As my battle came to an end, so did the first day's physical training.
They said they'd use the results of today's mock battles to plan the training regimen for tomorrow and beyond. So, for today, this was it.
That said, it wasn't like we could just go home. As new members of the Bureau, we still had some classroom studies. Rio and Caro were not present because they had already finished most of their schooling at the academy.
The instructor for this class was,
"I'm Hebigura from the administrative side. Nice to meet you."
This male Bureau member. Apparently, he was the top of the administrative division.
"Why would such an important personわざわざ bother to teach a class for newcomers?"
Asuna's question was natural.
"Simply put, we're short on people. The others are in the middle of other tasks, and I was the only one with free time. Well, let's get started then."
Apparently convinced by his reply, Asuna sat up straight and opened her notebook. Yuki was the same. Basically, the people who joined the Bureau were all serious types.
But,
"Sensei."
"What is it?"
"Is it okay if I have a drink?"
"Yeah. Feel free. But hey, don't take out a MacShake. That's not a drink, is it?"
"I'm a drinks person."
"Well, I'm not."
The problem child, Yo, was an exception.
The class proceeded in this manner.
About an hour and a half into the lesson,
"Hey there~, how's it going~?"
Yagami-san entered with a lighthearted tone.
And in addition,
""Everyone, good work.""
A pair of emotionless, business-like voices were heard.
I held my breath when I saw the two of them. But at the same time, it all made sense.
"Ah, I see... I had forgotten..."
"Hmm, ah, so Sho-kun, you've met them before?"
"Yes, well."
The two who appeared before me were maids. Their appearances were almost identical. The only differences were their hair and eye color, and perhaps their gaze.
It was no wonder, as these two were twins. The twin maids, Rem and Ram, from the anime Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.
The last time I met them was during the search of that zombie's house. Even then, it was only a brief encounter. They were looking after, or rather, monitoring us after we had been thoroughly defeated by the enemy Stand user.
There was no significant conversation, and after the investigation was over, they left with the other girls who were being taken into the protection of Section Six.
"You might've heard this from someone else, but these two are maids exclusively for Section Six."
I had wondered where they went after that house search, but it seems they ended up working for Section Six.
"That's right."
"By the way, what about the other girls?"
"They're still at the facility for now. It doesn't look like they'll be joining us today or tomorrow."
"...I see."
It seems the emotional scars left by that zombie are still very deep.
"..."
I clenched my fist.
Perhaps sensing my mood, Yagami-san changed her tone slightly.
"...Hmm. But these two didn't seem to have been very involved with that person, you know. So we decided to have them work with us in Section Six."
"Is that so?"
For the girls who had lost their sanctuary, the existence of Section Six must have been a godsend.
When the conversation lulled, Hebigura-san asked,
"So, Squad Leader, did you need something?"
"Nah, it's almost snack time, right? I prepared some stuff, so I thought everyone might want some."
"That's a serious matter. We must head there as soon as possible."
I was surprised that there was such a thing as snack time. And also by Hebigura-san, who didn't seem to have any doubts about it. He must be used to it by now.
We were encouraged to move. Yagami-san led the way, with the twin maids at the very back.
On the way to the cafeteria,
"...Something wrong?"
I felt a gaze from behind and turned around. The source of the gaze was definitely either Rem or Ram. I thought they were clearly looking at me.
"..."
"Nothing at all."
Rem tilted her head, and Ram replied.
"I don't think it's 'nothing at all'..."
I muttered under my breath, but they didn't seem willing to say anything more.
Tilting my head in confusion, I continued on my way to the cafeteria.
---------
"Where did these sweets come from? They all look homemade."
"That's right. They're handmade by Nanoha-chan and Fate-chan."
"Seriously?"
Spread out before us were a large number of cookies and some tea. It was a nice little tea party.
The cookies were well-baked, but not too perfect or uniform like store-bought ones.
They felt like the epitome of homemade cookies.
I took a seat next to Hebigura-san, who was already sitting.
"If you only know Takamachi-san from training, you'd never believe it. To think she's a domestic mother at home."
"Ah, is it like that thing where a person's personality changes when they get behind the wheel?"
"Exactly. Takamachi-san's personality changes when she holds her Device."
"What are you two talking about?"
"Well~, these cookies are so good~!"
"You're right~!"
I quickly played dumb to avoid being questioned further.
In fact, these cookies weren't just good-looking; they were delicious. I found myself eating them non-stop.
"How is it, Sho? Is it tasty?"
"Ah, Fate-san. It's delicious."
Fate-san brought an extra plate of cookies. She leaned over my shoulder to peer at me.
"That's good to hear~, I hadn't made them in a while, so I was worried if they'd turn out well~. Eat as much as you like."
"Yes, I will."
So good! So good!
"Senpai is being baited with food..."
From a distant seat, I could hear Yuki's exasperated voice.
I-it's not like that! I'm just saying that something delicious is delicious!
"Fufu, here you go too, Sho."
"Ah, Claudia. You made some too... huh?"
Claudia also brought a plate. There was a mountain of cookies on her plate too, but... about half of them were completely black. In fact, they seemed to be emitting a black aura.
But, they didn't look burnt. This was...
"I helped too~"
"Lala too?"
From behind Claudia, Lala approached with her tail wagging.
Suddenly, I had a bad feeling.
"...Claudia, did Lala put anything in these cookies?"
"Yes. She said it was an unfamiliar seasoning."
"It's okay! It's a common ingredient on Deviluke!"
"""..."""
The rest of us sitting down fell silent at Lala's words. Lala was smiling broadly and saying it was fine, but no one wanted to willingly reach for the pitch-black cookies.
However, to refuse to eat something with a special ingredient recommended by a princess would leave a very poor impression.
"Then... there's no choice but to go...!!"
"You...!!"
"Senpai!?"
"Sho-kun...!"
"Go ahead and taste it for us."
Hebigura-san, Yuki, and Asuna, sitting next to me, watched in stunned silence. The other Bureau members also held their breath and stared at my actions. Except for you, Yo, you're hopeless.
"Phew..."
I steeled myself.
I picked up a black cookie and took a bite.
Immediately, an incomprehensible richness that completely erased the sweetness of the cookie spread through my mouth.
"KABLAH!??!"
"""Whoa!?"""
I fell backward, toppling my chair.
---------
"By the way, Princess, what did you put in it?"
"It's called Dark Matter."
"Dark Matter... It's a delicacy from Deviluke. Apparently, anyone other than a Devilukean who eats it will almost certainly get an upset stomach."
"Oh? Then maybe no one else should eat it?"
"I think so."
As I lay on the floor, I could hear that conversation.
---------
After that, I somehow managed to recover.
"There's almost none left, though..."
"Your sacrifice was not in vain."
Hebigura-san placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Alright, break's over. Let's restart the class."
"Ah, before that, I'm going to the restroom."
"Alright, I'll head back first."
"Got it."
I gave a light wave and left.
---------
"Phew~"
Feeling refreshed, I was about to leave the restroom. Just then,
"Whoa,"
Ram was standing there, blocking the exit.
She stood with her arms crossed, scrutinizing me as if to size me up. I pointed at the toilet and asked,
"Uh... are you here to clean? ...No, that's not it, is it?"
"Of course not."
In other words, she had waited until I went to the restroom to come here. She must have something to talk to me about.
"You... you're the same as him, aren't you?"
"Him? You mean the zombie... Yes, that's right. We're from the same world."
Well, to be precise, there's no guarantee that we're from the exact same world, just that we're not from this one.
In fact, I'd prefer to be told we're from different worlds, so I wouldn't have to worry about the difference in values between him and me.
"The girl who was with you, did you summon her?"
"Yes."
"You two seem to be getting along well. You looked very close."
"I hope so."
I think I've built a good relationship with everyone. Not just the girls I summoned, but also the people of this world.
"That's because of your character. Because you live honestly in this world, you are in the position you are now."
"...Why are you buttering me up like that?"
"Do you not like it?"
"It feels so out of character, it's weird."
When you're told something that a person would never normally say, especially with a blank, emotionless expression, it's bound to feel off.
"I see. Then I'll speak normally."
"Please do."
Suddenly, Ram's tone became blunt. I realized that her voice before had been a half-octave higher. It was a manufactured voice, like when you're talking on the phone.
"Still, I can tell from how the other girls act around you that you're different from that man. Otherwise, they wouldn't show themselves so defenselessly in front of you."
"Did he do terrible things to them?"
"It's not as bad as what he did to the other girls."
"..."
So, something was done to them.
Ram sighed as she looked at me.
"We only met him once. The day we were summoned to this world, he stole our powers with his Stand. That's all. There were plenty of other women, so he didn't even 'bother' with us."
I remember that scene in the memory Shokuhou showed me. The scene where he steals their abilities and their will to resist by turning them into DISCs the day he summons them.
I didn't see the one for Rem and Ram, but similar scenes were probably deleted during editing.
"So, can we get to the point now?"
That one encounter wasn't a good memory for them either. Ram cut off the conversation and tried to move on. I nodded.
"Ram has a simple request. I'd like you to lend us a hand if anything happens to us in the future."
"Ah, I understand."
I wouldn't need to be told that.
"It's a relief that you agreed so readily. And as for the price for that..."
"No, it's fine."
I'd help them even without a price.
"No, you don't get it. Ram can't trust you. Not with just a verbal promise. But having someone to protect us is a great advantage. Both Ram and Rem were summoned to this world so irresponsibly. To a world like this, which we don't understand at all."
"And besides, I don't know anyone else who would understand our situation without me having to explain it all."
"Exactly."
So, even if she can't trust me, it's better to talk about it than not.
Indeed, Rem and Ram's original world and this world are completely different. In terms of their worldview, you could say they're polar opposites. It wouldn't be strange for them to feel uneasy with just their knowledge.
And most of all, Ram...
"What's with that look? I don't like it. If you have something to say, say it."
"I was just thinking about the horn issue Ram had."
"...I'll overlook the fact that you know Ram's private information for now, but yes, that's a big problem."
Ram and Rem look like normal humans at first glance. At least, they don't have any obvious features like Lala.
But in reality, they are from the oni tribe. However, the tribe was wiped out in a certain incident in the original story. At that time, Ram's horn, the source of her oni power, was broken.
Because of this, not only did she lose most of the power that had once earned her the title of genius, but she also constantly suffers from fatigue and a lack of mana—which in this world is probably a lack of magical power.
To put it bluntly, Ram has a physical disability.
"What a rude man. Talking so casually about someone you barely know."
"You're the one who told me to say it outright... So, what about the symptoms?"
"The medical care in this world is excellent. My mana is replenished with a special medical device."
"I see."
"Ram doesn't have much to offer."
"Hmm..."
I wanted to say that she didn't have to force herself to offer something, but if she wasn't convinced, there was nothing I could do.
"So, what do you think the benefit Ram is offering is?"
"You're making this a quiz? I have class after this."
"Then think faster."
The benefit Ram is offering. I'll think about it for a moment.
But I feel like I already know the answer. Ram has probably only been in this world for less than half a year. I don't think she'd offer money or goods.
In that case, is it her service as a maid... or something more direct, herself? She's asking for protection in exchange for letting me do whatever I want with her. That's a pretty desperate way of thinking. A way of using her own 'womanhood.' In other words, a friends-with-benefits relationship.
"What are you thinking? You're disgusting."
"I didn't say anything, did I? It didn't come out of my mouth, did it?"
It was indeed a simple and quite vulgar thought.
"But, you're not entirely wrong."
"Huh? So what's the correct answer?"
"Ram will help you with your beastly desires. Be honored."
"I knew it..."
It was the correct answer after all.
"What? Are you dissatisfied? I think it's nothing but a benefit for you. You can get new abilities by releasing your... male essence, can't you? A woman you can use at your convenience is nothing but a benefit."
"Well, that's true..."
I feel like I was just persuaded with a similar argument not long ago. Though unlike that time, this time it's a matter of her life in this world.
"Your reaction is weak. If you want, I'll even allow some more extreme things. Aren't there things you've been wanting to do but haven't said because you're worried about your relationship with the other girls?"
"..."
Well, I guess? I can't say there's absolutely nothing, but I have no intention of doing anything the other person doesn't want. It's not that strong of a desire... probably.
"However, I will add one condition."
Ram's languid demeanor changed.
"Your desires must all be directed only at Ram. If you use this to try anything with Rem—"
"I won't. I'd never do that."
Ram's eyes were serious. She must know she has no chance of winning against me in a real fight, but she would still try to take my life.
But I have no intention of making such a demand of Ram anyway. So it's a needless worry for both of us.
"Why are you so silent? Are you already thinking of humiliating Ram in your mind?"
"No, I'm not!! Haah, I get the condition. Is it okay if I go back to class now?"
"Yes. If we keep them waiting too long, they might get the wrong idea."
With that, I parted ways with Ram.
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