kscans

Chapter 100 - A Flustered Maiden

We were released from the police’s barrage of questions, but Yamashita-san’s party, being the direct victims, weren’t so lucky.

What a drag, I thought, watching them from a distance as I touched my earring.

"So... we’re free to go now, right?"

"That should be the case. Though it is both unpleasant and perplexing that not a single officer has offered to give you a ride."

"It can’t be helped. They look incredibly busy. Besides, we have Mia-san’s car, so... I’d be in a bind if they offered."

"Hoh. So you’d rather be driven by a busty beauty than escorted by the police in a patrol car. You pervert!"

"Shut up, you idiot."

"Cease with the simple insults, Kyouta-kun. My heart is more fragile than you think."

"You’re such a pain..."

As we were talking, Mia-san returned from the reception desk.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Yagawa-kun. Despite the trouble, the exploration is officially complete. The money from the drops and subjugation rewards should have been transferred to your account, so please check."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Not at all. Also, about the boss monster’s drop..."

She said, taking out a silver ring.

Golden letters spelling out some kind of incantation were engraved on the inside, making it look like a magic ring from a fantasy movie or game.

But in reality, it was a material for a magic tool.

Apparently, it could be used to create magic tools like the Ring of the Flame Horse I use. As for how exactly it’s made, I wouldn’t know without looking at my Arcane Gear book.

Unfortunately, a ring of this rank can’t be used to make anything particularly impressive. It would probably be best to sell it.

"What should we do? My sister mentioned that you use alchemy, Yagawa-kun."

"No, I don’t particularly want it..."

"Understood. Then let’s sell it. I’ve already spoken with Yamashita-san’s group."

She glanced over at Yamashita-san and his party, who were still surrounded by police and talking about something.

He kept looking over here with an expression that said he wanted to talk, but I had already heard enough thanks and apologies before we left the dungeon.

...Besides, I don’t want to get any closer to them right now.

Two figures in black masks were standing beside him.

The Alchemy Enthusiasts Club.

I recognized their attire from their online meetings. Since the guild master of their allied guild, the Walkers, was here, they couldn’t be fakes.

I doubt my unique skill would be exposed just by standing near them, but... the risk if my assumption is wrong is too high.

Sorry, Yamashita-san, but I’m going home.

"The golems are loaded, so please drive."

"Understood. Oh, right."

Mia-san continued with a bright smile.

"The payment for the request will be transferred separately to your account—"

"Request...?"

Aira-san, who had apparently been listening through the earring, muttered under her breath.

And elven hearing is sharp. It seemed Mia-san heard her too, because her smile froze.

...Ah, this is going to be a pain.

"What is the meaning of this? I thought it was strange that you two suddenly went to a dungeon together, but you were hired for money? Is this a sugar-daddy situation, or a sugar-mommy... no, a sugar-sister situation, Mia?! I’m the older sister here!!"

"Don’t say such misleading things! It was a legitimate request from one adventurer to another!"

"Then pray tell, what was the nature of this so-called legitimate request?! If you have nothing to hide, you can surely tell me, can’t youuuu?!"

"T-That and this are two different things. I have no obligation to tell you, sister."

"Kyouta-kun is under contract with my research lab. Don’t I have the right to know what kind of side jobs he’s taking on?"

"Is there a clause in his contract that obligates him to report the details of his side jobs? If so, fine, but if not, then you still have no right to know!"

"There will be issues with tax returns! Do you really think he can handle his tax payments properly on his own?! Either I or Grandma will end up helping him, so you might as well tell me!"

"...I-It’s not a long enough request to be called a side job."

"This isn’t about the duration. It’s about the amount. And to hire an adventurer of his caliber, you’d have to pay a considerable sum. Won’t that exceed the tax-deductible range? He’s a high school student, to begin with. His parents cover his basic living expenses. Meaning, to avoid future complications regarding dependency status, I’d like these things to be made clear!"

"Kuh...!"

Pushed into a corner by Aira-san’s syrupy voice, Mia-san grit her teeth in frustration.

...I’m a party to this, so I should probably say something.

"Um, Aira-san."

"What is it, Kyouta-kun? You’re welcome to reveal Mia’s secrets from your own lips, you know?"

"The content of the request is... I think... unrelated to today’s incident. Probably. It’s unlikely she was the target, so please calm down."

"........."

Aira-san, who had been rattling on like an auctioneer, fell silent.

"Um, this incident was clearly targeted at Yamashita-san... the guild master of the Walkers... I’m pretty sure."

"Yagawa-kun...?"

I subtly averted my eyes from Mia-san’s suspicious gaze.

Aira-san was probably just worried that Mia-san had gotten herself into some kind of trouble.

That was a perfectly valid emotion for a sister to have, and a surprisingly rational judgment for her.

So, I wanted to address that concern first, but...

"...‘Probably,’ ‘pretty sure.’ You sound rather uncertain."

"Sorry... I just... don’t understand the situation at all. I can only speculate..."

I answered Aira-san’s dissatisfied tone with a stammer.

Besides, she probably isn’t thinking clearly right now.

Normally, her grandmother Professor Arisugawa or Mia-san’s parents should be joining this conversation, but only Aira-san is speaking. Usually, she’s good about communication in these situations.

She’s probably been glued to the mirror ever since she reported to the police and SDF, and hasn’t had the mental capacity to contact anyone else.

This was all just a guess, but since the force in her voice had weakened, I must not have been too far off the mark.

A faint sigh came through the earring.

"...Very well. I will postpone my inquiry into what kind of contract exists between you two."

"Yes. Um, thank you. I’ll discuss it with Mia-san and tell you later..."

"Then I shall make a request of you. Kyouta-kun, please see Mia home."

"Understood."

"W-Wait, please wait a moment!"

Mia-san, who had been watching our conversation, interjected in a slightly flustered tone.

"That would be too much trouble for Yagawa-kun. How does he plan to get back?"

"Well. I can use my phone outside the dungeon, so I was thinking of walking home while looking at a map app."

"I won’t allow it. If you give me your address, I’ll call a taxi for you. I’ll have Erina-kun head over as well, so you can transport the golem."

"Ah, thank you very much."

"But—"

"Mia."

A quiet voice echoed from the earring.

"Please. Understand."

"...Yes. Sister."

Creak.

Her fist made a sound as she clenched it.

...Well then.

Mia-san seemed to have a lot on her mind, but I had things to consider as well.

...I just agreed to go to her house in the heat of the moment, but it’s just to the door, right?

A cold sweat trickled down my back. It’s not like I’m visiting for fun, and I have no intention of inviting myself in, but she’s still a beautiful, busty college student.

My throat was dry with nervousness, and my cheeks felt like they were about to cramp up, but I managed to maintain my work mode.

Since we were caught up in an attempted murder case, I couldn’t say no to escorting her home. But Mia-san herself seemed extremely nervous for a different reason.

This is incredibly awkward. I wonder if I’ll make it back alive...

*

"You see! I have to be a ‘proper girl’!!"

How did it come to this?

I was supposed to take Mia-san home... although she was the one driving. On the way, she suggested I stop by her place.

She said, "After all the trouble I’ve caused you, I can’t just let you go without any hospitality."

I refused at first, of course. But there was no winning against the pressure of Mia-san’s restored business-like smile. In the inescapable confines of a car, I found myself talked into it before I knew it.

To be fair, we also planned to discuss the party invitations and what happened today, not just eat and drink.

So, we bought some light snacks at a supermarket on the way and I was invited to her house, but...

"Sob... hic... Why, why am I always like this...!"

Her face is bright red. She looks drunk. But she’s completely sober.

On the table is a beer bottle with a "Non-alcoholic" label.

—At first, I was honestly getting my hopes up.

This non-alcoholic beer was something Mia-san bought on the way home, smiling mischievously and saying, "How about something with a more adult taste?"

I was already invited to the home of a beautiful woman of the opposite sex. My heart was about to burst, and then she had to go and create an adult atmosphere on top of that.

I was worried my Sage’s Nucleus would reach its limit and my heart would break.

But as Mia-san drank the non-alcoholic beer while thanking and apologizing for today’s events, her demeanor gradually started to change.

And now, about five minutes after she started drinking.

"I’m trying my best too, you know! With my studies, and chores, and being an adventurer! So why does nothing ever go right for me...?!"

Hey, this is really non-alcoholic, right?

I instinctively picked up the beer bottle to check, and sure enough, there were the words "Non-alcoholic."

"Mm...!"

"Eh? Ah, yes."

Misinterpreting my holding the bottle, Mia-san thrust her empty glass at me.

It was hard to pour from the front, so I stood up from my chair and moved to her side.

"Label up."

"Yes."

I nodded in response to Mia-san’s glassy-eyed instruction.

...Aira-san. Can I force mana into the earring one more time?

"Mm!"

"Yes."

As I refilled the empty glass she thrust at me again, I couldn’t help but stare into the distance.