Ch.147New Colleague (5)

“Yeah. There’s an unused dormitory building on our company property. How about using that?”

Madoka said.

“No. I can’t impose on you like that…..”

I said something I didn’t really mean.

So this is how Liu Bei felt when he politely declined the land in Xuzhou…. How can I endure this? Is this the kind of patience needed to build a nation?

“Remember the school I attend?”

At that moment, Madoka asked.

“Ah!! That crazy duel school!!”

I shouted loudly.

It was that insane school where everything was decided by duels.

“T-that’s dark history!!! It’s not like that anymore!! It’s become a normal school now!!”

Madoka yelled with a flushed face.

That’s a relief. Really.

“Anyway, there’s an unused faculty dormitory on the outskirts of Emoshita. How about using that, big brother?”

Madoka said.

“Um…. but would that be okay? After all, it’s meant for faculty members.”

I made another insincere refusal.

I was holding back….. stacking up 3 refusals. My plan was to eventually say, “Well, if you insist, I guess I have no choice. Heh heh,” and accept.

“It’s actually been causing problems. Buildings deteriorate when people don’t live in them.”

Madoka said.

“Ah…. there’s a saying that buildings age faster when unused.”

I nodded as I spoke.

“No, that’s not it. Under current law, buildings need proof of occupancy called residency rights. That’s necessary to avoid legal disadvantages.”

However, what Madoka was concerned about were adult matters.

Right….. that’s the current law in Japan. I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard about it. I’ve heard some building owners deliberately let homeless people live in buildings for certain periods to prevent demolition. Apparently, this was exploited during the bubble economy era.

“Anyway, my dad would probably be interested too. And…..”

Madoka said with a blush.

“I want to live independently too. We can use my place as a hideout. Tina will be on standby all the time. Isn’t that great?”

Madoka said.

“L-living alone? Isn’t that too early?”

Mr. Kujo seemed quite the doting father…. would he allow it?

“What’s there to worry about when Tina’s around?”

Madoka said.

“I guess…..”

Any ordinary thug would be dealt with by Tina.

“This way I can see you more often too, big brother.”

Madoka said.

“Madoka!! You precious child!! 300 points!!”

I immediately awarded her points.

“Shota…. you’re too generous with your points.”

Umi said with a cold look.

“Shota…. he’s terribly weak against children. He’s super nice to our younger siblings too.”

Eri chuckled.

“This guy…. isn’t he just giving points quickly to manipulate Madoka?”

Taiga said with a cold look.

“N-no, that’s not it.”

I said, turning my head away.

“Hmm…..”

Taiga looked at me with eyes like the predator his name suggested. He wasn’t letting his guard down at all.

“But it’s not a bad proposal. Then I could join Shota’s Earth Defense Force too.”

Tina said. That’s true. Tina would be on standby at the hideout from the beginning.

“Then I’ll talk to my dad about it.”

Madoka said with a smile.

“…..Will he allow it?”

If my involvement became known, Mr. Kujo would likely oppose it immediately.

Just being close to Madoka had already earned me his strange hostility.

“Dad eventually gives in if I keeeeeeep pestering him.”

However, Madoka was a master at persuading her father. What a cunning child…!!!

“I’ll go ask dad now.”

Madoka was about to head to where Mr. Kujo was.

“A-already? Can’t we take it a bit slower?”

I tried to stop Madoka.

“There’s a saying about striking while the iron is hot.”

Madoka said with a smile.

“And….. I want to help my hopeless big brother. He’s so helpless without me.”

Madoka said with a smile.

After that, Madoka jumped over the fence with Tina.

“She’s trying to buy Shota with money. What a cheeky little girl.”

Umi didn’t seem to like that aspect.

“But…. we do need a hideout, right?”

I said.

The image of Sasith struggling to chase away mosquitoes flashed before my eyes.

“Oh my…. I tear up every time I see our Sasith. Working so hard catching mosquitoes in the park… it’s just too pitiful….”

My eyes naturally stung. Soon, tears rolled down my cheeks.

“No!! Why do you like Sasith so much?!! You’re going way overboard!!!”

Taiga objected as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Male friendship is nice to see. Even though you two don’t seem to match, you’re actually a perfect combination.”

Eri said with a grin.

“Honestly…. I’m glad Sasith isn’t a woman. If he were, Umi would probably be eliminated within 3 seconds.”

Taiga said, scratching his head.

“Hey!! What do you mean 3 seconds!!!”

Umi immediately got angry.

Anyway. I decided to support Madoka. If she gets us a hideout, I’ll coolly give her 4000 points. Please aim for 10,000 points and do your best.

———

At that time. In the forest.

Clang-! Clang-!!! Clang-!!

Thumbs-up Man was continuing his training as usual.

He was known as the forest ghost.

Of course, he wasn’t a real ghost. He was a combat android funded by the Saito family. A battle machine that had perfectly mastered the Saito family’s sword techniques.

Though weaker than a first-class swordsman like Kana, he was certainly a formidable opponent for someone at Thumbs-up Man’s level.

Only after gaining enough strength to conquer the other creatures in this forest could one challenge the forest ghost and stand a chance.

“Hyaaaah!!!”

Thumbs-up Man shouted a battle cry as he dove toward the forest ghost’s flank.

Swoosh-!!!!

And Thumbs-up Man’s sword strike hit the forest ghost’s side directly.

Boom-!!

With that, the forest ghost’s body was pushed back significantly.

“Beep beep beep. Fatal damage confirmed. Initiating defeat sequence.”

With that, the forest ghost sat down.

“Is, is this it?”

Thumbs-up Man immediately brightened up and exclaimed.

“To reach this level in just a few days…. that is impressive.”

Kana honestly acknowledged it.

To properly face off against Arigiri Shota, Thumbs-up Man had continued his training with unwavering determination. As a result, Thumbs-up Man had become incomparably stronger than before.

“Calculating combat data results……”

Soon, mechanical sounds flowed from the forest ghost’s mouth.

This forest ghost didn’t just fight. It also analyzed the opponent’s combat patterns and recommended the most suitable weapons.

“Calculation complete. The most suitable armament for user Thumbs-up Man is a one-handed sword…. and a shield.”

The forest ghost said.

“A shield….”

Thumbs-up Man made a displeased expression. Being a swordsman by nature, using a shield somehow made him look like a coward.

“The forest ghost’s data calculations are accurate. You’ll be strongest using those weapons. Besides…..”

Kana grinned.

“Arigiri Shota might like it if you use unique weapons?”

With Kana’s words, Thumbs-up Man was persuaded.

“Hmm. If that’s the case.”

Thumbs-up Man decided to apply shield techniques to the Thousand Thought Heart Style.

‘Really….. what a sinful man, this Arigiri Shota.’

Kana thought.

He possessed a strange power to captivate those around him with an inexplicable charm. Even Kana… didn’t dislike Shota.

‘But… he’s having too much fun!!’

Suddenly Kana got angry. She had expected him to come train in the forest again… but there was no sign of that. He was probably enjoying himself recklessly at the beach. The thought made her angry.

“Kana. You want to see Shota, right?”

Thumbs-up Man said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“N-not particularly?!!”

Kana got angry.

“Don’t let your pride cloud your judgment.”

Thumbs-up Man said firmly.

“What advice is that!! How dare you, my disciple!!!”

Kana shouted loudly.

“Wouldn’t it be good to visit the beach… at least to say hello?”

Thumbs-up Man said.

“S-should I…?”

Kana wavered immediately at those words.

“T-then I’ll just go say a quick hello!!! And scold that dissolute guy a bit before coming back!!”

Kana immediately ran out of the forest.

“…..She’s so dishonest.”

Thumbs-up Man chuckled and gave a thumbs-up toward Kana’s back.

——–

Kana headed straight for the beach.

But…… there was no sign of anyone at the beach. The villa was the same.

Only the empty private beach remained.

That’s right. By evening, Shota and his group had already left.

Sniff-!

Tears suddenly welled up in Kana’s eyes.

“Arigiri Shota!!! I really hate you!!!!”

Kana roared at the beach.

Really…. even if just out of spite, Kana resolved to transfer to Emoshita. She would definitely… make Arigiri Shota dizzy with confusion. Saito Kana made that resolution.

———-

Vroom-!!

After having plenty of fun, we headed back in Mr. Shotaro’s car. Mika joined us too. Surprisingly, Mika also lived near Emoshita. Not in Emoshita itself, but in the neighboring town.

“Mika. Come visit anytime.”

I smiled as I said to Mika.

“That’s… just something you say out of courtesy.”

That seemed to slightly trigger Mika’s trauma switch.

“Why be formal? We’re comrades who use the same web novel site. Let’s talk a lot about our works. Nerdy conversations are fine too.”

I said with a smile.

“You’re really… unfair.”

Mika muttered, her face slightly flushed as she got into the back seat.

Vroom-!!

Apparently tired from all the fun, my girlfriends in the back seat were huddled together, fast asleep.

“I was expecting some kind of love triangle drama, but it seems they’ve become even closer.”

Shotaro said.

“Ah… yes. Well, I’ve definitely chosen my official girlfriend.”

I said, scratching my head.

“Eri told me. She had a really relaxed expression. Even without saying it, she must have felt some pressure.”

Shotaro said a few words to me.

“Thank you, Shota. For… choosing Eri.”

Shotaro’s words were sincere. This guy is quite the sister-complex and really cares for his younger sister.

“I didn’t choose Eri. Eri chose me.”

I said with a smile.

“Heh. Is that so. You’re a good guy.”

Shotaro chuckled, then said to me:

“When you become an adult, let’s have a drink together. It’s on me.”

With those words, I got the feeling. Shotaro and I had become one step closer.

And so, the eventful summer vacation came to an end. It was incredibly fulfilling.