kscans

Chapter 234 - There Were No Complaints

"I've left my company and successfully started my own business. Takahashi-kun, Suzuki-kun, I'll take your congratulatory gifts now."

"You got it."

"As expected of our resident president. You’re raking it in."

While Satou and Dr. Kawasaki were intercepting the Fakers, Takahashi, Suzuki, and Chika were having a sleepover. The three mature women, now deepening their friendship in a way different from before, were currently squealing with delight over the Game of Life.

"But you know, for all three of us to be single, childless, and completely devoted to our careers, it’s just so dry."

"It's amazing how little luck we have with romance."

"I, in real life… In real life, I have a daughter…"

"But on the board, you just got cheated on and dumped by your lover on a BAD space. What do you think about that?"

"Uuuu."

"This is just making me sad. Let’s play Catan next."

"I’d prefer mahjong."

"I think the digital world isn't so bad. Let’s the three of us play, you know, that one. The one where you do pioneering and build stuff."

As the three middle-aged women were passionately discussing what to play next, the living room door opened. Rika, Sarna, and Sakuya entered. They were also having a girls' night and were staying over at the Saionji residence.

"Oh, what’s wrong? Are you hungry? Shall I make something?"

"In that case, I’ll cook. You’re providing the place, after all."

"No, it’s not that. We have something we want to talk to you moms about."

"Hmm? Well, have a seat."

No point in talking while standing, Chika gestured for them to sit.

"So, what did you want to consult us about?"

"We want to teach Uncle a lesson."

"What? Did he do something?"

"It’s not like that. How should I put it? We’ve been in the Supernatural World for a while now, right?"

The adults thought, what's a year, but they knew interrupting would just derail the conversation, so they listened in silence for the time being.

"And yet he still treats us like kids. Isn't he overprotective?"

He’s not. It's what any adult would do. That's what the adults thought, but they kept it to themselves. In short, she was at that age where she wanted to act more grown-up. Takahashi and Suzuki nostalgically recalled when they were like that too.

"We’ve taken on some pretty tough missions, and we even fought in the decisive battle against the villainous noblewoman, you know? I just wish he’d, you know, acknowledge us a little more?"

"Well, I understand what you want to say. Sarna-chan, Sakuya-chan, do you feel the same?"

"No, I’m just going along with Rika-san."

"I’m the same, plus, Hero Uncle has been getting pretty cocky lately, so I want to make him cry for once."

"I don’t think there’s ever a time when Satou-kun isn't getting cocky."

You could tell me he's been dancing on the pedestal of arrogance since he was a baby and I'd believe it.

"That’s true, but he's been especially so lately. I know it’s a reaction to all his hard work, but I wonder if spoiling him is the right thing to do."

"Are you his mother?"

"I can't tell who's the guardian here."

"Well, I get what you’re saying. So, what do you want us to do?"

"We were hoping you’d lend us your strength and wisdom."

Rika pressed her hands together, begging. The three adults looked at each other with troubled expressions. They were happy to be relied on by the children, but…

"Even so…"

"Even if we had a mock battle with this group and had Satou-kun match our level…"

"Even without his insane power output, Hiro is just naturally crafty, you know?"

"He's a pain in the ass one-on-one, but it gets even worse when it's many against one. He's pathologically good at handling groups."

It would be difficult even on equal footing. They would have to have him lower his level to a significant disadvantage for it to be realistic.

"Even if I were to unleash the authority of Hades, he would just raise his level to match, I'm sure."

"That’s true. A higher level means more cards to play. That would be a bad move against Hiro."

"If we assume the kids are the main fighters and we're their backup…"

"Should we lower our own level to reduce his options?"

The adults brainstormed strategies with Satou as the hypothetical enemy, but no perfect plan emerged.

"Isn't there something? A weakness. Like, being weak to holy light or something."

"His real strength is his ability to operate while eliminating weaknesses like that."

"In that sense, Sakuya-chan is similar, isn't she?"

"I suppose it's my nature."

It was at that moment.

【Satooo… Satooo… SATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.】

""So loud.""

Takahashi's and Suzuki's phones blared with a mysterious ringtone. Naturally, neither of them had set such a ringtone. In fact, their phones were on silent mode, so they shouldn't have made any sound at all.

"Damn it, it's definitely that idiot."

"What the hell is this, some parody of Ultra Seven? Dammit."

"I apologize for our Hero Uncle."

"It’s fine, it’s fine," they said, comforting Sakuya as they checked their phones. A notification from a messaging app had come in. To be honest, the TS duo were already fed up at this point, but they checked it anyway.

> Can I brag a little?

The two of them immediately tried to turn off their phones… but.

"Ah, what is this? My body won't move. I can’t even close my eyes."

"Remote paralysis… He embedded a curse in the message to activate on sight?"

"That bastard, using such a needlessly advanced and exquisitely annoying harassment."

"So it won't end until we read it? Damn it."

It was a mandatory viewing disguised as a check-in.

"Hideo-san really goes all out when it comes to annoying Takahashi-san and Suzuki-san, doesn't he?"

"I suppose that's how much he trusts them."

"I wish he’d show us that side of himself too."

"For now, the two of them look pitiful, so let’s join them."

They all nodded at Chika's suggestion and peered at the phone screen.

> I’m on a bodyguard mission with Kawasaki right now. Look at this.

A photo of Dr. Kawasaki dressed in a black sailor uniform was attached.

> A girl of that age. And a very pretty one at that. > Is there any other 35-year-old geezer who can get a girl like that to cosplay for him without a single complaint? No, there isn't. > I mean, what can I say? Humility in excess becomes condescending, so I'll just say it, a capable man is just different. > Oh, and by capable man, I mean me, of course.

Ch, ch, ch, ch, ch. Five clicks of the tongue. We won't say who, but it was probably the flowers of the group. Satou was a natural-born troll, able to generate so much hate in just a few lines of text.

> You know. At first, I felt guilty, like I was tricking an innocent, sheltered weirdo. > But I was wrong. Kawasaki isn't stupid. His mind is seriously sharp. > I can't go into details, but he saw through something that genuinely sent a chill down my spine. > Well, that aside. Kawasaki is not an idiot. > And yet, he fulfills my desires one after another. So what does that mean? > It means I’m just that great of a guy ( ・´ー・｀)

All five of them thought the same thing. Since they were in love with him, they wouldn't deny that Satou was a great man. But that aside, this guy was infuriating as hell.

> Because I'm that kind of man, you see? I was given permission. > Permission for what? To film the battle. > So basically, we're about to have a viewing party for a panty shot video. > Oh yeah, it’s happening. It’s totally happening. This is the spring of my life, people. > Well, that’s the end of my bragging. See ya later (´ー`)ノ

Takahashi and Suzuki had never been more proud of their self-control than on this day. If they had been provoked even a little bit more, they would have surely crushed their phones.

≪Isn’t this guy getting a little too cocky?≫

"My deepest apologies for my foolish relative’s extreme rudeness…"

Sakuya apologized to the five of them. There were no complaints. They all recognized it as the absolute truth.

"Honestly, I wasn't very motivated, but now I’m fired up. Rika, Mama's going to show you how cool she can be."

"Yay. Mama, you're amazing."

"But Chika-san. In the end, we still don't have an effective strategy against Hideo-san…"

""We do.""

It was Takahashi and Suzuki who answered. It hadn't been planned. They looked at each other and laughed, as if to say, "You too?"

"What a complete idiot. Right?"

"Yeah. To think he'd give us a hint himself."

"He's going to see hell."

"This isn't a prediction. It's a prophecy."

Chika remembered. Though they had mellowed out now, these two used to be delinquents who ran wild with Satou. They weren't as vicious as Satou, but from a normal person's perspective, they were still in the category of crazy.

"We'll grant you a strategy."

"We'll have to pay a price for it, but you’re prepared for that… right?"

They all nodded, and the strategy meeting to make Satou cry began.