C 5-10
Note: Siege here means sex, if you are confused by it.
Another thing, this novel is confusing. It used indirect ways to explain things and due to that it was hard to translate. So it may be a bit more confusing to read.
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Chapter 1: Serious Systemic Defense Theory of Self-Deprecation (Part 1)
05
Why, you ask?
Is it because I care about the unenthusiastic war maiden? No.
Is it because I long for a more beautiful war maiden? No.
Is it because I see the war maiden as a warrior? No.
It's because I got scared when faced with the battlefield.
Taking potential recruits to the battlefield is not socially acceptable. When the matter came to light, I resorted to self-preservation.
At the same time, I feared that our relationship would change once we crossed the battlefield together, replacing the camaraderie with a cloying sweetness.
If it were to become an overly clingy relationship, I'd welcome it. However, I didn't want to risk losing the respect I've earned as a senpai.
I brought her this far, but ultimately, I don't want to be despised. I desired the comfort of staying admired as Rena's senpai, especially if it's with a busty high school girl.
"Postponing the siege is not an option. I hope for a swift conclusion."
A swift conclusion. Rena must have accepted her fate, but she didn't truly desire this siege. She would rather end a terrifying event quickly than let it drag on. It seems like she wishes for a quick end to it.
"My spear won't pierce through you. You can continue to stay safe in the castle as usual."
Once I declared that, it's not appropriate to now say that I wish for a siege. I informed her that the event was postponed indefinitely.
The rapid typing stopped.
What is she thinking about?
After about ten seconds, the keys attacked by her ten fingers screamed in agony.
"So, as a proud buxom high school girl, I'll do my best as a maintenance worker for Gungnir."
"We are not recruiting maintenance workers."
"But Am I not good at playing the recorder?"
"I will maintain my spear as I always have. You don't need to worry about that."
The keys, now freed from the furious pounding, quieted down.
This time, she continued to play with the keys, creating a slow and caring sound.
"I can't just cause trouble without doing anything in return."
The usual playful demeanor was now gone. A different girl's face, unlike Rena's, appeared.
She has been my kohai for over five years. She isn't in love with some unknown guy; her devotion is born out of responsibility and duty.
It's a shame. I was kind of hoping she would say, "I want to stand side by side with you, senpai, and charge through the battlefield." If that were the case, I wouldn't mind swinging Gungnir. But it's not that easy.
In that case, I have no choice but to uphold the image of a senpai in place of my missing membrane.
"Listen, what are you to me?"
"Just a busty high school girl."
Her response came in a swift five seconds. There was no hesitation in her rapid typing.
"And you like that label, don't you?"
"Teehee."
"Now it's my turn. What am I to you?"
"My senpai. Also, my life's..."
"Then let me ask one last question. Does your senpai take advantage of the vulnerability of his kohai asking for support to initiate a siege?"
If I could, I would be the one initiating it, but I opted for a more pleasing line.
The reply paused for about a minute.
The suppressed sob reached my ears, not from the rapidly typing, rainbow-shining keyboard but from the girl's throat—an uncontrollable expression of emotions.
"Senpai is my senpai, after all."
"Yeah."
For a while, Keyboard-kun didn't scream in pain.
06
You must have made some effort to not let out sobs that felt like being suppressed. However, your voice still reached me.
So, I granted Keyboard-kun enough forgiveness.
During that time, I remained silent, waiting for Rena to calm down. Not because I thought it would benefit Rena, but because I always left things to my future self, taking the easier, more comfortable path.
If my life experience had been higher, there might have been an option to open the fusuma (sliding door) here and say, 'Come on, let me wipe those tears away in my arms.'
In fact, I even considered that.
However, opening the fusuma might cause the nightingale to fly away, leaving me standing alone in the forest. I decided to endure it here.
"Haa, you really are being yourself, Senpai. You have a handsome interior."
By dragging things out like this, it seems she has recovered enough to whip Keyboard-kun into shape.
Senpai is handsome, huh? Being praised like this by a busty high school beauty is certainly delightful.
So, I decided to dig a bit deeper and ask again.
"How about my appearance?"
"No comment."
"I'll launch a siege right now, so wait for it."
"Kyaa, I'm going to be raped!"
It looks like she's back to normal.
And from the perspective of the busty high school beauty, the cruel reality that I'm not handsome has been pointed out.
"Well, as a person who was mentally prepared for an all-out siege, I did feel relieved."
"Relieved?"
"Even though I idolize Senpai, there are limits to suppressing my physical aversion."
The hyper-speed type has completely recovered and is now mercilessly tormenting Keyboard-kun.
"I was mostly worried about what I would do if some stereotypical creepy otaku showed up. Just when I thought it might be someone like a cheesy anime character, a genuinely mature person from society arrived, and that was the most relieving moment in my life."
It appears you had quite a rude image in mind.
I have no intention of loudly proclaiming this as unfair. The world I have guided so far is what it is. I will accept it as it is.
"Well, I am a working professional after all. Maintaining cleanliness and appearance is essential."
"Indeed, Senpai is the Senpai of life. I admire how you diligently take care of those aspects."
It seems that Rena had a good impression of my appearance.
Being praised by my kohai; busty high school beauty is genuinely gratifying and makes me proud. It feels like my way of standing out as the top of the bottom-tier group has been acknowledged.
"And how would you rate my appearance?"
"I felt relieved when a mature person from society arrived."
"I'm going to harvest those ripe fruits right now, so wait for it."
"Kyaa! I'm being violated. Call the police."
As expected, Rena is always Rena, even when she's one meter far from me.
Again, I too was shamelessly confident that I wouldn't be accused of sexual harassment for mentioning her physical traits like "busty high school girl" or "sexy assets."
We met face to face, feeling a bit awkward, and there was a slightly different distance between us than usual. But that distance perfectly matched, and we both started to engage with each other.
So, it's about time we get to the main topic.
"Why did you run away from home?"
"As I said earlier, I left home because of my parents and the talk about my future."
That's such a common story, Rena said nonchalantly.
"You relied on a complete stranger, miles away? As someone who was relied upon, I think I deserve to hear the full story."
If she were a college student, I might not find it surprising, but Rena is a high school girl. It's not something ordinary for her to impulsively run off without any plans.
"It's not that big of a deal. I mean, I am busty high school girl, right?"
"You're getting too attached to that label."
"Ehehe."
Rena's casual attitude continues.
"Also, I have social anxiety, stuttering, hikikomori (social withdrawal), and a loser. Well, that's about it."
Like it's something common.
I can't say I don't understand after being told all that.
Rena is just Rena as I know her. But as of today, the information has been updated from a university student to a high school student.
"Did you finally enrage your parents enough with your school refusal?"
"Yes. Up until middle school, I went to school and stayed in the health office. There's no way I could properly attend high school. My parents lost it at the entrance ceremony last month."
While having this conversation now, I almost forgot, but Rena's social anxiety is utterly overwhelming. Certainly, it would be impossible for someone like her to attend school.
However, what she casually revealed is a shocking fact.
"Wait, the entrance ceremony was last month...?"
It's now May, and we still have two weeks until June.
"That's right. I'm a busty high school beauty with a youthful charm," she said.
"...Wait, are you saying your age is..."
"...If you want to marry me, you'll have to wait until next March."
"Hey hey, when did we even meet?"
"It was when I was in fifth grade. It was truly a fateful encounter. You personally guided me through the world of online games, and now I've grown into what you see today."
She said it with pride, but the Rena before me is far from someone to be proud of. And it was I who shaped her into what she is today.
I...I raised a fifth-grade loli to this extent.
07
I felt like I was being crushed by responsibility and guilt, but I would like to make an excuse.
Who would have thought that the person behind the beginner player I met in an online game was a fifth-grade loli?
Every day she played intensively, and I was worried about her performance, but I was also similar when I was in high school. I wasn't unsympathetic enough to criticize or warn her.
"Did you break down during the entrance ceremony because you couldn't fit in with the bottom-rung high school's rowdy crowd?"
No one like her could possibly attend a decent high school. It must be one of those schools even local delinquents avoid. A socially awkward busty high school girl like her would be an easy target, and her initial privileges would be forcefully taken away.
"What? Don't underestimate me. The school I enrolled in is an elite school that rejects bottom-tier students."
Despite that claim, she speaks of a high school that is hardly suitable for a typical online gaming addict.
"You, who spend your time shut in with the internet, managed to get into that school?"
"Back in middle school, I was always at the top of my class. Self-assessed, of course, but I scored nearly perfect in the entrance exams. Paper tests were a piece of cake."
"Seriously?"
"I'm a prodigy, you know? Studying is just a side thing while I focus on my online games. I can't understand why people struggle with such simple things. I'm what you'd call a 'clueless girl.'"
Rena confidently calls herself a prodigy.
I wonder what kind of expression she has on the other side of the sliding door. I'd like to check, but I'd better refrain from doing so. I don't want to throw peaches and sprint at full speed down the hill to Yomotsu Hirazaka. (Japan's historical landmark)
True, Rena never asks twice about something she's been taught. If you teach her something once, by the time you meet again, she'll already know ten times more about it.
And it seems that applies to everything.
Well, that knowledge all in one place gave her terrible real-life interpersonal skills.
It seems that the reaction has created a fatal weakness in her for living in society.
"Why did you even bother applying to such a high-level school when you're the kind of person who hides away on the internet?"
"I wanted to get it over with by going for a high school certificate, but my family is semi-elite. Settling for a correspondence high school wasn't acceptable, so here I am."
"And what about attending school and staying in the health room?"
"In high school, it's not compulsory education, and I'd be hit with 'You're not in junior high anymore, stop relying on the health room.'"
This is an undeniable truth and reality.
Her statement is full of reason and reality.
"Even though my parents were quite laissez-faire as long as I achieved results, they finally lost it when they saw I couldn't even attend high school properly. They threatened to marry me off to some rich old geezer as a consolation prize once I become eligible for marriage. It's like I'm just a tool for political marriages in the Sengoku period. It's a case that would greatly enrage Twitter feminists."
Finally, the answer I wanted to know the most has been revealed.
The true reason for running away, relying on a man whose face you don't even know, was because you were literally driven into a desperate situation, escaping with all your might.
"So that's why you finally ran away, huh?"
"Wrll, I totally had this serious expression, you know. I left a note saying I'm heading to my sister's place in Tokyo and made a run for it to escape from the enemy. If I can stay in a safe place where they can't get me for a while, it should buy me some time."
"Even if a child is self-reliant, parents will still be concerned when they run away on a plane's distance."
"They don't worry about me. You see, we're a single-parent family, but there's no real interest in the child itself. What matters is the result and achievement the child produces."
How many experiences have led this 15-year-old girl to describe her parents like that?
I, too, didn't have the best of parents. However, it wasn't until I was 20 that I reached the point where I could accept that they were just parents like that.
I don't mean to pity her, but a complex feeling welled up in me, hidden behind our five-year relationship, about Rena's circumstances.
"Wait, Tokyo's sister?"
I got carried away with the talk about her parents, and I forgot about the fact I wanted to know.
"Yes. My sister attends the University of Tokyo."
The words "Tokyo's university" aren't just about a university; it's also a combination of two words. Both sisters are genuine prodigies.
"So, I wasn't the one you were counting on for a place to stay?"
"I won't go all out on Senior like a reckless fool. Asking for help like this was just a secondary goal."
"Secondary goal?"
"Yes. Honestly, I came here to have an offline meeting with Senior for real."
Offline meeting? The first real clue about her coming to Tokyo.
Who would have thought that would be the real purpose?
"Why would a net hermit like you even think about wanting to have an offline meeting?"
"Because there's no one else I can be myself around. So, I thought about seeing your true geeky side, Senpai. When you, the society person, showed up, I got a bit scared, but in a good way."
"Just because there's no one else, you wanted to have an offline meeting with me?"
"It's not like there's no one else besides me... What about your older sister? Is she a tough person?"
"My older sister is kind. She's the person who cares about me the most in the world... But she's only kind and can't really understand my feelings."
"Can't understand?"
" believe my social skills can improve if I expose myself little by little, just like the Showa-era moms who believe allergies can be cured by eating small amounts"
Rena treats her kind and caring sister as a Showa-era mom.
"That's why meeting with Senior for an offline chat already accomplished the main goal."
"You call it an offline chat, but what you're doing is the same as always."
I'm the only one speaking out loud. This way, it's no different from doing a voice chat. It's something I can do even if Lena is in Sapporo.
"No, no, the image of Senior I had within me got updated from 'chibull' to 'professional adult,' and that's a significant gain."
Rena hits such a lighthearted talk.
The main purpose was to meet me in person for an offline chat. Using the inn as an excuse to meet me.
But even that sounds funny.
After all, Lena came to this house with a determination, to the point of sobbing when she realized she couldn't wage a siege
There might still be more to it.
"After achieving the initial goal, what did you want to do?"
"I wanted to escape from reality. Once I'm satisfied, I'll go to my sister's place. So, I planned to stay here until then."
Escaping from reality.
If what she told me earlier was the true reason for her running away from home, then this must be her true purpose.
"...And what excuse are you planning to give your sister about where you've been until now? You're still a minor, after all."
Lena's desire to escape reality wouldn't be just for a day or two. Actually, even a day or two would be problematic. The period between running away from home and visiting her sister would be subject to questioning.
No matter how many excuses and lies she comes up with, it won't be easy to convince her sister.
"I don't need a big excuse. I just used my 'Busty JK Beauty' brand to advertise and recruit party members in a guild. That should be enough. Oh, and I won't do anything that would sell you out, so don't worry."
"Wait, what?"
A party recruitment in the guild. Obviously, that's not an in-game story.
It's an adult's instant dating solicitation where coded words like 'waiting for God,' 'HO' (meaning casual sex), 'strawberry' (meaning a young woman), and 'compensation' are exchanged. They seem to proudly declare that they have survived Tokyo nights with self-sacrifice."
Lena is also a prodigy. She must have considered the implications seriously and anticipated how her parents and sister would react to her actions.
"Senior, my life is already messed up."
Lena declared as if she didn't mind the consequences.
08
"Regarding this matter, it's pointless to rely on my sister and cry. Although she may be kind, in the end, she'll just urge me to go to school. Allergies can be cured, little by little, I want to take it step by step for your sake. You'll be alright, you'll definitely get better. After all, you're my little sister," she said.
It seemed like she had heard such words before.
Whether it was frustration from not being understood or sadness, I couldn't tell.
"My sister may be kind, but she's not the type to coddle. She'll scold you and tell you that's how everyone lives, using tough love. She won't be kind to someone who's being overly spoiled in life," she continued.
Her feelings toward her sister seemed to be filled with either resentment or resignation.
In any case, her typing on the keyboard was intense, as if taking it out on it.
"At home, I get scolded by our parents, but if I rely on my sister, she'll treat me kindly. It may seem contradictory, but what's demanded of me is the same: overcome my allergy by eating it. No, it's impossible now. Knowing I'm the one at fault is one thing, but being able to do it is another. Senpai, I feel like my life is ruined," she expressed.
The same words were repeated again.
Feeling as though her life was ruined.
Her heart was worn down to the point of self-destructive despair, to the extent that she only opened her heart to a faceless man and sought escape from reality.
She didn't come to meet me with determination. She had no other choice but to make up her mind when she was cornered with no way out.
"I'm not arrogant about being a busty high school girl, but I am proud of it. So, I wanted to offer you the first-time bonus, Senpai, and have you indulge me in escapism," she said.
For the sake of escapism, there was no room for pretense anymore. She wanted to sell her valuable assets, lower her dignity, and immerse herself in a world of dreams.
Even if there was no salvation after waking up from the dream.
She didn't even think about what would happen after returning to reality.
We had known each other for only five years, but for Rena, it was one-third of her life.
The one flash, Rena Falt of the Ten Realms, was asking her Senpai for temporary support in her life.
"If you say the siege is postponed indefinitely, then I'll just be a nuisance...," she mentioned.
A high school girl rolling into the arms of an adult man.
Even if the siege were to be exposed as a fact, even if there was no maintenance work, my fate would be determined once it became public. My sacred face and true name would make their debut in people's living rooms, and I would be widely criticized on the internet for being both envied and resented.
Rena was fully aware of this, which is why she tried to buy off my trouble as the siege warrior or as the house maid.
Her current runaway might be a gamble with her life.
If it didn't work out with me at the last minute, she might as well go back quietly to her sister's place and return to the life she felt was hopeless.
But now she was in contact with me. That's how she ended up coming to my house.
So, as originally planned, she will deviate from the path and engage in escapism with the only person she can open up to.
Either way, the future ahead doesn't look promising.
Rena's gamble is whether she waits for the dead-end road or falls until the end comes. She seeks only a fleeting dream, not even hope.
Let me be clear. I cannot save Rena.
I'm always led to the easier path, lacking ambition, maintaining the status quo, hoping for luck like winning an unclaimed lottery ticket. I may be admired as a Senpai in life, but I can't show Rena a new path, guide her, and help her walk towards the future on her own.
All I can do is silently grant her wish.
I can distract her from her problems, without thinking about the future, and indulge her irresponsibly. Though it may temporarily soothe her heart, in the long run, it won't truly be for Rena's benefit.
I'm aware of that.
"Well, we're already on this ship. Just endure the pain as much as you need," I said, although it was an unusual show of dependence for someone like me, who always prioritizes self-preservation.
A surprised voice leaked from beyond the sliding door. The light tapping sound was short and abrupt.
"But..."
I wonder what expression Rena is wearing now. A breathless silence and hesitation filled the air.
If I were to open the door and put my hand on her head, saying, "You've been through a lot. It's okay, I'm on your side," showing off an irresponsible handsome act, she might press her ample fruit against my chest. After an embrace, the two of us would share a happy kiss, the end, a happy ending, done.
If I had the courage to act like that, I'd be making millions by now. But opening the door would expose me to smoke, leaving me with no choice but to change jobs and become a geezer.
"In exchange, make sure no one finds out about me. I can't deal with jealous netizens driven mad," I said, opting for stability and self-preservation.
"Of course. Rather than selling out Senpai, I'll make my name resound in the world as an invincible person. I'll take my family and relatives Tanaka (just a joking unisex name) along as well!" she said.
"Tanaka is too unreasonable," I responded.
Rena inserted a joke as usual, and I picked it up with a smile.
"Thank you, Senpai. As I thought, you are a significant presence for me," she said, expressing her genuine gratitude.
"I'm really grateful. Thank you for being such a true friend," she continued.
Affected by the disease that would kill her if she didn't insert jokes, Rena quickly returned to making jokes again. Whether it was a seizure or a way to hide embarrassment, I couldn't tell.
"The gratitude rate is abnormal."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"I'm going to see what face you're making now."
"No, thank you!"
Sensing a sign of her trying to get up, there was a thud and a small cry of "eek!" from behind the sliding door. It was funny, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Also, do some household chores. That would be a big help," I said.
"Expecting a NEET like me, who relies on a maid to do household chores?"
"Ha, what a pathetic slug."
"Then please guide and motivate me. I'm a genius in learning, so once I become one from zero, I'll grow through battles. I plan to acquire the maid attribute. I'll become the Maid King!"
"The birth of a social anxiety stuttering NEET pathetic virgin maid busty JK beauty."
"I have way too many attributes, it's hilarious."
The sound of laughter could also be heard from behind the sliding door.
It feels like I made an incredible decision, but in reality, I haven't made any decision at all.
I'm just flowing as always towards the path of irresponsibility.
Simply tossing responsibility for my future self to make it easier...
"Senpai..."
Even if both parties agree, this is by no means commendable. No matter how many clever arguments we make, if this becomes public, society will show its fangs.
My honorable face and true name will become known throughout Japan, and a future awaits where jealous netizens will criticize me.
Despite taking on such risks, there's only one feeling welling up in my heart.
"I'm glad you came to see me."
Well, things will work out somehow.
That's my usual optimistic self.
09
The standing soba restaurant in the train station has updated its limited-time menu.
This dish, priced at 700 yen, is called "Smoked Seaweed Bento Spicy Green Curry Soba." It may seem quite unique, but it lives up to its name. It involves smoking the fried items found in a Seaweed bento and topping them on spicy green curry soba.
I knew I would regret ordering it. Not because it's bad, but because it's just so-so.
That's why I stick to the zaru soba (Japanese Cold Noodles served in Zaru (Bamboo Sieve) which is less than half the price, gentle on both my wallet and heart, and allows me to end the day without any lingering dissatisfaction.
After the meal, I pass through the substantial door, the boundary between everyday life and the extraordinary, where a beautiful girl greets me in silence, and I take my usual seat without asking for permission.
I receive the cup she hands me before the wet towel and gulp down its contents.
"Good job."
"Yeah, thanks."
Acknowledged for my efforts, I drain the cup in one gulp.
Today is Friday.
On this day, I used to vent all the frustrations and share petty stories that had accumulated throughout the week.
But not anymore.
Once, Fridays demanded sacrifices, but now, no one needs to be sacrificed. The habit of showing up has transformed into regular meetings.
"It's been a year since then, huh."
"It's been a year since then," Gami said, as she put down her glass. She seemed nostalgic, as if her emotions had overflowed.
"Time flies, doesn't it?"
I held the same thoughts in my heart.
Now it's May, and there are only two weeks left until the once-in-a-lifetime Europe's marriage legalization day.
One year ago, news arrived that a new extraordinary opportunity was about to unfold.
"Senpai, let's have an offline gathering."
A year ago, I received a surprising invitation for an offline meeting from Lena Falt, whom I knew for five years in an online game as Kohai.
I didn't even know her real name, face, age, or gender, but she turned out to be a busty high school girl.
She had escaped from home and requested to be hired as my house maid, wanting to escape reality and run through battlefields with me.
I accepted Lena's request, knowing it was a significant risk to take.
Since that day, she has been serving as my house maid, and a year has passed.
"Surprisingly, you're still holding onto it, huh? Really typical of you, Tama."
"I must admit, I can't believe I've been carried along like this until now."
"Rena Falt from the Ten Realms Flash is still actively working as a house maid at my house.
Yes, for one year. For a whole year, I've kept hiring a busty high school girl as a house maid. Rena, who used to be just a runaway girl, has now class-changed into a missing person.
This is seriously not a joke.
According to Rena, even if she searches her own name on the internet, nothing comes up.
It seems that Rena's parents are planning to enter the political world soon. Therefore, the most crucial thing for them is maintaining their public image. They can't afford to expose any scandal like their daughter running away and going missing. It's even possible that they haven't filed a missing person report.
If this is true, it's indeed a troubling situation.
If that's true, it would be an extremely unfortunate situation.
The fact that their daughter has been missing and left unattended. When this becomes public, they'll have to figure out how to explain it to the world.
He might play up being a single father and highlight Rena's social anxiety, talking about their eldest daughter's achievements. He wanted to be there for her and realized he relied on his older daughter too much. He regrets not being able to give his daughters a more comfortable life due to his workaholic nature and might even pretend to cry, wishing he spent more time with them.
He will get through it while fitting the pieces together, even if it's uncertain whether it will work out well.
"That's the kind of parent he is," Rena concluded. With a fast-paced and decisive nature, without hesitation or second thoughts, it's as if she had already read the script of the future.
All of Rena's feelings towards her father and their relationship seem to be packed into those words.
"A year ago, I laughed when you said you were going to hire a house maid. On top of that, she’s a big-breasted JK girl." Gami recalled.
Imagine a cool and beautiful woman holding her belly, pounding the counter repeatedly. To those who don't know the essence of Gami, it would be a terrifying experience.
It was a year ago on Friday. The next day after my meeting with Lena.
As promised, I confessed everything to Gami.
"Wow, I can't believe something so interesting happened! You did well, Tama! I'm impressed!"
The former handsome guy's spirit seemed to be resurrected within the beautiful woman.
After laughing heartily, Gami demanded to hear the whole story in detail. It wasn't the time to worry about the shop being open, so Gami joined in on the drinking.
When I speak frankly, including the psychological depiction of that time, She just clapped her hands with joy and exhilaration. Just like a chimpanzee,
Gami would laugh uproariously and make comments like, "You're an idiot. Just have a go at it. You've been too hung up on being a virgin."
Then he would burst into laughter as if he were a chimpanzee.
"Do you know about the spirit of obeying the law?"
"It's just like having a driver's license. You can drive without it, as long as you don't get caught." She said, shrugging her shoulders.
Exactly, I have no words to reply.
After finishing talking like that,
"Ah, that was hilarious! I can't remember the last time I laughed this much."
She seemed thoroughly delighted, truly becoming an excellent drinking companion.
I witnessed Gami laughing this much only once before, during the Yo-kai Man-Eating Karaage uproar in our sophomore year.
It was the modern-day ABC murder case that plunged Tokyo into the depths of fear. Gami was laughing so hard that it felt nauseating to uncover the tearful and true facts. I still can't forget the time we had to rush Gami, who had developed hyperventilation, to the health office.
Hiring a busty high school girl as a house maid is morally questionable but from Gami's perspective, but it's nothing more than an amusing topic of conversation.
"Isn't it going to be troublesome for a socially awkward virgin to live under the same roof as a sheltered shut-in? Don't worry, I'll take care of those aspects. From now on, Fridays will be our regular meeting. You can vent about everything that happened during the week, okay?"
And so, at Gami's command, the regular Friday meetings were established. Shea started a "zero yen all-you-can-drink plan," saying, "You provided such entertaining stories, we can't charge you for it."
While I had reservations about turning people's burdens and problems into laughing matters, I couldn't deny that Gami's support was genuinely helpful.
In the daydreams of the pure-hearted Valkyrie and the imprisoned man, lies the hidden side of a woman that we can never truly understand. It's a sacred territory where men cannot intrude, but Gami can step in. They provide everything essential, even those physically necessary.
"Honestly, Tama has changed."
"Changed?"
"Yes. Compared to a year ago, you've become remarkably composed and reliable."
Not becoming more handsome or manly, but growing more composed and reliable..
Even I, the clueless me, understood the significance of that change. I could genuinely sense the transformation within myself.
Ever since I hired Rena as my home security guard, my personal life had been steadily improving.
She was a parasitic neet who relied on maids for everything. She had absolutely no household skills.
But now, she has climbed to new heights that even housekeepers would be amazed by.
When I taught her the household chores I needed help with, I genuinely felt like she had never done anything before. Although she seemed clueless and inexperienced, she never asked the same thing twice.
Two weeks later, she could handle everything I asked of her.
The way she seamlessly took care of everything without even asking for it was the epitome of mastering, breaking, and leaving.
After one month, she started preparing dishes even more advanced than the ones I taught her. I noticed that my shirts were perfectly ironed, and the aluminum sash tracks were spotless.
Reaching the "Ha" stage of "Shu-ha-ri," the process of learning, breaking, and detaching, had been achieved.
After three months, I went to work with a hot sandwich in one hand and a bento box in the other, even though I used to only drink coffee in the morning.
Dressed in a well-brushed suit, crisply ironed shirt, and shiny black leather shoes, I looked like a fully capable office worker.
When I got home tired, the bathtub and a change of clothes were always prepared.
She had reached the "Ri" stage of "Shu-ha-ri," the stage of detaching and transcending, had been accomplished.
She was handling various kitchen appliances like pressure cookers, skillets, low-temperature cookers, and hand blenders that I had bought and left to rot, using them perfectly.
The kitchen was spotless, with no limescale or oil stains to be found. It was as if she was some higher being, far superior to a mere house spirit or brownie.
"Then please guide and motivate me. I'm a genius in learning, so once I become one from zero, I'll grow through battles. I plan to acquire the maid attribute. I'll become the Maid King!"
True to his previous words, Rena became the Maid King.
10
All the necessary knowledge for living can be obtained on the internet. Lena, who climbed to great heights with that knowledge, was truly a prodigy. It was by no means an exaggeration. Rather, she was quite humble about it.
Moreover, she did it not out of obligation but seemed to genuinely enjoy it.
"Just by doing this, I can do whatever I want. This environment is like heaven. Reality sucks, I'd rather stay in a horror house for the rest of my life."
Lena showed her respect and gratitude to the horror house. The altar was cleaned every day and the dinner made daily was offered as an offering. That would become Lena's lunch the next day. She said thinking and making food for herself was troublesome.
Freed from all household chores by the Maid Queen, I spend my days being waited on hand and foot.
My lifestyle changed from the roots.
Having more time also brought more mental space. My inner energy overflowed, and my work performance improved. As a result, my work was praised, and my monthly salary increased.
At home, I was often exposed to the gaze of a busty high school girl. So, I became conscious of not showing any embarrassing behavior. Since the day I decided not to drink until I was drunk, the amount of alcohol gradually decreased, and before I knew it, I stopped drinking at home.
Thus, improving my lifestyle, reducing alcohol consumption by 90%, and other daily challenges brought about changes in my appearance and complexion.
Being more composed and well put together was all thanks to these benefits.
Let me say it clearly. I can't go back to a life without Rena now. The change in my life has been so dramatic. She is like a personal house maid, one per family.
If Lena were to leave my home, I can see a future where I'd fall into despair, just like some pathetic guy who was dumped by a perfect girlfriend.
That's why I've never brought up the idea of Lena going to visit her sister. Lena, too, has never mentioned it.
I'm well aware that staying in this house doesn't contribute to Lena's future. However, due to my selfish desire not to lose this environment, I've been avoiding facing the issue of her future.
And that's how the one-year anniversary of the house maid, "Flash of the Ten Realms," came about. Rather than calling it an "anniversary," it was just me going with the flow, taking the easy way out.
"The current Tama is a model worthless adult who preys on children's futures and enriches his own pockets."
"There is no room for objection"
As Gamj scolded me with a strange look, I raised my hands in surrender.
"But if you'll allow me to make an excuse, the kids are full of life. They say, 'This is the most fun I've ever had in my life.'"
"Living without thinking about the future and just doing what they like. Anyone would find that enjoyable, no doubt."
Without reproach or anger, Gami speaks as if it were natural.
"The consequences of only doing enjoyable things will catch up with you in the future. But children don't understand that vague concept. That's why adults have to show them the way, to guide them... but she fell into the hands of despicable adults and ended up deviating from society's path."
"Ouch, ouch. It's like getting a middle ear infection."
Gami's words are painfully ear-piercing. It's like being bullied by logical harassment.
"You're speaking from the perspective of a model adult, considering the society's laid-out tracks. Feeling hurt when confronted with it means you're still struggling with your conscience, doesn't it?"
"So, that proves that I still have the conscience of a model member of society."
"In my opinion, it's the half-hearted indecisiveness that's the worst."
Facing her witty retort, I can't help but take a light hit. Gami's counter-attacks are always strong.
"Really, you're such a coward, Tama."
This time, Gami spits out words of scorn without holding back.
"Ordinarily, you'd have already made a move."
Make a move? On what? It's obvious.
On the busty high school girl.
"Do you know the spirit of adhering to the law?"
"It's like a red traffic light. If you don't get caught crossing it, you won't get a ticket. Besides, I don't want the man who is currently crossing the red line to ask such a silly question."
"It's about valuing the spirit of supporting others."
"That's not true. It's not just about shifting the blame onto that forbidden fruit. You only want to portray yourself as a caring and understanding senpai. You want to say, 'I did it because I was wanted,' just to set up a defensive line. It's like a Serious Systemic Defense Theory of Self-Deprecation."
Gami cuts right into people's hearts with her straightforwardness.
Her response is spot-on. What I'm idling around for is not due to a guilty conscience but just the usual self-preservation.
I've been carrying this burden for a year. I'm not thinking about social responsibility or adhering to the law. But even so, I don't make a move because I fear losing the trust and reliance that Lena and I have built up until today.
The feelings directed towards Lena are comforting. I don't want them to turn into contempt, so I just keep soaking in this lukewarm water.
While spewing out noble ideas, my inner desires are still covered in impurities. If I were desired, then I couldn't help but push the responsibility onto that person.
Indeed, as Gami says, it's the Serious Systemic Defense Theory of Self-Deprecation. A perfectly fitting and accurate neologism.
"Tama, do you know the quickest way to benefit yourself in this society?"
"Winning the lottery."
"Breaking the rules."
Gami immediately brings an answer, dismissing my trivial response.
"This society binds us with rules. Even for minor infractions, you'll have to pay a hefty price. And yet, rule-breaking never stops because there are gains that can't be obtained within those rules."
It's a common story.
Something done lightly becomes a tragedy—no, retribution—that takes away everything one has built up until today. Those who were punished are constantly exposed to public scrutiny.
This is the fate of those who break society's rules.
"For example, Tama, your jaywalking. If it becomes public, the public's vigilante justice, which is much harsher than the punishment prescribed by society, awaits you. People who haven't suffered any disadvantages will throw stones at you. Why, I wonder?"
"Because they can proclaim a righteous cause and justice. People always seek a punching bag they can hit without any conscience to vent their frustrations. That's the trend of modern times."
How many people genuinely act with a sense of righteous justice?
"People who readily accept false information and act self-righteous, suddenly scatter like spiders when they realize it was all wrong. I wonder if there are any who sincerely apologize to the victims of misinformation and try to atone for their own mistakes.
I am one of those spider-like individuals, seeking daily sandbags on the internet and participating in the drama. Just yesterday, I even retweeted the dug-up past of a target who caused an online uproar.
With a wry smile, Gami agrees, saying, 'That's also true.' But it seems Gami has a different answer in mind.
'Because they envy them. Because they are jealous. They diligently follow the rules, and yet they can't stand the unfair advantages gained through deceit.'
I see, and I understand that perspective.
"Breaking the rules is not the only issue. The internet society is filled with envy and jealousy towards those who have succeeded by deviating from the paths set by society. Instead of leaving them be, they scrutinize the flaws of successful people relentlessly. They seem to know more about them than the most devoted fans, which is both ironic and pathetic."
I can fully grasp Gami's viewpoint.
It's ridiculous to earnestly follow the rules. The more I think that way, the more envious and resentful I become of those who have strayed from the path and found success. I wonder why they can become billionaires through what appears to be a mere game.
Of course, I assume they haven't put any effort behind the scenes.
The same goes for rule-breaking incidents like affairs between male teachers and female students, or vice versa, or cases involving inappropriate behavior with minors. I have never been angered by such news with a sense of justice. There is only one emotion that surfaces: envy and jealousy.
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Please note that this work does not intend to convey the author's assertions or messages.
Everything depicted in the story is part of the character-building setup and the narrative process.
It does not promote or assist any criminal activities. Please understand it accordingly.
This novel will only be updated on Friday. Every Friday, 5 chapters will updated.
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