"Welcome to our store! Please enjoy your visit!"
The moment the front doors swing open and Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, and Salacia welcome everyone in unison, the customers flood in like a storm and split off toward the familiar sections as each woman smoothly returns to her post.
At the toiletries section, Pinna stands poised and helps a customer.
"This toothpaste contains dried flowers from Mile Chamo. They provide anti-inflammatory benefits and reduce sensitivity. It's ideal for individuals with discomfort from conventional variant."
"So it doesn't sting or burn?"
"Correct. It offers a gentle cleanse and calming aftertaste."
"I'll take two, then."
"Excellent choice."
Over at the kitchenware section, Yomogi lights up the housewives' crowd with a bright smile as she lifts a new baking tray.
"This one's got double insulation and even heat distribution. No more burnt edges. Cakes come out fluffy, and it cleans up like a dream."
"Really?"
"That sounds amazing!"
In the ceramics section, Kimberly gently gestures toward a line of vase sets.
"Feel… free… to choose. Every piece… carries warmth… from our hands… to your homes."
The nobles around her nod, clearly enchanted by both her voice and the craft.
At the woodworks section, Salacia rises slowly from a table, leaving a glistening imprint of her sea-dampened butt on the polished surface and exciting a noble.
"Yes! The sacred imprint! This really is a blessing from the sea!"
"Mmm~ anything for a good service, sir~"
Meanwhile, the masonry section is absolute chaos.
"Chantal! Chantal! Chantal!"
"Alright, alright, quit yelling. Watch this."
A dozen sweaty, hyped-up builders surround Chantal as she rolls her shoulders and cracks her knuckles. Then, she squats low and grips the edge of a giant marble slab, and with a clean lift, she raises it over her back.
"Chantal! Chantal! Chantal, oooh... Yeeeeaaah!!!"
"You did it, girl!!"
"That's our boss lady!!"
"One more, one more!!"
Chantal drops it with a satisfying thud, claps the dust from her hands, and smirks.
"Alright, fun's over, you freeloaders. Now buy something before I charge you double."
"Double? She's ruthless!"
"Still cheap!"
"I'm buying a slab just because you touched it, Chantal!"
"Hahahahaha...!!"
And just like that, the entire section shakes with noise and laughter as her wild big sister energy is perfectly matched by the rowdy big brother vibe from those builders.
At the counter, Motegi holds the line as steady as ever.
"Next one, please."
"It's me!"
"That will be four silver coins in total, sir."
"Here you go."
"Thank you, and here's your change, sir. Thank you for your purchase, we wait for your next visit."
"Absolutely!"
LUNCH TIME
Eventually, the flow begins to taper, and Motegi stretches his arms slightly, calling out to the girls.
"Alright, it's lunchtime, everyone."
"Yaayy!"
With that, the girls close the door and regroup, following Motegi upstairs.
And moments later...
**********
"What is this?! It's so cute, Motegi-chan!"
"Ooh... it already looks delicious, Motegi-kun!"
"I've… never seen… such a beautifully… and colorfully... arranged… meal… in a box… before… Motegi-sama..."
"Excellent color palette. Warm tones from the proteins and fruit, balanced by greens and neutral rice. Visually harmonious. Based on portion size and ingredient diversity, I estimate this meal provides a full range of nutritional needs — carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and vitamins. Function matches form, Master."
"Oh~ is that shrimp I see? Darling, you really know how to make me happy~!"
Right now, all six of us are having lunch together. But instead of eating at the dining table like usual, we're spread out on the terrace garden, enjoying the sun and fresh air. I temporarily moved the sunloungers into my dimensional inventory and laid out a big picnic mattress over the wooden deck.
And I don't know why, but somehow I crave a proper bento today, so I decided to make one for each of us. For the boxes, I crafted them out of bamboo using [Carpentry], and each one is filled with a pair of furikake onigiri, tamagoyaki, ebi furai, a fresh bed of lettuce with pickled carrots and cabbage from Spike Carrot and Catapult Cabbage on top, a daifuku, grapes, and some mango cubes.
"So, shall we dig in now?"
"Yes!"
The moment they take the first bite, Salacia hums, and her cheeks puff slightly as she chews with delight.
"Mmm~... the shrimp's so sweet and crunchy~..."
Yomogi munches on her onigiri with a smile.
"I love onigiri... it's fluffy and salty and just so comforting."
Chantal's halfway through her tamagoyaki already.
"They're all amazing! I could eat two of these boxes easy, Motegi-kun!"
I grab a piece of onigiri and take a bite, followed by a bit of cabbage, some tamagoyaki, and then the ebi furai... and I'm very pleased with myself.
"This is so good!"
Back in high school, I used to make bento all the time. But when college hit and I had part-time shifts at the konbini, I barely had time to prepare bento. So being able to do it again here in another world, surrounded by these girls, it hits me in a good way. The taste hasn't changed, and it's just as delicious as I remember.
As we shift to dessert and fruit, I see Kimberly nibbling her daifuku curiously.
"Is this… red bean… inside, Motegi-sama?"
"Correct."
"I never knew… red bean… could taste… this good…"
I got the red bean from Kimberly's villa, and yes, just like rice, soybeans, and bananas, it was considered an "elder food" in Heiligeichen because it was mostly boiled into porridge. So when I brought it home, I turned it into anko and saved some in the fridge, and this daifuku is one of the things I made with that sweet paste.
Pinna swallows her bite and nods.
"Flavor is balanced, texture cohesive. My earlier hypothesis regarding visual appeal and nutritional structure remains accurate. This meal satisfies both emotional and physical requirements."
And just like that, we keep eating our lunch together, and reopen the store soon after.
HOURS LATER
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, THIRTY-SIXTH FLOOR
Once the store is closed and we've earned about 600,000 yen in total sales, which is our highest record so far, we shift to our usual labyrinth run.
Right now, Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, Salacia, and I explore the thirty-sixth floor. As usual, Yomogi and Chantal walk side by side up front with Pinna's Observer Unit floating between them. Just behind, Kimberly walks next to Pinna, with the latter's Crawler Unit slithering on the ground between them. And finally, there is me in the rear with Salacia clings to my arm and presses her chest into me... again.
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that after clearing the thirty-fifth floor, I'd ranked up again to C. And of course, the higher the rank, the harder the challenge I will face.
Especially after Kimberly said the labyrinth has that "loop" mechanism, so if monsters from floors thirty-six to sixty-seven are repeats from the fourth to thirty-fifth... then this floor here, right now, is a mirror of floor four.
Which also means we're about to face that thing again. The very first non-beginner monster I ever fought in the labyrinth, and it was way back during my first run with Yomogi. And even now, they still disgust me.
Then, Yomogi and Chantal stop in our tracks, the former sniffing the air.
"It's coming."
Chantal spins her daggers as her ears twitch.
"Let's do it."
And then, three Split Caterpillars squirm into view, and without warning, they split until there are six of them. If Kimberly said the looping monsters from became more aggressive, then she's right about it.
"Ugh… they seriously haven't changed, huh?"
"I'm just as grossed out as you are, Motegi-kun. But who cares, right?"
"Yeah… you're right."
Yomogi glances back.
"We're only here to get their threads, Motegi-chan."
"I know, Yomogi."
Kimberly already lifts her hand.
"We should strike… before they... do... Motegi-sama…"
"Absolutely."
But then, Pinna suddenly cuts in.
"Master, requesting permission."
"Permission? For what?"
"I require a field test for Crawler Unit Two."
Before I can even answer, Chantal turns back with a serious expression.
"Do it! We don't have time to stand around chatting, Pinna!"
"Acknowledged. Engaging test protocol."
And just like that, the caterpillars rush toward us, which Pinna's Crawler Unit meets head-on as it darts ahead faster than I've ever seen it.
Then, something unexpected happens. Instead of dropping its usual gravity marbles or firing its wire snares, it suddenly vents a dense burst of smoke that's thick enough to hide the caterpillars' bodies.
PSSSSHHH!
The monsters immediately shriek, their gelatinous skin rippling as they twist violently in place. It's like they're trying to crawl out of their own bodies.
"Kheeee...!!"
"Kheeee...!!"
"Kheeee...!!"
Yomogi's eyes widen.
"W-What is that?!"
But Pinna doesn't answer and only murmurs under her breath.
"Initial deployment… successful. Gas reaction exceeds minimum threshold. Commencing second sequence…"
From the haze, I spot her Crawler Unit launching six marbles, each one snapping into place against a caterpillar's body, and then...
BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Six rapid explosions burst through the smoke, popping like fireworks and not letting the caterpillars get another scream out before they collapse into nothing.
Kimberly gasps in surprise.
"That was… truly… remarkable…"
But Pinna murmurs again.
"Initial deployment… also successful. Overall field test results… within optimal parameters."
And I can only stare, frozen.
What the hell did I just watch?
As the smoke thins out, the monsters are gone and leave their threads, which Yomogi, Chantal, and Kimberly pick up. Then, Chantal comes jogging back excitedly.
"Hey, hey, Pinna, seriously... what were those?! That smoke and those explosions were insane!"
"The explosions came from an older feature of Crawler Unit Two. It was equipped with gunpowder-propelled detonation charges. The charges detonate on contact using proximity-based ignition and deliver high-heat, localized destruction."
Then, Pinna pauses a little before continuing to explain.
"I had removed the module before meeting this party due to instability and lack of necessity. However, given the expected increase in enemy resilience from this point onward, I judged it appropriate to reinstall and recalibrate for selective use."
After that, she looks directly at me.
"As for the smoke… that is part of my classified chili project, Master. I discovered that the chilies cultivated in our terrace garden contain capsaicin, a compound to cause burning sensations. After isolating the chemical and converting it into aerosol form, I designed a delivery mechanism to test its disorienting effect on enemies. And field results confirm my hypothesis."
"Okay..."
But honestly, I'm speechless.
So that's why she kept the chili research a secret, huh?
Because she just weaponized a crop. A pressurized chili-based gas that blinds and burns, which also means a homemade, labyrinth-grade tear gas. But still, I ask her to clarify it.
"Wait, why weren't we affected by it?"
"I adjusted the gas to only react with the biological markers of hostile entities. Party members were excluded from the effect parameters."
"Ah, I see..."
So basically, she made specialized tear gas that ignores the user entirely, and it doesn't require us to wear a mask because there will be no danger to this party. And I can't help but be amazed by how she keeps impressing me with her brilliant ideas.
"I'm seriously proud, Pinna."
"Understood. I am pleased you are satisfied, Master."
Then suddenly, Salacia sighs behind me and pouts.
"Mmm, it's unfair~… I prepared so many potions for today. But it feels like you don't even need me anymore…"
And I laugh awkwardly.
"Who said that, Salacia? Of course we need you. Come on, don't get gloomy. You're our important member, you know?"
Yomogi nods warmly.
"We still rely on you, Salacia."
Chantal adds.
"Yeah, you're our lifesaver, Salacia!"
Kimberly says kindly.
"You are… invaluable… Salacia..."
Even Pinna even chimes in.
"Your role remains essential. Potions provide irreplaceable support functions."
And Salacia brightens instantly, and I'm also happy.
"You do? Thank you, everyone! I'll do my best to keep you all in prime!"
"That's a great spirit, Salacia!"
After that, the six of us continue to walk and run into Split Caterpillars again. But again, Pinna's Crawler Unit shoots forward and unleashes another burst of smoke straight into their path.
PSSSSHHH!
"Kheeee...!!"
"Kheeee...!!"
"Kheeee...!!"
As they screech in agony, Pinna turns to us calmly.
"The gas is only a distraction. While they are disoriented, this is your opportunity to engage. You may deliver the finishing blows. Consider this an ideal simulation for live enemy suppression."
Yomogi and Chantal are excited by that.
"Really?! Thank you, Pinna!"
"Heh. I'm not letting that go to waste, then!"
However, I stop them both...
"Hold on."
... and turn to Kimberly.
"Sorry, Kimberly, mind if I join those two this time?"
"Go on… Motegi-sama. Let your sword... taste... some action…"
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
Then, I ask Yomogi and Chantal.
"Ready?"
"Ready!"
We charge together, straight into the fog.
"Grrraahh!!"
Yomogi growls and slams a brutal uppercut into the nearest caterpillar, sending its massive body crashing into the ceiling.
"Double kill time!"
"Kheeee...!!" "Kheeee...!!"
Chantal shouts next as she darts forward, and both daggers slash clean through two caterpillars, splitting them apart.
"It's my turn! Haahh!!"
"Kheeee...!!"
I rush forward with Yamitsuki drawn, growling as I swing the katana through the fourth one's side and slice it clean.
But honestly, this is my childish dream to run through the smoke like this. Watching what those brave soldiers did in the war movies always made me wonder what it would feel like. And now, I can't deny how thrilling and exciting it is.
"Wind... Storm..."
"Kheeee...!!" "Kheeee...!!"
Finally, Kimberly raises her hand and shreds the final two caterpillars with a powerful blast of twisting air. Once the fog clears, we move to collect their dropping threads.
Then, Yomogi turns to Salacia, who is still on our back.
"Salacia?"
"Yes!"
Without needing further cue, Salacia steps in immediately and takes Yomogi's hand gently.
"Ah, bruised again? Let me fix it, okay?"
"Yes, please."
Salacia lifts her hand slightly and casts that same spell.
"Heal."
A soft blue light washes over Yomogi's fingers, and within seconds, the bruise disappears completely.
"Thank you, Salacia!"
"You're welcome, Yomogi..."
I walk up beside them and pat her shoulder lightly.
"See? I told you we still need you."
And she blushes a little.
"Ehehe~... you're right, darling. I guess I overthought things."
"Are you happy now?"
"Mhm~. I am, darling~."
As I pick up the last thread, my mind goes to work again.
If Split Caterpillar, the monster from the fourth floor, reappears at the thirty-sixth floor… then the monster from the eighth floor will reappear at the thirty-sixth floor. And despite the fact that we don't really have a floor goal today, somehow I want to push ahead.
Because we can make it to the fortieth, I know one of these five girls will gain something really helpful. But before that, we'll need to keep battling these caterpillars and gather their drops.
"So, should we keep going?"
"Yes!"
And with that, our labyrinth run continues.