When they returned to Zhiweidun City, the team members came out to greet them with “enthusiasm” (totally fake).
Lindas had been sleeping all day lately, Ji Xue was still in seclusion inside the cave, and Naji was holed up in the temple praying and eating nothing but vegetarian meals.
What a united team, huh~
…Actually, only Laxis and Lanifi came to greet them.
They were just here to ask about their commissioned work.
“The stockings are super useful.
Asking you to make them was definitely the right call.” Torina patted Laxis on the shoulder like a seasoned boss.
“As long as you like them, that’s all that matters.” Laxis beamed, clearly proud of herself.
“But there’s one issue.
Aside from the fishnets, the other stockings feel kinda… stuffy? Like, not breathable enough? If you wear them too long, your feet start to sweat.”
“I added a stain-resistant feature to the fabric.
They won’t get dirty.”
“Even if they don’t get dirty, they’ll still smell from sweat.
Especially with pantyhose—places like the inner thighs, butt crack, behind the knees, they’re bound to sweat.”
“That’s the intended effect.”
“…Huh?”
“Just kidding.
It’s mainly due to the materials and manufacturing process…”
Laxis launched into a long-winded explanation full of alchemy jargon, citing all sorts of references to explain why the stuffiness was unavoidable.
Then she rambled on about “technical limitations,” “unsolved issues,” and “bottlenecks.” Torina only half-understood, but ended up nodding along anyway.
Off to the side, Lanifi whispered to Milora,
“How’s the prosthetic working? What did the captain say?”
“Haven’t used it on her yet.
It’s too pervy…”
“Tch, you coward! Wasn’t this her request? Just go for it! And don’t forget to write me a thousand-word report afterward!”
“Y-yeah, I got it! Stop nagging!”
After the totally fake warm welcome, everyone gathered together again.
At the table were only Torina, Milora, Patty, Laxis, Lanifi, and a dozing Lindas.
Anna-veil had gone back to her hometown for a bit, Naji was still at the temple, and Ji Xue was in seclusion.
With just six people, what could they even do right now?
“Captain, what’s next? Are we heading to the next dungeon, or waiting here for the others?” Laxis asked.
“Let’s wait for them first.
There’s a dungeon near Zhiweidun City—we can do some activities there in the meantime,” Torina replied.
The dungeon near Zhiweidun City was called “Kelmohan Fortress,” an ancient ruin filled with demons and wraith-type monsters.
It had already been cleared long ago, and the lord “Old Arthritic Camel” had been slain.
But the ruins were still crawling with mobs, the loot was great, and there were plenty of valuable materials to gather.
It even produced dyes from the Kant brand.
All in all, it was a good place to make some side cash and get some practice in.
“Sounds good, boss,” Lanifi agreed.
Even though she was a social Darwinist who looked down on the weak, once she acknowledged someone’s strength, she’d follow them loyally.
Easy to handle.
“Wherever Torina goes, I go,” Milora said, looking at Torina like a newlywed bride.
No one else objected, so Torina declared the meeting over.
Everyone went off to do their own thing.
Even Milora left first—she was heading to the city’s blacksmith to get her Mushroom King greatsword maintained.
Only… Patty was still sitting at the table.
The pure elf girl looked at Torina with big, expectant eyes.
“So, Captain, what’s your answer?”
“The secret to faking period cramps is to hold your stomach and make a bitchy face~”
“Not that.
I meant about dating.”
“…You’re serious?”
“Very serious.”
“Uh…” Torina was stumped.
Did she want to date someone? Of course she did.
With a man’s soul inside, of course she wanted a soft, sweet, fragrant little cutie.
Before regaining her past life memories, she was a carefree girl who didn’t want to be tied down by a relationship, so she never dated.
After regaining her memories, she’d basically become that miserable programmer who’d been single his whole life, so things had shifted in a weird way.
Torina had never been in a real romantic relationship in either of her lives.
So she still had this middle-school-boy-level innocent fantasy about “falling in love.”
Like sharing a couple’s umbrella with her girlfriend.
Like walking her back to the dorm after night classes.
Like cutting a birthday cake together.
Like secretly holding hands during a movie.
And when things got more serious, when the mood was just right, maybe—maybe they could even kiss! Kiss!!!
“That—That kind of thing is so embarrassing!”
“…Huh?” Patty looked confused.
“What’s so embarrassing…?”
“Dating! Holding hands, kissing, all that lovey-dovey stuff! We might even end up s-s-s-sleeping together!”
Torina covered her face and squirmed like a worm, leaving Patty completely dumbfounded.
“…You get embarrassed?”
“Of course I do!”
“But don’t you sleep cuddled up with Milora all the time? And during training, you’re always all over her.
You’ve messed with the other members plenty too, haven’t you?”
“That’s just close friendship between girls! It’s totally different from being actual lovers!”
“So you’re the type who’s super bold normally but gets all shy when it’s real feelings involved… huhuhu.”
“What are you laughing at…”
“Just thinking, the Captain has a surprisingly cute side.”
“Don’t laugh at me.”
“I bet not many people know this side of you, right? Then I’ll treat it as our little secret.
I feel kinda honored~”
Patty gave a sweet, playful smile.
Her pale golden hair shimmered in the candlelight, her pointy ears twitching slightly.
The natural beauty of the elf race made her look even more enchanting, and with that unbeatable girlish charm that made your heart skip a beat…
“…………”
Oh god.
If she hadn’t already built up resistance to pure-type cuties from spending so much time with Milora, she might’ve actually fallen for her right then and there.
“…Anyway, can you tell me why? Why do you want to date me?”
“Because you’re strong, beautiful, confident—you make me feel safe.”
“So you’re feeling really insecure right now?”
“You’re sharp.
Actually, remember when those weird elves were causing trouble and I helped chase them down? I was really scared back then…”
“Ohhh…”
“And if I don’t find a partner soon, my family’s gonna force me into a marriage.”
“Not this again!?”
And that twist came out of nowhere!
First it was Torina getting forced into marriage, now it’s Patty?
The same cliché plot twist twice in a row? Is the author out of ideas?
“But my family’s a bit more open-minded! If dating me out of the blue is too much, how about we just pretend to be a couple? My family’s coming to visit soon—just fool them and we’re good!”
“That’s even more cliché!?”
Pretending to be lovers to fool the parents?
Who even wants to read that anymore?
Aren’t readers gonna rage-quit and unfollow the story?
What do readers like these days anyway? Yandere?
Then just throw in a yandere, right?
…Nah, this sweet little elf girl is way too precious to be turned into a yandere.
“Anyway, how long do we have to pretend… until your parents leave?”
“Until I get pregnant.”
“Mm… mm??”
Okay, now that’s not cliché.
But maybe cliché would’ve been better!?
