Translator: "Kell" Editor: "Weasalopes"

We devoted a week of our time to remodelling. Me, my father who quit his job, and Toramaru worked every day while my mother and Alice helped when they had the time. Even Emma, Lunsan, and Laursan, lent a hand. With everyone's help, what was once an old store ravaged by time has now been transformed completely. The walls, painted white, gave off a sense of immaculateness, and the things inside of the store have been arranged so people can get around more easily. We built a fine counter table, careful to keep everything level in the room. We even had racks to display goods.

「You can barely recognize the place, huh? I'm looking forward to the opening!」

Laursan was in high spirits, putting her head on my shoulder.

「Yes. The place looks pristine yet moderately stylish. Hopefully it'll be popular with the girls.」

Lunsan spoke in admiration while pulling Laursan off me. Then Emma who was walking around, tilted her head, and raised a question.

「Hey, Noir. What are you gonna sell in this Rare Shop?」

「Hmm… Materials from monsters and the likes, and some rare stuff. Like the golden slime jelly.」

「The one you get from the dungeon? Those are delicious!」

「Yeah, there are a lot of monsters in that dungeon that can't be found around here. For example…」

I took out a fang of a Silver Wolf, some mane, and stingers and golden wings of a Golden Bee. They were all materials I got from the vicious monsters I fought on the 7th floor. I had them stored, but I didn't know what to do with them so I might as well just sell them.

「I see… I haven't seen these before…」

Laursan was familiar with anything related to monsters since she was also engaged in material purchasing in the guild. But she didn't know anything about these monsters. It just goes to show how rare the monsters in the hidden dungeon were.

「What about you, Lunsan?」

「I haven't seen them either. I'm friends with a doctor and a materials appraiser, though. You want me to ask them?」

「Yes, please. It'll be much easier to sell these if we knew their uses. Plus maybe we could set the prices high.

「Just leave it to me.」

It would be better to take some time before opening up. I could gather materials from the dungeon. I'm sure I can sell the stuff I get from the golden slimes for a high price. Collect lots of rare articles, earn money, and make the Stalgia family rich. If I had extra money, I could convert them to LP as well. Let's do this!

My father would handle all the necessary requirements to open up a shop which was a relief. He said he was going to some trade a.s.sociation.

「Ah, it's past noon already! Noir, let's go to the school quick.」

「What? We're exempted from cla.s.ses, right?」

「Yes, but there's the training camp discussion today. We don't have to be there, but we have the time anyway. Let's at least listen, okay?」

「I suppose. Let's go.」

It will be the first time in a while I've seen my cla.s.smates and Elnsensei. We hurried to the Hero School and entered the cla.s.sroom. Apparently they were in the middle of the training camp discussion. They were all seated, listening to Elnsensei.

「Noir, Emma. I'm glad you could make it. Are you two interested in the hot springs training camp as well?」

「Yes! I love hot springs!」

Haha. Emma loved baths since she was a kid and we used to get in together when we were little. It would be outrageous if we did that now. Yes, something will definitely be raging, all right.

「Ahem. Since we're all here now, let's go over it again. The hot springs we're going to is famous for making one's skin beautiful.」

The girls' eyes were sparkling.

「Now, a hot spring camping trip might sound good, but relatively strong monsters show up there. The most notable one is the Pixie which is a cunning creature. If you're not confident enough then you don't have to force yourself. You may stay behind.」

So it's not compulsory. I… well seeing Emma hyped means we're going then.

「Raise your hand if you want to go.」

Everybody swiftly raised their hands. What the? The girls I can understand since they're drawn by the effects of the hot springs, but what about the boys? I listened carefully to a group of boys talking near me.

「Hehehe… it's an open air bath!」

「Guhihihi… gotta peep at 'em!」

What an indecent laughter. I was awe-stricken by their minds that were rife with l.u.s.t.

「So everyone wants to go. We leave in a week. Make sure you're prepared.」

I was about to head over to Emma after the discussion when I felt some malicious stares. They were not targeted at me, though, but at Emma. From all directions… the boys were staring at Emma and the pretty girls with eyes full of l.u.s.t.

「Fuhehe… Emmsan's jugs…」

「Huge melons, huge melons… Mufufufu…」

I-It would probably be better to not go after all. I have to at least save Emma. I dragged her out of the cla.s.sroom and convinced her to change her mind.

「Forget about the hot springs. How about we go somewhere else?」

「What?! I… no.」

「Saw that coming.」

「I really want to get in a hot spring. You know I love hot springs, don't you?」

「But this time, it's dangerous. There will be h.o.r.n.y guys around. They're gonna watch and wait carefully for a time when you and the girls let your guard down.」

「They're gonna peep on us? I don't like that of course. But I still want to go the hot springs…」

She still wouldn't change her mind. She really wanted to go even with the risks involved. Even I can't stop her now.

「I guess I don't mind if they do peep on me… Ehehe…」

「I do!」

「I-I was just kidding. I know you're going to stop them.」

「I want to stop them of course, but…」

「I'm countin' on ya, brah!」

She gave me a thumbs up in a boyish manner. Man, she sure lacks any sense of danger. I have to make up for her optimism by being extra cautious, then. I could also talk to Elnsensei when we get there.

「All right, let's go home.」

「Ah, sorry, but I'm in a hurry. I'm going to a trip in a few days with my parents.」

「Where to?」

「It's hot recently so we're going to the beach. Wanna come?」

「Nah, I have the shop to take care of. Have fun.」

「Okay~! Don't cheat on me, got it?」

She gave me a farewell hug and a kiss on the cheeks before running off. Well there go my plans. I was actually going to ask her help in replenis.h.i.+ng my LP. I got some from the hug and kiss just now so I guess that'll do. I walked back to the shop alone to find Laursan and Lunsan arguing about the picture to be hung on the wall. Right now, there's a self-portrait of Laursan. She must've commissioned an artist for it.

「This one's the best! I'm sure Noir-san would agree.」

「No way. I'm sure Noir-dono wouldn't like the idea of you watching him all day long.」

「How dare you! Noir-san and I have been destined to be together since our previous lives!」

「And what makes you say that?」

「I felt a spark when I first saw him.」

「Lies. I heard you treated him with scorn at first.」

「That's… uhh…」

「Excuse me~」

When I called out to them, they came at me vehemently, asking me about what I thought of the picture. They seemed to be misunderstanding something.

「Hmm, actually I won't be in the shop a lot. My father will be in charge here for the most part. So your portrait will be watching…」

「I'm taking it back~」

She removed the portrait with incredible speed and handed it to me.

「Please hang it in your room, Noir-san.」

「Th-Thank you.」

「Oh, and would you like to go shopping together? Just the two of us.」

「I'm coming with.」

Laursan pouted in displeasure at Lunsan who cut in immediately. I suppose they can only argue like this because they were old acquaintances.

「Shopping sounds good, but I actually have a favor to ask. After fighting Phantom, I felt I needed to get stronger. No, I want to. And one shortcut to getting stronger is getting more LP, so…」

It involved kissing and cuddling and stuff so I found it hard to say "Please help me". Fortunately, they were quick on the uptake.

「Just leave it to me. If it's for you, I'll give you a hand— no, I'll give you my everything!」

「That means something totally different…」

「Me too. I want to help you. If it's something I can do, then I'll gladly lend a hand.」

「Thank you very much. So now then, what do we do?」

I was the one who asked but I didn't really think about what we were going to do. We were the only ones in the shop. We could probably do something a bit on the raunchy side.

「Then how about a "grown-up kiss" with me, Noir-san?」

「No.」

「I wasn't asking you, Luna!」

「Yeah, but the answer is still no. I could hold hands with Noir-dono, hug him, and… *mumble*」

「Yeah, no. That's just what you want!」

「It's not! It's for Noir-dono…」

Things were heating up between them again so I had to think of something. It's kinda hard to come up with something on the spot. Then I caught sight of a sandwich on a table. Must be leftover from lunch. An idea sprung up within me as soon as I saw the sandwich's filling.

「A pretty girls… sandwich.」

「Did you say something?」

「Can we do a pretty girls sandwich?」

「…Uh, do you know what that is, Luna?」

「I think I… haven't heard about it before.」

Well of course they wouldn't know about it. It was something I came up with just now. Explaining it to them was embarra.s.sing, but this was a test for me to become strong. I had to suck it up.

「Basically, a human sandwich. I'll be the filling, and you two will be the bread.」

「Me and Luna will sandwich you?」

「Something like a hug from both sides?」

「Yeah, something like that. I haven't done this before so I don't know much either…」

I tried to tell them that they don't have to do it if they can't, but Laursan cut in before I could.

「Let's do it! I'll take the front!」

「Ah, no fair! Ugh, fine. I'll do it from behind.」

My heart suddenly started beating faster. They closed in on me one step at a time— Laursan from the front and Lunsan from behind. I think my chest might just burst open.

「「Ey~!」」

They both sandwiched me almost at the same time. Enveloped in the soft embrace of two pretty ladies, I was struck by an indescribable feeling.

A・new・sensation!

I've never felt something like this before… Thank you, lord!

I got 3,000 LP from it. Maybe my idea wasn't bad after all.