A few days passed since I accidentally used up my last skill tree slot.

  What a shock… I don’t understand why Bond Skills in specific had to work differently from the game. It wasn’t quite enough to send me spiraling and withdrawing from society, but I still felt like spending some time alone, playing games.

  The surprise was so big that it even reignited my desire to try to find what the game that the other world was based on is. Though, I ended up just playing something else after an hour since it was still impossible to find any info on it. I know my priorities are messed up, but I would have been happy with a simple wiki page telling me I was right about Bond Skills.

  But enough about my alone time. When I woke up today, I saw a message from Hecate telling me to swing by the dorm, so… “Here I am.” Just outside.

  Not sure what she wants. She mentioned having something special for today. I’m curious.

  There’s always a voice in the back of my mind that worries I’m doing the wrong thing whenever we slow down and take some time to relax, but I think it’s fine this time. Ayumu’s the biggest threat right now, and even though we couldn’t find her, at least we know she’s been staying in the other world for now. Her annoying monsters should be popping up any time soon.

  “Hello? I’m here.”

  “You’re finally here… Good.” The sight of Hecate was the first thing that greeted me. She walked over and gently grabbed my hand. “Today’s a very important day. After talking it out for a while, we have finally decided.”

  “Decided? Decided on what?” I can’t even worry about that. Taking a glance around, I see something far more shocking. “What are they doing here?!”

  There were four girls sitting around near the entrance, but not the right ones… Am I seeing things? Hecate, Carol, so far so good… Next would be Katja and Narumi, but… “Sarasa, Ririna?! Wh- what are they doing here?!”

  “What’s with that reaction?!” Sarasa rocked back and forth on a chair. “It’s almost like you’re not happy to see us.”

  “*Sigh…* I’m starting to miss the days when she’d run to hug us and say how much she missed us.” Ririna shook her head. “Those were the days…”

  “Ahaha… Very funny… Listen here, I’m very confused right now. What I need the most is an explanation, not you two teasing me!” I shook Hecate’s shoulders. “What is going on here? What are you thinking? They’re going to get found out.”

  “Mhmm mhmm…” She closed her eyes like she was enjoying the moment. “As adorable as your reaction is, we’re going to need you to calm down.”

  “All this for a reaction? Isn’t there a safer way to get that out of me?!”

  “Fufufu… Listen to me to the end. There’s nothing risky about them being here. Katja, Narumi, and Shinji had to leave for the day, so it’s fine to sneak them over.”

  “Did you have to make it sound like a horny teen sneaking your lover around while the parents are away?”

  “I mean, we snuck in your lovers. Was I wrong?” Hecate just shrugged. Dammit… I can’t even say she is…

  The big question now was why? Why did she and Carol invite Sarasa and Ririna over? “At least you finally calmed down. How are you so loud this early in the morning?” Carol walked over and grabbed my other hand. The two of them pulled to the dining table so we could talk. “Take a sit. Let’s get down to business.”

  “Down to business… Oh yeah, you did mention something about a decision.” Sitting around the table like this felt oddly formal… What’s this business Carol mentioned? Business, decision, formal… Ah! “Don’t do it! I still love you! All of you! I’ll do whatever it takes!”

  They all blinked. “What are you talking about?” Ehh? Did I misread the situation?

  “Uhhmmm… Wasn’t this about… a breakup?”

  “Not in the slightest…”

  Ahhh… I’m saved… Carol was clearly judging me, but I don’t even care… That was such a close one…

  “Hey! You’re relaxing too much! Stop sliding down the chair!” She pulled me by the shoulders. “Get it together! We need you capable of hearing the next part.”

  “Yeees… A decision, wasn’t it? If it’s what you want, I support it. No matter what it is, you can count on me.”

  Still too relaxed, but now Carol had an opportunity for payback. “No matter what? Hey, Sarasa, what was that idea you had that I said was going too far? Looks like she’s fine with it.”

  I felt a shiver down my spine. “Okay okay, I get it… You brought me here to discuss a decision, right? Let’s talk about it first before coming to any conclusions.” Just what have they been talking about behind my back? “Starting at the beginning, please.”

  “Remember how we were talking about getting a reward from you? We finally figured out what we wanted.” The teasing went a little too far, so Ririna made it up to me by being extra nice and giving me a straight answer.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Oh… Okay…” Just what was Sarasa thinking of if this is just about a reward? “And what did you decide on?”

  “We’re going to eat lunch together!” Hecate announced.

  “Huh… And you want me to pay for it as thanks for your help? I don’t mind at all, but… I just ate breakfast. Isn’t it too early to be talking about lunch?”

  “You’re so silly. There’s a reason I told you to come early. Paying for lunch is apt for a celebration, but it’s not so much as a reward for us, your girlfriends. It’s too impersonal.”

  “Is it…?”

  “Absolutely. We’d rather have something homemade, prepared with love from someone special. From someone like you! You’re going to make lunch for us! That’s our request.”

  “Yo- you want me to cook for you…?” Their eyes were all sparkling… I was expecting something far worse, but… “Are you sure? I don’t think this is a good idea…”

  Sarasa slammed her hands on the table. “Why not? Don’t be like that, Iroha! Feed us!”

  “I’m not sure why you even decided on this, but I’m not that great of a cook… The only time I cook at home it’s either frozen, premade food or very simple meals… I don’t know how to cook anything that tastes good or for this many people…”

  “Don’t worry too much. We know you, so we weren’t expecting anything amazing to begin with.” Carol tapped my shoulder. You call that comforting?

  “She’s right! Don’t worry!” Ririna leaned forward. “The food not being perfect is part of the charm.”

  “And with that settled, I got this for you!” Hecate pulled up holding an apron. “Go on. Put it on.”

  Sigh… They’re not listening to a single word I say… So be it…

  I reluctantly let Hecate help me put on the apron while the rabble commented behind me. “Doesn’t seeing her put on an apron make you feel like a newlywed, Sarasa? This is pretty fun!” Sarasa nodded in response to Ririna. “The only thing missing is if she was naked with just the apron. Ahahaha…”

  “*Gasp!* That’s a great idea! Iroha, strip! Strip strip strip!”

  “Wha-?!” Is she crazy?

  “No way!” Hecate shot her down, protectively holding my shoulders. “What if she burns herself and scars her skin? I can’t let that happen to my Iroha! Not in my kitchen!” So nice that she has my back…

  “So…? What am I supposed to make?”

  “Whatever you want.” Carol said. “It’s supposed to be YOUR reward for us. Whatever you normally eat.”

  Hmm… What do they have here…? I can use the rice cooker, and the rice just makes itself… That with some meat, and we should be good… Extravagant enough for me.

  “Th- then, how about steak with rice?”

  And… They stared in silence while waiting for a follow-up. “Too simple. It’s like you’re trying to find a loophole to get out of doing any work.”

  “Nyahahahaha! Make some shrimp! Fried shrimp! And some sauce too!”

  “And something with egg. And…”

  Sarasa and Carol piled idea after idea. It hurt her to add more, but Ririna made a request too. “Some vegetables would also be nice for some balance.”

  “Th- that’s impossible…” I slumped over… “I don’t know how to cook any of that.”

  “And that’s alright. You got a specialist right here. I’ll help you out.” Hecate… She really is my only ally. The only one who understands me.

  “Not allowed. If you’re helping her, you’re just going to end up doing most of the work. What’s the point then?” Hecate clicked her tongue, and Carol didn’t miss that. “Ahh… That was your game, huh? You just wanted to cook together, didn’t you? Too bad… You can give her some pointers, but no touching.” Damn you, Carol… There goes my only ally.

  The first half hour was nothing but me receiving a guided tour of the kitchen and fetching the ingredients I’d need. Hecate had a hard time teaching while resisting the urge to reach forward and help, but she was a good teacher. The other three killed some time talking while sitting at the table.

  “It’s my first time just spending some time inside one of your houses. This is amazing! I could get used to this.” Sarasa’s head inspected every corner of the entrance area.

  “Our world is just more advanced. That’s why it’s nice. Either way, I was surprised by how not terrible your buildings were.” Carol casually leaned back on her chair.

  “Really? How terrible were you expecting?”

  “Like… Worn-down wooden houses with holes everywhere?”

  Ririna awkwardly laughed. “We still have plenty of that, unfortunately…”

  “Oh yeah… Some places are even worse than what you were imagining, Carol.” Sarasa’s gaze settled on the kitchen. “But you know, no matter how good this place may be, nothing beats sitting here while watching Iroha shuffle around for us. So exciting… Doesn’t it just warm your hearts?” The three nodded in agreement.

  “Excuse me, no ogling at me while I’m dying at work. I can hear you, you know?” The way the room was built, there wasn’t much beside a counter separating the kitchen from the dining room.

  “No no, ogling is part of the reward. Don’t mind us.” Damn her… “Actually, you haven’t started any fires just yet, right? If you’re just cutting stuff, why don’t you strip us for a while? Just for a little bit.”

  “Say that again, and you’re next on the chopping board…”

  Sigh… The things I have to go through…

  One by one I brought the dishes to the table. All things that, if made by Hecate, would look at lot better. The appearance didn’t seem to bother them, and they looked at the table with smiles.

  “Ughh… I’m exhausted… I didn’t know it was that hard to make food for so many people. I’m surprised you can do this every day, Hecate.”

  “Did it improve your opinion of me? Do you love me more now?”

  “Yep! I totally do!”

  They were about to start eating when our interaction froze them in place. “Is it just me, or did Hecate come out on top with this reward?” Carol glanced at Sarasa.

  “Grrr… I think you might be right…” Sarasa could have said more, she wanted to say more, but then the food I made would get cold. That wouldn’t do. “We’ll have to settle this later.”

  Eating together was fun, but for some reason, they didn’t mention the food at any point. This is so nerve-wracking… I messed up, didn’t I? It’s bad…

  Ri- right?

  I was worried during the meal, but when we got to the end, it was all gone. I don’t get it…

  “So…? How was it…? Did you like it?”

  “Fine. I don’t think there was anything to complain about.” Stingy with the compliments, Ririna…

  “I agree…” Carol nodded. “It was okay, but… Hecate’s better.”

  “Nyahahaha! She really is! She makes the best food!”

  “Oof… That’s harsh…” Not a single compliment?! I should have seen that coming. “You got what you wanted, though. I told you ahead of time that I didn’t know to coo-”

  Carol placed a finger on my lips. “But it was the happiest a meal has ever made me. All because you made it.” Ca- Carol…

  “Waahaaa! You’re the best! I love you so so much!” I’m gonna squeeze until I can’t cry anymore.

  “Hey! You stole my line!” Sarasa was enraged! She ran around the table to infiltrate the hug. “It was my favorite too, Iroha! Can you hear me? I loved it!”

  Ririna didn’t waste time either to come over and give me a squeeze. “What are you talking about? It was my line! I was the one who set it up first!”

  Carol was now caught in the middle of this weird hug. Was it worth it? Hecate giggled from the sidelines while watching Carol slowly regret what she did. Geez… These damn girls… They’re all teases… Either way, I feel much better now… Maybe cooking for them is not that bad. Should I do it again? Not unless I learn how to make tasty food first… Guess I’ll have to ask Hecate to let me help her in the future…

  We spent the rest of the afternoon talking, but Sarasa and Ririna had to go back before it got dark. Katja and Narumi could return at any time, and we couldn’t risk them getting found. I escorted them home through the woods behind the dorm.

  “Ah, before I forget, let me return this to you.”

  The sky was turning orange, casting deep shadows on the trail we were on. Ririna opened her pouch and pulled out my pistol.

  “Oh… Are you done with it yet?”

  “I could study it more, but I don’t wanna hog it for too long. You need it to fight, don’t you? I’d feel bad if you couldn’t defend yourself properly because of me.”

  She softly giggled.

  “It’s not much, but I managed to make this for you.” Ririna extended her hand, and in her palm was a single bullet.

  “A bullet?”

  “It’s a special bullet. I wanted to find a way to be useful to you, but that’s all I was able to do.”

  “Come on… You don’t need to feel bad about it. You’re doing fine. What’s so special about this bullet?” Her eyes lit up at the opportunity to explain.

  “Remember the Torn Violence Potion? I managed to imbue its explosive powers into that bullet! I’ve been working on this idea for a while. Initially I wanted to make some kind of oil for your sword, but the strength boost only works for an instant when applied to objects. It would wear off by the time you would finish applying it on your sword.”

  “But a bullet is fast enough for that not to matter, huh?”

  “Exactly.” She nodded.

  “Thanks, Ririna.”

  “No problem! I- I’ll make more in the future, but I don’t have the materials right now.”

  “Ahahaha… You don’t have to rush. I’ll help you gather stuff again at some point!”

  …

  I spent the night at the dorm, and the next morning arrived. Something feels off today somehow. Am I getting sick?

  I put on some clothes and went downstairs to get some breakfast. I was about to turn the corner that led to the entrance area when I suddenly heard someone talking. Katja was there with some man I’ve never seen before. A dark-haired man with a suit and glasses on. She seems annoyed… What is going on…?

  *Sweep…* My clothes brushed against the wall, and both of them turned toward me. Oh no… I’ve been caught…