Episode 367: Meeting
[ There's someone I'd like you to meet for a bit, can you meet them tomorrow? ]
After Saturday's search for missing persons ended, a message from Rei came to the group LINNE.
I thought it was rare for Rei to say such a thing, but I thought it was necessary since she said so, and I replied 'okay' without any particular doubt.
Although there were differences in the stamps and texts of the other members, it could be seen that the other members also responded with approval.
[ Thank you. As for the time and place, let's meet at the entrance of the shopping mall at 9 am. ]
Detailed information was sent from Rei, and everyone replied 'okay' again.
Who exactly are we going to meet at the mall?
Even though I had my doubts, I fell asleep alone in my bed without Luck ... Or that was my intention.
"Onii-chan!! I'm going to sleep with you today too!!"
However, just like yesterday, Nanami comes and crawls into my bed, so we end up sleeping together.
Huh? I feel like Nanami was the night watch today, but maybe it's my imagination.
"Fuhehe, Onii-chan~."
Without thinking too much about it, I fall asleep while being hugged by Nanami.
"Good morning, Onii-chan."
"Ahh, good morning."
The next day, Nanami wakes up while I am watching TV after getting ready.
"Get ready quickly."
"Fua~i."(TN:Yawning 'yes'.)
It's not that we don't have time, but she got up at a time when we don't have much time to spare, so I warn her to get ready quickly.
"Okay, everything is ready!! Onii-chan!!"
"Roger. Well then, let's go."
"Yup!!"
Nanami and I use Luck's shadow to transport to a deserted location near the shopping mall.
"It's really easy because it's a short trip and you can stay at home until the last minute."
"That's right. Luck, in various ways. Thank you."
"Won!"
Nanami says that again, so when I whisper my thanks to Luck, Luck cries out in a voice that only we can hear.
"Ah, here they come."
"Nn."
When Nanami and I arrive near the entrance of the shopping mall, Amane and Shia wave at us.
I look around, but I still don't see Rei.
"Is Rei not here yet?"
"I think so."
Amane answers my question by shrugging her shoulders.
It's not a problem yet, so we decide to wait for a while.
"Ah, everyone, thanks for waiting."
However, immediately after that, Rei comes from inside the shopping mall.
"Ou. So, where are we going?"
"It's Dungeon Adventure inside this shopping mall."
"Nn? Is there someone you want us to meet there?"
When I ask about the destination, the answer is the name of a store I once visited.
Is there anyone there who wants to meet me?
It's completely unimaginable.
"Yeah. They've met you once before."
"Was there such a person?"
I try to remember when Rei replies, but I don't remember very well.
"I feel sorry for Momoka ..."
"Did you say something?"
"Nope, it's nothing. Shall we go then."
"Yeah."
Rei says something with a sad expression, but she dodges my question.
As Rei urges us to do so, we start walking towards the person who is waiting for us at Dungeon Adventure.
"Welcome."
"Ah, it's you ..."
Waiting in front of the Dungeon Adventure store is, if I remember correctly, the store manager who helped me when I visited the store before.
She bows politely to us.
"Yes. Nice to meet you, I am the manager of this Dungeon Adventure branch. My name is Jougasaki Momoka. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Eh, ah, yes. It's nice to meet you. Umm ... What does this mean, Rei?"
I am puzzled by the sudden self-introduction. I don't understand the meaning, so I ask Rei.
"Yeah. I got permission from her, so I'll talk about it, but I am old acquaintances with this Momoka, and I've accepted various requests for a long time, but after she met Satou-kun at this shop, I was asked to investigate you."
"Eh?"
I raise my voice in surprise at the unexpected confession.
I didn't realize that at all.
I think there were times when I felt someone staring at me, but I don't remember if it was Rei.
"No, of course, I pulled out in the middle, right? I told her that too, but in the end I ended up joining Fuhito-kun's party, didn't I?"
Seeing my surprise, Rei hurriedly explains while making up for it.
It's true that Rei started to get involved with Nanami when she took care of her, and I trusted Rei and asked her to join the party.
I don't remember her doing anything particularly strange, and in fact she's really been helpful.
"Well, that's right."
I nod saying that Rei's explanation is correct.
"That's why it completely interfered with her plan of trying to lure you into the company. Of course, you don't need to make up for it, but since I've always had a back-and-forth relationship with her, I'd like to continue to get along with her if possible."
"I see."
The story is connected.
The store manager planned to investigate me and make me an exclusive explorer or something, but I became the representative of the company that Rei and the others had proposed, and she was completely thrown off the ladder.
But Rei doesn't want to sever ties with the store manager with whom she's been connected for a long time, the end.
"That's why I want our company to give priority to requests from her in the future, but I wonder if that's okay."
"Is that so."
That's why if there is a request from her to make up for the inconvenience this time, she will be forgiven by accepting it preferentially.
Hmm, it's not bad, but I feel like I need to add a condition.
"That's right. First of all, the current situation is that there are too few members, so it will be difficult right away. Then, even if you say to give her priority, I don't think I can give priority over urgent cases where lives are involved."
"Of course I know that. Basically, it's okay to prioritize other requests over it, and it won't be a problem until you have enough members to actually operate."
When I present the conditions that come to my mind, the store manager says that she will accept those conditions.
"I see. If that's the case, then I think it's fine. Is it okay if we discuss the detailed conditions again and decide?"
It is possible that the conditions have not yet been fulfilled, so I would like to consult with Rei before making a final decision.
"Yeah, I don't mind."
After this, the conditions will be carefully examined, so I have nothing more to say.
"Well then, I have nothing else to say here."
"Thank you very much."
When I reply, the store manager smiles and bows her head.
"Well then, since the meeting is over, how about having a cup of tea together to deepen our friendship?"
After the greetings, Rei claps her hands and suggests that everyone go to a cafe.
"I don't mind."
I don't have any particular objections, so I look at Nanami and the others, confirm that there are no problems, and nod. For a while, we decide to listen to Rei and the store manager's story while having a cup of tea.
