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Due to the minor delay caused by Kyoichi Shiba's appearance, by the time Bokue Keikain and his group finished breakfast and exited the hotel restaurant, it was already past ten in the morning.

Normally, the hotel breakfast buffet strictly served from six until ten. After ten, even if guests lingered, staff would typically begin quietly packing up—politely, of course, not kicking anyone out, but certainly not leaving fresh food available.

Today, however, due to Bokue's casual yet impactful actions in the restaurant, even after ten, the food carts remained fully stocked—staff had even thoughtfully brought out more dishes, replenishing items they'd previously intended to stop refilling, as though terrified their distinguished guests might go hungry.

A short while later, having finally finished breakfast, Bokue and company stood outside the restaurant in the elevator lobby.

Bokue casually reached out and pressed the down button on the control panel.

Mio Naruse, who'd been preparing to return to their room, tilted her head curiously.

"What's up, Bokue? Are we heading out somewhere?"

After all, this was only the hotel's second floor; the floor below housed nothing but the lobby for reception, check-in, or check-out procedures. Since none of them had plans to leave or book new rooms, logically, their only possible destination was outside the hotel.

"You remember that certain 'Former Strongest' guy earlier mentioning another friend who'd be arriving before noon, right?" Bokue shrugged. "It's already past ten—shouldn't be much longer before he arrives."

He paused thoughtfully, adding with a slight smirk, "Considering those guys spent their entire lives gnawing tree bark and chewing raw potatoes up in the mountains, they're probably terrified just crossing city streets alone—likely waiting for some grandma's assistance before daring to move."

"...Wait, what was that Friday reference again?"

"Friday—you know, Robinson Crusoe's wild companion."

Oh, right. Mio nodded, finally catching the drift.

"So, are we heading out to the station to meet your… uh, friend, then?" Mio asked again, still unsure.

Truthfully, she hadn't fully registered the earlier name that fox-faced man had mentioned—"Takashi something" maybe? She didn't remember clearly. Calling him "Friday" didn't feel right either, so "friend" was the only neutral option left.

"Yep." Bokue glanced up at the digital panel above the elevator doors, watching the numbers steadily change.

"Well, it's entirely Kyoichi Shiba's fault for being so weak he couldn't even survive a single hit. Still, someone has to deliver my message back to the Hero Village, so I guess meeting this guy in person is unavoidable… Oh, right. Kurumi, could you do me a quick favor?"

"H-huh? Me…?"

Not expecting to suddenly hear her own name, Kurumi immediately flushed slightly when the boy glanced sideways in her direction. Embarrassed, the blue-haired girl instinctively took a half-step backward, resembling a timid schoolgirl wary of a teasing delinquent.

"…Relax, it's nothing complicated," Bokue reassured, lightly scratching his cheek. "Could you call Takashi for me? Check how close he is. I really don't want to arrive at the station only to wait around for half an hour."

"..."

There's a saying about speakers not intending offense, but listeners feeling it strongly. Bokue might've spoken casually, but to Kurumi, his words instantly reminded her of her embarrassing blunder that very morning—checking out early and taking the wrong train.

Kurumi's mouth twitched involuntarily.

"O-okay, fine! But I'm only asking him where he is. If you have anything more detailed to say, tell him yourself when we meet!"

"Naturally—I doubt you could clearly explain anything beyond that anyway."

"Y-y-you say that again and I won't call him at all!"

"Then I'll ask Yuki instead."

"Guh… stop using my sister to threaten me!"

This sudden playful banter made Yuki, who was standing silently nearby, lightly purse her lips. Though unintentionally dragged into the conversation, she chose not to interrupt, merely allowing a gentle hint of nostalgia to flicker briefly in her eyes.

❁❁❁❁

Half an hour later, after confirming Takashi's position via Kurumi's reluctant call, Bokue's group arrived at Tokyo Station.

As always, the station bustled intensely, crowded with office workers rushing around in suits, dragging large suitcases through the packed ticket lobby.

Normally, spotting a specific individual amidst such an overwhelming crowd—without agreeing on an exact meeting place beforehand—would've been near impossible.

But Bokue spotted him instantly.

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the vast ticketing area, standing alone against a wall, was a young man around their own age with distinct short pale-green hair. His arms were crossed as he rested calmly, eyes closed, radiating an unmistakable air of righteous intensity.

But what truly caught attention was the conspicuous spear held tightly in his arms.

Combined with his dramatic stance and isolated positioning, the immediate impression he gave was that of an impoverished martial arts successor—family tragically deceased, forced by circumstance to wander, performing ancestral martial routines on the streets for survival.

Toss him five hundred yen, and he'd immediately launch into an elaborate demonstration right there on the spot.

"Amazing—how come station security hasn't thrown you out yet?" A familiar, teasing voice rang out clearly despite the noisy hall.

Who?

Takashi Hayase's brow twitched sharply at that voice, eyes snapping open instantly.

Yet, what greeted him wasn't merely "one person," but a whole group—and among them, he instantly recognized two… no, three familiar faces.

"You all… Wait, hold on! Yuki Nonaka, Kurumi Nonaka—why are you both together with him? And that red-haired girl… could she actually be…!"

"What do you mean by 'why are they together with him?'" Bokue raised an amused eyebrow. "Honestly, you recognized me immediately yet still pretend otherwise—how rude of you, Little Takashi."

"Who the hell would ever acknowledge knowing you!" Takashi's gaze sharpened dangerously, hands gripping his spear tighter, posture clearly signaling readiness for combat.

Yet he hadn't lost rationality entirely—he was acutely aware this public space wasn't suitable for a fight. Still, he fixed Bokue with a cold glare, voice icy.

"You've already betrayed the Hero Village—so why do you dare to appear before us now? And even worse, openly fraternizing with the Demon Lord's daughter! Whatever, there's nothing left for us to say to each other... But more importantly, Yuki, Kurumi—where is Mr. Shiba? He was the one who personally called me here today."

"Mr. Shiba…?" Yuki hesitated slightly, but before she could reply, Bokue calmly spoke first.

"Oh, you mean that narrow-eyed, fox-faced guy? He's already dead."

"...What did you just say?!"

"He tried picking a fight with me," Bokue said casually, as if describing the weather.

"So I put him down on the spot."

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