*

　Mako walked down the stairs, biting off a lack of stretching.
　The fatigue was still there, and last night he fell asleep as soon as he got into bed.
　Halfway down the stairs, Shelly looks up at me.

'Good morning, sir.'
Good morning.

　He covers his mouth with his hand and stretches absent.

'We're already gathered,'
Yeah.

　I looked to the center of the cafeteria and saw my friends - Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura, and Fujika - taking their seats.

'Good morning,'
Oh, yeah.

　He exchanged greetings with Yuka and took an empty seat.

'Can't you get up a little earlier, Anta?'
I don't know why I can't get up.

　When I was a salaried employee, I was never late for anything other than a train accident, but since I came to this world, I've been unable to get up early.

'Come in, sir. You too, Yuka.
"Thank you.
Thanks.

　Shelly placed the lemon water in front of Makoto and Yuka.
　She drank a little lemon water and put the glass on the table.

'Can't get up, ya...'
Ya?　What?
You know what I mean!

　Yuka said, turning red in the face.
　It's unreasonable to have a habit of getting involved yourself.

''Mako is so dull~''

　With that, Liv leaned back in her chair.

'I mean, Yuka's saying that maybe it's because Makoto's f*cking with us that she can't get up. Huh?
Shut up if you know that much!
You cut yourself out of it.

　Yuka's face turns red and she screams, and Liv's lips twitch in a sultry way.
　'Well, Liv's must be acting.

'Well, don't worry. I'll wake you up after a normal day of f*cking.
'That's not normal... wait!　Now none of that!

　Yuka gave her a look of failure and crossed her arms.
　Liv grinned.
　She smiled like a predator playing with its prey.

'When Mako is huffing and puffing--'
I'm not listening!
'The day after I'm off the hook, at least Atachi and Makoto will be late. Sherry I imagine she's ... open for business as usual.

　Ignoring Yuka's cries, Liv continued.

'No, maybe it's the three of us who will be late~'
Wow, I'm not even involved!

　When Liv gave her a meaningful look, Fujica shouted in a panic.
　Immediately after, there was a rattling sound.
　When I looked towards the direction of the sound, I saw Laura's eyes widen.

'Well, no way, Naka, you just joined us.
"No, you don't understand!　Wow, I'm like this, but I'm clean!
I knew it. I knew it.
I explained it was the b*tc* Roll!　Like, "Don't judge people on your face, but do the right thing!

　Yuka said with a scowl, and Fujika loudly countered.
　Maybe the latter part was a quote from the Bible.

'Outward appearance is the expression of the inside,'
You're a drama queen and a life coach.
It's too complicated!
Are you a teacher?
That's too short for you to understand!

　Yuka barked.

'I was just saying that how a person wants to be seen shows in their appearance. And here's the thing...
Really?

　Fujika muttered nervously and Yuka sucked in a quiet breath.

'I don't know if it's a b*tc* roll or what, but you've been pretending to be a b*tc* and you're so thick that you want me to realize who you really are!
Whew. Whew.
"What's the 'whew!　Don't be a baby!　Is that it?　Are you going to characterize it in that direction next?　Call it a b*tc* roll, call it puritanical appeal, call it a mockery!

　Yuka pointed at Fujika with a bicep.
　'You're more enthusiastic than usual.

''You're so excited this morning.
Whose fault is that?

　Yuka screamed and drank the lemon water.
　Puh-leeze!　He exhaled in a fatherly way.

'Oh, I see.'
What do you have to be convinced of?
'No, I finally realized why Shelly put the lemon water down.
Hmm?

　Yuka tilted her head in wonder.
　Well, if you don't understand, it's fine if you don't understand--''

''So what do you mean by three people coming late?''
It means that if we work hard, Fujica won't be able to sleep well.
No!　I'm not listening to you!　I didn't do anything slutty!

　Once again, Liv gave him a meaningful look and Fujica shouted.

'I don't care,'
It's not good!　And it's a matter of honor!
'You said it didn't matter in your honor!　I mean, no s*xual topics!　I'll sue you for s*xual harassment!

　Fujika bashes the table with a bash and Yuka barks in defeat.

'Maybe it's because the stress is gone,'
Hmm?
That's why I can't get up early.

　Yuka tilted her head, so I should add.

'How much more stressful was it in the original world, how black was the environment?
'I don't think that was the norm, but I don't know anything about any other company. Come to think of it, I've been working for the same company for 20 years. It was a life like that, but that's one thing you can be proud of.
Don't let them tame you. I don't like being a company man. I'll definitely get a job at a big company or in the service.
You can't be white either way.

　There will be black work environments even in large corporations, and just because you're a public servant doesn't mean you can't go to work on time and leave on time.

'Stop trying to make me feel insecure,'
I think I'm just putting words in my mouth.
There's something about the way you talk about your experience that distorts it.

　Yuka frowned.

'What's warped?'
It's a reality, or a perception, of a hopeful future being painted over with malice.
'I'm not trying to be malicious. I'm just speaking from my own experience.
'It's even worse. Your experience is so tragic that it breaks my heart to hear it.
Yuka's gonna be fine.
What do you mean?
That's just what I meant.

　After all, she's a woman who won't break even if she's half killed.
　I'm sure she will continue to push forward no matter what she goes through.

I mean, I'm a woman, after all.
You said I was thick-skinned.

　Fujika blurts out.
　Perhaps she is trying to tell me not to insist on being a woman only when it's convenient.
　But--.

''Oh?''
Hey, it's nothing!

　Yuka glared at her and Fujika turned away in a hurry.

'Well, if you get out of a good college, you'll be fine, won't you?'
I'm getting more and more worried.
What do you want me to do?

　Makoto leaned back in his chair and quenched his throat with lemon water.

'We're going to move on when we're all settled.
'You're raising the bar, Fujica-san.

　Fene breaks off the conversation and Laura adds.

'Now that the monks have joined us, this place--'
"Don't go to the Reaper King's dungeon.

　Fene interrupted Liv's words and crossed her arms.

'Ehhh, why?'
It's a dungeon full of deadly enemies!
'Don't worry, I've got a new proficiency.
Really?
Hey.

　Fene turns a quizzical gaze at you, but Liv is very reluctant to be dependent on you, so she stretches her chest.

''............................Long-range attack, right?
Short and medium range.
It's not funny!
'Don't be ridiculous!　They've got flames on their weapons and seismic strikes that allow them to attack!
'I need a long-range attack!　If it's only me and Miss Smith that attack at long range, there's nothing to do!
I could use some help with that, though, couldn't I?

　Mako raised her hands in fear.
　There would be a time lag before he could unleash his attack, but there was nothing he couldn't do.

''If you guys keep your guards up, I can take out the enemies away from me and...''
Dismissed.
That's a no-go.

　Fene and Liv's voices overlap.

'Why?'
"If my brother beats him, Fujika won't level up.
I don't like carrying her around on my back.
Then don't tell me you want to go to the Reaper King dungeon.
I want to be a warrior, and I want to reach for the heights.

　Liv's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'You hone your strength by putting yourself in a harsher environment.
What's the point of dying like that?
Death is just a consequence, you know.

　Yuka said in disgust, and Liv cowered her shoulders as if she didn't understand.

'Are you suicidal?'
I have no such desire!

　Liv raised her voice at Yuka's words.

'But you want to die, don't you?'
So it's a means to an end.
'If you go to a dungeon that's not worthy of your abilities, you'll die. So if that's not suicidal, what is?
'No, no, you don't, do you?'

　Liv tilted her head.
　Apparently, she was confused.

'Miss, the Bison Horns have a way of living in the groove, so you can't just butt in.
How is it that you haven't perished before?

　Yuka said in a dumbfounded manner.

''Isn't leveling up a group dungeon a good idea?''
'Yes. Nothing unexpected happened there.
I've got a few other things I've been looking into, but I think it's a safe bet.
I think that's fine, too.

　Yuka, Fene and Laura agree with Makoto's suggestion.
　By the way, Liv is still confused.

''But the enemies aren't strong there, so the level doesn't go up.
That's because we are.

　Yuka is level 73 and Liv is level 40.
　When they level up to this level, they won't be able to level up in the miscellaneous fish hunt.

''But right now we should level up the three of you, right?
There's no resurrection magic... is there?
What do you think?
They'll call you to Periolis or they'll make you undead.

　When Makoto and Yuka turned to look at her, Fujika looked down apologetically.
　It doesn't seem to be that much of a game.

'Speaking of which, how do you remember magic?　You haven't been studying, have you?
That's one more thing I didn't study. Besides, I study a lot.
Oh, so,
What do you mean?
'You say you haven't studied, you haven't done it, but you've never taken a single remedial course.

　When Fujica asked, Yuka said in a sarcastic tone.
　I'm not sure if it's because I put a lot of effort into the part that wasn't there, but it seems to be even more sarcastic.

'I know you are. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about this.
No, they're everywhere.

　There was a similar guy in Makoto's time.
　In Fujica's case, though, it's probably just part of the b*tc* roll.

'Speaking of which, isn't it true that the Bible says you can't bear false witness?'
.....

　Yuka said in another sarcastic tone, and Fujika grunted.
'How do you know that?'
I read it by accident.

　Huh, Yuka laughed and ruffled her hair.

You've got the kitchen bug.
It's not there.

　Mako's words were interrupted by Yuka.

'But what other opportunity do you have to read the Bible?
You say the most amazing things with a straight face.
Really?
'Yes. You don't have to have the kitchen disease to open the Bible at least once in your life.
Why do you read the Bible?
You're persistent. What does it matter?
No, I'm curious.

　I'm not going to go so far as to say that I can't sleep at night, but it bothers me to the extent that I can't go through with it.

'I can't help it,'

　Yuka said with a sigh.

'I opened my Bible because the old recruiter pissed me off. I was getting ready to launch an argument if she came back.
Oh, my God.
What's with the disappointed look on your face? I didn't tell you because you asked me to. It really pisses me off.
I figured there was a more serious reason.
I don't need religion or counseling for now.
I mean, it's not exactly a good idea to mix them up, is it?
It's a matter of self-reflection in both cases, so it won't change.
Is that how it works?
'That's just the way it is. Religion looks at you through God, counseling looks at you through medicine and psychology.
It sounds like it.
Thank you.

　Yuka said with an expression on her face as if she had bitten down on a bitter bug.

'So how do I learn magic?'
The higher the level, the more voices I heard.
What a cheat!
I'm the wrong person to ask.
I'm the one who buys grimoires and has to memorize them.

　Yuka pulled and shook her fist.

'What's the spell?'
I don't know what to do.
You're giving me too much credit.
I still haven't been given any offensive magic, and I can't fight well on my own, so it's not exactly a great position to be in.

　Yuka blurts out, and Fujika weakly retorts.

'So that means we'll have to level up. Speaking of which, Yuka?''
What?
No, it's because you were trying to raise the bar.
I'd like to raise the bar, or rather, I'd like some bonus points.

　Yuka turned her head away from Makoto and played with her hair.
　Is she hiding her embarrassment?
　Maybe she's embarrassed to rely on others.

'Skills?'
Yes.
What are the skills you're after?
'I thought I'd save my slash, blow, and stab resistance.
Are you a wizard?
Come on.

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'What are your skills now?'
Parallel chanting, magic maximization, recanting...

　Yuka counted on her fingers as she raised her skills.

''Magic enhancement, chanting aid, physical resistance, anti-state resistance, and muscle strength enhancement, all for 72 points.
Physical resistance, anomaly resistance, and muscle strengthening?
'It's not a game, we need to get physical resistance!　I mean, if I didn't have physical resistance, I'd be seriously dead!
'I know what you said about physical resistance, but why did you take the muscle-strengthening thing?

　Shouldn't we take the magic enhancement?

''So.........''

　Yuka turns away from Mako and mutters something.

'Say it more clearly,'
When you attacked me, I thought I'd take a shot at you!

　Yuka's face turned red and she yelled at him.

'I'm not attacking you!　I mean, you took the skill after you conquered the dungeon!　We went through a dead line together, and you don't trust me!
You say you're horny, and then you have a threesome, but what do you expect me to believe?
You didn't trust me before I did it!
You were right on the money!
"I didn't attack you, that's not right!

　Mako shouted and slurped at him with lemon water.

'Trust me more,'
I used to believe that, until you hit me with a threesome.

　Yuka turned away as if in a huff.

''........''
Why don't you say something?
I'm sorry.
What?

　When Makoto apologized, Yuka's eyes widened in surprise.

''Well I betrayed your trust.
'Well, well, I guess that was partly due to the influence of the seven evils.

　Yuka turned away and twisted her side hair around her index finger.

''I'm sorry I betrayed you for having the courage to believe in me, you distrust of humanity.
Make it clear whether you're trying to apologize or embarrass me!
I'm not trying to be a dick.
I felt like I was being disgraced.

　'Tsk,' said Yuka, clicking her tongue.

'Well, but I guess they trusted you a bit.
Right now, at this very moment, my credit rating is down, too.
I used to play a lot of erotic games.

　Mako quietly broke off the conversation.

'Why are you talking out of turn?'
There was one character that I just couldn't capture.
I thought you said it was a spec.
You're the main heroine.
That's weird. I mean, why am I even talking about this shit?

　Yuka made a subtle expression.

''Well, there were games where the main heroine was difficult to capture, but that's not the case. Anyway, the main heroine of that game was exceptional. There were fierce debates on the strategy sites, and a lot of people spent a lot of time trying to capture it.''
"...you must be having the time of your life, don't you?
One day, there was an official announcement.
Hmm.

　When Makoto ignored her and continued, Yuka nodded disinterestedly.

'It was a bug that the main heroine couldn't attack,'
I don't have the bug.

　With a bang, Yuka tapped the table.

''Right, and you're also getting state resistance.
'Don't be sorry to hear that. I mean seriously, you were right to get the state-resistance. Otherwise, what would you have done with an erotic brain like yours?

　Yuka crossed her arms and shuddered with a burp.
　Fujika made a dumbfounded expression--.

''And that's self-conscious.''
You haven't forgotten what you did to me, have you?
I'm sorry.

　Easily intercepted by Yuka, Fujika was powerlessly paragraphing down.

''Well speaking of which...''
What, is there more to the story?
When's the last time you got your immunity?
It's been a long time since I've been in town.

　Yuka replied, raising her eyebrows quizzically.

'What about Fujika?'
'I'm taking my magic enhancement and magic strength skills. What's wrong with that?
I thought you might want to take your immunity off.
'You don't have to think about it now, just think about it as you go up a level.
Well, I suppose that's true, too.

　Yuka said in dismay, and Makoto nodded.
　It's important to think about the future, but for now, we should focus on what's in front of us - leveling up.

''Our next objective is to level up in the group dungeon, okay?

　His friends - Liv was still confused by Mako's words - nodded.

'What about my leveling up?'
That's only after Fujica's level of excellence has been raised.
Okay, I'll check out the next dungeon we're going to explore.
Well, it's for the best.

　We need to keep a safety margin, Yuka muttered quietly.