Chapter 4: Returning Home, Friends, Little Sister

 

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The next day.

Huh……? I feel like I’m forgetting something important…… but I can’t recall what.

For now, I’ve packed a week’s worth of stuff in Dimensional Storage.

If I pretend to pull it from my backpack, it should look like a magic bag.

I greet the dorm matron, Seino-san, and head to the front entrance where Fujii-kun is waiting.

“Morning~”

“Morning.”

We leave the dorm and head to Seishin Station.

It’s a huge station in the town center, designed for explorers, with routes nationwide.

Another perk for explorers—prove it’s for exploration, and travel’s cheap.

“By the way, how’d the ticket go?”

“Got it fine, but the seat’s a bit separated.”

“Got it. Guess someone else will sit next to us.”

“Yeah. Kamui-san and Kagura-san are across from you, right?”

“Yep.”

If I’d invited him sooner, we could’ve sat together, but oh well.

We meet Hina and Shino, head into the station, and as we approach the gate, a flustered male staffer rushes over.

“K-Kamui-sama!?”

Kamui-sama……? Maybe Hina’s acquaintance?

“Yes, I’m Kamui, but……”

“Oh……! It really is Kamui-sama. Are you taking the train to Eran Station today?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“W-We’re terribly sorry!”

The staffer suddenly apologizes, drawing curious looks from nearby passengers.

“Uh, um……?”

“To prepare regular seats for Kamui-sama’s daughter is unthinkable! We’ve arranged special seats—please, use those!”

Shino giggles at this.

“The Japan Train Company’s biggest shareholder is the Kamui family, after all. Staff-san~ We’re a group of four—can those special seats fit us all?”

“Of course! It’s a private room for up to eight!”

“Wow! Well~ since you’re offering, we’ll take it~”

Shino pushes me and Fujii-kun forward, following the staffer’s lead.

Usually, we’d board mid or rear cars, but this time, it’s the front car.

Far more luxurious than I imagined, it’s got security so tight we don’t even need ticket checks.

We’re led to a private room with a door.

There seem to be other private rooms, but this one’s extra fancy, evident from the door’s material.

Inside, it’s dripping with luxury—sofa chairs, a fridge, even a tiny shower.

I sit on the sofa nervously, while the other three settle in comfortably.

“Shino-chan~ Fujii-kun~ Drinks are here—what do you want?”

“Something sweet~”

“I’ll take tea.”

“Got it~”

Hina fetches drinks: milk tea for Shino, tea for Fujii-kun, and a strange white drink for herself and me.

“It’s carbonated but tasty~”

“Thanks.”

Thirsty from nerves, I try it, unlike anything I’ve tasted, oddly delicious.

Perfectly sweet, super good.

Fujii-kun, beside me, chuckles softly.

“Hinata-kun? That one bottle costs more than a regular ticket.”

“Seriously……?”

I had no idea it was that pricey…… How’s the payment work?

If it’s due on arrival, party funds should cover it. No dungeons since the irregularity, but we’ve got savings.

I’ve secured living expenses for Mom too.

“Hinata-kun, was it good?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah. I like it. Not too sweet, easy to drink, unique texture—tasty.”

“Great! I’ll tell them to stock it daily at home!”

“Hina, let’s not.”

Shino bursts out laughing, clutching her stomach.

Was it that funny?

“Hinata-kun, you might not realize, but the tea you usually drink is pricier. This is cheaper.”

“Wha…………”

That delicious tea…… was that expensive? No wonder it’s good. Their sense of money is so far from mine—I can’t keep up……

“But the tea’s a gift, so don’t worry about cost. We’ve got tons of this drink at home.”

“O-Oh…… then maybe I’ll ask for a little.”

“Yeah!”

With Hina’s “Please ask for it~” face, I couldn’t possibly say no.

I’ll savor it from now on……

The train departs, starting our three-hour trip.

I worried about Fujii-kun’s seat or a stranger joining us, but the private room lets us four enjoy the ride together.

Usually, I see Seishin Town’s tall buildings or dungeon nature, but with no dungeons lately, I’ve missed nature.

The peaceful scenery outside lets us four relax in calm comfort.

The three-hour ride flies by.

Alone, I’d nap and still feel it drag, but chatting with Hina, Shino, and Fujii-kun makes time vanish.

“Your hometown’s so peaceful, Hinata-kun~”

“There are some tall buildings, but that giant condo in the rice fields shocked me.”

“Haha…… that’s a famous tower around here.”

Eran Town’s rural but developed—tall buildings line the station area.

A bit further, there’s a shopping mall with tons of parked cars.

They’ve built it up so the station area’s fun to hang out in.

Beyond that, it’s mostly houses, convenience stores, and eateries—no tall buildings.

As we disembark, crew members step off to cheerfully say, “Thank you for your service!” Eran Station staff greet us with “Welcome!”

Unused to this, I’m awed by the Kamui family’s influence.

Past the gate, I see the familiar wide hall and waiting area.

Wow…… it’s only been two months, but it feels nostalgic.

Then—people’s gazes turn our way.

Naturally aimed at Hina and Shino, but they quickly shift to me.

“Huh? Isn’t that ‘Level 0’?”

“No way…… ‘Level 0’ with cute girls?”

“Nah, impossible. It’s ‘Level 0,’ dude.”

Not one or two, but dozens of cold stares hit me.

Oh…… I was deluding myself.

Meeting Hina’s group made me think I’d changed. But I’m still ‘Level 0’…………

No matter how I fight in dungeons or collect materials Hina’s group defeats, I’m still ‘Level 0,’ not growing……

“Hinata-kun? You’re pale!? What’s wrong!?”

Shino notices first, approaching worriedly. Hina and Fujii-kun follow, concerned.

“What, high school debut success?”

“Maybe he paid for them? Never seen him with friends.”

“Right~ City life’s sweet~ hanging with cute girls. Should’ve left this dump for the city~”

“Forget it, you’d flop~”

“Nah, if ‘Level 0’ can do it, I’ve got a shot.”

“True! After graduation, we’re city-bound!”

No, it’s not…… Hina’s group isn’t…… paid for or…… my skills? They want my skills……? Without them, I wouldn’t have bonded with Hina, Shino, or Fujii-kun.

Paying with money or holding them with skills…… is there a difference?

“I-I’m fine……”

“You’re not! It’s not train sickness……”

Then—a loud voice booms over the noisy gate.

“You people!! That’s enough!!”

A shrill, angry voice aimed at us—no, at Shino’s group.

“Huh……?”

Standing there—my sister, Rin, after two months.

But her face is furious, stomping between me and Shino.

“What’s fun about bullying my brother again!? Stop it!!”

“Uh, um……”

“R-Rin……”

“What’s my brother done to you!? Did he hurt you somehow!? He’s always kind, never badmouths people, my proud brother, but you always, always target him…… I won’t forgive you!!”

Her angry shout echoes, drawing station staff. They frown at me too.

“Brother, let’s go! Don’t bother with these people!”

“W-Wait, Rin……”

Our first reunion in ages, and I’ve made her sad……

I thought dungeons and skills made me stronger, but I haven’t grown at all. Why did I want to be an explorer……? Wasn’t it to stop worrying Rin like this?

Wrestling with myself, I hug Rin from behind.

“Brother!?”

“Rin…… thanks. For always worrying about me.”

“T-This is nothing! We’re family!”

“Yeah. Sorry, everyone. Introductions…… got delayed. This is my sister, Rin.”

“Hoeh?”

Hina, Shino, and Fujii-kun watch worriedly as Rin blinks, looking between them and me.

“Rin, sorry. They’re my—comrades.”

We leave the station, traffic thins, and we five walk a paved path.

Ahead, Rin holds Hina and Shino’s hands, walking between them.

“Brother’s that awesome in dungeons!?”

“Yep~ Hinata-kun’s amazing!”

“Wow! I wanna see Brother’s cool side too!”

“Rin-chan’s still in middle school, right? Can’t enter ’til next year~”

“Muu. I wanna see…… Showing me outside might get us in trouble, though.”

I’d thought they were alike before, but Shino and Rin chatting feels like real sisters.

Hina, nodding warmly, looks like an older sister too.

Watching the three (sisters?), I walk beside Fujii-kun.

“Rin-chan’s a bright kid.”

“Yeah. My proud little sister—everyone loves her.”

“Hehe. I was worried at first, but I’m glad the misunderstanding’s cleared.”

“Sorry. My fault for being pathetic……”

“That wasn’t like you, Hinata-kun. Can I ask what happened?”

“Uh………… no, it’s not a big deal.”

Shino spins around from ahead, facing me.

“Really~?”

“Brother? It’s that again, isn’t it……?”

“That again……?”

Rin continues, a bit sheepish.

“Brother’s always been hated by people around here…… He’s done nothing wrong, though! He’s so kind, my proud brother, but for some reason, everyone hates him……”

“Ahaha……”

“Pretty much everyone in our town knows Brother, so when we go somewhere crowded, he ends up feeling sick.”

“Oh…… so that’s why……”

“Those people were whispering about him, weren’t they……”

Even Shino, who didn’t hear it, looks sad, murmuring, “So that’s how it was……”

“Everyone, sorry. It’s my fault for being so pathetic. ruining our trip like this……”

“No, I should’ve stopped it first, but I froze…… I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Hina bows deeply, her long silver hair swaying.

“Hina! N-No, it’s not your fault at all.”

“Exactly! It’s all those people’s fault! So Hii-nee and Shii-nee aren’t bad! Neither is Hiroto-nii~”

Thanks to Rin, smiles creep back onto everyone’s faces.

“Hina-chan? Tell me quietly what those people said.”

Shino removes her earphones, wincing in discomfort.

Knowing the situation, Hina quickly relays what they said.

I think it’s fine if she doesn’t hear, but she gets mad about being left out, so I let it play out.

After the explanation, Shino puts her earphones back on. I expect anger—but instead, she walks up to me.

“Hinata-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think we teamed up with you just because of your skills?”

“Huh……? …………Yeah.”

“……That’s true. Without your skills, we might not have formed this party—me, Hina-chan, Fujii-kun.”

“R-Right……”

“But even so, it’s fine because it’s you. Your power is great because you have it—it wouldn’t work if it weren’t you. Your skills are part of you, right?”

Her words hit me like a hammer to the head.

Hearing people say our bond was bought with money, I thought I was just holding them with skills.

That’s undeniable.

But…… how you use skills depends on the person.

The special education program taught me that. It’s not about porters, fighters, or mages being superior—it’s everyone uniting that makes a party strong.

Hina can’t freely use her power, Shino can’t communicate easily—my skills help them. Dismantling and collecting monster materials without dirtying their hands, supporting as a porter—that’s my goal.

I haven’t fought with Fujii-kun yet, but we aimed to complement each other’s weaknesses in this party. That’s what we decided.

And yet…… I…………

Shino beams with a full smile.

“Right? We’re party members and friends. You don’t need to worry about that. Sure, without your power, Hina-chan and I would be in big trouble…… but we wouldn’t stick with someone we hate. We’re here because we like being by your side.”

“Shino…… Hina………… Sorry, I messed up……”

“Ugh~ Apologizing again~ That’s not what we want~!”

Shino mimics Rin.

I can’t help but chuckle, and smiles bloom on everyone’s faces.

“You’re right. Thanks, everyone. Let’s keep this up.”

“““Yeah!”””

With such amazing comrades, I need to stop letting others’ words shake me and stand firm.

“Brother~?”

“Yeah? What’s up, Rin?”

“There’s something I’m really curious about……”

“Yeah?”

The next moment, she drops a bombshell.

“It’s great you brought Shii-nee and them, but—where are they staying?”

“Eh……”

“““Eh……”””

Three pairs of eyes turn to me.

“Oh! I forgot something important—I didn’t tell Mom I was bringing everyone……”

““““Pfft, ahahaha~””””

Everyone bursts into laughter.

Between planning the trip and bringing them home, my head was so full I forgot the crucial call.

That’s why Rin misunderstood them today too. If I’d contacted her, Shino and the others wouldn’t have been scolded………… Ugh………… I screwed up.

“Hehe. If it’s tough, we’ll stay at a hotel~ The Kagura family has connections, so don’t worry.”

“Sorry…… I’m such a mess.”

“Hehe. Get it together, okay~? Leader~”

She gently taps my chest with her fist.

Can I really handle being leader……? Shino’s better suited, but I’ve got to step up to meet her expectations.

“Hoeh~ Brother’s the leader?”

“Yep~ Hinata-kun’s really amazing!”

“…………Hard to imagine, though.”

Calmed down, Rin’s blunt words sting, making me feel pathetic.

“I’ll call Mom firs—”

“Brother! Let’s just go~! Mom’ll be so surprised~”

“Ahaha…… Yeah, she will.”

Rin grins mischievously, grabs Hina and Shino’s hands, and walks off beaming.

Her smile’s saved me so many times…… I’ll definitely become a brother she can be proud of.

About thirty minutes on foot from the station.

We finally reach the familiar shape of my house.

The nameplate reads “Suzuki.”

It’s homey, I guess? Compared to Hina and Shino’s places, it’s tiny, but for us siblings, this house is more than enough. That’s why we’d gather in the living room daily, watching TV or chatting.

“Nostalgic……”

“Brother? It’s only been two months or so, right?”

“T-True, but so much has happened……”

“I wanna hear!”

“Yeah, once we settle. First, introductions.”

I pull out my key and open the door without ringing—old habit.

A familiar scent hits me as it opens.

“I’m home~”

“Welcome back~” echoes a familiar voice from inside.

Ah…… just hearing it calms me.

“““Excuse us~”””

Within seconds of Hina and the others’ voices, Mom dashes from the living room to the entrance.

“Oh my! Friends?”

“Mom, I’m home. These are my party mates from there. This is Kamui Hinata, Kagura Shino, and Fujii Hiroto.”

“Wow…… bringing three beauties—impressive!”

Hina and Shino giggle; Fujii-kun blushes.

“Sorry…… I’m a guy.”

“Oh! So cute, I thought you were a tomboy! My apologies.”

“No, no, I get that a lot…… Nice to meet you.”

““Nice to meet you.”””

“Mom, she wears earphones for special reasons—don’t mind it.”

“Got it. you’re Shino-san. And the other girl shares the same name as our Hinata, right?”

“I’m Kamui Hinata. It’s written in hiragana. Since Hinata-kun’s here, I go by Hina.”

“Hina-chan! What a cute name! You two could rival my daughter in looks! My son’s really something~”

She pokes my side with her elbow, grinning teasingly.

Totally like Rin—or rather, Rin’s like her.

“Oh, Mom—”

“Don’t stand there—come in, come in~”

Mom takes charge, leading us to the living room.

Everything’s as I left it, with old doodles by me and Rin on display, It’s a bit embarassing.

Naturally, Shino zeroes in on my crude Mom portrait, grinning.

Hina sits hesitantly, looking around restlessly.

Surprisingly, Fujii-kun starts wiping the table with a cloth.

Rin and I head to the kitchen for drinks and snacks.

Six people in a living room usually for three feels surreal.

“I never thought Hinata’d bring friends—shocked me!”

“Haha…… sorry. I meant to tell you, but with everything, I forgot.”

“Honestly…… so scatterbrained at key moments.”

Getting scolded by Mom in front of them is embarrassing……

“Mom, could they stay here if possible?”

“Eh~! All staying over~? Big welcome~!”

Knew her personality wouldn’t refuse, and she didn’t.

“But we’ve only got one guest room………… Three in there—mixed sleeping?”

“No way!”

Fujii-kun, red-faced, reacts instantly.

Mom’s mischievous grin shows she’ll milk this for teasing.

“Hii-nee and Shii-nee, sleep in my room~! Three futons side by side~”

“Good idea. Auntie, is there enough futons?”

“No problem~ We’ve got enough for everyone.”

Really……? I didn’t know we had spares.

Never had overnight guests, so I had no idea.

“You haven’t had lunch, right? We don’t have enough ingredients, so lunch is takeout, dinner’s also on me.”

Mom’s always loved cooking and makes all sorts.

She’s probably been prepping since morning.

“Can’t wait!”

“Mom, Fujii-kun eats a ton despite his looks—ten portions for him, please.”

“U-ugh…… sorry……”

“If you eat lots, I’ll cook lots~ My son and daughter are small eaters, so it’s no fun.”

I eat a normal portion…… but compared to Fujii-kun, it’s tough.

Mom orders delivery efficiently.

Ordering fifteen portions for six makes me chuckle.

For a while, Rin asks about Seishin High and dungeons. Shino asks Rin, “Got a boyfriend?” Rin instantly replies, “Don’t need one,” as usual.

She’s always disliked guys—gets confessed to daily by boys and turns them all down. Even some girls confess, but that’s beyond me. She’s not interested in romance.

Romance…… Wonder if I’ll ever have that?

Delivery arrives in an hour, filling the table. We all eat happily.

After, we shop at a nearby supermarket for dinner ingredients.

Hina and Shino, unused to supermarkets, look around like it’s a novelty, but Hina’s silver hair draws stares.

With dinner prep mostly done and time to spare, I briefly explain Hina and Shino’s situations to Mom and Rin. Fujii-kun’s hearing this for the first time too.

“Powers sound tough…… Both in such hard spots. Use our Hinata as much as you want! If he tries anything weird, call me right away!”

“I won’t do anything weird!?”

“Oh? Not even with such cute girls?”

“Of course not!!”

“…………Did I raise him wrong?”

Wait, is it “don’t do it” or “do it”? Which is it!?

“My power helps them, but they help me too. They’re super strong, and I get amazing dinners every day.”

“We should send something to the Kamui family……”

“Oh! No need! Hinata-kun’s helped me more than enough!”

“R-Really? Kick him out if he’s a bother, okay?”

I suddenly recall Grandpa saying I should marry Hina.

Back then, I couldn’t imagine being told that the first time we met.

“Yes, if Hinata-kun does anything weird, I’ll call right away~”

Even Hina……

“Shino-chan’s hearing being too sharp is pretty rare too.”

“Other than not hearing, I don’t have many issues, so it’s better than Hina-chan’s case…… but still, talking to people like this is tough, so it really helps~”

“You’re using that telepathy thing even now, right?”

I nod in response.

“Hinata-kun’s surprisingly good at impressions—you can tell who’s talking without looking.”

“I didn’t know my son had such a talent……”

Haha…… I wouldn’t call it a talent, just thought plain relaying was boring.

Fujii-kun, listening quietly, seems lost in thought, which catches my attention.

Time passes peacefully. Mom heads to finish dinner, and surprisingly, Fujii-kun joins her. Seems he likes cooking too.

There’s no kitchen in the dorm, but he cooked occasionally in middle school.

Usually, Rin helps, but today she’s engrossed chatting with Hina and Shino.

As for me, I can manage Hina with skills, but I stay near Shino since I can’t relay talks if I leave.

Still, it’s rare for Rin to warm up to people this much.

She’s friendly but always keeps a slight distance—yet with Hina and Shino, there’s none of that.

It makes me so happy I can’t help but smile.

While they’re deep in chatter, Fujii-kun brings food from the kitchen, and we pitch in to help.

Mom’s meticulously crafted dishes look delicious, making me swallow hard.

Fujii-kun’s eyes sparkling, he really does seem to be a total foodie.

““““Let’s eat~!””””

We clasp our hands and dig in.

“Mmn!? D-Delicious~!”

Fujii-kun’s exaggerated reaction kicks in as he demolishes mountains of food.

Mom’s cooking, after so long, is as tasty as ever.

“Auntie, did you train at a fancy restaurant or something?”

“Hm? Nope.”

Shino asks, puzzled.

“It’s good enough to believe you’re a high-end chef!”

“Hehe, thanks~”

Hina nods vigorously in agreement, eating heartily.

“Hinata? Grab the futons after you’re done.”

“Got it.”

“They’re in the closet in my room.”

After eating and cleaning up, I fetch futons from Mom’s room.

As she said, neatly stacked, clean futons fill the closet—clearly maintained regularly.

I lived here all this time and didn’t know…… Why so many? Probably Mom preparing for me or Rin to bring friends over.

She’s always been one step ahead, ready for anything for us.

I carry the futons to Rin’s room upstairs.

“Rin~ I’m coming in your room~”

“Okay~”

Her permission echoes from downstairs, so I step in.

A faint, sweet girly scent fills the room.

It’s spotless—no trash, everything tidy and dusted.

I stack three futons next to Rin’s bed. Pretty sure they said the three of them would sleep in the futon.

I’ve heard some sisters get mad if their brother enters their room, but Rin doesn’t care. We casually go into each other’s rooms.

Somehow, I feel Shino’d be the type to get mad.

As I move futons to the guest room, Fujii-kun stands there, looking shy.

“Fujii-kun? What’s up?”

“Uh, um, that’s my futon, right?”

“Yeah, was about to take it to the guest room.”

“Uh, um………… Everyone’s sleeping at Rin-chan’s, right? C-Could I sleep in your room instead…… maybe……?”

“Hm? Sure, no problem. To my room then?”

“Yeah!”

Back upstairs, I head to the room next to Rin’s.

Unused for two months, it’s still pristine—Mom must clean it regularly.

I set the futon next to my bed.

“Wow~ It’s surprisingly spacious?”

“Yeah. For some reason, both my room and Rin’s are big. Mom’s policy, I guess.”

Mom’s room isn’t as large, but ours are huge.

Dorm rooms are about ten tatamis, but these are double that, with closet space too.

I was shocked hearing ten tatami’s average in cities—maybe rural homes are built bigger.

“Whoa…… First time in a guy’s room……”

“Hm? First time?”

“Y-Yeah. My family had strict rules, no entering guys’ rooms. That stopped when I went with Dad, but I never got the chance.”

A hint of sadness flickers in his eyes.

“Fujii family…… sounds tough.”

“Oh, sorry, not the Fujii side but my mom’s. When Dad took me, those rules ended, but I just never had the opportunity.”

Mom’s side, probably means his parents are separated. Sounds complicated, so I won’t pry.

Still, my room as his first guy friend’s room…… was it a good idea? There’s not much exciting here.

“Thought there’d be games or something, but none? Just textbooks, no manga?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t really interested. I played the game once, and I was excited about the character getting stronger the more he fought, but when I thought about it, I realized that I was a ”Level 0” so I couldn’t get stronger. Because of that, I spent all my time studying. It was fun, but I don’t have many memories.”

“Hehe, your desk looks well-used.”

“Studied hard, but vaguely remember wanting to be an explorer. But i didn’t learn much about it, just read a dungeon intro book.”

“Oh~ I get that~ I had no friends either, I tried figuring out how to make friends, but I realized I had no hobbies or anything to talk about……”

“We’re…… kinda alike, huh?”

“Hehe, yeah. Maybe that’s why? Talking to you feels familiar, That’s why I wanted to join your party.”

“Yeah, I felt that with you too. Haven’t hit a dungeon together yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah! Same!”

Then, I feel intense stares from the door. Turning, I see three girls peeking.

Hina, Shino, Rin, in that order, adorable.

“Brother and him…… kinda like a couple, huh?”

Rin’s one-line ruins everything.

We take turns bathing after, Mom and Rin, Hina and Shino, then me and Fujii-kun.

Fujii-kun says the bathroom’s bigger than most homes, the tub’s wide enough for two without touching.

I used to bathe with Rin, but ever since she hit middle school, we’ve went in separately.