kscans

Chapter 104 -

Naoto and the others also took the monster subjugation exam, and everyone was told they were S-rank with scores over 800. After that, we took a written test about dungeons, and the examination was over.

Right now, Rena and I are on our way back to our base.

"It’s great that everyone got the highest S-rank in both the mock combat and the written test."

"Yeah. Naoto and the others watch my streams closely, so it seems they were fine without much studying. By the way, S-rank sounds like something out of a game. Was that your instruction, Rena?"

I think A, B, C, D… would be fine for a ranking. I can’t quite accept why S comes above A. I think it’s a common notation in games and light novels, but I thought it wasn’t used much in real life.

"Companies also use S-rank above A-rank in their credit management ratings. And in personnel evaluation systems that affect promotions and bonuses, employees who achieve outstanding results are sometimes given an S-rank evaluation."

"Oh. So that’s how it is."

What’s credit management? It’s probably a term related to corporate management.

Rena is apparently a director at several companies. It’s in these little words and phrases that I am reminded she is the young lady of a giant zaibatsu.

And to this young lady, I am about to make a certain proposal.

I’m nervous about whether she will accept it.

"Rena, do you have any plans on December 24th?"

Christmas is coming soon. My first holy night with a girlfriend.

"Christmas Eve? Yes, I have plans."

"I see, that’s goo— Wait, what? Y-you have plans!?"

I panic at the unexpected reply. I had expected her to say ‘no’.

"On Christmas Eve, there’s a party for the particularly large companies under the Shinonome Zaibatsu, and as one of the hosts, I have to attend."

I see. So it’s no good….

I wanted to spend it with Rena.

"But I negotiated with my father and got permission not to attend this year. I plan to spend Christmas Eve with my idol."

"What?"

Rena’s idol… Could that be me?

"On the other hand, do you have any plans, Hayate?"

"No, but."

"Great! Then we can be together all day!"

Rena threw her arms around my arm. What is this feeling of exhilaration.

My brain can’t keep up with the joyful event that followed a moment of slight despair.

"Was that a little mean? I’m sorry."

"No. I think I’m probably happier than if you had just said you were free."

"I knew it."

"You knew?"

"Wha— you don’t remember? You pretended not to know my birthday, didn’t you? I felt the same way back then as you do now, Hayate."

Oh, that!!

That was Aina-san’s suggestion, so, um….

"You’re trying to blame Aina, aren’t you."

"…Yeah. Sorry."

Is she a mind reader?

"Never mind that. Where should we go? We could see a beautiful night view, or go for a delicious dinner. You can decide everything, Hayate."

I had actually been thinking about it a little.

Rena, being a young lady from a wealthy family, must be used to beautiful night views and tired of delicious food. So I’ll try a slightly different proposal for her.

"How about we have a Christmas party with Naoto and the others? We could invite Rururoro-san too, and make the food ourselves."

Precisely because she’s an extraordinary young lady, I thought a party with just her close friends would be a rare experience.

"What, that sounds fun! Oh, but wouldn’t Mei-san and the others want to spend the time together as a couple?"

"That’s fine. Actually, I’ve already gotten their okay."

So it’s a go as long as you’re okay with it, Rena.

"Really? Then I want to spend it with everyone!!"

"Alright, it’s decided. We’re planning to hold it at our base, is that okay?"

"Of course! I’ve actually always dreamed of putting up decorations."

"By the way, Naoto and the others and Rururoro-san will go home at night, and for some reason, Amaterasu-sama is also going out that day."

Of course, it’s not a coincidence.

I had negotiated with the goddess who usually stays cooped up in the divine realm created in our apartment, which we call our base, and she had agreed to go out somewhere for just that day.

"S-so, at night, it’ll be just me and Hayate."

"Yeah."

Sleeping together is a certainty. Can we go further than that?

Is it still too soon? Well, we’ll see what the atmosphere is like.

"Alone with Hayate…"

Rena clasped her hands in front of her chest, her cheeks turning red. It seems she’s looking forward to it too.

Sigh. She’s just so cute!

There’s still time until Christmas Eve, but I was already too excited.