Chapter 157 - Too Close to Talk About
Monday
"Morning."
"M-morning..."
First day of test week after the long weekend.
The tests themselves are on Thursday and Friday, but club activities are forbidden for the rest of this week.
It feels like it should be fine since the weekend is over, but apparently, it's not allowed until the test results come back on Monday.
"Live streams have become a club activity, you see."
"Relaxed..."
"Oh, that's right."
It's a solo relaxed, no, a duo relaxed theme, so there's no need to rush, I guess.
We even got a proper house during the long weekend.
*
"Izumo-san, Ise-kun, good morning."
"Ah, [Iincho], morning."
"M-morning."
[Iincho], who had caught up from behind, settled next to Mion and said,
"Izumo-san, aren't you a little too close?"
"?"
You're right!
I felt like she was too close on the train, but I felt bad saying anything, so I just kept quiet!
"No, don't glare at me... here."
"Mm..."
But when I moved a little further away, she just smoothly closed the gap, didn't she?
[Iincho] sighed deeply at the sight.
In times like these, [Yata-sensei]'s specialty: change the subject!
"[Iincho], I heard you were hanging out with Mashiro-nee the day before yesterday?"
"Oh, yes. Mashiro-san was just as lively as ever. Miki-chan too, but Mashiro-san is amazing, isn't she?"
Good, good. [Iincho] respected Mashiro-nee, and Mashiro-nee doted on [Iincho].
When Nat and I did something stupid, it was always a package deal: [Iincho] would find out and scold us, then Mashiro-nee would tattletale.
"You seemed to be going all over the place, but where are you now?"
"Let's see. The last place was where Miki-chan and Kashihara-kun were, I think."
Hmm, hmm. In that case, there's something I'd like to ask [Iincho] to do...
*
"Oh, so during test week, it's 'one hour of gaming a day,' huh?"
"Yeah. Can't even secretly log in because Kumano-sensei would find out. Well, he said it's okay on the weekend after tests are over, though."
Lunch with the usual crew.
The rooftop with its good weather felt nice after a long time.
"So, Miki (Seth) told me there's a dispute about whether to return the [Gnomes] to their village?"
"Ah, that... It's a bit complicated because there are two player guilds involved there, you see."
According to Natto, a person named Count Rashad had been steadily developing the southwestern area, and two player guilds were participating to assist him.
"What do you mean?"
"One is a guild of female members called 'Afternoon Blossom,' and the other is a guild of male members called 'Moonlit Banquet.'
The Blossom Guild believes the [Gnomes] should be protected, while the Banquet Guild thinks being overprotective is too much."
The Blossom Guild primarily plays during the day to evening, and the Banquet Guild from night to late night, so they haven't quite aligned.
What Seth (Miki) and Bell-bucho told me yesterday was correct.
"They're not actually fighting, are they?"
"Nah, I think both are probably sensible adults, so they're trying to find a compromise."
If that's the case, Natto's wide network should be useful...
"Can't Natto persuade them?"
"It's not about persuading them; it's that we can't properly find out what the [Gnomes] themselves want."
"That's a problem, then..."
Said [Iincho].
Well, I agree that what they themselves want should come first.
"On Shou's island, those [Fairies] live there, right? What do those kids usually do?"
"Basically free? Lupi acts as a guard when they go to gather food, so it's safe."
Lupi is too capable; they seem to manage well without me having to pay much attention.
Well, there's also the theory that they're well-organized because there's a high-ranking [Fairy] named Sweee.
"Hm."
"Oh, yeah. So, are there any leaders among the [Gnomes]? And if so, wouldn't it be best if [Iincho] talked to them?"
"Huh, me?"
Yes, [Iincho]. And why? Because,
"I think, although I can't be sure, that someone who can use [Spirit Magic] might be able to communicate better. I can use [Light Spirit] and [Divine Tree Spirit] magic, too."
"Seriously? Wait, when did you learn to use [Divine Tree Spirit] magic?"
"There's a [Fairy] leader named Sweee... that Mion named for her, and she gave me a [Divine Tree Spirit Stone]."
In that sense, I think a more senior [Fairy] would probably be easier to communicate with.
And for us, too, it would be better if we could use [Spirit Magic]... I don't have absolute certainty, but I feel that way.
"But aren't there other people who can use [Spirit Magic] besides me?"
"Hmm, there are in both guilds, I guess, but isn't this the kind of situation where a third party is better?"
"Yeah. I'll talk to Miki too. If [Silver Manor] takes a neutral stance to hear the [Gnomes'] wishes, then the two guilds can work to fulfill them, right?"
"I see!"
I'll leave the rest to them.
Whether [Iincho] can truly communicate with the [Gnomes] is a gamble, but she's always been good at taking care of small children, so she'll surely be fine.
"Haa... If Miki-chan formally asks me, I'll try, but don't expect too much, okay?"
"Alright, you never know until you try."
"Miki's there, so if it doesn't work out, she'll figure something out."
I should make Miki do something unreasonable once in a while.
Besides, she was the one who brainstormed this last night.
"However."
""However?""
"Only for one hour. It's test week, after all."
""Understood...""
*
"I'm home."
"Oh, Brother, welcome home! You are quite early today!"
"It's test week, you know."
Miki is supposed to be in test week too, but... it's useless to say anything.
There's time until dinner, so I'll brew some tea.
"Hm? Were you studying?"
"Nay, this is not study. I was compiling some research results."
"Research results?"
"Indeed. I had intended to tell you once it was more organized, but it matters not."
What Miki had been researching was a kind of survey about product quality, with the help of her guild members.
"So, what were the results?"
"Simply put, there is a difference in quality between those who merely know the technique and those who also put it into practice."
Huh? What does that mean?
Sensing that I wasn't quite grasping it, Miki elaborated.
"For example, if I were to say, 'While the [Blacksmithing] skill allows one to forge weapons, a finer product is made by one who can also use that weapon,' would that perhaps resonate with you, Brother?"
"Ah... I guess so."
"According to Jinbee-dono, it is said that the importance of common skills across various production categories is high. However, we still lack sufficient samples in that area."
Miki looked at me.
"That's highly probable. In my case, I simply do everything myself, so I have nothing to compare it to."
Hm? Wait.
If I had acquired [Applied Earth Magic] and [Civil Engineering] skill yesterday, building the storage would have been much easier...
"What is it, Brother?"
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you I got the [Civil Engineering] skill."