“I’ve adjusted the afternoon lineup on our end.”
Chenghuang was the first to speak.
Truly, she was a fast talker.
“Momo wants to be with Sousuke-kun~”
Given that Momo was throwing a tantrum, it seemed she had been cut from the afternoon team.
“Hee-hoo, I’ve been granted permission to lead the squad in the afternoon. Please take good care of us.”
Katsuki, the woman from the Kendo Club, seemed delighted.
“Ah, you too.”
Guarding the base was an important duty, but it appeared she had wanted to fight.
From our side as well, we were grateful for her participation now that she had mastered flying slash techniques.
“I’ll leave Inui Shizune and Hayate Mai behind too.”
“Then the members are Tokuba, Inimori, and Katsuki?”
“Yes. Is there anything on your end?”
A probing smile.
“No, no problems.”
We could fly through the sky using Shousu’s phantom beast and protect ourselves within Selen’s barrier.
Hiding our forms while maintaining defense, and launching one-sided attacks from the air, was the basic style.
Last time, they likely assembled the team with ground combat in mind, but after seeing the real fight unfold, they must have decided that specializing in aerial combat yielded better results.
Glancing at Inuaji and Shippuu, I noticed Inuaji was gently coaxing Momo with a smile, while Shippuu looked slightly frustrated.
“I really do believe the day will come when we can rely on your speed, Shippuu.”
“Heh, I said the same thing.”
“Doesn’t erase the regret of the person involved, though, does it?”
“Indeed.”
Is it common to be benched just because they plan to field you in the next match?
From his perspective, I suppose he wants to keep being active.
“And also, Soujirou Kudo. By not bringing Yuuko Momohara along, we lose our means of information sharing with them.”
“Ah, right. Then let’s ask Serina to get someone authorized to pass through. We have the transceivers on our end, after all.”
“That works, I’ll ask her. From now on, we need to work hard enough that they trust us with a transceiver too.”
“Ha, I’ll secure one by today.”
Although I had already secured three in reality, the person destined to receive them was already decided.
“Everyone, there’s a place we need to visit before we set off, so please wait a moment.”
I’ve already filled the others in, so no issues there, but the members of the Sōhō party looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“A meeting with the other collaborators?”
“Well, something like that.”
“You are an indispensable person, so please be careful.”
A mere extra in my class acting like a VIP.
Then again, on this desert island, they really were.
I should be careful not to get cocky, but also fully aware of my position.
“I’ll definitely keep my guard up.”
I mounted Mikuron and exited the barrier.
Mikuron couldn’t hide his displeasure at the prospect of meeting the guy I was about to see.
Well, he did practically get abducted once before.
“Cheer up a bit. Didn’t you work together with me during the Behemoth incident?”
Mikuron turned his nose up in protest.
Come to think of it, what age would the beast spirits equate to in human years?
Mashiro and Mikuron act pretty young, and even the grown-up Hairow acts like a child around Moyoko. “Hm? Is this the place?”
It wasn’t as refined as Mashi’s sense, but Mikron was clearly capable of tracking a scent as well.
She decelerated, coming to a complete stop in midair.
“—Kuono, have you come?”
Perched on one of the thick branches stood a single boy.
With long bangs obscuring his eyes, he was Tenshoukin, a partner possessing the ‘Teleportation Ability’.
“Ah, Tenshoukin. It’s only been three days since our last meeting, yet you’ve shown up.”
”…I’m just here to ensure everything is in order while I’m exploring.”
“Haha, well, at least this wasn’t a wasted trip.”
”…That Black Dragon seems to dislike me. Let’s get this done quickly.”
“Then, let’s deliver what needs to be delivered first.”
I had Mikron descend just until we were skimming the ground, landing on the surface for a moment.
Tenshoukin teleported, appearing right in front of me.
“Teleportation is incredibly convenient, but you must be gaining weight using it, huh?”
“If I keep this up, I’m bound to get fat by the time I hit middle age.”
Tensen Ran-tai raised the corner of his mouth slightly. It was hard to tell if he had just smiled.
So we’ve reached a point where we can joke around with each other.
“I have a method for losing weight rapidly, so don’t hesitate to give me a shout if you need it.”
“Then I’ll try to exercise in moderation so that doesn’t become necessary.”
As we talked, I handed over the supplies.
Tensen Ran-tai gave me back the materials he had gathered until his basket was full, along with a simple map.
“I owe you one.”
“I appreciate it too. Exploration would become quite difficult if I didn’t have someone like you; most other men wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“Aah, the monsters have been increasing in number. Especially slimes, which appear everywhere. It’s a headache for those who lack the skills to fight them.”
“Regarding that matter, I’ve been thinking about something…”
I shared my plan with Tensen Ran-tai as well.
”…Aren’t you being too kind?”
“But it would be hard to sleep if we just left them behind. Besides, it benefits us too.”
“It’s true that the benefits of staying on the island for a long time are immeasurable. But… no, it’s up to Kunou to decide, so I won’t say a word against it.”
Tenpoun probably thought there was no need to go out of his way to save other males.
After all, if ‘Return Rights’ overlap, they can be converted into different perks upon returning.
That might be true, but it’s not guaranteed that the other men won’t gain a ‘Ability Awakening’ in the future and become a threat.
Considering the safety of my companions, I still think this plan is good.
Professor Luminas will likely feel relieved too.
“Tenpoun, as you said before, you’re staying, right?”
“Of course.”
He was having a secret affair with the older female teacher in charge of history, and he hopes for a future where his lover comes to the desert island, just like Professor Luminas did.
That way, by surviving on the desert island, his lover’s lifespan would be extended.
“We appreciate it as well that Tenpoun is staying.”
“As promised, I will cooperate in whatever way you need.”
Having a user of Teleportation as an ally when something happens is incredibly reassuring.
“Anyway, here. Take this.”
He glanced at what I pulled out, his shoulder giving a slight twitch.
”……A transceiver?”
“Yeah. There’s a way to get one, but it’s a bit complicated.”
“Is there some kind of perk? Is it okay if I keep it?”
“Ahh. Whether on our appointed day or not, wouldn’t it be better to have this for contact?”
“Understood. I’ll make good use of it.”
“And finally, here.”
I handed him the steak on the tray. It included the side dishes and soup Shion and Roa had prepared. ”……Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Tenvoron paused for a moment, looking surprised, but he accepted it immediately.
“Well then, I’m heading out.”
“Then, see you later.”
After teleporting the luggage away first, Tenvoron himself vanished last.
He really is convenient, huh.
“Alright, let’s reunite with the group.”
Mounting Micron again, I headed back to my companions.
“Welcome back, So-kuun.”
Upon returning to the Seifū party’s base, Chiya was the first to greet me.
“I’m home.”
“Even if it’s just the two of us meeting directly, shouldn’t I and Chiya come with?”
“I, I think it would be best if you took me along too. In case something happens, I might be able to help out.”
Terina and Fukuhō looked at me with concern as they spoke.
“Right, I suppose so. I’ll make sure to do that from now on.”
I had been careful because Tenzanrin is bad around girls, but if it means worrying my comrades like this, it’s probably better for them to follow along at least part of the way.
“Sozou-kun! You get to be alone with Momo, but Tempolin-kun gets to come too? I think that’s so unfair~”
Realizing who I’d been meeting up with, Momo protested.
I gave a wry smile.
Ita-no-kun and Tenzanrin-kun together… Male friendship… It’s so beautiful…!”
Yamokurikusa? Why are you getting excited about that?
“As expected, it’s not just about gathering girls.”
“Mm-hm. The fact that he doesn’t slack off on the effort required to survive is one of Itano’s charms, I suppose.”
Tsugumi and Kenki seemed impressed by something.
It’s nice, but isn’t that a bit over the top?
“Anyway, let’s head out.”
So, with that, we went about eliminating Arvank’s unique individual.
This is a catch-up update for 4/30.
Next time, a regular update is scheduled for May 15.
And just like that, the release of Volume 2 in book format is set for the week after next!
Please look forward to it!
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