Loner

Tsukasa Kisaragi suddenly remembered his role as a student, though only because he didn't have any dungeon requests today. Usually, as an EX-Rank explorer, the requests kept him too busy to attend school regularly. It felt like ages since he last set foot in class probably a week or so. Not that it made much difference. He had no friends, no club activities to pour his youth into, and definitely no sweet, romantic memories with a girlfriend. If anything, the dungeon was his lover. What a dry, uneventful youth.

Since middle school, Tsukasa had planned to live as a dungeon explorer. He enrolled in a decent private high school using his inheritance and paid the rest of his tuition with money earned from the dungeon. But he skipped so much school that he now regretted not just opting for a correspondence school instead. As a third-year student, his grades were slightly above average, and his attendance was dismal, leading to poor report cards. However, his homeroom teacher didn't seem too worried, likely because they knew Tsukasa was making money as a dungeon explorer. Though they probably had no idea he was earning in the billions.

Lately, dungeon exploration had become quite popular among high school students. The government had been lamenting the decline in the number of explorers, but high schoolers were stepping up. The government wanted more full-time explorers to increase exports of magic stones, so the minimum age for an explorer license dropped from 20 to 18, and now you could get one as early as the spring after graduating from middle school.

So why were high school students becoming explorers? Simple: with a bit of effort, even reaching the top floors could earn more than a typical part-time job. That's it. Tsukasa didn't know for sure, but about half of his classmates had explorer licenses.

"Good morning!"

"N-Nanami!?"

"Are you okay!?"

Tsukasa was lost in thought, reading a thick book in the corner of the classroom, waiting for homeroom to start when the room suddenly became lively. He glanced up from his book and saw the girl he had saved yesterday, smiling with a bandage wrapped around her head.

"Someone kind helped me out."

"We saw it on the stream!"

"I told you it was too dangerous to go to the lower floors."

"I'm sorry."

Her name… Asakawa Nanami, right? The girl he saved yesterday—he thought she looked familiar. Turns out she was his classmate. But with a different outfit and hairstyle, it's no wonder he didn't recognize her. Not that he interacted much with his classmates anyway.

"But who was it that saved you during the stream?"

"…Oh, right. The stream didn't cut off, did it?"

"You're just now realizing that? The stream kept going until the Association staff cut it off at the entrance."

"R-Really? I was too embarrassed to check the archive… I only remember being saved by a… wolf?"

Looking around the classroom, it was clear how popular Asakawa Nanami was. Before she arrived, everyone was chatting in small groups, but as soon as she walked in, they all gathered around her.

She really was beautiful. Tall for a girl, with a perfect figure. As a dungeon explorer capable of soloing the lower floors, her body was toned, yet her chest was still quite prominent. Her glossy, black hair, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese beauty, was stunning. Even as an awkward loner with no chance, Tsukasa couldn't help but admire her.

He had a thing for legs, so yeah, he liked her. But it wasn't like he wanted to date her or anything—just thought she was cute, that's all. Yeah, sounds like a lame excuse, better stop.

"Yeah… I was really worried watching the stream. I was thinking about going to help you, Asakawa-san."

"T-Thank you…"

Some flashy-looking guy went up to talk to her. Why do guys like him always get all the attention? It's practically discrimination against introverts. But guys like him usually work hard behind the scenes to be popular, exuding confidence that naturally attracts girls. Just being nice or sincere isn't enough. Not that Tsukasa considered himself either.

Still, judging by everyone's reactions, this guy must be pretty popular, but Asakawa's response seemed lukewarm.

"You should've asked me for help. I would've gone to the lower floors with you."

"But it was my stream… I wanted to try it alone."

"I could've been your bodyguard. There are only two C-Rank explorers in our class, so you can rely on me more."

Wow.

Even though Tsukasa was EX-Rank, he didn't usually speak up, but a high school senior being a C-Rank explorer was impressive. The guy was good-looking, tall, probably smart, and had the skills to back it up. Tsukasa was honestly jealous.

Then again, Tsukasa didn't come to school often enough to remember everyone's names.

"You're so cool, Shunsuke! We need to raise our explorer ranks too!"

"It's all about hard work. Being an explorer isn't just about talent, it's about effort."

Is this guy actually nice?

Tsukasa wasn't sure since he barely came to school. Even when he did, he often left early or spent his time waiting for the day to end while reading a book.

And if he remembered correctly, the guy's name was Kurihara Shunsuke… or something like that. Not entirely sure.

"Hm?"

Wait, he's looking this way.

"Oh? You're here today? You usually don't show up."

"Huh? Who's that loner?"

"Isn't he the guy who's always absent? That shut-in kid?"

Ouch. That stings. They just bluntly said what I'm insecure about. This is why I don't like gyaru.

"Everyone's gathered and chatting, so why don't you join us?"

"N-No, it's okay…"

Would they get mad if I said I wasn't interested? Please, teacher, get here soon… This is torture.

"You're always reading in the corner like that, no wonder you're such a loner."

"Uh… Can I have my book back?"

For some reason, she took his book. Honestly, it's not that interesting… It's just a comprehensive guide to Japanese yokai.

"Pfft… Are you reading a book for kids? Grow up already."

"Hahaha! Yokai, seriously?"

"What a total nerd."

I might cry. Maybe if I apologize, they'll give it back. I don't want them to ruin it… I should just apologize.

"I-I'm sorry. Can I please have it back?"

"Huh? I'm just reading it a bit, what's the big deal?"

"It's… it's fine, but…"

"Oh, it's fine? You're such a pushover!"

"Such a wimp."

Feels like the whole class is making fun of me. Am I the only awkward introvert in this class?

Glancing around, it seemed like everyone was laughing at him. Apparently, Tsukasa had somehow ended up in a class full of extroverts.

Damn. As an introvert, the only way I can think to get my book back is to grovel. Maybe a bow?

"You should probably give it back. The teacher will be here any minute."

"Oh, right… Sorry, loner-kun."

Wow, they gave it back without ruining it. Just when I thought he was a jerk, he shows a decent side. It's this constant back-and-forth that probably makes girls fall for him. Noted.

But Asakawa-san, who came to his rescue, looked more like a goddess to him. Though she was tilting her head, looking confused.

"Such a quiet, pure magic aura… I've never seen anything like it…"

She's mumbling something, but can she say it louder? If it's an insult, I might just cry and go home early, so please make sure I hear it.

Sigh… I finally came to school, and now I've got to deal with this hassle. Guess I'll blow off some steam in the dungeon after school… Wait, I go there every day. What kind of fool am I, willingly walking the path of a corporate slave?