Chapter 3: The Kamui Family’s Request

 

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I’m currently sitting alone in a room at the Kamui house, waiting.

Normally, being alone doesn’t bother me, and even on my first day here, I had time to myself.

Lately, with Shino around, there’s hardly been a moment alone, even when Hina steps out to change. But today, this time by myself feels…… pretty tough.

I fidget and keep sipping the tea on the table. I don’t want to think about it, but my throat keeps getting dry anyway.

After a while, I hear noises outside, and two people walk in.

“Sorry to keep you waiting~ Hinata-kun~”

“I-I’m back……”

Shino grins like a cat, while Hina looks a bit shy. The gentle scent of shampoo fills the room as they enter.

“Welcome back.”

“Uh, um…… thanks for today.”

“You’re welcome.”

Where they’d been was—the bath.

Why the bath? Surprisingly, Hina hasn’t bathed in five years.

Not bathing might sound dirty, but in her case, Absolute Ice keeps her body perfectly clean, and she’s been wiping herself down in her room instead.

If she tried bathing, the warmth would overwhelm her, causing Absolute Ice to activate and freeze the entire bathroom.

That’s why, after learning my Absolute Ice Dissolution works within a certain range—not just line of sight—her mom asked me for this favor.

Hina resisted at first, but Shino insisted on bathing together, so they just did.

“Wanna join us, Hinata-kun?”

“!? N-No, I’ll bathe in my own room!”

“Aw~ It’s the tub Hina used, you know?”

“!?”

My face heats up. Hina’s blushing too, making me even more self-conscious.

“If you put it that way, Shino-chan used it too……”

“Hehe. I don’t mind~ How about—tomorrow we all bathe together?”

“No way!”

“Aw~ Most teenage boys would jump at that offer, you know.”

Shino teases with a mischievous grin, knowing I’d refuse.

Her friendly, open nature has helped Hina and me a lot. Today, she’s the one who convinced Hina.

Could I have managed this alone? Probably not.

At that moment, Hina’s mom walks in.

“Hina, you okay?”

“Mom, yeah……”

“Hehe. Hinata-kun, thank you.”

She bows deeply to me.

“No, no, it’s not a big deal. Please, lift your head.”

“You’re a lifesaver. Keep it up every day, okay~?”

“Y-Yes……”

I figured it’d come to this…… It’s not that I mind, and it’s really no trouble, but seeing Hina and Shino fresh from the bath feels a bit awkward.

“Thank you too, Shino-chan.”

“You’re welcome~ Starting tomorrow, I’ll bring my change of clothes too~”

“That’d be great. Let me know if you need anything!”

After talking with Shino, she turns to me with a serious look.

And then, she drops another bombshell.

“So, Hinata-kun, sorry to ask this right away, but I have another favor…… Could you take our Hina with you when you go home for Golden Week?”

“Ehh!?”

“Mom!?”

Shocked by the unexpected request, she presses on.

“I want Hina to live a normal life, even just a little. For five years, we couldn’t do anything for her. But with you nearby, she can eat normally and bathe. Nothing could make me happier. It’s Golden Week—she’s always been stuck in the mansion, so why not treat it like a trip?”

“Even so…… with all of you, maybe, but taking Hina alone……”

“We’d love to go too, but my husband’s busy, and I have reasons I can’t leave the mansion for long. Plus, if we came, it might make your mom feel awkward. So, could you take Hina with you?”

I’m at a loss when Shino raises her hand.

“A trip sounds fun~! Hinata-kun~ Take me too!”

“Even you, Shino!? W-Wait a sec………… Is it okay for you two to travel with a guy!?”

They exchange puzzled looks.

““Well, you see~””

Speaking in sync like sisters, they turn to me.

“If it’s you, Hinata-kun.”

“Yeah~”

“M-Me……?”

“We’re in a party together, and we trust you, Hinata-kun. Otherwise, we wouldn’t team up, right?”

“T-That’s true, but……”

I trust Hina and Shino too—they’re comrades I’d rely on in a dungeon.

Still, I can’t help feeling uneasy.

“Hinata-kun, please take care of our Hina. If staying at your house is tough, book a nearby hotel. She’s got a card.”

“Hotel!?”

“Separate rooms, of course. Same room’s a no-go for now, okay?”

“O-Of course!”

Shino keeps giggling, occasionally poking my side.

“Sorry for the trouble, but make sure you don’t leave Hina’s side, even when sleeping, okay?”

That means staying in range of Absolute Ice Dissolution, right……?

As I process this, I hear her mom murmur in relief.

“Good…… If Hina were away from you now and her power went out of control……”

Hina what……? Her voice trails off too quietly to catch.

I don’t know what she meant, but it’s for Hina’s sake, and I get that. I hope I can ask her properly someday.

On the way back.

I walk Shino home.

“Haa………… Shino? Make sure you get your parents’ permission, okay?”

“Got it! Are you really taking me too?”

“Hina might feel uneasy alone.”

“Hehe. Won’t I be in the way?”

“Not at all!!”

Honestly, I’d love for Shino to come.

“Hehe. I get to meet your cute little sister~ Can’t wait!”

“You’re talking like it’s already decided……”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. My family’s pretty hands-off. With powers like mine, it’s just how it is. My parents and brother get it, so saying I’m traveling with Hina-chan should be no problem.”

“I see…… Well, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Yeah! But…… I might push myself to go. I don’t want to be alone in a soundless world again.”

Shino looks lonely, gazing at the moon.

It’s not quite summer yet, and the breeze is a bit chilly.

“Cold~!”

Shino hugs my right arm.

She doesn’t do this after school, but it’s become common when we hang out.

I’m still not used to it and walk awkwardly, which she finds funny and giggles at. It’s hard to dislike her for it.

Feeling her warmth, I drop her off at her house, see her off, and head back to the dorm.

The next day.

Another normal day, and the special education program reaches its final day.

Seniors give feedback on yesterday’s battles. Many first-years listen intently, but some don’t.

Saito-kun’s party members, especially the three, are visibly irritated, glancing at me, clicking their tongues, and shooting sharp glares.

“We’ve got nothing more to teach you. Your impromptu party had the best teamwork. Keep yesterday’s advice in mind and aim to be explorers.”

“Yes, sir!”

The three I teamed with yesterday seem to have learned a lot from the senior. I talked one-on-one with the teacher, not the senior, and when I mentioned it, they were jealous.

Apparently, they’re forming a party now.

They hinted they knew I’m with Hina’s group, so no invite came my way.

Well…… a Level 0 like me wouldn’t expect one. If I weren’t with Hina’s party, would they have asked?

Even if they did, I’d choose Hina’s group. I’d planned to refuse, but feeling complicated about it—maybe that’s growth?

Anyway, I’m excited to dive into dungeons with Hina, Shino, and Fujii-kun.

Still, strong-looking first-years are all annoyed, while weaker ones listen to the seniors.

It was a good experience, and testing my new skill was nice too.

I wasn’t sure at first, but I’m glad I joined.

My one regret is Saito-kun from the porter section. He was so eager about exploring during dismantling.

Yet now, in his party, he looks down, and yesterday, he didn’t say a word to his team.

With his knowledge and skill, he’d be a far better porter than me. It’s sad his party holds him back.

But like the teacher said, me pointing it out won’t change anything. I pray he finds his own way as I leave the gym.

I think about heading to class, but it’s still in session, so I go to the rooftop.

Usually noisy at lunch, it’s quiet now during class, offering a view of the silent school.

From the rooftop fence, the high view brings back memories since enrolling.

Since entering dungeons, it’s been a whirlwind—befriending Hina’s group, becoming party members, and now going home with them.

So much has happened, I feel like I’m forgetting something important.

A strong wind blows, and I shield my eyes with my arm.

Then, I sense someone behind me and turn—a woman stands there.

She has long, wavy light brown hair, glasses, and a suit, exuding an intellectual vibe.

Never seen her before—maybe a teacher……?

“H-Hello. Special educato—”

She raises her right hand, cutting me off.

Without a word, she stares at me.

“Uh, um……?”

She raises her hand again, silencing me.

After a few minutes of staring into my eyes, she leaves without speaking.

Who was that……?

The bell rings, signaling the end of class, so I head back to the classroom.

Hina greets me with a smile and a wave as I enter.

“Next period’s self-study, they say. Looks like it’s for all first-years.”

“Maybe because the holiday starts tomorrow……?”

“Yeah. Um, I overheard some classmates—they said other classes can move around for self-study too.”

“Other classes, huh……”

“So…… if you could tell Shino-chan, maybe we could hang out together……”

Hina says it shyly, surprising me a little inside.

She rarely expresses her own wishes like this.

“Sounds good. I’ll let her know.”

Using Telepathy, I send to Shino, out of sight 【Hina says next period’s self-study for all first-years, and we can join other classes. Wanna come?】Less than three seconds later, the door opens, and Shino walks in.

That was crazy fast……

“Huh? You’re……”

Shino reacts to Gai-kun, sitting nearby.

He’s been out with a broken arm for days, so it’s been a while since I last saw him.

“Tch.”

He meets Shino’s eyes as she enters, then looks away.

She walks past him toward me.

Meanwhile, the boys in class fix their gazes on her.

“Never thought I’d get invited~”

“Welcome, Shino-chan.”

I grab an extra chair from the back of the classroom and place it next to my desk. With my desk in the center, Shino sits beside me, and Hina sits in front, facing us.

Why is she facing this way……?

“Hinata-kun? By the way, I’ve got a question.”

“Hm?”

“We’re all going on a trip starting tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Doesn’t it kinda feel like we’re leaving Fujii-kun out?”

I’ve thought about that too. But since he’s still just tentatively joining, I’d held off on inviting him, thinking about the future.

“I wanted to hear your and Hina’s opinions…… I think Fujii-kun’s trustworthy. But from the special education program, I learned compatibility matters in a party, and there’s a chance Fujii-kun might not want to team up with someone like me……”

They both widen their eyes and look at each other.

“Hinata-kun? I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“Yeah, it’s probably fine.”

“Eh……? Ahaha…… right. He probably doesn’t expect much from the start……”

Teaming up with a Level 0—nobody’d have high hopes from the get-go. Maybe I was getting a bit full of myself.

Hina and Shino are kind, so I’m grateful they’re upfront and point things out clearly.

“Hehe. Hinata-kun? Personally, if you’re there, I wouldn’t mind Fujii-kun coming along. Just the two of us might be a bit much, though……”

“I’m fine with it too. If you trust him, Hinata-kun, then I trust him.”

Both of them…… I’m so thankful. I’m lucky to have such kind party members.

“But is it okay to invite him so suddenly?”

“Good point. I’ll ask him after class. Roaming the halls during class wouldn’t be great.”

“True. I could go, but I can’t really talk properly……”

Shino mumbles “Muu……” and flops onto my desk. Hina looks at her fondly and pats her head.

Seeing this right in front of me…… it’s pure happiness.

Naturally, the guys in class are giving me painful stares.

We laze through the free self-study period, and when it ends, Shino heads back to her classroom.

During homeroom, our teacher says, “It’s a holiday, but don’t go too wild.”

With our first long break ahead, the classroom fills with a mix of relieved and excited voices.

Usually, I’d wait for Shino, but Hina goes to get her first, and I head to Fujii-kun’s class.

The scene there’s not much different from ours.

I spot Fujii-kun packing his bag.

One thing stands out: everyone else is in groups, chatting, but Fujii-kun isn’t talking to any classmates like that.

It reminds me of my old self. Without Hina and Shino, I’d probably still be quietly packing up alone and heading out.

I wait by the entrance until he’s done, and he comes out.

He notices me, widens his eyes, and jogs over.

“Hinata-kun? Were you waiting for me?”

“Yeah. I wanted to talk. Got a sec?”

“Of course! I was just about to head back.”

“Then let’s walk to the dorm together.”

“Thanks.”

I walk side by side with Fujii-kun toward the dorm.

“I think I mentioned I’m going home during Golden Week tomorrow.”

“Uh-huh.”

“If you’re up for it, want to come along?”

“Huh……?”

He blushes for a second and stares at me, stunned.

“Thing is, due to some circumstances, Hina and Shino are coming too. We figured we might as well invite you.”

“O-Oh, I see. That’s what’s up. You surprised me.”

“Haha…… yeah, getting invited out of the blue is a lot, right?”

“That’s fine, but…… nah, I’m totally okay with it!”

“Great! That’s a relief. We’ll cover the travel costs.”

“I’ll pay my share! I’ve got plenty of living expenses saved up.”

“Really? Let me know if you need help. Thanks to Hina and the others, we’ve got plenty of party funds.”

“Got it! Then I’ll go buy a ticket now. What time’s the departure tomorrow?”

I pretend to pull the ticket from my pocket, taking it out of Dimensional Storage, and show him.

“It’s 8:00 a.m. sharp tomorrow.”

“I see…… got it. I’ll check if the seat next to you is free.”

“Cool. Thanks.”

“No, thank you! I’ve gotta prep for a week-long trip……”

“Do you have a magic backpack or bag, Fujii-kun?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Of course he does—I didn’t even need to ask the son of a magic tool shop family.

With more people, I should stock up on food and essentials just in case.

We were heading to the dorm but turn toward the school gate instead.

Even from a distance, I can tell tons of students are captivated by two stunning beauties at the entrance.

“Those two are really popular, huh?”

“They’re gorgeous, both of them.”

“Hehe. You’re pretty amazing, Hinata-kun, teaming up with such beauties~”

“Nah, you’re about to be a member too, right?”

“I’ll do my best to live up to everyone’s expectations.”

We reach the gate.

“Kamui-san, Kagura-san, thanks for inviting me this time.”

““Looking forward to it~””

After quick greetings, Fujii-kun heads to the station opposite of Hina’s house, while I go with Hina and Shino to the Kamui house.