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The next day, Rei and I met at a café near our house.

I just knew yesterday, but it seems the place Rei lives was actually close to my home.

Leaving that aside, when I entered the café that we chose as our meeting place, Rei was already there.

"Ah, Rin, over here."

"My bad, did I make you wait?"

"No, I just arrived too."

I see, so this was the correct answer. I remembered the last time I had a meeting with Yui while being impressed like that.

"Sorry for contacting you all of a sudden. Were you busy?"

"No, don't worry about it. Besides, I just thought that I wanted to meet Rei too."

"-?! I-Is that so. Then, I'm glad."

"?"

Was she having a fever? Because her cheeks were slightly rosy. Besides that reason, I could only think she was being affected with the handsome aura that overflowed from me.

Yes, yes. I know it’s not like that so please stop looking at me with such cold eyes.

When I was performing that kind of one-man show in my mind, Rei slowly said.

"Without delay, first of all, please take this."

"Hmm? What is it…"

Rei handed me an envelope which felt quite thick as I held it. Was this perhaps…

"Rei, don't tell me this is…"

"Yes, it's money. About 500.000 yen for the time being"

"500,000…. Wait, wait, wait. Why are you suddenly handing this kind of thing to me?! It's scary?!"

I hastily placed the envelope in front of Rei. But, she slides it back to me.

"Please let me explain first. That time, Rin gave me a high-quality HP recovery pill. I believe one of those cost at least 1 million yen. Thus, I'm just returning the money for right now. But I only have this much right now, I'll return the rest soon."

After hearing her explanation, I finally understood what she meant by giving me this money. However, I’m still not convinced.

"No, as expected I can't take this. Because I'm causing a lot of trouble to Rei too."

"Trouble? What do you mean?"

Then, while looking at the surroundings, I whispered to Rei so it won't be heard by other customers.

"It's about how you went along with my lies. Since we told them Kazami and the others were the ones who defeated the Orc General, people still have a good opinion towards them. But on the contrary, the opinion of people toward Rei became harsh, right?"

However, Rei shakes her head.

"Rin doesn't have to worry about it. Because it was my fault I couldn’t stop Kazami and even followed them to enter the boss room after all. In addition, I also received something from Rin besides saving my life too."

"From me? To Rei?"

Was there something? As I tilted my head in puzzlement, Rei continued saying.

"It's the last boss subjugation reward. Although I didn't receive any experience as I didn't deal any damage to the Orc General, I did receive the last boss subjugation reward. I felt guilty to have my level raised by 150 by just being there without doing anything."

"I see, so it was like that. Concerning the result, it indeed turned out to be an act of parasitism, but I don't really care about that, you know? It's that kind of situation after all, and it doesn't mean I obtained fewer rewards because of that."

"I thought Rin would say something like that, but I will not rest assured if you didn't take it. I even think it was not enough just to return the money."

Hmmm, seems like Rei was resolute about this. Still, I won't be relieved even if I received Rei's money in this situation…that's right!

"Then, can I just ask you to pay the bill today? Because it seems I didn't bring my wallet."

"Your wallet is on the table, though."

"Ah, shit!"

I hurriedly put my wallet back in my pocket. And Rei laughed a little when she saw that.

"Just kidding. Of course, I don't mind. Is there anything else?"

"Let's see… Then, I'll be happy if you continue to get along with me from now on. This is not something to be proud of but I have merely a few friends."

"…that is something that makes me very happy too."

Etto, you are happy because you wanted to get along with me, right? It's not because you are happy I only have a few friends, right?

In front of me who had such a question in mind, Rei's expression darkened all of a sudden.

"But, I don't think this is enough to make it up to you. I think it won't be good if it's something that made me happy–"

"There is no need to make it up for it, though."

"–Eh?"

To Rei who looked at me with a puzzled expression, I said.

"In the end, Rei and I were able to survive. Even if there were some problems in the process, I think this is something that you should be happy with. That's why I don't think you need to feel guilty about it."

"I see… So, it was fine…"

As she seemed convinced by what I said, I handed the envelope back to Rei.

"Therefore, as expected, I will return this money. Because it’s unhonorable to take all the money given by a girl younger than me. But if you are still insisting even after hearing that, then bring it again when you have more leeway for your daily life."

"… Understood. If Rin says so, then I'll do that. However, I will do my best to return it soon."

"Aa, I'll be waiting."

Like that, our business was done for the time being, and we just continued to enjoy a casual conversation. Approximately 30 minutes later, we decided to end our meeting today.

When we're about to part, Rei said with a slightly nervous look on her face.

"Nee, Rin. If Rin was fine with it, someday I'd like to go to the dungeon again together. This time in a proper way."

"Certainly, it seems fun too."

Although it's not going to be a proper capture since there was a considerable difference in level between Rei and me, I think it's not bad.

With that kind of topic as the last conversation, we separated.

"See you again, Rei."

"Un. See you, Rin."

Rei and I turned our backs to each other and walked the opposite way. I think it would be a while before our road crossed again.

Now, I will begin capturing the dungeon again a few days later. So, let's do our best!