"Beach!"
"We already… did this… many times... in Oserin… but somehow… it always feels… different… when we do it… here."
"It may not resemble a beach in setting or atmosphere, but the thermal exposure, body posture, and minimal clothing recreate a nearly identical leisure experience. Functionally, the outcome is consistent."
Chantal rolls her eyes and grins.
"C'mon, who cares about all that? Let's just enjoy it!"
Right now, we're not at the store or labyrinth. We're just sunbathing together on the terrace garden, stretched out on the sunloungers I built. Of course, the girls are all wearing tiny, scandalous bikinis I made with [Tailoring]. Also, judging by how Salacia delightfully shouts out while jokingly saying "beach" and Chantal rolls her eyes at the overexplaining Kimberly and Pinna, I can see everybody enjoys it.
Surprised?
What, do you think I'm some heartless workaholic running the girls ragged every day without rest?
Come on, of course I'm not like that, you know?
We always take breaks every three days.
Although, I have to admit that I just started this rule after we moved into this new home, and yes, back in the old place, we were open nonstop with no days off.
But now, we've got our private space here, and despite sunbathing not being the only thing we do on off days, it's still definitely the one we come back to the most.
And since the terrace garden is on the second floor, there's no way anyone from outside can peek in, especially since the metal fencing adds an extra layer of privacy. Also, the wooden deck beneath our feet, unlike the granite floors of the house and shop, gives this warm, earthy charm.
Kimberly sighs again, resting more lazily.
"This is... the best…"
Salacia giggles.
"This is my first time doing this in a garden. It's weird… but I love it!"
Pinna analyzes as usual.
"The sun exposure contributes to optimal skin function and emotional relaxation. Though unconventional, the effects are satisfactory."
And Chantal calls over to me.
"Oi, Motegi-kun. What are you doing out there? Get over here already!"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
I'm currently at the garden side, bare-chested and only wearing shorts as I check on the new growth. Then, I hear Yomogi approach me.
"What are you doing, Motegi-chan?"
And yes, she also wears a scandalous bikini just like others. I point to a cluster of thorny green plants sprouting from the soil bed to her.
"Hey, Yomogi, do you like this one?"
She leans in, and her eyes widen with surprise.
"Oh wow… it's so cute! What is it?"
"That's a cactus. They can survive with almost no water."
Her eyes sparkle as she crouches closer, hovering a finger above the stubby little arms.
"That's amazing… and look at those tiny thorns! It's like a spiky baby plant."
"Spiky baby? Hahaha..."
I chuckle and step over to the next patch. I crouch down as I dig my fingers into the soil and tug one of the plants gently, revealing a cluster of tubers dangling from the roots.
Yomogi tilts her head.
"Are you harvesting potatoes again, Motegi-chan? Wait… this one looks different. What is this?"
"Good eye. These are sweet potatoes."
And she blinks in confusion.
"Sweet… potatoes? So… they're just sweeter potatoes?"
"Sort of, though the texture is different from potatoes. People usually fry them or roast them in winter. Some even use them in stews… though I haven't tried it myself."
"Ah, I see..."
Honestly, I'm delighted. The cactus and sweet potatoes are successfully grown just like the other crops, and just like I expected, Yomogi fell for the cactus immediately and called it cute on sight.
Then, I ask her something.
"Did you bring the snacks?"
"Of course, take a look..."
She smiles, turning and pointing toward the low table in the middle of the sunlounger circle as the others are already digging in.
Chantal grabs one of the crispy french fries, dunks it into spicy mayo, and pops it in her mouth delightfully.
"Mmm… so crispy! I love this!"
Kimberly lifts a churro, swirls it into the chocolate sauce, and hums softly.
"Not… too sweet… but… delightful…"
Salacia takes a long sip of her strawberry soda and exhales with a satisfied sigh.
"Ahh~… so refreshing~..."
Pinna offers analysis between nibbles.
"The fries provide fast-absorbing carbohydrates for energy. Churros deliver moderate sugar content and fiber. Strawberry soda enhances hydration while supporting gustatory satisfaction. Altogether, this combination complements the current recreational context."
Then, Yomogi turns back to me.
"Should we join them?"
"Yup, let's go."
We head over, and once we settle into the loungers with the others, my fingers start twitching as I can't resist teasing Yomogi on my left and Chantal on my right. I silently activate [Fluffmaster] and stretch my arms out, my left hand reaches Yomogi's head, while my right slips under Chantal's chin.
And their reactions are immediate.
Yomogi gasps softly, and her tongue slips out in a tiny, adorable pant as her ears perk and her tail thumps against the lounger.
"Hah… Motegi-chan… hah... hah…"
"You like it?"
"Wan! Hah... hah..."
Yeah, she literally barks, and it's cute.
"Who's my good puppy?"
"Me! Me! I'm your good puppy! I'm your good puppy!"
On my right, Chantal is already gone as she lets out a loud, rumbling purr and nuzzles her cheek into my hand like a spoiled jungle cat, tilting her head to guide my fingers.
"Prrrr… prrrrrr… rub there too, Motegi-kun…"
When I adjust to the spot she wants, her back arches and she lets out a heavy, happy exhale.
"Haaah… Motegi-kun… I'm melting…"
"You like it?"
And just like Yomogi, she doesn't answer with words but with a literal mewl.
"Nyaaa..."
But honestly, I think I'm starting to love this skill. It's honestly kind of useful and cute. And it might be fun to use as a reward for Yomogi and Chantal after a good day at the store or a solid run in the labyrinth.
And yet, I still have no idea how to use this ability on a kraken like Salacia, and I'm still figuring out what octopuses or squid even love.
Salacia sighs dramatically.
"Darling… I wish I could react like them~…"
"We'll try again, okay?"
Pinna observes the whole situation as usual.
"This response surpasses ordinary domestication instincts. It reflects a heightened, species-specific affection conditioning, reinforced by sensory..."
And I have to cut her off.
"Pinna, can you please not say domestication? You only make it sound terrible."
"Understood, Master."
Then, I notice Kimberly, who has been silent all the time, lying on her sun lounger, holding a small leather-bound book and flipping its pages slowly. Focused yet relaxed at the same time, and I'm curious about it.
"Hey, Kimberly. What are you reading?"
"It's… a journal… written by an elf elder… about... seven hundred... years ago. He led... a party… elves, dwarves, and cyclops… and they reached... the eightieth floor… of Heiligeichen's labyrinth..."
And just like that, my hands stop petting instinctively, and Yomogi and Chantal both jolt like I just poured cold water on them.
Chantal asks.
"Wait... did you just say your people reached floor 80?!"
"Yes..."
And Yomogi blinks.
"My former elder's party only reached the sixty-third... and even that was already legendary for us."
"I know. I have heard... their story... too..."
And just like that, I'm suddenly paying attention in a way I wasn't five minutes ago.
That's because we just cleared the thirty-fifth floor, and we're about to head into thirty-six next. None of us have ever gone further than that, not even Chantal and Pinna, as the two of them only reached the thirty-fifth floor at the labyrinths in their respective countries. So, yes, this journal will be important.
Then, Yomogi speaks up again.
"From what I remember, my elder once mentioned something called a 'loop.'"
"A loop? You mean like the 'shuffle' you talked about back then?"
"No, they're different. From the thirty-sixth floor on, the monsters from floors four to thirty-five would be showing up again, and that's what it called a loop."
And Chantal adds.
"Yeah, I heard about that too. I think it only happened once, right?"
But Kimberly interjects Chantal gently.
"No. It happened… twice. The first... loop… began... at floor thirty-six. The second… started... at sixty-eight. If the pattern... holds… it may stop… at ninety-nine..."
With that shocking information, I obviously ask Kimberly again.
"Wait… if we're facing the same monsters again, are they any different? Like, stronger or evolved?"
"No… not evolved. But their numbers... increase… and they react… faster..."
"What do you mean faster?"
"The moment... they see... us… they attack... in immediate response..."
"I see..."
Yeah, honestly... discussing something random, even if it's serious, during a day off or a holiday isn't that bad. It's normal to do it, and in fact, I'm glad we are because a little knowledge now might help our plans later.
Then, I let another question slip out.
"Then, what about the floor bosses? Do they come back too?"
"Yes, Motegi-sama… but they're... the only... exception. When they... reappear… they return... as stronger versions… of themselves..."
"I see..."
Okay, that makes perfect, terrible sense.
I already remember every monster from floors four to thirty‑five, and even their drops, whether they're rare or normal items. From that very first, disgusting Split Caterpillar that dropped threads, to Hairloom that we encountered lastly and dropped the Fruit of Luck, and yes... even the Puncher Wood that dropped flowers for Yomogi's son.
And so are the bosses. The eighth floor was Terracotta, who dropped clay for my ceramic products in the store and the things in my house. The fifteenth was Ushabti, who dropped granite for my masonry products in the store and the floor in my house. The twenty-fourth was Frankenstein, whom Yomogi defeated in a wrestling match. And the thirty-fifth was Halfling, whom Chantal decapitated in the game of speed and knives. So if the pattern holds, then the next bosses should be at forty‑eighth, sixty‑third, eightieth, and ninety‑ninth.
Labyrinth…
What a wicked little thing you are...
Not only recycling monsters that get faster and more aggressive, but also throwing in upgraded bosses too.
And that alone only makes me want to take it all the way to the bottom someday.
"Master."
Pinna's voice suddenly pulls me back.
"Yes, Pinna?"
"May I request permission to gather a large amount of your chili stock for a project I am designing?"
"Sure. Actually, you never have to ask for stuff like that, you know?"
"Understood. Thank you, Master."
"What are you planning to do with them?"
She pauses, then bows her head a little.
"Apologies, Master. That information is currently classified. I will disclose it once it reaches a stable stage."
"Okay…"
So that's how she says "it's a secret," huh?
It's a little funny, though.
Then, Salacia suddenly leans forward anxiously.
"Umm… should I prepare more potions for the next labyrinth run? Just to be safe?"
I blink, then look around to Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna... and we all agree silently. Then, I turn back to Salacia.
"If you want to make more, go ahead."
"Thank you, darling! I'll make plenty for everyone!"
Then, I turn to Kimberly.
"Thank you for the info, Kimberly."
And I continue to speak.
"Well, that's enough serious talk for today. We're still on our day off, right? So, let's get back to relaxing, shall we?"
"Yes!"
They all answer in unison, and then, Pinna suddenly raises a hand and points toward the fence.
"Master. The corns suspended along the terrace perimeter… you previously mentioned their drying period would take approximately four weeks. According to my logs, that duration has now passed. May I request a demonstration of their purpose?"
"Ah, you're right!"
She points out the golden soldiers hanging there, so I immediately hurry over to the crisped husks and start gathering them in my arms.
"I'll be back in ten minutes!"
I head back inside and begin to work. I dump the corn onto the kitchen counter and strip the kernels from the cobs. Then, I activate [Copier] to duplicate those kernels into many, then put most into a jar for storage and toss a generous handful into a large ceramic bowl.
Next, I add a slab of butter, stir it for a while, and pop them into the microwave.
Then, seconds later...
POP!
POP-POP!
POPOPOPOPOPOPOP!
"Yes!"
That's the sound I've been waiting for.
When the popping slows and finally stops, I swing open the microwave, and I'm welcomed by a mountain of fresh, fluffy popcorn.
"Great!"
Then, I grab the bowl and rush back outside to the terrace.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
I set the popcorn down beside the fries, churros, and soda.
Yomogi asks first.
"What is this, Motegi-chan?"
"It's called popcorn. Try it."
Kimberly picks up a piece, holding it to the light.
"It… resembles… a miniature… cauliflower… Motegi-sama..."
Then, all five girls take a bite at the same time, and then...
"Mmmmm!!!"
Yomogi's eyes widen.
"What is this?! It's so crunchy and fluffy!"
Chantal grins with cheeks full.
"This is amazing! Way better than fries, Motegi-kun!"
Kimberly smiles.
"So… light… so... airy... and… strangely addicting…"
Salacia lets out a pleased hum.
"Mmm~ darling, you always know how to spoil us with the most delicious things~…"
And Pinna examines her piece.
"This results from residual moisture rapidly expanding inside the kernel under heat, causing an explosive rupture and inversion of structure. I find this transformation both efficient and… unexpectedly delightful, Master."
"Hehehe... corn can be used in a lot of ways, you know? But this one's definitely the most fun."
Yeah, I know popcorn is something you would eat at a cinema. I mean, I did that too back in Japan.
But since Acrusse didn't have any of it, at least these sunshine, sunloungers, and five half-naked girls are the best replacement for that situation.
With that, I take a handful and enjoy the buttery goods.
"Yup, that's really delicious..."
And once again, our day off continues with another Earth food that has made its debut, and it's popcorn this time.