Yesterday when I left the dungeon, that high school boy and girl I saw before were there.
I wondered what they were doing standing there, and walked past them, but the guy got angry and yelled at me for ignoring him.
Who are you? I don’t even know your name, so why wouldn’t I ignore you?
When I said that, he probably thought I was playing dumb, and got even more pissed.
But I really didn’t know, so when I asked what I did, he started mumbling.
The girl then asked ‘are you sure you didn’t imagine it Kazuya?’, with a worried tone.
I learned the high school boy’s name was Kazuya.
This Kazuya then said ‘no doubt about it, the smell of magic energy was his’ like he was talking about my body odor.
Eh!? Smell!? I shower every day.
Seriously? People say you don’t sense your own smell, but…
I use a good fabric softener too, but it doesn’t mask my body odor…
Can you smell?
I asked while approaching the girl, but Kazuya got between us.
What? I just want to check.
I took a step forward, and Kazuya a step back to cover the girl.
I approached Kazuya even more, and he grimaced.
“Stink.”
I took emotional damage.
He could’ve lied and said I smelled nice.
I wouldn’t have been happy to hear that from a guy, but it would’ve been something.
Kazuya looked troubled when he saw me dejected.
He said I just left the dungeon, and that being sweaty meant I’d obviously smell a little.
But Kazuya, I didn’t sweat. I only practiced using magic.
The girl kindly offered me perfume, saying it didn’t have much left.
I said thanks and took it.
I thought they were annoying when they disrupted the lecture, but they might actually be nice.
I said sorry for hitting Kazuya with a rock, and tried to leave.
But then Kazuya said ‘so it was you!’, and grabbed me by the collar all mad.
So he went after me because I got in the way of his smug ‘good grief’ in the lecture, and embarrassed him on top of that.
That’s why I said sorry.
I mean, he really was being a nuisance.
Picture it, you spent money and some of your precious time to hear about something valuable, but then some idiot gets in the way. What would you think?
Right? You probably don’t even care.
…Hn?
Sorry, what was that?
“You got in the way of my showing off! If I don’t manage to get partners, it’s your fault!!”
Wait wait, sorry. I really didn’t get it. I asked him to calm down and explain. If possible, I’d rather the girl do it.
Kazuya was all hot-headed and wasn’t listening, so I asked her.
So Kazuya started working as a seeker and he was recruiting partners, but wasn’t finding any.
The guild introduced people, but they didn’t meet Kazuya’s standards, so they had a fight and went their separate ways.
Apparently said standards are having magic skills.
It’s hard to build a party with just a few magic users, but when I asked him why he was so hung up on that, he said you can’t conquer the dungeon without magic skills.
I asked him where he got that, and I got annoyed when he got all smug and said it was a secret.
So he started thinking about where to find people with magic skills, and reached the conclusion that a lecture where people learned about magic would attract magic users.
That led to that little performance of his, because he thought if he showed off power above the lecturer’s, people would naturally come to him.
Also, the girl was exasperated by him, and thought he should just talk to people normally.
I put my hand on his shoulder, and…
“You’re an idiot.”
I said with sincerity.
He really acted like one.
An idiot can be endlessly successful in the right place, but he’s never going to be successful if he doesn’t pay attention around him.
At the very least, he didn’t seem to have charisma at that point.
I don’t think I’m smart, but I’m smart enough to know Kazuya’s method was wrong.
He should’ve at least talked to the only other member of his party, but it sounded like he didn’t even do that.
When I mentioned that…
“Hum, I’m not in Kazuya’s party.”
…Hn?
Wait, this is too much to process. My head can’t keep up.
Then why are you with Kazuya?
Kazuya was surprised too.
His mouth hung open with surprise, with my hand on his shoulder.
Well yeah, you were together, so I thought you were partners.
According to her, Kazuya’s parents were worried about him acting strangely lately, so they asked her, his childhood friend, to check up on him.
This nice high school girl couldn’t ignore Kazuya’s parents, who helped her since she was little, and accepted. And that brought us here.
Also, Kazuya’s parents put up the money for her to become a seeker, and she wouldn’t have done it otherwise.
She also said she wanted to focus on club activities, so she was quitting being a seeker soon.
I didn’t look at Kazuya, but I could feel him shaking.
I slowly took my hand off his shoulder.
He was looking for party members, but was instead about to lose one.
She wasn’t really that to begin with, but he convinced himself she was, so I couldn’t imagine how he felt.
Nevermind losing a partner, he was alone from the start.
Harsh… Hn?
So am I?
No no, I’m joining a party next month. I’m not like Kazuya, don’t worry, I’m not alone.
I started feeling a murmur in my heart, but I left Kazuya, who was still not moving, and moved away slowly.
◇ ◇ ◇
The twenty-first floor.
Today I’m cleaning portacool.
I’ve been testing it by having it carry things that won’t rot, but using it still means it gathers dirt and dust.
I sweep the inside with a broom, and wipe with a cloth.
I also wipe the outside with a cloth, and leave it shining.
There’s a big Honto Corporation logo on it, so it’s immediately obvious who made it.
I’m supposed to return it after a month, but since it’s in my care, I figure I should clean it up a little.
When seekers pass by me, they always ask what it is.
I answer them all, but it’s getting annoying. I have to say the same thing over and over.
And so, I’ve made a sign that says ‘This product is called portacool (autonomous porter). If you have questions, call Honto at 0120 – xxx – xxxx’.
Now it looks like a car show, but it’s okay.
Seekers take photos of the sign when they pass by, so I don’t have to deal with them anymore.
With the cleaning done, portacool shakes because it suffers an impact.
I go around to the other side, and see an orc hitting it.
Hey hey, what are you doing!?
I just cleaned it!!
Eh? It’s in the way?
Hum… Sorry.
I guess portacool is blocking the way.
I didn’t notice because no one said anything, but it looks like the big orc can’t pass.
I guess I’m not paying attention around me either. And I was all high and mighty with Kazuya too.
I apologize to the orc, and take portacool out of the way.
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Hes more socially adept with orcs than human