kscans

Chapter 31 - Miyoshi Mia

"───No. Let's save the 'chat' for another day, Erina-san."

As they say, when one door closes, another one opens.

Those words crossed my mind as I stared up at the cloudy sky.

"Aww."

"It's not 'aww.' I came to this dungeon for work, and I assume you did as well. More importantly, pulling your friend into a family conversation will only make him feel awkward."

Miyoshi-san gently chided Erina-san with a soft smile.

She's… an adult…!

Erina-san pouted but offered no rebuttal. Miyoshi-san's gaze shifted from the now quiet Erina-san to me, and she gave a slight nod.

"I'm sorry, Yagawa-kun. I have to go now."

"N-No. I mean, I should be the one apologizing…"

I hurriedly bowed my head as well, and when I looked up, her smile was waiting for me.

"If we happen to meet in the dungeon, I'll be in your care. And also, please look after Erina-san, will you?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am!"

"You too, Erina-san. Try not to do anything too reckless."

"Okay!"

"Well then."

With that, Miyoshi-san took a small bell from her pocket.

I wondered what she was doing, but the moment she shook it, a wave of mana was generated.

"!?"

A magic tool…? No, that's not it. That's just a regular instrument. She merely imbued its sound with her mana. But you'd have to be incredibly skilled at mana control to pull off a trick like that.

As if guided by the sound of the bell, two figures—no.

Two 'golem shadows' emerged from behind the van.

Artificial soldiers with bodies woven from wood and covered in stone armor. They held wooden man-catchers and thick wooden shields reinforced with iron.

Perhaps to show at a glance that they weren't monsters, they wore orange vests over their torsos. They also seemed to be serving as carriers, as they had large hiking backpacks on their backs.

"Golems… [Civil Engineering Magic]?"

"Yes. I made them with my magic."

Miyoshi-san replied to my unconscious mutter with the same unwavering smile.

[Civil Engineering Magic].

There are a fair number of `Awakened Persons` who can use magic, but most of them use the 'four major elements.' People like Erina-san are rare.

'Fire Magic,' which manipulates fire and heat.

'Water-Ice Magic,' which handles water and ice.

'Wind-Lightning Magic,' which unleashes wind and lightning.

And 'Civil Engineering Magic,' which governs earth and wood.

Among these four, `Civil Engineering Magic` is currently considered the most 'versatile.'

Each of the other magics has its uses outside of dungeons, but this one in particular is said to have a wide range of applications.

Leveling the ground by manipulating the earth. Felling trees by manipulating the wood. Apparently there are some issues, but it can also promote plant growth. And, of course, creating golems using nearby wood and stone.

Golems created this way are said to be capable of more than those made with a `Homunculus`.

In exchange, there are restrictions, such as only the caster being able to control them and not being able to move them too far away, but those are irrelevant demerits if you're using them in a dungeon.

To put it simply, I had heard that when it comes to 'creating combat or work-use golems,' `Civil Engineering Magic` is more suitable than alchemy.

…By the way, my source of information was the `Alchemy Enthusiasts Club`.

According to them, 'But you can make sexy golems with alchemy, so alchemy wins.' They really don't waver, do they.

But I digress. I followed the movements of the golems that had emerged from the van.

The golems properly closed the door they had opened and lined up behind Miyoshi-san. She confirmed this, pressed a button to lock the van, and turned back to us.

With a friendly smile.

"Well then, until we meet again."

"Ah, just one thing before you go."

Erina-san stopped Miyoshi-san as she was about to enter the store.

"Senpai, do you have a message for Pai-sen?"

"…No."

She answered without turning around.

"That person has no interest in me, anyway."

"…?"

"But, let's see. Please tell her… to take care of her health."

Miyoshi-san turned back and said this with a smile. She gave a final, light wave and entered the store with her golems.

…Is that person really Aira-san's sister?

She was so 'normal' that I couldn't help but doubt it. No, perhaps 'capable' would be a better word.

However, that final exchange bothered me. 'No interest'? Aira-san?

As I was pondering this, Erina-san took her earring out of her [Item Box].

`…………`

"Um, Aira-san?"

I called out to the unnaturally quiet earring, but there was no response.

I took out my own and put it on, but it was still silent.

"Pai-sen! Senpai is gone now, you know?"

`…Hmph. It seems she feared my presence and fled!`

"What is this woman talking about?"

"Yeah, that's pretty much it!"

"Erina-san?"

`I knew it!!`

I think it's probably better not to say things like that, since it'll just go to her head.

`So, Erina-kun… As a fellow ninja, there's something I want to ask you.`

"At your service!"

`The last time I measured, my height was 167 centimeters. How tall is… she?`

"By my estimate, 170.3 centimeters!"

`FUNNUAAAAAAAAAH!!`

"Excuse me, where do I even begin to call you out on this?"

Like, how do you know down to the millimeter, and what's the reason for roaring like that?

`Your comedic spirit is irrelevant! More importantly, Kyouta-kun!`

"I don't have a comedic spirit. What is it?"

`Whose boobs were bigger!?`

"…Excuse me!?"

`Mine! And my sister's! I'm asking you which of us has bigger breasts!!`

"Are you insane!?"

`I'm perfectly sane! Men are always looking at women's faces, breasts, and butts, aren't they!? So you should be able to tell by comparison!`

"That's a gross overgeneralization!"

"Oh, it's true, Kyouta-chan is always looking at my face and chest and butt!"

"Before I exercise my right to remain silent, allow me to say this: I am truly sorry!"

So it's true what they say: a man's glance is a woman's stare.

I broke out in a cold sweat, but I fully intend to plead not guilty in court.

"Oh. But you sometimes look at my thighs, too, right?"

"Please let me exercise my right to remain silent…!!"

`That doesn't matter! I'm an F-cup! What's her cup size!?`

"I-I can't tell just by looking…"

`Are you asking me to let you grope her!?`

"That's not what I meant. I'm telling you not to ask in the first place."

You know sexual harassment can apply even from a woman to a man, right? Have some self-control.

But still… so, she's an 'F'…

"She was bigger than me, and I'm bigger than you, Pai-sen, so it's a given that senpai's are bigger, Pai-sen!"

`GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!`

That sounded like the death cry of a demon lord.

The loud voice echoing from the earring made me frantically look around.

Good, there aren't many adventurers who frequent 'D-Rank,' so there's no one around.

"Oh, and I was asked to pass on the message 'take care of your health'!"

`Is that a sarcastic jab!? Is she getting cocky because she's won in height and chest size!?`

"No. Isn't it just about your drinking habits…?"

I don't know the sisters' relationship, but since they're family, it wouldn't be strange for her to have heard about Aira-san's drinking from their grandmother.

Or maybe it was just a simple courtesy.

`A younger sister who surpasses her older sister… such a thing, such a thinggg…!!`

"It's okay, Pai-sen! When it comes to being loud, you're the winner!"

`Oh, really? You're making me blush…`

That's something to be embarrassed about.

`Ahem. But that Mia. I wonder where the cute little girl she used to be went…`

"Um, Aira-san. I was wondering."

`What is it, Kyouta-kun? Have you decided to side with my sister because you prefer bigger breasts? Even though what you really want to hold is the underboob! I can see right through your ulterior motives!!`

"Go stub your pinky toe on a dresser. More importantly, was she the model for Renge?"

`Indeed. To be precise, it was the her from back when she was still shorter and smaller-chested than me. Around her first year of middle school.`

I think the only thing small here is your character.

I had always thought she was a regrettable person in many ways, but I never imagined it was to this extent. She really does exceed my expectations, in all sorts of ways.

"Well, I mean, come on. You're taller and, um, your, er, chest is bigger than average, Aira-san. You don't have to be so upset."

`I don't mind losing to anyone else. But I absolutely cannot lose to my sister…!!`

"It's no use, Kyouta-chan. Pai-sen will never yield on this one thing."

"I see…"

I thought to myself, What a pain, but kept it to myself. The moment I said it out loud, I would undoubtedly be hit with a machine-gun-like counterargument.

Besides, as Miyoshi-san said, we came here for 'work.' It's about time we ended this pointless chatter.

More importantly, if they keep talking about family stuff, I'm going to start crying.

Things like 'a friend of a friend' or 'a friend and their family's stories,' I really don't know what to say. I feel so out of place, seriously.

"Um, maybe we should head into the dungeon soon…"

`That's right! The fact that she's become an adventurer too means that her combat power might finally surpass mine…?`

"Pai-sen, there's never been a time when your direct combat ability was superior to senpai's. I think the only exception might have been when senpai was a baby."

`Wait a minute. There's that. If I get serious, I'm sure there's a chance. The possibility is never zero, Erina-kun!`

"You're amazing, Pai-sen! That's so deep!"

`Right~? I know, right~?`

Can I just go home now?

`Oh. If we don't get back to work soon, Kyouta-kun might get so lonely he goes home.`

"Huh? I'm not lonely at all?"

"Is that so, Kyouta-chan! I'm sorry!!"

"There's no need to apologize? Instead, regarding the matter of my gaze, I would like to clarify that there was a misunderstanding."

`Now, let's head into the dungeon. GO, Erina-kun! Kyouta-kun! We're going to defeat more monsters here than Mia ever could! Oh, but safety first, okay?`

"YEAH!"

"…Right."

Somehow, I was exhausted before I even set foot in the store, let alone the dungeon.

I was torn between the feeling of wanting to go home and sulk in bed, and the feeling of wanting to take my frustration out on something.

But, work is work. After all, I was the one who asked to increase the number of times we go to the dungeon.

…Alright, let's go kill some monsters!

This isn't taking out my frustration. It's just a job. There's no ulterior motive, none at all.

Besides, I'd rather not get seriously injured by going in with that kind of mindset. I took a couple of deep breaths and somehow managed to switch gears. I told myself I had switched gears.

And so, after all that───we finally entered the dungeon.