The F-rank Adventurer, Who Was Supposed to Be Just a Helper, Accidentally Goes Viral for Blowing Away an S-rank Monster – It Seems the Home I’ve Been Living in Was an Unusually Powerful Dungeon Inhabited by the Strongest Species

“So, that’s why you were streaming in the dungeon.”
“Yes.”

Hikari, who had been rescued by Hoshi, had finished her stream and was now on her way back from the dungeon with everyone.

“I hope you find her, your mother.”
“…Yes.”

During their return, Hikari explained to Hoshi why she had been streaming in the dungeon.

Her biological mother, who had entrusted young Hikari to her current foster parents, was the reason she started streaming. She hoped her mother would find her someday.

She became an S-rank explorer and was actively streaming, always aiming to stand out… all because she wanted her mother to find her.

“Now I’ve completely lost to you.”
“Me?”
“Who else would I be talking about, Hikone Hoshi?”

Hikari smiled wryly, a bit amazed at herself.

(Why did I even tell him this…)

It was a story she had never told anyone before, yet she had shared it with her rival, Hoshi. She didn’t even understand why.

“Shall I help?”
“Eh?”
“To find your mother.”
“…!”

Actually, she knew why.

Hikari had just been pretending not to realize it.

“I don’t know if I’ll be useful, but…”
“…No, thank you.”

She had wanted Hoshi, who seemed like he would offer help, to say he would. Hikari finally acknowledged this.

(I’m such a hassle.)

With that thought, she cherished Hoshi’s offer to help in her heart.

—

At the upper layer of the “Primordial Dungeon,” just below the surface, Hikari turned to face Hoshi and the others again.

“Thank you for today. You’re my lifesaver.”
“It’s okay. You gave me a comment, after all.”
“So that was your real reason for coming?”
“That’s right.”

Hikari couldn’t help but smile at Hoshi’s unchanging demeanor and lowered her gaze slightly.

“Melon-chan and Cotton Candy-chan?”
“Kyui!”
“Woof!”

She gently stroked her two pets.

“Thank you.”
“Kyui~”
“Kuun~”

Both pets seemed happy to be petted. Hoshi looked somewhat surprised.

“That’s amazing. They didn’t get close to Saruyama-kun.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Uh, yeah. Of course.”
“…Really.”

With a wry smile, Hikari glanced at Erika.

“Thank you very mu—eek!”
“…”

Erika, however, was staring at Hikari with crossed arms, emanating an intense aura.

Intimidated, Hikari was then addressed by Erika.

“What do you think about Hoshi-kun?”
“Eh? What do you mean…?”

Confused, Hikari glanced at Hoshi.

“…!”
“Hm?”

As their eyes met again, her heart throbbed loudly. It was a different kind of beating than when facing a formidable enemy. It was a strange, warm fluttering.

(Could it be that I…)

Hikari, who had been focused on streaming and had never been in love, was still half in doubt about her feelings. But it was undeniable that she was becoming aware of him.

Erika, her sister, then clicked her tongue.

“I raised her to be too attractive…”
“What are you saying, sis?”
“She’s my Hoshi-kun!”
“Ah! Get away from me!”

Their banter started again.

“Hehe.”

Hikari couldn’t help but laugh, holding back her racing heart as she turned towards the surface.

“Then I’ll be going.”
“Ah, yes! Can you get back alone?”
“I’ll be fine.”

Hoshi then said one last thing to her.

“Don’t push yourself anymore.”
“Eh?”
“I’ll help you look for your mom, after all.”
“…!”

But Hikari shook her head.

“I don’t think I can do that.”
“But what if something like today happens again—”
“Because…”

She looked at Hoshi with dreamy eyes.

“If something happens, you’ll come to save me again, right?”
“…!”
“See you later, Hikone Hoshi-kun.”
“Ah, um…”

Hoshi’s perception of Hikari seemed different now. Though it was dim, her cheeks seemed to be flushed.

“…I won’t forgive that woman.”

Meanwhile, Erika muttered something anxious.

—

★

“Hm?”

A few days after Hinata Hikari’s stream, on a leisurely morning.

As he planned to relax on his day off, he heard some noise nearby. There had been some activity going on lately.

“Ah, maybe…”

A large truck loaded with lots of stuff, and people giving instructions around it. He finally realized what it was. It looked like a “moving” operation.

“Hm?”

As he watched the activity, a woman approached

him.

She had long, straight black hair and wore a suit, giving off a public servant vibe. She seemed very competent.

“Hello. You’re Hikone Hoshi, right?”