Chapter 83

"Gau?"

...Why is Kumako taking off her gloves, smearing oil all over her hands, and coming closer to me?

Is that not honey?

Hagizawa, showing Kumako something weird, huh.

"Are you trying to rub it on me?"

"Gau!"

"...Maybe I should try to run away first."

If Kumako rubs it on me, it seems dangerous in a different way.

Like being deep-fried.

"Gau Gau Gau-"

"Damn... My feet are stuck in the sand! Hey! Don't approach me with kangaroo steps!"

I started a rather life-threatening chase with Kumako.

"Damn... Hanahashi is doing some envy-inducing chase with Kumako! Being chased by a girl is so enviable!"

"It's Kumako, you know!"

By the way, I was caught pretty quickly.

I was drenched in oil and it was pretty bad.

Not that I care about sunburn as a guy.

After that, I swam in the sea moderately.

"Gau-"

Kumako followed me with a doggy paddle, trying to get me to ride on her back when she dove.

It's fine, though.

"Kosei-kun, that's great! I want you to do it for me too!"

"Gau-"

Kumako started swimming with Misa on her back after diving.

"Wow, it's fun! Let's go further out, Kumako-chan!"

"Gau-!"

"Be careful not to go out of bounds, okay!"

Kumako and Misa swam together, looking very happy.

When I turned my gaze to the shore, I spotted Ito and Kurohon sitting under a parasol... reading books.

They seem to get along well as a couple, but they don't seem to be talking at all, just checking their books.

Ito is reading Weekly Shonen Step and other magazines and manga.

Kurohon is reading a thick book like a dictionary.

Is it a book from this world?

...They're writing something in it.

Huh? I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

I think it was in Japan... maybe it's just my imagination?

Anyway, they're a serious pair, or maybe they just like books and get along well. I can't really tell.

"Kosei-"

Moriyoshi swam over to us.

"They say they're going to play beach volleyball. Do you want to join?"

"Pass. I'll rest after swimming."

Everyone is so energetic.

To be honest, it's only the first day.

Well, if they get tired, they can get healed by Misa, so that's probably why everyone is so energetic.

"...If we make underwater gear and go diving, it might be fun."

"Moriyoshi, you're pushing it."

Well... just looking at the sea from the shore seems fun.

By the time the sun started to set, it was time for dinner.

"Kani!"

"Oh! Hanahashi's Japanese food is more luxurious than what he prepares!"

That's none of your business.

"Ebi!"

"Fish!"

"Barbecue!"

Everyone is so hyped up.

So, we all gathered to eat together.

The villagers and knights also seemed to be enjoying their meals.

"Here you go!"

I received a boiled crab that had turned red and... handed it to Kumako right away.

"Gau-!"

Kumako, who was starving, started devouring the crab.

It must be delicious.

"No... then this one."

This time, I was handed a dish made from a shrimp-like monster, which I also presented to Kumako.

"Hanahashi, you're not in the mood, are you? How about some Munier and Paella?"

That's how I let Kumako eat while I sat next to her.

Yeah, this way is fine.

By the way, I also gave the shrimp in the Paella to Kumako.

"What? Wow, you're giving the crab and shrimp to Kumako!?"

Hagizawa raised his voice when he saw us.

"Aren't you going to eat them?"

Then Moriyoshi came over with the food he had received.

"Hey, Sakachi. Hanahashi isn't eating the crab or shrimp... isn't that the main dish?"

"Ah..."

Moriyoshi looked at me and Hagizawa alternately and nodded in understanding.

Moriyoshi knows, after all.

"Hagizawa, didn't you tell him before that Kosei is afraid of bugs?"

"Ah... you don't mean..."

Hagizawa looked at me with disbelief.

"Huh? Bugs? I don't eat them because I'm afraid of them."

"Eh, no... aren't they crabs and shrimp?"

"To me, they just look like bugs."

It's hard to call these creatures with pincers and lots of legs anything but bugs.

I'd actually like to learn the differences in detail.

"So, Kosei doesn't eat crabs or shrimp and doesn't even want to."

"Is it even tasty?"

To be honest, I can't understand the taste even if I eat it.

Whether it's shrimp tempura or crab hot pot... I just can't get it.

That's why I always think it's better to let someone who likes it eat it.

"Actually, when shrimp tempura was served in elementary school, I was the one who got it from Kosei first."

"When we had a crab party at home, I called Moriyoshi to eat it."

"Kosei's parents even invited me to eat it instead of Kosei. It's a luxury I get to enjoy once every few years."

"I just watched the meal."

Watching everyone greedily devour the crabs, it's hard not to see them as demonic food.

Actually, the smell is good.

I can't understand the appearance or the taste, though.

"It's a scene that makes me truly grateful to be Kosei's best friend."

As we both boasted together, Hagizawa looked at us with narrowed eyes, as if he was in a daze.

"How thorough are you, Kosei! I'm amazed, but I also see a rare side of Sakachi's scheming."

Hagizawa put his hand on his forehead and muttered something.

I often get this reaction when I talk about it.

Not many people dislike crabs and shrimp, after all.

Can't help it.

"Look closely, Hagizawa."

I pointed to the girls greedily devouring the crabs, including Misa.

"Girls who say 'Eek, scary!' about bugs and won't even touch them, are now devouring crabs."

"Ugh... Now they look like bugs to me... Stop it! Don't brainwash me!"

Hagizawa shook his head in disgust.

One more push.

"Look, they're picking apart the bug's legs and sucking out the meat."

"That's not a bug. It's a crab! It's a shrimp! It's a luxurious meal! I, I—"

Hagizawa ran away from us, as if trying to escape.

I went a bit too far with the joke.

"It's delicious, Kumako-chan."

"Gau-"

By the way, Misa was eating the crab with Kumako, and it looked delicious even to me.

Kumako would suit salmon, I think.

Maybe crabs too?

We finished the meal in a pleasant atmosphere and relaxed at the inn.

Of course, the hot spring is already set up.

The room is a bit small, but we're spending a fairly comfortable time.

It's so peaceful that I feel a bit uneasy, but if everyone is having fun, it's a good thing.

I'm working hard to learn the recovery magic called Aid, which I asked Ramures about.

It's a bit difficult, but I'm gradually getting the hang of how to use magic.

Not the icon for using the ability, but the sensation I feel unconsciously or during incantation.

"Hanahashi, I need a recharge."

...I really think it's a good thing.

Moriyoshi, on the other hand, was visiting the blacksmith in the village where we were staying.

He seems to plan to make necessary items on-site.

Something about making armor to explore underwater.

Hagizawa was also asked to make some kind of accessory.

The combat-oriented group knows about underwater battles... since adventurers sometimes go to the seabed.

There are caves nearby that serve as good hunting grounds.

It reminds me of an online game.

The perception of this world sometimes exceeds the imagination of Japanese people.

The night at our destination passed like this.

The next day, the hunting continued.

Under Ito's guidance, we efficiently gathered experience points.

As a result, Moriyoshi's level reached 30.

"Oh?"

Moriyoshi checked the expanded ability that came with the level up.

"What? What ability did you get?"

"Um..."

Moriyoshi seems to be frowning at the ability name.

Did he get some weird ability?

By the way, Misa learned the Blessing ability at level 20, which temporarily boosts the target's stats, and the Luck ability at level 25, which increases the amount of points obtained.

They seem to be excellent support abilities, but their effects are inferior to specialized abilities.

The temporary nature is a drawback, as the effect lasts about an hour, which can be long or a bit inconvenient when you need to reapply it after leaving Misa.

"It's called Refinement."