Louisa told me to wait in the plaza outside the guild, so I waited while I once again looked at the surrounding landscape.

　The juggernaut was too huge, so it was transported to the demolition station using transference-type skills. There was only one dismantling station in the Eighth Ward that was capable of handling giant monsters, and Mr. Rykerton's place couldn't handle it.

　He felt bad that he couldn't let Melissa handle the rare material, but since all the demolition workers in the Eighth Ward were going to dismantle it, she would be able to participate in the process. The thick bones, like the big tree, are said to be used as high-grade building materials, and the nails and other parts of the tree are utilized as glassy materials, and other parts of the tree have uses as well.

I'd love to have one in my crew.)

　Elitia was cutting out the fangs of the Fang Orcs based on the rule of thumb, but it seems that the value will still be maintained if you leave it to a skilled demolition-type person. Well, when you can't hold it, you don't have to worry about the details, you just have to take back what is of high value.

　It seems that the materials we threw away - such as cotton balls - are usually picked up by other searchers. Many things are thrown away in the labyrinth without being able to hold them, and demons that are left unattended for a certain amount of time are treated as having lost their ownership, and even if they are acquired, they are said to lose their karma detection.

'Sorry for the delay, Atobe-sama.
''Ah ... thank you for your time. Oh, I see, you're changing into your work clothes at the guild.
'Yes, walking outside in your uniform will make you stand out... and I can't say it too loudly, but the receptionist is easily accosted by men, and we've been dictated from above to dress modestly outside.

　It's called plain, but when I took my hair down from being up, the impression changed again, and it's a mature outfit that gives the impression of calmness, but the fabric is soft and shows the lines of my body.

(The same goes for the vertical sweater, but when it's emphasized, I can't help but notice the eyes... maybe it's an orthodox design in another world, but for some reason there's a slit in the chest.)

"...?　What can I do for you, Master Atobe?

　I thought they would tell me that my karma would go up, but that wasn't the case. I was told that it depended on our relationship, so I didn't want to get in a position where I could look at him without hesitation - I didn't want him to get in a position where he didn't have to stare at me.

No, I was surprised at the complete change in my impression of her. It's amazing what working women can do on and off.
I don't change much, but I do like to drink, so I might get a little chatty.
'I think it's good. I like to drink while I watch everyone else get excited.
'I see that Atobe-sama prefers the 'rearguard' at drinking parties.
It must be. I've been told a long time ago that you're not young enough.

　Louisa seems to enjoy listening to my jokes. She doesn't hold back either, and I didn't realize that we could have such a good relationship after two days of meeting.

　I've been able to reconcile with Igarashi-san, and I think something is going too well - I'm not going to live with her until today, and it doesn't look like we'll ever be more than a companionable distance.

(...why am I remembering what happened last night? Am I regretting not touching it? No, just because you liked me because of my support skills...)

　--when I began to walk away, thinking. A man who came from the other side almost bumped into Louisa-san.

''Wha.........watch out. It looks like he was in some kind of hurry.

　I reflexively pulled away from Louisa's hand. Maybe I didn't have to go that far, but I was worried if I got hit.

''Even if there are only three thousand people, it's going to be crowded around the guild...isn't it, Louisa-san?
'Yes, no. I was thinking that ... well ... I think I'm going to have too much to drink tonight.
Well, well, it's good in moderation. If you drink too much, it will affect tomorrow.

　I don't think we're talking, but Louisa looks in a good mood.

　Then she walks closer to me in line than she did earlier. I felt like I was being watched for something, so I looked at her, but she just smiled at me like it was nothing.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　The tavern is still busy today. I hope I'm able to get a seat before it starts to get crowded - and when I walked into the bar, I found Igarashi-san waiting for me there.

I hope you can get a table before it starts to get crowded. There was a spacious table available, so........Oh, did you invite the guild members as well?　You're doing it.
Sorry to bother you.
It seems I'm the one who's always been in charge. You've been in charge of me since you decided on your profession, haven't you?
'Yes. Now, I feel a sense of destiny. I never thought I'd be in charge of someone with such qualities...
'He's always helped me too... I used to be a boss and a subordinate, but now it's turned around. It's like I'm his subordinate.
'Well, that's what happened. Your boss and your subordinates ... you had the opportunity to interact with each other in the company and you knew each other ...
Yes, but since my reincarnation we've been talking about a lot of things, so I don't really feel that kind of threshold anymore.

(Is it just my imagination that we're both talking with smiling faces and yet, for some reason, it feels weird and powerful...?

"Rear, you're the leader, so sit in the center today.

　That's what I think. Come to think of it, it's a rare opportunity to see Igarashi-san at a seat similar to a drinking party.

(Igarashi-san rarely came out except when the drinking party started early. At that time, she didn't know she had a curfew and everyone said she wasn't a good friend...)

　Some people said that Chief Igarashi was the president's favorite, so he wouldn't attend the downstairs drinking sessions - some people said that. At the time, I felt ashamed of myself for somehow agreeing with him that he might be right, but now I feel even more ashamed of myself.

''Well do you remember what happened at the company?　I'm starting to see that kind of thing in your face.
'Oh, no. Do you like to drink alcohol, Igarashi-san?
'A little bit of your father's company, you know. If he doesn't get home soon, he sulks that I won't pour him a drink. It's like a child.

　He was a prominent local man and a strict curfew father. He must have really loved his daughter very much.

　-- I'm sure Igarashi's family is grieving right now. There's nothing I can do for her family, but I'd like to move constantly to make it as fun as possible and help her feel worth living every day after her reincarnation.

'With that out of the way, let's go to our seats. Louisa, come sit next to Mr. Rear.
No, Igarashi-san. You're the star of this party.
Really?　Well would you like Suzuna or Theresa to be next to you?
“Ehh, please include me in the list! I'm grateful to Arihito-san, so I'll pour myself a glass of wine in general. I'm very good at pouring alcohol.
Not you. The rearguard said he wasn't good with the girly girls.
Isn't that just jealousy for the young ones?

　Crikey, Igarashi-san froze. For some reason, Louisa-san is also disconcerted - does that mean she's also in her twenties?

''There's also the term 'youthful mistake'. Are you reflecting on it properly?''
'Ah, yes, I'm sorry! How old is big brother Arihito?
He may be older than you, but that's nothing new to you, isn't it?

　I didn't realize that career women and gals are such a bad match. It's harrowing to watch, but Misaki seems to listen to me, so I have to follow her to make sure we don't fight.

　Teresia and Suzuna are sitting quietly side by side, and there's something harmonious about them. Teresia's equipment doesn't come off, so it stays the same, but Suzuna has changed into what Igarashi-san calls a town girl style, instead of the white and red outfit she was wearing earlier. Her ponytail remained the same, and her white nape dazzled in the light of the bar.

''Do you like quiet girls, big brother?　Like Suzu.
Randomness is a no-no on that subject.
'Eh, that's nice! Oh, you want older people, after all?

　Misaki tries to get my taste out of me no matter how I try. I have to be careful not to say that I like vertical sweaters or something like that, although I admit that I'm not particularly biased in my tastes - I have to be careful not to say that I like vertical sweaters or anything like that.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　Six people can drink as much as they want and order any food they want, and the change will come in one gold coin. Very inexpensive in terms of feeling.

　We sit around a rectangular table, with Theresa, Suzuna, and Misaki on one side, and Louisa, me, and Igarashi on the other side, in that order.

　They all leave their eating for the moment and come to pour me a glass of sake, one after the other. The miniature barrel-shaped mug is half-emptied, poured out, and drunk, and as the process continues, my mind begins to wander.

'Yes, brother. Did you drink a lot and are you in a good mood~?

　Misaki got up from her seat and came over to pour the drinks. Suzuna followed suit.

''Well, I'm a good drinker. Are the minors drinking their juice properly?'
'Suzu-chan, you make alcohol for the shrine business, why can't I?'
'Mi, Misaki-chan that's an old fashioned way of doing things, it's not like I'm drinking the alcohol I made.

　Igarashi-san reacts to Suzuna's words. Making sake at the shrine, is it amazake or something? Doesn't that have almost no alcohol in it?

'Does working at a shrine mean that Suzuna-san's house is a shrine?
'Yes, my father was in the priesthood and I was helping out at home.

　Was that the reason why she chose the position of miko? The possibility that a high school girl from an average family might think that she is suited to be a miko is not zero. In fact, many part-time maidens are hired at shrines during the busy season.

''Arihito-san, go ahead........ah.....

　Suzuna is so nervous that the liquor comes out of the bottle with such force that it spills a little. It splashes on my pants, but it's nothing serious.

'Oh, thanks. I'm fine, I'll wipe them up myself.
'No, I have a handkerchief and I'll be right back ... I'm really sorry.

　Suzuna wipes my pants while her face turns bright red. A handkerchief is also a valuable item in this world, so I'm sorry to have it used for such a thing.

''........Oh, good. I was able to pour it well this time.''

　Suzuna pours the drink again, and this time she looks happy that it worked. At first I thought it would take some time to break the ice, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

　He empties his mug again, halfway through it. One or two more drinks would be light enough.

'....Rear-kun, can I pour you a drink?　I might be hungry already, but...
It's okay. I'm the one who should pour it out for you, Chief.
Chief, you mean Kyouka's sister?　Wow, I would have loved to use it on my chin if my brother were my man.
'Oh, how could you do that with your chin... not that much use... not that much...'

　Igarashi-san reminds me of the days of Onii-chou, and I get a kick out of it. I wish Misaki would learn the art of not saying unnecessary things.

'I don't mind it anymore. Igarashi-san has been a big help to me since I came here.
''Well you don't have to be so auspicious about it because I've been so much more helpful to you than you have been to me.

　Igarashi-san takes the bottle of sake and pours it into my mug.

　It's going to take some time before we don't feel any reservation about doing this to each other - but there's no need to rush. We're going to be a team, even in this world.

　And before I can sip my mug, Louisa-san pours the fruit wine into Igarashi-san's glass.

''You've only drunk the juice yet, haven't you? How about another toast around here?
'Yeah, yeah I'll take it. I was just going to have a drink.
'Louisa, your glass is empty too - you haven't had enough to drink yet!

　Theresia can drink, too, and she's drinking while munching on a meat dish. Her entire skin is subtly flushed and her skull mask looks red - maybe not too strong.

'Can Theresa have one last drink, too?'
..........

　She nodded and offered me a glass as I sat up and went to ask her. As a way of wishing Theresa, who has been a big help to me since the first day, I pour myself a glass of wine.


Cheers.

　We all match our glasses and mugs, and I drink what will be my last drink.

　It's been a long time since I've felt this good and drunk. We are almost ready to leave the tavern to formally admit Theresa to the club. Until then, we'll continue to enjoy our drinks while chatting with each other.