ch41-ch60 · 045-ch45
Chapter 45: Spear Lock
"Come to think of it, Kasugano-san, why did you come to the branch office? It wasn't just to rent a warehouse, was it? Don't tell me you came to see me?"
Hayashi-san tilted her head.
Yes. Cute. This head-tilting might be a habit of Hayashi-san's. Cute, but that's not it.
Also, Watanabe-san seems to be giving me a dead-eyed look again. Is that a habit too?
"Actually, I came because I had business with Watanabe-san."
"Eh? With Kasumi-san? Ah, so that's why you were staring at Kasugano-san. I'm sorry. I was getting in the way of Kasumi-san's work."
"It's fine, Sakura. Thanks to you, it seems we found a good property."
"Um, can we use the same meeting room from yesterday today?"
"Eh? Moving to the meeting room? Is this something I can't overhear? I guess it's important business...? Sorry."
After tilting her head two or three times, now she starts bowing apologetically. So cute. I wouldn't mind telling Hayashi-san, though.
"That's not it. Kasugano-san just came for the bank transfer procedures. Since he needs to use the copy machine, this room is actually better. Kasugano-san, I'll take the documents."
Now that she mentions it, if it was just for the bank transfer procedures, there really was no need to move to a different room.
"Please."
"Ah, did you skip school today to go to the bank? You can use it for account transfers when renting the warehouse too. You're well-prepared. As expected of you."
I hadn't actually thought that far ahead. While Watanabe-san worked efficiently, I ended up enjoying a chat with Hayashi-san. The only thing I did was sign the completed documents at the end.
"Wasn't I the one getting in the way of your work, Hayashi-san?"
"No, no. I basically finish all my work in the morning. Once it gets close to noon, there's nothing left to do. So please feel free to visit whenever you like. Ah, I guess you didn't come just to hang out, did you?"
Wow, finishing in the morning, so capable. Not that. There aren't many people in the dungeon either. And not many outside either. So that's why there's no work. Maybe I should visit to hang out sometimes.
"...I'm finished. I'll be in the dungeon this afternoon, so if you have anything else to discuss, please do so there."
"I'll be here this afternoon too. I'm basically here on weekdays, so please come visit next time. Ah, do you have school this afternoon? You were absent last week too, right? You really should go properly."
"Ahaha. Thank you very much."
I'll laugh and play it off. It's already noon, huh. My MP should be fully recovered, so I'll have lunch inside the dungeon for the first time in a while.
︙ ︙
For lunch, I ate that usual monster meat. When I returned to the Association facility, Watanabe-san was already waiting. Watanabe-san was twirling a competitive naginata.
"Shall we go?"
"Ahh, so that's what it was. Good luck~"
Shiraishi nodded at me with a look of understanding. Was this all your doing?
I was handed the competitive naginata on the spot, and Watanabe-san took the mop that was leaning against the wall and went ahead. The place must be that warehouse.
"Shall we begin?"
Things are moving fast. But I already have a strategy. Same pattern as before. Aim for the legs. She'll probably counter after blocking. I'll block that counter and initiate a spear lock. If I know it's coming, I should be able to receive it. I'll test our strength difference through a spear lock to see how big the gap in our status Strength is. ...There's no other meaning to this. Alright, let's get ready.
"Hyah!"
It hurts. My leg was hit. It's my shin. Watanabe-san initiated this. This is the first time she's started with this move. I wasn't expecting it, so I can't even bear the pain. I collapse.
"You two seemed to be having quite an enjoyable conversation."
Sorry. I had Watanabe-san do her work while I talked at length with Hayashi-san. My posture is bad. If I apologize like this, it'll look like I'm prostrating myself... Let me get up. I was about to apologize, but I ended up in a stance instead. However she interpreted that, Watanabe-san strikes at me.
"!"
Her attacks are fierce. I can block them. But she comes with consecutive attacks too. I block while stepping back. Rather than a clang-clang sound, there's also the impact transmitted to my arm, so it's more of a bang-bang feeling. Perhaps growing impatient, when she made a wide swing, I stepped forward and blocked before power could be added to it. Just as planned. Spear lock.
"... ."
...!" Her glasses are back on. Or wait, are her normal glasses the ones she wears on the surface? I push forward, challenging her to a test of strength. Thanks to the status effects, my eyesight should be better in the dungeon. The glasses she wears in the dungeon are just for show, then. I push with all my might. Almost my full strength. Ugh, I'm being pushed back. [Charge Spearman] is a job heavily specialized for attack and Strength. But my level still isn't enough... Just what level is she anyway? With my eyes improved by status, I take a good look at Watanabe-san's face. Strength is in her cheeks. She's clenching her back teeth. From this look, she's not holding back either. Another 2 or 3 levels and I might be able to surpass her Strength.
My eyes meet Watanabe-san's. One second or two...
"Ah..."
Suddenly, the strength dissipates from me. I was parried. Since I was using almost my full strength, I fall forward onto the ground. Thud-thud. ...I'm glad I'm not in my school uniform today.
"Why do you want to rent this warehouse?"
Oh? That question at this timing?
"If I rent a warehouse, I thought I could secure this space too..."
"...Why... no. I have someone in mind to be your guarantor."
Hm? Is she offering to be my guarantor? But if I fall behind on rent, wouldn't the bill go to Watanabe-san? That would definitely be bad, though.
"Ah..."
"It's the branch manager. He said I could use his name as I please. Since the branch manager is Triple-Rank, we can probably expect a good discount too."
"Eh?"
Why the branch manager? Well, as long as it doesn't cause trouble for Watanabe-san, I guess it's fine...