This morning’s breakfast was Japanese-style, featuring a soup, rice, the basic side dishes, and a special addition of a special omelet.
“Ah, I just love this omelet on Japanese food days.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen a frying pan just for omelets since coming to this dorm.”
It seems to be a favorite among the seniors. Akizuki-san looks satisfied as she observes the reactions of the dorm residents.
“I can’t make anything too heavy in the morning, so I’m happy if I can make the standard menu as delicious as possible. The most I prepared before becoming the dorm supervisor was the meals.”
If cooking can win people’s hearts, Akizuki-san seems to be demonstrating that answer.
“Nina-chan looks like she eats little, but she eats a lot, doesn’t she?”
“There are people who can eat a lot but still lose weight, right? That’s really enviable.”
“Akizuki-sensei’s cooking is very delicious. I can eat as much as I want.”
“You don’t have to be so formal; you can just call me by my first name.”
“Akizuki-sensei’s cooking is infused with magical power. It temporarily enhances abilities according to the ingredients used.”
“Wait, can you actually tell? Only those who have mastered skills related to ‘cooking’ should visibly see the effects of the meal.”
“You’re sensitive… saying that makes it sound like I’m dull.”
“Well, it’s hard to take that from you…”
Nina, the dungeon core, seems to perceive the significance of meals differently than the rest of us, allowing her to recognize the changes happening to her.
“Nyaa.”
“Here’s your food, Rin. It’s special cat food made by your big sister.”
“You seem to be thinking about salt content and all that, Akizuki-sensei.”
“I have a cat at home, so I’m fine. Cat food is the most balanced.”
Apparently, Rin is a creature of the ‘Rilim’ race rather than just a cat and can transform into a human shape. Therefore, it seems she prefers cat food over regular food.
“Meow. Meow meow meow.”
“Huh?”
“Hey, look, it seems like she’s talking to Fujiwara.”
“I’ve seen videos of cats that seem to talk. It’s quite charming.”
While others may not understand, I can tell what Rin is saying. It seems she wants to have a little chat later.
“…Thank you for the meal.”
Before I knew it, Nanami had finished eating—her way of eating fish is extremely elegant, and her hands together display a certain grace.
“Fujiwara-kun, I’ll be waiting in the living room once you’re ready.”
“…Huh? Both of you are going out together on Saturday…?”
“Since we’re classmates living in the same dorm, I think it’s nice to act together. By the way, Eirisa, shouldn’t you ask our junior about something now?”
“Kashino-senpai, is there something for me?”
When I asked, Kashino-senpai looked somewhat unsettled while fiddling with her braid, glancing over at me.
“…It’s Sunday, but would you like to go to the dungeon together? It’s not for the whole day, just a little company. Of course, Nanami will join too.”
“If Fujiwara-kun is going, I want to go too.”
“I’m completely okay with that. Do you have a specific dungeon in mind?”
“I-is that okay? Ah, I’m glad; I thought I’d get turned down outright.”
“The third years are coming back tonight, but they’ll probably be resting on Sunday.”
“We should have a get-together tonight. It seems like Fujiwara and the others did something amazing, so it can be a celebration for that… huh, what?”
“No, Kashino-senpai, you’re actually really kind, aren’t you?”
“Ugh… hey, if you say that to someone who just met you and is acting like an ottoman, you might get scammed someday.”
“I’m just reflecting on this feeling. You’ve told me many times that you want to explore with our junior.”
“…Fujiwara-kun is quite popular. But I won’t give you to Kashino-senpai.”
“It’s not about giving or not giving… Wait, is that the kind of relationship we have now?”
Nanami’s bold statement caused Kashino-senpai to become quite flustered—I’m curious how Nanami feels about saying such things, but dwelling on it might be uncouth.
After returning to my room, I went out to the courtyard, where Rin had already transformed back into her human form and was waiting.
“Hey, be careful. If you suddenly transform like that, some people might get surprised.”
“Meow.”
Rin droops her cat ears as if she regrets it, but she doesn’t seem bothered. Even in human form, she retains that whimsical cat-like demeanor.
“Meow meow meow, meow meow.”
“Uh… gathering magical grass? You’re planning to do that while we’re away?”
“Nya nya.”
“That’s helpful, but do you know where the Mahoroba grass is growing?”
“Meow.”
Since she was originally supplementing her magic with Mahoroba grass, it seems she knows where it grows. She said she transformed into human form because she couldn’t gather grass in her cat form.
“Will you run out of magic in that form?”
“Nya-go.”
“Is it okay since you replenished enough yesterday? I see… But if you’re going out of the dorm, you should wear some clothes, right?”
“…Meow? Meow meow meow.”
“You transformed yesterday, but no one said anything? Well, I guess that was indoors… We humans call that state ‘naked.'”
“Meow.”
It seems she understands the concept of ‘naked,’ but she blushes when it’s pointed out again.
“…Fujiwara-kun, that child might be…”
Nanami is truly stealthy—she startled me with her sudden approach.
“Uh, well… she’s in this outfit, but it’s Rin’s transformed appearance.”
“I could tell because of the way she talks…? It’s amazing that a cat can transform.”
“I’m sorry, but can I borrow some clothes that Rin can wear?”
“Got it. For now, how about a tracksuit? I’ll buy Rin some clothes when we go out today.”
“Nyaa.”
So Rin ended up wearing Nanami’s tracksuit, hiding her cat ears with a hat.
“Nanami, you have a cute ear-hat.”
“…It was a prize from some party. I don’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t wear it myself.”
“Nyan nyan, nyan nyan nyan…”
“Okay, okay. I’ll bring a shirt to wear underneath.”
It seems the tracksuit is rubbing against her bare skin—do cats care about that kind of thing too? In any case, I can only be grateful to Nanami for lending Rin her clothes.
If Rin is gathering Mahoroba grass, it seems securing materials for the orb won’t be an issue.
Today’s plan is to first go buy clothes, then go to a place where we can appraise what we found in the labyrinth yesterday—since the academy is open on Saturdays, we should probably visit a shop. It might be best to consult Akizuki-san before heading out.
