‘So, does this mean I’ve successfully integrated into Penguin Logistics?’ Staring blankly up at an unfamiliar, water-stained ceiling, Lynn massaged his throbbing temples.
His mind was an absolute wreck.
The fragmented memories clinging to his consciousness were a chaotic blur of drinking, tearing into roasted meat, and escalating boasts.
The happier the crew got, the more they drank, inevitably dragging him to a second and third venue to keep the party alive.
He vaguely recalled Exusiai attempting a bare-handed dismantling of her own Sankta halo—a terrifying parlor trick that thankfully ended in failure.
Then there was Croissant, who successfully executed a base jump from a second-story balcony, only for the entire group to be chased out by a furious shop owner.
After that…
nothing.
A total blackout.
Where the hell was he?
Squinting against the harsh glare of the room, Lynn rubbed his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.
The sheer chaos of the scene nearly gave him whiplash.
Croissant, the usually grinning Forte, was currently kneeling on the floor with her head literally wedged into the drywall.
She was drooling a puddle onto the linoleum, emitting a rhythmic, mysterious snoring sound that vibrated through the floorboards.
On the sofa directly opposite him lay Exusiai.
She looked so utterly peaceful that she might have just ascended to the heavens, her hands neatly folded over her chest in a picture of serene tranquility.
The only problem was the blinding fluorescent glow radiating from her halo.
To a man suffering from a catastrophic hangover, that divine light source felt like a physical assault on his retinas, churning his stomach with fresh nausea.
Lynn felt as though his consciousness had been entirely erased by a certain time-skipping Crimson King.
He couldn’t remember a single second of the late evening.
Then, when he finally tried to shift his weight and stand, he made a horrifying discovery: his own sleeping posture was just as deranged as the girls’.
His left ankle was hooked over the backrest of a rolling office chair, his right palm was glued to the edge of a desk, and his entire torso was suspended in mid-air.
He looked like a martial arts master from a cheap wuxia novel, supported only by a few flimsy cardboard boxes wedged beneath his ribs.
Catching his reflection in a nearby full-length mirror, Lynn realized he was striking the pose of a dazzling, golden Reclining Buddha.
The sheer physics-defying angle of his own body almost inspired a sense of religious awe.
‘Oh, wow…’ This was genuinely impressive.
When did he develop such terrifying core strength?
The very second that thought crossed his mind, gravity remembered he existed.
Lynn lost his precarious balance and plummeted, slamming face-first into the floorboards with a heavy thud and a muffled groan.
Surprisingly, the sharp impact actually did wonders for his hangover, clearing away the dull, numb ache in his skull just enough to let him think.
Judging by the layout, this had to be a safehouse or perhaps the official dormitory for Penguin Logistics.
The space was cramped but divided by several workstation partitions, all stamped with the company’s penguin logo.
The desks were cluttered with a bizarre mix of personal effects—cute little trinkets sitting right next to loose ammunition and polished sword hilts.
A dark corridor stretched deeper into the apartment, lined with several closed doors.
It clearly wasn’t just an office; the sheer volume of daily necessities scattered around proved they lived here.
He spotted a few leisure magazines he had seen Exusiai reading before.
More pressingly, he noticed the laundry.
Mountains of personal clothing were strewn haphazardly across the furniture and floor.
Calling it a biohazard might be a stretch, but in the sweltering summer heat, the damp piles of fabric had quickly fermented.
A distinct, sour odor assaulted his nose.
‘I need to wash my head…
just to wake up.
Where’s the bathroom?’ Dragging himself up by the leg of a nearby table, Lynn swayed on his feet.
He leaned heavily against the wall, shaking his head to clear the dizziness, and began a slow shuffle down the hall.
Before he could take more than three steps, a door tucked in the corner clicked open.
A thick, billowing cloud of warm steam rolled out into the hallway, carrying the faint, sweet scent of shampoo.
Texas stepped out of the mist.
She was vigorously rubbing her wet hair with a white towel.
Seeing Lynn slumped against the wall, she froze in her tracks.
Lynn froze right back.
The Lupo was wearing nothing but an oversized dress shirt and a pair of short athletic shorts.
The damp fabric clung to her frame, and stray water droplets glistened on her exposed collarbones and pale legs.
“Ah, excuse me…?” Lynn managed to croak out.
“It’s fine.
The bathroom is free now.
You can go in and wash up.” Texas didn’t miss a beat.
Having just dressed and stepped out of the shower, she simply continued drying her hair, her tone as flat and unbothered as ever.
There was no blushing, no frantic covering up, and certainly no ear-piercing shriek typical of a manga heroine.
Her oversized shirt and shorts suited her perfectly, giving off a relaxed, casual vibe.
She gestured toward the steamy room with her towel.
“Your shower basket and toiletries are already in there.
They’re all newly bought.
I don’t know what brands you prefer, but the standard issue items from Penguin Logistics usually don’t have any quality issues.” She paused, her Lupo ears twitching slightly.
“Just a warning.
Sometimes my hair and tail fur might block the drain, so you’ll need to use the tools under the sink to clear it.
You should know how to use them, right?
If not, I can teach you.” “Ah, no need.
I still know how to handle basic plumbing.” Lynn forced a tired smile, massaging his temples again.
“Even an amnesiac like me knows how to unclog a drain—” “—Good morning, everyone at Penguin Logistics!
Idol Sora is here to cheer you all on today~!
Is Senior Texas here~?” Who the hell was this?
Hearing the energetic voice, the two people standing outside the bathroom paused their conversation and stared at the front entrance.
The beautiful blonde girl who had just pushed the door open was completely paralyzed.
Dressed impeccably and radiating cute idol energy, Sora stared wide-eyed at Texas—who was still casually drying her wet hair—and then at Lynn, who looked like a disheveled mess leaning against the wall right outside the shower.
Sora raised a trembling finger.
Her face instantly flushed a violent, unnatural shade of pink.
Lynn watched the girl take a massive, deep breath.
His terrifying intuition flared to life, and he immediately slapped both hands over his ears.
His premonitions never failed him.
A split second later, a glass-shattering shriek erupted from the idol’s lungs.
“Eeeek!
Who—who are you?!
Why are you showering with Miss Texas?!” “What?!
Prophet, you actually pulled off such a bold move!
Exusiai, I simply cannot believe my eyes!” “Croissant is also deeply shocked by this development!
I never expected the Newcomer to harbor such illicit intentions!
Not only did he bypass our Marksman, but he laid his demonic claws on the untouchable beauty of Penguin Logistics on his very first day!
And the post-shower atmosphere is just perfect!” “If Player Sora hadn’t suddenly entered the battlefield, the outcome would truly be left to the imagination!
Such a terrifying speed of conquest!
It breeds envy, jealousy, and outright hatred!
If Croissant had this kind of game, I wouldn’t be so broke!” “M-Miss Texas!
Ahhhhhh!
I don’t want you to be snatched away by some stinky man!
Ahhhhhh!” Lynn slowly turned his head.
Exusiai and Croissant, who had been dead to the world just moments ago, were now sitting perfectly upright on the living room sofa.
They each held a plate of some unknown dessert, providing running color commentary with absolute deadpan seriousness.
Unable to take the headache anymore, Lynn finally snapped.
“Since you two were clearly already awake, how about you explain the situation to her right now?!” “…Hmm?” Standing at the absolute center of the storm, Texas merely tilted her head in pure confusion.
Her fluffy Lupo ears twitched once, her face entirely blank, as if she couldn’t comprehend what on earth these idiots were screaming about.
[Rhodes’s Note: “Crimson King” is a reference to the Stand ‘King Crimson’ from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, which has the ability to erase time—a fitting metaphor for Lynn’s alcohol-induced blackout.] [Rhodes’s Note: Enjoying the operation so far, Doctor?
(This daily grind literally pays the landship’s rent!
to use the links!)