Recently, people have been telling me that I’m quite distracted, and I’ve started to think they might be right.
The image of that dragon was stuck in my head, even though I was about to challenge the Dungeon.
Ever since I saw Senpai’s swordsmanship, whenever I’m doing something, I end up replaying that scene in my mind.
It even seemed to influence my sword-swinging practice, and Senpai would watch me with warm, gentle eyes.
The days I spent distracted, thinking about that sword flash, kept piling up, and it seemed to reach its limit when people saw me spacing out for days on end.
I was invited to a meeting after classes ended.
Well, anyway, I was planning to come to the academy since I was preparing to conquer the Dungeon.
“It’s been a while since I’ve come to the academy~”
Just as I thought, we’re drawing attention.
“It’d be a different story if it were attention from women screaming with emotion and looking at me with eyes of admiration~”
“Rest assured, Goshujin-sama.
I have muted all the screams of emotion.”
“Those are the screams I wanted to hear the most, you know?”
“No, I couldn’t sense any screams like that nearby.
I said that on purpose because you might get hurt if you knew the truth.”
“You just denied the one-in-a-million chance I had.”
Well, I knew that.
This is reality.
“However, I think there’s no harm in basking in a sense of superiority without thinking too much about it.”
“Basking in a sense of superiority?”
“Please think about it.
Who is serving you right by your side?”
I suddenly turned my gaze to Nanami.
She did a full spin on the spot and bowed gracefully in front of me.
“Yes, it’s the maid among maids.
Isn’t it good enough that you have such a beautiful, devoted maid?”
I involuntarily laughed.
“And at the very least, Ludi-sama, Yukine-sama, Hatsumi-sama, Claris-sama, and I know of Goshujin-sama’s efforts, and I’m sure we are all cheering you on.”
“…That’s more than enough for me, isn’t it?”
There was someone who was extremely self-affirming, but I’m happy with that.
“Furthermore, classmates like Katrina-sama, Iori-sama, and Orange-sama are on Goshujin-sama’s side.”
“Somehow, I’m really happy.”
Then, as we walked a little, I saw some cute pink hair.
I was on my way to see Senpai, but I hadn’t seen her in a while, so I decided to talk to her.
“Good morning, Luigia-sensei.”
The sensei trembled and slowly turned her face toward us.
“U-uu…”
Sensei had a stiff smile, but it soon morphed into a sad face as if she had given up.
“Uh, what is it?
Um, I’m prepared…”
What?
As I was at a loss for words, Sensei continued.
“Uh, since it’s my first time…”
“What great resolve.
I shall permit you to approach Goshujin-sama today.”
“What are you two suddenly talking about?”
Leaving Nanami aside—Luigia-sensei, could you not suddenly blurt out something like that?
I know that all the heroines who appeared early on are like this.
In Sensei’s case, if I remember correctly, ever since the first person she liked ended up having a girlfriend, she started having this indecisive attitude.
It must have been shocking in various ways… it’s hard to guess how she felt.
“Rest assured, Goshujin-sama.
I know what you mean.
Please leave this to Nanami.”
“I can only worry…”
Saying “now, now,” Nanami stopped me with her hand and stepped in front of Luigia-sensei.
“Luigia-sensei, Goshujin-sama wants to proceed with the relationship gradually, so it seems he first wants to rest his head on your lap.”
“Eh, uh.
If it’s just that…”
Is that really okay!?
If there’s no one around, I won’t refuse, you know!
“Um, hey, Takioto-kun… I’ve never seen this girl before.”
Sensei asked in confusion while looking at Nanami.
She’s right; I’ve never seen a person walking around the school in a maid outfit either.
Although I have seen one walking around in a kimono.
What is this academy…?
“Ah, she enrolled recently.”
“Eee, recently?
Eh, I didn’t hear anything about that…?”
The person with the highest authority—Marino-san—gave her permission, so I think it should be fine.
Probably.
Well, that could turn into a long story.
“It’s been a while, how have you been since then?”
Sensei became brighter and more animated.
“About that, I’ve been able to live my life with a little more freedom now, and I don’t have to answer calls from loan sharks either.
Speaking of which, I have a favor to ask you.”
Sensei held her pink hair and fiddled with it timidly.
“A favor?”
“Um… I want you to increase my allowance…”
I understand why Nanami’s face twitched.
Normally, it’s something to be surprised by, right?
A teacher asking her student for an allowance.
“I don’t mind, but what do you want to use it for?”
Currently, Luigia-sensei lives under an allowance system.
Her salary from the academy doesn’t go into her bank account, but into mine.
From there, I separate the amount to be used to pay off her debt and the amount needed for daily utilities, and then I allocate only the amount she can freely spend into her account.
When I transferred the money online, I found myself wondering why I had to do such a thing.
“Um, you see, there’s this really comfortable-looking body pillow, so…”
“Yes, rejected.
Nanami, let’s go.”
“Hey, where are you trying to go!?”
I just thought it was useless to hear any more than that.
“Please, it’s fine even if it’s just a little, it seems I can only buy it right now!?”
“Ah—yes, yes.
It’s a body pillow, right?
There are some cheap ones, so that’s fine.
I’ll send one to you later.”
I can just order it online and have it delivered to Sensei’s house.
“That’s no good!
I have to buy this specific body pillow right now!”
This is a scam!
“No way, I mean, I gave you a sufficient allowance, right?”
Sensei stuck out her tongue while fiddling with her hair.
“There was a really good futon, so… I bought it…”
It was cute, but it’s out of the question.
“No way.”
While brushing off the sensei who was trying to cling to me, I headed to the meeting spot with Senpai.
It seemed Senpai had already arrived and was looking at us with a stunned expression while sitting down.
“Ah, Senpai, sorry… I ended up being late.”
“Ah, no.
I just arrived way too early.
The time is correct…”
Senpai seemed a bit restless.
Well, I understand the reason, but how long do you plan on clinging to me?!
Even when I try to push her away with my scarf, she just clings right back.
“Senpai, what’s the situation from your perspective?”
“It looks like a wife whose affair was discovered, clinging to her husband and saying, ‘I don’t want to break up.'”
Is this a soap opera?
This will definitely be a rumor by tomorrow.
“I see, if I do this, it might be even better.”
Saying that, Nanami clung to the opposite side of Sensei.
And just like that, it’s the climax of a scene with two women fighting over one man.
This is from that, you know?
The White Album series or School Days?
It’s just like a soap opera.
When I peeled the two of them off me, I left Luigia-sensei with Nanami and bowed my head.
“I’m sorry for everything.”
“N-no, I was just surprised by various things, but I’m fine.”
Looking at Nanami, it seems she’s discussing something with Luigia-sensei.
And as I wondered if something happened, Nanami exchanged glances with Senpai and went off somewhere with Sensei.
“Ahem.”
Senpai cleared her throat to start over.
And…
“W-well, tomorrow is the exam, but you’re going to challenge it, right?”
Hm?
I was caught off guard by her words for a moment.
Ah, she called me here for this?
“Yes, I’m going.
Well, I didn’t intend to talk about it with anyone other than Marino-san and Nanami…”
I even told her I didn’t want to worry them, but Marino-san ended up spilling everything the very next day…
“I see.
Fufu.
You’re really going, huh.”
“Yes, I am.
I came to school today to prepare for it, after all.”
I got what I wanted.
There’s almost nothing else I need to enter the Tsukuyomi Academy Dungeon.
Hahaha, Senpai laughed as if she found it funny from the bottom of her heart.
“I laughed because your unprecedented style surpassed my shock, but also out of respect for your courage… and, one more thing.”
Then she took a small green pouch from her uniform pocket, reached inside, and pulled something out.
She approached me.
Taking one more step, Senpai quickly brushed her beautiful black hair back.
She looked a little shy as she tucked the hair behind her ears.
Her white, slightly damp cheeks and crescent-moon-shaped ears were exposed to the air.
Then, she looked at me with eyes as gentle as if she were looking at a newborn animal, and smiled.
When I held out my hand, Senpai placed what she had taken from the pouch into my palm.
And she gently wrapped my hand with both of hers.
“You say it so easily, but what you’re trying to do is heretical and extremely difficult.”
“Is it really~?”
“Look!
Even now you’re speaking in such a frivolous tone.
That place isn’t that easy.
What you’re trying to do is on an unimaginably painful level, you know?”
“No, no, I expect it to be hard.
But at the same time, I think I can do it.
I was thinking, if I can’t even do this, then it would be impossible for me to become the strongest.”
It’s definitely difficult.
That’s especially true in the second half of the Dungeon.
“Can’t even do this, huh.
If it were just the battle, I might be able to manage, but considering the time limit, it would be impossible for me.
If it were Monika-kaichou, maybe.”
Senpai dropped her smiling facade and looked at me with a serious expression.
“To tell the truth, I want to follow you.
I want you to take me with you, you know?”
I want to take you too.
I want to take all of you—Senpai, Ludi, and Nanami.
But this time, I simply can’t.
“Honestly, don’t make a face like that.
There’s a reason, right?
I understand.”
Senpai slowly released my hand as if parting with something precious.
What remained in my hand was an omamori with a familiar landscape embroidered on it.
What was embroidered there was a waterfall.
A small waterfall and a stream.
That beautiful scenery.
It was the waterfall where we first met.
The waterfall is on private property.
Few people know of such a place, and even fewer visit it.
That’s why there’s no way this is something sold in stores.
It’s a handmade omamori.
“I’ve received various things from you.”
Saying this, Senpai stroked the ring on the ring finger of her right hand.
“Things, and your heart.
Above all, considering the ring I received from Takioto, something like this has no monetary value at all.”
With a shy smile, Senpai said that.
I gripped the omamori tightly.
“Senpai… That’s not true.
If I were told to choose between the five rings and this omamori, I’d throw the rings in the trash.”
That ring might be valuable in its own way.
But to me, this omamori, which was made by cutting into Senpai’s precious time, is far more valuable.
“Haha!
What a waste, idiot!
But thank you.”
I slowly opened my hand and looked at the omamori I had been holding.
“Senpai, even with the exam so close, really, what are you doing… Isn’t it enough that you’re already accompanying me in my training… Which one of us is the idiot?
I’m really happy.”
This omamori is incredibly well-made.
It’s not something you can easily whip up in an hour or two.
It’s a crucial time before her exam, yet she not only accompanied me in the Dungeon and my training but also dedicated so much time and effort to making this for me.
“Takioto… I wish you great success.”
————★ MagiEx ★————
The first thing I thought when I reunited with Nanami was that she probably knew about this.
Knowing what Senpai was trying to do, Nanami probably took Luigia-sensei with her.
Really, Nanami is so considerate.
“Hey, Nanami.”
That’s why I decided to say it first.
“Thank you.”
“What are you talking about?
Oh, are you talking about me setting Nanami’s voice as the alarm on the Tsukuyomi Traveller?”
“That explains why today’s alarm was weird.”
I heard an excited voice and couldn’t think straight because I was half-asleep, but if I were fully awake, I wouldn’t have been able to pretend to be calm.
“That’s not it!
I’m talking about you taking Luigia-sensei away.”
“Aa…”
Nanami suddenly got a distant look in her eyes and took a deep breath.
“It was a battle on the razor’s edge.
If I had been even a little later, the futon would have arrived.”
“Seriously, thank you so much, good work.”
It seems Nanami has a lot on her mind… I’ll have to change Sensei’s phone later…
Wait, putting that aside.
“That’s not it.
You knew, didn’t you?
What Senpai was trying to do.”
Nanami murmured “Ah” as if giving up and started speaking openly.
“To tell the truth, I knew.
I just didn’t know it would be today.”
Does that mean she guessed it when their eyes met?
“…Goshujin-sama, I’m sorry, but could I have some of your time?”
You don’t need to apologize for something like that.
By the way, you can spend as much time as you want with me.
I entered the teleportation magic circle with Nanami.
The Tsukuyomi Magic Academy is incredibly vast.
Besides the main school building, there are various gymnasium-like training grounds, research institutes, and Dungeon entrances.
We can be teleported to them, but there are some unpopular spots.
This was the place we teleported to.
I sat on one of the many benches and looked at the garden in front of me.
There was a couple besides us, but our voices wouldn’t reach them, and it didn’t bother me.
“It’s a surprisingly nice place.”
Nanami nodded.
“I mostly agree.
However, it has the disadvantage of being easy to snipe…”
“Is this a battlefield!?
It seems I’ve stumbled into a dangerous place before I even realized it.”
It would be the same in most places.
Rather, where is a place that’s hard to snipe?
“Please rest assured.
With me here, it’s possible to eliminate the target before they can even pull the trigger.”
“You can relax, there’s no way a sniper would attack us here.”
As expected, this school’s security isn’t that weak… right?
“It’s fun to joke around, but let’s get to the main topic.”
When I said that, Nanami murmured, “You’re right.”
“It can’t be helped.”
“That’s your reaction after inviting me?”
“Yes, it’s a joke.
Of course it’s a joke.
However, being the wise Goshujin-sama that you are, you must know what I want to talk about.”
Even if you say that, I have no idea, because I’ve been doing all sorts of things lately.
“…Then I’ll give you a hint.
The keywords are ‘Goshujin-sama’ and ‘reckless’.”
“Could it be… You’re talking about tomorrow?”
Today I was going to buy items to challenge the Tsukuyomi Academy Dungeon tomorrow.
Nanami naturally came along and helped me shop.
And I told her to some extent about the Dungeon I’m challenging tomorrow.
Taking that into consideration, it naturally leads to…
“As expected of Goshujin-sama.
Just as you guessed.
It’s about tomorrow’s breakfast, which will be a Full Course Nanami.”
“Yeah, I didn’t even come close.”
What the heck is that?
“Of course, that’s also a joke.
As you can imagine, it’s about the Dungeon.”
Saying this, Nanami took a deep breath.
“Normally, I’d want to go even if I had to force my way in, but… this time I’ll give up.
However, you might suddenly feel lonely.
Therefore, it can’t be helped.
Please take this with you.”
With that, Nanami reached into her cleavage and pulled something out.
I might have made a face that shouldn’t be seen for a moment.
In the literal sense of the word, I received it, warmed by human skin, and looked at it.
It was an omamori Nanami gave me.
And what was embroidered on it was a maid with a long scarf.
“When you think of Takioto Kousuke Goshujin-sama, Nanami comes to mind.”
I see, so a maid, huh.
“Yukine-sama said she was making one, so I prepared one too.
Would you like to equip it here?”
“Fufu, that way of speaking, are we in a game now?”
“Equipping it will increase all your stats, you know?”
“I knew it, it’s turned into a game, hasn’t it!?”
I couldn’t control my smile.
“Ah, damn… How absurd.
I might be way happier than you can imagine.”
I carefully took the omamori and placed it against my chest.
Nanami made something really well-done too…
“Of course I’ll equip it right now.
I’ll never take it off, so be prepared.”
When I said that, Nanami’s eyes widened as if she’d been caught off guard.
“No, um.
I didn’t expect you to be this happy. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Just hearing you say that…”
Saying this, Nanami smiled gently.
“I am also extremely happy.”
Seeing her beautiful smile, I was captivated by her.
Ah, I knew it, Nanami is an Angel.
I realize that once again.
And of course, it’s not just because of her race.
“Hey, Nanami.
After conquering this Dungeon, there are many Dungeons I want to go to.”
I stopped speaking and stared into Nanami’s eyes.
Her heterochromatic eyes looked back into mine without blinking.
“Will you come with me?”
“The way you phrase it… is different.”
Saying this, Nanami shook her head.
“It’s not ‘will you come with me?’.
It’s ‘come with me’.
I will accompany you wherever you go, so I want you to tell me that.”
“…Got it.
Come with me, Nanami.”
“Please leave it to me, Goshujin-sama.”
————★ MagiEx ★————
Since when did I become unable to calm down unless I made thorough preparations?
When I was in elementary school, I was fine, even though I barely made it to school on time.
In middle and high school, I completely neglected my classes, so my bag only had manga, games, or snacks in it.
Maybe it’s after becoming an adult that I started preparing everything in advance.
“I have almost everything.”
All that’s left to prepare is food.
Even though I’ve already put everything else inside the extra-dimensional bag, it doesn’t bulge nor can I feel any added weight; it’s surprisingly effective.
This isn’t just a logistical reform; it’s a revolution.
If you look at the price for such performance, your eyes might pop out.
In the game, I desperately grinded for money on the first playthrough, but in this world, I can just say a few words like “Give me” to Marino-san.
Isn’t the sense of money in this house a bit strange?
It was when I placed my luggage on the table.
Ton, ton, ton, the bedroom door was knocked on.
Come in, I said.
It was Ludi who entered the room.
It’s my room, but it’s already transformed into a room where everyone tends to feel at home.
She entered and sat on the bed.
She then placed the guardian deity of my room, the orca dakimakura, Marianne, on her lap and hugged it tightly.
Hey, Marianne.
How is it down there?
Does it feel good?
Can you tell me your impressions?
Or rather, trade places with me.
“Hey, tomorrow is the exam, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Just as I thought, you’re going, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I prepared for it.”
I also did special training to conquer the 40th floor and prepared the items.
First of all, I went to school to prepare for it.
Well, one of the reasons was to meet Senpai.
“Hmm.
I see.
You’re right…”
She said that while playing with Marianne’s fin.
“Are you going early in the morning?”
“No, I’m thinking of taking it slow tomorrow.
I’ll check my luggage carefully, and then after that, I guess.”
“I see.”
“…Hey, what’s wrong?
Ludi?”
Somehow, Ludi seems strange today.
“Recently, you know… Haven’t I just been causing trouble for Kousuke?”
“Have you?”
I can’t remember anything.
“I have!”
Saying this, she grabbed Marianne’s dorsal fin and pushed it into her lap.
I want you to let me rest my head on your lap too.
“That’s why, you know, I was a little happy when I went to that Dungeon when you asked for my help.
I thought I could pay back a little of my debt with that.”
Well, even though I also went through some embarrassing things, when she muttered that, she lifted Marianne and used it to hide her face.
Dungeon, huh, that panty Dungeon… uh.
“Don’t remember it!”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“…And then, you know, when we conquered that Dungeon, there was an idiot who gave us the most valuable things.
When I thought I could finally return the favor, I ended up gaining even more.”
She looked at me with the upper half of her face, which peeked out from behind Marianne.
“It’s not idiotic, it’s a natural consequence.
If there’s someone who can use it more effectively than me, it’s better to have that person use it.”
“That’s not a reason to just give them away, is it?”
Saying that, she looked down.
The ring was firmly attached to Ludi’s right hand.
“I wanted to give it to you.
I don’t regret it, and Ludi seems to make good use of it, and above all, green looks good on you.”
“Mou…!”
Ludi, whose face was slightly red, threw Marianne into my hands.
When I caught her firmly, I sat next to Ludi, stroking Marianne’s warm head.
“…Hey, Kousuke.
Am I an unnecessary existence to you?”
“What are you asking all of a sudden…?
You’re an existence I can’t live without.”
“Even in the Tsukuyomi Academy Dungeon?”
“…There are some things I have to do alone.
So, I want to go alone this time.
But after that, it will be impossible to conquer it alone.”
Iori, Senpai, and the Student Council President on the second playthrough could probably do it easily.
However, it’s probably impossible for me, who has a specialized playstyle.
That’s why…
“That’s why, when that time comes, will you come with me?”
“Something like that is obvious…”
Ludi put her hand in her pocket and poked me.
“Kousuke, your hand.”
“Hm?”
“Your hand, give it to me.”
I let go of Marianne and held my hand out in front of Ludi.
Then Ludi placed something in my hand.
It was an omamori similar to Senpai’s.
It was an omamori with a four-leaf clover embroidered on simple fabric.
“When I asked Yukine-san, she told me she was giving you a Japanese amulet… I asked her and Nanami to teach me how to make it.”
“…It makes sense that lately there have been many days where Senpai was here at the house.”
I kind of thought the frequency of her visits had increased recently.
After all, she’s been staying over once every three days.
This room practically has to be turned into Senpai’s room at this point.
Well, I’m glad she came, and it was a huge help with my training.
“I’m sorry, it’s really poorly made compared to Yukine-san’s and Nanami’s, right?”
She says that, but I just keep staring at the omamori.
“…Indeed, it might be worse than Senpai’s and Nanami’s, but it doesn’t matter if it’s well-made or not.
They are all important things to me that can’t be replaced.
Thank you.”
Ludi thought of me and made it; for me, that alone makes it a treasure.
“Un…”
Ludi was silent for a while after saying that, but soon…
“Ah, damn.
Why do you try to go alone…”
She complained like that.
“Just this once.”
“I know.
I understand, but I can’t accept it.
Ah, damn.
Really, let this be the only time you do something so reckless alone.”
“I know.
I’ll invite you next time.”
Looking at Ludi fuming, I gave a bitter smile.
It seems she’s still annoyed.
However, I have to convince her here.
“…Hey, Kousuke, stand up for a second and look behind you.”
Hm, why?
Even though I thought that, I stood up and turned around.
Immediately after that, something warm and soft hit my back.
Ludi was hugging me from behind.
Her delicate hands wrapped around my stomach and squeezed tightly.
“…Kousuke.”
“What?”
“It seems a ramen shop opened near the station… Take me to eat there.”
“Alright, leave it to me.”
If that can calm her anger, then it’s a cheap price to pay.
I placed my hand over her hands that were hugging me.
“…Kousuke.”
“What?”
“Do your best.”
“…Alright.”