Chapter 19: Pretty Girl Rice Ball

Chapter 19:
Pretty Girl Rice Ball

 

WE SPENT THE NEXT WEEK remodeling the shop. Father quit his job, so he was there with Tigerson and me every day. Alice and mother joined us whenever they had time, and to my delight, Emma, Luna, and Lola helped out as well.

With everyone’s work, the old shop, which had looked like it would fall apart if subjected to a big enough sneeze, was completely transformed. We painted the walls a fresh, clean white, and arranged everything so the customers could easily wander and peruse. We had an impressive counter installed and made sure the floor was even. We even set up displays for our merchandise.

“I hardly recognize the place,” Lola said cheerfully, plopping her head on my shoulder. “I can’t wait for the grand opening.”

“Yeah, it’s so clean and stylish,” Luna agreed, pushing Lola away. “The women of the city will love this place.”

Emma walked around the place, tilting her head. “Hey, Noir, what do you even sell at a ‘rarities’ shop?”

“Umm, well, monster parts and unusual items and stuff,” I said. “Things like golden slime jelly.”

“That stuff is delicious! You get that from the dungeon, right?”

“Yeah, there are all sorts of unusual monsters down there. Like, wait. Hang on. I’ll show you.”

I opened my Pocket Dimension and pulled out a few things—the pelt and fang from a silver wolf, along with the wings and stinger from a golden bee, all of which I’d acquired from my showdown with those awful beasts on the seventh floor. I’d held onto them, and perhaps now they’d be useful.

“Huh, I’ve never seen monster parts like this,” Lola said.

She managed a lot of the guild’s material intake, so if she didn’t recognize something, the creatures in the hidden dungeon really did have to be rare.

“What about you, Luna?” I asked. “Seen anything like these before?”

“I haven’t, but I do know a doctor and material appraiser. Maybe I could ask them?”

“I’d appreciate that,” I said. “These things will be easier to sell if we know what they’re useful for. Maybe we can even mark them up a little.”

“Just leave it to me,” Luna said.

Given all this, perhaps it was a good idea to wait a bit before we opened the shop. Then I could take a little more time to collect materials from the dungeon. I was sure the golden slimes would sell well, at least. It was all part of my grand plan: collect a ton of rare materials, turn them into cash, and make the Stardia family rich. As a bonus, I could easily convert any extra money we made into LP.

I didn’t even have to worry about any of the fiddly details. Father was handling all of that. He was even talking about joining a trade guild.

“Oh no,” Emma said suddenly. “It’s already past noon. Noir, we have to get to school.”

“Huh? But we don’t have any classes until the fall.”

“Yeah, but they’re talking about summer camp. We don’t have to go, but it’d be nice to hear about it, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. Come on then, let’s go.”

If nothing else, it would be good to see Ms. Elena and everyone in S-Class, so Emma and I hurried off.

When we arrived, everyone was already in their seats, listening intently to Ms. Elena.

“Noir, Emma, nice to see you. Are you two thinking about joining us at the hot springs?”

“That we are!” Emma said. “We love hot springs!”

She’d loved bathing ever since we were kids. We always used to go bathing together when we were small, although it probably wasn’t appropriate now.

“Um, ahem. Well, everyone’s here,” said Ms. Elena. “So let’s go over everything. These hot springs are famous for their skin-beautifying properties.”

All the girls’ eyes sparkled at that.

“Now I know a hot springs camp sounds nice, but there are powerful monsters in the area, and crafty pixies, too. If you’re not confident in your abilities, you should stay behind.”

Apparently, participation wasn’t compulsory, but judging by how excited Emma was, she and I were definitely going.

“Raise your hand if you’re interested.”

Everyone’s hands shot up. I couldn’t understand it. I guess the girls were interested in the springs, but what about the guys? Some of them were whispering near me, and I listened in.

“He he he, it’s an open-air bath.”

“Eh he he, we should be able to get a good look.”

Uuuugh, gross. I felt a chill down my spine—didn’t they think of anything else?!

“So, everyone’s coming?” said Ms. Elena. “Great. We leave in a week, so be ready.”

When class was dismissed, I went to join Emma. I could feel the boys all staring at her, undressing her and the other girls with their eyes.

“Eh he he he, I can’t wait to see Emma.”

“I know! They’re so massive! He he he.”

Welp. Apparently I’d be spending my camp trip playing bodyguard. We headed outside together while I chewed this over.

“What if we don’t go?” I said. “What if we go somewhere else instead? Just us.”

“What?! No! We’re going, Noir.”

I sighed. “I figured.”

“I mean, you know how much I love hot springs.”

“I know,” I said. “But all those horny boys from our class will be there. They’ll be watching you and the other girls like hawks.”

“Oh, you mean they’re going to peep on us?” Emma frowned. “Well, I’m not happy about that, either, but…I really want to go.”

Oof, when she said things like that in that thoughtful but hesitant tone, there was no changing her mind.

“And anyway,” she said. “The worst they can do is look, right? Eh he he…”

“That’s still pretty bad!”

“I-I was joking. I know you’ll stop them, Noir.”

“Yeah. I was planning to.”

“Well, good. I’m counting on you!”

Emma threw me a thumbs-up. If you ask me, she seemed a little too unconcerned, but then, she was a terminal optimist. I’d just have to be that much more careful. Maybe I could talk to Ms. Elena about it on the way there.

“I guess we should head home,” I said.

“Sorry, I’m actually in a bit of a hurry. I’m going on a family trip for a few days.”

“Oh, where to?”

“Close to the beach,” Emma said. “It’s been so hot lately. Wanna come?”

“Nah, I have the shop to worry about. I hope you have fun, though.”

“I will. And you better not cheat on me while I’m gone!”

Emma gave me a goodbye hug and pecked me on the cheek before running off home. I’d hoped she’d help me earn LP over the next few days, but I guess I needed a new plan. At least I’d got some just now.

I returned to the shop to find Lola and Luna arguing in front of a painting. To be honest, they were a little scary when they got like this. The painting was a portrait of Lola. She must have commissioned someone to make it.

“It’s perfect for this spot! I know Noir will agree!”

“Oh, I don’t think so. Sir Noir does not want you staring at him all day.”

“You can’t talk to me like that! You know, Noir and I have a connection from a past life.”

“Where’s your proof?”

“I felt a tingle when I first met him.”

“You’re such a liar. I know you treated Sir Noir like a fool when you first met.”

“Well, that was…um…”

“Excuse me?” I asked.

The two of them turned on me and demanded my opinion on the painting.

“Umm,” I said. “So, it’s my father who’ll probably be working the counter most of the time. Lola, the idea of having your portrait watching over him is a little…”

“I withdraw my suggestion!” Lola cried.

She tore the painting off the wall and handed it to me instead.

“You should hang it in your room, Sir Noir.”

“Uh, thank you?”

“I know,” said Lola. “Why don’t we go shopping? Just the two of us.”

“I’ll come!” Luna cut in.

They knew each other pretty well, so maybe that was why they fought like this?

“Shopping would be nice,” I said. “But I have a favor to ask first. After what happened with the Phantom, I’ve been really wanting to get stronger. But I need LP to do that, so…”

It was awkward asking them directly for their help, given it meant fooling around with me. Thankfully, they both knew what I was talking about.

“Leave it to me,” said Lola. “You know me, Noir. I’d give you the clothes off my back and be naked as the day I was born.”

“I’m…not really sure that’s how that phrase works, Lola.”

“I’ll help, too!” Luna cut in. “I want to be of use, Sir Noir.”

“I appreciate it. Really, I do. Um, so, what should we do?”

I hadn’t really thought this through, but at least we were the only ones in the shop. If we were going to do something, now was a good time.

“What if you and I share an ‘adult’ kiss, Mr. Noir?” Lola asked.

“Rejected.”

“I wasn’t asking you, Luna.”

“Well I still reject the idea! Sir Noir, let’s hold hands and hug and…”

“You can’t do that!” said Lola. “This isn’t about what you want, Luna.”

“Of course it isn’t, I’m doing this for Sir Noir.”

If I didn’t think of something soon, they were going to keep fighting like this. That’s when I noticed the rice balls on the table. They must have had them for lunch. Strangely, the sight of them inspired me.

“I want pretty girl…rice balls.”

“What?”

“Would you make a pretty girl rice ball for me?” I asked.

“Um, do you have any idea what he’s talking about, Luna?”

“I’ve…never heard of such a thing.”

Of course she hadn’t. I’d only just come up with it! This was embarrassing, but I had to deal with it if I wanted to get stronger.

“I mean like…make a human rice ball. I’d be the stuffing, and you two are the rice.”

“So you want us to wrap you up?” Lola asked.

“Like a group hug?” said Luna.

“Yeah, something like that. I-I don’t know…this is stupid. You don’t have to—”

“I’ll do it!” Lola shouted. “I’ll take the front!”

“Oh, come on!” Luna sighed. “Hmph, fine…I’ll take the back.”

My pulse began to race. Lola came to stand in front of me, and Luna moved behind. Slowly, they closed in on me. I felt like my heart might explode.

“There!”

They wrapped me in their arms, squishing me between them. They were so soft and tender—it didn’t hurt at all. I’d never felt anything like it before! I could feel these two beauties pressing against my whole body. How warm they were… the feeling of their breath on my skin…

“Whooo…”

“L-Lola,” I said. “Are you blowing on me on purpose?”

“Of course not, whooooo…”

Before I could ask her to stop blowing in my ear, Lola started doing the same thing on the other side.

“Sir Noir, I’m just getting you back for last time.”

“Ahhh!”

Not satisfied with just blowing, Luna nibbled on my earlobe. She must still have been thinking about when I did it to her, because she really got into it! She tormented me until my knees shook.

But you know what? I was grateful for the affection.

In the end, I earned 3,000 LP, so I guess my stupid idea was surprisingly effective after all!