Chapter 76

"No, listen. About my usual..."

I tried to explain to Ito, who was prostrating himself at my feet, but he wouldn't back down. Ito interrupted my words and said,

"Habashi is everyone's hope! That's why I want to start seriously inviting you to level up! But before that, I have a few things to ask!"

"Alright, get up already."

But Ito didn't lift his head at all, repeatedly pleading for forgiveness. To be honest, he was crying so hard that sobs were mixed in. Why is this guy so desperate?

"Ito... didn't you already apologize to me in the forest? If you don't stop, I'll get angry too."

Before we left the forest base, Ito had already bowed to me. I forgave him right away, but it seems the issue wasn't resolved in his mind.

"Alright..."

Finally, Ito lifted his head.

"So? What do you need from me?"

Then Ito pulled out a crumpled weekly magazine. I remember that was the item I had ordered to prove I could travel to and from Japan. I thought someone had it, but it was Ito. It was quite worn out, probably from carrying it on his intense journey. What's this for?

"Return it? You don't have to worry about it."

"No, that's not it... I want to ask you, Habashi..."

"Go on."

"I want you to buy Weekly Shonen Step and manga for me!"

He held the weekly magazine firmly and thrust his fist forward as he said this.

"...What?"

"After coming to this world for a few months, I realized that while leveling up and solidifying my equipment for adventures is fun, I'm even hungrier for manga and anime! Proof of that is how I couldn't let go of this weekly magazine you ordered."

"Ah... So what?"

"But, it's not like it's something essential like women's cosmetics or sanitary products. Everyone thought it would be too much to ask for such luxury items."

Come to think of it, everyone only asked for food. Recently, they've been asking for cosmetics, sanitary products, and even condoms. By the way, Hagizawa had a very serious look on his face when he was asked to make a convenient drug called Fairy Pill, which has a contraceptive effect. There's also a sister product called Virgin Pill... apparently, it has a literal effect. For a womanizer like Hagizawa, it felt like he was dealing with the sad inner lives of the girls. I remember feeling a bit melancholic when I was asked to get sanitary products. I got sidetracked.

"But I can't take it anymore. What happens next in the story? The entertainment I took for granted in Japan doesn't exist in this world!"

"I can understand how you feel, but... is that what you want to ask me?"

Ito nodded vigorously and thrust his fist forward again.

"Yes! Habashi, please, more than the magazine—"

He handed me a memo. It was a list of manga volumes, a kind of bulk purchase that would be unimaginable in Japan.

"I want you to buy these manga. I don't care about the cost! Is it impossible?"

"It's not impossible, but..."

"Then, I'm counting on you!"

"Alright, alright."

At that moment, another classmate arrived.

"Thanks a lot!"

Saying this, Ito seemed to be considerate and left right away.

"Huh? Do you need some weapons?"

Another classmate, one with combat abilities like Ito, came, and Moshin greeted them. There are a lot of people today.

"No... I need something from Habashi."

"You guys too?"

"Growl?"

I was checking the memo I got from Ito and thinking about the stores to visit in Japan.

"Do you want something?"

"Yes."

What could it be... they all seem restless, similar to Ito's earlier mood. I hope they don't prostrate themselves too.

"Hey, Habashi."

"...Manga?"

They all nodded.

"I see. Let's make a list of what you need. I'll prepare paper and a binder and have each of you write down the manga and magazines you want." Kumako seems to be following the memo with her eyes. She can't read, so don't worry about it.

"That's one thing, but there's more."

Huh? There's more?

"What? I can buy it if you have the points."

"It's not essential, but I want to ask."

"Alright. What do you want?"

"...Games."

"Huh?"

"I said, games."

"Games... what kind?"

We have cards in this world, but if you're asking me to buy something, it must be something else.

"I want a portable game console! Don't make me repeat myself!"

The classmate said this as if gathering all their courage. Why did they say it so forcefully? I would buy a game if you asked me.

"Didn't the new Monster Hunter just come out? You can't play it because you transferred to this world, but you really want to, right?"

"Well, you guys are hunting monsters in this world."

It feels like real Monster Hunter. Is it okay for people who hunt monsters in this world to also hunt monsters in a game? Are you that hungry for battle?

"That's different! I want all kinds of games! Can you get them for me?"

"I think it's possible, but... not a home console, right?"

In a world without electricity, a home console would require a TV. Since you said portable, I'll need to buy a portable game console too. Charging... I can do it at my house. With this trend, the number of people might increase, making charging difficult. I should consider getting a generator.

"Alright... I'll get the game console too. Who else wants one?"

"Me too."

"Me too."

"I want one too."

"Me too!"

...Why do you all want game consoles? Focus on fighting monsters and earning levels, points, and materials. It's the same thing, right?

I want to complain, but maybe they're stressed out in a different way, like Ito. For everyone who was used to modern society, entertainment is indispensable.

"This is a side effect of Kosei being able to travel to and from Japan. You miss things because they're not impossible to get."

"People even want cup noodles..."

Since we're at it, if buying things from Japan can help everyone's mental stability, I have no choice but to do it.

"Write down the games you want too."

"Alright!"

In the end, it seems that not only the combat-oriented group but also the base-oriented group will be buying a lot of game consoles. If I buy them all at once from one store, it will definitely raise suspicion. If it were Christmas, I could say I'm Santa's helper. Unfortunately, it's almost summer in Japan.

"Here's the money for the items! Use the rest for your equipment! Not for others, but for your own equipment!"

The representative collected points from everyone and handed them to me. Three million points. What is this number? Can you just casually hand over such a large amount? When did the combat group become so wealthy? And why the emphasis? Is it limited to my equipment?

"Hey, isn't that too much?"

"Then, I'm counting on you!"

"I can't wait!"

"Let's go!"

Ignoring my words, they all left Moshin's workshop. Listen to people when they talk.

"What is this, really..."

I understand wanting entertainment, but couldn't you be a bit more frugal and use just enough points? If it's not enough, I can request more later...

"It means they don't care about the cost. Also, it might be their way of indirectly helping you, Kosei. They want you to improve your equipment."

"Ugh..."

If Moshin says that, I can't return it later. I do want strong equipment myself. I need to be stronger...

"Anyway, go shopping. There's no class meeting or anything today."

Buying entertainment items like manga and games from another world makes me feel a bit sad, but if everyone wants them, I can't help it.

"Alright."

"Also..."

Moshin seems hesitant to say something. I know what he wants to say, but I don't want to know. I can feel my eyebrows furrowing.

"Get one for me too."

"Growl."

Kumako, you don't understand, so don't copy Moshin.

"You too... everyone likes games and manga, huh?"

I looked at the memo. It's a lot. I'll have to buy them in small batches. So, I transferred to Japan.