We all moved closer to the floor guide signage.
This commercial facility is just massive.
Basically, you can assume they carry pretty much anything you’d expect in a shopping complex.
There’s even a home center attached, and since the buildings are contiguous, that should be within our range too.
For now, let’s just do a rough check of what they stock…
“Why don’t we just throw out whatever comes to mind without overthinking it?”
Deciding we needed a starting point for the discussion, I made the suggestion. “Mm.
Condoms.”
At Chiyu’s comment, I choked on my saliva with a “guf—”.
The rest of the women blushed as well.
“Soushuu might be more of a breasted alien than anyone else, but he’s bound to want to do it eventually. No, actually, I want it too.”
Chiyu was incredibly direct.
But she looked a bit shy after all, her cheeks flushing a faint pink.
“I-It’s really flattering, but isn’t it a waste to spend our shopping budget on something just to bring home?”
Of course, the mere fact that I could do that with Chiyu was worth more than any price tag imaginable.
It was strictly a discussion about the value of contraception.
“Uh, yeah. I mean, if we can find a rubber tree, Sōsuke should be able to produce latex from its sap… so maybe we should explore the island a bit more first?”
Fukamitsu blushed as she backed me up.
”…Got it. I was just saying it offhand.”
Chi-i yielded with a reluctant look on her face.
“Ch, Chi-i is so perverted…! Ah, I want cosmetics! And new underwear! Clothes, too!”
Mimiko raised her voice loudly, exaggerating to change the atmosphere.
“When it comes to beauty and fashion, I honestly totally get what Mimiko-chan is feeling. But as a suggestion, shouldn’t you just memorize the raw materials for cosmetics, or the materials and designs for clothes, and ask Sōsuke-kun later? Of course, that depends on him.”
Nodding at Shinon’s words, I agreed.
“Ah, sure. No problem there. If we have the right materials, my ‘Crafting Ability’ guarantees the quality of the cosmetics, but I’m totally clueless about clothing design. So if you can find specific references, that would actually be a huge help.”
Since the rule was strictly one item per person per day that could be taken back, there were no restrictions on what we scouted out.
This aspect of the situation also meshed well with my ‘Crafting Ability’.
After all, knowing what materials were available worked in my favor.
「Ah, right, right! So I’ll write them down in a memo once I remember what we need, and then just ask Sōsuke to handle it once the materials are all together. Which means, on our end, we’re basically buying stuff here that we wouldn’t stand a chance of getting on a desert island, right?»
「Yeah. I actually want to go to the supermarket too and browse around. With spices and those things, I definitely didn’t realize how many variations there are just from looking at what was already inside。」
「If that’s the case, maybe it would be better to research it in books?」
「Oh, good point! Besides, I could read recipe books and all that. For someone like deep-method you, would textbooks be the go-to then? Do bookstores there carry them, I wonder?」
「Yes, the bookstore inside here is quite large-scale, so they must have carried textbooks as well. That said… their priority level isn’t exactly high, is it?」
Deep Method had wanted to study on the desert island, but if she selected textbooks or reference books here, that wish would be fulfilled.
「I know what individuals want next. Let’s think about what’s needed for the party.」 「Mm.
Condoms.」
It felt like his statement wasn’t just a joke; it carried the subtext that not only did Sanae personally desire such an item, but the party would need one as well.
“I-I’m putting that on hold, okay?”
No matter how many times he heard it, the word made his heart race.
No, is it because those words came from my childhood friend’s mouth? It wouldn’t phase me at all if guys in a conversation brought it up.
「Hmm… but isn’t that tough? We’re already pretty well off on that island, you know.」
「Right… Ah, um… I often find myself wishing for a refrigerator.
Since Sōsuke-kun has 『Storage』, things won’t spoil, but we can’t chill or freeze them.」 Shion suggested timidly.
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. Like wanting to drink fruit juice or milk cold.”
If I ‘Stored’ them after they were chilled, they could be preserved in their refrigerated state.
The fridge would never become full, nor would items left inside be forgotten and rot.
“Fair enough, I do want a fridge.”
“Nah, I super want one too, but isn’t buying just the fridge useless without an electrical outlet?”
”…What about purchasing items that include power generation capabilities as well?”
At Shinpo’s remark, everyone’s gaze converged on her.
“I did think about introducing a solar power generation system to allow for the use of electrical appliances at our base. However, installing a serious setup would require far too many ‘Item Points’…”
Even panels are treated as ‘one point’ per sheet, so if ten were needed, it would take two days just for that.
Since we don’t know how long our life on the desert island will last, long-term, that might be the better option, but…
“Oh, right. My uncle loves camping, and I remember him saying there were outdoor-use solar panels available. They’re a size portable enough to carry around.”
”…! In that case, since types with all necessary functions incorporated are likely on sale, ‘one point’ might be sufficient.”
“I see. For now, as long as the fridge and basic electrical items run, that plan sounds good.”
If the sun shines, it shines even over a desert island.
“Yeah, we do need to actually check out that product and confirm which fridge model we’re targeting.”
“Ah, right. If no one else has any objections, does a fridge and a portable solar panel work as our ‘two items’ decision?”
No one raised an objection.
“Hee-here! If it’s something we all use, wouldn’t you want a hair dryer too?”
At Shoushi’s words, the girls nodded in agreement.
The post-bath hair problem seemed to be a matter of high importance for the women.
“If that’s the case, won’t we also need an extension cord…?”
They might be able to run just the fridge by placing the solar panel right outside the kitchen area, but…
…the distance to the changing room is a bit far.
“So, with the solar panel, fridge, hair dryer, and extension cord, that makes ‘four points,’ right?”
Shiine summarized.
“What do we do about the last one?”
I asked if there was anything else they all used together, but…
“I think this spot can be filled by whatever Soukun-san wants.”
“That sounds like a plan I’m on board with. After all, it was originally meant as a special perk for Sōsuke.”
“I like it!”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
And just like that, the gazes of the four women landed on me.
A prize, huh…
I love games and manga, but right now, they’re not exactly my top priority.
I’d certainly want the contraception Chiiru mentioned, and while it seems these four would be fine sharing it, the fact that it’s a consumable item you might potentially source even on a desert island makes me feel like using up a reward on it is just a waste.
It’s better to pick something hard to find on my own that would be genuinely useful for everyone here…
After thinking about it for a while, an idea struck me.
“Ah, how about—let’s make it the second hairdryer.”
Seeing the four of them look stunned, I added some context to my suggestion.
“I mean, since I’m the only guy here, one would be enough for me. But there are four of you ladies, right? If you all have to share just one, anyone going later in line would probably end up with cold hair.”
I had a feeling we could manage by staggering our bath times or something, but it’s not like having an extra one would be a burden.
But the four of them looked like they were about to say, “That’s not the point.”
“Sou-kun, we know that part.”
“Yeah. What surprised us is that you get zero personal gain out of it. Seriously, you’re too kind.”
Hearing that I could pick whatever I wanted for us… and Sōsuke, you’re saying that with a straight face.
”……I think it’s wonderful how you so naturally think of others.”
It’s not like I don’t think buying a hairdryer is a bit over the top… but honestly, I’m starting to get it.
They aren’t reacting based on benchmarks like “how much this item costs in Japan.”
They place weight on the fact that I thought of them and acted accordingly.
That was the case when they thanked me for the handmade items, and it’s the same now.
“Anyway. Let’s go with those ‘five points’ for today. We can come back here tomorrow or later, right?”
“Right. Besides, since we only have three hours here, we’d better decide what to bring back while we’re awake.”
“So, should we head to the appliance store right away? We can get everything there, right?”
“Hmm. Since we’ve decided what to buy, maybe just a few of us should go to the electronics megastore, and the rest of us should explore…”
“Mm. I don’t care much about specific products, so I’ll leave the appliance store to you. For future reference, I want to look around at various things.”
“Then, I’ll go pick out the items. Shion, since the kitchen is your domain, may I leave the refrigerator choice to you?”
「Ah ah, alright. Mind if I make the selection myself?」
「Then I’ll go check out some cosmetics and clothes.」
「I’m gonna wander around for a bit. Anyway, let’s meet back here fifteen minutes before closing.」
Incidentally, you can’t take items home unless you “Select” them, but apparently all you have to do is chant the words while looking at the item directly in front of you.
Shion and Fuhou would “Select” the solar panels and the refrigerator, then place the remaining three points into a cart and return here; after that, our allies would just “Select” them to finalize the purchase.
After explaining how it all works to everyone, we temporarily disperse.
The shopping mall is eerie because it’s devoid of people, but on the other hand, I felt a sense of excitement building up.
The escalators and elevators were moving, and in stores with monitors installed, the same video played on loop.
Just in case, I borrowed some equipment from the shops to test it out, but neither the phones nor the internet connected.
Also, the windows wouldn’t open.
The water in the toilets flushes away, but… if so, where does the flushed stuff go?
And it seems we can’t leave through the parking lot either. Since we were inside the facility, I thought maybe we could get there, but… well, there are no “items” here anyway.
Even if there were anything, it would just be vending machines, and we have those in other parts of the facility too.
Partway through, I noticed what looked like some kind of event. There were cars on display.
“Since I’ve got both Mashiro and Mikron with me, I probably don’t need a car.”
Besides, there’s the gasoline issue to consider.
”…Huh? Wait, couldn’t I just bring back some premix fuel, ‘Itemize’ it, and separate out just the gasoline?”
I remembered the lawn mower and its fuel from my grandfather’s house.
I wasn’t an expert, but I figured premix was basically gasoline with something mixed into it.
If that was the case, I could probably get it at a hardware store or somewhere local.
“Guess I really don’t need one.”
Then again, this bonus area might not be exclusive to us.
Considering what’s coming up next, thinking things through wouldn’t be a wasted effort.
By the way, just like in the white room, abilities don’t work here.
If they did, with my power, I could store absolutely anything.
That would be a complete game-breaker. Fair enough.
“So, that guy…”
Just as I was passing the pharmacy, Chiyu inside called out to stop me.
“Chiyu? Were you looking at ingredients for shampoo or cosmetics?”
Maybe I should take a look too.
Chiyu gave her usual expressionless response.
“I was looking at condoms.”
“That’s… over the top, even for your interests…”
“At a pharmacy with customers around, I’d obviously be too embarrassed to do it.”
“W-well, that is true…”
It might be a non-issue for someone experienced, but for a high school boy who hasn’t lost his virginity yet, it was quite a thrill.
“Besides, the recipe might not unlock unless I understand how they work.”
“That’s… probably so.”
Since I didn’t want that either, I strictly kept it to studying and looked through the products side by side with Chiyu. “Hmm. Let’s examine them closely.”
I picked up various items to inspect for a while, but I was surprised to find there were far more varieties than I’d imagined.
”…The manufacturers really obsess over how thin they are.”
“Y-yeah… that’s true…”
“Does it feel better when it’s thinner?”
“P-probably…”
“So, you should make yours as thin as possible too.”
”…G-got it.”
“And by the way, the person you use it on first will be me.” ”… Ah, y-yeah.”
I thought I understood how she felt, but learning that she accepted me to such a degree again made a warm sense of joy swell in my chest.
Even more excited, though—that’s just me being a guy, right?
“Let’s head back soon.”
“Agreed.”
As I stood up, Chiyu reached out and took my hand.
I squeezed her hand back.
Back in the lobby, everyone was already there.
Shion and Fuhou had already selected a refrigerator and solar panels from within the electronics store.
In the cart they’d pushed over were two hairdryers and an unfamiliar extension cord.
It was a drum-shaped unit with the extension cord wound around it like a reel; apparently, it’s called a “cord reel.”
Meroi and Chiyu selected the hairdryers, while I selected the cord reel.
With this, life on the desert island would be a little more convenient.
Though I have no idea how long it will take for everyone to be able to return home.
Surely, we will be fine.
So with that,
the bonus is complete.
Thank you very much for reading until the end.
For those of you thinking, “I’m waiting for part two,” “Write about the progression with the four girls,” or “Time to introduce a new heroine,”
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