Dungeon Refrigerator 182

Test

A Peculiar Encounter

3:00 PM. On the way back from the chiropractic school, I stopped by the usual standing soba shop to fill my stomach with spring chrysanthemum and croquette soba. Yep, it was delicious today.

But as I cheerfully stepped outside, I unexpectedly ran into a man.

It was Kei Myoukenichi, a former colleague from the company I used to work for.

"Oh."

"Egetsu!?"

Ah, I ended up making a sour face again. Ruined the good mood after the meal.

However, Kei Myou was not in his usual suit. But he's in work clothes, with a shoulder bag slung over his shoulder. And in his hand, he held a small stepladder. Yes, that was the fashion I used to wear while working.

Moreover, Kei Myou seemed somewhat regretful to be seen in that attire.

(Haha, I see.)

"Ohhh!? Isn't this Senpai Kei Myou? What's with that getup? Did you move to the business department?"

Kei Myou, who had been mocking the business department so much, for the sake of returning that grudge, I would now ridicule him with a smug smirk. How's that? This power, learned from the likes of Sekitani-san who teases the sharks, is incredible.

"Grr... Egetsu! It's because of you that I—!"

"Hmm, what's with that face~? Not to say this, but wasn't it no big deal for the department even after I left? If they're not making unreasonable demands on you again."

"Huh!?"

As I retorted, Kei Myou averted his angry gaze, looking elsewhere.

Huh? What? Could it be that even after I left, they were still making the same unreasonable demands? Seriously? Are they idiots? Even when I was there, everyone in the business department was overwhelmed with overwork!

And if they increased the burden even further, there's no way it could work out.

"It's because of you that I was transferred to the business department!"

No, that's just reaping what you sow. During my tenure, I repeatedly pleaded.

"Even if you're winning contracts, please allow sufficient time for delivery." But they treated it like trivial whining and continued to chase cheap contracts without filling the gap left by my departure, without thinking about the consequences.

"Hmm, I see. Well, even if that's the case, if you're the excellent Senpai Kei Myou, you should be fine, right? You used to say things like, 'Finish up the jobs you've won quickly and start on new contracts right away.', didn't you?"

"Guh!"

Yes, yes, he used to say such things quite often.

But it was a fact that, driven by the desire for sales that month, that atmosphere pervaded the entire company. As a result, the sales department, which brought in contracts, wielded the most power, and the business department was left to clean up the mess with overtime every day.

But within the company, that was considered normal.

Oh, of course, I feel a little bad for the other members of the business department for suddenly quitting. But that's just a little bit. Because it was also them who had been neglecting that trend since before I joined.

Hmm, well, but this doesn't sit right.

Whenever I think about my former workplace, my heart still feels uneasy.

"Hmph! To say such things! You're probably still unemployed, right? Even though you said you'd become a chiropractor, you're still wandering around like this!"

Wow... as expected. Your mouth never shuts, huh? Ah, I really don't want to say these things. But let's just say it, since I've got the opportunity.

"Yeah, that's right. I'm still attending. And I have other sources of income, so I'm not in a hurry."

"Hah! It's shameful to brag and bluff like that! Aren't you miserable lying to yourself?"

With a twisted face, Kei Myoukenichi provokes. Nice, that evil face. Instead of pretending to be nice, show it to the girls in the company too.

"You don't have to believe me. Even though I have the financial flexibility to leisurely visit a soba shop during the day like this, it has nothing to do with you. Oh, by the way, my current client is Sanada Pharmaceuticals. You know them, right? You were frustrated because you couldn't win their contract."

"What!? No way that happened! Stop talking nonsense!"

Yeah, I know well enough that he's not the type to say, "I'm sorry for before. Now that I've tried it myself, I understand the struggles of the business department." He's the type who only cares about himself, doesn't he? And he's like a lump of ego, unable to tolerate even being looked down upon due to a slight height difference. Seriously, how pathetic.

""......""

As I think about such things, there's a moment of silence, a second where we stare at each other with serious expressions, holding our breath... But before our silent plea-like interaction, suddenly a rough trio interrupts.

"Oh, hey, bro!"

""Hey there! Wassup!?""

(Huh! Who are these guys!?)

The appearance of unfamiliar men causes the DEFCON level in my heart to skyrocket. I lower my center of gravity to be ready to fight at any moment. However, surprisingly, the rough trio bows deeply to me.

"We're really grateful for what you did back then!"

""Thank you very much!""

(What, what did I do?)

Suspicious, I glance at Kei Myou, who seems to be feeling uncomfortable about being interrupted. But is trying to avoid getting involved with these strange guys.

What's with that expression...?

(But then, it's not Kei Myou, but it's me after all.)

"Um... We were those people you helped in the dungeon."

As I say this, the leader-like guy slicks back his hair with his hand.

"Oh, that time!"

These guys are? Those three wannabe DQNs were crying like babies being harassed by lesser ghosts in the Kobold Dungeon. What's this sudden thing? I thought it was someone else.

......

The wannabe DQN trio suddenly approached me in the middle of the street. And they seem strangely impressed by something, not letting me go.

"Um, you saved our lives twice!"

"It made us realize how important kindness is!"

"We learned that!"

Oh, what, what's that?

Because of the two near-death experiences in the dungeon, the wannabe DQNs have become somewhat less obnoxious DQNs.

"After that, we started helped killing monsters in the stampedes right away!"

"Now, even we're trying to emulate you!"

"We thought helping people was the only way!"

Huh, what? So were you doing something like helping people in the previous stampedes? Hmm, I'm starting to look at you guys a little differently. I only helped my girlfriend during those times.

"And then, among those we helped was the president of a transportation company!"

"Now we're working there!"

"As for myself... Um, I got married to the girl I helped at that time."

Huh! What's with this dramatic before-and-after feel-good success story!? I'm starting to get interested in this conversation!

"Hey... Egetsu."

But when the impatient Kei Myoukenichi interrupts, the wannabe DQNs suddenly glare at me with triangular eyes.

"What's up with you!?"

"That's disrespectful to the bro!"

Yeah, you guys are still rough, aren't you? That's not good. And stop calling me bro in the middle of the street. People might think I'm involved in your work, and the office lady walks away in a hurry.

"Oh well, it's good to see you guys are still doing well. I'd like to chat more, but I have things to do now."

It's such a hassle to mediate between Kei Myou and these guys, the last thing I want. So I'll end the conversation here and pretend to leave to the wannabe DQNs.

And I give Kei Myou a hand signal behind my back, saying "Get out of here quickly."

"Oh, is that so? Well then, bro, if there's anything else..."

"""Excuse us!"""

"Yeah, see you later. It's a life I've picked up with great care. Drive safely and work hard."

And so, the wannabe DQN trio left.

Honestly, I never thought it would come to this. The only reason I didn't abandon those guys was that I thought, "If I keep them alive, they might do something stupid again and become a perfect guinea pigs". And besides, if someone dies in front of you, you're obligated to report it to the police, and it's a hassle.

To think it would change so much. Life is unpredictable.

Oh, and despite helping him, Kei Myou, as he left, glared at me again. He's still the same guy.

But you know, Kei Myou?

Being an adult means being able to 'clean up the mess you made yourself.' If you're an adult, you should handle your own mess.