Chapter 93

◆Summary of the Previous Episode

Oh!?

Shiran's condition...!

Rapidly press the B button.

4 ～Rose's Perspective～

"Alright. I think it's about time to go."

While I was working on my usual task with a knife in hand, my older sister, who was preparing breakfast, called out to me.

"Sorry. Can you keep an eye on the fire, Kei?"

"Understood."

This morning's meal was leftovers from last night's dinner—soup made from the edible parts of a monster that Bertha had hunted a few days ago.

My sister, who was adding newly collected edible wild herbs to the pot to increase the ingredients, entrusted the rest to Kei, who had just woken up, and started moving briskly.

"Sister, are you going to Master's place?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I plan to."

My sister, holding a towel and a bucket, came over to me.

Instead of the sound of footsteps, there was a dragging sound on the ground.

My sister's lower body was crawling on the ground like a slime. Her upper body, while taking the form of a girl, still had the texture of a slime. Her body, with its feminine curves, lacked detailed features.

It was due to the aftereffects of pushing her limits while fighting the mad beast, Takuya Kousaka.

"I think his morning training should be over soon. I thought I'd bring him a towel or something."

"Master has been training even harder lately. Please take good care of him."

"Of course. Oh, right. How about you, Rose? Do you want to come along?"

"I have work to do."

It was partly an excuse.

I didn't want to intrude on their time together.

"I'll pass as well."

Since it wasn't her turn to prepare breakfast this morning, Mana, who was training with a translation magic stone, smiled faintly and declined.

"I might get full before breakfast even starts."

She joked while petting Aya, who was on her lap.

"Ku..."

Recently, Aya has been a bit more reserved than usual.

Right now, she was curled up on Mana's thigh, ears flattened, and quietly being petted.

"Mm. You two don't have to worry so much."

Lily, who said this, opened her eyes wide.

"Oh, Garbera."

Looking over, I saw Garbera, who had been Master's training partner this morning, returning alone.

"Is the morning training over?"

"It seems so."

Lily, who no longer had heels, turned around.

"Well, I'm off."

My sister, dragging her lower body, turned her upper body to smile at us.

It was a gentle smile that seemed to exude warmth from her heart.

"..."

I couldn't help but be drawn to her retreating back.

Strangely, despite her condition, Lily's charm as a woman seemed to have increased.

"You've changed, Lily."

Mana, who seemed to have a similar feeling, murmured.

"...Yes, she has."

The previous Lily didn't seem to like her essence as a slime very much.

However, even in this state where she couldn't hide her slime nature, the smile on her face now was clear and bright.

The sight of her being close to Master was like a scene of sweet happiness.

There was no doubt that something had changed in her heart.

Perhaps due to this, Lily has been showing actions she didn't before.

For example, she doesn't hesitate to show affection to Master in her slime form, and she has been using her downtime from the aftereffects to learn the language of the other world.

She said she wanted to read the books of this world.

Also, while Master usually handled contact with other transfer students, Lily spoke to Yuna Iino a few times before she left.

I've seen them talking together a few times.

I don't know what caused these changes.

Still, since she looks so happy, I was certain that the changes in my sister were not bad.

"Well, then..."

After seeing my sister off, I returned to my work.

I picked up the magic knife.

Currently, I was working on the small parts of a vehicle powered by a magic stone.

I was going to town with Master soon.

If we could get the magic stone, I would start making the vehicle, so I decided to make the parts that wouldn't be too heavy to carry in advance.

Including spares, I had enough for about four vehicles.

...Maybe I made a bit too many.

If it gets too heavy, I should probably start working on something else.

For example, the 'Magic Bag' that can change its internal volume, which I've already brought to a practical level.

It might be a good idea to prepare one for each person.

Since the original bag is quite large, it would be more convenient to make it a size that can be hung from the waist.

Adjusting the magic stone will be necessary, but it wouldn't be bad to experiment with it...

While I was thinking about this, Garbera came over.

She stopped a little away from the fire and folded her spider legs.

Occasionally consulting with Mana about the size and design of the magic bag, I started working, and soon a small groan began.

The sound gradually grew louder.

I stopped my work and looked over.

Garbera was holding her head, making a difficult sound.

"What's wrong, Garbera?"

"Hmm?"

When Mana called out, Garbera looked up.

Her red eyes widened.

"Oh, you're here, Kato."

"I've been here the whole time..."

"I see. I'm sorry, I didn't notice."

Mana, who looked exasperated, tilted her head at Garbera.

"So, what's the matter?"

"What do you mean... That's what I should be asking. It's unusual for you to come back right after Shinjima-senpai's training. And you've been groaning for a while."

Mana, who was ready to listen, asked with a slightly worried look.

"Is there something troubling you?"

"...Hmm, yes. Actually, that's the case."

Garbera seemed a bit hesitant but decided to admit it honestly.

She nodded solemnly.

Then, with a troubled look, she said:

"The other day, I made a promise with Master to be alone together and cuddle."

"...Is that something I should be hearing?"

Mana, who was ready to listen, suddenly became half-lidded.

"Wait, Kato. Don't jump to conclusions."

"But..."

"I want you to listen to me."

It was a voice of genuine concern.

Still, I could understand why Mana was giving her a white-eyed look.

"...I don't want to hear any erotic stories."

"Don't worry. I haven't experienced anything yet. I can't tell any stories even if I wanted to."

"Come to think of it, that's right. You've only made a promise, haven't you?"

Mana, who put a finger to her lips, murmured, and Garbera nodded happily.

"Yes, that's right. Master said we should be alone and cuddle."

"Really? That's a bit surprising. Shinjima-senpai said that?"

"Ah, no. It might have been me who said we should cuddle."

"...So, senpai didn't say it?"

"Yes, that's true, but he did hug me! He also said he was sorry for making me wait so long!"

"Wow, senpai said that..."

Mana, who was listening to Garbera's passionate explanation, glanced at me for a moment.

"...So, senpai is finally getting serious. That's good."

"Yes, so we decided to set a time for it."

"Ah, I see. Congratulations. ...But I'm starting to feel full, and this love talk is making me want to vomit sugar."

After saying this, Mana chuckled.

"Shouldn't the rest be something you two should work out together?"

She said this with a gentle look.

Mana is generally good at taking care of others, and I knew this well.

"If it's hard to be alone together, I can help."

"Mm. If I could, I would, but there's one problem."

"Problem...?"

Mana asked gently.

Honesty or not, Garbera confessed.

"Yes. When I get excited, I can't control myself and might crush Master."

"..."

"How do you think I should handle it?"

Mana's eyes turned back to me.

Her face clearly said, "This is not good."

"Rose, we should definitely prevent Shinjima-senpai from being alone with Garbera."

"Kato!?"

Garbera's red eyes widened in shock.

I decided to say something to her, who was slumping her shoulders.

"Putting aside Mana's joke, if you don't try to do anything, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"If you don't try to hug, you won't crush him."

It's a symptomatic treatment, but it's better than doing nothing.

After all, Master's life is at stake.

"Hmm, I see."

Garbera's face lit up immediately.

"So, that means... being passive, right?"

"Probably something like that."

I nodded vaguely at Garbera, who clenched her fist.

"I'm not sure either."

"I'm not sure either, but it's probably like the old Master."

"Stop saying that."

"It's fine. It's just a story from the past. Recently, Master has become quite proactive."

"Really?"

Mana reacted.

"By the way, how do you know that?"

"I have good eyes and ears. Sometimes, I hear various things. But I'm surprised that Kato doesn't know. Didn't you encounter 'that scene' the other day?"

Since we travel together, such things happen.

Mana was visibly flustered.

"N-no... I didn't look closely, so I don't know if senpai was being proactive or not!"

"Oh, right. You seemed to come back quickly after noticing."

"Why do you know that!?"

"Because I have good eyes and ears."

...Come to think of it, a while ago, Mana came back with a red face after going out at night to relieve herself.

I remember lending her my knee when she said she couldn't sleep.

That night, she was unusually clingy and cute, and now I know why.

"Still, I see. Being passive might be a good idea."

Ignoring the blushing Mana, Garbera stood up suddenly.

"Alright! I'll be passive from now on!"

"...I have a feeling it won't be that easy, given how enthusiastic you are about it."

Mana, who looked tired from the morning, interjected.

"Maybe."

Garbera didn't argue.

"But I can't act any other way."

Then, she turned to Mana with a serious look.

"Listen, Kato. I'm not going to stop."

What did those words mean?

Mana also looked at Garbera seriously.

"What about you, Kato? How long do you plan to be a 'coward'?"

"I... I..."

"...Well, I understand that Kato has her own pace."

Garbera's face softened, and she relaxed the atmosphere.

"Of course, I'm not going to force you. But I want to support you, Kato."

"Garbera..."

"After all, we share the same feelings... We both want to push Master down."

"That's not true! I've already told you that before!"

Mana, who blushed again, argued hesitantly.

"Hmm. Now that you mention it, that's true. So, you wanted to be pushed down?"

"What do you mean by that! And I've already told you to choose your words carefully...!"

"Ah, sorry. Um... Kato, don't you want to hug, kiss, and touch Master?"

"I didn't mean to be so specific!"

Mana, who was unusually being pushed by Garbera, suddenly looked at me with a flustered face.

"R-Rose..."

"Is this the first time I'm hearing this? Do you want to be pushed down by Master, Mana?"

"---!?"

A soundless scream escaped her.

Mana's face turned red, and she opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

After a few seconds, she slowly turned to Garbera.

"...Garbera..."

"O-Oh? Did I say something wrong, I?"

Garbera, who was glared at by Mana with teary eyes, broke out in a cold sweat.

It seemed that her past trauma still occasionally resurfaced.

"Well, anyway..."

Garbera's red eyes turned to me as if trying to escape.

"But, Rose, you're talking about it as if it's someone else's business."

"What do you mean?"

I tilted my head.

"Nothing. I just thought that Rose, like us, would want the same things."

"What are you talking about?"

The conversation wasn't getting through.

It seemed the same for Garbera, who looked suspicious.

"I heard that Rose wants to be hugged by Master. That's why you decided to decorate yourself as a doll."

"Yes."

"Then, naturally, you must want more, right?"

"No."

My voice might have reflected my confusion.

"Really?"

Garbera looked at me as if I were unbelievable.

But I didn't understand why she was looking at me like that.

"...Then, what? You don't want more, Rose?"

"I've never even thought about it. Of course, if Master wants it, I would do anything, but..."

I thought about it and continued.

"But that's impossible."

"...Wait a moment, Rose."

Garbera, pressing her forehead, looked at Mana.

"Kato, what's going on? It seems like Rose is being serious."

"I've tried, but..."

"...I see. So, that's why. I understand. That's why this is happening..."

Garbera turned back to me.

"Listen, Rose. I care about you like a sister. So, I have to say... Isn't this a bit too little to want?"

"That's not true."

I replied clearly.

Being hugged by Master, as I did that night, is already a great honor.

Wishing for more is like wishing for the sky to fall.

I truly believed that.

I was convinced of it.

"But, Rose..."

Garbera said to me.

"You say it's impossible, but I was asked for it by Master."

"..."

At that moment, my thoughts froze.

Garbera's words hit a place I had never considered before.

She was right.

The situation has changed.

Because Master has accepted Garbera's feelings.

The sky has already fallen.

What was impossible is now possible.

Then... then, what does that mean?

This thought had been circling in my head for a while.

...In the end, the conversation that day ended ambiguously.

Because of the stimulating content, Kei, who had been listening to our conversation while tending the fire, fainted.

Now, breakfast is over.

Everyone is cleaning up and preparing to leave.

I was also packing, but my work was progressing slowly.

I was aware of my agitation.

It was as if the sky had fallen.

But I didn't understand why I was agitated.

...No, that's a bit of a lie.

I had a suspicion.

In other words, do I, like Lily and Garbera, wish to be loved by Master?

Could I be wishing for such a grand thing?

...I don't know.

Before wishing or not wishing, I never had such a thought.

So, I had never considered it.

And even if I did, I couldn't imagine it well.

But...

When I think about whether I want 'it', I feel restless and can't sit still.

This must be a feeling that has been in my heart all along.

A feeling that has driven me to wish to be hugged by Master.

It was a feeling I had been chasing, even though I couldn't see it.

...What am I wishing for?

"Rose."

I was startled.

Mana was standing in front of me.

She was already dressed for the journey.

I realized my hands had stopped working.

"Sorry, Mana. Am I keeping everyone waiting?"

"No, no. I was just in a hurry, so it's still okay for a bit more."

"Is that so..."

Relieved by Mana's words—then I noticed a word that caught my attention.

"In a hurry...?"

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you, Rose."

Mana nodded.

"It's about Shinjima-senpai."

"...!"

Hearing Master's name, a wave of agitation spread in my chest.

Whether she knew about my inner turmoil or not, Mana didn't directly address it.

Instead, she said something that seemed unrelated at first.

"We're going to town with Shinjima-senpai, right?"

"...Yes, that's true."

I nodded, though I was confused.

"I think it's a good opportunity."

Mana smiled faintly and continued.

"Rose, how about you take this opportunity to go on a date with Shinjima-senpai?"

◆By the way, is there still a B button these days?

I haven't played video games in about ten years...

◆This was a rare Rose-focused episode.

It seems the other members heading to town also have their own thoughts.