Chapter 71

Milk and Ayame, in their school uniforms, entered the office.

Ah, I see.

You were curious about the new members.

I understand that feeling.

"This is Mino Maiko, my classmate. She doesn't go to the dungeon, but she supports us as a blacksmith."

"Nice to meet you. I've heard about you. You're Milk and Ayame, right? Uh, is there something on my face?"

Milk and Ayame were staring intently at Mino.

Their expressions seemed wary.

"A girl... and a classmate... we spend a lot of time together."

"She's so cute... but her name is Mino... again... again?"

Mino's name seemed to bother Ayame.

What's going on?

"Ayame, what's wrong?"

"It's not just that, but I'm the only one not included in the group. Ichi-no, Maki-no, Oshi-no, Mino... I'm the only one whose name doesn't have 'no' in it!"

Ayame's last name is Higashi.

Now that you mention it, that's true.

I thought it wasn't a big deal, but with so many coincidences, it does become a bit annoying.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

We can't rename Ayame to Higashino.

Just then, Mino moved next to Ayame and whispered something in her ear.

"Is this okay, Ayame?"

"Y-Yes, it's fine."

Ayame nodded with a red face, and she even stuttered.

What did she say?

It's a mystery.

There's no easy way to change a last name, after all.

"Let me reiterate, Ichi-no-kun and I are just classmates and friends. I'm Mino Maiko. Nice to meet you."

After that, the wariness in Milk's face also seemed to fade.

"That's right... Maiko is taking that stance. I appreciate it."

Hime said this as if she had come to a realization.

Then she looked at me and asked,

"So, Taira. How much of your secret have you told Maiko?"

"Ichi-no-kun's secret? Hime, what do you mean by that?"

"Taira, despite appearances, is very secretive. He's full of secrets that make you want to know more, but once you do, you regret it."

Ha ha, I can't deny that.

"Um, do you all know Ichi-no-kun's secret? For example, why he has so many experience potions?"

"Half of it—part of the reason—is known, but not all of it."

Hime is probably referring to the luck value and the simplified synthesis.

And the unknown part is the PD.

"I haven't told them much, but I think it's okay to share what the three of them know. We just signed a confidentiality agreement, after all."

"Right. If we're going to work together, it wouldn't be fair to leave her out."

So, I shared the secrets that aren't widely known:

1. My luck value is abnormally high.

2. I have a skill called Detailed Appraisal that only I can use.

3. I can figure out how to open D-cans using Detailed Appraisal.

4. Inside the D-cans are Skill Sweets, which allow you to learn skills.

5. I am the mysterious masked man who stopped the monsters that overflowed from Mount Fuji.

6. Crow's true form is a Darkness Wolf.

7. We were commissioned by the government to investigate the Kusaka Amusement Park dungeon.

"......I thought you had a lot of secrets, but this is beyond what I imagined. Especially about Crow. She's a monster."

"I'm sorry for not telling you. Mino, you said you were afraid of monsters, but are you okay with this?"

"Yes. I'm only afraid of scary monsters that attack. Crow is a good and cute girl, so I'm completely fine."

That's a relief.

It felt like she was speaking from the heart, not just being polite.

If this caused a rift between Mino and Crow, Crow would be angry.

"But, even after revealing such amazing secrets, there are still secrets you can't share. What are they?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Ah, sorry, I don't intend to ask for details. Ichi-no-kun is a benefactor, so it's fine. I've already forgotten. Don't worry, don't worry."

It's a relief to hear that.

I don't talk about PD because it wouldn't benefit anyone to know.

Knowing this wouldn't make anyone stronger.

"D-cans... Do you all have D-cans from Ichi-no-kun?"

When Mino asked, everyone nodded and took out their D-cans.

They were all already opened.

"Yes, I opened the D-can I received last Sunday."

"...Yeah, me too."

"Me too."

It's only been three days.

I gave them each something a bit challenging.

Then they showed what came out.

"Completed a full marathon with the D-can—what came out was a bracelet. I haven't put it on yet."

"...Got five consecutive bad fortunes at a shrine's fortune-telling... Actually, the D-can was already open when I got it. I've never gotten anything but bad fortunes, so it counted all the previous ones. The contents were an amulet."

"Memorized 100 digits, and it opened. The contents were a candy, but is this a Skill Sweet?"

Wow, that's impressive.

I thought Milk might succeed because she's always had bad luck with lotteries, but she did it.

"There are various conditions to open D-cans."

"I'll ask Mino to help next time."

"Ugh, just a little."

So, we each used Detailed Appraisal to check.

First, Hime's bracelet.

【Ankle Bracelet of Endurance: An ankle bracelet that makes you less prone to fatigue】

I see, it's a fitting item for a full marathon.

It's worn on the leg, not the arm.

"Ankle Bracelet of Endurance. It has an effect that makes you less prone to fatigue."

"It's an ankle bracelet. It seems useful, so I'll use it."

Next, Milk's amulet.

It's pink, and there are some characters written on it, but I can't read them.

Maybe it's from another world?

Since it's an amulet, it might have an effect that boosts luck.

【Love Charm: A charm that might grant your romantic wishes. It has only a minimal effect.】

...Ah... I see.

Even with Detailed Appraisal, it doesn't seem to boost stats or provide any resistance.

"Taira, how was it? Does it boost luck?"

"It's a Love Charm. It seems to have a minimal effect—"

"Yay! I'll take good care of it!"

Huh? She's happy?

Ayame is also looking at it with envy.

Well, it might be better than a charm for a safe delivery.

Finally, Ayame's—

"Yes, it's a Skill Sweet. You can learn a skill by licking it. Don't bite it."

"Can I have it?"

"Sure, sure."

Milk and Hime have already learned theirs.

Next is Ayame's turn.

So, while Ayame is licking, I distribute the next D-cans.

I've prepared D-cans that are easier to open for everyone.

I give each of them a D-can with a note attached, explaining how to open it.

Finally, to Mino—

"This is for you, Mino—"

"A D-can, an old game, and batteries? Why are there two game consoles? And this cable..."

"Pokémon Red and Green. If you collect all 150 species, the D-can will open. You have to collect them all by yourself, so no asking for help."

"Eh? Really? I've never played a game before."

"Try your best! It's okay to use walkthroughs."

"...Okay, I'll try my best without my brother and sister finding out."

This is just my intuition, but I feel like something good is inside.

I hope Mino enjoys playing.

"By the way, if you have a brother and sister, you can use the games I used to play. If only you play, they might feel envious."

"Really? Thank you! I'll definitely borrow them!"

After the negotiation, Ayame finished licking the candy.

"I learned a skill!"

"What skill?"

"Um, Learning... It's a skill that allows you to remember and use the magic or special abilities used by monsters."

She learned a pretty amazing skill.

Shura-ba "It's not time for it yet."