Multiple updates today.

This is chapter 4.

The synthesis of the emulsion was a successful endeavor.

Deciding that I needed to prepare enough for all the female members, I synthesized short, cylindrical vessels.

Just like with the water flasks earlier, using the [Crafting Ability] made it easy to create the grooves and their corresponding lids.

I placed the emulsion-filled vessel on the table.

Upon seeing it, Shitajou trembled slightly as she looked at me.

"C-can I touch it?"

"Yes. More importantly, that one is yours."

Shitajou blinked.

"…Really? I've been receiving things today, but I haven't given anything back yet."

"No, no, did you forget our conversation earlier? This is a joint creation of ours, isn't it?"

Hearing my words, Shitajou cradled the vessel tenderly in her arms and smiled.

"Thank you, Kouano-kun. I will use it with great care."

"Use as much as you need. Since the recipe has been unlocked, we can make plenty of it."

Shitajou’s eyes widened for a moment at my words before she broke into a faint smile.

"Haha, I get why the girls here trust you."

"Because he makes handy things?"

"No. It's because you take care to put us at ease."

Four-Stick smiled gently, revealing a beauty distinct from her usual stern demeanor.

I couldn't help but stare in awe.

Four-Stick stared back at me intently.

"So-sou-kun— sorry, could you please move the towels again?"

Shion's voice drifted from the bathroom, and we both averted our eyes simultaneously.

"I-I'll go help her, Sakano-kun."

"Y-Yeah, good point. And by the way, Four-Stick, you should try out the lotion I made just now, if you don't mind? Since you've just woken up, it's perfect for washing your face too."

"Well... since I'm just waking up..."

In an instant, Four-Stick covered her eyes with one hand.

"Aaaah! That was embarrassing...! Talking to you in my messy, just-woke-up state!"

I hadn't minded it at all, but for matters like this, how the person themselves feels is everything.

Still, I felt I should clarify that I didn't think she looked sloppy.

"Right, let's get started then. Mind if I borrow them for a bit..."

I watched Yotsume take off at a sprint, trailing behind her with a wry smile.

"Kyaa—! Yotsume-san?!"

Shion let out a shriek as Yotsume burst into the bathroom.

"Sorry. May I borrow the bucket and some hot water? I'm washing my face, and I want to try out the lotion Kuno-kun gave me."

"Lotion?! You actually made some?!"

Shion exclaimed in surprise.

Since we were at a slight distance and there was a screen in between, our conversation didn't seem to reach them.

"Ah, I'm saving some for Shion too, so I'll put it in the basket with your clothes."

While organizing the towels to air them out, I placed the basket right next to the screen.

Just then, Moyoko and Chiyu returned as well.

"What a haul! A total catch! The basket was so full we had to come back for more."

"There weren't any chickens... Gonna have to hope they add them in the next update."

“Welcome home. The lotion just finished making.”

In an instant.

“—Huh!?”, “—What the...”

The two of them leapt from Mashiro’s shoulder, landing gracefully before sprinting up to me.

Their movements were shockingly agile. “Let’s see it!

Let’s see!”

“I knew you’d be able to make something like this.”

I handed them each a portion, and they immediately pushed aside the shoji screen and headed into the bathhouse.

“Yay! Thanks, Sōsuke, I love you!”

“Now then, allow me to show you this super-moisturized skin of mine.”

“Kyaa~ Oh my, even the two of you are doing this…!”

After that, the lively chatter of four people drifted over.

“Was it really that good? I’m glad I made it.”

I was happy they enjoyed it so much.

Also, thanks to all that, I finally understood the effect of the lotion.

What’s the difference between toner and beauty essence, I wonder?

Lost in that thought, I approached the basket the two of them had left behind upon returning and used [Inventory] to store its contents.

"Good work, Mashiro."

As I stroked the head Mashiro leaned into mine, I checked the items they had collected.

Besides mushrooms and nuts, it contained a variety of plants.

It wasn’t just things that could yield oil; there were ingredients for spices and mountain vegetables as well.

We’d even acquired tough vines.

And then there was one major discovery.

It was flax.

"Oh!"

Doesn’t this become linen, I wonder?

It’s a plant fiber, meaning that with the [Crafting] skill, I can generate fabric!

There didn't seem to be much of it; after generating a single face towel, my stock was nearly depleted.

I summoned one into my hand.

A silky, white cloth.

It reminded me of the kind of small towels you buy at hot spring inns.

Until now, my former innerwear had been abused as a towel, circulated through storage and redistribution so everyone could use it.

But if I can increase the number of towels themselves, that problem would be solved too.

With more of it, I could even make clothes.

While reorganizing items from the Inventory is convenient, that doesn't repair wear and tear.

If the fabric gets scorched, for instance, it won't fix that damage.

Huh? Should I disassemble it once and regenerate the uniform?

I'd lose the material from the burnt parts, but shortening the sleeves a bit should do the trick.

Come to think of it, since my chest is big, I had to size up on uniforms which made the sleeves and hem way too long. If I disassemble and regenerate one of the women's Y-shirts, it might fit perfectly and give me some spare fabric, right?

I might even be able to craft an extra backup Y-shirt just in case.

Anyway, the towel is done.

"Hey, everyone. Try using this to wipe your faces."

I called out while heading toward the bathhouse, but—

"Woooh! Amazing! It really is milk lotion! Just like Sōsuke's style—wait, how many times is this?!"

"I wasn't just worried about my hair feeling brittle after washing, but also getting dry from the campfire. With this, I'm safe! I can never leave Sōsuke-kun's side again."

"Pardon me for having a childhood friend who is so thoughtful."

"……Tsukino-kun worked really hard on that. He took it just as seriously as if it were his own creation."

It seems someone has been giving me praise while I wasn't around.

While crafting is fun in its own right, there's nothing I dislike about being complimented.

If anything, it makes me happy.

"Oi. Made a towel from the stuff Moyo and Chiyu brought back."

Saying that with a somewhat loud voice, I hung it on the partition screen.

"Huh? Seriously? Chiyu-chan, do we remember picking up something like that?"

"I don't know. I just gathered some at random, planning to have you make the call."

If that's the case, I don't know where it was gathered from... no, I can just rely on Mashiro's sense of smell.

"There we go~"

"Anyway, I'll gladly put it to use."

It seems Chiyu collected the towel.

After a little while, the women came out of the bathhouse.

Staring at them, their skin certainly looked moisturized...?

Also, after her bath, Shion had a faint sheen to her skin, as if wisps of steam were still rising from her. Combined with her flushed cheeks, she was distractingly sexy.

"Thanks, Sou-kun. I'm definitely expecting some sort of reward for my trouble."

"Do you need anything else that we didn't manage to grab? We can go back and get it!"

"Oh, could you teach me about the ingredients, too? I might be able to use them in dinner or something."

If we're going out to scavenge again, I'll help out as well. Just tell me whatever you need.

Even though my companions knew I had a convenient cheat ability, they never relied on it entirely. They always thought about what they themselves could do and expressed their gratitude.

Thanks to them, I was able to appreciate the strengths and abilities these women possessed that I lacked myself, and occasionally even depend on them.

If our group grows from here on out, I want those who join us to be people capable of building that kind of relationship.

With those thoughts in mind, I began planning for the rest of the afternoon.

It seems like I wrote around 15,000 characters today as well.

I'm getting a boost from the story I wanted to tell and the support from you all, the readers.

Tomorrow is going to be hectic, so it might only end up being two updates,

I hope you will continue to enjoy this work.

Also, we managed to maintain the #1 spot for daily updates even with nighttime uploads.

Thanks……!!!!!

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I've got multiple updates for today, this is the fourth one. The production of the lotion was a success.

Since I figured I needed to make enough for everyone, I created small cylindrical containers.

Just like with the water bottles, the grooves and the lids that fit into them are easy to make with my crafting ability.

I placed the lotion-filled containers on the table.

Seeing them, Yonjou trembled and looked at me. "Um, can I touch them?"

"Yeah. Actually, that one's yours." Yonjou blinked.

"...Is that okay? I haven't given you anything back today."

"No, no, did you forget our conversation? This is a joint project, remember?"

Yonjou held the container carefully and smiled at my words.

"Thank you, Koji-kun. I'll use them well."

"You can use as much as you need. The recipe is unlocked, so you can make more anytime."

Yonjou's eyes widened for a moment at my words, then she smiled.

「Hehe, I understand why the girls here trust you.」 「Because you make useful things?」

「No. Because you're considerate and don't make us feel uncomfortable.」

She smiled kindly, and her usual stern face was replaced with a different kind of beauty. I couldn't help but be captivated.

Four Sticks stared at me intently.

「Sousuke-kun. Sorry, could you rearrange the towels for me?」

Shion's voice came from the bathroom, and we both averted our gaze. 「G-Go ahead, Kouno-kun.」

「Y-Yeah. And Four Sticks, how about trying the lotion? It's right after you wake up, so you can wash your face too.」

「That's right. It's right after I wake up...」

For a moment, Four Sticks covered her eyes with one hand.

「~~~~~~~~! It's, embarrassing...! Talking to Kouno-kun with my messy morning face!」

I didn't mind it, but it's all about how the person feels.

Still, I told her I didn't think she looked messy.

「Well then, I’ll go ahead and use them…!」

I followed Shiz杖 slowly with a wry smile as she ran off.

「Kyaa――! Shiz杖-san! ?」

Shizono screamed when Shiz杖 ran into the bathroom.

「Sorry. I’m borrowing the bucket and the hot water. I want to wash my face and try out the lotion you gave me, Kouno-kun.」

「Eh, lotion! ? You made it! ?」 Shizono was surprised.

The distance and the screen were too far for us to hear our conversation.

「Ah, I put some in your basket too. I’ll put it in with your clothes.」

I dried the towels with the storage rearrangement and placed the basket right next to the screen.

Just then, Shouko and Senyuu returned.

「We caught a lot! The basket is full, so we came back.」

「No chickens… We’ll have to wait for the next update.」

「Welcome back. I just finished making the lotion.」 Instantly. 「――Huh!?」 「――What?」

The two jumped off of Mashiro and landed gracefully before running over to me.

Their movements were incredibly swift. 「Show me, show me!」

「I knew you could do it, Sō.」

I handed it to them, and they immediately pushed aside the tub and went into the bathroom.

「Yay! Thank you, Sōsuke, I love you!」

「I will now show you my soft, young friend’s skin.」

「Kyah! You two too...!」

After that, I could hear the excited voices of the four of them.

「It must be good if they’re so happy. I’m glad I made it.」

I’m glad they liked it.

Also, I was able to understand the effects of the lotion because of this.

What's the difference between toner and serum?

While thinking about that, I approached the basket that the two had left behind and put its contents in my Inventory. "Good job, Mashiro."

I stroked Mashiro's head as she came close and checked the items the two had gathered.

In addition to mushrooms and acorns, there were various plants.

There were not only things that could be used for oil, but also spices and wild vegetables.

We also got some sturdy vines. And the biggest discovery was one thing: flax. "Wow!"

This should be linen, right?

It's plant fiber, so with the 'Crafting Ability,' I can generate 'fabric'!

There isn't much of it, though. After generating a single face towel, the Inventory is almost depleted. I take it out to look at it. It's a smooth, white fabric.

It's like a hand towel you might buy at a hot spring inn.

Up until now, my former inner guy had been overused as a towel, and we'd been able to use it by storing and reconfiguring it.

But if I can increase the number of towels, that problem will be solved.

With more of it, I could even make clothes.

While rearranging from the "Inventory" storage is convenient, it doesn't fix any damage.

If the fabric gets burned, it won't fix that part.

Hm? Should I just break it down and remake the uniform?

The burned part would be lost, but I could just make the sleeves shorter.

Come to think of it, the girls were complaining about their uniforms being too big because of their large busts, so if I break down and remake their T-shirts, they might fit better and I could get the fabric.

Maybe I could even make a spare T-shirt or two. Anyway, the towel is done.

"Hey, everyone. Try using this to wipe your face."

I called out to them as I approached the bathroom.

"Wow, wow! It's really lotion! As expected of Sōsuke--wait, how many times is this already!?"

"I was worried about my skin drying out after washing my face and even when I'm near the fire, but this makes me feel so much better! I can't leave Sōsuke-kun now."

"My childhood friend is so considerate, I don't know what to say."

「...Kouno-kun, you were working hard to make it. It was like it was your own, you were so serious.」

I feel like I'm being praised for something I didn't do.

I enjoy crafting, but it's not unpleasant to be praised. In fact, it's nice.

「Hey, I made towels from what Shizuko and Senyuu brought back.」

I shouted a bit louder and hung them on the screen.

「Huh? Really? Senyuu, did we really get that?」

「I don't know. I just took some at random and asked Sou-kun to judge.」

If that's the case, I don't know where they were collected... No, I can ask Mashiro to use her sense of smell. 「That's it, that's it.」

「Well, I'll be grateful to use them.」

Senyuu must have collected the towels.

After a while, the women came out of the bath.

Looking closely, they all seem to have a bit of moisture on their skin...?

Also, from Shion after her bath, I felt a faint mist rising, and combined with her flushed cheeks, it made her look so alluring that it was a bit embarrassing.

"Thanks, Sou-kun. You can expect a reward."

"Is there anything else we need? I'll go get it for you!"

"Oh, if you need ingredients, let me know. I might be able to use them for dinner."

"If we're going out to explore again, I'll help you. Just let me know what you need."

My friends, even though I had a convenient cheat ability, never relied on me completely. They always thought about what they could do and showed their gratitude.

Because of this, I could be grateful for their strengths and abilities that I didn't have, and sometimes even rely on them.

If more friends joined us, I hoped they would be the kind of people who could build such a relationship.

With these thoughts, I started thinking about my afternoon plans.

I seem to have written around 15,000 words today.

I feel like the encouragement from my readers is giving me a boost to write the story I want to tell.

Tomorrow is going to be hectic, so I might be able to update two chapters.

Thank you for continuing to read my work.

Also, I've managed to maintain the number one spot even with night updates. Thank you so much......!!!!!

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