Chapter 8: A Moment with the Three Familiar Faces
“What is this all of a sudden?!”
“...Huh?!”
The next day, after deciding to take a break from Dungeon exploration until something developed.
Even if I don’t dive into a Dungeon, I still have to go out and buy groceries and daily necessities.
As for weapon handling, my skills prevent me from getting rusty immediately, so that’s fine.
So, I left the house in the evening and was walking toward the supermarket to buy groceries, as usual, when...
“Even if you ask me to tell you my status, I’m not going to tell someone I don’t know...”
“I-I’m sorry. That’s just how it is!”
I saw three familiar faces being harassed by a group of people, both male and female.
At first, I thought it was some kind of solicitation, but I listened closely when I heard the word ‘status’ and saw that a woman was involved.
Then, the words I heard were exactly what I had expected. And although there was no mark on their clothes, they were wearing necklaces with the Labyrinthian Faith’s mark as the pendant top.
‘I see.’ They’re Labyrinthian Faith believers, too.
“...!”
For now, I decided to ignore the people who seemed to be Labyrinthian Faith believers and just continue on my way...
“...!”
‘Ah, yes.’ Just kidding.
I tried to pretend I didn't notice them, or at least tried not to care, but one of the girls being harassed kept staring at me silently.
Her eyes seemed to be begging me to help quickly...
Well, I noticed her gaze, and our eyes even met. They’re familiar faces, so I wasn’t planning on abandoning them anyway.
“Rin! Rina! Anju!!”
“Kaede-san?!”
“K-Kaede-san.”
“...You’re slow!”
“My bad, did I keep you waiting? So, what’s going on here?!”
The trio looked surprised when I called out to them, then relieved.
Yes, the familiar faces were Rin, Rina, and Anju.
When I called out to the three of them, they gathered around me. Wait, they’re hiding behind me, using me as a shield... ‘Hey, now.’
Well, putting that aside for a moment.
“Well, I apologize, but these girls were involved in the incident caused by the Dragon’s Eye. Could you please excuse yourselves for today?”
When I said that, the Labyrinthian Faith believers smiled and simply said, “We apologize for the intrusion,” before walking away.
Their demeanor was calm, but their eyes weren’t smiling. I think they were completely looking down on me.
I let out a big sigh after they disappeared from sight.
Then, I turned toward the trio standing hidden behind me.
‘Well, it’s good that I helped them—’
“Phew... Now then, why are the three of you, who were clearly involved in a serious incident two days ago, here right now? Huh?”
“—But that’s a separate issue entirely.”
I mean, it’s only the second day of the school closure, right?
Considering the Dragon’s Eye was targeting eighteen-year-olds, I expected them to stay home quietly for at least a week.
“Um, well, you see...”
“W-We were shopping for d-dinner...”
“Hm. Our parents all work for the Association and haven't been home recently.”
“Ah, I see.”
I was planning to scold them if the reason was trivial and forcibly escort them home, but their explanation was reasonable.
Wait, the parents of all three of them are Association staff?
Well, if something like that happened, they would need to coordinate with the police, so they must be busy dealing with that.
“So I was scared to go alone, which is why the other two came with me!”
“...And you ended up getting harassed.”
“...Yes!”
Well, at least they didn’t come alone... I guess?
“Oh well. If that’s the case, it can’t be helped. Come on, I’m also going to buy ingredients for dinner, so I’ll shop with you. Let’s buy what we need quickly and go home.”
“Yay!!”
“Ah, thank you!”
“Helpful.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go!”
And so, I ended up going shopping with the three girls who had been harassed by the Labyrinthian Faith believers.
Now, what should I cook today?
“Phew... Is that everything?”
“Yep!!”
“Y-Yes!!”
“...I think so.”
Somehow, everyone managed to select their ingredients without any issues.
To be honest, when I first found the three of them being harassed, I wondered what to do, but I’m glad we were able to shop without any problems.
Rin replied cheerfully to my question, Rina replied with a stutter, and Anju replied slightly late.
We came to the supermarket under my advice to stock up on groceries and other items so we wouldn’t have to leave the house for a few days, considering the situation.
“Wait, you put a lot of things in your carts, but do you really need all that?”
Rin and the others were pushing a shopping cart—one each, with one basket stacked on top—like seasoned pros, but they kept adding various things along the way.
It started with vegetables, then fish and meat.
The fish and meat weren't too much, but they bought a lot of vegetables.
And also... a lot of snacks.
By the way, Rin bought a massive amount of snacks, while Anju and Rina only bought one or two, which seemed normal.
“No, no, Rin. I know I shouldn’t say this to a girl, but if you eat that many sweets, aren’t you going to gain weight?!”
When I said that to Rin, she puffed out her chest and said proudly:
“I’m totally fine. I’d want to eat even more if I had the money.”
“Rin has a body type that doesn't gain weight easily. ...I’m genuinely jealous.”
“...That’s a little unfair.”
Anju and Rina muttered while staring intently at Rin’s physique.
Well, I have to admit she has a good figure, but...
“But I don’t think you two need to worry that much, either~!”
I said that while looking at their stomach areas.
The two girls noticed my gaze, gasped, and touched their stomachs with red faces.
“Well, don’t push yourselves with dieting!”
“Y-Yes!”
“Understood!”
“Alright. Then, let’s go pay for this!”
I said that and started walking toward the register.
The three of them followed me.
When we lined up at the register, the store clerk looked at us with a surprised expression.
Well, anyone would be surprised looking at this...
All four of us had a shopping cart, and each cart had one basket stacked on top.
And they were all full.
Well, I have one thing to say to the person at the register.
I’m so sorry.
“You bought a lot~”
“Yeah, we did...!”
On the way home.
We were walking with the massive amount of groceries stored in my ‘Item Box’.
I carried the three girls’ shares as well.
This was to prevent the three of them from being harassed by strange people again on the way home, just like before we went shopping.
Well, I can't help that part.
“But I didn’t think we’d buy this much at first!”
“I-I didn’t either. Did we buy too much?”
“Hm, I think it’s fine.”
The three of them were chatting happily.
As I watched them, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
Why were the three of them harassed by the Labyrinthian Faith believers?
Based on my past experience, I thought something like this would definitely happen again...
“Nothing happened, though...!”
My muttering was carried away by the wind, unheard by anyone.
If nothing happens, then I don’t mind, but I have a bad feeling about this.
“What’s wrong, Kaede-san?”
“No, nothing at all.”
“Is that so? Oh, I know! Why don’t you join us for dinner today, Kaede-san?”
“Huh, really?”
“Yes! Rina and Anju, that’s okay with you, right?”
“O-Of course!”
“Fine.”
“I see. Then, I’d be happy to!”
Well, if nothing happens, then that’s fine.
They kindly invited me, so there’s no reason to refuse. Besides, it’ll be the first time in a while I've eaten with other people.
I’ll gladly accept their offer.
Then, after chatting with Rin and the others for a while, we finally arrived at Rin’s house.
Rin’s house is close to Rina’s and Anju’s, since they are childhood friends. It’s right next door and across the street, actually.
Rina and Anju said they would go home, put away their groceries, and then come back.
I ended up helping Anju because she couldn’t carry everything herself.
First, I handed the groceries they bought out of my ‘Item Box’, and then I went with Anju to her house.
We placed the groceries and snacks in the living room and kitchen, respectively, right from the entrance.
The amount is immense when I look at it again.
It was definitely the right decision to help.
After putting away the groceries, I went inside Rin’s house to wait for Rina and Anju.
“Excuse the intrusion.”
“Yes, welcome~”
Rin greeted me as soon as I entered her house. Then, she showed me into the living room.
“Just sit wherever you like.”
“Got it. But are you sure you don’t need help putting the groceries in the fridge?”
“Honestly! You don’t have to worry that much.
Besides, Kaede-san is our guest, so please relax.”
So, as Rin told me, I obediently sat down on the sofa in the living room.
As I sat on the sofa, I could see Rin efficiently putting the groceries she bought into the refrigerator in the kitchen.
She looks like a completely different person from when we went into the Dungeon together.
Back then, she was more... what’s the word? ‘Innocently cheerful’?
I never thought she’d be cooking, but... well, you can't judge a book by its cover, I guess.
“Rin-chan~”
“They’re here~”
Just as I was thinking something that might earn me a scolding if she knew, Rina and Anju arrived in the living room.
I didn't hear the doorbell, but that just means they live close enough for that not to matter.
“Welcome!”
“Honestly~ Why are you the one saying that, Kaede-san?”
When I greeted the two girls who came into the living room, Rin, who was chuckling, retorted.
“Oh, don’t worry about the small details. More importantly, Anju, you were quick. I thought it would take longer considering how much you had...”
“Hee hee. Rina worked hard.”
“Hey!”
“U-Um... It’s okay. I just helped carry some of the snacks to Anju-chan’s room.”
“I-I see...”
Judging by this exchange, this must be how they usually are.
Rina looks a little distant, though.
“You two, help me cook~!”
“O-Okay!”
“Got it~!”
‘Haa... So that’s what happened.’
Wait, when did Rina and Anju become so close?
Well, it’s good that they get along.
And as for me, I just watched the three of them, with nothing much to do.
...I guess I should help out too—
“Ah, Kaede-san, please rest. We’re treating you to dinner today.”
“P-Please wait for us!!”
“It’s okay, don’t worry!”
—I thought about helping, but I was stopped, so I reluctantly sat back down on the sofa.
Well, if they say so, I have no choice. I guess I’ll just wait quietly.
‘Man~ This sofa is so comfortable to sit on... zzz’
“Kaede-san~ It’s ready~ Wake up, please~”
Rin’s voice brought me back to consciousness.
...Did I fall asleep?
It seems I accidentally fell into a deep sleep while dozing off. I rubbed my eyes, yawned, and sat up on the sofa.
“My bad. Did I fall asleep?”
“No, it’s fine. I was just wondering if you were tired!”
“Haha, that’s kind of embarrassing.”
“It’s okay. Besides, you looked so comfortable sleeping that I took a picture.”
She showed me her smartphone, and there was a picture of me sleeping very comfortably.
“W-Wait! Delete that!!”
“No way, I just took it... Wait, so fast?!”
I used every ounce of my stats to snatch the smartphone from Rin's hands, who was looking at me with a proud ‘Hoo-hoo-hoon’ expression.
Defense and Mental Strength don’t matter for this action, so that's fine.
But I had to adjust my Attack Power so that I wouldn't break the smartphone while still overcoming Rin’s stats.
Next, for Agility, I adjusted my speed just enough that Rin’s eyes couldn’t keep up.
And finally, this is the important part: Dexterity. I focused all my attention on snatching the smartphone from Rin’s hands, not by brute force.
Only to snatch it from Rin, who couldn’t see my movements.
...What the heck am I doing?
“Well... I got the smartphone, so I’ll delete it right away...”
“You won’t! Take that!”
“Woah?! That’s dangerous!!”
Rin moved quickly... Wait, is she using ‘Godspeed’?
Anyway, she rushed at the smartphone in my hand at an incredible speed.
However, I haven’t fallen so low that I can’t keep up with that speed.
I crouched down, dodging Rin, who was charging at the smartphone I was operating to delete the picture. Then, I swept my leg to throw Rin off balance.
Of course, Rin, being an explorer, wouldn’t lose her balance that easily.
Rin immediately took a few steps away from the sofa, but she managed to brace herself, regain her posture, and charge at me again.
‘Good, good. Just as planned.’
“Hup.”
“Huh? Kyaah!”
Just as I intended, the moment Rin leaped at me again, I dodged sideways and gave her back a light push.
Rin crashed headlong into the sofa.
“Ouch...”
“See, I told you it was dangerous. Here you go. Deleted!”
I operated the smartphone I took from Rin and deleted the photo she had just taken.
During that time, Rin didn't say anything and just stared blankly at what I was doing.
‘Phew... That settles that.’
I thought so, but the smartphone in my pocket started vibrating instead of Rin’s.
“Hm?!”
What is it?
For now, I checked my smartphone.
“Oh? Why Anju?!”
A notification of a message from Anju was displayed on the screen.
Anju was watching Rin and me acting like idiots just now, so she shouldn’t have sent a message... It would have been faster to just call out to me.
What’s wrong?
“Um... Seriously?!”
The moment I looked at the screen to check Anju’s message, I couldn’t help but exclaim.
“W-What’s wrong, Kaede-san?”
“Ah, no. Nothing at all.”
I quickly covered it up when Rin asked me.
If I don’t hide this, all my effort just now will be for nothing...
Anju’s message was—
—a video attached, showing the exact exchange between Rin and me just now, along with the picture of me sleeping from a different angle that I had just deleted.
I moved my neck stiffly, making a creaking sound, and looked at Anju. She had a triumphant ‘Mufuhn’ look on her face and gave me a thumbs-up.
As for Rina, she was looking back and forth between Anju and me with a puzzled expression.
...Rina doesn’t seem to have taken anything, but Anju-san... you took a picture, too...
“Ah~ That was a feast. Thanks for the meal.”
Somehow, after a negotiation (coercion), I managed to delete the picture and video from her smartphone, too, and we finished dinner.
Yes. It was truly delicious.
Dinner was a very fragrant curry rice—
—plus nikujaga (meat and potato stew) and hamburger steak.
I thought, ‘Isn’t that a lot?’ but Rin made the curry, Rina made the nikujaga, and Anju made the hamburger steak.
And since they also made salads and other various things, the amount of food was naturally large.
Well, they were all delicious, so that’s fine.
Even so, I still thought that the amount of food Rin and Anju ate was abnormal.
It was the same at the yakiniku restaurant before, but where does all that food go in those slender bodies...?
“Yes. It was a simple meal, but you’re welcome!”
“Was it delicious?!”
“Of course it was delicious, right?!”
“Yeah, of course. All the dishes were incredibly delicious!!”
I stated my honest opinion.
I couldn’t tell what the secret ingredient in the curry was, but it had a very mild flavor.
The nikujaga was heavily seasoned, but the aroma of the dashi stock made it taste gentle, and it was exquisite.
It truly felt like the comforting taste of homemade food.
And the hamburger steak! That goes without saying.
The hamburger steak, covered with Anju’s homemade sauce, was juicy, and the meat juices overflowed in my mouth... It was the best.
“I see~ That’s good.”
“Y-Yes. It was worth all the effort!”
“Yeah. We all worked hard, including me!”
“That’s right. Thank you. It was delicious. With cooking like this, you’ll all make great wives, won’t you?!”
“““Eh?!”””
The three girls froze with surprised looks on their faces at my words.
Hm?
“What’s wrong, all three of you!”
“N-No. Nothing at all...!”
“Y-Yeah. It’s nothing!”
“Um, we were just a little surprised!”
“?!”
I don’t really get it, but they must be thinking something—
—I didn't think that, like some kind of dense protagonist.
I just blurted out what I was thinking...
I’m genuinely embarrassed, and it’s a little awkward.
But there’s no point in trying to cover it up now; it would only make the atmosphere worse, so I’ll just stick with what I said.
“Well, time to clean up, I guess.”
Maybe it’s because my Mental Strength stat is high, but I feel like I’m not feeling that much embarrassment.
...It’s just a feeling, though. I really hope that’s the case.
“Y-Yes, let’s do that.”
“Ah, we’ll do it!”
Rina took the lead and stood up, carrying the dishes toward the kitchen, and Rin refused my offer to help again, not wanting me to work.
“No, no, let me at least do this much. I was sleeping while the three of you were making dinner, after all!”
“Understood! Then, please carry the plates!”
“Got it!”
As Rin told me, I carried the plates and cups—which had been completely emptied of all the food and drinks—to the washing area.
Rin washed the dishes, Rina wiped the washed dishes, and Anju put them back on the shelf.
And as for me... I had nothing to do and was left twiddling my thumbs.
“...Huh? Is my job done already?”
“Yes, it is. So please relax!”
“Ehh~ But I feel kind of bad about it!”
“But there’s no more work left!”
When she said that, I realized she was right...
The table was already clean while I was carrying the plates, and there was nothing left for me to do.
“Alright. Then, I’ll just stay in the living room.”
“Yes, please do so!!”
Rin replied with a smile.
‘Hmm~ That’s a good smile.’
Well, since there’s nothing else to do, I guess I’ll go back to the sofa.
“...Hm?!”
As I started walking from the kitchen back to the living room, a view outside the window caught my eye.
The sky was completely dark, and only the light from the houses seemed to be shining.
And on the other side of the fence, I saw shadows of people looking into these three houses—Rin’s house, Rina’s house, and Anju’s house—against the backdrop of the night view.
“Those are...”
I cautiously checked through the window, trying not to be noticed, and realized there were three people watching each house, for a total of nine people.
But from this distance, I can't tell who they are, and since only the light from this house is on, I can't see their faces.
I quickly took out my smartphone, set it to camera mode, started video recording, recorded the scene, and then put it back in my pocket.
I wish I had a chest pocket, but since I don't, I put it in my pants pocket.
And then...
“Multi Lock-On.”
I muttered ‘Multi Lock-On’ and activated the skill.
The targets are the nine suspicious people.
...Wait, that necklace has a familiar mark.
Ah, the Labyrinthian Faith.
“...I guess asking those guys is the quickest way to find out!”
What is their objective, and why are they acting so sneakily?
Well, the answer is... no, I’ll know everything if I ask them.
“...Alright. Let’s go.”
“Huh? Kaede-san, are you leaving already?”
“No, I’m just going out for a bit!”
I said that and walked out the front door.
I ran away from the moment I tried to talk to them before. The front door opening would naturally make a sound, right?
In that case—
“Well, I figured as much.”
—they would run away.
When I stepped out of the house from the entrance, they were already gone. Well, I knew that would happen.
That’s why I used ‘Multi Lock-On’.
The nine people are now the targets of my ‘Multi Lock-On’ skill, so my line of sight automatically shifts according to their movements.
They seem to be running away in separate directions, and my line of sight is moving according to their movements. It’s seriously difficult. I feel sick.
But after enduring it for a while, they all gathered in one direction.
“With this, I know the general direction of where they might be gathering.”
It was an application of the ‘Lock-On’ skill, and it worked well.
I want to continue pursuing them, but...
“First, I need to explain the situation to the three of them.”
Muttering that, I went back inside the house.
...Now, how should I explain this?
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