Dungeon Refrigerator 49

Test

Driving Home

I was about to stand up, lifting my hips, but upon hearing Serai-san's outrageous request, I decided to sit back down.

(Why did Serai-san come up with something like that??)

In the past, I used to ponder various thoughts and strategies to win over heroines in eroge and dating games. However, it didn't necessarily mean I understood women's hearts. It was merely choosing the most reasonable option presented based on the story and situation.

Now that I'm dealing with a real girl, I can't help but feel that.

(Ah, I have no idea what girls are thinking)

However, I can't stay in mental paralysis forever, so I should honestly ask Serai-san.

"Um... Serai-san, why at my place? Isn't it better to go to Nina-san's or Ruu's?"

"Ah~ Shizu's room is small, and there's no air conditioning, so it's impossible. As for Ru's house, I'd feel like I'm bothering her as Ruu's mom. Is it impossible?"

Well, let's direct some of that consideration you show toward Ruu's mom toward me, too, shall we?

"But doesn't Nina-san seem to have a pretty good lifestyle?"

"Nah, that girl is incredibly thrifty. She even said her allowance from her parents is lower than mine. She's living in a 4.5-tatami room without air conditioning, saying she's fine with the heat."

"What?! She's fine without air conditioning in this heat. Well, indeed, Nina-san always looks cool. But she's fashionable, and doesn't give off that impression at all."

"Hey... Why are you so curious about Shizu? Is Sensei also interested in Shizu?"

Serai-san gives me a questioning look.

"Hey! N-no, it's not like that! I was just surprised. She didn't seem like that despite being thrifty."

"Ah... Well, she also receives lots of presents from boys. She even asks boys she dates to buy her clothes..."

Hmm, the term "boys" feels a bit off. You would say "boyfriend" or something. Maybe she used the word "boys" to imply multiple guys.

"I see. But what about Rū's place? Since you've made up, they could let you stay for some days, right...?"

"Well, about that..."

Reluctantly, Serai-san explains that "although the two made up, Rū's parents are still angry because they heard from Rū why their daughter was so shocked.". I see. That's awkward.

Well, even if I say I'll let her stay, my place is just a 6-tatami apartment. The loft that used to store many otaku goods is now unusable after moving the goods to the dungeon ante-room, but the problem is the refrigerator.

My secret dungeon. I want to avoid a situation where someone discovers the refrigerator dungeon.

"...Serai-san. To confirm one last time, is it so dangerous that you don't want to go home, and can't stay at the houses of friends other than Nina-san and Ruu?"

"Sigh... Yes, that's right. You won't trust me if I don't talk about it, huh..."

With that, Serai-san began explaining her current situation once again.

According to her, when she was forming and disbanding parties to dive into the dungeon, as I had heard before, Serai-san had some difficulties getting along with her male friends and acquaintances. Still, she wanted to dive into the dungeon and gather new allies, so she sought the cooperation of her friends' boyfriends.

Whether it was due to the nature of men or the atmosphere of the dungeon, the boyfriends who had dived into the dungeon with Serai-san fell in love with her. And as a result, there was a conflict between the boyfriends, who had their girlfriends, over Serai-san, their girlfriends' friend. I have no idea what kind of relationship that is, to be honest.

As a result, Serai-san's relationship with her friends deteriorated.

Well, I can understand those feelings to some extent. If your boyfriend is dragged into a dangerous dungeon and comes back with feelings for another girl, it must have been quite a shock for Serai-san's friends.

As a result, Serai-san received criticism as a wicked woman who seduced her friends' boyfriends.

"Well... that must have been tough. There's not much else to say. But what about bullying? Are you okay?"

Concerned about bullying, I asked Serai-san.

"Yeah... I'm not a kid, so it's not that severe. Even now, when we see each other, they sometimes say mean things or ignore me, but that's about it..."

"I see... So now, your close friends are those like Nina-san and Ruu, who know about those circumstances and haven't suffered any harm."

"Yes... They became my close friends... (sigh)"

"Hmm... But what should we do about this?"

In a troubled manner, I put my hand on my chin, assuming a thoughtful pose.

(Gatā! Please help me! I'm begging you!!)

At that moment, Serai-san abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to me, launching a plea attack.

(Oh no! Wait! Don't do something like that out of the blue! Everyone must be surprised and looking at us!!)

Since it was time after work, the second-floor dining area was crowded with many other customers. In that situation, Seirai-san suddenly made a loud noise, stood up, and bowed to me in a loud voice, causing the gaze of almost everyone in the restaurant to gather on us.

(Huh? What's going on? Is it the influence of dramas or something? I'm used to characters with eccentric personalities in anime, but when it happens like this, even I'm taken aback!)

"Umm... Se-Serai-san. Shouldn't we calm down and return to our seats?"

.....

I was in conflict. Yes, I was in conflict.

The situation was like a scene from an eroge game: a cute girl suddenly asking to stay at my place for the night. In the game, it would undoubtedly lead to an erotic scene. 

However, the girl who made that request was Seki-san, the adorable best friend of my girlfriend, Ruu. I must never lay a hand on her.

Because I still vividly remember Ruu's tear-stained face.

(Ah, Ruu... Ruu! This is the perfect time to consult with her, the one who became my girlfriend!)

No matter how much I train in virtual scenarios through eroge and dating games, I've realized that I still have no clue about a girl's true feelings in real-life situations. In Ruu's case, it was because she had entered a state of despair and revealed her true feelings that I could grasp them.

So, I asked Serai-san to wait and called Ruu for advice.

"Seki-san is troubled by a stalker and wants to stay at my place. What do you think?" I conveyed this to Ruu, and she replied, "My dad is still angry, so I'm sorry... But, Coach, if you're willing, please help Maachi-chan," referring to Serai-san by her first name.

Yes, it's understandable for a father to be angry when his daughter is in such a state. 

And from the content of our conversation, it became clear that Serai-san had consulted with Ru before approaching me.

Alright, I won't hesitate anymore.

I'm the only one who can save this lost and troubled college student standing before me. There's a secret that I don't want anyone to know. "My fridge is a dungeon." But even if I have to push that aside, it seems to be my destiny to help her.

After all, she even calls me her Master and looks up to me.

(Alright, once it's decided!)

I stood up from my seat in a determined manner.

"Understood, Serai-san. Let's go to your place first. Since we don't know how long it will take to resolve the stalker issue, you must go back and get changed or gather the things you need, right?"

"Y-Yes! Please, I'm counting on you!"

Serai-san bowed deeply once again in response to my words. N-No, she's not doing this to cut off my escape route? She's not trying to attract attention again.

.....

It didn't take me an hour to reach Serai-san's house, which was a recently built state-of-the-art apartment. After all, I was riding a motorcycle. With the ability to memorize the route with a single check on my phone, there was no difficulty.

However, during the ride, most of my consciousness was occupied by the warmth and sensation of Serai-san pressed against my back. Well, there's no need to explain why.

(Hmm, so this is Serai-san's house.)

I looked up at the three-story building with a deep gray color. It was relatively new, probably just a few years old. The entrance had a modern auto-lock system, ensuring excellent security measures. It was a place where a girl could live with peace of mind. The rent was probably higher than the apartment where I lived.

"Ezuki-san, I'm scared, so come with me..."

As Serai-san handed me the helmet and said that, we got off the bike. Even though we only needed to enter the building through the entrance with an auto-lock and go to her room. Maybe she's genuinely afraid of that stalker.

By the way, the gray half-helmet Serai-san was wearing was something I bought together with a gas mask from a home center before completing the Bug King suit. I stored it in the spatial storage created by my skill [Space] so it would be available in case Ruu, and I went on a motorcycle outing, but I never expected that Serai-san would be the first person to wear it.

"Alright, I'll accompany you to the entrance of your apartment."

After hanging the helmets on the motorcycle's mirror, I followed Serai-san and passed through the auto-lock door.