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Web Novel Written by Minkansukii ミンカンスキー
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Exploring the labyrinth with Sensei.
Traversing through the direct passage towards the 2nd floor, we arrived their quickly disregarding the 1st floor. With a greenish hue on the walls and floors. The feel of the surroundings were much more different than the 1st floors.
The airs taste felt quite distinct as well.\n「Sensei, for today we will be searching for two items on this floor. And our enemies will――」
「The “Electric Sheep, Mandrake, Laughing Jack-O-Lantern & Spiny Bagworm” and the levels of these four should be between 5 through 10….. Is that right?」
「……That is correct. My current Level is 8 and with Sensei at Level 6, we should have the upper hand against those monsters. But we still need to remain vigilant」
「Mm, that makes sense」\n Holding onto her 6-Shaku long staff, Sensei nodded in agreement towards my words. Displaying a somewhat dignified expression.
The embarrassed nature she had from before was no where to be seen, as if it had hidden itself in her shadow. I wonder why I’m feeling a little anxious. Could it be, because of the time I was in a deathmatch with the Laughing Jack-O-Lantern, that I subconsciously know how dangerous exploring the dungeon is?\n「……Well then, let’s get going. We will go this way」\n While saying so, I fish out my smartphone from my pocket and pull up my mapping app. I haven’t fully mapped out the second floor as it’s still blank on my screen.
We had gone exploring the other day, but at the time I couldn’t map out the area. Thinking about it now, we might have an easier time finding the items, rather than completely mapping out the 2nd floor.
We continue down the path using the “Left-hand rule”. Originally we explored this place with the “Right-hand rule”, so in order to get a better grasp of the area, going with the “Left-hand rule” would be more efficient.\n「…………」
「…………」\n As we traversed along further, neither of us spoke to each other. It wasn’t really awkward but there was still a sense of tension, since we didn’t say anything to each other. It wasn’t that big of a deal, but I was getting tired of the tension between us as progressed on.
Would Sensei relax a bit more if we conversed a little? It’s not like we would be letting our guards down in the dungeon, and I don’t think a little small talk will cause that much of a distraction.
For now I decide to bring up a topic that maybe Sensei would open up to….. Rather it was something I was also curious about, her Staff martial arts.\n「Uh, Sensei?……your, the Mutengi Shinryuu style… What got Sensei into learning Staff martial arts?」
「Uuuh…..well, about that….. Ugh this is embarrassing…. but my family is the Main Branch of the Mutengi Shinryuu style. So I was, forced to learn my family’s martial art at a young age……」\n While explaining the reason Sensei’s, dignified expression slightly crumbles. As her cheeks start to warm up making her a little timid. I don’t feel like what she said was a bad thing, so why is she becoming like this? Looking down even more, Sensei continues on while carrying an ashamed look on her face.\n「That’s the reason. Because my house was also a dojo, I was raised like a son. I was never allowed to live like a normal girl, and I’ve never worn a skirt before」
「Woah……. That’s really shocking……..」\n Listening to Sensei reminiscence about her bygone and absurd past, was unbelievable. Sensei’s childhood upbringing must have been harsh, with her parents raising their daughter like a man.
I’ve only heard of such stories in comic books. Even if her family was the main branch of their martial arts school, that kind of upbringing is way too strict.\n「That’s why I didn’t to bring it up, it’s embarrassing, I don’t want to boast that I’m a master of Mutengi Shinryuu school. But that was how I was brought up…….」\n Slightly upset, Sensei pouts while bringing up her past. Seemingly, Sense’s past turns out to be more chaotic than I presumably thought. Rather than think its weird, It’s kind of cute to see this side of Sensei.
But Sensei herself sees her past self as lacking in some aspects. Well, she certainly wasn’t brought up to be a woman, as she『Lacked ladylike behavior』and maybe she carries that stigma within her.
……Eh?
Suddenly I realized something from her words. Sensei said she was raised like a boy growing up and never had the chance to wear a skirt before. But didn’t Sensei wear a skirt to school, that was just yesterday. Could it be?……. Nah, that can’t be right, could it?
Fascinated by the course of events, I couldn’t help but say what was on my mind out loud.\n「……So yesterday was the first time Sensei actually wore a skirt then…..Huh?….」
「Ngh!!!」
「Se-sensei?」\n As soon as I mentioned that, Sensei immediately crouched down on the spot. Covering her face with her hands, she leaked a whining noise. Are you serious, this reaction….. Was that really true? Seriously?……
Looking at Sensei who curled up, I found the situation to a bit unbelievable. There’s no mistake.
Harumachi-Sensei really――
Is she for real, did she really wear a skirt for the first time in her life because of my actions?…….
Unconsciously I muttered 「It’s a lie」 under my breath. I can’t believe it….. It didn’t make any sense. A woman who wore jersey’s and men’s clothing for the longest time, actually crossed the line and wore women’s clothes because of me?
Did Sensei really decide to do all that?……..\n「Sensei…..」
「Ngh… Stop, not another word!!」\n My chest began to race warmly, as Sensei cut me off from speaking. But I couldn’t stand by and abide by her words. She didn’t want to hear what I had to say.
So I continued to speak my mind instead. She already steeled herself and made her decision as a woman, it’s a man duty to give a proper response in kind.
Besides I found Sense’s fashion sense to be very beautiful. There was no way I would let her brave actions go to waste. And speaking from the heart, I let Sensei know what I felt.\n「I thought Sensei’s skirt was really pretty. It was refreshing to see you as a mature woman. I was really happy that you wore a skirt」
「Ngh!! Ah, huh, do you mean it?…….」
「Mm-hm, why wouldn’t I be. I was in awe having seen your beauty in person」
「～～ack!」\n Harumachi-Sensei immediately turns crimson from my compliments and leaks gleeful sound. Suddenly the cowering teacher, gains some sense of momentum as she begins to stamp her feet and pound her 6-shaku long staff repeatedly on the floor.
This is a bit……Is this her way of expressing her happiness? It seems like she wants to burst out and dance at this very moment.
Watching Sensei turn into a girl in a place like this is…….
Thinking about it now, Sensei is just a naively pure young girl at heart. Suddenly waking up with a sense of womanly fashion, wondering how you’ll appear in the eyes of your crush, and in turn becoming so excited that its so hard to speak your mind.
Seeing her like this, she’s much more innocent and immature than some of my classmates. I mean, she was raised to become a man from childhood, so her experience as a woman must be around my age. Because she exudes the sex appeal of a mature woman, seeing her turn wildly childish and immature is so out of place, but this kind of scene is just too much for my heart to take.\n「Heh~! Heh~! Heh~! 」\n How long will she stay like this and excitedly stamp the floor? My praises towards Sensei must have left quite the impact, because the dignified impression she originally exuded was now gone.
And just when we were in our own world――\n「MEEEEE！」
「……！」\n Suddenly an unprecedented cry resounded from the end of the passage way. And turning to look in that direction, there was a monstrous sheep some dozen meters away. But unlike a regular sheep, the color of this one’s wool was yellow. It slowly began to make its way towards us.
Isn’t that….. That has to be. One of the 2nd Floor monsters, the “Electric Sheep”!…..
It could be possible that due to Sensei’s pounding of the floor, the monster noticed the sound and was drawn by the commotion.\n「Sensei, there’s an enemy!」\n Hurriedly calling out to Sensei, I rip a torch off the wall nearby. One of the Electric Sheep’s abilities is that it can clad itself with electricity, so one needs to pay attention to its attacks.
At a time like this, fighting with a torch is much more better than using my combat knife. Sensei seems to be a bit preoccupied, so I have no other choice than to take the lead against the Electric sheep.
And just when I was about to use the torch――\n「UOOOooo!!」
「Huh?」\n Suddenly a loud battle cry came from behind. When I turned to the sound, Sensei was no longer there.\n「Huh, what the!?」\n And when I turned to face the monster, Sensei was already charging towards it. Wielding her 6-shaku staff at high speeds, I found it hard to watch its trajectory. And contrary to its length, Sensei wielded it concisely in such a narrow space. The moment their distance was less than one’s arm span. Sensei cries out as her opponent was within her range.
And that was when――\n「Ha! Hya! Orya~!」
「MEE、ME、MEEE！？」\n A stabbing motion, whacking motion & slamming motion. Sensei’s staff could be said to be striking the electric sheep at divine speeds. And the monster itself is so shaken that it can only utter cries towards the flurry of attacks.\n「Hu~! Ha~! Hya~! Kiai~!」\n Not losing any momentum, Sensei continues her attacks. Its become a one-sided battle. Sensei has already launched her next wave of attacks, way before the Electric Sheep could regain itself from the previous bout. What’s more, all the places that Sensei struck dealt quite the damage. Rather than its torso, she targeted the head and legs.
Sensei keeps concentrating her attacks on those areas which seem to be fatal to the Electric Sheep. It became quite pitiful to watch its futility. But rather than become fixed to Sensei’s ruthless way of fighting, I was drawn to her in another way.
Wow!…..
It was deep feeling similar to when my heart raced with excitement. Beautiful. So beautiful. Every single one of Sensei’s strikes were terrifyingly dramatic and breathtaking. Even though this was an actual battle, it felt like I was watching a performance.
The 6-shaku long staff which was taller than Sensei, moved with great precision, swinging widely and then compacting, dynamically moving as it struck the Electric sheep. Altering the staff’s movements and powerfully adapting its form. Sensei’s staff arts were so great, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as if it all was an illusion.
And just as Sensei was so engrossed in her one-sided onslaught――\n「MEE……」\n The Electric Sheep finally gave off its death throes. It’s body burst into particles of light as it was absorbed into the dungeons surroundings. I wonder what is the total amount of times she attacked, were the amount of strikes around 20 hits?
Her movements were so fast, I don’t think I could accurately count it all……\n「…………」\n At the end, Sensei took a neutral stance and bowed towards her departed enemy.
『A True Master』
That thought naturally floated to mind having seen her respectable appearance. That’s right Sensei is a master of Staff martial arts. It seems a 5th rank practitioner of the Mutengi Shinryuu style was actually this strong.
But then suddenly――\n「Huh?」\n While I was watching her, Sensei all of a sudden moves at break neck speeds. Coming directly towards me, and stopping right in front before speaking.\n「Um, thank you!」
「Eh?……」\n Question marks float above my head, as I become confused by Sensei’s gratitude, not understanding why she’d be thanking me. And at that point Sensei’s face becomes dyed red――\n「That, well, I, I’ll keep dressing up from now on!!」
「…………」\n ….. I was left speechless. I just witnessed a grand fight and the first thing I hear from Sensei is her thanks. The Electric sheep was now more.
No wait, what it is?…
You’re telling me Sensei was so excited from my compliment, she willingly battled the Electric sheep as a way to express her gratitude. Rather than go down that rabbit hole, if that was the truth then Sensei’s thought process is more dangerous than I thought……
SO wait a minute, did you just use the Electric Sheep as a means to vent your emotions?…..
Seeing how pitiful the Electric Sheep was, unable to retaliate, sent chills down my spine. Seeing Sensei’s cute smile was pleasant, but at the same time is kind of scary. I may have inadvertently gotten involved with a crazy person.
….. For now I’ll just tread carefully, so she won’t get too angry
Smiling awkwardly back towards Sensei, I thought to myself not to provoke her in the future.
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