*Spoilers for the end of vol 17 aka the main story's finale. If that is no problem, proceed.*

"Kazuma, Kazuma."

That would be my name, yes.

The explosion loli with a screw loose seems to be saying something to me. However, I have no interest in speaking with her right now.

You see, I am trying real hard to make some more various items from Japan. Right now, I am actually working on making a firework rocket.

Turns out, I know next to nothing about pyrotechnics.

I tried to use flaretite and explosion potions but I created a weapon if anything. It did get very bright though, so that's a start.

"KAAZUMA."

"What is it? As you can see, I am quite busy here."

Megumin is standing next me as I sit at the table coming up with designs. She takes a look at them and asks-

"What are these exactly?"

"These are some amazing things from my homeland called firework rockets."

"Oh, you mean like the fireworks during the festival?"

I forgot about the festival. The magic is obviously superior in performance and accessibility but I wanted to try to see if I can make one anyways.

"Not exactly. The fireworks at the festival are meant to fight the insects. The fireworks from my homeland are just used for aesthetics. They really do look amazing at night. Although they could accidentally blow something up."

That's right. After the rocket blows up, there's only a few seconds of colored skies. Quite pathetic, but maybe this world has extra ingredients I could use to make them look better.

"Oh! You mean the thing that blew up that farmer's crops and landed you in jail was one of these?"

…

Yep, I accidentally killed some farmer's crops with a prototype rocket. I was able to spend a few hours in jail before Megumin, Darkness and Aqua came to retrieve me.

They did share a laugh at me though.

"That was just a mere prototype! Did you come here to mock me?"

"N-No. I actually wanted to know if you wanted to go walk around the town with me before our explosion walk today."

Well, looks like my day is planned out.

We are making small talk as we walk through town. Nothing too major. I guess nothing really happens at the start of a date.

Wait, this is a date right?

"I'd love to see how these fireworks you are making look like. Show them to me when you finish, okay?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll make you a firework show. Kazuma style."

That is if I can actually finish the design.

"So, why did you suddenly call on me to go on a date? There are no Crimson Demons around here watching us, are there?"

"No, I just really wanted to go out with you today."

…

I feel my face go red.

I should've at least expected this with how friendly Megumin has been but it still is weird to hear those words. Who wants to walk around with a hikiNEET?

"Huhu. Your face is all red. Is it really that easy to make you fluster?"

That's more like the Megumin I know. Although I am a bit disappointed.

"No. I just simply forgot to drink some water and it's really warm out today. That's it, nothing more. Although I wouldn't mind if a nice girl like Megumin makes me fluster."

Now it's Megumin's turn to blush. I have got my revenge.

We eventually end up at the guild to buy some food. I order some frog meat for Megumin and I. Kinda nostalgic.

Although I'm rich and have no interest in doing any quests, I take a look at the quest board. I'm only curious about what quests are being posted right now.

After my triumph over the Demon King, all the monsters got weaker as time went by. Right now, adventurers profit from harvesting quests and special quests. Kill quests will land you barely enough to eat.

The adventurers are asked to try to remain in stand-by in case another Demon King is crowned. Right now, they mostly work part-time and compete for the higher paying quests.

I almost didn't realize Megumin standing beside me.

"Did you actually emerge from your NEET shell and want to take on a quest? Sorry to break it to you, but the quests pay less now. They could still make a nice outing though."

"What are you talking about? When you're as rich as I am, there's no need for such a thing as work."

We went back to our seat after our order was finished.

"Oi Megumin. Do you think another Demon King will be crowned soon? To be honest, I hope none does for a while. I can't be bothered to work. However, the adventurers probably think otherwise."

"Aren't you also an adventurer? If you had to ask me, a new Demon King would have to be someone strong. They would also need some generals to hold a barrier. Hey, why don't I become the Demon King? You can be my right hand general."

"What the hell are you even saying? Do you honestly think I would be able to hold my own against the high level adventurers?"

The explosion mage is talking nonsense. Although, I've been wondering something on the topic of the Demon King.

"Oi. What happened during the Demon King battle after we all split up?"

Megumin looked at me and then rubbed her chin.

"Well, after you and the Demon King disappeared, his men in the room became weaker. Yunyun and that Katsuragi guy took out a few while Darkness tanked hits for us. The magic sword guy's teammates took out some while he got healing from Aqua. For some reason, he rushed to the centre and got beat down. He did take out a lot of them though."

Looks like they were able to hold their own in that battle. Meanwhile, I actually died in that dungeon. The Demon King was too much for me to handle in the end.

"So, what happened between you and the Demon King? I'm kind of curious now that you bring my attention to it."

What happened, huh? It was pretty terrifying to put it in words.

"I teleported us to that dungeon where I power leveled with Wiz and Vanir. It was mainly a back and forth battle. In the end, my sheer strength overcame that old man."

…

…

"That didn't happen."

"It's not entirely false. It was back and forth for a while. Although, he might've just been messing around. For an old man, he can fight pretty hard. That guy used lightning to pierce my shoulder. It's good I knew heal at the time."

Megumin just gives me a smirk.

"I don't really believe that you were able to defeat the Demon King. If anything, he probably suddenly died of old age or from a heart attack."

"Hey. Despite my stats, I am pretty decent at fighting. Although I do use underhanded methods. It still works though."

We both just share a laugh.

"Although, that manatite really helped me out. I would've ran out of mana long before the battle ended. I was able to create a huge earth golem with it. That top-grade manatite is really something."

"I know right? I was able to use explosion a lot that day. It was probably the best thing in my life I've ever done. Although, are you telling me an earth golem killed the Demon King?"

Oh, Megumin will love this.

"Oh no. In fact, it died before I got to damage him. Instead I used this manatite to cast explosion on him."

…

…

Megumin instantly stands up and leans closer.

"You used explosion magic?! That's reeeally amazing, Kazuma! However, it's probably natural you would want to use explosion magic due to seeing me use it daily. You even knew what a good explosion was and what a bad explosion was. I'm sure you made a good explosion in that fight. It's even more natural that the Demon King was taken out by the best magic there is."

"It was more of a last resort if anything. Seeing you cast it daily did help me out with the chanting."

"Last resort? Ohhhhh."

She got it.

"Did you die down there?"

I hesitate to say "yes."

"I'm sorry Kazuma. I knew it was weird when Aqua disappeared but I just assumed you completed your job and sent her back."

"Don't apologize for it. You guys did all you could. In the end, I had to make a great sacrifice. Although it was pretty sad, everyone was happy at the celebration."

Following the defeat of the Demon King, Iris threw a celebration to celebrate his defeat. We had a dinner in our honor and I was given the title "Hero of Belzerg."

During the celebration, Darkness had a lot of nobles approach her. She just turned them all down. Aqua got dead-drunk and slept through half of the entire thing. Megumin was bragging to a bunch of people about her merits or something. Iris only wanted to stick by my side the whole time.

We stayed the night at the castle while I told Iris some more of my adventuring stories. For some reason, she was more affectionate towards me that day. She also still had that ring I gave her from Elroad. It probably means a lot to her. I should get her a better one sometime.

After being lost in thought, I was brought back by Megumin saying-

"Well, I have a splendid idea. Hold on."

She stands up and strikes a very chuuni-like pose.

"I, Megumin, the finest archmage of the Crimson Demon Clan and the strongest adventurer, challenges you to a duel. We will test our firepower on each other and see who is the better explosion user."

"Are you stupid?! That sounds stupid as hell! Why would we cast explosions on each other exactly?!"

"Good thinking. How about just a raw explosion contest then? We could fire explosions at a field or something."

"I guess that could work."

"Allow me to correct myself then. Ahem. I, Megumin, the fines~ ow"

I gave her a good bonk on the head. There's people staring already.

"Even then, I don't have any more manatite. The explosion in the dungeon used up my final piece."

"I've got that covered. I kept some manatite for emergencies."

"Does this really count as an emer~"

"This counts as an emergency, Kazuma."

We grabbed four pieces of top-grade manatite from the mansion and left to Megumin's daily explosion spot. She is already practicing her chanting.

Now I need to think up some rules.

Seeing as I don't have any magic items, I should ban the use of her staff. I should also tell her to use only one manatite piece. Otherwise, she might try to overcharge the spell.

"Oi Megumin. Even though I can use explosion, I feel like some rules should be put in place. I am not actually that strong as you know."

"What kind of rules? Although I feel like you undersell yourself a bit. Don't forget that you could survive against the Demon King for some time and even defeat him."

I ran away from him for most of that fight though.

"For one, no magic items. I don't even have any magic items. That includes your staff. I don't know what kind of buffing effects it has."

"That makes sense."

"Another one. Only use one piece of manatite."

"That's kind of a given, Kazuma."

I guess that was obvious. That's really all I can do to even out the competition though.

We walked for a bit more. I was getting bored so I asked Megumin what it feels like when she uses explosion.

"It feels like I'm handling Emperor Zell as an egg. Aqua would just watch you so closely. I was scared of what she would do if I dropped it. It also feels kinda warm."

Kinda warm?! That explosion ball felt like it would've burned my hands off! I understand what she meant about Emperor Zell though.

Megumin is practicing her chanting while we walk. It looks stupid so I refuse to do it until the actual contest.

"Hey Megumin. Just so you know, I'm not going to go easy on you. I'm quite confident that I can atleast match your level of explosions if you have no magic items."

"I'd like it that way actually. I too shall not hold back. I haven't actually casted explosion without a staff in quite some time though."

Looks like I will get a decent handicap. Maybe I will actually beat her in this.

"Kazuma. You wanna bet on it?"

Huh?

"If I win you gotta do my chores for one week. You also have to cook for us that week too."

"So be it. In that case, if I win you gotta do mine. You also have to do one request of mine."

"I'm kind of scared about what request the perverted Kazuma will make. He should be fine and take proper precautions however."

"The hell are you even thinking about?! I'm only making this one of my conditions because I can't think of anything right now."

"You're so cute when you get like that, you know."

…

"Is this your favorite pastime? Why do you mock me so much? Ah, we're here."

We have arrived at Megumin's current explosion point.

A while back, she and Yunyun would do her daily explosion at the Demon King's castle. After a while, she got bored of that. Lately, Megumin has been coming to an abandoned mine. It is much like the one we visited in Elroad.

Although the explosion blows up most of the ore, there are some extra bits that are salvageable. So we gather them up for some easy dinner money.

"Alright Kazuma. Now, do not hold back. I am pretty sure I will win today, even without my staff."

She tosses me a piece of manatite. I can already feel how powerful it is in my hand.

"Don't worry. I will go all out with this today. Even more, this piece of manatite really feels like the most powerful one I've used yet."

I start the chant. Megumin follows. I'm putting all the mana I can into this one. The ball is really hot, but I can't let it go yet.

"Ready Megumin?"

"Yep. Fire away Kazuma."

Alright. Here goes nothing.

"EXPLOSION" x2

The shockwaves caused by the explosions are really strong. I feel like I can get swept off my feet. The heat is also very noticeable.

We both collapse as we are getting a look at the explosions.

Looks like I had the bigger explosion. That means I've done it.

"Well sorry Kazuma but it looks like you are going to cook for us and do my chores for a week. I have won this contest."

"What are you talking about? My explosion was bigger than yours."

"Well, mine had more firepower in it. Look at the craters."

Megumin's crater actually merges with my crater. I can't even tell which of us did the damage in the center.

"You're crater is in my crater. How do you even tell who did all the damage in the center?"

"That is right actually. Looks like we are at a standstill. While my explosion was clearly more superior, I say we call it a draw for now. What do you say, Kazuma?"

My explosion was the obvious winner but I will agree with her for now. Looks like we will settle this another time.

"What's supposed to happen about our bet? Also my explosion seemed better but I agree that we call it a draw."

"Why don't we both accept it as a loss and take each other's conditions? I only added you cooking for us as a condition because you make some really good food."

"Sure. We will just exchange chores and you will have to do one of my requests. I will also cook for us all this week."

I use one of the manatite pieces to replenish Megumin and I's mana. It crumbles to dust and blows away. With this, we only have one more piece with us.

…

I had a fantastic idea just now.

"Hey Megumin. How about we try doing it together?"

She turns red and instantly says-

"The heck are you saying all of a sudden?! I'm not really against the idea but don't bring it up in the open."

"Huh? I'm talking about about doing an explosion. The heck are you talking about?"

I know what she actually means but I'll let it slide for now to not ruin the mood. I'll just make a mental note of it.

"Oh, you mean cast explosion? In that case, sure. Forget what I said just now."

Nope.

I grab the last piece of manatite and get ready for today's final explosion. Megumin looks fired up. I admit I'm also getting pumped for this.

"How are we going to do this exactly, Kazuma? I think we can both grab onto my staff."

"Good idea. I can also funnel both of our mana if both of our hands are touching with drain touch."

We both grab onto Megumin's staff. I make sure to touch her hand. Our other hands link with the manatite in between them. I activate drain touch with one hand taking mana and the other hand giving mana.

"With this, we are sharing mana. This kinda feels a bit weird though, don't you think Megumin?"

"It feels strange but I can feel how much mana we collectively have. This should be enough to make a big explosion."

"Whenever you're ready."

"Darkness blacker than black, darker than dark. I beseech thee, combine with my deep crimson." x2

In the end, I'm glad I came to this world.

"The time of awakening cometh. Justice, fallen upon the infallible boundary, appear now as an intangible distortion." x2

I got to meet all these people. Aqua, Darkness, Iris, Wiz. I have no regrets in coming here.

"I desire for my torrent of power a destructive force, a distructive force without equal." x2

Most importantly, I got to meet the girl who has their hands linked with mine.

"Return all creation to cinders, and come from the abyss!" x2

My heart is pounding. She's really something else.

"EXPLOSION!" x2

We collapse yet again and watch the blast. This is certainly the biggest explosion I've seen. Megumin is really admiring the explosion.

"That was amazing as hell! Probably even better than my barrage of explosions! And the explosion was one of the best I've seen!"

Our hands are still intertwined. The piece of manatite between them turns to dust and blows away.

"That was quite big, wasn't it? Even you can say it was one of the best explosions yet."

The breeze feels really good at this moment.

"It's times like this that I'm happy you were the one I fell for Kazuma."

I turn even more red than I already was. I don't even know how to respond.

"I-I'm happy to hear you say that you love me, Megumin."

"Quit being a tsundere. Say it too."

She gives a small laugh.

"Fine. I love you too, Megumin. Isn't it obvious?"

"It's very obvious."

She gives me a nice smile.

We remain collapsed for a few minutes.

"Say Kazuma. How do we get back up?"

…

That was the fourth manatite piece.

...

...

It seems I've made a miscalculation. And night time is approaching.