kscans

Chapter 117 - A Test of Reason

Episode 86: A Test of Reason

"Are you guys cursed or something?"

Ooyama-san's heartless words wounded us deeply...!

We were in a corner of the small factory run by her father, in the space Ooyama-san used as her personal workshop.

On her workbench lay the armor and flail of [Byakuren], now little more than scrap metal, along with Erina-san's [Daisharinmaru].

...Come to think of it, has her space gotten bigger?

I don't remember her having a workbench large enough to hold a suit of plate armor, even one that had mostly lost its shape.

I had a feeling her tools had multiplied as well. It seemed she was doing well as a smith. The factory itself felt more lively, too.

"So... will you be able to take on the job...?"

"Huh? Of course I'll take it. I'm charging you, though."

"We'll definitely pay, of course... but it looks like you're pretty busy."

Even through the thick curtain, I could hear the sounds of machinery and work. That much was normal, but the volume of it was greater. More importantly, there were more footsteps.

And just before we entered her workspace, I saw factory workers carefully packing shields and armor. They must have been getting an order ready for a client.

I'd heard from Erina-san that Ooyama-san's workshop was doing well, but I hadn't expected it to be this obvious.

"Hah?"

"Shī-chan, Kyo-chan is asking, 'You seem busy, but is it okay without an appointment?'"

"Oh, that's what he meant. If you're asking me to make spare equipment, I'll have to put it on the back burner. But if it's stuff you guys use for everyday exploring, it's top priority. Besides, I have something I want to ask of you two as well."

"Thank you. But what did you want to ask?"

"Help with leveling up."

Ooyama-san, still seated, propped an elbow on her knee and rested her cheek in her hand.

"Right now, Aika and I are LV: 13. The Golem you gave us makes fights with monsters stable, but we can't go exploring that often. So I want to raise the quality of our runs to make up for it."

"The quality? We can't take you to a dungeon above your current rank, you know."

"I'm not thinking about faking our ranks. The same way you did it before is fine."

"Oh, you mean that."

It seemed she wanted us to power-level her again, like we did back in June.

By raising her level, she could make her usual grinding more efficient... basically, it was like 'building muscle to build more muscle.'

"Shī-chan, you're E-Rank right now, right?"

"Yeah. Aika and I are thinking about promoting to D-Rank soon."

"...This might sound rude, but isn't that enough? You said before that you wanted to level up for self-defense."

At my question, Ooyama-san's already stern face twisted even further.

"Because it's still not safe. Things have gotten worse since then."

"The number of criminal groups of Awakened Persons, like Turohorse and others, has really gone up."

"That's true..."

While [Turohorse] had some very shady rumors circulating about it behind the scenes, on the surface, it was a legitimate non-profit organization.

But beyond them, the number of Awakened who openly committed crimes and caused public disturbances had increased.

The economy had worsened due to the frequent stampedes, and anxiety was growing throughout society.

Perhaps because of that, reports of robberies and burglaries were on the rise. Many were suspected to be the work of Awakened, and I'd seen on a news site that the police were often unable to make arrests.

In proportion to this, groups you could call 'Anti-Awakened Organizations' were holding demonstrations overseas, and apparently they had sympathizers in Japan as well.

Though, in Japan, their activities were mostly online. I think some expert on TV said they probably didn't want to get targeted by groups like [Turohorse] and become victims of a skill-based perfect crime.

But I digress. The point is, public safety in Japan was not great right now. The robbery cases involving 'dark part-time jobs' were a big deal a while ago, and things had only gotten worse.

"I've been making good money selling weapons and armor online lately, too. I've got plenty of reasons to be a target. I signed a contract with a security company, but I still need a way to protect myself."

"You have a point. That was short-sighted of me."

"...Hey. Haven't you gotten more distant than before?"

Ooyama-san glared at me with her sharp, narrow eyes.

I met her gaze squarely, maintaining my business-like demeanor as I replied.

"We're the ones who came here to impose on your busy schedule with a request. I believe this attitude is appropriate."

"What a pain. Just act normal. I want to ask something of you guys, too."

"Well, um... I'll do my best."

I can't say it.

I can't just blurt out, 'School's out for summer and we haven't talked much, so I've forgotten how to talk to you!'

I'm not good at talking to girls to begin with. With Aira-san and Erina-san, we play games together all the time, and more importantly, I know their... quirks, so I can talk to them without being scared.

But with Ooyama-san... well, I still remember the feeling of her chest being pressed firmly against me when she cut my nails, you see?

Right now, I'm concentrating on looking her in the eyes so my gaze doesn't drift down to her chest.

Communication is... difficult...!

"Okay, okay! Shī-chan, listen? I think Kyo-chan is just nervous talking to you."

"Huh? He was talking pretty normally before summer break, wasn't he?"

Heh heh heh... Are you sure about that? I was freaking out back then, too! ★

Oh no, my internal monologue is getting weird. If I actually said that out loud, they'd definitely think I was a creep.

"Kyo-chan, I think maybe when he doesn't see someone for a little while, he gets nervous like he was at the beginning."

"...Is that right?"

"...Yes. I'm sorry..."

My voice must have been as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Erina-san's analysis was so spot-on that I had no choice but to admit it. I'd tried my best to hide it, thinking there was no way I could say it, but it seems she saw right through me.

"How did you know, Erina?"

"E-hem! I've seen Pai-sen act like that before!"

Aira-san...

Also, please don't puff out your chest like that, Erina-san. It jiggles. It draws the eye.

Even though your pink kimono and white hakama don't emphasize your figure, my eyes are still drawn to your melons, so please stop.

"So, let's go hang out sometime! All of us!"

"Eh?"

"Oh, sounds good."

"Eh?"

Wait, don't leave me behind. My social skills can't keep up with this speed.

"I'll ask Grandma to take out the boat, and we'll invite Pai-sen and Senpai, and Ā-chan too, of course, and go to the beach!"

BEACH!?

"Taking out a boat to go to the beach, that's something else."

"Grandpa bought an island a long time ago, and Dad still manages it. We can go play there in our swimsuits!"

SWIMSUITS!?

I instinctively glanced at Ooyama-san's chest. Since she was leaning forward, I could just barely see the deep valley between her breasts through the gap in her shirt.

Then, to my side, Erina-san. Using the wide field of view of my [Spirit Eye], I snuck a peek at her bust, which was voluminous even through her kimono. Yep, definitely huge. If Mia-san was a watermelon, this girl was a melon.

"Sounds fun, doesn't it, Kyo-chan!"

"YES!!!"

"What a great answer!"

—Honestly, I'm not that big a fan of the beach.

I'm the type of person who'd much rather stay home and watch TV or play video games.

But! I have to ride this big wave! This massive wave of—with two exceptions—big-breasted girls!!

...Ah, I'm already starting to regret it. Won't they think I'm a creep for getting so excited about swimsuits? Will they hate me, or bully me?

And can I even handle being in a space with just girls for that long? What do I do? Should I just say 'never mind' right now...?

"It's okay, Kyo-chan."

"Erina-san...?"

As if she'd read my mind, she smiled gently and placed a hand on my shoulder.

I could feel a faint warmth from her palm. It felt like it was easing my anxiety.

"I'll make sure to bring enough 'Water Spider' ninja tools for everyone...!"

"Can I opt out after all?"

My heart skipped a beat for a second, but I was an idiot.

"Nope! I won't forget that you just said 'yes'!"

"I heard you loud and clear, too. You're coming along as bodyguard and luggage carrier."

"I can carry the luggage, you know?"

"It's fine. Just let him carry it as a 'viewing fee.'"

"Yes. I will serve you with all my heart and soul...!"

"Hoeh?"

It seems Ooyama-san had noticed my earlier glances. No, I doubt her kinetic vision could have kept up with my eyes. When it comes to sneaking peeks, my [Spirit Eye] is unbeatable.

In that case, she must have read my mind from the flow of conversation and my overly enthusiastic reply...!

Ooyama-san grinned mischievously, while Erina-san tilted her head with a question mark floating over it. Crap, I can't defy them!

"Well, if you're taking out a boat, it's not like it can happen this week. Let's take care of each other's requests first."

"You're right! Oh, these are the materials I mentioned on the phone yesterday."

Erina-san took a large cardboard box out of her [Item Box] and placed it on the desk.

The lid was open, and I could see the bronze plates we'd gotten from the Stymphalides neatly arranged inside.

Ooyama-san picked one up, her eyes sparkling as she gave a wry smile.

"You guys really brought it. And so much of it, too."

"Yep. I want you to use it for Byak-chan's equipment and my 'new ninja tool'!"

"We've also brought a request from Mia-san... our new party member."

After we left that dungeon, it turned out all three of us planned to turn the drops into equipment rather than sell them.

Myself and Mia-san for our Golems' gear. And Erina-san said she was going to have Ooyama-san make her a 'new ninja tool.'

Mia-san couldn't come today because of a university lecture, so Erina-san brought the request form on her behalf.

"Got it. This is the first time I'm working with this stuff, so it might take a little while."

"We don't mind that, but are you sure? What about your other work...?"

"I made sure to leave an opening in my schedule. I got a call from Erina right after that stampede... Cuelebre, was it? Figured you'd be coming in for repairs, so I prepared."

"Thank you so much."

"How 'bout that!"

I bowed my head to Erina-san, who was puffing out her chest proudly again. She may act silly most of the time, but she's really on the ball with things like this.

So we did have a reservation after all, even if I didn't know about it. It was pretty last minute, though.

"Now then... speaking of which."

Ooyama-san turned her sharp eyes toward me.

In her hand, a nail clipper had appeared.

"Yagawa... your nails are getting long again. Yagaaawaaaa..."

"Hiee..."

I tried to flee!

But Erina-san was holding me back!

Hey, you self-proclaimed ninja!? When did you get behind me!?

"Keeping your nails trimmed is important if you're going to wield a sword, Kyo-chan!"

"That's right, Yagawa... This is for your own good, Yagawa..."

"I-I get it! I'll cut them myself this time!"

"Idiot, I can't leave this to an amateur."

"You're an amateur at cutting nails, too!"

"Surrender and accept your fate, Kyo-chan!"

"I get it, so could you please let go!? This is dangerously dangerous!"

"What does that mean?"

The self-proclaimed ninja tilted her head. It means what it means! Your chest, Erina-san, is pressed against my back! Munyuu...

My ears and cheeks were burning. All my nerves were focused on my back, and my legs felt weak.

I couldn't shake her off, so I tried counting prime numbers to prevent any... biological reactions.

"You're not getting away, Yagawa...!"

—Muniii.

"..."

What's a prime number again?

Ooyama-san grabbed my right arm and tucked it under her own, pressing the side of her breast against my forearm. I could no longer remain standing.

Leaning forward, I had no choice but to let them guide me into a chair.

Erina-san's chest was no longer on my back, but her hands were on my shoulders, and her presence was still looming just behind my head. At this rate, my sanity was in peril.

I had to think about something else. Not about the breasts of these two different types of beautiful, big-breasted girls, but something serious. That should naturally banish my worldly desires!

I tried to summon the images of the powerful enemies I'd faced in the stampedes, to borrow their strength.

—It was no use. They were completely useless. What a pathetic bunch of boss monsters.

As my reason was put through a grinder, I could only wait for the nail-cutting to end.

Let me just state the conclusion. My reason was made of orichalcum.