
“She’s showing her intense ‘fan’ side again…”

While it’s flattering, I’ve been feeling a strong push from Shiraishi-san lately. Perhaps because she was a magician during her adventurer days, her evaluation of me is quite high.

“More importantly, what kind of magic are you using these days? Anything I wouldn’t know about?”
“The basics haven’t changed much, but I’ve added a few new tricks. Also, I lost one trump card but gained two new ones. That’s the gist of it.”

“Lost… gained?”
“For various reasons. The condition to use [White Underworld Path] has changed. But what I got in return is bigger, so there’s no problem.”

“That’s impressive. I can’t wait to see it on camera.”
“Oh, right. They’re going to film our activities, aren’t they?”

In Tokyo, there seem to be all sorts of adventurers. Among them, an interesting one is a party called ‘Scoop,’ whose profession is filming. They’ll be accompanying us to the [Scorching Mines] to record our actions.

The videos they take will be edited and used in newcomer training and in recruiting adventurers.

“It would be best if they could broadcast it live, though.”
“There’s no signal on the other side of the gate, right?”

“Too bad.”

Shiraishi-san laughed. Then an announcement came over the intercom. Tokyo Station.

We make sure not to get separated as we exit the train. Since my hands are full, I’ve asked Shiraishi-san to look after Mutsuki.

“…So many people.”
“This is Japan’s capital.”

A little ahead of us, Mitsuru and Nina express despair. Seina and Seika seem to watch the passing crowd with curiosity. Although it’s Sunday afternoon, there are still quite a few people in suits. The atmosphere here is entirely different from back home.

Surely, we’ll need magic here.

“…Which sector is this?”
“This isn’t a dungeon. Pull yourself together!”

Encouraged by Shiraishi-san, we managed to exit the platform and pass through the ticket gates. We found ourselves dropped into an area crowded with souvenir shops. No exits in sight, no matter which way we look.

This is—the city.

“We’re doomed…”
“This way. Follow me.”

Cutting through the elder Isshiki family members’ despair, Shiraishi-san started walking. All we could do was follow her.

All the things I meticulously researched on my smartphone the day before turned out to be useless.

“I’m weak…”
“Don’t be down, bro. No one could have imagined this.”

“I guess studying alone wasn’t enough…”
“Sis, hold it together. It’s when study and experience come together that you… you know.”

Mitsuru encourages me as we navigate Tokyo’s maze of transfers and subways, filled with incomprehensible terms. We buy tickets as instructed, pass through the gates, board the train, and by the time we reach the hotel, we’re exhausted. Upon entering the room, I collapse onto the bed.

The rooms are divided between boys and girls, with Shiraishi-san and the other four in the neighboring room.

“Tokyo is too overpowering.”
“Yeah… I underestimated it.”

“Mik-kun, is this a bed?”
“Yeah, it’s a bed. It’s huge.”

Compared to the thoroughly exhausted Mitsuru and me, Mutsuki remains energetic. Sena and Seika also appeared to be enjoying themselves throughout. The novelty seems to outweigh the city’s daunting aspects.

Since Mitsuru is keeping Mutsuki company, I open the carry-on and pull out my change of clothes.

We won’t be entering the dungeon on Monday. They plan to brief us and do a meet-and-greet above ground.
We’re set to gather at a campsite in Area 4 by Tuesday evening. Adjustments will be made before and after that.
We’ll tackle [Scorching Mines] on Wednesday, followed by a victory celebration at the camp.
Returning above ground, a vote will occur on Thursday. Each adventurer gets one vote to cast, and their rankings will be made based on the number of votes received.
Friday is just the return trip home. That’s our plan for the week.

We’ll only really have downtime today and on the last day. The rest of the family will be doing some Tokyo sightseeing with Shiraishi-san’s help. While they can’t come to the dungeon with me, having them with me so far is very reassuring.

A knock at the door. When I open it, Nina is standing there.

“We’ve got some time before dinner. Want to go sightseeing? I hear the Thunder Gate is nearby.”

I glance into the room to see Mitsuru and Mutsuki watching us. Both perk up at the mention of the Thunder Gate, appearing a little restless.

“Let’s check it out.”

After all, there’s no dungeon activity tomorrow. I might as well enjoy myself today.
[T/N: Kaminarimon: “Thunder Gate.” Famous landmark in Tokyo.]