This is the first time you've ever gone out with your seniors like this, isn't it?
'Yes. I mean, I haven't gone out with too many other business associates.
'Oh, really?　Come to think of it, you didn't show up at the rally, either.
..........................What?
I've got it.　Come to think of it, you told me you were going to ask him out, but you didn't.

　No, ask me out.

"Do you think I'm not a hack?

　I'm going to cry.

'I don't think so. They all said they were good seniors.

　I wonder if it's true.
　I didn't feel like it was just comforting, but now I had to believe it.
　We walked side by side for a while, but somehow I got the feeling that Ristina-san was wandering around aimlessly.

''Speaking of which, where do you have business to attend to?　Why don't we head over?
''........or rather, senpai. Can I have a word?
...What is it?
Why does senior Lelius always speak to everyone in a respectful manner?

　Ristina stares at me.

'It's already become a habit. It's basically this for everyone but my relatives.'

　It's rather easy to be comfortable with this.
　In general, if you speak in polite language, you won't be confused about the transition between work and personal life.
　For example, when a visitor comes in the middle of talking comfortably at work, I can talk naturally.

　I mean, I made a lot of mistakes with that when I wasn't used to it, so this is how I talk to them now.

'It's kind of like I feel like I'm being distanced from them,'
Am I in the clear?

　When I say that, Ristina-san stares at me.

'Oh, you took it after all?
Just kidding.

　I'm not trying to keep my distance.
　Well, but. It's also true that I've been hiring only young women lately, so I've drawn a certain line.

　So it was unusual for us to go out together like this.

''Already. Lelius-senpai has such a pretty junior, don't you think about touching her or something?
'Isn't that a normal problem? Your father-in-law and mother-in-law will beat you up.
You're a pussy.
'What is it, Miss Ristina? Do you want to get your hands on me?
I'll let your parents know as soon as I get them out.

　Ristina smiles at me.
　I'm used to this exchange.

So, Ristina-san. Where do you want to be?
'I was going to buy some clothes. That way.
Yes, sir.

　As I started to walk towards where Ristina-san was pointing, my left arm was grabbed tightly.

''Ri, Ristina-san!

　Why are you crossing your arms!

It's a date, okay?　You're keeping me company, so I'll make you feel a little better, okay?

　I do my best to stifle the feeling of the softness of my nose, which almost makes it stretch out underneath my nose.
　As I did so, Ristina-san started laughing at me.

''God, your senior's reaction is too childish!
Can you not make fun of him?

　When I raised my voice, Ristina-san laughed even more happily.
　........totally.
　I try to pay off Ms. Ristina's arm, but she doesn't move away.

''Isn't that enough?''
No, no ... well ... a little more, please.

　Instantly, Ristina-san's expression became a bit grim.
　.........what?　None of the congeniality that had been teased earlier was anywhere to be found.

''What's going on?''
...No, I mean. There was an adventurer who approached me outside earlier........s-sorry.

　Ristina-san, who suddenly shows a weak-looking face.
　.........Haha, that kind of face is so sly.
　I closed the distance a bit, as if to protect her.

''Please don't leave. I'll protect you as long as you're near me.
...Relius, my senior.
Shall we go?
S-Sorry. Please, please...

　Kuni, Ristina-san nodded and squeezed my arm.


　○


''Lelius, senior, this is the place I wanted to come to!

　With that, I walk into the store with Ristina.

''Nah!''

　The store was built in such a way that you couldn't see inside from the outside.
　This place that I had never been to before - it was an underwear shop.

　It will be a rare shop that specializes in women's goods.
　My face gets hot when I see women's underwear lined up. What a place you've brought me to, you junior!

　When I stared at her with that thought, Ristina-san had a very happy expression on her face.

''Lelius-senpai, please go out with me, right?
I understand.

　I said in a buzzing voice and walked around the store with Ristina.
　The store is not that large.
　Looking at the line of underwear, Ristina grabs it.

'How about this or something?'
Well no, why do you ask me for my opinion?
Because isn't it only fair to ask your boyfriend?

　.........temporary, I suppose.
　I let out a breath to cool my cheeks, which are hot with shame, and then stare at the two underwear she holds in her hand.
　I don't care if it's possible to create or not. I don't need to trigger it now.

　That's when I was thinking about it.
　My eyes are unconsciously drawn to the underwear in the corner of my vision.

　Well, that's some insanely naughty underwear........!　Not that!
　What I focused on was the skill on those underwear.

　Weapon Break S Rank.
　The skill was granted to the black, almost line-like underwear.

　It was a blind spot.
　But when I thought about it, it's not strange.
　The clothes I'm wearing now also have the skill granted to me.

　The shirt I'm wearing is only 0/50, so I can only give it one S-ranked skill.
　But I can give it to you.

　The same goes for my underwear.
　All the clothes I wear have some kind of enhanced skill attached to them, even if the S rank skill is not possible.

　But up until now, when I was looking for skills, the only things I paid attention to were accessories and weapons.

　If we were really looking for them, even private clothes are in the running for them.
　........I'll have to look for them from now on.

　It's thanks to Ristina-san that I was able to discover a skill here.
　Weapon Break........what exactly is the effect of this?
　Actually, I'd like to try it out.

　But, but--.
　I don't think it would be a good idea for me to buy the underwear.
　If this is the kind of city you'll never be in, this is the kind of city you're going to be in.

　So what do you say we come back to your disguise later, hmm?
　Or I'll let Ristina-san buy it here........

　I'll let Ristina-san buy it and only collect the skills when I see an opening.
　That's still better, isn't it?

What, sir?　Why are you so serious about looking at your underwear?　I'm kind of pulling back...
It's your most important piece of clothing for protection.　I can't just pick and choose so randomly.

　I'll fake it by saying something like that.

'That doesn't mean you have to go in with that kind of gusto...'

　Of course you'll be there.
　I want Ristina to buy me these naughty black underwear.

　No, that's a very misleading statement.
　I'll tell you how.
　How to get her to buy it?

　That's how I do it.