On the way home, the Reaper cocks his head at the ring I made.

'--What's that?'
Yeah, I made a magic tool.

　Holding it in the palm of his hand, he takes his time to show the ring 'Crystal Shield'.

''Oh, oh!　This is what a magic tool looks like!　That's a glittery ring!
You can touch it. Just look closely.

　Whenever my work is praised, it makes me strangely happy. I was already feeling the joy of being a creator.

"Hey, can I turn it on?
Of course. I mean, that's for you. Originally, I was going to give it to someone else.
'Yay!　Turn it on!　...... hmmm, mmmm?　It doesn't go in well - oh, it goes in nicely here!

　The size of the ring is appropriate.
　Mr. Allivers prepared a smaller ring in anticipation of my companion, but I didn't tell him the exact number.

　As a result, the one that fit just right on the Reaper's finger - the ring finger of my left hand.

'Hmm, hmm ......?'

　I'm the only one in my world that has this practice.
　It's just a coincidence. The only person who cares about it is me who knows about it. So, I don't blame them for anything in particular.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. Do I look good?
Oh, yeah. Looks good on you, Reaper.

　The Reaper happily looks at the crystal ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
　Even though I know he's not in the habit of doing so, I'm left with a bizarre sense of embarrassment. However, I don't want to pour water on the Reaper who is this overjoyed, so I can't tell him to replace it with another finger.

　As it is, I don't say anything, and I'm trying to pass through the 'Connection' in the office - the skill 'Sensory' sounds an alarm (alert).
　The sound of the alarm was violent and even screamed that he was in danger of dying if he didn't do anything about it.
　His body stiffens at the sudden advice.

''--!
'Wow!　Hey, what's going on?　Brother?

　The Reaper bumps into my back because I suddenly stopped walking.
　I turn around and leave the bewildered Reaper behind to find the source of the skill 'Sensitivity' activated.

　The ring on the Reaper's ring finger.
　It's not safe to go back with this on. I realize that very soon. Apparently, he'd run out of concentration in the forge and his head was boiling. I can't believe I can't figure out the answer to such a simple equation.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Reaper, but would you mind putting that ring away?
'What?　Yeah, okay, but ......
'Don't show off too much to people. I only have one: ......
Okay!

　The Reaper nodded honestly and tucked the ring into a horizontal pocket around his stomach.
　At the same time, the thunderous alarm of the skill 'sensitivity' stops.

''Feng .......''

　It's a relief.
　I was almost ready for more unnecessary hassle.

　I take a deep breath repeatedly to release the tension.
　Then, with the same level of caution as when challenging the guardian (Guardian) layer, I go through the 'Connection' and return to the 'Living Legend'.

　Crossing the dimensions, we move to the deck of the ship.

　Feeling the unique swaying of the ship and the sea breeze, I look around.
　A large table is placed on the deck, and a wide variety of food is being served on it. His friends were sitting around it. I could tell they were all waiting for me to arrive by the way they were chatting and laughing with their stomachs.

'Ah, welcome back, Kanami-san. Have a seat there, let's have lunch.

　Maria didn't get angry at me for being late, but kindly invited me to sit down.
　Per Rastiara, he didn't hesitate to complain, so he apologized for being late and took his seat.

　Then, we all started to take our meals.
　It was a sumptuous lunch, mainly consisting of fresh fish dishes. We had everything from sashimi to grilled fish, using all the fish that Snow and the others would probably have caught.
　There's nothing fancy about soy sauce, so we eat the fish with the juice of a fruit that resembles yuzu.

　However, it's hard to get your hands on the unique dishes that are unique to this other world that you've never seen before.
　Although there was a dish that resembled a pie wrapping, I didn't know how to eat it, so I continued to watch the situation. I don't want to be thought of as unpolite, even though I'm dealing with a group of well-meaning friends.
　Maria, who was distrustful of the situation, anxiously asked me about it.

''Well, is there something you don't like about Kanami-san ......?''
'No, there's nothing I'm not good at eating. It's just that I've never seen this dish before, so I've been waiting to try to copy how everyone else eats it: ......
Oh, I see. You shouldn't have minded. I'll let you pick and choose at .......
Thank you. Please.

　Maria uses a small plate to try to select the food in the pie wrapper.
　Her devotion is as healthy as a newlywed spouse. I want her to follow the example of the dragon man (Dragon Newt), who just a few days ago declared himself to be a bride or something.
　Incidentally, Snow is just contentedly munching on her food and doesn't try to help Maria.

　Then, seeing Maria sharing her food, the Reaper leans in.

''Ah, Maria big sister!　And for me!

　The Reaper tries to hand the small plate in hand to Maria, who is across from him.
　Naturally, the body's stance is fully extended.

　-- The alarm (alert) of the skill 'sensitivity' sounds.

　What's important here is that the Reaper's clothes are stubby.
　It's a black outfit similar to the cloak he generated with magic when he appeared at the 30th level (the Reapers like to wear it. Apparently, he's very attached to it).　

''--!

　As the Reaper forced himself to lean forward, the stubby clothes that had been flapping around were stretched out. As a result, the Reaper's ring, which had been lazily tucked away, was about to fall out of his pocket.

　My body, which has survived the fierce battle, moves as quickly as possible. It was not a thought, but a reflex.
　I leaned forward, as did the Reaper, and reached for the ring in her bosom.

''Reaper!
'Yeah, yeah, yeah!

　You activate the "Dimension Graduation" without chanting.
　The magical power in your body boils rapidly and sends an electric shock to your brain. Then, the electric current rushing through your body awakens all of your cells.
　Due to the awakened consciousness, the world moves like slow motion. In the midst of the momentary world, my right arm slowly reaches out to the Reaper's bosom. And before the ring can spill out, my hand manages to grab it and push it back into the bosom.

'--Okay!
What?　Big brother!

　All of a sudden, the Reaper was confused.
　I used 'parallel thinking' to assess the situation and come up with the best excuse.

'...... Uh, yeah. The Reaper's clothes were going to get on my food.
Oh, thanks ......, brother.

　The Reaper blushes and thanks me.
　I was about to reply that I don't need to thank him, when Maria's voice is interrupted by a dazed and confused voice.

'Kanami-san, how long are you going to stick your hand in the ....... Inside the reaper's clothes, you're naked, and beyond that, its ......

　It took me a while to understand the meaning of those words.
　When I understood, my body froze. At the same time, the alarm of the skill "sensitivity" sounded loudly again.

　The roar of the alarm (alert) echoes in my brain just as I'm relieved, and I'm surprised to hear my body tremble.
　However, I can't stay rigid like this. If I don't remove my hands from the Reaper's clothes quickly, they'll think I'm s*xually harassing them. I just wonder if I can move without thinking about it when the skill 'sensitivity' alarm (alert) is sounding. I think, but still, it's not good to keep touching a girl's soft skin. You have to get out of it before anything else. Otherwise, the nightmare I'm always thinking about will come true now. All of the skills have determined that that much danger is swirling around this table. I have come to that conclusion, and--

　Then, in a hurry, the contents of my pockets fall out of my hands as I try to pull them out.
　A crystal ring falls on the table with a thud.

　The ring, with the same elaborate design as the engagement ring, reflects the sunlight and shines.
　It's a merciless glow that blows away all the hard work I've put into it.

Hmm, Reaper, what is that ......?

　Snow, who was sitting next to me, eyeballed it.

''What, this?　I got it from my brother earlier.
'What, Kanami to ......, ring ......?'
What--?

　Immediately develop 'parallel thinking' to the limit.
　The brain spins rapidly to the point where it can be called an operation. Without a doubt, today's speed would be the highest ever recorded.

''There's a ring!　
The ring?
The ring?

　Rustyala exclaims happily, and Dia and Maria respond.
　I can see them all glancing at the ring.

　The skills 'Sensitivity', 'Parallel Thinking' and 'Dimension' - not only can I see that everything I have is mobilized. With my current desperation, I'll be able to build the 'Winter of Dimension (Di Winter) / Distorted Ice World (Nibbleheim)'.
　I don't let my turmoil show on my face, and I quickly utter the excuses I've thought of.

''Oh, oh, that's it. That's what Alibers told me (・・・・・・・・) and I made it with Alibers (・・・・・・・・). It's a weapon for exploring the maze, a weapon. Yes, not a ring, but a weapon. It's nothing more than a weapon. I put Rowen's magic inside it, so I gave it to a Reaper who was close to Rowen. Yes, that's right. Next time I'll make some clothes, and then I'll give them to everyone else. So, I don't have any ulterior motives. There's really nothing to it.

　I said it without hesitation.
　I spent all of my energy trying to convince him that I had nothing to be ashamed of.　

"Oh, really?

　The momentum of the momentum made Maria agree first.
　And everyone else nodded in the same way as Maria.

　Huh, thank God.
　The quick response seemed to have saved us from the worst of it.

'Well, um, would I rather have a ring than clothes?　Like, this could be a sign of a contract or something, ring ......!　Yeah, I like the ring: ......!

　I have a feeling Snow is saying something, but I'll ignore it.
　Let me pretend I've already gotten over it: .......
　I cover it all up with a bitter smile plastered on my face.

　But even though the conversation is over, I can see that everyone's eyes are flicking to the Reaper's ring.

　I was really caught off guard.
　Even though it is customary in my world to wear it on the ring finger of your left hand, the ring itself is something that is used at weddings in this world as well. It's natural that people would overreact if you gave it to a girl.
　At the very least, I should have made it a bangle or something.

　And because of this little carelessness, it was confirmed that I would be giving clothes to everyone.
　I can't help but sigh in depression.

　Probably every time I give someone a piece of equipment, I'll have to make a bunch of excuses like I did today. To me, it's meant to be a party enhancement, but to these girls, it's a gift from the opposite s*x.

　Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.

　It's hard to see the worst in their skills, and it's hard to avoid it.
　I can't do anything but endure my stomach walls slowly falling apart as if I were strangling them with cotton.

　Then I had to ask what everyone in the party wanted, and one day I had to give it to them. I really wanted to hand out rugged and functional equipment, but it would be a long time before that would happen.

　Eventually, halfway through the meal, we lost the taste for Maria's delicious food, and the few pleasures of lunch went by before we knew it.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　After finishing our lunch, we prepare to explore the labyrinth.
　While I was checking the armor Alibers-san gave me in 'belongings', Rustyala, who had his back against the wall of the ship, speaks to me.

''Hmph. Looks like it's about time to explore the labyrinth ......?

　He looks confident.
　But it's too late to dress up now, because I know I've been waiting there all day to help him clean up lunch. He looks like a kid who can't wait for the field trip.

　Although he's still crazy, however, I know the feeling.

'You're very confident, Rustyala.
'Expect to see me evolved. I'll show you the true value of fresh blood magic today: ......!

　Rustyala chuckles as a red mist is generated from his feet.
　It looks a little cool, but it's just a waste of MP.

　However, since it can't be helped, I'll show her my response as well. Even with this, we're good friends who trained together.
　I take out the "Treasured Sword of the Aleis Family, Lowen" and scatter crystal particles into the air.
　He smiles at me as the sparkle like dots scatter. Of course this is another waste of MP.

'Me too. Let me show you the power of my friendship with my best friend Rowen today: ......
"Mmm-hmm.
"Mmm-hmm.

　We laugh at each other like villains.
　I'm sure I'm looking forward to showing off my increased power, too.

　And then we are tucked into a sickening group of us who laugh at each other endlessly.

'Kanami-san, Rustyala-san, what the hell are you doing here ......?'

　Maria was dumbfounded as she began to hang the laundry on top of the wheelhouse.
　She seemed to get right to work on her next task after she finished cleaning up her lunch. She really is a fast worker. I won't say who she is, but she's a very different capable girl from the dragon man (Dragon Newt), who is harping on about some delusional idea that she wants to be a bride somewhere.

'What do you mean, get ready to explore the labyrinth!　Come on, Maria, let's go!　I'll show you that I'm the big sister you can count on!

　Rustyala snorts and invites Maria downstairs.　
　I follow suit and beckon to her.

'Come on, let's go, Maria. It's going to be different than before, so you can count on it.

　But Maria looks a little troubled.

'Well, excuse me, but I'm not going today, okay?　And Dear.
What?　Why?　Maria?

　Rustyala is not happy about not being able to show off the results of his special training.

'Because seriously, I've got a pile of laundry to do: ......
Let Snow do that!

　I feel the same way as Rustyala, so I appeal for Maria to join us.

'I'd let you do it if you'd do it, Snow. ......

　Maria replies with a bitter face.
　In other words, she offered to talk to him, but Snow refused.

'That guy ......!　--Magic 'Dimension'!

　He seeks out Snow on the ship.
　Snow, who was alone in the room, freaked out and shook her shoulders, then suddenly shook her head. Then he begins to laugh and fool around in the air, "Ehehehee".
　Probably, he had heard my declaration to activate the 'Dimension' with the vibrating magic 'Vibrations'. I'm not going to be able to get away with it.
　I mean, that guy shows no signs of stopping eavesdropping on my daily life: ......!

Just come here, Snow. ......!

　He called for Snow, who would have heard him.
　Then Snow turned blue and started running.

'Oh, don't run away, you!

　Snow was heading straight for the sleeping Dea.
　I can see that he's trying to get into the stranger's arms again and somehow make it through the difficulty.

　I smile and say to Maria, "Yes, Maria.

'Yes, Maria. I'm just going to go get that Snow guy. Hang on.
'No, you don't have to go that far, do you?　I've already asked the Reapers and Sera to take the place of exploring the labyrinth: ......

　Reaper and Sera, who were at the edge of the deck, join us.

'So, we're feeling better!
'Lady Dear and Maria asked me to join them. Let me join them.

　For some reason, Sera, who was in a good mood in her maid's uniform, was carrying a reaper on her shoulders.
　Unbeknownst to me, the interactions at the party are gradually growing. And Sera-san is generally on good terms with everyone except me. That's a good thing.
　She probably wouldn't have joined the party if I had asked her to.

'So, you mean, me, Rustyala, Reaper, and Sera today?'
I'm sure you will.

　Maria unrolls the laundry and hangs it up quickly. It's a big deal because she hasn't stopped working at all while she's talking.

'Brilliantly vanguard only: ......

　I'm a game-like thinker, and the party imbalance was almost making me sick.
　Then Rastiara follows up with a follow-up.

'Wait, Kanami!　Since we've trained in magic, why don't we be the rear guard today!
'Yes, you're right: ....... Maybe we could have a day like that .......

　Let's not think only in a bad way.
　Let's take a lesson from Rastiara's positivity and try a new tactic in our quest today. The experience might come in handy in unexpected ways.

　However, Snow will make up for it later.
　First, I'm going to have him do what Mr. Volzak asked me to do: keep a ledger of our accounts. To be honest, I don't need it because I never forget numbers, but I'll let you do it nonetheless.

　Snow eavesdropped on the conclusion of the conversation and walked around with a satisfied look on his face as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
　He looks free and happy today. Someday, I'll take him to the labyrinth, even if I have to drag him away.

　With that vow, I headed out to explore the maze for the second time.