Chapter 22

"Well then..."

Following Hagizawa's request, I made my way to MD Burger.

The prominent M logo is a good landmark.

Despite the recent string of scandals causing a loss of customers, there are still times when I crave MD Burger.

It's a bit pricey and not easy on a student's budget, but it's nice to indulge once in a while.

"Welcome! What would you like to order?"

"Five MD Burger sets, please. To go."

"Sure. Would you like to add some nuggets?"

"No, just this for now, please."

"Got it."

I placed my order with the friendly part-time worker and paid.

Nuggets had some issues recently.

Plus, Hagizawa didn't mention nuggets.

Well, once I get the items, I'll head back to Shigen's workshop.

"Five MD Burger sets, please."

"Ah, right."

I took the bag with the items.

Both my hands were full.

I was also carrying something on my back.

...But it feels surprisingly light.

To be honest, I'm not particularly strong.

I shouldn't have the arm strength to carry this much.

...Could it be that the Lv system works even in Japan?

Hmm, I don't really understand, but I'll take it as a perk.

My current Lv is 5.

I'm surprised that just reaching Lv 5 can make such a difference.

Maybe it's because I've only used my strength in the other world, so I didn't really feel the difference.

Well then... After entering a private stall in a public toilet, I immediately activated my ability and visualized Shigen's workshop.

Honestly, I wish I had the千里眼 (千里眼 means "千里 eye" or "clairvoyance" in this context, but it's better to translate it as "telepathic vision" or "clairvoyance" for clarity) ability.

It's scary if I can't see things clearly.

Eventually, the hourglass ran out, and I was transported back to the other world.

During the day, I've been fighting monsters, and now I'm doing some shopping... I wonder how I ended up living like this...

I smoothly landed after the transfer.

It's scary to land right on the ground; my feet might get stuck.

"I'm back."

"You sound like you went somewhere. What's up?"

Shigen was looking towards the workshop door.

There were disassembled monsters in bags that I didn't recognize.

It seems like Tani and the others were here recently.

Phew!

If I had been carrying those, I would have been caught.

"I was just outside the workshop for a bit."

"Yeah, that's right... What's that good smell?"

"Can you tell? I just got some stuff from Japan."

"Wow!"

I looked around.

Hagizawa, Mami, and Meguru weren't there.

"It'll get cold."

"Call them and hide it for me."

"Sure thing."

Shigen closed the workshop window and went out.

Soon, Hagizawa and the others appeared.

Shigen carefully checked outside before closing the window again and opening the bag of MD Burger sets I had hidden.

"Wow!"

Hagizawa exclaimed.

Everyone put a finger to their lips, and Hagizawa, looking apologetic, bowed his head before reaching into the bag, taking a bite of the fries, and sniffing the burger.

"Is this real... You didn't use your ability to make it look like this, right?"

"Am I a raccoon or something?!"

Well, the perception barrier caused by world transfer is a bit like that.

"Don't worry. I got this from Japan... Enjoy it."

But they were already eating the fries.

Hagizawa, Shigen, and Mami were swallowing hard.

I mean, the food here is mostly unidentifiable monster corpses, so it's understandable.

I nodded, and everyone said in unison, in a low voice:

"Thanks for the meal!"

The sight of them devouring the food... Ah, they must be really hungry for Japanese food.

While they were engrossed in eating, I converted the money in my wallet into points.

Oh, it consumes some magic power.

I'll ask Mami to heal me later.

"Man... This might be the best I've ever had!"

"Yeah. It's been a while since I had it. It's even better after living a survival life."

"Yep, it's really delicious. But, I also want to eat rice."

Mami, looking satisfied, suggested:

"That's not impossible. We can get convenience store rice balls or heated bento boxes."

"Maybe we should order some rice this time? We can cook it."

"Cooking might be risky, though."

Meguru's suggestion was met with Shigen's response.

Ignoring their conversation, Hagizawa asked:

"Can we buy games?"

Games... Hagizawa, what are you thinking...

"Well, it's not impossible..."

"Can we even charge them?"

I think it's possible.

I can bring them back and charge them with a charger.

"Food is one thing, but games are a different story."

"Yeah. We should wait until we have more leeway in our lives."

"I agree."

Even Shigen and Meguru chimed in.

Buying games at this point is out of the question.

"We're already living a game-like life, anyway!"

Well, maybe he meant it as a joke, but it's not funny.

Everyone is half-smiling.

Even Hagizawa is half-smiling.

Don't get depressed after saying that yourself.

"Shigen, do you have any weapon dictionaries or blacksmithing books? It would be helpful to have more items we can make with the materials we have."

"Got it. I'll look into it."

Indeed, the more knowledge Shigen has, the more weapons he can make.

I'll check out a bookstore later.

"Still, MD Burger is the best!"

Hagizawa, having finished his meal, clasped his hands and declared.

"I want to eat it again tomorrow."

"Sure. I used the bank card to withdraw and convert the money. I'll split it between Shigen and Hagizawa."

I sent a point exchange request to both of them.

It was the largest amount of points I've ever converted.

"Wow!"

"If you need anything, let me know, and I'll convert the points and get it for you."

"Thanks! But... That's a lot of points. With this much, we can get some decent equipment."

"Even Metal Turtle material?"

Shigen nodded at my question.

Seriously, how many points does Metal Turtle equipment cost?

"Even with this many points, we can probably only make one piece of equipment with Metal Turtle material."

"Even with this many points?"

It's definitely over a hundred thousand points.

After all, it's the combined savings of everyone.

By the way, my money is included too.

"Yeah, I'll check later, but I'll try to get a crossbow."

"By the way, you were so focused on the MD Burger, did you get the other items I asked for?"

I silently gave a thumbs up.

"They're in that box. Check them out."

Shigen and the others started examining the items.

"Right. With this much... A crossbow might be convenient. How much do we need?"

"Um..."

About twenty thousand points should be enough?

I held up two fingers and received twenty thousand points from Shigen and the others.

"Some items are hard to get in Japan, so it might take some time. Please be patient."

"Understood... The more complex items will cost more points. Shigen, it's up to you."

"Got it."

So, I entrusted today's points to Shigen, and we got to eat.

"There's one left... Aren't you going to eat, Shigen-kun?"

Meguru asked, looking at the last paper bag.

Actually, Hagizawa was eyeing it.

I ordered five sets on impulse, but I didn't really need one.

"I'm fine. Anyone who's still hungry can have it."

"Then I'll—"

Meguru lightly tapped Hagizawa's hand and handed the bag to me.

"No way! Shigen-kun needs to eat too."

"I'm fine, really."

I'll be eating dinner at home with my parents... but I can't say that.

They're worried about me.

"Actually, I think it would be better if Meguru and Mami, who have been working hard, eat it."

"Shigen-kun has been working hard too."

Meguru seemed to be getting a bit upset.

"Yeah. Shigen, you need to eat properly. I forgot because you always seem so cheerful."

Ah... This atmosphere means I have to eat.

There's no choice.

"Alright."

I took the bag with the MD Burger and started eating in front of everyone.

Well, a burger is like a snack.

After all, I've been walking around and burning calories.

...Not that I'm on a diet or anything.

---

And that's how we ended up eating.