Telling Her the Truth

ICDS Universe, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.

After returning to his apartment in Tokyo, Tatsuo could not help smiling widely. He had finally completed his first mission from the [System]. Finally, he would be able to go home.

However, after thinking about leaving this world… Leaving Sumire, his mood soured immediately.

"What am I gonna tell Sumire-San?" Tatsuo asked himself as he scratched the side of his head.

A moment later, after coming up with nothing, he let out a frustrated sigh. Then, he unequipped the [Azure Scaled Body Suit] and the Fluttering Feathers and decided to take a bath to think.

"Not only Sumire-San, but I have to decide if I'm gonna make Yoshikawa-San into a Dungeon Explorer, or not." Tatsuo said as the bathtub began filling up with hot water. "*Sigh* I just don't know what to do."

At that point, Tatsuo decided to turn the Dungeon Explorer Communication Channel back on to listen to what everyone was talking about.

["Is that kid not going to get back on the Channel?"] Walker asked.

["Walker, why do you even care?"] Hwaya asked. ["It's not like what he does is going to affect you, right?"]

["I just want to know what he was thinking."] Walker replied snappily. ["He basically just broke a whole bunch of international laws. Doesn't he even care?"]

In reality, Walker was envious of Tatsuo. Because of his upbringing, he's never been able to make his own decisions. Instead, everything was dictated by his master, Britan's second SS-Ranker, Joshua Brightman, a self-centered, egotistical manchild with too much power, physical, political, and business, at his disposal.

["I thought I already said it." Tatsuo said as he watched the bathtub fill up. ["I don't' give a damn what happens to the Japanese government. No one can dictate how I use my powers. IN fact, they don't even have the right to. Because I did something, objectively, good."]

["Tatsuo-Kun, you're back!"] Sumire squealed excitedly. ["I know you didn't get hurt when you were in China, but I'm glad you're okay."]

["Yeah, I'm fine."] Tatsuo replied. ["A big kitty is no problem for me. Especially if it's only C+-Ranked. No matter how big it is."]

["Tatsuo-Kun, you're so strong."] Sumire said with a smile evident in her tone.

["Yeah, yeah, you two can whisper sweet nothings to each other later."] Walker said in an irritated tone. ["But the world doesn't work like that, Kid. It's much darker and more complex than you think. Especially if you start messing with people's interests."]

["That only applies if you're not strong enough."] Tatsuo replied. ["And no one in China is strong enough to make me do anything I don't agree with. So, just drop it."]

["You little…"] Walker grumbled.

At that point, Tatsuo thought it was a good time to let everyone know that they wouldn't be seeing him much after three days.

["Besides, it doesn't even matter."] Tatsuo said. ["I'm gonna disappear for a while after three days. ["Nothing in this world is strong enough to give me a challenge yet. Well, other than that Dungeon in America. But I really don't wanna go over there right now."]

["Huh? What do you mean, you're going to disappear for a while?"] Sumire asked in a surprised and panicked tone. ["Where are you going? Can I come with you?"]

At that point, Sumire had basically confessed her feelings. Yet, she was too panicked to even realize that. However, Hwaya and Walker, the only other people in the Channel at the moment, noticed it rather clearly. Though, neither of them said anything, as they were just as surprised at Tatsuo's declaration.

["I'll tell you about it later, Sumire-San."] Tatsuo said. ["If you come over, I'll tell you my plans. But they're for your ears only."]

Hearing that, Sumire was nervus. She didn't want to hear that Tatsuo would disappear without taking her with him. But she also wanted to know what he would be doing. So, she firmed her resolve and replied.

["Okay, I'll come over right now."] Sumire said in a resolute tone.

["Whoa! Slow down."] Tatsuo said quickly. ["I'm just about to take a bath. So, you should wait a while."]

["Oh… Um… Okay."] Sumire replied while some unhealthy images played in her head. ["Um… Just call me when it's okay for me to come over."]

["So, you're not gonna tell me, huh?"] Hwaya said in a somewhat disappointed tone.

["Nah, I really don't want to many people to know where to find me."] Tatsuo replied casually.

["I… see…"] Hwaya replied, her disappointment even more evident.

Although Tatsuo would not consider Hwaya a friend, he would not say that he did not like her, either. Rather, he did not want the information to get to Walker, who was still Brightman's dog. So, he could not tell her in the Communication Channel. Plus, he thought it would be better to let Sumire tell her, since they were so close.

["By the way, where are Yeon Hwawoo and Kang-Ojisan?"] Tatsuo asked to change the subject.

["They left, saying they had something to do."] Hwaya said as if she were holding a grudge.

["Got it."] Tatsuo replied. ["Well, everyone has a life outside of Dungeon exploring and monster hunting, after all."]

At that moment, everyone heard the sound of Haya grinding her teeth.

It was obvious to Tatsuo that Hwaya knew where Yungoong and Shin were. And she made it obvious, too. She was hoping to trade information. But Tatsuo easily saw through her little trick. And because of Tatsuo's response, she didn't' even get a chance to start her plan.

["Anyway, I'm gonna get in the bath now."] Tatsuo said with a chuckle. ["Talk to you guys later."]

Then without waiting for a response, Tatsuo said, "channel off," and stripped out of his clothes before getting in the bath.

About forty-five minutes later, Tatsuo was out of the bath and dressed in comfortable casual clothes with his smartphone in his hand. He had just sent a text to Sumire, letting her know it was fine to come over now. However, he did not put his phone down. Instead, he was staring at an entry in his contacts.

"Whatever, I'll just do it." Tatsuo muttered as he pressed the call button.

*Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!*

{"Hello, Soramoto-Kun?"} Noriko asked from the other side of the phone. {"You're calling me so soon after I left, is something the matter?"}

"Hey, Yoshikawa-San." Tatsuo replied casually. "There was something I just thought of, and I wanted to talk to you about it."

{"Oh, what is it?"} Noriko asked in a curious tone.

"I'd rather tell you about it in person, if that's okay." Tatsuo replied. "Mom always told me that you should say important thigs in person, like confessing to a girl."

Hearing that, Noriko began to laugh.

{"Oh, really?"} Noriko replied. {"Does that mean you're planning to confess to me? Well, at least you have good taste. Though I may be a few years older than you, I still look quite good if I do say so myself."

Hearing that, Tatsuo's eyebrows could not help but start twitching.

{"But I think you should look for someone closer to your own age, Soramoto-Kun."} Noriko continued after she was done praising herself. {"If you'd like, I know a few pretty good looking girls that are closer to your age. I could introduce them---"}

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Tatsuo said, interrupting Noriko's sale's pitch. "That was just an example. Don't take it so seriously."

Once again, Noriko began to laugh. Of course she knew that Tatsuo was joking. However, because he was one of her old friend's kid, she just teased him on instinct.

"Anyway, do you think you could come by tomorrow?" Tatsuo asked. "Or if that's inconvenient, I can come to you."

{"No, it's fine, I'll come to you.:} Noriko replied after getting her laughter in order. {"Just let me know what time is good for you, and I'll be there."}

"How does eleven a.m. sound?" Tatsuo asked. "WE can order some food and have lunch, too."

{"That's fine."} Noriko replied with a smile. {"Then, I'll see you then."}

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Tatsuo replied.

With that, Tatsuo hung up. Now, all he had to do was wait for Sumire. Meanwhile, he organized his thoughts.

About ten minutes later, Tatsuo received a text that said Sumire was downstairs. So, he quickly made his way to the lobby and picked her up. Then, once they were both upstairs, they sat in the living room facing each other.

"So, what are you going to do after three days, Tatsuo-Kun." Sumire asked in a nervous tone.

Tatsuo did not reply immediately. Instead, he took a deep breath to confirm his decision again.

"Sumire, I need to tell you… I'm not from this world." Tatsuo said in a solemn tone.

Hearing that, Sumire blanked out.

"Huh?" Sumire exclaimed in surprise, that sound being the only thing that was able to come out of her mouth due to her confusion.

"Like I said, I'm not from this world." Tatsuo replied.

"Then, did you come from another world connected to the Dungeon?" Sumire asked. Then, she shook her head and continued. "No, that's not possible. Someone can't come to our world from another world. Even if their home world was destroyed…"

"Calm down, Sumire-San." Tatsuo said in the most soothing tone he could. "I'll explain everything. Just let me talk."

Hearing that, Sumire stopped muttering and hypothesizing to herself and stared Tatsuo directly in the eyes. And Tatsuo explained his origins to her. How he came from a completely different universe, how he had a mission to complete in this world, how that mission had several objectives, and how he had to go back to his own world.

He even explained that when he came over, a background was created for him in this world. And that although he did not really live that life, he experienced the memories upon arrival. So, they all felt like they were apart of him.

And Sumire listened attentively the whole time.

"I know it's hard to believe, but I'm telling you the truth." Tatsuo said after he finished explaining everything. "If you don't believe me, I won't bla---"

"I believe you, Tatsuo-Kun." Sumire replied resolutely. "If there's one thing I know about you, it's that you're too proud to lie."

'Well, I think I would lie if it benefited me, though.' Tatsuo thought to himself. 'But not to those who I consider my own people.'

"Still, it is a bit fantastical, I must admit." Sumire continued. "Even so, I believe you."

"Thank you, Sumire-San." Tatsuo replied with a smile.

"I'll miss you when you're gone, though." Sumire said in a downcast tone.

"Well, I'll be able to come back here I the future." Tatsuo said. "But it will cost me some resources. But I should be able to handle coming here every once in a while."

"Really?" Sumire asked hopefully.

"Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem." Tatsuo replied. "I just don't know how often that will be. I have to go to school and stuff, you know?"

Hearing that, Sumire just remembered that Tatsuo was only fifteen. However, she was unsure if that was really true, or if it was it only his age in this world.

"From what you told me, you are fifteen." Sumire said cautiously. "but are you really fifteen? Or is that just your setting in this world?"

Hearing that, Tatsuo froze momentarily. Then, he started laughing. And that caused Sumire to blush as she averted her gaze from Tatsuo. Though, she did not know what she was embarrassed about.

"No, I'm really fifteen." Tatsuo said a few moments later. "In my world, I turned fifteen only a week before I came here. And since time should be frozen in my world, I don't' think I've gotten any older, technically."

"Oh, okay." Sumire replied.

"Anyway, I only chose to tell you about this in private because I don't trust Walker." Tatsuo said. "But if you want to tell Mastiford-San, it's fine with me. Oh, and tell her that I already knew that Yeon Hwawoo-San and Kang-Ojisan went to Guangzhou to teal with the Giant Boar."

Sumire opened her eyes wide in surprise upon hearing that. Hwaya had only told her about it while she was waiting in the apartment's lobby for Tatsuo to bring her upstairs. So, she had no idea how he could have known.

"Wait… Did Kang-Ojisan or Yeon Hwawoo-San tell you in a private chat?" Sumire asked, as that was how Sumire told her, as well.

"Nope." Tatsuo replied with a smile. "All you need to know is that I have my ways."

In response, Sumire pouted and puffed out her cheeks in discontent. And from there, Sumire asked Tatsuo all sorts of questions about his world and how he lived in that world. And Tatsuo answered most of them. Though, he did not mention that he had been kidnapped by an organization and trained to become an assassin for eight years.

"Oh, I'll give you the code to the penthouse and the dojo." Tatsuo said in a tone that suggested that he just remembered. "So, you can come here whenever you want. You can even live here if you want to."

"Really?" Sumire asked with her eyes shining brightly and her cheeks dusted red.

'If I move in here, doesn't that technically mean we'll be living together?' Sumire asked herself. 'I mean, it will be like he's a husband who is constantly away from home on business trips.'

Tatsuo watched Sumire's expression change while she fidgeted excitedly for a while before bringing her back to the here and now. then, the two chatted until it got late. However, instead of going home like she had in the past, Sumire decided to spend the night in one of the apartment's guest rooms. And she decided she would use that room from now on whenever she decided to spend the night here.

When she wasn't sleeping in Tatsuo's bed while he was away, anyway.