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“Ichisa, did you get your reward?”
On the way back to base camp, carried by the phantom beasts, Miyu says to Katsuki.
“Mm-hmm, it’s the ‘Invincible Potion.’ I acquired it. Apparently, it only manifests when I will it into existence. However, once it’s out, there’s no way to put it back.”
With an Inventory feature like 『Inventory』, we can’t store potions or take them out, I see.
…Well, that’s fine.
Ever since a moment ago, I’ve had the feeling that Katsuki has been staring at me with a mischievous smile.
“Huh, you’re imagining things.”
Chia says, as if she’s read my mind.
“Sousuke, you really should start acknowledging your own charm.”
“W-well, I suppose so… You were already a wonderful person, but your performance since arriving on this island has truly been worthy of praise.”
Even Serina and Shinfu chime in.
In other words, the idea that Katsuki harbors feelings for me isn’t just my imagination?
“Ikuno… no, please allow me to address you as Lord Sousuke.”
“L-Lord…”
I’m baffled by this honorific; a young person wouldn’t normally use it.
“I am a maiden myself. I have always dreamed of having a unique title just for me. Considering my personality, this one is unlikely to be used by anyone else. But if you dislike being called Lord Sousuke, please feel free to stop.”
When spoken to with such a pitiful expression, I couldn’t possibly refuse.
“No, it’s fine.”
Kengi looked at me with eyes that seemed to expect something.
”……Then, is it okay if I call you Ichisa too?”
“Tt… Hehe, of course. That’s no problem at all.”
Ichisa trembled slightly before smiling with evident joy. ”……Kuno, that was amazing—” “Nnn…! Nn…”
Tsuha murmured that while blushing, and Inimori let out a voice that couldn’t quite be called words.
After that, we safely arrived at the grassland where we were setting up our base camp.
Just like in the morning, we first headed to the Jurou party’s area.
“Good work.”
Led by Jurou, her teammates came to greet us.
“Hmm. We successfully acquired the ‘Invincible Potion.’”
“Yes, I received the report earlier. Truly, thank you for your hard work.”
After the battle ended, I contacted my comrades over the radio.
I allowed one member of the Seihou Party to enter our zone, so information must have reached Seihou through that person.
“Should I pass it along to Seihou now?”
“No, please hold onto it for us for the time being.”
“Understood.”
“It has been a struggle for both Yuno and Inmori Sho,” she said.
“Ichika and Sho did a lot of the heavy lifting, but honestly, I didn’t do much myself. I get it, stepping in as the leader for this side to replace Ryouka, but…”
Setting aside compatibility with enemies, the fact that Tsubasa had been deployed so heavily was likely due to her role as the sub-leader.
It’s the same reason I participate in most of the combat despite not having a combat-type ability.
“As long as all your teammates are safe, you can say you fulfilled your role perfectly.”
“That’s true. Besides, Tsubasa took down quite a few enemies, didn’t she? Taking out the big guys isn’t the only measure of contribution.”
The number of standard units felled by her arrows was considerable.
”…Thanks. Yeah, putting myself down is no good.”
Tsubasa scratched her cheek, smiling with a slightly shy expression.
“Sousuke-kun, are you finished up there? If so, want to have a chat with Momo?”
Momo lunged at me, burying her face in my chest.
”…Is that all you’ve got when we’re supposed to be going home?”
Momo paid no heed to Tserina’s icy glare.
“I was worried about you, too, but I heard you were safe. Since Sojiro-kun is such a ladies’ man, I figured first come, first served.”
With that, Momo wrapped her arms tightly around my back.
Her plush chest pressed against my bare pectorals, and honestly, my heart skipped a beat.
Chi-iya and Tserina stared at me with fixed gazes.
And Fuka watched me with a look of lonely longing in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Momo. I still have stuff to do.”
“Huuu? But Momo has only ever had Sojiro-kun on her mind—”
Momo looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears and her gaze slanted upward.
”…Ugh. If it’s tomorrow, I think I can make some time.”
”……Got it. I’ll hold back. Can you be a little lenient with me tomorrow?”
Momo flashed a bright smile and obediently moved away from me.
“My, my, how well-behaved you’ve become, Momo.”
“Nene, shut up.”
Responding sharply to the cheerful voice of the Inu-inaka, Momo returned to her group.
“Hmm. Then, could you make time to speak with me after Momo? I wish to know more about you.”
“I-I can do that too… I mean, it might be a bother to you, Tanooki-kun, hehe…”
Including Tsurugi and Inbain.
“G-Got it.”
“Oh, would after breakfast tomorrow suit us? We should welcome you, Sojusukou Noya.”
I glanced over at my companions. Seiryu and Serina shrugged, while Fujihou pressed a hand to her chest in relief.
We should conduct the ‘training’ with Fujihou before today is over.
“Well, we’re heading back.”
“Oh yes, I am truly grateful for what happened today.”
“It was nothing.”
Sharing a light laugh with Seiryu, we finally headed toward our domain.
“Welcome home.”
No one was surprised anymore.
Loa’s greeting was perfectly timed again this time.
“I’m home.”
“I’m so glad to see everyone safe and sound, that’s what matters most.”
“Mm, was quite a fierce battle.”
“Haha, indeed it was.”
“Thanks to Sou-suke, we managed to win.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“You truly are the finest of masters.”
“Nah, it’s all thanks to everyone else.”
Because I had my companions by my side, clearing this out was a breeze.
“Anyway, what about the others?”
“Shion is currently devising the menu for dinner. Lumine is preparing lessons for the upcoming classes on the desert island. Miyao is accompanying Uruna in watching a drama series. And Mero… ah, they’ve just returned.”
Following Roa’s gaze, I saw Mero riding on Mashiro’s back approaching our position.
The barrier enclosed not only the perimeter of our base camp but also stretched widely around the surrounding grasslands, providing more than enough space for Mashiro to run at full speed.
“Our customer… ah, it’s to share information via radio contact.”
“Yes. It seemed they wished to speak with my master.”
“Huh?”
“Welcome back~!”
Mashiro came to a stop near us, folding its legs.
Two girls slid down from Mashiro, like going down a slide.
Mero descended boldly, while the other held her skirt and slipped down more discreetly.
“Sousuke, you know? It’s Mimori-chan! The one who’s been skipping school a lot!”
She was a girl with icy-blue hair tied up in an elegant bun.
With wine-red eyes and pale skin, her delicate frame and gentle appearance gave her the air of a young lady raised in seclusion.
Like all the other girls in our class, she had big breasts.
I knew she was a member of the Seihou Party, but it certainly felt like I hadn’t seen her much around the classroom.
Maybe it was because she skipped school so often, just as Shouko said.
“My name is Kamisono Mikamori.”
Standing before me, Kamisono offered a graceful bow.
“Nice to meet you, Kamisono-san.”
”…Yes, Sousuke-sama.”
For some reason, Kamisono called my name with a dazed, dreamy expression.
“-sama…?”
“I have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to exchange words with you, Sousuke-sama.”
“Is that… so?”
I remained thoroughly confused.
“Yes. However, I cannot intrude on your ‘healume.’ With the joy of having greeted you today in my heart, I shall take my leave.”
“Hm, what a gracious attitude.”
“You flatter me, Chiyu-sama.”
Bowing her head slightly, Kamisono passed by my side.
“Until we meet again, Sousuke-sama.”
“Ah, yeah. Um… good work today.”
“Master Sou, thank you for your hard work.”
Kami Sono crossed the boundary as she was and disappeared from view.
“That so-kun, our unconscious, fully automated love-flag manufacturing machine—what’s your excuse?”
“What a weird nickname… I’ve never even spoken to Kami Sono in class.”
“Maybe you just don’t remember?”
“Totally get it. Even if it’s something minor to Sou, for a girl, it could be an important memory, right?”
He ended up being glared at with the kind of reproachful look usually reserved for Moushi.
It seems he has completely lost their trust around here.
Well, when you’re connected to so many different girls, it’s probably hard to make them believe otherwise.
But this time, he truly had no memory of such an encounter.
“He doesn’t seem like he’s lying. So, is it the same pattern as with the maid?”
“Me? …Ah! Does that mean I realized my master’s charm after coming to this desert island?”
“I’m not sure about me, I had a trigger. But Kankon doesn’t have any points of contact at all? Something like ‘I saw Sōsuke’s ability at the previous base’?”
“It just looked to me like he was interested in Sōsuke-san personally, rather than in the ‘Craft Ability’……”
“I heard that Sōsuke is someone who saved his life. He didn’t tell us the details, though.”
At Sayoko’s words, everyone’s gaze converged on me.
”…I haven’t spoken with Kankon even once in class. That much is certain.”
And yet, that powerful gaze, reminiscent of faith, certainly seemed strange.
Just what kind of reason could it be……?
“Well, we’ll find out eventually. More importantly, what are we doing next?”
“Ah, I have two things I want to do.”
The first was the transfer of ‘Return Rights’.
As things stand, we can send two male students on the island back.
It’s a good thing from the perspective of Lumina-sensei worrying about the students, and for us too, it removes a future concern.
The second was…… ‘Training’ with Fuhō.
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