Day four since Kikyo-kun became an explorer.
Kikyo-kun came again today. He hasn't taken a single day off. That's impressive.
So he wasn't lying about leveling up being his goal. Yesterday and today he's defeated about 40 goblins each day, and he doesn't even look tired.
Was he originally talented? If so, maybe I let a pretty good catch slip away?
If an originally talented guy like Kikyo-kun quit being an explorer after leveling up a bit and did a different job, he'd be something special. He'd probably produce decent results in most lines of work.
Huh? Am I starting to think he's kind of cool?
This morning, when he came to the reception desk, I mustered a little courage and tried to chat with him lightly, but for some reason he wasn't as forward as he was on the first day. He responded in a very stiff manner.
Was it really because I brushed him off coldly on the first day? Or did he get a girlfriend in this short time?
It's hard to imagine a bottom-tier explorer getting a girlfriend in such a short time, I guess.
---
Day five.
He came again today...
They say you should look at a man with new eyes if you haven't seen him for three days, but can he really change this much?
Come to think of it, his atmosphere seems to be becoming more like an intermediate explorer's...
But no matter how you look at it, there's no way he's reached intermediate level in such a short time. Could it be because I'm slightly conscious of him?
That's weird. Why am I thinking about Kikyo-kun so much? Even if my reception job is boring, lacking excitement, and I'm spending my lonely twenties without friends or a boyfriend...
"Th-That's it..."
I have so little romantic contact that Kikyo-kun is the only young guy I have any connection with at all.
This is really bad!
If I miss this coincidental yet fated encounter with Kikyo-kun and end up spending years here without being transferred from Aomori branch to another branch...
"I might have to spend my entire twenties without a boyfriend!?"
Today I'll talk to him more proactively. I at least want to become friends.
Even if Kikyo-kun isn't interested in me as a woman, if I don't at least expand my social circle through him, my precious twenties will end with nothing.
There's nobody but old guys at the Aomori branch besides me! There's no way I'm letting Kikyo-kun get away!
Okay, here he comes. Kikyo-kun is heading straight for the reception desk. Today I'll finally have a nice, friendly conversation with him and start by becoming friends!
"Good morning, Kikyo-kun. How far has your exploration progressed?"
"Huh? Well, I'm mainly on the second floor, same as usual."
"It's amazing that you're not struggling even against goblins."
If his level was 2 or 3, even a backline class wouldn't struggle that much, but I'll flatter him a bit here.
"Soloing as a backline class is really tiring, you know? You're working really hard, aren't you?"
"Huh... I suppose."
"Yes, yes, you are."
"Hmm..."
"..."
The conversation ended.
Huh? Does he not want to continue talking?
I'm pretty good-looking, and guys talk to me fairly often. I mean, Kikyo-kun himself approached me on the first day.
Why?
"Well then, I'm off."
"Please be careful, okay?"
"Okay."
He's shy. He must be shy.
Because he normally hit on me on the first day. It would be strange for his attitude to change so suddenly in such a short time. He's just embarrassed because his pickup attempt failed on the first day, so he can't talk to me.
Tomorrow I'll talk to him even more aggressively and strip away that shyness.
---
Day six.
"Kikyo-kun. Work hard exploring again today, okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, well... okay."
"By the way, what do you usually do, Kikyo-kun?"
"I explore."
Huh? Cold.
I finally mustered the courage to cross the receptionist barrier and talked to him in a slightly revealing outfit in a private way, but he's colder than I expected.
He cut me off with a straight face and moved on to the next topic.
"Your level has gone up quite a bit, hasn't it?"
"Some."
"You won't tell me?"
"No, I won't."
You... won't tell me?
Did I do something wrong?
"There are surprisingly few people who work hard at exploring every day, you know? Kikyo-kun, you're amazing."
"Well, I have to earn money."
Cold! His response is completely cold! It's way colder than how I brush off people I'm not interested in!
If it makes me sad, go easy on the salt!
This kid is trying to end the conversation so it doesn't develop. Plus, he glances at his wristwatch, telling me he has no intention of talking.
"Once you become an intermediate explorer, you can earn at least below average. In your case, since you're solo, you should earn a decent amount even as an intermediate. Keep working hard, okay?"
"Okay."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask, alright?"
"Okay."
"A wooden sword is fine for now, but once your level is a bit higher, I recommend buying a sword or spear. It'll change your survival rate."
"Okay."
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Sana. Normally I wouldn't give out my real name, but you're special, Kikyo-kun."
"Okay."
Kikyo-kun has started only saying "okay."
Huh? There's no way he doesn't understand the meaning of me giving my personal name even though receptionists these days don't do that, right?
When a receptionist gives her personal name, it's an appeal that she wants to get closer to you, so what's with only saying "okay"?
Am I not his type? No, no! That can't be. He hit on me on the first day.
I'm totally open to being hit on by you now, you know, Kikyo-kun exclusive?
So come on, come on, come on, come on!!! Come! Let's go!
Come!! Come!! Hey hey!!
Worst case, go on a night date, have a light meal, drink some alcohol, and try to take me to a hotel with the flow, and I'll say "Just for tonight, okay?" and allow it!!
Not that I actually intend to let it be just tonight! I'm never letting you escape!
Come, come, come!!
I'd even be okay if you straight up said "I want to clash our bodies together and ask Sana's body various things" and did a wall slam, okay!?
Hey hey hey! Come here!!
Put Kikyo-kun's bat against my hole for a hole in one!!
"I have exploring to do, so I'll be going."
"Ah, okay."
Kikyo-kun walked briskly past the reception desk and into the dungeon as if he had absolutely no interest in me.
Are my twenties... over?