Chapter 82: Game of Life and 4 People

Translator: Soafp

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[Moegi PoV]

It seems like something happened between him and Karen-chan yesterday. As a result, our relationship has become somewhat awkward.

I feel like our relationship is changing… Especially Kohaku-chan seems to be troubled by various things… I’m not sure if it’s okay to just dive in like that…

However, I also want to become closer. Since we all live in the same house, I want to be more affectionate and hug more. I even want to have girls’ gatherings. If we become closer, we can easily talk about our worries. And he also seems to care about Kohaku-chan, but… I’m not sure what to do.

Karen-chan is also happy when she’s with him, but occasionally, unconsciously, she shows signs of caring about us. It wouldn’t be good if all of us develop strange thoughts and our relationship becomes strained.

Alright!! I’m going to roll up my sleeves here!!

Time for the Night Women Enhancement Committee!!

Not just silly jokes. Let’s play those trendy real-life girls’ development simulation games together. Let’s change the atmosphere with a lively uproar in the bedroom and deepen our bonds!

If one says she’s sleepy and looks like she’s going to sleep, I force her to take caffeine, tickle her, and don’t put her to sleep.

Fufufu, it’s all very forceful, let’s go all out.

Huh? But isn’t this approach quite similar to someone’s… Nah, must be my imagination, yeah.

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[Hihara PoV]

It’s kind of… awkward lately. Well, not just lately, more like since yesterday and today.

Ever since the day when I expressed my feelings to Izayoi, the atmosphere among everyone seems to have changed a bit… No, it’s definitely changed.

It might be selfish of me, but I somehow like everyone, and I don’t want this strange feeling to continue… But then again, trying to get close from my side might also feel… well, strange.

Since we all share the same bedroom and sleep in a row, the sense of distance is close. And living in the same house, any discomfort becomes immediately noticeable…

Aoi and Moegi don’t seem to be too concerned, but I can’t stand to see Kohaku’s gloomy expression.

What should I do? This can’t continue like this… Hmm… I want to resolve this worry quickly. If I don’t, I won’t be able to approach Izayoi with a clear mind. I was lying on my bed, lost in thought, when Moegi came in with a smile…

“Tonight, nobody’s sleeping! It’s an all-night Women’s Enhancement Committee!”

She suddenly gave a thumbs-up with her thumbs out. It was so unexpected that I froze for a moment.

“…That’s sudden.”

“Life is always unpredictable.”

“Isn’t that out of character?”

“Fufufu, not at all, fufufu.”

“I-I see…”

“You can refuse. I’ll keep asking until you accept. Fufufu.”

Clearly, her character is different… It feels like it’s reminding me of someone, but maybe it’s just my imagination, yeah. However, this assertiveness… feels like it resembles someone. With that thought, Aoi and Kohaku entered the bedroom.

“Both of you, nobody’s sleeping tonight.”

She seemed to like that line… She announced it to the two who had just entered with a sparkling expression. The two of them also had a dumbfounded expression as if they were startled.

“What’s going on?”

“I apologize, but staying up late can lead to skin issues.”

“We won’t stay up too late, and one night won’t hurt. Now, let’s start with a game of ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’! Look, here’s the flip chart!”

With a determined tone, Moegi handed out flip charts and markers to us. Pushed by her enthusiasm, the only way for Aoi and Kohaku was to follow along.

“Alright, let’s start with the theme: ‘Oh, this is totally relatable… What is it?'”

“You’re quite forceful… Well, it sounds like a fun girls’ night, so I’m okay with it.”

“I don’t have much energy for that sort of thing… Well, alright.”

Aoi surprisingly went along, but Kohaku seemed low on energy. However, when she saw Moegi’s enthusiastic expression, she reluctantly started writing on the flip chart.

“I’m done.”

I was already jotting down my ideas on the flip chart, and Aoi seemed to have finished as well. Moegi pointed at Aoi.

“‘Oh, this is totally relatable… What is it?'”

“When cooking chicken, you worry if it’s cooked through, and end up overcooking it and making it tough.”

“”Oh yeah, I totally get that!””

“Yeah, that’s so true… It’s hilarious…”

For now, I’ll follow the style of saying a power word that’s universally relatable among high school girls.

“…I managed to come up with something.”

“Yes, Kohaku-chan!”

“Candies I had in my bag melted and ended up oozing out of the bag…”

“””Oh yeah, I totally get that”””

I can relate to this. Phew, at least it’s not two consecutive cooking-related ones…

Now, I guess it’s time for me to reveal mine…

“Yes.”

“Go ahead, Kaen-chan.”

“During my first guild visit, I got harassed by rude senior adventurers.”

“””Hmm?”””

Huh? Don’t you understand this fantasy world fantasy common thing?

“Eh, t-then…”

I quickly revise it.

“First quest is about gathering herbs.”

“””??”””

“I thought I was slaying a minor monster, but it turned out to be a high-ranking one, and even the guild staff were surprised. And the other adventurers around were like, ‘Who’s that guy!?'”

“””??”””

…Is this what modern high school girls are like? My relatable experiences don’t seem to connect… Well, can’t be helped.

“But, I think this is totally a thing! Alright, next topic! Few word for this picture.”

The displayed photo was of a baby. I quickly came up with an answer. However, it probably won’t resonate with others…

“Yes.”

“Karen-chan!”

“Huh? Weren’t you working all night at that black company until just a while ago!?”

“…Ah, yeah, 100 points! Because it’s cute!”

Moegi is always so affirmative… Even if you don’t understand, you could say you don’t understand and deduct points, right? It’s like she’s being considerate, or maybe she’s trying to quickly bring back a slightly awkward atmosphere to normal? If that’s the case, it’s quite something…

Probably, that’s it…

If that’s the case, then I should also try to liven things up…

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[Aoi PoV]

I wasn’t feeling that great, but I can’t miss out on a popular event like a girls’ night. I’ve been quite a loner until now and haven’t experienced something like this before.

If I were to talk, it used to be more with the cacti I raised at home, or the cherry blossoms, or tomatoes… I ended up talking to plants more than humans. Especially cacti, they’re easy to care for, I even gave them names… Like Sabo-san…

[Tomato reads the same from bottom to top and top to bottom… It’s amusing, right?]

[Sabo-san, what’s your favorite food? Water? Yeah, right…]

Thinking back, I must have been quite a strange person… Those are memories of a futile day. However, now I can talk to someone I can call a friend. There’s nothing happier than this… or at least, there should be, but there’s this tiny prickling sensation in my heart, like a cactus thorn. Well, it’s not really worth worrying about, right?

“Next topic!”

“Yes!”

“You haven’t even given the topic yet!”

Not only Moegi, but even Karen-chan got all hyped up… Am I the only one who thinks they’re forcing it a bit too much?

Both Moegi and Karen-chan are blushing, is it because they’re embarrassed?

“Now, let’s play the latest trendy app game. Let’s try the ‘Real Girl Development Life Game’! Come on, download it!!”

Prompted by Moegi, everyone starts downloading the app. However…

“Huh? The network…”

“Ah, let’s turn off the Wi-Fi once ……”

Awkwardness sets in briefly, and the energy drops, but once the downloads are complete, they’re back to raising their energy with a shy expression. Kohaku seems… to have a continuous lack of energy.

“Alright, let’s do a multiplayer game!”

“I-I’ll take you on!”

“Why are both of you so energetic…”

I also start the app and begin the multiplayer game. The rules are quite common – you roll the dice, land on different squares with random events that earn you ‘points,’ and the person with the highest ‘points’ at the end wins.

“It’s my turn. Um… I got a three. One, two, three. Item obtained: Mascara. Girl Power Points +5.”

“Next is me… I got a six… Item: ‘Lift and Separate Bra.’ I feel some malice here… Girl Power Points +7.”

I see, you can also obtain items. After the two of them finish, it’s Kohaku’s turn.

“I got a four… Item obtained: ‘Knife.’ Points +9…”

As expected, Kohaku seems the least enthusiastic. I wonder if something’s bothering her? …Well, I am technically her Senpai… Although she seems more mature, so I don’t really pay attention to that.

But sometimes, I want to do something more Senpai-like. I don’t really know how, but isn’t it nice to be praised? I like it when I’m praised too.

“By the way, Kohaku… you’re really cute, you know?”

“Absolutely, by the way…”

“Well, I thought so. And also, your eyes are cute, your nose and mouth too.”

“I-I see… Thank you very much… Your eyes, nose, and mouth are also incredibly cute, Senpai.”

“R-Really? Oh, thanks… Kohaku, your voice and hair are glossy and elegant, it gives an impression of refinement…”

“Thank you. Your voice and hair are dignified and graceful, your demeanor is polite, and you leave a good impression.”

“A-aaaaaaah… h-how about I give you some pocket money?”

“No, I receive a proper allowance from my parents, so I’m fine.”

No, what’s the point of me getting all happy? I’m her Senpai, so I should praise her more properly…

“It’s your turn, Senpai?”

Oh, right, I was in the middle of the game.

“Yeah, right. I rolled a 2. Item… ‘Hoodie,’ a divine item obtained… adds +1 to Girl Power, but… that doesn’t really matter.”

“Senpai seems to like hoodies… they’re comfortable to wear, and I also use them quite a bit.”

“Exactly, hoodies are the best.”

“Yes, I recognize that they’re really good.”

“I know right…”

No, seriously, what am I doing, getting all hyped up like this? I was trying to encourage Kohaku…

After that, I tried to encourage her a few more times, but it was just returned, making me feel even more excited.

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[Moegi PoV]

In the end, Kohaku-chan ended up in last place… It was because she got hit perfectly by an event that only activates when you have a special item.

The event was called the ‘Yandere Event,’ which only triggers when you possess the ‘Knife’ item. It’s an outrageous event where you’re excluded from the game without question. It involves approaching the person you’re interested in while holding the knife, getting rejected, and then stabbing him to death… That’s the event.

The moment this happened, our group of Senpai froze. We hadn’t discussed anything in advance, but somehow, Kohaku-chan was the least enthusiastic, so I was trying to encourage her, but I couldn’t.

Kohaku-chan sunk down with a sad expression, muttered, “I’m a loser after all,” and then the atmosphere just… dissipated. We all went to sleep in our usual row.

As I thought, the only one who can cheer up Kohaku-chan… is him. He’s quite sensitive to people’s kindness. However, I have no idea how he’d respond to someone’s goodwill.

Especially when it comes to special, sweet emotions between a man and a woman, he’s quite resistant. But considering him, I believe he’s probably thinking of something. Maybe, at least…

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[Izayoi PoV]

What should I do… Today, Kohaku seemed a bit down. When I asked if something was wrong, she smiled and said it was nothing, but I wonder if that’s really the case…

And somehow, I’ve noticed her feelings towards me. Plus, I also have feelings for Kohaku. However, confessing to her and then immediately turning around to say something like that would be wrong, right? It feels like I would be disregarding Karen. But I haven’t said anything to Kohaku. Is that okay too?

My head starts to ache. If I start feeling insincere, is it right to continue? What should I do? I feel like I’m getting trapped and there might be a bad ending. What should I do…

Last time, our personalities matched well and we managed to avoid a problem, but if the other Four Heavenly Kings show up, it won’t be that simple. It’s a territory I can’t conquer. That’s why…

—The girls need a mid-level power-up.

As soon as possible… For that, I need to go to Artemis in the alternate world…

But can I focus on that and put Kohaku’s feelings aside, neglecting them? Yet, being insincere…

I think the big difference between Karen and Kohaku is whether or not they communicated their feelings. When their thoughts are transmitted, you know how precious, wonderful and great it is.

What should I do… What should I do… What should I do…

The night deepens. However, I still haven’t found an answer.

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[Third person POV]

“Then, you will open the world border?”

“Umu. It took quite a bit of debate, but it was decided that if the individuals willing to fight against the demons requested it, we would listen.”

“Understood.”

“Umu, until then.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The communication with Mel ends. The person on the other side was the king of the country where Mel lived in Artemis. With this, it’s confirmed that Izayoi can go to the alternate world.

There’s only one reason why Izayoi wants to go, and that is to obtain a mid-level power-up item.

The item for the mid-level power-up is hidden within a temple. It’s said to be impregnable, a legendary challenge that no fairy has ever succeeded in overcoming.

Normally, Mel would have conquered the temple and achieved the mid-level power-up around December, but due to the second bad ending, there’s no time to spare.

The reason being that it takes time to master the mid-level power-up item, so Izayoi understands the need to acquire it as quickly as possible.

In other words,

Izayoi-kun’s attack on the Otherworldly Temple is about to begin.

End of the Crimson arc