“Shouta, don’t mind my sister’s teasing too much. It’s entirely backed by loneliness.”
“Wai, Maki!?”
“She just wants attention because she’s lonely. Don’t you think it’s cute when you see it that way?”
“A-ah, geez.”
“…I guess…”
I’m having trouble catching up with my thoughts, because Aki is just too different from the image I have of her. But seeing her face turn red as she gets flustered, makes me feel like I get it.
It really is tickling my desire to protect a lot, and I feel like now I could take that teasing in stride. It’s like what Maki just said has completely flipped the way I’ve looked at Aki all this time…
“Also, she acts like a big sister, but she’s actually the same age as you.”
“!!?”
“Ah… You had to tell him.”
“Watching you is annoying me. If you’re lonely, say so.”
“M-Maki, you’re cutting the distance too much so suddenly…”
“Hasn’t it been three years already?”
“Au…”
Every time Aki says something, Maki talks her down. Who’s even the big sister here?
I keep watching, until Maki pulls me and sits me next to Aki.
“Now, Shouta. Pat her head. That will put her in a good mood right away, and it will erase that feeling that you’re not good with her. It’s like with a big dog.”
“Hum… Like this?”
“H-hauuuu.”
I don’t have any experience patting a girl’s head like this, but I copy Maki, and Aki’s face instantly turns red while she settles down at the same time.
We keep patting her together, and for some reason, her mood does improve.
“Dehehe.”
Maybe the nice feeling of having her head pat won against the embarrassment…? She’s too loyal to her desires.
We keep doing it until Maki stops, and I pull my hand away too. But the smile doesn’t leave Aki’s face. Was she always like this… I’d be willing to do this regularly if she always smiles like this.
“Well then, Aki is feeling better, so let me explain.”
“Ah, yes, thank you.”
I feel like a lot just happened, but Maki starts talking like it was nothing.
She’s tough.
“I discussed it with my sister, and we prepared equipment that suits your strength.
First, look at this sword. You have been using a one-handed longsword, so this should suit you. It’s a sixth generation third ghost type. Made by the Weapons Workshop Number Two, that produces all sorts of arms using dungeon technology.
It was made two years ago, so it’s a little dated, but it’s sharp, and a high grade item that some say a skilled swordsman could use to cut even a boulder in half.
It’s not just strong either, it’s very durable, and it doesn’t break, bend, or nick.”
“It was originally made for an intermediate adventurer or higher, but you should be able to use it now.”
“Uwah…”
The Weapons Workshop Number Two. They’re a weapons manufacturer that’s proud to call itself number one in Japan, and all of their items are said to be of high quality, and very efficient.
A guy like me obviously likes the idea of wielding a strong weapon, but I didn’t expect to actually own one…
I hold it and look at it, and the two sisters smile. Actually, the older one is grinning.
“I’m really happy, but wasn’t it expensive?”
“Don’t worry. The Super Strength orb that was put up for auction was sold for fifty-eight million.”
“Eh!? Isn’t that a lot!?”
“Not really. The starting price was thirty-five, but auctions around here only get this kind of item once every few months. That’s why there are always people waiting for them, and they’re heated.”
“You gave us permission to use your share of forty-six million four hundred thousand, and that sword was forty million, so it was just right.”
“I see… That’s a price that feels outside of the world I live in, so I won’t say anything. But I’m surprised you got such an expensive sword so quickly.”
“Once we were done selecting appropriate equipment yesterday, we ordered it right away. It wasn’t just this sword, the rest was also delivered this morning.”
I’m sure they were up late discussing it.
They’re too good for me. They got not only this incredible weapon, but perfect equipment too…
Hn? But that leaves only six million four hundred thousand. I have quite a bit of money for daily necessities in the bank, but I’m pretty sure association employees can’t just use it.
And yet, I’m pretty sure the equipment I’m seeing has a different shine compared to the stuff I see on the market…
“Hey, did you have enough money for the rest of the equipment?”
““…””
They’re looking at each other. That reaction…
“You two…”
“Hum, first, let me talk about the equipment. We have here a set meant to protect the head, torso, arms, and legs, made by the Connoisseur Third Defense Workshop.
It uses super alloy manufactured with dungeon technology abundantly, and its name is fourth generation lightweight hybrid armor Mk.2. And it cost… Twelve million.”
“…”
“Anything under that would not suit you, or would fall behind in terms of generation or defensive power. It was the only one that fit.”
“And where did the money come from?”
“From what we got from Super Strength, and savings…”
“…You put up the money!?”
Being exclusive means going that far? No, that can’t be it. It’s just because it’s them.
Aki has a caring side, and from what I’ve seen of Maki in these past few days, she can be really devoted. It makes sense that they’d do it.
But still, using savings…
“There’s a lot I want to say, but first, thanks. Hearing that you used the money you received for the sake of my safety does make me happy.”
““Shouta…””
“But I want you to talk to me about this sort of thing from now on. I was the one who talked about equipment, and said you could use the money from the auction, but the fact that you put up what was missing… That makes me feel a little pathetic as a guy.”
“Yes, sorry…”
“Next time, we will talk about it first…”
I’m glad they understand, but it still feels really weird to see Aki so docile. Well, nevermind that. She’s just trying to do her job as an exclusive.
Does the fact that they used their money to get me strong equipment reflect how dangerous what I’ve been doing really is? I need to always keep in mind that I have to return alive, and get stronger so they don’t have to worry.
“Hum, Shouta, can you try it on here?”
“Ah, sure.”
I take off my iron equipment, and put on my new one.
Even the iron equipment felt heavy when I hunted slime, and I couldn’t move as I wanted at first, but… This new one is really light. It might be lighter than the one I’ve been wearing.
Now I can probably dodge the attacks of a murder rabbit no problem.
“Wonderful!”
“It suits you!”
“Thanks.”
Well, the item I sold to thank them ended up coming back to me. Then I have to pay them back again!
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He needs to work hard for the money, so hard for his honeys. 😋
Thanks.