The week after I became a "real man" had been interesting.
"Yuuya-kun, hellooo~ It's Yuka. Sorry to bother you again, but can you help me out? Maybe we could grab dinner this time? Ah, but don't think this means you've got a shot with me!"
"Hello Yuuya-kun, it's Tenka. Guuji-san asked me to call you for another dungeon expedition—he didn't have your number. But I'm asking too... would you go? I'd feel safer with you there."
"Hey, I need to buy some things in Akihabara. Come with me? N-not that I'm scared of train perverts or anything!"
"Yuu-kun, I'm working all day today. Could you make dinner? I'll reward you when I get home~."
My relationships with women had improved dramatically.
But today, I wasn't in the mood for dungeon crawling. Just as I planned to laze around watching anime, a new message arrived:
"Yukimiya-kun, hello! It's your classmate, Yuuki Meguru."
"Are you free to hang out in Akiba today? As friends!!"
A text from Yuuki-san. We'd become friends since that day.
"A 'friend date'? Even rom-coms don't use that trope."
"But I've got nothing better to do."
I agreed, and we arranged to meet soon.
◇
At the station, she was waiting for me.
Her casual clothes radiated a strangely mature aura.
"Ah! Yukimiya-kun, over here!"
"Yuuki-san, hello."
"Did I keep you waiting?"
"No, I just arrived too."
Despite her words, sweat glistened on her forehead. And why'd she use such a cliché line?
"What do you want to do today? I'm not in a hurry to go home."
"Y-you don't want to go home!? Umm..."
For some reason, her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head.
"Let's walk around first and decide later."
"Sure."
We browsed clothing stores, ate, and even caught a movie.
It was a good day. Was—because I hadn't noticed night had fallen.
"Time flies when you're having fun."
"Y-yeah! It felt so short..."
Yuuki-san still seemed oddly nervous.
"Yuuki-san, it's past 8. We should head ba—"
Her sudden shriek cut me off.
"I'd love that, but no! I'm sorry, I can't! We need to know each other better before taking that step!"
I was speechless. As I tried to ask what she meant, the crowd suddenly surged around us.
"Huh? What's happening?"
"Yuuki-san, stay close."
We were swept into Shibuya's scramble crossing, where—
"Tanks, advance!"
"Healers, provide backup!"
"Mages, begin incantations!"
Adventurers were battling a golem.
From bystanders' chatter, I pieced it together:
"I heard the dungeon was underneath, but nobody did anything."
"Both the Adventurer's Guild and adventurers are useless."
"Hurry up! I've got work."
The crowd's disdain was harsh, but understandable.
"That party's makeshift."
"How can you tell?" Yuuki-san eyed me curiously.
"During emergencies, the guild issues orders. Available adventurers must respond."
"That group has three D-ranks, five C-ranks, and two E-ranks."
"The C-rank tanks are carrying the fight, but none seem experienced."
The military shielded civilians, but their weapons were ineffective.
"This has been going on a while. We got dragged here by the crowd."
"A while? That's bad."
(Past 8 already. I need to take Yuuki-san home.)
"Wait here. I'll handle something and return."
"Huh? Where are you going? I don't want to be alone in this crowd!"
"Seriously?"
Her puppy-dog eyes were relentless.
"Fine. But don't speak of what you'll see."
"Huh? Okay."
I led her to a nearby convenience store.
After ensuring no onlookers, I scaled the roof.
A 1-yen coin from my pocket would suffice.
I calculated the trajectory and channeled magic.
"Let's give them a hand."
Adopting a baseball pitcher's stance, I infused the coin with magic—
—and launched it at hypersonic speed. A direct hit to the golem's head.
I lost 1 yen, but saved lives. A fair trade.
Back on ground level, I told Yuuki-san, "Done. Let's get you home."
She gaped. "Eh? What was that? Amazing!"
"Heh. I'll explain on the way."
Good thing nobody saw. Attention would've been dangerous.
◇◇◇
Moments Before the Throw—
"Hey everyone~! Chokko Channel here~!"
A cheerful, tanned gal streamer wandered Shibuya.
"Bored of home streams, so I'm out exploring~"
"But something weird's happening. Lame~"
Comments agreed:
"Twitter says a monster emerged from the dungeon."
"A golem?! Wish I could see it!"
"Chokko, look behind you! WTF is that?!"
She turned. "Someone's on a conbini roof…"
"Suicide attempt?"
"People still do that?"
Panicked, she yelled, "Wait! Whatever's wrong, don't do it!"
Then—blue light erupted from the figure, briefly illuminating Yuuya's face as he threw something.
Her camera caught it all.
The golem crumbled instantly.
Comments exploded:
"WAS THAT REAL?!"
"Movie shoot?"
"Nah, I'm in Shibuya—saw the golem fall from my office."
"WHO IS HE?!"
"CHOKKO, INTERVIEW HIM! ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHANCE!"
"Y-yes!"
But he'd already vanished.
In the following days, forums buzzed about the mystery man who slew the golem.
Yuuya didn't know it yet—but his life was about to change forever.