After returning from The Hostess of Fertility to the mansion, everyone parted ways in the first-floor lobby, heading to their respective rooms.
The Takagi Mother and Daughter, living together, walked side-by-side, chatting as they ascended the stairs to the second floor.
"Mother… do you remember our conversation at the dinner party?"
"Of course I remember. What do you want to say?"
"Regarding everyone's work…"
Saya Takagi recalled the dinner party not long ago.
Shizuka Marikawa, already serving as a school nurse, received a job responsible for treating Adventurers who sought help at the Adventurers' Guild.
Saeko Busujima, as the kendo club's ace, had performed brilliantly in previous battles against the 'Living Dead' (Zombies/Corpse) and chose to register as an Adventurer to enhance her strength.
Then there was Saya Takagi's own mother, Yuriko Takagi. Due to her past work on Wall Street, she was assigned the task of reviewing and revising the Adventurers' Guild's contracts.
Thus, currently, only Saya Takagi and Rei Miyamoto had nothing they could do.
"On the way back, I heard Classmate Miyamoto say that she also plans to register as an Adventurer, because she's a member of the gunnery club and hopes to use this to train herself."
"Indeed. Regarding this world, I also asked the locals, and they all said that 'the Dungeon is very dangerous, but it also has the power to change the future'."
"From this perspective, didn't Chen Hai-kun bring 'the future' to this world?"
"It seems that way indeed…"
"In fact, the 'future' we now possess is also only possible because Chen Hai-kun was willing to help."
Yuriko understood the meaning of Saya Takagi's words perfectly.
When her daughter asked Chen Hai for help, and he agreed, the Takagi Mother and Daughter were able to meet safely.
If Chen Hai hadn't accompanied them, and if Asuna hadn't defeated the enemies, the Takagi Mother and Daughter might have been captured by those robbers.
As for the consequences… no need to elaborate, she believed.
"Back then I said, 'I'm willing to do anything.' That price… it always has to be paid, right?"
"Indeed, we can't be seen as untrustworthy people; and I think Chen Hai-kun is very good, at least in this world, he is someone worth relying on."
"Then… Mother, shall I go over tonight?"
"If you have the resolve."
"I wonder what Chen Hai-kun will want me to do."
"Who knows."
Yuriko Takagi also didn't know.
The Takagi Mother and Daughter returned to their room just like that.
After a simple wash, Saya Takagi changed into a long dress she had taken from her closet at home and packed into a suitcase before fleeing the city.
"This should be fine, right?"
Saya Takagi was unsure how the future would unfold, so she focused on the present.
No matter what, she had to be in her best state.
"Saya, I'll help you comb your hair."
"Okay."
"What hairstyle do you want?"
"The same as before."
"Twintails?"
"Yes, because I'm more used to that."
Sometimes too many changes can make one feel uneasy.
Yuriko Takagi heard her daughter's request and began to comb her hair into twintails, just as she used to.
"Saya…"
"Hmm?"
"You've grown a lot compared to before."
"I've always been growing, you know, even though Mother has been busy with work lately, we haven't been apart for too long, have we?"
"I'm not just talking about your appearance."
After finishing the twintails, Yuriko Takagi gently pinched her daughter's cheek.
"You're much calmer than before; you don't seem like a tsundere child."
"I-I'm not tsundere! Before, I just didn't like those monkeys circling around me!"
"And now?"
"Chen Hai-kun is a benefactor."
"Indeed, don't be rude, now."
"I know."
Saya Takagi's expression became serious.
Then she stood up and walked to the room door.
"Then I'm off, Mother."
"Alright, have a good trip."
After saying this, Saya Takagi turned and left.
Looking at her daughter's retreating back, Yuriko Takagi, feeling she was somewhat uneasy, grabbed Saya Takagi's shoulder.
"Mother?"
"How about… I go with you too."
— — — —
— — — —
Chen Hai, having broken through to LV.200, connected to the that time i got reincarnated as a slime plane, and was just about to wash up, rest, and recuperate, heard a knock at the door.
Opening it, he saw the Takagi Mother and Daughter standing outside.
"Good evening, Chen Hai-kun."
"I hope we haven't disturbed your rest, Chen Hai-kun."
Looking at the two women, Chen Hai stepped aside.
"Come in first, it's a bit cold tonight."
The night wind was blowing at this moment.
The Adventurers' Guild mansion's dormitory was already open in all directions, so a good amount of airflow from the street would pass through its courtyard.
Hearing the invitation, the two in the hallway immediately stepped inside.
A magic stone lamp illuminated the room.
The lighting effect was not much different from modern incandescent bulbs.
Chen Hai looked at the Takagi Mother and Daughter who had come to his room.
Under the lamplight, their fair skin appeared lustrous and radiant.
They had most likely just showered.
As Chen Hai thought this, he sniffed himself and detected a scent of alcohol.
It was the exquisite brewed wine personally provided by The Hostess of Fertility's owner.
Most people couldn't drink much of it; Shizuka Marikawa was the best proof of that.
However, it had no effect on Chen Hai.
In this regard, Riveria seemed to be the same.
High-level Adventurers mostly weren't afraid of these 'debuffs'.
Unless it was 'divine wine' that could even intoxicate gods.
Without thinking much, Chen Hai invited the Takagi Mother and Daughter to sit down and then asked,
"What would you like to drink?"
The rooms provided for VIP guests were equipped with various beverages.
There were even magic stone tools similar to electric kettles, which could be said to be quite convenient.
"No need to trouble Chen Hai-kun."
Saya Takagi replied softly.
Yuriko, who was on one side, took over her daughter's words after sitting down.
"Please sit down, Chen Hai-kun. We came here because we want to talk about the future."
"Of course."
Chen Hai sat down opposite the Takagi Mother and Daughter.
Speaking of the future—
Chen Hai had a specific plan for the 'Living Dead' (Zombies/Corpse) plane, but it was not convenient to go into detail about it.
Even if he told the Takagi Mother and Daughter in front of him, it would be of no use.
At this point, Saya Takagi spoke first.
"Saeko is an excellent fighter, Classmate Miyamoto also plans to register as an Adventurer like her, and Teacher Marikawa is also engaged in medical work. Is there anything that can be arranged for me to do?"
Seeing everyone else finding their place in this world, Saya Takagi felt uneasy about it.
· 0 Please give flowers
Understanding this, Chen Hai thought for a moment.
"I don't think so at the moment, but the future is hard to say."
"That's right…"
"There's no need to worry about that, Takagi-san. What you need to do now is get used to this world, and then slowly confirm your place in it."
"Yes, you're right… Before that, Chen Hai-kun, I asked for your help to save my mother, and I said 'I'd do anything.' Is there anything you need me to do now?! I want to repay you!"
At the very least, she had to repay the kindness—that was Saya Takagi's thought.
"If Saya can't do it, please let me do it."
Yuriko Takagi, standing to the side, also joined the conversation.
Chen Hai recalled the scene from that day when Shizuka Marikawa invited him to bathe with her.
He then made a decision.
"I'm going to take a bath first."
Hearing this, the mother and daughter exchanged glances and began to prepare for the bathroom.
However, this was not the main point and could be skipped.
It was a plot point that 'did not need elaboration.'
As for why he said that—
Because after Chen Hai exited the bathroom, he saw that Yuriko had already laid out the bedding and neatly arranged the sheets… "You can rest now, Chen Hai-kun."
Before he could finish, she added,
"If Saya does anything poorly, please tell me immediately."
"Wait, wait, Mother! Who said I was going to do anything! Chen Hai-kun didn't mention a single word of it!"
"Is that so?"
Yuriko Takagi looked at Chen Hai.
Facing Yuriko's gaze, Chen Hai denied it.
"Absolutely not."
"Eh eh eh?!"
Saya Takagi was startled and completely bewildered.
Could it be that tonight… "Saya."
"Yes, yes!"
Suddenly called by name, Saya Takagi was stunned for a moment.
Chen Hai then said,
"I am not a saint."
"…"
"I am very greedy."
"Well, that…"
"That's the truth."
Chen Hai was very direct in this regard.
He was not some gentle male protagonist.
For this, he closed the window and poured a glass of wine.
Holding the wine glass, Chen Hai first looked at Yuriko.
"Miss Yuriko, you came here with Saya, not to watch a show, right?"
"Of course not. I also hope to do something, because if I just keep taking from Chen Hai-kun…"
Yuriko looked at her daughter.
"You'll be seen as a burden."
As a business elite, Yuriko deeply understood the importance of 'fair trade.'
And this time, the 'trading partner' was a powerful and handsome male. Why not?
"Tonight… I hope we can complete our first transaction."
Yuriko Takagi walked up to Chen Hai and took his hand.
"Wait, wait!!!"
Seeing this, Saya Takagi quickly ran to them.
"Mother! What are you doing?!"
"You child, you're too impatient."
"That's not the point!"
"No one said there could only be one trading partner, did they?"
Facing her daughter, Yuriko smiled.
Who would trade first was a question.
But Chen Hai didn't want to consider such things.
He would simultaneously grab two transaction checklists and leave his mark on them.