kscans

Chapter 30 - Arisugawa Aira's Sister

The day after exploring the Imp dungeon, a Sunday.

I found myself at Aira-san's house again. Or rather, I was forcibly dragged here. If not for my previous experience, I definitely would have thrown up.

The reason I was hauled into her home was…

"Well… I made it just like you asked."

"It's finally done!"

"You've done well, Kyouta-chan!"

The golem body they had ordered was complete.

"Come on, Aira-san, you've already seen it. What's with that reaction, as if you're just finding out now?"

I built it at my place, but it was her car that brought it here.

It wasn't wrapped or anything, so she must have seen the real thing then. In fact, she's the one who put that white cloth over the golem just now.

The golem body was seated on one of the chairs in the living room. Glancing at it, Aira-san and Erina-san both shook their heads as if to say, Oh, honestly.

Sooo annoying.

"You just don't get it, Kyouta-kun. You don't understand entertainment."

"I don't know anything about that. I'm not a comedian."

"You'll never win the comedy grand prix with that attitude, Kyouta-chan!"

"I told you, I'm not a comedian. Don't forget the comeback I made three seconds ago."

It's not happening. We might be partners as adventurers, but there's no path where we form a comedy duo.

So stop giving me that 'you're batting a thousand today' look and a thumbs-up. What's with the batting average? This isn't baseball.

"So. Oh, wise entertainers, how will you be removing this cloth?"

"Alright. Erina-kun, a drumroll!"

"BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!"

"That's a conch shell. I've seen this before. At least add something new to your repertoire."

Erina-san, dressed today in a grass-green kimono, pretended to blow a conch shell with great fanfare. If you're going to imitate it with your mouth, you might as well have just done a drumroll.

And then the unfortunately beautiful woman, once again in a tracksuit, placed her hands on the golem's cloth.

"Ladies and gentlemeeeen! Welcome to today's… et cetera, et cetera!!"

"You just got lazy, didn't you?"

"Not at all! It's for the sake of pacing!"

"Whatever you say."

"And now, the grand reveal!!"

Aira-san ripped the cloth away with pointless high tension.

At the sight of the golem that was revealed, Erina-san let out a cheer.

"Ooh! It's a mech-girl!"

Indeed. If I had to describe this golem's design in one phrase, it would be 'mech-girl.'

A body painted entirely white. Golden additional armor reminiscent of a bob haircut, and twin eyes made of deep blue 'mirrors.'

Its limbs, a fusion of feminine curves and mechanical angles, were sleek. The chest and hips, though small, traced soft lines, covered by blue armor that resembled lingerie.

It was unmistakably a mech-girl. I had built it while suspecting it was a reflection of Aira-san's personal tastes.

"Seeing it again, it's a magnificent piece of work. Are you really sure you don't have the [Alchemy] skill?"

"It's not that difficult to just make the 'shell,' as long as you have the precise measurements."

In fact, it only took one or two adjustments for each limb to get it right.

Even on the `Alchemy Enthusiasts Club` message board I occasionally reference, many people had apparently completed the 'looks' of their ideal `Homunculus` wives long ago.

That's largely thanks to the benefits of modern technology. Nowadays, you can create 3D models on a tablet as if you're designing a character in a game. Then, it's just a matter of performing alchemy based on those numbers.

There's a world of difference in difficulty between vaguely imagining something in your head and writing numbers into a transmutation circle. You can create things with more detail and less awkwardness.

However, in their case, they're also trying to implement things like 'vocalization functions' and 'gaining the five senses through neural connections,' so they seem to be struggling.

Depending on how it's used, it could be useful in medicine or the military, but their stance is that they couldn't care less. Are the `Alchemy Enthusiasts Club` members really a bunch of weirdos?

"The dimensions for each part were written down to the millimeter in this request form, which was basically a design document."

The request form was given to me on a USB, and I was shocked when I opened it on my dad's computer.

Just how obsessed is this woman with the design of a mere 'tank' `Homunculus`? Thanks to her, I had a hard time explaining it to my parents. They thought their son was making a 'love doll.'

I don't have a thing for mech-girls. I'm just a simple believer in boobs.

"Hmm… Hey, senpai. Is it possible that…"

"Alright, let's have you install the imperfect `Homunculus` at once!"

"…Yes, ma'am."

The moment Erina-san started to say something, Aira-san blatantly cut her off.

...Seems there's some story behind this golem's design. Well, it's not like I'm going to pry.

I inserted the key into the keyhole at the nape of the golem's neck and turned it, opening the back of the head upwards. Then, I gently placed the small flask inside the cushion-padded interior and secured it.

I checked it against the notes I had on hand and confirmed the connection was fine. I closed the back of the head and locked it.

"With this, it should activate once mana is channeled into it."

"Good. Then, let's begin."

With that, Aira-san touched the golem's forehead.

I followed the flow of mana with my [Spirit Eye], confirming there were no abnormalities, and breathed a sigh of relief. I had already run my checks, but I was still glad to see it activate safely.

Its blue eyes glowing, the golem stood up.

Standing upright, its height was about 160 centimeters, and it weighed about 70 kilograms. The main components were an alloy and wood, with rubber used for joint protection, the soles of the feet, and parts of the palms. Its pure strength wasn't on par with Byakuren's, but in exchange, its movements should be nimbler… I think.

"Ooh… Do I already have control over it?"

"Since you're the one who infused it with mana, you should."

"The fact that it can be controlled just like that makes me a little worried it could be stolen…"

"Well, when you're sure it's safe, you can always remove the flask."

I said, handing Aira-san the key to open the head.

"Why don't you try giving it a command?"

"Good idea. Alright, raise your right hand!"

At her words, the golem raised its right hand.

"Now raise your left hand."

The golem raised its left hand.

"And now a backflip!"

"Wai—"

The golem moved as commanded, but the chair it had just been sitting on was right where it was about to land.

I rushed to catch it in mid-air and gently lowered it to the floor.

"Please be careful… As I explained before, the imperfect `Homunculus` isn't capable of very advanced thought."

"Hahaha. My apologies."

The golem probably wouldn't have fallen, but the chair would have been destroyed instead.

As I felt a bit uneasy at Aira-san's unapologetic laughter, Erina-san started closely examining the golem's face.

"Hmm… The resemblance is pretty much nonexistent, isn't it?"

"………"

Resemblance to 'who,' I wonder.

"Well then, I must give this child a name."

Aira-san paid no mind to Erina-san and patted the golem's shoulder.

"From now on, you are Mi— No."

Her cherry-pink lips started to form a word, then stopped.

"Since it's a unit similar to Byakuren, your name is Renge. It's a pleasure to have you."

The golem, now named Renge, nodded at Aira-san's words.

She watched it with a smile that was somehow tinged with loneliness.

＊　　　　＊　　　　＊

The next day, Monday.

As soon as my classes were over, I headed to the dungeon again.

I have to work hard to level up and to earn money. Especially the former.

So, as the bus rumbled along, I thought about yesterday. Aira-san's strangely meaningful words and actions. And Erina-san's somewhat considerate attitude.

I heard before that Aira-san has a younger sister. Erina-san had called her 'senpai,' I think.

I don't know where she is or what she's doing now. But maybe…

Maybe she's already dead?

Aira-san had helped me when I was trying to save my parents—my family—saying it was for 'personal sentiment.' Perhaps something tragic had happened to her own family.

Considering that along with the golem, could it be that she specified a girlish appearance because she wanted to see her sister one more time? Even if it was just an imitation.

…No, let's not. This is just speculation. Actually, it's probably just my imagination.

More importantly, I don't like prying into an acquaintance's private life out of curiosity. If she hasn't said anything herself, then it's my duty to feign ignorance.

She and Erina-san have done the same for me regarding my 'Nucleus.' So I should do the same for them.

As I was lost in these thoughts, the bus arrived at its destination. Leaving my distractions behind, I walked through the parking lot toward the store.

Just then, a black van pulled up near the entrance.

My gaze drifted toward it, and I saw a woman get out of the driver's seat.

She was beautiful. Golden hair styled in a bob, skin as fair and clear as glass, and eyes as blue and serene as the ocean.

She was tall for a woman and wore a black pantsuit. Her chest was large, noticeably so even through her clothes.

Her long limbs somehow didn't look out of place; she was like someone who had stepped right out of a movie.

A moment later, I noticed her long, pointed ears. I see, so she was an elf.

Lately, there have been a lot of elven actors and models on TV and online. It's a testament to how beautiful their race is.

I wonder if that woman, who gives off such a capable vibe, is an adventurer, too? I thought, but it would be rude to stare. I quickly turned my gaze back toward the store and…

"Oh, Senpai!!"

…Huh?

I thought Erina-san had shouted, and then I saw her fluidly remove the telepathy earring she was wearing.

She did it with such incredible speed that if it had been a piercing instead of a clip-on, her earlobe might have torn off.

She tossed the earring into her [Item Box] and ran up to the elven woman.

"…Erina-san. It's been a while."

The woman gave a small bow with a somewhat stiff expression. In contrast, Erina-san circled around her like a friendly dog before turning back to me.

"Long time no see, senpai! This is my friend, Kyouta-chan! Kyouta-chan, this is senpai's younger sister, Mia-san! Isn't she beautiful!"

Huh, sister? Aira-san's sister?

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Miyoshi Mia. If you're with Erina-san, does that mean you're an acquaintance of my sister?"

"Ah, yes. Hello… I'm Yagawa Kyouta. Aira-san has been a great help to me."

I bowed, feeling a little nervous in front of a woman I'd just met.

Wait, hold on. Is she really Aira-san's sister? Though, now that I look, their faces do seem similar.

Impossible…! She was supposed to be dead…!?

I raised my head, thinking something slightly rude. The woman was wearing a perfectly beautiful, professional smile as she gently pushed away the clingy Erina-san.

Wow. Even though it's a fake smile, her natural face is so good that I could almost get lost in it.

And also.

For a moment, I let my gaze sweep over her entire body.

A chest even larger than Erina-san's. A tall, slender figure. All of it was a far cry from the golem request form I had received.

…To have grown so magnificently…!

Could my guess that the golem was made to resemble her sister have been completely off the mark?

Also, Miyoshi? Not Arisugawa?

…Aha. This is, without a doubt, a complicated family situation.

In front of me stood a smiling stranger named Miyoshi-san. Clinging to her side was the self-proclaimed ninja, Erina-san.

The course of action I should take in this situation was already clear.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me…"

Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is best! A full retreat is the supreme tactic!

Think about it rationally. A high school boy with poor social skills, a strange woman he's just met, and his eccentric female friend. Add to that a dash of family drama, and it's no exaggeration to call this an instant-death combo.

If I get caught up in this, the sheer awkwardness will kill me! I have to find somewhere to kill time.

And so, it's full speed ahead to the men's locker room!

"Aww! Let's just chat a little longer!"

But the self-proclaimed ninja cut me off! A fatal mistake!

Someone… please help me…!!

As I pleaded for rescue in my mind, I looked up at the sky to see overcast clouds that threatened rain at any moment.

The only thing about to rain is the tears from my eyes…!