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“Mumumu, what do you think, Dry?”

In the office of the Lanpeach Complex. The interior had become quite grand unlike before, and despite being in the slums, anyone who saw the room would mistake it for a first-rate company.

Chihiro, who not even six months ago would panic over spending 100,000 Ele, was now handling millions with ease. She gripped the papers on her desk, looking as if she were facing a dire battle as a warrior before a great trial.

Chihiro, Lanpeach’s lover, had long pink hair that flowed down her back.. Her appearance has recently become more radiant, and with her well-maintained skin, she has grown into a beautiful girl that would make anyone turn their head. But now, her usually enchanting face was marred with worry as she called out to another beautiful girl seated on the sofa.

The blue-haired, petite girl was wearing the uniform of a magic academy and was busy scribbling away at some documents. Despite her appearance, she was one of the top five strongest in the Lanpeach Complex, and Chihiro’s best friend. A Spirit, resembling a fluffy Pomeranian, rested on her lap as she sleepily looked over at Chihiro.

“Muh, Chihiro, that document needs to be redone. Crumpled, so should use a new one. Will just get in the way when you file it in the binder later.” (Dry)

“Dry, you’ve come a long way. Now you’re even worried about filing… But that’s not the point! You know what I’m talking about!” (Chihiro)

Chihiro banged her fists on the desk, furrowing her brow as she addressed Dry, who responded in a relaxed tone.

“Now, now, I get what you’re saying, but that person looks like someone from the Underground District. She seemed a little too close to call a lover. Oh, and for that section, use the explorer’s background.” (Sage)

Sage, the merchant now indispensable to the Lanpeach Complex, chimed in from the other side of Dry, gently correcting her document as they talked. Dry was currently filling out a transfer application to the magic academy.

“You can’t fool me! You’re saying they seem like they’re married or something, right?” (Chihiro)

Chihiro raised her voice, puffing out her cheeks in frustration. Sage smiled wryly, knowing he had been found out. He thought the same thing but kept quiet out of consideration for Chihiro’s feelings.

“Even if Peach-oniichan is married, it’s fine. Dry is the little sister. Little sisters never get separated, so always be together.” (Dry)

Dry, who knew this mysterious girl’s true nature is that of a Spirit, was simply brushing it off. She has been studying to transfer to the magic academy, so she understands that there’s no way such a Spirit can exist though.

“Don’t say things that sound like a little sister in love with her brother! Isn’t that the type where the little sister steals away the brother from the heroine at the end?! You haven’t given up at all!” (Chihiro)

“Dry doesn’t do things like that. I’m in the real little sister slot. And just live my life at ease.” (Dry)

Dry yawned, looking as if she had reached the end of her story arc. The lone wolf who had once fought for survival in the slums had become completely domesticated, curled up with the Spirit on her lap like a fluffy Pomeranian.

“That might be the case for you, Dry…but this is a huge problem for me!” (Chihiro)

Chihiro clutched the documents tightly again and let out a frustrated cry.

“Who is that Libra person anyway?! I’m Lan’s girlfriend, I’ll have you know!” (Chihiro)

Dry and Sage both chuckled at Chihiro, who was fuming like a monkey. They understood how she felt.

Lanpeach had brought home a stunningly beautiful girl dressed in an elegant gown just the other day. Her name was Libra.

◇◇

“What do you think? At first, I thought Lan just picked up some random girl. But it seems like he knows her.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro spoke seriously while peeking into Lanpeach’s bedroom. Dry, however, found it tiresome.

Lanpeach and Libra were sleeping soundly in the bed.

“Look like friends. Judging by her clothes, seems like someone from a high-ranking family.” (Dry)

“Right. She does seem a bit sheltered and naive. Maybe she really is someone from the Underground District? But, do you think they’ve…had a p-physical relationship?” (Chihiro)

“Not with you sleeping on the other side of him.” (Dry)

“W-Well, maybe while I wasn’t around?” (Chihiro)

Chihiro worried that something might have happened while she was working or not paying attention. If something like that occurred, she felt like she wouldn’t be able to literally survive -both emotionally and in terms of her position. It was because she was Lanpeach’s girlfriend that she held her current status as one of the top two in the group after all.

“In that situation?” (Dry)

Dry remained calm, unlike the flustered Chihiro. Anyone who looked at the scene would have said nothing had happened.

“Uuuh… It’s so hot…” (Lanpeach)

“Kyu…”

“I can’t eat that much-usa…”

“I cleared the no-damage knife run-usa yo…”

“Nerfing magic is a no-go-usa…”

Rabbits were curled up all over Lanpeach: one on his stomach, one using his arm as a pillow, one wedged between his legs, and one stuck to his face. Lanpeach was completely covered in a fluffy white mass, looking like a ball of fur.

“W-Well, yeah, but if you peel off the rabbits…!” (Chihiro)

“I understand what happens when jealousy consumes someone. But even if you take rabbits off Peach-oniichan, won’t make a difference.” (Dry)

Dry figured that showing Chihiro the reality of the situation might help clear her confusion. She walked into the bedroom and peeled a rabbit off Lanpeach’s face, placing it to the side.

“Kyu?”

The rabbit woke up, looking around for a moment, before flailing its legs, scrambling back onto Lanpeach’s face and curling up again. No matter how many times she tried, the result was the same. It seemed like the rabbits considered Lanpeach their nest.

“Nothing will happen as long as Peach-oniichan is asleep.” (Dry)

“Muh, I guess. That’s why I haven’t been able to make a move either. But this, this…” (Chihiro)

Libra, peacefully sleeping with a soft ‘suu’, was dressed in a simple white nightgown, her chest rising and falling gently. For Chihiro and Dry, the sight of her chest was hard to believe. That’s right, simply unbelievable.

“It’s gotta be magic, right? Some kind of spell that turns her chest into watermelons!” (Chihiro)

“There’s a high chance that kind of magic exists. Need to learn it, especially since we couldn’t get proper nutrition during our growth years!” (Dry)

“Exactly! We absolutely need to know that spell!” (Chihiro)

The two of them blamed their hydrodynamic figures on magic and found solidarity. You could also call it a form of denial.

“Wha~t are you two even talking about? You’re being loud when I’m trying to sleep.”

“Ah, good morning, Lan. Did you sleep well?” (Chihiro)

“Good morning, Peach-oniichan. Feeling rested?” (Dry)

Lanpeach woke up, dislodging the rabbits from his body. One rabbit clung desperately to his stomach as if saying it definitely won’t drop, and on closer inspection, Koume was also stuck to his belly.

“Maybe I drank too much last night. Wait… Did I bring her here?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach scratched his head groggily and noticed Libra lying beside him.

“Yes. You declared, ‘Take care of Libra’, when you were really drunk.” (Chihiro)

“Carrying her princess-style, laughing loudly, and casually groping her…butt and chest.” (Dry)

“I don’t remember that. Nope, absolutely didn’t happen. And even if I do remember it, I’ll insist it never did.” (Lanpeach)

Dry had been observing closely. Chihiro, frustrated, touched her own chest and let out a sorrowful sigh.

It seemed fate had dealt Chihiro a harsh hand. She found herself thinking, like Cleopatra, that if only her chest were a few dozen centimeters larger, she could have ruled the world.

“Good mo~rning. Huh~? Where am I~? Wasn’t there supposed to be an afterparty? I didn’t eat anything… Where’s my steak?”

Libra woke up, glancing around in confusion, unable to grasp the situation. Her silver hair flowed over her shoulders like strands of silk, and despite the drool on her lips, her beautiful face remained flawless.

“Ah, let me introduce her. This is Libra, an Artificial Spirit. She’s here because, well, we’re going to be working on a mission together.” (Lanpeach)

“An Artificial Spirit?! She’s an Artificial Spirit?” (Chihiro)

Chihiro looked at Libra and found it hard to believe. Libra appeared entirely human. Even Dry, who knew human-shaped Artificial Spirits didn’t exist, had covered it up, but this minor villain had invalidated that effort of hers.

“My name’s Libra! From now on, I’ll be supporting Lanpeach both publicly and privately, so it’s nice to meet you!” (Libra)

Libra clung to Lanpeach’s arm and smiled brightly. Chihiro noticed the way Lanpeach’s expression softened as she pressed those fruits against him.

“Ugh, um, nice to meet you. My name is Chihiro.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro stopped herself just in time from asking if Libra also functioned as a woman, feeling too embarrassed to voice it aloud.

However, Libra seemed to understand her own charm. Seeing how she confidently leaned into Lanpeach with a mischievous grin made it clear enough.

(Tch, she’s an enemy! A clear rival. Unlike Dry or Touka, she’s definitely here to steal my spot as his girlfriend!) (Chihiro)

Chihiro glared at Libra, sensing danger with her woman intuition, but when their eyes met, Libra smirked back.

Sparks flew between the two as a rivalry was born, but Lanpeach ignored them both and cleared his throat.

“Libra’s here to help with the dungeon installation. I hired her as a dungeon specialist.” (Lanpeach)

“Yes, that’s right! I’ve come from the dungeon side of things. I’ll be doing my best as a dungeon specialist, so it’s a pleasure to meet you all!” (Libra)

Lanpeach gently poked at Libra’s bedhead while introducing her. Libra, still a bit drowsy, smiled sweetly, which only made her look even cuter.

To Chihiro, who was now on the verge of exploding with jealousy, the scene looked way too cozy, but she managed to keep calm and smile with adamantium strength of will.

“A dungeon specialist, huh? I’ve never met such a suspicious expert before, but nice to meet you. I’m Chihiro, Lan’s girlfriend, his girlfriend, his girlfriend.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro couldn’t hide the animosity that seeped into her words, not even with her adamantium resolve.

“Dry already knows her, so there’s no need for an introduction. It’s been a while.” (Dry)

“Wait, Dry, you know her?!” (Chihiro)

“Ah, slipped up. No, let’s just say I don’t.” (Dry)

“Uwaaah, no fair! Was I the only one left out?!” (Chihiro)

The dams finally broke. Chihiro sat on the floor and cried.

It wasn’t until Lanpeach and the others hurriedly reassured her that there was nothing going on that Chihiro’s tears finally stopped.

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