Chapter 86

Squish, squish, squish...

Rada is kneading mochi. It feels like pounding mochi, and it's fun. It's fun, but I can't seem to get into the mood.

Right now, I'm curled up in the corner of the room, wrapped in a futon. I'm lying on my back with only my face showing. It's like a tantrum or a recluse, or I've activated "It's a day off!" and am completely slacking off.

Yesterday was intense.

It's strange. I was supposed to have a relaxed and leisurely adventurer's life. Why are so many things happening? I don't need any events or flags. Being ordinary is hard.

"Alright, is this good enough?"

Rada stops and checks the contents of the bowl. I asked her to improve and experiment with the Trimochi. The improvement is to reduce its excessive stickiness. The experiment is to see if anything sour will work.

Lemon, slime, vinegar, sour leaves, fermented foods—each became Trimochi. Strangely, the quality remains the same. However, when I try to weaken the effect, it fails. Is it rough or delicate...?

I tried making something rotten and sour, but it still became Trimochi. It did, but the smell remained, making it more of a harassment or torture tool than a capture device, so I immediately discarded it.

Rada stirs the mixing stick and infuses it with magic. I remember that the quality changes depending on the magic infused, so I asked her to do it. In a few minutes, the contents of the bowl glowed.

"It's done."

She crouches down to show me. Two cream-colored balls the size of tennis balls. They're like the so-called "color balls." When hit, the Trimochi inside scatters. Strangely, this size can wrap up a person. Moreover, it doesn't break when held normally, but it easily breaks when thrown with a bit of magic.

"Hmm. No change, huh."

"Really?"

The appraisal results were the same. Why? Potions change quality, so why not this? It can't be weakened, can it? It's not very user-friendly as it is.

Actually, the guards have asked me to teach them the Trimochi recipe. It's simple and powerful as a capture method. It can be used on both humans and monsters. That's why I've been putting it off with various excuses. Because it could be misused. It might be used for crimes. No, tools aren't to blame. Just because a knife is used for murder doesn't mean the knife is at fault. I understand that.

"Basically..."

I roll over on the floor.

In this world, there are ordinary poisons and paralyzing drugs. Of course, they're for monsters, but they're easily available. I've made and used blinding and sleeping potions too. I think it's too late to worry now. But, I don't know...

Roll, roll, roll...

"Hey, Reito. Won't that get the futon dirty?"

"Hmm. I'll wash it later."

Should I refuse by saying it can't be used without a removal potion? They might still insist. Oh, even if the Trimochi is removed, it leaves a sticky residue. Should I improve the removal potion?

"By the way, where's Koushin?"

While clearing the table, Rada answered, "He's in the garden." He was eating breakfast with a dark face, but he disappeared while I was slacking off.

I wriggled over to the window as a caterpillar and stood up to look outside.

"Whoa."

Koushin was doing push-ups with one arm, shirtless. He looks much more muscular than his usual demeanor suggests. Of course, he has no unnecessary muscles. I'm impressed.

He finishes and wipes the shining sweat. Is there a filter on or something? Everything around him looks sparkly.

Oh, now he's practicing sword swings. His sword glows faintly.

It's not his fault about what happened this time. I don't want him to blame himself too much.

"Ah. I'll make some food. I want something really sweet."

After wriggling around in the futon for a while, I finally got out. I felt a bit guilty about the dusty futon but ignored it and stuffed it into my magic bag. Right, I'll go to the inn for a change of pace. I'll do nothing today. I'll completely slack off.

"What should I make?"

I look at the jar of sugar and think about the menu.

Bang, bang, bang!!

Suddenly, the front door is pounded on. Rada and I exchange glances. No one should be visiting.

The door bursts open with a bang. At the same time, Koushin, who noticed the noise, bursts in through the back door.

"We're interrupting!"

Two people stand blocking the entrance. One is bald, the other has a blue mohawk. They wear heavy jewelry and tough-looking clothes with spikes. They look like end-of-the-world punks.

"You seem to be making a lot of money. Give us a little, will ya?"

The bald one says, and Koushin points his sword at them.

"Robbers, huh? Prepare to be cut down..."

I was about to think, "Wow, so cool!" but why did he stumble there? The sword glows faintly.

"Wait, wait! We're not robbers!"

The mohawked one waves his hands and head frantically. His hair shakes and unravels in clumps. I wonder what he uses to keep it up. I imagine he was born with a mohawk. No, that's not right, is it?

"Then what are you? I might cut you to pieces depending on your answer."

"Hey, don't cut us to pieces!"

I stop Koushin, who seems unusually aggressive. Honestly, I'm not scared at all, and even if they pull out knives, I can subdue them in seconds. Rada, who is somewhat used to rough stuff, holds a Trimochi ball, ready for action.

"But..."

Koushin turns back. Because of what happened yesterday.

"Wait, wait! It's me! Move aside a bit!"

A familiar voice comes from behind the end-of-the-world punks. The two people squeeze together.

"No! Move to the sides!"

They move to the right and left, making the narrow entrance even narrower. I can see an old man stomping his feet through the gap.

"Move back, no, wait, don't move back together... Ah!"

Thud, thud, thud.

Am I watching a comedy sketch?

The three men roll around at the entrance. Koushin, deflated, puts away his sword. The one being crushed is Gabal, from the merchant guild we helped before.

"..."

Slam.

I close the door for now. Today is supposed to be a day off. I have a bad feeling. How do you avoid trouble that comes to you?

"Alright, let's run!"

"Wh-what?"

I lead the two out through the back door. The front door is knocked on gently this time. Koushin looks down at me with a questioning gaze, but I ignore it and head through the garden. We circle around the back forest and return to town. Sneaking a peek back, I can still see the three at the entrance.

"Is this okay?"

I nod at Koushin's question.

"Today is our day off! We're doing nothing! So, we're going to the inn~"

It might be rude, but I think we deserve at least one day with nothing happening. Something has already happened, but please, let it be for tomorrow.

"Huh? Ah."

I notice people are staring. Koushin is still shirtless. Here, take this shirt from my magic bag. Koushin puts it on while walking. Do you not feel embarrassed, Koushin? No touching, miss. I'll put on a cloak too.