“Thanks for waiting, everyone.”
“Welcome back.☆”
Kasumi was greeted by Izumi, who was sitting on a chair by the entrance.
She was always on the ball whether it was working as a receptionist or in the dungeon, but she tended to be softer like this when no one was looking. According to Izumi, ‘if you’re on edge even in your off time, it will wreck your skin’.
“Hum, the others…”
“They’re thinking about that earlier discussion.☆”
“I see… Have you decided already?”
“Of course. I didn’t have to think about it too much, your older brother is an excellent article. He has a nice personality, a good fortune, and a good position. His face is kind of normal, but he must be a catch to be with those four beauties, right? Still, I always thought about marrying money, but it’s surprising when the opportunity actually presents itself, isn’t it?☆”
Izumi turned around and continued, as if speaking to the others.
“I want to be a contender even if I’m the only one, but from what I heard from the fiancees, it’s less about us as individuals and more about team unity, so this would be smoother if we were all on board. So I’m trying to give everyone a push.☆”
Izumi looked at everyone’s faces. Kasumi was the most reluctant one, followed by Irina and Renka. Then Haru, and Hazuki was all right because she was not the type to hesitate at a time like this. And so, she decided to start with the most effective one.
“Have you decided, Haru?”
“…Well, I don’t have a problem having that kind of relationship with older brother. I didn’t really understand for a moment when I heard it was as a team though.”
“Miss Aira said it was insurance in case the current team can’t work. I guess if they’re all pregnant and he’s going to the dungeon anyway, it would be nice to have others who can support him.”
“He hasn’t heard about this, has he? That must mean they’re confident he won’t get mad about them doing this is secret, right? That’s an amazing amount of trust, but it’s also amazing how he doesn’t get mad.
“My big brother is incredibly nonchalant…”
“That’s the power of love.”
“It’s pretty incredible that they’re moving this along without confirmation, but do you think he’s going to prioritize the dungeon if he has children?☆ What do you think, Kasumi?”
“Our father wasn’t the kind of person to neglect his family, but I wonder…”
“From what I can see, despite everything, he would take good care of his family. But if that other thing is true…”
As Haru thought about what Shouta told them about dungeons, messages appeared in front of all of them.
【Dungeon number 525 has been conquered.】
【Henceforth, there will be no more stampedes in this dungeon.】
【Henceforth, monsters will be permanently debuffed in this dungeon.】
【Henceforth, monster drop rates will be permanently increased in this dungeon.】
“This is…!”
“Speak of the devil.☆”
“It’s like he said…”
“He really did this.”
“That is amazing, older brother…!”
Everyone checked the messages, and Haru said what she had on her mind.
“…You wouldn’t find someone who can do this even if you looked all over the world. Even if he prioritizes his family, other people won’t leave him alone.”
“That’s true.”
“Maybe he’s the only one who can stop stampedes forever.”
“So are you in, Haru?☆”
“Yes. But if it really happens, I’ll feel bad about him shouldering a debt of mine. It’s like I’m only benefiting and giving nothing back.”
“Eh? It’s fine, he’s too resourceful.☆ What about you, Hazuki?”
“Me?”
Hazuki closed her eyes, seemed to be sorting her thoughts, and opened them.
“Unlike you all, I have no appeal as a woman. Would I be able to measure up?”
“I think you’re just beautiful.”
“Yeah. Your black is just as beautiful as Kasumi’s.”
“Thank you for the flattery. I have seen you all be approached by men numerous times, but that has not happened with me once. Is that not because they do not see me as a woman?”
Everyone gathered in a circle and started whispering.
“…Really? I heard a lot of rumors about you all in the association, but that’s not true.”
“Hm. But I’ve never seen someone approach Hazuki. It’s mostly Kasumi or Irina, and sometimes Haru or me.”
“Well, Hazuki would intimidate any man that approached her…”
“Yes, a weak guy would shrink back and count himself out.”
“There aren’t a lot of adventurers that are stronger than us near us.”
“She’s beautiful, but it’s a waste.”
“But it’s a plus that she stays that way.☆”
They ended the huddle, and Hazuki whispered with a sad expression.
“I have cast aside my womanhood and ask for nothing more.”
“What are you on about? I saw that girlish face you made when older brother pat your head.☆”
“!?”
“Anyway, can I assume you’re okay as long as he wants you?☆”
“…Yes. As long as elder brother is all right with it.”
Hazuki fidgeted and Izumi nodded with a satisfied expression. Now it was three against three.
“What about you, Renka and Irina?”
“You’re asking us together, so you know about our relationship?”
“Fufun, don’t underestimate an exclusive. Did you think I wouldn’t know something the team knows? Well, Irina is just going to support whatever Renka says, right?”
“Of course. I follow Renka’s decision.”
“Really? Thank you, Irina. Hm, well… If our relationship with him deepens, we might learn the secret of his strength, right?”
“I think so. But then we definitely won’t be able to escape.☆”
“I’ve been enjoying becoming stronger by fighting so far, but to be honest, it was becoming routine. The extreme level up was exciting, and adventuring with him sounds fun for sure. I will follow him.”
Izumi heard this, and felt she checkmated the last holdout, the younger sister.
“Kasumi.☆”
“Yes yes, my turn.”
“What are you troubled by? That sense of morality crumbled years ago, right?”
People’s genes became stronger with level ups, and as a result, the second generation was born strong and with tough bodies. Relationships between near relatives that were taboo were normalized due to the idea of stronger genes. At this point, that problem was basically a thing of the past.
“Yes but… We hadn’t seen each other in years. That’s why even though you all say it’s all right, I don’t know how to classify these emotions.”
“Hahan, that’s it.☆”
“Oh? I heard something interesting.”
Izumi had a suspicious smile on her face, and Aira suddenly appeared.
“Uwa! When did you get there!?”
“Ah, Aira.☆ We’re having a discussion.”
“Yes, I heard it.”
“Ah… I have a bad feeling about this…”
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
<<Previous Chapter Index Next Chapter>>
