Chapter 11: Tokiwa in New York

February 20, 2019 (Wednesday)

Dungeon Management Section, JDA Headquarters, Ichigaya

“Morning, Ayatsuki!” Miharu Naruse called out to one Miku Ayatsuki, in a hallway outside the Dungeon Management Section.

Ayatsuki belonged to the Commercial Affairs Section—as what might have ungenerously been called a receptionist.

“Oh, Miharu! Are you sure it’s okay for you to not be at Yoyogi today?”

“Says someone else who’s hanging around HQ,” Miharu responded.

“I guess right now it’s all-hands-on-deck for anyone with foreign language skills, huh? Ah, on that note, would it be crazy if I asked a fav— No, come on. You’re way too busy.” Then Ayatsuki’s eyes traced a line to the area just behind Miharu, where a rather mealy looking man was standing. “Who is that?”

“A new recruit. Meet Sayama. He’ll be formally moving to the Dungeon Management Department in the coming days.”

“H-Hello. The name’s Sayama. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“A pleasure. Ayatsuki. But hey, does the JDA even have a system for mid-fiscal-year appointments? Ah, don’t tell me, he’s someone exceptional!”

It was only two months until the end of the school year, when a wave of new grad