Kai: “Aya, I’m sorry… I’ve caused you a lot of trouble…”

 

Aya and I return to the Ryuenji residence via Lightning. Only Chairman Kagetora has other matters to attend to, so he takes a different route.

The time is in the evening, just as the sun begins to set, Aya and I teleport to Nagi’s shadow.

 

Aya: “It’s okay, Kai-san… Ahaha. Stop it! Hehe, hey! Hey!”

 

Aya cheerfully pokes my shoulder with her finger. She has been in an unusually good mood, looking utterly smitten and cute.

 

Nagi: “Big brother… remember this?”

 

I am shown a video by Nagi. The recent press conference has already been uploaded to a popular video site, and she plays a particular section.

 

Video: 『I have favorable feelings towards Aya-san.』

Nagi: “Brother, this is a ‘guilty’ moment.”

 

Kai: “Well, that was, you know, in the heat of the moment. I was caught up in the excitement… But it wasn’t a lie.”

Nagi: “So, you impulsively admitted to the whole world that you have feelings for Aya-san? But, as a man, you must take responsibility, right? Right, Aya-san?”

Aya: “Uh, yes! Please take responsibility! You’ve played with a maiden’s heart!”

 

Nagi and Aya confront me. Little sister, why are you standing against your brother? And what does “responsibility” even mean? I don’t feel like I played with anyone’s feelings.

 

Kai: “Re-responsibility… What should I do?”

Aya: “Then, then…”

 

Aya walks up to Kai, grabs his sleeve, and shyly speaks.

 

Aya: “I want to have you to myself for a day… tomorrow.”

Kai: “Have me to… what do you mean?”

Aya: “I want to go on a date. It’s my birthday… on November 1st.”

Kai: “A date!? Ah, I… I didn’t know. Is spending your birthday with me okay?”

 

Aya, blushing deeply, looks up at Kai while still gripping his sleeve. She conveys her feelings even though she’s embarrassed. When Kai asks her again if it’s okay to spend such an important day with him, she nods, her ears turning red.

 

Kai: (I was planning to clear the A-Rank Cube tomorrow…)

 

There’s a brief silence between Aya and I, but I slowly nod.

 

Kai: “…Okay. I might not be good at it since it’s my first time… but let’s do it, a date! I’ll make sure you have the best time!”

 

Although the A-Rank Cube might collapse the day after tomorrow, it has been left alone since I was planning to clear it. Therefore, I decide to clear it today and free up tomorrow’s schedule.

 

Aya: “Eh!? Is it okay? A whole day!? Even though Kai-san’s days are so precious. I’m sorry, you can forget about it!”

 

Aya is surprised but immediately tells me to forget about it. Indeed, I have been busy clearing dungeons every day, so my schedule is packed.

 

However, I nod once more.

 

Kai: “No, it’s fine. And…”

 

Kai looks at Aya, feeling a bit shy and embarrassed.

 

Kai: “I want to… go on a date with Aya.”

 

At those words, Aya steps closer to me.

 

Aya: “Eh? Can you… say that again, but louder!?”

Kai: “Not a second time! Anyway… let’s… go on a date for your birthday! Can I celebrate it with you?”

Aya: “Really?”

Kai: “Really.”

Aya: “Really really?”

Kai: “Really, I said—”

 

Aya suddenly hugs Kai and then, with a broad smile, responds from within his embrace.

 

Aya: “Okay! Let’s do it, a date! I’m so happy!”

 

Her smile is undoubtedly the brightest and cutest I have ever seen.

 

Nagi: “Way to go, big brother!”

Reina: “Have fun, Aya.”

 

Nagi and Reina clap from the side. It might be true that I hadn’t explicitly expressed my feelings for Aya before.

In a way, this has become a confession. Wanting to go on a date is almost the same as confessing affection. Reina, who had previously admitted to liking Kai, nods in agreement. She might be a bit strange.

And so, Aya and I promise to go on our first date next Saturday.

I set an alarm on my smartphone with the loudest volume to ensure I don’t oversleep. I’ve been on a nocturnal schedule recently…

 

…

 

Kai: “Okay, Nagi. I’ll finish tomorrow’s planned dungeon clear ahead of time. I might return late at night.”

Nagi: “Okay! Take care!”

 

The time is just past 3 PM, so I plan to advance the clear of the A-Rank dungeon scheduled for tomorrow. Generally, it would take 2-3 hours to clear, including travel. If I start now, it should be over by 8 or 9 PM. When I called Hao-san earlier, he said he was free, so I plan to teleport to China.

 

Kai: “Ah, but before that…”

 

I contact Tanaka-san and then teleport. I’m actually going to pick up something I had asked Tanaka-san to prepare.

 

Tanaka: “Hello, Kai-kun. I’ve prepared what you asked for…”

 

I receive the item from Tanaka-san. It’s not too big, about the size of a fist.

 

Kai: “Yes! With this, I believe I can diversify my fighting style! Thank you!”

Tanaka: “Ah, if something like this helps, I can prepare as many as you want. Now, go on.”

Kai: “Yes!”

 

And then I teleport to the Battle God Guild.

 

Kai: “Thank you for your hard work, Hao-san!”

Wei: 『Hey, Kai.』

Hao: “Thank you for your hard work, Kai-san.”

 

When I jumped to Hao-san’s shadow, big brother Wei, happens to be there with him. Thinking it’s a good opportunity, I activate my new skill 『Heart Conversation.』

With this skill, I should be able to speak in Japanese but convey my thoughts mentally. I should also understand what big brother Wei and the others want to say.

 

Kai :『Can you hear me? Big brother Wei.』

Wei & Hao :『『!？』』

 

Both of them are surprised by my words.

 

Wei :『What’s this? Directly into my head… Is this like that Cube I sometimes hear?』

Hao :『Eh? Kai-san, did you learn Chinese? No, this feels different.』

Kai :『I’m glad we can communicate now. It’s a new skill! This will make communication easier!』

Wei :『You… always getting strange powers… I saw the press conference.』

Kai :『Ha, haha… I got carried away. But I didn’t reveal the details of my ability…』

Wei :『Even so, they must’ve realized you’re special. But I won’t let anyone harm you.』

 

In truth, I have told Wei about my abilities. Big brother Wei trusted me exchanged a bond of brotherhood, and I believe I should trust Wei as much. We’ve also dined together several times in China, and now I really do revere big brother Wei.

 

Kai :『You’re the best, big brother Wei!』

Wei :『Haha, Jing has been nagging about when she’ll see you next. Show your face to her.』

Kai :『Oh, I have someone I like…』

Wei :『Whether it’s two or three, it doesn’t matter. I’d approve if it’s you.』

Kai :『Uhm, so, I was thinking of going to the A-Rank Cube that I planned for tomorrow, today! Is that okay with you, Hao-san?』

 

I quickly change the subject.

 

Wei :『Running away again…』

 

Wei laughs, though, I do keep running away. Actually, regarding Jing-san, I’m sure I clearly rejected her. So, I’m not running away.

 

Hao :『Yes, no problem! It’s near Beijing, so it’s about a two-hour flight. Shall I get the tickets?』

Kai :『Please!』

 

I thank Hao-san for buying the tickets and travels by plane. It’s around dusk. Lightning is a bit inconvenient as it requires marking people at the destination.

 

Kai: “Now, with this, I’ve finally reached 1 million. Transcendent.”

 

The location is close to the major Chinese city of Beijing. Yet, slightly away from the city’s bustle, in a desolate wilderness, stands a bright red Cube.

As usual, I touch the Cube with a solemn sound. Ripples spread, accepting me into the sealed box.

I had a hunch about the Cube’s origin.

It’s a sealed box, meaning it contains monsters, the enemies of humanity, and the black knights who call me the knight of the current god and seek to kill me.

Who sealed it? Why was it sealed? Since when has it been sealed?

The questions are endless.

Still, I feel the answers lie ahead. The dungeons always provide answers to my questions.

But the cost might be my life.

I then enter the dungeon and, after several hours, defeat one of the black knights, achieving a full clear.

Immediately after, the usual voice sounds.

But this time, it’s different.

 

System Voice: 『Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4 confirmed, granting full clear reward… BEEEEP!!』

 

I’m alerted by the sudden warning sound. I had a feeling something was about to happen, a tingling sensation, uneasiness.

 

System Voice: 『ERROR! ERROR! ERROR! ERROR!』

 

So, I wanted to finish it today. I wanted to greet tomorrow’s date with Aya with a smile, free from worries.

I had a feeling I should do it today. Whether it’s good or bad luck, my bad premonitions tend to come true.

 

System Voice: 『ERROR!… Magic power increase has reached 999,999. To increase further, you need to truly awaken.』

 

Kai: “Magic power increase stopped at 999,000. …Something’s going to happen.”

 

I grip my white sword once more. Perhaps something is about to happen, an extra boss?

Or maybe…

 

System Voice: 『To truly awaken, Kai Amachi will be teleported. As this is the standard route, the last stage will be unlocked. Teleporting to—』

 

And then the lifeless voice tells Kai.

With a familiar voice, using familiar words, to a place he’s been before.

 

System Voice: 『—Temple of Eternity.』

 

To that temple, forgotten in the mists of time, silently standing as a shrine of gods.