NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53 - Episode 053: Fresh and Ready, Setting Off
**Episode 053: Fresh and Ready, Setting Off**
After returning home.
“So, it really stopped…”
“Yeah…”
We had already figured out that the internet was down, but now we confirmed that gas and water were also cut off.
However, we were well-prepared, so there were no issues. We took a bath, washed away the dirt, and everything went smoothly.
It felt like the time had come.
“Sorry, but use this for today.”
“Got it.”
“Well, can’t be helped.”
It suddenly dawned on me that despite being all males until now, these two were girls. There should be more necessary items for them than for the guys. However, since we were all exhausted today, I let them use my spare tracksuit.
After giving them various explanations, I was so exhausted that I went to sleep without eating.
The next day, we headed to the town primarily for procuring supplies needed by the girls. Since we didn’t know what Yuna and Kana needed, we took them along.
Many people in the town had died due to the second wave. It could be considered a miracle that they survived.
The Shadows in the second wave seemed to be more interested in killing than eating, and when we went to collect supplies, there were many corpses scattered around.
“Ugh…”
*burp*
During the first wave, we didn’t see much, but now, with the bright daylight and the need to be cautious, it was impossible to ignore. We ended up collecting necessary supplies while feeling nauseous.
On that day, we didn’t want to engage with Shadows as much as possible. Guided by Enjyu, we moved in a direction where there seemed to be fewer Shadows. We managed to procure supplies and safely returned home without encountering any of them.
During this, we didn’t come across any survivors.
I couldn’t help but feel that when my luck and Enjyu’s luck combined, it created a powerful cheat. Looking back, if I had been with Enjyu, that giant Shadow might have appeared elsewhere.
Although I thought about how much trouble we could have avoided, the challenges we faced led to some gains. There was no point in complaining further.
After finishing the supply procurement, with the increased rank of the Crafter skill, I used my and Enjyu’s luck to enhance everyone’s equipment to +10 in one go. When the upgraded equipment was ready, the two of them approached me.
“Hey, since it seems fine here now, we’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“We need to leave early, you know.”
As they had mentioned before, the two of them were about to embark on a journey to help their families.
“Got it. Are you really okay with us not going with you?”
“Yeah, thanks to the power of your job, our equipment is pretty good now. Unless something major happens, we’ll be fine.”
“That’s right. Since it can block even the attacks of the second wave Shadows completely, as long as we protect our faces, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. Having cheats is nice.”
Although I had strengthened Shuji and Sato’s equipment as much as possible, I was still worried. There might be another giant Shadow appearing.
However, the two of them had faces that said, “You have your own role,” and I did have the responsibility to protect this shrine and for Yuna and Kana. So, leaving this place at the moment was difficult.
We all understood that.
“Got it. Then let’s celebrate the two of you leaving grandly today!”
It was something we could do for the determined two—celebrate their departure so they could go and find their parents with peace of mind.
“That sounds good!”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s nice.”
“Yeah, a departure with smiles is better.”
Everyone, as roommates, looked at each other and agreed. That day, we cooked a lavish meal with preserved meat, fish, and other perishable foods. Although there was no alcohol, we had a great time and ended up losing consciousness.
“Come to think of it, I completely forgot about something.”
“Hey, we’re about to leave. What is it?”
The next day, when we finished our preparations and saw the two off, I remembered something.
“Well, I thought about it too, but it’s related to you two, and I wanted to bring it up while you’re still here.”
“What is it?”
“Oh, right. It’s about the treasure chest we got from that Furu Furu monster.”
“Now that you mention it, there was such a thing. I completely forgot about it.”
“Yeah, honestly, it’s not a big deal for us right now.”
Seemingly, they had also completely forgotten about it. And it seemed they weren’t too interested in it.
Certainly, if it were an ordinary treasure chest, I could understand their lack of interest. However, this time, it was a rainbow-colored box, a high-rarity item obtained from that boss-like creature.
There might be something incredible inside.
“Hey, it’s a rainbow box! There might be something ridiculously good inside, you know?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Well, yeah.”
My words seemed to have piqued their interest a little. Both of them stopped their departure and turned completely towards me.
“So, can you wait to leave until after we see what’s inside?”
“Understood.”
“Got it.”
With their permission, I placed the treasure chest in front of everyone.
For sure, there must be something wonderful inside.
“Shall we?”
“Yeah.”
“Please.”
We slowly opened the treasure chest.
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Each of the five of us reacted differently upon seeing the contents. However, everyone had a somewhat disappointed expression.
“Hey hey, don’t you guys understand the value of this five-piece body suit set!?”
I can’t believe the reactions of these five. Yes, the treasure chest contained body suits of even more amazing quality than the ones I gave them as gifts. You can tell just by looking at them. And yet, these guys!!
“Uh, I’m leaving.”
“Me too. See ya.”
“Hey, wait a minute, you two!!”
Before I could say anything, Sato and Shuji suddenly greeted and descended the stairs at the entrance of the shrine. I chased them for a bit, but they were so determined to escape that I didn’t pursue further.
“Totally hopeless guys… Make sure to come back safely…”
After a bewildered laugh, I muttered quietly, praying for their survival as I watched their backs.
“Now then, what should I do today…”
Currently, we’ve achieved a comfortable life as much as possible. There are various things to do, like leveling up Yuna and Kana, renovating the house, and engaging in agriculture. However, taking it easy for a bit doesn’t sound too bad.
“W-What’s wrong?”
While contemplating while looking at their backs, a feeling of happiness suddenly enveloped my arms. It was the softness, a concentrated essence of maternal warmth from Yuna and Kana.
In other words, the two of them were taking my arms and hugging me. Although taken aback by their sudden embrace, I asked for the reason.
“We made a promise, remember?”
“Hmm? About training?”
I tilted my head at Kana’s words.
“Something other than that?”
“But I don’t remember making any other promises…”
Although Yuna denied it, I couldn’t recall any other promises.
“I told you, right? When you come back alive, I’ll do something even more amazing for you.”
“Huh, no, that was just a joke, right?”
However, Kana whispered into my ear, and I remembered the promise. My face heated up like fire. But that was supposed to be a lie or, in a way, a lie to motivate myself.
“T-That’s impossible. I’m going.”
However, Yuna denied it, crushing my hopes.
I never thought they were serious…
Yuna and Kana pulled me towards the house.
“Ar-Are we really going…”
“It’s decided. Now, the futon.”
I wondered where they were taking me, but it turned out to be an unexpected development.
“N-No, no, I don’t have that kind of relationship with you two. It’s still early in the morning, and besides, a love triangle—”
“Just shut up and come along.”
“Ah, okay.”
I hesitated to go while making various excuses to appease the two because I didn’t want to be unfaithful to the idealized Yuna and Kana. But Kana forcefully turned my face towards her, stared at me with intimidating eyes, and I had no choice but to comply.
Dragged by the two, I entered the house. Enjyu seemed to have sensed the situation and went to a room with a bed prepared for herself.
“Ahh!!”
That day, my voice echoed in the shrine’s precincts.
Postscript: Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, today, I climbed the stairs to adulthood!!
“Huh?”
When I woke up, it was completely dark around me. Two beautiful girls were sleeping on both sides of me, and I realized that the events from a moment ago were not a dream.
“I need to use the bathroom…”
Having woken up due to the urge, I headed to the toilet.
*Creak, creak, creak*
“It wasn’t a dream either…”
Upon opening the toilet sliding door, the forest spread out in front, just like before.
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Original author’s comment:
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Thank you very much for reading. With this, Rokkoman has come to an end.