“G-good morning.”
“Ah… M-morning.”
We wake up, and can’t look each other in the eyes. But we live together, so while we can’t overlook this awkwardness, it’s not like we regret what happened. Then again, thinking time will solve it feels like I’m just running away from the problem.
I think Aki feels the same way, because while she’s looking off into nothing, she shows no intention of wanting to leave the room either.
“…Aki.”
“Hn.”
“Are you still feeling worried?”
I ask, and she slowly shakes her head.
Her face is still red, but now she’s looking directly at me.
“…That’s already gone.”
“I see.”
“I still have other concerns.”
“Eh?”
“But that’s something else entirely… So it’s fine for now.”
“Really?”
I’m curious, but it doesn’t look like Aki wants to talk about it so… Let’s leave it for another time.
“So, about talking to the others about this…”
“You’d have trouble doing it, right? I’ll do it then.”
“Okay, I’m leaving that to you.”
We both lean in at the same time to kiss, and leave the room together.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
That said, considering what we’re dealing with, even after Aki gathers everyone, and even after we start eating, she just keeps chewing.
I try to give her a push after we’re done eating and start having tea, but… That’s enough for Maki and Aira to realize something’s different about our relationship and distance.
Ayane doesn’t really get it.
They start firing questions, but Aki doesn’t answer, and looks awkward. I offer to explain, but she stubbornly insists she do it.
Maki then throws her sister a bone by proposing that I leave the room for a bit. I guess the embarrassment is going to prevent her from talking as long as I’m here.
“Oh, things are pretty heated.”
I check out the board after leaving the room, and pass the time by looking at yesterday’s commotion.
Of course, the conversation is centered on yesterday’s lockdown.
Because of me, they heard the Hobgoblin’s scream multiple times, and even though they don’t know what I was doing, it gave them proof that the nickname Rare Monster Hunter isn’t wasted on me.
Something else to think about is that they might reverse engineer the rules to make rare monsters spawn by watching me, because I hunted so many. If they’re not bothering me, they’re not breaking the association’s rules by watching me from afar.
I don’t know how much to make public about the one hundred rule, Luck, and the conditions of the smoke. I’ve talked with the girls about this numerous times, but in the end, would the association define privileges in case of a rare monster spawn? I think it hinges on that.
If there aren’t rules, people could camp the spawn sites to take the rare monsters for themselves, but if there are rules, how do people prove they or their teams made them spawn? There are a lot of issues here.
I don’t think I should make these things public before everything is sorted out.
Also, this is one of the topics being discussed in today’s branch manager meeting.
As I think about this, the girls finish talking.
I go back to the living room, where Maki and Aira act as representatives and report the changes in the rotation.
Apparently Maki and Aira are going to be swapping. Aira was mindful of the order of priority, so basically, today is Maki’s turn, tomorrow Aira’s, then Ayane’s, and then Aki’s.
I’m surprised Aira didn’t also swap with Ayane, but apparently she’s not willing to give that much away.
Also, the whole way through, it feels like Aki and Ayane’s minds aren’t really here. I wonder how much Aki said, because it doesn’t look like she can say much in that state.
I can’t imagine doing the same with Ayane, but…
…Hn, well, what will happen will happen.
I’ll talk about Ayane with Aira tomorrow night.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
We enter the dungeon, passing right through the first floor and heading to the hilly area of the second floor, to make up for lost time. This is where hill wolves live.
And then Aira, who has been quiet since we left the house, speaks.
“Master, I have something to ask.”
“Hn?”
“Exactly how far did you go last night?”
“Buho!”
What are you asking all of a sudden?
See? Ayane’s face is red too, you’re troubling her.
“…Didn’t you hear from Aki?”
“No, not the details. Just that she disclosed our plans to you, and decided to do it while you are awake. If you got so intimate so quickly, then…”
I put my index finger on her mouth.
“Let’s stop that graphic discussion right there. If Aki didn’t say it, I’m not saying it either. And if you’ve already figured it out, I don’t need to actually come out and say it. And again, you’re troubling Ayane.”
“Hauuu.”
“Oh my, it seems it is too soon for you, lady.”
“You’re the one instigating it… Well, I’m at fault for making you all feel uneasy too.”
“You and the ladies are all running in circles emotionally and worrying needlessly, so you are the same.”
“Worrying needlessly?”
We’re the same? I think Aki said something like that too…
So in the same way that they’re worried, I’m also running in circles and worrying for no reason…?
“We have arrived at the hilly area, master.”
“Y-yes.”
Yes, let’s focus on the wolves.
These ones are higher level than the rabbits, and the spawn rate of the second layer of rare monster will be lower. But I have to be ready, because if one does spawn, I’m sure it will have something that will make it a tough fight.
I unsheathe my sword, and jump into a pack of hill wolves.
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Thanks for the treat.