Chapter 3: Something Long Wished For

♦♦♦

Leaving the military facility, I use the skill “Absolute Stealth” to slip away from the scene.

Perhaps because I vanished right before their eyes, I can see the soldiers panicking.

I’m not worried about my safety since I’m meeting Touma-san, but the wariness emanating from the soldiers who greeted me sends cold sweat down my back.

Finally, getting away from the military facility eases my mind.

Now…… time to head to my next destination.

The military facility is located north of Seishin Town. Further north from here lies the artificial island, the place where Touma-san and Akari-san fought.

My destination is straight east from the facility.

As the tall buildings gradually disappear, lush green rice paddies stretch out before me.

Some people are working the fields with machines, and watching the brown soil deep in the water slowly get covered in green makes me feel like my heart is softening just by looking at it.

Using “Absolute Stealth,” I can run over the fields without crushing a single leaf, so I decide to dash straight through the middle of the rice paddies.

But running over the seedlings that are being so carefully nurtured like this might be disrespectful to the hardworking farmers.

《“Through a flash of insight, you have acquired the skill ‘Natural Growth (Weak).’》

Along with the announcement, faint particles of light spread out from me across the rice paddies.

This way, even if I run through the middle of the seedlings, it’ll benefit them, and I won’t be undermining the farmers’ efforts.

I keep running through the sprawling green rice paddies, continuing eastward.

♦♦♦

I’ve really arrived……

“I wish he’d hurry up and get here~”

Even though it’s gotten hot, my little sister Rin is sitting on the porch, pouting with her hands under her chin, swinging her legs back and forth.

Since I had a promise with Touma-san today, I had to make up some fake plans, so I told everyone it was a day to meet Rin.

When I came during the long weekend, I took the bullet train, but now I know I can get here by running too.

It was something I thought of after what happened at the artificial island, and it turns out it’s really possible.

If I release “Absolute Stealth” now, I might startle her, so I decide to enter through the front door instead.

“Huh……? Onii-chan’s scent?”

Rin looks around curiously.

I hurry to the entrance, confirm no one’s around, and release “Fool’s Mask” and “Absolute Stealth.”

“Onii-chan~!”

“Whoa!? Rin?”

“Welcome back~!”

I catch my sister as she leaps toward me with momentum.

“Hey, hey, running in slippers is dangerous, you know?”

“Ehehe~ I couldn’t help running to my Onii-chan after so long~”

Rin, burying her face in my chest and rubbing against me, is as adorable as ever.

Lately, we’ve been in touch every morning, noon, and night, and we often talk on the phone too, but meeting like this is the first time in almost a month.

Still, how long does Rin plan to keep hugging me……? Even though we’re on our property, we’re in a spot visible to others, so we should probably head inside before someone gets the wrong idea.

What should I do……? Carry her in like this?

《“Through a flash of insight, you have acquired the skill ‘Transportation.’”》

I gently lift Rin, who’s still clinging to me, and carry her into the house.

“Eh~ Onii-chan! My body’s all stuck to you~?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you, Rin, it seems I’ve learned a new skill.”

“Oh~ You mean that thing you were talking about, Onii-chan. I looked it up too, but I couldn’t find anything at all.”

My sister said she’d look into “skills.” Even she, who’s used to researching all sorts of things online, couldn’t find anything.

“Thanks for trying so hard. But it’s fine now.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. So, how about we go somewhere?”

“Sure!”

She beams with a bright smile and a cheerful shout.

Mom told me beforehand she’s working today, but it seems we can have dinner together.

“I’ll get ready quick!”

I let out a small wry smile as my sister hurriedly dashes upstairs.

It’s been about two months since I left home, huh……

It doesn’t feel like much has changed, but the positions of things in the living room seem different, or maybe my memory of the little details is just fuzzy.

Last time, I didn’t notice because Hina and the others came with me and things were hectic, but living away from home does make me feel a little lonely……

In less than a minute, Rin comes bounding down the stairs with noisy footsteps.

“Rin. It’s dangerous to run, you know?”

“I train every day, so I’m fine~”

Rin’s clearly healthy just by looking at her, and the way she felt when she hugged me seemed perfectly healthy too. Still, as her brother, I can’t help but worry.

I pat her head lightly as she comes down.

“Even if you’re healthy, it hurts if you get injured. As your brother, I’d like my sister to take better care of herself.”

“Ugh…… But I want to spend even one second longer with Onii-chan……”

“If you get hurt, the time we can spend together will shrink, and Mom’s at work too, you know.”

My smart sister doesn’t need me to say more than that.

“Alright, shall we head out?”

“Yes!”

She puts on cute red shoes at the entrance and hums a little tune, “Hmph hmph~♪”

We leave the house and walk together down a nostalgic road toward the big shopping district.

Along the path, green rice paddies line the sides, but I don’t see anyone planting rice.

Eran Town is rural, so rice planting finishes early. Apparently, it’s one of the earliest in the country due to the soil or something, but I don’t know much about farming.

As we walk, Rin happily spots dandelions growing along the path and gets excited, clinging to my right hand, then my left, looking genuinely delighted.

“Onii-chan. Have your hands gotten a little bigger?”

Rin says this while patting my hands.

“You think so?”

“They kinda feel like an adult’s hands!”

“……Hm? Rin, have you ever touched a grown man’s hands before?”

“Nope. I’d never touch any man’s hands except Onii-chan’s.”

Her sudden serious expression is a little scary.

It’s like…… I can feel this pressure, as if she’s saying, “Onii-chan, you’re not doubting me, are you?”

“Onii-chan has Shii-nee and Hii-nee, right?”

Her smile somehow makes it even scarier.

“W-Well, they’re just party members…… I don’t think it’s the kind of relationship you’re imagining.”

“Hmm~ Sure, let’s leave it at that.”

……Women’s hearts are really complicated.

After that, Rin and I talked about things that happened at our schools.

We talk every day and share everything, but talking face-to-face like this feels different, and it reminds me how important being close really is.

Before I knew it, caught up in our conversation, we arrive at the station area, the busiest part of Eran Town.

It should’ve been bustling, but the moment I show up, a slight chill spreads through the air, and I can feel everyone staring at me with cold eyes.

There’s no way Rin, who’s sensitive to people’s gazes, wouldn’t notice. It’s always been like this when we go out together, so it’s nothing new.

“Onii-chan…… You okay?”

“Thanks for worrying about me. I’m fine now.”

Maybe it’s thanks to the “Despair Resistance” skill I gained last month when I came here, but I don’t feel scared of those looks anymore.

“How about we grab some food first?”

“Yes!”

For fifteen years, we couldn’t come to this shopping district. Even since elementary school, when Rin and I started hanging out together, we barely set foot here.

Walking here, just the two of us…… I think it took courage for both me and Rin.

Finally overcoming that wall with the help of my skills makes me so happy. After all…… at Rin’s age, she must have tons of restaurants she’d want to visit with friends, and I’ve always wanted to help her scout them out……

Rin looks like she wants to go everywhere, her eyes darting around as if it’s a shame to pick just one.

“Rin. Don’t worry, we can come back again, so just pick a place you like.”

“Onii-chan…… Okay!”

She quickly chooses a nearby restaurant and heads inside.

Most of the seats are taken, but there’s no one in the waiting area.

“Welcome! Table for two?”

A neat and tidy woman in a uniform greets us.

She freezes for a moment when she sees me.

“Two of us!”

“Th-Then, right this way.”

We’re led to an empty table in the back—Rin takes the wall side, and I sit on the aisle side.

We open the menus right away and pick out what we want from the delicious-looking pasta options.

“Ugh……”

“What’s wrong, Rin?”

“I want this one, but I also want that one……”

Rin’s torn between the carbonara with its standout white sauce, which I was planning to order, and a pasta alla genovese with green sauce that looks incredibly tasty.

“Then I’ll order the carbonara, you order the genovese, and we’ll split them in half.”

“Eh! Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Honestly, I wanted both too. Times like this make me jealous of Fujii-kun, who can eat so much.”

“Hehe. Hiroto-nii eats a ton, doesn’t he~”

I still wonder where all that food goes in Fujii-kun’s small frame for a guy.

We call the waiter and place our order.

While waiting, I notice Rin glancing around restlessly.

It’s not her usual wary look, watching for glares, but more like she’s unsettled.

I take a look around too.

There are lots of couples facing each other, chatting happily with smiles.

“Hey, Onii-chan.”

“Hm?”

“Everyone around us…… they’re all couples, huh?”

Now that she mentions it, it doesn’t feel like there are many sibling pairs like us here.

But I’m sure there are plenty of close siblings out there too……

“Maybe people think we’re a couple too……”

Rin giggles shyly.

Even after spending so many years together, it feels like I’ve just seen a new side of her.

“If I look like Rin’s boyfriend, that’d be quite an honor~”

“Eh~! You’re actually into it!?”

For a moment, I imagine someone else sitting here—not me, but someone Rin might fall for.

As her brother…… I want Rin to be happy and cherish her time with someone she loves, but it’s a complicated feeling.

“You’re the cutest little sister in the world, after all!”

“Ehehe~ You too, Onii-chan.”

I genuinely thought I want to become a brother she wouldn’t be embarrassed of.

Our ordered pasta arrives and is placed in front of me and Rin.

We immediately slide the plates side by side in the center of the table to make it easier to share.

The table’s small, so even placing them in the middle instead of right in front of us makes them easy to reach without any trouble eating.

Rin’s eyes sparkle as she twirls the carbonara around her fork and brings it to her mouth.

I do the same, mirroring her with the carbonara.

“Mmm! Delicious!”

“It’s rich and tasty.”

“Onii-chan! Let’s try this one too!”

“Sure.”

Next, we try the genovese, with its vibrant green sauce and refreshing aroma.

“This one’s delicious too~!”

“Eating it with the tomato on the side adds a nice tangy accent.”

“Onii-chan, which one do you like better?”

“I like both, but surprisingly, I might prefer the genovese.”

We dig into the pasta together, eating heartily.

Maybe Rin was hesitating because she wondered if I’d actually like this one better?

Thinking that makes her even more precious to me.

““Thank you for the meal.””

Our empty stomachs are filled with deliciousness, and in return, the plates are emptied. We clasp our hands together, savoring this happy time with Rin after so long.

Leaving the restaurant, we start wandering through various shops.

There’s no specific goal, but just looking at things together like this is so much fun.

We buy some rare seasonings Mom might like and decorations that make Rin’s eyes light up, enjoying our time together.

After walking a lot, we rest on a bench, and a nearby jewelry store catches my eye.

I didn’t have anything specific I wanted, but for some reason, my gaze follows something.

A necklace with a thin white chain and a white metal ring attached to it.

The necklaces I know usually have gems dangling to stand out, but this one doesn’t feel like that.

《“Through experience, you have acquired the derivative skill of ‘Surveillance,’ ‘Appraisal (Weak).’》

A small screen appears next to the necklace.

It reads, “Necklace for attaching gems.”

I see…… It’s a mechanism where you attach a gem that fits inside that ring. No clasp is needed to hold the gem—it’s a magical tool that lets you set gems in the ring and swap them out as you like.

Thinking about it, not having to buy multiple gemmed chains could be pretty nice.

“Onii-chan, what are you looking at?”

“That necklace caught my eye.”

“Hmm~ Are you getting it for Hii-nee and the others?”

“Ah~”

I can easily picture Hina and Shino wearing necklaces.

But more than that, I thought of giving it to someone else.

“Rin. Can you wait here for a sec? I’ll go buy it real quick.”

“Hehe. Off you go~”

While I’m in the jewelry store, Rin’s image stays in my mind like a surveillance monitor.

The “Surveillance” skill seems to cover everything in my field of vision, so I can keep an eye on Rin behind me too—it’s a pretty handy skill.

With “Fool’s Mask,” I could see in all directions, so I thought omnidirectional surveillance was normal, but this feels fresh.

“Welcome. Are you looking for something?”

“I’d like to buy that necklace for attaching gems over there.”

“Understood.”

The female clerk quickly brings the necklace and shows it to me.

“You may already know this, but this necklace is a magical tool. Place a gem you want in the center of the ring, and it’ll float there continuously. No magic stone energy recharging is required, so you can use it worry-free forever.”

“A magical tool that doesn’t need magic stone energy?”

“Yes. It’s specially crafted with the ability to float only gems in the center. However, please note that metals like iron are too heavy to float, and anything larger than the ring won’t fit either.”

The clerk demonstrates by trying to fit an iron ball into the downward-facing ring, but it falls without fitting.

Then, she places a beautiful red gem in the center of the ring, and it floats there.

“To remove the gem, you slide this chain through the ring, and it comes off easily. Without this chain, you can’t remove it without breaking the ring, so please be careful.”

If it came off too easily, the gem might fall off while walking, so it’s designed this way for removal.

I finish paying, pretend to put the necklace in my pocket, and store it in my dimensional storage.

“Welcome back~”

“I’m back. Shall we go?”

“Yup!”

As we step out of the vibrant shopping district, the sky starts turning red.

Time flew by so fast.

“Rin. Want to take a taxi back?”

“Noo~”

“Don’t worry about the money, it’s fine.”

“No way~”

As she says that, Rin hugs my right arm like it’s something precious.

“I wanna walk~”

“Then let’s walk back slowly.”

We head back together along the same path we came.

Watching the sunset somehow makes me feel a little lonely……

Maybe it’s because I know the sun, which shone brighter than anything, will disappear beyond the mountains, and the world will soon be dyed in darkness, that I feel this unease.

With no sign of anyone around, just me and Rin walk alone beside the sprawling rice paddies.

“……”

“Rin?”

“……”

“What’s wrong?”

“……Onii-chan, you’re going back once it’s night, right?”

“Yeah.”

“……”

“I’ve got school, and Hina and the others are waiting for me.”

Hina and Shino, who’ve gotten so close, are probably hanging out together right now.

I can picture a sulky Hina and a quiet Shino. But as friends who connect on a deep level, they’re probably getting along fine without even needing words.

Thinking of Hina eating bland food again makes me feel a little guilty, and I want to do something about it soon.

“I…… can’t wait ten more months……”

“Rin……”

“I decided to support you when you chose to go to Seishin High, Onii-chan…… Hii-nee and Shii-nee send me pictures of you every day, and we talk every day too…… but I can’t meet you like this and laugh together…… When I get home, you’re not there……”

I tightly grip Rin’s left hand, which had been holding mine.

“I…… don’t regret going to Seishin High. It’s been tough not being able to see you, Rin. That’s why I went into dungeons to get stronger, so I could go anywhere with you freely like today. I didn’t want to be a shackle holding you back because of me.”

“You’re not a shackle, Onii-chan!”

I shake my head at her words.

I know she really means it because she’s such a kind sister. But that’s exactly…… why it’s not okay.

“Thank you, Rin.”

I take out the necklace I just bought from my dimensional storage.

“Onii-chan……?”

“I’m still far behind Hina and the others, but I plan to keep finding things I can do bit by bit. Meeting Hina, Shino, Fujii-kun, Master…… all these people helped me start walking toward a dream I’d been stuck on, and today, I finally got to do what I wanted most.”

As Rin’s teary face is lit by the red sunset, I place the pure white chain around her neck.

It glimmers in the light, and I think it suits her clear skin perfectly.

I reach out and gently lift the ring on the chain where a gem can be attached.

Then, I take out something else important.

A small aqua-blue crystal that sparkles even in the sunset.

I carefully set it into the necklace I put on Rin.

“This is something I got in the dungeon. It came from a really strong monster, but when I thought I absolutely had to make it back, I found the strength to win. This crystal was left behind, and I thought it might protect you, Rin.”

When I let go, it sits perfectly below her collarbone, shining with presence.

“Today was the first time I got to walk through the shopping district with you, just the two of us, and I was so happy. I’m really glad I worked hard to get here. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help, but if you work hard, its rewarded…… I could even give you a gift like this, Rin.”

Rin holds the crystal on the necklace gently with both hands.

“That’s why…… It’s tough not being able to see you, Rin, but…… I don’t regret it, and we won’t be apart forever. Words and voices can reach you, and you’re always in my heart. Let’s not rush and just do our best with what we can right now, okay?”

Rin, still on the verge of tears, nods firmly.

“I absolutely want to repay the kindness Hina and Shino showed me. No, as part of the same team…… and more than anything, I want to do something for everyone who made it possible for me to be with you like this, Rin.”

“Onii-chan…… You’ve kinda…… changed.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah…… I’ve always known you were a hard worker. You had clear goals…… but now, you’ve got this hope and a strong will to achieve something that you didn’t have back then.”

“Haha…… I’m not sure myself, but do you dislike this version of me?”

“I don’t dislike it! You’ve gotten…… even cooler than before…… I loved the old Onii-chan so much, but I really, really love the Onii-chan you are now too……!”

The warmth of Rin jumping into my chest flows through my skin.

She’s usually so mature, but moments like this when she acts spoiled are what make her so great. I realized I need to get stronger to live up to that.

At that moment, both my and Rin’s pockets vibrate at the same time.

We exchange glances and pull out our phones, it’s a notification from the messaging app “Connect.”

“To Hinata-kun: I hung out with Hina-chan all day today~♪ Say hi to Rin-chan for me!”

Attached is a single photo.

Hina with her expressionless face and Shino with a big smile, against the backdrop of the setting sun.

They’re so different, but it’s an endearing shot that shows not just their expressions but the deep bond between them.

“Onii-chan, Mom says to come home soon~ Look.”

Rin shows me her smartphone, with a photo of a kitchen table lined with delicious-looking food attached.

“Mom’s waiting. Rin, mind if we run?”

“Huh? Right now?”

“Yeah. Come here.”

I scoop Rin up in a princess carry.

“Hehe. Ahem! Sir Onii-chan~ Drive safely, okay~?”

“Haha. My lady~”

We share a nostalgic little exchange, and I run off, holding Rin carefully.

While I run, Rin takes my smartphone and peeks at the photo.

“Hii-nee’s so expressionless~ Hahaha~ Shii-nee’s all smiles, though~”

Rin’s laughter is infectious, and my face softens too.

I want to make it so that one day, this photo can be full of both their smiles.

Suddenly, I recall Touma-san’s words.

—“If you found out you had a skill? That’d mean—”

I’d answered that question with, “I’d want to use it.”

Today…… I realized that’s exactly me.

I’d lived wishing from the bottom of my heart to explore the shopping district with Rin. But in Eran Town, that couldn’t happen, so I ran away…… seeking help, choosing Seishin High and becoming an explorer.

After many twists and turns, I gained various skills, and once I acquired “Despair Resistance,” I could walk confidently through Eran Town without caring about the stares.

Touma-san said people who recognize their skills can’t help but use them.

If someone asked if that’s a bad thing, I’d say “No.” Because…… that’s what I was today. This was my goal.

Some people recognize skills and use them for selfish gain, causing chaos for many in the past.

But today, Rin and I were full of happiness and smiles.

The two in that photo—I might not have connected with them like this without skills. I wouldn’t have teamed up with them either. There were tough times, but now I live days that are far more fun and happy.

Uncle, Aunt, Master, Akari-san—all of them can eat with Hina and smile, and I think Touma-san and Shino have gotten closer than before too.

All of that—I think it’s thanks to skills.

“Skills” that once nearly destroyed humanity. “Skills” that became a power to save those in need.

That’s why I want to face “skills” properly. To protect someone.

Carrying Rin, I run for a while and reach home, my breathing still steady.

“We’re here already! You’re even faster than a taxi, huh?”

“Yeah. I’ll run back once it’s night, okay?”

“Yup!”

We enter the house together.

““We’re home~””

“Welcome back~”

A delicious smell wafts all the way to the entrance as soon as we step in.

Rin and I wash our hands and help Mom with the cooking right away.

Wiping the table, setting out dishes—every little thing feels so enjoyable.

“You said you just left the shopping district, but you got back so fast?”

“Onii-chan was amazing!”

“Hinata, huh? I see~”

Mom chuckles at Rin, who’s humming while helping.

While Rin assists with the grilling, Mom brings food to the table and playfully nudges my arm with her elbow, grinning.

“Lately, Rin-chan hasn’t been smiling at all, you know? As expected of her big brother~”

“Ahaha……”

“That necklace is something you gave her, right, Hinata?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you buy that gem?”

“No, it’s something I picked up in the dungeon.”

Mom gives me a puzzled look.

“Hmm~ So you can get stuff like that in dungeons? The city’s amazing.”

“You think so?”

“Hehe. You said you’ve been working hard at training lately, and you’ve gotten even sturdier than last month when you visited.”

Mom pats my chest.

“Mom, that tickles.”

“Mhm, mhm…… I see…… Hinata, your level still hasn’t gone up, right?”

“Hm? Yeah, it’s still 0.”

“Lots of explorers come back injured without even training their bodies properly when their levels go up. In that sense, my son’s great for keeping his muscle mass up!”

“Do that many explorers come by?”

“Oh, they do. Not many with life-threatening injuries, but some can’t explore anymore because of their injuries. You shouldn’t rush to get stronger either, Hinata, okay?”

“I know, Mom. But…… since my level won’t go up, I can’t get stronger.”

“Oh, right, that’s true.”

Mom flashes a gentle smile, heads back to the kitchen, and I help carry the food, feeling happy at the table full of dishes.

“““Let’s eat!”“”

It’s been a while since we last sat around the table as a family to eat.

As always, Rin cheerfully talks about school, and we all laugh together at the comedians on TV—it’s a really fun time.

The happy time flies by, and when the clock strikes 8, I leave the house to head back to Seishin Town.

Under a clear sky, with a cool breeze, I run through a world now cloaked in darkness.

The only thing lighting my way is the pure white moon floating in the sky.

Fate

Fool’s Mask (Black Thunder・Swift Thunder・Black Garment)

Active Skill

Passive Skill