Chapter 85
The Capable Gyaru
Tatsumin-san... No. Given how she looks now, should I be calling her Ryugu-san instead?
I was surprised by her true face, but for the moment, I decided to have lunch.
"Let's eat!"
"Let's eat."
Following Riko-senpai's words, I put my hands together.
First, I took a sip of barley tea to moisten my parched throat. Perhaps I was too eager, because the cold liquid rushed down and startled my throat a little.
Then I took another sip. This time, I rolled it slowly around my mouth before letting it seep into my dried-out throat. It felt good, as though my body were being cooled from the inside.
My lips were dry too, so I moistened them with my tongue. The fact that barley tea tasted this delicious might have meant I was mildly dehydrated without realizing it.
I set down my cup and picked up my chopsticks. The somen on the large platter had been rolled into bite-sized portions, making it easy to pick up just the right amount.
I dipped it into the noodle sauce in the glass bowl and slurped it up.
With a light slurp, the thin, supple noodles slid into my mouth. I chewed them thoroughly, enjoying their texture. The saltiness of the sauce was just right for a body that had been outside.
But after exploring the dungeon, my body was still demanding more. Naturally, my eyes turned toward the pork on another large platter.
I lightly dipped the simply steamed pork into the smooth sesame sauce. I coated only one end and hurried it to my mouth before the sauce could drip.
Because it hadn't been grilled, the meat came apart easily between my teeth, spreading its plain flavor across my mouth. However, the part covered in sauce made its own distinct flavor known.
I could feel the flavors mixing together and becoming one. The refreshing, summery taste seemed to be replaced by something hearty and powerfully satisfying after exercise.
The amount of sesame sauce used changed that fusion, too. It was wonderful.
As I thought that, chopped green onions and seaweed were placed in front of me. The owner of those supple brown fingers gave me a quick wink.
I gave her a small bow, put them into the noodle sauce, and went back to the somen.
With only a light dip, vivid green onion and seaweed softened by the sauce clung to the noodles.
I sucked them all into my mouth at once.
It was a different flavor from before. The sauce soaked into the seaweed had made it stronger, but the green onion's crisp texture and slight spiciness balanced it out.
This wouldn't get boring.
If it had been nothing but somen, I might have thought, 'Somen all the time is a bit much,' like I did during ordinary summers. But alternating it with steamed pork had created an endless loop.
Occasionally resetting my mouth with barley tea made it even more enjoyable. But I had to eat the salad properly too. Droplets of water, probably left behind from washing the vegetables, caught the light and beckoned to me with a jewel-like sparkle.
The lettuce, the cucumber, and the cherry tomatoes each made their own statement in my mouth, while all of them released the water they contained.
I could clearly feel my vitality returning as my body welcomed the summer vegetables.
"Mm-hmm. I'm glad it looks like you're enjoying it."
Riko-senpai crossed her arms beneath her ample breasts and smiled with satisfaction, wearing an extremely smug expression.
"Yes, it's incredibly delicious. Thank you, Riko-senpai."
"Heh-heh. That look of admiration and respect feels great. Dinner's curry packed with vegetables, so look forward to it!"
"Yes!"
"Mmm, now that's a good answer! Oh, Miyu-chi. You don't have to force yourself to imitate us; you can eat with a fork, okay?"
"Yes. Thank you very much...!"
I hadn't noticed until she pointed it out, but Miyu-san seemed to be struggling quite a bit with the somen in front of her.
She was dexterous, so she had apparently already learned to handle the chopsticks. However, she seemed to be using too much force and breaking the noodles.
Besides, as someone who had lived in America in the future, she probably wasn't used to 'slurping' in the first place. The fact that she didn't seem disgusted by the sound of slurping alone meant she was adapting well.
Miyu-san used the wooden fork Riko-senpai had apparently placed there at some point to wind up the noodles that had sunk into the dipping sauce and put them in her mouth.
How she felt about the taste was obvious from her expression.
"I really am a capable gyaru...!"
As Riko-senpai struck a smug pose, I couldn't find a single thing to nitpick this time...
No, wait—isn't she actually not much of a gyaru? The food's delicious, though.
And so, lunch for the five adventurers came to an end in no time. Every plate was empty, with only the noodle sauce and sesame sauce remaining.
"Phew... Now then. There are a few things that have been bothering me."
Rosso-san drained the barley tea from her cup before beginning.
"As for this 'Containment Facility,' it seemed remarkably lax. How was it on your end, young oni?"
"Ah... Yes, it did have a somewhat sleepy atmosphere."
I answered while looking away from Rosso-san, who seemed to be in a slightly bad mood.
However, Miyu-san tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"Considering they are rank-and-file personnel, especially those assigned far from the capital, I think they were actually quite diligent."
Apparently, that's how it looked to someone from a hundred years in the future.
Riko-senpai gave a wry smile at her words.
"Well, I get where Rosso and Otaku-kun are coming from. But apparently things were different until last year."
As she said that, Riko-senpai shifted her gaze to Ryugu-san, as though handing the conversation over to her.
Holding her cup in both hands, Ryugu-san gave a small nod with her eyes lowered.
"Yes... Until sometime in the middle of last year, there were a lot of serious-minded people. But it seems they were all transferred elsewhere."
"To the cities...?"
"Yes..."
Since she had lowered her head, her long bangs covered Ryugu-san's expression.
"Nothing major has happened, but... it feels like they lack motivation..."
"At first, apparently, the Self-Defense Force and police were on incredibly high alert because thirteen dungeons were clustered together."
Riko-senpai took over the conversation again, speaking with her chin propped on her hand.
"But there was no sign of any spiritual disaster occurring, and there were personnel shortages everywhere, so they were sent to guard places with larger populations instead. The people assigned here aren't exactly elite."
"I see..."
"Still, the higher-ups aren't neglecting the dungeons entirely, since none of the people here have serious conduct problems."
"That's true."
Miyu-san gave a firm nod at Riko-senpai's words.
I wondered what someone like her considered 'personnel with bad conduct.' Part of me wanted to know, but another part really didn't.
"And... the culling of the monsters in the most dangerous dungeon... is being handled by the Self-Defense Force... so... that's sufficient."
That reminded me that, among the thirteen dungeons, I had heard on the train that one wasn't open to the public.
Apparently, the monsters there were too dangerous for civilian adventurers to challenge, and the Self-Defense Force was handling the situation properly.
If I remembered correctly, it was located several kilometers from the village.
"It's the thirteenth dungeon discovered around here, but even I, a Buddhist, find it ominous."
"Riko-senpai, are you Buddhist...?"
"Well, I eat cake at Christmas and go to the shrine with my friends to party on New Year's, so I'm a model Japanese citizen."
Come to think of it, my family was Buddhist too. I just wasn't particularly conscious of it.
"I used to pray to the cross, but I also participated in events of another religion, the 'Yahiro Kota Mama Religion, Babumi Sect.'"
"Huh...?"
"HAHAHA! Nice joke!"
What was this future person doing, nodding with an 'I get it' look while dropping a bombshell like that?
No way. Such a religion didn't exist. At least, it didn't exist in the present.
"What...? What?"
"This is a good opportunity. Since we have the chance, shall I explain the difference between the 'Babumi Sect' and the 'Birth Canal Sect'?"
"By the way, what are we doing about the dungeon this afternoon? Same groupings as this morning?"
There was no such opportunity, and I wasn't about to let one arise. Also, yikes. I could understand 'Babumi' to some extent, but what the hell was the 'Birth Canal Sect'? I did not want to hear about such a vile cult.
Don't pout, future person. Even if you make that cute face, I'm not letting you talk about that.
Damn it! This person really is ridiculously good-looking...!
"Ah, yes. That's right. The same members in the afternoon too..."
"All right. Then let's get this cleaned up quickly, take a nice rest, and head out."
I held up a hand to stop Riko-senpai as she rose from her chair, then stood up myself.
"No, we'll clean up. You made the meal, after all."
"That's true. I'll help too."
Miyu-san stood up after me.
"For real? That'd be a huge help. Then I'll leave it to you."
"Oh, then I..."
"Oops, sorry, Kana-chi. Did I forget to mention that Yamaoka-san wanted you to call later?"
"It's all right, Ryugu-san. Miyu-san and I can handle this."
"Oh, okay. Then... please?"
Because of our difference in height, Ryugu-san looked up at me through the gap in her bangs.
Unlike when she was in the mascot suit, that vulnerable gaze tugged at my heart a little. And then there was the sheer presence of those magnificent breasts I was unconsciously looking down at...
Wait, was everyone in this room except me a busty beauty...?
The awkwardness outweighed the happiness, but I was happy too. I just didn't quite know where to look.
"Hmph. Then I shall lend my assistance as well."
"Shut up. Sit down. Don't enter the kitchen."
"I've washed dishes before, you know!"
"Shut up. Take off that outfit and come back."
In response to Riko-senpai's deadpan remark, Rosso-san hugged herself and blushed.
The pressure from her arms made her ample breasts squish and change shape.
"Wha—! You want me to wear a naked apron!? Is this sexual harassment!?"
"No. I'm telling you to ditch the gothic lolita if you're going to work in the kitchen."
Rosso-san... in a naked apron...!
"Look out! Dodge, me!"
"!?"
A memory that didn't exist began racing through my mind, but I immediately stopped it by slamming a fist into my cheek.
That was close... In an already pleasant yet awkward situation, I almost made things even more awkward...
Rosso-san... What a terrifying girl!
"Kota-san? What... what on earth happened...?"
"I'm fine, Miyu-san. I... I'm fine...!"
"You're absolutely not fine, are you!?"
I tried to put on the most refreshing smile I could, but Miyu-san had broken out in a cold sweat.
Sorry. I couldn't explain it in detail. I had to protect my heart and my social standing.
"You should get examined... No, when it involves anomalous abilities, the only option is to check your mana levels. We should return to the café at once and consult Master."
"Miyu-chi, please don't pursue this. Seriously."
"It was my fault, so... please don't bully the young oni any further..."
"Miyu-chan... no more, okay?"
"Why!?"
Heh... What should I do? I kind of want to cry.
While the other three kept Miyu-san occupied, I loaded the empty dishes onto a tray and fled to the kitchen.
After that, I washed a whole lot of dishes.
In any case...
Though Ryugu-san had seemed timid, she hadn't been the sort to go berserk without wearing the mascot suit, or anything like that.
As I washed the dishes with a sponge and detergent, I thought of Inugozaki-san. Apparently, not being in her maid outfit caused her serious psychological damage.
Then why did Ryugu-san remain 'Tatsumin' all the time?