To Walk Beside Him

Mikan’s POV:

As Kyouze entered the dungeon, I watched his back grow smaller and smaller until he finally disappeared inside. For some reason, my chest ached. What is this feeling?

I couldn’t say it out loud. All I could do was stand there, staring, until he vanished completely.
“Kyouze…” I whispered his name, even though I knew he wouldn’t come back. He had already made up his mind to conquer the dungeon.

And he was doing it… for a girl. At least, that’s what he told me. I wanted to ask who she was, but I didn’t have the courage. The way he spoke, I could already tell she was special to him. Someone precious.

I can’t help but wonder who she is. Whoever she is, she managed to capture the heart of someone as cold as Kyouze.

Argh, damn it! Why do I keep thinking about him?! That cold-hearted man doesn’t even care about me. He told me not to follow him into the dungeon.

But… what if he said that because he was worried about me? What if he didn’t want me to die? That means… he cares about me, right?!

Arrghhh, this is driving me crazy! Get a grip, Mikan! He already has feelings for another girl, yet here I am, still drawn to him. How pathetic.

I start imagining him asking me to conquer the dungeon together. If that happened, we’d always be side by side, and maybe… maybe he could come to like me too.

Ugh, damn it! Stop, Mikan! Your goal is to clear the dungeon so you can see your grandmother again on Earth—not to daydream about some cold guy like Kyouze!

Frustrated, I ruffled my hair and muttered endlessly in my mind, until suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.

“What’s wrong, little girl? You look like someone who just got rejected by Kyouze,” said a deep, cheerful voice.

It was Zack, the big musclehead. He looked at me curiously.

“WHAATT!! NO! Nevermind sir!” I replied awkwardly.

“Hey now, don’t call me sir. I’m only twenty-five! Just call me Zack. Kyouze calls me that too—we’re close friends.” He grinned like an idiot.

“Fine… but I doubt he sees you as a close friend. Anyway, just call me Mikan.”

“Hahaha, alright Mikan! So, you want to chase after Kyouze, don’t you? I wanna go after him too, but that guy’s stubborn, stiffer than my abs.” He slapped his stomach with pride.

My face heated up. I quickly shook my head. “No! I’m not chasing him, I… I just…”

Before I could finish, Mayor Lorelei suddenly approached, her lips curling into a sly smile.
“Ara-ara, little miss Mikan, isn’t it? I think you’re saying the opposite of what you really feel. Just admit it, you want to chase that cold man into the dungeon.”

“Mayor Lorelei… that’s not true. I don’t want to chase him. If I go, I’ll just be a burden to him.” I lowered my head, ashamed.

“Haha, so you do want to chase him.” Lorelei chuckled.

“That’s right! Be honest with yourself, Mikan!” Zack shouted with his usual over-the-top energy.

Flustered, I clenched my fists and finally said it. “I… I do want to chase him. I want to help Kyouze conquer every floor of the dungeon!”

The words came from deep within me. Now I understood. I understood why my chest hurt when I watched him walk away.

It’s because I’ve started to fall for him.

Kyouze the one who saved my life. The one who helped me face my regrets. The one who pretends to be cold, yet quietly cares about those around him.

I can’t let him fight alone in that dungeon!

“Ara-ara, looks like you really are captivated to him, Mikan~” Lorelei teased, laughing softly.

“Stop it, Lorelei-sama… you’re embarrassing me,” I muttered, covering my flushed face.

“What?! You are also interested in Kyouze, Mikan? Well, I’m the same as you. I’m interested in fighting him over and over. He’s strong, and I want to beat him!” Zack shouted proudly, missing the point entirely.

I sighed inwardly. As Kyouze said, Zack really is just muscle for brains.

Lorelei stepped closer. “So, Mikan, have you decided what you want to do? Kyouze has only been inside the dungeon for about thirty minutes. With his strength, he’s probably already defeated the first-floor boss and moved on to the second.”

Her words pushed me further. I clenched my fists.
“Mayor Lorelei… I want to follow him! I’ll go into the dungeon!”

Both Lorelei and Zack widened their eyes in surprise.

“Is that so? Then tell me, what drives you to chase him? What do you truly think of that cold man?” Lorelei asked with genuine curiosity.

“Kyouze… he acts like he doesn’t care, but in truth, he deeply cares about everyone who’s suffered. He just doesn’t want to show it. He says he doesn’t care about this world, yet he pushes himself to conquer the final floor of the dungeon...and that will save everyone…”

I lifted my head, meeting Lorelei’s gaze with determination.
“I… want to help Kyouze compelted all ten floors. I want to save every player, every person in this world and back to earth! The worst case, if Kyouze fails… at least he won’t be alone. I’ll stay by his side until the end.”

Zack wiped his eyes dramatically. “Mikan… that’s so touching!” He was honestly crying. He’s ridiculous, but sincere.

Lorelei laughed softly. “What a fine answer, Mikan. Few people truly understand Kyouze. His unyielding nature, his refusal to show his heart. Even six months ago, when he was still active as a player before he vanished, he never stopped challenging the Abyss Dungeon. He made it all the way to the eighth floor, with only two left to go.”

She paused, her expression softening.

“He never gave up, no matter how many times I told him to rest in Netherbyte City. And when I asked why he worked so hard, he answered: ‘I want to finish this game… and reach a happy ending.’”

I froze.

“You didn’t mishear me, Mikan. Kyouze let it slip. When he said those words, he smiled, but then realized what he’d said and hurried away, embarrassed. That’s when I understood. He doesn’t just want to finish the dungeon, in the bottom of his heart, he wants to bring a happy ending to this world, to Netherbyte City that I protect.”

Lorelei smiled warmly. For the first time, I saw her not as the mayor or an NPC, but as a normal woman. She was beautiful and graceful. No wonder Kyouze once called her crazy—he probably just didn’t want to admit she had her charms.

“Hehe… Kyouze really is cruel, isn’t he?” I muttered under my breath. He had no idea how many women were drawn to him, yet he only had eyes for one. So cruel.

Lorelei tilted her head, not understanding my words, but I shook my head quickly, brushing it off.

“Well then, Mikan. I’ll entrust Kyouze to you!” Lorelei suddenly declared, pointing at me.

“Huh? What do you mean, Lorelei-sama?” I asked, confused.

“I’m giving you a mission. Chase that fool Kyouze! Take Zack and his squad with you.” She said it with such enthusiasm.

“EHHHHHHHH?!” Zack and I shouted at the same time, staring at each other in shock.

Lorelei clearly had some kind of plan in mind.

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