Yet, Some Things Never Change. (13.1)

…

"Man, Hikigaya-kun, you sure are scary." Orimoto Kaori, by all means, was not someone I expected to see in this world. Still, could I really call the person looking over my Status as Orimoto Kaori? The first girl who I fell for? The mannerisms and other habits were there. The always-present smile, the energetic disposition, and even her single-mindedness were all present. Even her laugh, the slight cross between a chuckle and a giggle, was the same. "I've seen a lot of Statuses, but yours take the cake!"

"I'll take that as a compliment." I couldn't help but be a little gruff towards Orimoto because of those reasons. Seriously, there were a myriad of other people I'd rather have around now than my first crush. People I knew that didn't have a cloud of awkwardness neither one of us really wanted to acknowledge. Like Hayama. Scummy goody-two-shoes that Riajuu might be, but he knew how to play a crowd better than I did. No way in hell I'd want Totsuka here, no matter how much happier I'd be to have him around. Totsuka is too good for this world. Too innocent. Too pure. Amen. "Are you done?"

"Yep! I'm all finished now, Hikigaya-kun!" Orimoto gave a huff of accomplishment as I reached for my shirt. The room was noticeably dimmer once the 'divine' power faded away. According to Orimoto, while the ceiling of Under Resort was healing, it wasn't as luminescent as it used to be. Candles and Mage Lights were slowly being carted back from Orario along with other, important supplies. I ignored how close her breath was to my back as she pressed a piece of paper against my Status. "Man, already at D-Rank in all your Skills, too! That's scary even without thinking about your new Skill!"

"Given how powerful Mentor is I'm not very surprised." I really shouldn't hold Orimoto at arm's length. The two of us were from the same world. Our circumstances alone should've meant that we'd do our utmost to help one another in our current situation. Still, despite that fact, I couldn't help but simply comment and allow the conversation to flow rather than actually speak to my old classmate. There was something hanging between the two of us that I couldn't place my finger on. Blame, relief, and many other things that conflicted with one another. "And, are you really one to talk Miss Level 4 and 'Leader' of Rivira? You've got an entire town under your thumb and you call me a monster?"

"Hilarious, Hikigaya." Prying the paper against my back, I felt her palm settle against my Status. I felt the skin of my back shift, a familiar feeling, and I knew that my Status was completely hidden. As I shrugged my shirt on, Orimoto took a seat by my side on the cot we'd appropriated and handed me the results of my Rank Up. My old classmate gave a sigh and a soft chuckle as she laid back against the bed of straw covered by a blanket. As I examined the changes to my Status, raising an eyebrow at the stupidly Chuuni name of my new Skill, she covered her eyes with her forearm. "Hey, Hikigaya, you see the same thing as I do, right? The words that are just always there? Telling us that we can go back home?"

"…Yeah, I do." I folded the paper before running it beneath the candle. No point in having physical evidence of my Skills. I turned my attention back to my old classmate. Now, the person lying at my side was different. Orimoto Kaori still existed, but there was no way that the person I used to know would ever act so… defeated. Her Skill allowed her to focus on a single object and pursue it fearlessly and without qualm for consequences. I didn't know whether or not it was as terrifying as my own, but it was most certainly horrible. "Reach the end of the Dungeon and return home, right?"

"I've reached Floor Thirty, Hikigaya-kun. It's terrifying." Orimoto placed her hand against her stomach and turned her gaze towards me. I ignored the memories that her gaze brought back. The rejection and the disgust I'd seen as a child all returned. As always, despite the fact that some things were left forgotten, I couldn't. I've always been a very spiteful person. My memories, brought so clearly to the forefront of my mind, wanted me to say dozens of stupid things and air out many regrets. I clamped down on them, screwed the lid tightly, and focused on staying quiet and simply listening. "There are armies of monsters there. Hordes upon hordes. Tidal waves of monsters that hammer whatever expedition that-."

"I know, but we'll get through it." I interrupted Orimoto with both my words and a shake of my head. I got up from the cot and shrugged on my coat. After a moment, the surge of power from the Rank Up was gone and I was once more 'normal.' Just as strong as the average Level 2. My students all agreed that it's suicidal to try and stride into the Dungeon past Rivira as a Level 1. "We have to if we want to go back. So we will."

"Can you really just say that, Hikigaya-kun?" Orimoto didn't rise. For a moment I just turned and looked at her. My old classmate leaned on her elbows, meeting my gaze with a slight, small smile. Melancholy, I decided, didn't suit Orimoto Kaori in the slightest. "Just… we have to so we will?" She brought her knees up and rested her head upon them. "We could die. Level 5s and 6s die down there all the time. I want to see my friends. My family… but would they want us to die trying to get back to them?"

"No. They wouldn't." Orimoto wanted to know why the two of us should keep fighting. Everything she said was true. Would my mother and father want me to risk my life to go back home? Would Komachi? Would anyone? No. I knew they wouldn't. However… "But I want to. I want to go back and see my family and everyone again." I decided a long time ago that I would. "I want to go back to school. I want to worry about just getting a job." I took a breath to steady myself. "It sounds… ridiculous, I know, to risk my life for things as simple as that, but…"

"No. I get it." Orimoto interrupted with a sigh. Yet, even then, my former classmate did not rise. "But… what about everyone else? Everyone here?" A sigh escaped her. Ever so slightly, her voice cracked. "Don't you ever think that you're going to lose more just by leaving?"

To that particular question, I didn't have answer.

…

"I'm gone for a week, brat, and you manage to start a war." Arde massaged her temple and gave a groan. The Abandoned Church was in good shape despite being attacked by the Apollo Familia. I supposed that having the Sword Princess around must've helped in that regard. Like finding a raid boss at the entrance of the dungeon. Scary. Cranel, of course, fidgeted beneath Arde's gaze. "And, not only that, but you manage to start one with one of the largest Familias in all of Orario!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Ah, Cranel used 'cry cutely' it's super effective against Sensei-types and Oppai-Lolo-types. Unfortunately, my white-haired student, Arde is a Fighter/Pettanko hybrid legendary with resistances against such debuffs. My Pallum student simply crossed her arms and sighed. As expected, it's not very effective… "They wanted me to leave Kami-sama and they threatened to burn our home down if I didn't! I had to fight!"

"You could've just had Wallenstein show up and scare them away!" Arde protested. Hmmm… good point there, my Pallum student. The classic 'my friend is stronger that you' technique has allowed me to circumvent many odd situations. By all means, such a plan would've worked given the fact that the Sword Princess was well-known and very, very strong. "They'd have been scared away and we wouldn't be caught up in this mess!"

"A man can't let the girl he likes fight for him!" Ah, good point Cranel. I see that you're pursuing the classical romance of a hero and a damsel. My white-haired student's face contorted into one of determination, his hand curled into a fist before his face. I could feel the fires of his will shining brightly. It made my stomach curdle. Such an overused gag… "I'd lose all my pride as a man if I let Aiz fight for me!" Wow, he actually slammed his fist against the table. Unfortunately, the manliness of the gesture was lost given the fact he was blushing madly at his own proclamation. "If anything I regret not being able to handle them all by myself!"

"Uwaa… Bell-kun is becoming so manly!" Ah, a Hestia interrupt! The Oppai-Loli uses side tackle and wiggle! A truly devastating attack! Cranel is lost in marshmallow heaven. Rest in peace, my student. May you forever be the envy of Otaku everywhere. Still, I was able to read between the lines. Though unsaid, I could see the subtext behind the hug. It was like this: "Oi, stop thinking about that Wallenstein! Think about me! Bell-Kun~." Truly terrifying. "I'm so proud of you!"

Mikoto, the newest of Hestia's Familia, watched the scene with a small smile. Eh, you're awfully content and quiet despite the fact a girl's raising flags on your crush? Shouldn't you be trying to get his attention or something? You're being way too cool, Mikoto-san! You're setting yourself up for disappointment by staying quiet though! I don't think I'll be able to take if you don't even get a fair chance to confess! That'll break my heart!

For a moment, I just basked in the presence of the Hestia Familia. Just Cranel, Arde, Mikoto, and Hestia up to their usual antics. I didn't have to worry about maintaining an image, my missing limb, and the general escalation of violence and plots that were underway. Though I usually had no problem spending time with my students, Laulos's decision ensured that such a gathering would be awkward at best. Both Hiryute and Lyon had other matters to attend to, the former concerning her seeing her Familia Members rested and the latte to get some rest.

The past month had been hectic. An attack on Orario forced me to reunite with Hecate. I had helped rescue what remained of Mikoto's Familia. We had taken on three Monster Rexes and a Calamity in a single Expedition. Only the previous month could hope to compare, and in that one I had been ambushed while shopping, kidnapped, burnt alive, and killed a dragon roughly in the same week. Now, we were all planning on confronting one of the largest Familias in Orario, with a ballroom dance just two days before the massive, city-wide battle, and gathering whoever was willing to help us.

There was no doubt in my mind that I'd already achieved my original objective of ingratiating myself into this Light Novel's plotline. There's no way that all those events could've happened in such rapid succession, along with my survival of them all, if not for my success. I was part of the 'cast' and deeply, completely involved in the myriad of plots and plans that are now occurring in Orario. I'd achieved one of the first steps of my plan to get home… yet, as I sat there I couldn't help but remember Orimoto's words.

I could get home my reaching the end of the Dungeon. That was a fact that was always in the corner of my vision. A constant reminder that made sure I couldn't simply sit still.

Now, with Orimoto's words and my 'success' those words were another reminder.

If I did succeed, when I succeeded, I would be leaving everyone behind if I chose to return home.