NOVEL NEXT Chapter 144
Drek let out a deep sigh.
“……Haaaah.”
As someone who harbors the ‘Confucian societal nobility’ in my heart, I wanted to tell Drek, “Sighing brings misfortune,” but since I was the cause of that sigh, I decided to just keep silent.
Drek frowned deeply, as if he were stressed, his expression more intense than just a sigh.
He expressed his frustration through actions rather than words, vigorously splashing water on his face.
A skinhead with green eyes, a neatly tied long beard that looked like he came straight out of a fantasy movie, and golden teeth peeking subtly.
His appearance is one that makes you feel like you should lower your eyes and walk if you happen to cross paths.
If someone were to observe this situation objectively, they would conclude it as ‘Ordinary person A getting mugged by a mercenary’ and run away.
But fortunately, we were currently on the café terrace of the Golden Smile Condominium on the second floor.
There was no one around who would gossip about us.
Even though it was a café terrace, it was in the form of a greenhouse with glass walls separating it from the outside, so the air quality wasn’t bad.
Anyway.
I cautiously placed my coffee cup down while watching Drek’s reactions.
I had only taken sips every time he complained, and now the coffee cup was already tilting towards the bottom.
It seemed Drek was also thirsty.
He shook off the oil-mixed coffee in one gulp and slammed the cup down.
– Thud.
Even if he’s a cyborg-dwarf, taste buds should be the same, so how did he manage to drink all that in one go?
It was simply astonishing.
I silently admired the scene from across the table.
Maybe it was just my feeling, but Drek looked more tired than usual.
He waved his thick fingers in the air.
“…Alright, let’s整理 your words.”
I guess it’s because he’s a dwarf; he’s thorough.
He must have taken notes while listening to my consultation.
A soft mechanical light glowed roundly from Drek’s green eyes.
“First of all, after hanging up with me that evening, you head down to your room, and all the housemates were gathered there waiting for you.”
“That’s right.”
“And it surprised you that it was marked as the first anniversary, but you said you understood up to that point.”
“Hmm, right. I didn’t confess or anything.”
“…And then while kissing, a rib broke.”
“That’s based on fact.”
At this point, Drek’s words paused for a moment.
His expression looked like someone who had just heard something absurd.
I understood Drek’s reaction.
In the Neon City, where all sorts of incidents lurk, there probably isn’t another person who would cough up blood from a broken rib while kissing.
After a light sigh, Drek continued.
“After treating the injury, you now have a private room.”
“Oh, it’s not exactly a private room since we’re living together.”
“……Anyway, you ended up rotating, spending time together one by one.”
“That’s right.”
I decided to voice my concerns that I hadn’t been able to mention to Drek yet.
“It’s been a full rotation now, and it feels really strange. The areas of clothing are small, and they subtly encourage physical contact.”
“……”
“What do you think? Do you have any opinions?”
Drek stared at me with the expression of seeing an alien from Alpha Centauri.
Side EP. Counseling Results (1)
It was quite a productive time.
Of course, it didn’t yield the answers I wanted or a cheerful resolution.
However, my dwarf friend helped me somewhat in organizing my current situation.
– ‘I served it on a plate so you could eat it whole, but nope. I even spoon-fed it to you, and you spit it out─.’
Still, the sight of the robotics-dwarf grabbing his neck and complaining of high blood pressure was something you wouldn’t easily see elsewhere.
– ‘Just do it, I said!’
I responded to Drek’s words.
– ‘No, but there should be some atmosphere….’
– ‘……Ugh!’
This wasn’t an appropriate response to a friend who took time out of his busy newlywed period to come, but.
At this rate, it seemed like Drek would actually get taken to the hospital (and I would probably end up getting grabbed by the collar), so I quickly sent Drek home.
I wiped the beads of sweat off my forehead and let out a light sigh.
“Phew.”
I returned to the café terrace seat and sat down in the chair.
Seeing that my empty coffee cup had been refilled, I lightly bowed my head in gratitude towards the counter.
Although I’ve been assigned to work in a strange place, I was a dedicated employee of Monolith.
As I lifted my coffee cup, I heard the sound of ice clinking pleasantly.
Calmly, I continued my thoughts while enjoying my moment of peace.
It was tough to interpret what was mixed with all sorts of curses and F-words, but.
In the end, Drek gave me one conclusion.
– ‘It’s seductive. The stage has been set, so you just have to accept it. …But since you can’t, you are to me─.’
The last part was interrupted by static.
Anyway, Drek wasn’t wrong.
It was simply a matter of ‘doing’ it.
Once I had grasped everyone’s feelings, there was no simpler solution. Plus, being adults, there were no legal issues.
But, something feels off.
…….
Exactly.
Something definitely felt strange.
I propped my chin on the table and focused on my thoughts.
Why was that?
It’s not like I lack sexual desire, nor am I completely oblivious, and I’m not devoid of thoughts.
However.
I have been unable to take that crucial step at important moments.
Like a piece of driftwood being swept along by the waves, I simply let myself be carried away by the current.
It’s true that my personality is introverted. But there are many aspects that cannot be simply explained away as just that.
It feels different.
As if some critical element is missing.
Is it because this world is a game?
That can’t be it.
I already concluded last time that this world isn’t just a simple ‘game.’ It’s a ‘world I must live in.’
If so, is it because of my character attributes?
That’s a high possibility.
It’s already been nearly ten years since I fell into this world.
Since I started hardcore in a landfill, I didn’t have the luxury to remember and organize my attributes in the early days.
Aside from a few significant traits, I’ve forgotten most of them.
My body was composed of numerous ‘negative attributes.’ I can’t confidently say there isn’t something mentally off or broken among them.
Thinking back, when I received psychological counseling from the Elf Doctor back in the day, I pondered that it might not have been mere false diagnosis.
I thought it was just a way to take a bribe.
Various other reasons also came to mind.
It could simply be due to my inferiority complex, or I might not want to ruin this relationship, or maybe just because I lack the courage.
…….
I calmly contemplated my heart.
And then, I realized something ordinary.
Anyway, I already knew the answer. Along with the strangeness of the actions I had taken until now.
Of course, even though I knew that doesn’t mean I could act just like Drek suggested.
– ‘Just touch her chest!!’
There were difficulties in behaving like that.
Even now, I feel a bit burdened by it.
But.
I instinctively understood that I need to take a step forward for the girls who have continuously supported me and acknowledged me.
I couldn’t maintain this type of relationship forever.
…….
Today, it’s Eve’s turn to come to the 14th floor.
Alright, let’s do it.
Resolutely, I stood up from my seat.
And then an air vehicle came rushing towards us through the glass wall.
“Eh?”
– BANG!!
Wow, that’s still intact.
I thought while brushing off the dust on my body.
It was a reminder of the beneficial effects of Body Enhancement Magic. Thanks to the mana I had accumulated within, I didn’t even need time to gather mana.
“Ar-are you okay?!”
A Monolith employee at the counter hurriedly ran towards me.
“Ah, yes. I’m fine. But what on earth is happening here?”
“Uh, I-I’ll check on this.”
“No, I’ll take a look.”
I stopped the Monolith employee who looked like they were about to pass out and slowly walked towards the air vehicle that had crashed through the glass.
It could be a corporate terrorist.
It could be a problem caused by a system error.
I approached, keeping in mind various possibilities.
At that moment, I heard Eve’s voice in my ear.
[Heart rate has increased suddenly. May I ask what has happened?]
Maybe she’s been keeping a little privacy in my personal life lately.
It seems she wasn’t sharing my visual field.
I peeked inside the driver’s seat.
An exploded airbag and an unconscious driver came into view.
“Looks like an accident.”
[I will verify identity and records…, finished. I will play back the black box content.]
Truly, it’s the future.
Right after Eve finished speaking, an augmented screen was shared in my visual interface.
《La la la…. Huh? Wait, why won’t the steering respond? Autonomous system…, it’s not working? Ugh, it won’t stop! I can’t stop it, noooo!!》
– BANG!!
[That’s all.]
“Wow, it really looks like an accident.”
What terrible luck.
Just to clarify, the ‘bad luck’ I’m referring to is towards myself.
My coffee had now been garnished with glass shards, and honestly, if I hadn’t known about Body Enhancement Magic or how to store mana in my body, I might’ve been seriously injured in this situation.
[…Looks like you collided with a vehicle. I will be sending an emergency team down there now.]
“No, I’m fine.”
I waved my hand calmly.
I truly was fine.
At this point, I feel like I could be shot and still be okay. Of course, that would depend on what kind of bullet it is, and the result would differ.
[Did you use protective shield magic?]
“Well, it’s magic alright, but it’s Body Enhancement Magic. The one I developed last time……, ah.”
That was a secret.
[…….]
Eve’s silence sent chills down my spine.
I carefully muttered to myself.
“Could you pretend you didn’t hear that?”
[Refused.]
…….
Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal if I got caught.
I had already mentally prepared myself earlier.
But, um.
Hmm.
It just feels off.
If I had known it would end up like this, I wouldn’t have needed to worry at all.
I slowly closed my eyes and prepared for the upcoming (forced) future.