My relationship with Serina progressed.
That in itself was fine, but the situation was somewhat problematic.
It was during the middle of a battle with my comrades.
Of course, it was only because my comrades were protected by a barrier that Serina and I were able to act as we did…
When Serina lifted the barrier, my comrades immediately noticed us and rushed over. “Intermediate Healing”
Chiyu immediately cast healing magic on Serina and me. “Thanks” “Thanks, my ass”
When Chiyu came up to me, she lightly headbutted my chest plate.
It didn’t hurt at all, but the feeling was clear. ”…Sorry, I worried you”
“I knew you were okay. But when you jumped off the Micron, I was scared.” “I’m sorry”
If I were in her position, I wouldn’t want her to risk her life either.
But if someone didn’t, we wouldn’t have been able to save Tsutsui.
“Hey! I’m glad you two are safe, but don’t worry me like that!”
Shouzi was also angry, but her eyes were filled with tears.
”…I hope you value yourself more than your tools, Seirina-chan. Even if you drop the tablet, no one will blame you.”
Shion showed a sincere look of relief, but she also gave a stern remark.
“Helping someone else is one of Tsugusa-san’s good qualities, but it made my heart ache…”
Deepo was still unsettled and was holding her chest as she looked at me.
“As expected of my master. However, please do not overexert yourself.”
Usually dressed in a beautiful maid uniform, she was covered in mud. It seemed she had run around searching for us right after the fight ended. “Everyone…”
I felt bad for worrying them, but I was happy they were concerned. “But, that’s just like you, Kouno…”
Phantom was back in his human form and said nostalgically.
“I’m sorry, both of you! If it weren’t for me forcing you to go along with the teacher’s plan…”
Luminas-sensei looked guilty and her face was twisted in pain.
”…Hey, aren’t the two of you standing too close?”
The atmosphere changes with Sou’s words.
“Huh? What are you talking about, Minato? It’s not that strange, right?”
Seirina had regained her usual aloof aura.
But her arm was firmly entwined around mine.
“Mm. The unmistakable scent of ‘Sousuke’s Sousuke’.”
Chiyu had a face as if she had figured everything out.
“…Huh? Huh? Did it happen inside the barrier?”
Shouko’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Considering Seirina-chan’s way of thinking, it’s only natural that she would react like that when helped like that.” Shion had a look of understanding.
“…Usually, Souza would try to reduce the number of Arvanks by dropping rocks outside the barrier, but I did think something was off…”
Mibou was looking at me with a slightly reproachful expression.
“You’re truly the master. You turn a crisis into an opportunity with your wonderful fortune.”
Loa doesn’t seem to mind at all, but rather boasts. “Y, Yurina too…?”
”…I won’t ask about that, Sensei.”
“Man, Yurina beat me to it.”
Genjuu looks anxious, Lumina is blushing, and Soubu looks somewhat resentful as they each react.
Our progress was exposed in an instant.
“I’m sorry, everyone. It’s my fault. We should have gone monster hunting together, right?”
“That’s not it. I went to Sou-suke first, so don’t blame him.”
“I’m not blaming him. With Seri’s barrier up, it was safe. Sou-kun helped Seri, and no one will complain about him resting.”
Not everyone thinks the same as Chiyu, but no one from the group questioned him.
Some, like Shouko, are pouting.
“By the way, where’s that black dragon and that idiot boy?”
Yurina’s words make me wonder the same thing.
If it’s Mikuron who likes me, she might jump right in without hesitation.
Besides, Tsutsui should be nearby, right?
“Ah… Mikuron, you see, I think she’s mad at Tsutsui because she thinks he put Souzou in danger.” Shouji pointed at the sky.
Looking up, I saw Mikuron flying through the air in a roller-coaster-like trajectory, holding something in her mouth.
Is she holding Tsutsui?
I could faintly hear her screaming things like “Gyaaaaaah” and “Help meee.”
“Mikuron! Sōsuke’s safe!”
Shōko shouted up to the sky, and Mikuron sped toward us at an incredible rate.
As it did, Tsutsui’s shouts grew louder as well.
Micron, as the distance to the ground grew closer, spit out Tsutsui and jumped onto me.
“Good boy. Thanks for worrying about me.” “Ugh…”
Tsutsui was groaning on all fours. ”…Sen’yuu”
「I don’t like it, but I understand. ‘Silence,’ ‘Basic Healing’.” A faint light envelops Tsutsui.
He slowly stands up and looks around at us.
Then, when he finds me, he runs toward me.
Tsutsui stands in front of me and kneels down.
“Please let me call you ‘big brother’!” “…Hm?”
“To help someone like me who has no obligation to help, and to risk your life without hesitation for your woman, I’ve never seen a cooler guy than you, big brother!”
Is this really the same Tsutsui?
The Tsutsui who was shooting recklessly at the first event?
Seirin is “your woman… You know, huh?” and seems to be in a good mood.
“I don’t really understand that, but… If you’re grateful, then listen to what the teacher has to say.” “Sure!”
While slightly confused, Lumina-sensei tells us about the deal.
“Wow…! To give you a place to live, clothes, and food, you’re like a god, big brother!”
「In exchange, you give me information. It’s a deal.」 「I would love to!」 Tsutsui bowed enthusiastically.
Despite everything, the initial goal of establishing a trade relationship was achieved.
「Well, let’s head back to your base. This lake will be safe for a few days, but monsters will start appearing again.」
「I’m sorry! I ran here on impulse!」
Tsutsui hadn’t been running for a specific purpose either.
In the end, this brought Seirina and Shin closer together, so there was no anger.
When I glanced at Shion, she mouthed, “I’m not lying.” to me.
It seems Tsutsui is genuinely grateful to me.
「Sure. But I can’t return the gun yet, so please understand.」
This isn’t so much about doubting Tsutsui as it is about eliminating risk.
「Of course! By the way, only I can use that thing, so if anything happens, let me know! I’ll shoot it up!」
…So, the gun had an infinite number of bullets and was designed so that even if it was taken, the other person couldn’t use it. 「I’ll count on you if that happens.」 With the business concluded, it was time to move again. 「Oh, by the way, Seirina, here.」
Kenzou approached and handed the tablet to Serina. ”…You picked it up.”
“Yeah. But the screen’s all cracked. I was thinking, someone like Kojiro would…”
“Oh, just a moment.”
I stored the tablet in my Inventory and repositioned it.
And then, how about that? The tablet returned to its original state.
It couldn’t restore parts that were completely lost, but if they were just damaged or detached, it would easily return to its original form.
“You can drop this now, but Serina, you won’t fall anymore.”
Serina, who received the tablet from me, blushed and nodded.
Seeing Serina’s expression, many of the women around her looked surprised. “Mm, she’s got a bitch face.”
Only Senyuu remained expressionless, muttering that.
Anyway, there was only one more man left to make a deal with.
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