After the Mobile Forces tournament was safely wrapped up, we all decided to hold an after-party at a tavern.
“It’s a place that makes really good food,” Mira told me. “It’s particularly renowned for its fried chicken.”
I salivated. I hadn’t had fried chicken since my previous life. Did they squeeze lemons over it here too? I wanted to eat as soon as I could, so I hurriedly closed up my shop.
“Everybody got your stuff?” I asked.
“You always travel light, Mister Yusuke. I’m jealous,” Meryl said, envious of me as she hefted a heavy-looking knapsack on her back.
I could store away everything just by saying, “Store, close,” so I had no luggage to carry whatsoever. All I had in my hands were my monster cards and the Rocket Bombs I’d use if we got caught in battle.
C. Giant Crow, I choose you...today!
“Hey, Minerva! We’re going to head out,” I called out to Minerva, who was deep in conversation with Baron Ethel. Or rather, it was more like Baron Ethel wouldn’t stop pestering him.
“Sir Minerva, I beg of you,” he said, clasping his hands against his chest, pleading. “Please hand over that universal elixir you received as an extra prize!”
“It’s to cure the king’s illness, huh...”
“Precisely! His condition remains stable at present, but one of these days, his physical health will once again deteriorate because of that curse. I humbly beg of you, we need that elixir for when that happens.” Despite how often Baron Ethel was challenging that ten-rim game, he still hadn’t obtained the prize.
“Sir Minerva, I implore you!”
“But Yusuke gave this to me...”
He was really persistent. Well, I guess that goes to show how valuable that universal elixir is to him... But I couldn’t wait any longer. I’d heard that when night fell, strong monsters increased in number in the dungeon. If you were as tough as Minerva, then all was well, but for an ordinary guy like me or for Mira and Meryl, who were still kind of newcomers, it was too much to handle.
“We’ll be going on ahead, Minerva.”
“Huh? W-Wait!” Minerva rummaged around his bag and took out the universal elixir. “Here, take it!”
“Oh, I humbly thank you. How would you like me to repay you?”
“I don’t want to accept any rewards from the king. I don’t need anything, so let me go. Yusuke’s gonna leave.” Minerva was finally released after he handed over the universal elixir.
“There. Now I shall proceed onward to the castle and store this away in the treasury. Sir Yahagi, I shall take my leave.” Baron Ethel and his subordinates ran off in a hurry.
“Are you sure you’re fine giving it to him for free?” I asked Minerva.
“Hmph. I don’t want to accept money or anything else from the king.” Sounded like Minerva didn’t like the guy. Had something happened between them in the past?
“I see,” I said, deciding not to pry. “All right then, I’ll be treating you tonight, so eat and drink as much as you want.”
“You don’t have to. I have money.”
“I want to celebrate all your efforts today!” I insisted. I then put an arm around Minerva’s shoulders. “Okay, let’s go!”
“Ah... (Oh my god, no way, is this real life? I wish time would stop here forever...)”
We made merry, talking about things like what we’d eat or drink as we returned to the surface.
✦ ✦ ✦
I might have been feeling unstoppable that night. I’d started making a stable life for myself, and I had rented my own apartment. My sales were doing well, and if I wanted to buy a license, I easily could. I was now able to safely set up my shop anywhere I wanted.
Also, I had those trendy new toys to sell, and that tournament I’d held using them had been a huge success. No one could blame me for feeling like I was on top of the world.
“Let’s make the next tournament even bigger!”
“Good idea, Meryl. I should have a big trophy made then.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a large winner’s cup that’s proof that you were the champion. It gets passed down to other champions over the generations. I’ll ask Mister Sanaga to make a really grand one.”
“Ooh, that’s getting me all pumped up! Hey, Miiiss, I want another beer!”
“I’d also like to win a prize next time,” Mira said. “Another glass of wine for me, please.”
Meryl and Mira could both hold their alcohol, and they emptied glass after glass.
“You should drink too, Yusuke,” Minerva said. He had been especially nice to me tonight. “What are you going to have next?”
“Lemme see... Maybe something a little sweet.”
“The white wine I’m drinking is really tasty.”
“Wow, can I have a sip?”
“Huh...?”
I took Minerva’s glass and tried the wine. It was a white wine with a rich and syrupy mouthfeel. The color was more yellowish than white.
“Ah, it is tasty,” I agreed. “Let’s get the bottle.”
“Yeah...soooo sweet...”
“What?”
“It’s nothing. Just drink already!” Minerva thrust the wine at me, and we both gulped down every last drop.
In good spirits, the four of us ate and drank to our hearts’ content, and although it was rare for me, I drank until I was intoxicated.
✦ ✦ ✦
By the time we left the tavern, I was plastered and just barely managing to stay on my feet thanks to Minerva’s support.
“Are you okay, Mister Yusuke?” Meryl asked.
“Yeaaah, I’m to’lly fiiine. No sssweat...”
“I’m a little worried,” said Mira.
I was, in fact, aware that I was slurring my speech. It appeared I had drunk a little too much. Actually, Minerva had really encouraged me to drink tonight.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take him home. You two better head straight home too.”
“I guess there’s nothing to worry about if you’re gonna be his escort, Mister Minerva.”
“Good night then,” Mira chirped.
Minerva’s voice became a little gentler once we couldn’t see the two of them anymore.
“My place is closer than yours. You wanna stay the night?”
“Huuuh? I’d feel bad.”
“Don’t worry about it. This is exactly what I planned.”
“What you planned?”
“So don’t worry about it!”
Hmm. My brain was refusing to think because of the alcohol.
“Aw ’ight, I’ll stay th’ nigh’ at youw place.” I didn’t want to be a burden, so I shakily started walking, but Minerva lent me his shoulder. He and his silver mask were right next to my face. This guy... Such a nice guy.
“You know, I kinda smell somethin’ nice—a girl’s scent. I wonder where it’s comin’ from?”
“It’s because you’re drunk, stupid...”
“Really?”
I was feeling good as I walked along the nighttime streets.
✦ ✦ ✦
Everything had gone according to plan. I had even gotten rid of those nuisances, Meryl and Mira. Yusuke staggered drunkenly as he clung to me. I was certain he’d go right to bed once he got to my place. And then he’d be all mine. I’d have him take off his clothes, and I’d make him comfortable...and then I’d watch his sleeping face to my heart’s content.
I got him drunk all to satisfy my own desires... Am I a terrible woman?
But it was fine. Even my academy professor had said that a first-rate researcher must be faithful to their own wishes.
If I undid two...no, three of the buttons on Yusuke’s shirt, that’d make him more comfortable, right? M-Maybe I’d even touch his hand? Would he report me if he found out? No, no, I have to be more assertive.
I had always been passive when it came to love. But now, I was going to kiss that weak self of mine goodbye!