The Legendary Old Man Becomes a Dungeon Streamer: When the World's Strongest Tried Streaming in His Second Life, He Instantly Went Viral and Gained S-Class Disciples. - Chapter 6

Right now, I was facing Kaede in the president’s office on the 50th floor.

Just the two of us, of course. Or rather, the atmosphere wasn’t right for bringing those other two along. That shocking statement had completely killed the mood.

“What the hell are you saying?”

“Because it’s true.”

Kaede answered nonchalantly while sipping her café latte through a straw.

“I won’t deny we dated, but that was over twenty years ago, and only for about a month, right?”

“To be precise, 26 years ago. We dated for 33 days.”

“Too damn specific.”

“That’s just you being careless~”

But if Kaede said it was 26 years, then it must be true. She’s terrifyingly precise about these things and never gets them wrong. 26 years ago would make us 16 years old. That’s way too long ago.

Back in ancient times, Kaede and I fought magical beasts together during some overseas incident. In the heat of it all, we started dating. But once the incident was over, the passion cooled mostly on Kaede’s side. So we broke up quickly without even kissing.

I vaguely remember being pretty crushed when we first broke up, but that’s all in the past now. Sitting across from her like this doesn’t bother me at all. Middle-aged men are creatures who’ve moved beyond their past.

“Still, I never imagined you’d become the president of a major corporation.”

“I’m more surprised to hear you left the Self-Defense Forces.”

“I only quit yesterday, but how did you know?”

“I’m friends with the Minister of Defense.”

“Haaah. That’s a perfect answer.”

Then it makes sense she’d know. The Minister oversees the Self-Defense Forces.

Though being friends with the Minister is impressive in itself.

“Still, why did you really leave the Self-Dense Forces?”

“There was nothing left for me to do. I couldn’t even enter dungeons anymore. That’s literally the only reason. Broadly speaking, you could say I was dissatisfied with the treatment.”

“I see!”

Slurrrrp. Kaede sipped her café latte. It’s so nostalgic. Whenever she had free time, she’d always be drinking café lattes or café au lait. That hasn’t changed even now.

“So, after turning forty, I started thinking about whether I could do something for the next generation. Passing on techniques, whatever. But the Self-Defense Forces didn’t seem to offer that kind of opportunity.”

“That’s why you became Reina’s teacher.”

“Well, she was pretty insistent about it but yeah, that’s the gist.”

“You’ve changed~”

Kaede looked up at the ceiling. But I understood. She was looking at memories from long ago.

“The Tatsuya I knew was someone who only cared about becoming the strongest, about self-discipline and pursuing power.”

“Come on, that can’t be right.”

“And other than slaughtering magical beasts, it really felt like nothing else crossed your mind~”

“Hey now. Was I really like that back then?”

“Yep. Maybe you weren’t aware of it?”

“Not at all!”

“Haaaah, the old Tatsuya was pretty scary.”

“Seriously?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“No, but still…”

I can’t believe it. Was I really like that 26 years ago?

It’s been so long, I can’t even remember what I was like back then.

Sure, I was obsessed with getting stronger, but to think that’s how others saw me. The gap between self-perception and how others see you is terrifying.

“But now you’ve mellowed out. You’ve grown up.”

“I’m just an old man now.”

“Then I’d say you’ve aged well~”

“Maybe. I don’t dwell on the past anymore, just focus on moving forward and doing what I want.”

“And that means nurturing the next generation?”

I nodded. I already have my first disciple.

“That girl’s stubborn and charges ahead without thinking. She’s got plenty of talent and motivation, though.”

Then Kaede leaned forward slightly.

“So, you’re really taking Reina as your disciple?”

“Yeah, assuming Rosen Maiden gives permission.”

“Hmm.”

With that, Kaede hopped off the sofa. She rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

Eventually, as if reminiscing, she spoke.

“If it were the old Tatsuya, I wouldn’t have given permission. You fought like you had a death wish. I wouldn’t want the Rosen Maiden girls fighting like that.”

“……..”

“But after seeing how you fought Karin earlier and talking to you now. I think you’ve changed. You’ve become more gentle, I guess.”

“I’m over forty now.”

The old me believed that as long as I won, it didn’t matter how injured I got. If I won in the end, I didn’t care what happened to me. Saying I fought like I had a death wish isn’t wrong.

My style is counterattacking. Of course, it’s no surprise others saw it that way.

“If you can teach them fighting styles that’ll actually help them now, then I’d be the one asking you.”

“I promise. I’ll teach in a way that benefits the younger generation.”

“Then it’s settled. Oh, but we’ll need some paperwork. Hold on a sec~”

“Huh? That’s it?”

The discussion seemed to be over just like that. Kaede plopped down at her desk.

“You’ve never broken a promise, Tatsuya.”

With that, she started tapping away at her computer.

This is exactly what makes things awkward. But it wasn’t unpleasant.

After that, we waited for various documents to print out, checked them, and signed. Apparently, there was even a reward for helping Reina earlier. I tried to refuse, but the company insisted it’d be more troublesome if I didn’t accept.

“No special treatment, no matter what~” was Kaede’s stance.

As a regular citizen, I had no choice but to defer to the judgment of the corporate president.

“So, what’s my position going to be?”

“Rosen Maiden’s awakened members are all female, so you’ll be an external advisor. That should give you more freedom to move around~”

“I’m not really involved in that world anymore, but…”

Then Kaede suddenly leaned in close. Dead serious. And way too close.

“If I monopolized you, the government might get suspicious. No thanks.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s just say certain political forces might get involved.”

“I think I get it or not.”

“Eh, maybe I’m just overthinking it. Besides, if you take on more disciples later, it’s better if you’re not officially part of Rosen Maiden, right?”

“I don’t plan on taking more disciples, though…”

But Reina became my disciple on the very first day. I can’t say for sure it won’t happen again.

I hadn’t thought about how many disciples I might take, so being an external advisor seems like the safest option.

“Oh, right. There’s something I should tell you, Kaede. Reina suggested I live in the VIP area of this building.”

“That’s obviously a no, right?”

“Yeah.”

Good. There’s no way I could live in Rosen Maiden’s VIP area, surrounded by women.

At least the president is sensible.

“Wait, do you not have a place to stay?”

“I had to leave the base housing after quitting the Self-Defense Forces. Then I messed up the move. It’s kind of a crisis.”

“I see~. Well, I can introduce you to some properties through our affiliated real estate agency.”

“That’d be a huge help. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Call it an ex-girlfriend’s favor.”

“Please don’t say that.”

You realize the atmosphere just froze, right?

Kaede’s specialized ability, super regeneration stopped her growth, so she looks like a middle schooler. At my age, people might mistake her for my daughter. A girl like that calling herself my ex is practically a crime. In another setting, someone would call the cops.

“Anyway, jokes aside. For now, you can stay at the hotel across the street. We keep rooms there for visiting guests.”

“You have that kind of arrangement?”

“For business partners, domestic and international. You can stay long-term too~”

“Then I’ll take you up on that.”

If it’s just until the property introductions, it’s not too bad. We are business partners now, after all.

After signing all the documents, Kaede spoke to me in an unusually gentle tone.

“This is just my guess, but…”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe the Self-Defense Forces and General Ogata didn’t want you fighting anymore? That’s why they kept you away from dungeons.”

“Maybe.”

“You’ve fought and contributed more than enough. Private dungeon-clearing companies are thriving now. Wouldn’t it be natural for them to want you to enjoy some peace?”

I’d never considered that. I don’t recall anyone ever saying anything like that.

But if they had, what would I have done?

Probably thanked them and still quit the Self-Defense Forces.

I’ve lived my life clearing dungeons and slaying magical beasts. In the end, a life without any of that isn’t for me. Even in nurturing the next generation, I’d still go into dungeons, fight beasts, and spar. Probably until the day I die. That’s just who I am.

“That’s not for me.”

“Seems not. But don’t forget, they might have thought that way.”

[Character Profile]

Rosen Maiden President – Shijou Kaede
Age: 41 | Height: 151 cm | Weight: 42 kg
Founder of Rosen Maiden. A formidable awakened individual, though retired from active duty.
Specialized Ability: Super Regeneration
Awakened License: S
Affiliation: Rosen Maiden