Dungeon Refrigerator 51

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Midnight Thanks

The lonely otaku always dreams.

For example, "I wonder if a cute girl will fall from the sky someday" or "I wonder if the kitten I saved will turn into a beautiful girl and come to repay me." These are things that will never happen

But still, the lonely otaku dreams. During that time, they can avoid facing the harsh reality.

By the way, let's digress for a moment. There is a story called "The Little Match Girl." It's a masterpiece that everyone knows. It tells the story of a young girl selling matches on a cold night. She tries to warm herself by lighting the matches and sees happy illusions in the flames.

But aren't the Little Match Girl and the lonely otaku doing the same thing? However, the girl's fantasies are praised as a masterpiece, while the otaku's fantasies are thought of as creepy.

When I deeply pondered what this meant. I realized the girl is young and vulnerable. But she's working diligently, while the delusional otaku is a jobless shut-in neet even at an old age.

I see. No wonder a shut-in neet cannot compare to a young girl who works hard. I have learned the essence of why a masterpiece is a masterpiece.

"Master~ why are you being so quiet?"

"Uh... well, it's just some philosophical thoughts..."

"What? What's that?"

Well, my sense of reality couldn't keep up with the situation of a cute girl like Serai-san coming to my room and surprising me. So my thoughts drifted in a strange direction. Of course, the lonely otaku refers to me.

After leaving the ramen shop, we passed the convenience store and headed home.

During the meal, we talked about how "my refrigerator is broken" and took precautions. Serai-san was also concerned about the garlic ramen breath and bought breath freshener tablets. On the way home, she made me take one too.

(Sound of the door opening) "Here we are. It's a small place, but please come in."

"I'm intruding."

We took off our shoes in the narrow space that seemed like a combination of the entrance and the kitchen, and Serai opened the door to the 6-tatami room.

(Silence)

And there was a moment of silence.

I let my gaze wander around the room, checking if my otaku elements were left. Serai-san stood in my room, looking around with an indescribable expression on her face.

"So, Ezuki-san, you've been living in a place like this..."

"Can't you imagine just from the exterior? It's quite a downgrade compared to where Serai-san lives."

"...I'm sorry about that."

Suddenly, Serai-san apologized.

But it might be good timing, so I decided to tell Serai-san about my new profile.

"I quit my job, and I'm trying to start my practice as a masseur. I'm still studying and currently unemployed. I got hooked on dungeon exploration as a test of courage. It turned out to be interesting. I didn't say anything earlier if I talk about myself, I'll have to mention that I'm unemployed too. Do you understand?"

"I see... (Sigh) I'm truly sorry for causing you so much trouble."

After hearing the explanation, Serai-san sat in seiza (formal Japanese sitting style) and bowed her head with three fingers on the floor. Her movement was like a town girl in a period drama being dragged out and judged by someone.

"Why are you suddenly being so formal...?"

Curious, I persistently asked. It turned out that the image they had of me, who never talked about myself, was of someone living in a high-rise apartment with a good view, always wearing only black bikini bottoms while looking down on the world below.

Who the heck is that? They must go to a tanning salon to be so dark-skinned.

"If you had told me earlier, Shizu and I wouldn't have pestered you like that..."

"Hahaha, it's fine. After all, I could sell the magic stones at a good price, so my wallet was warm. You must have thought the same, Serai-san."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Men are most motivated when we're looked down upon for being unambitious by women. I didn't mention being unemployed to protect my pride. However, I haven't told this story to Rua yet, so please keep it a secret from her, Serai-san."

"Oh... it wasn't great that you found out before her, right?"

"No, I gave up on that when I decided to let you stay overnight."

"Then!... At least let me do something to repay you! Oh, I know, Ezuki-san! I'm also good at massages! As a thank you for letting me stay, I can massage your shoulders or back!"

(What did she say!?)

.....

As a thank-you for letting her stay over, Serai-san offered to massage me.

I graciously accepted the offer. It was only natural since I aspire to become a masseur, and experiencing receiving a massage would contribute to my skill development. Serai-san must have offered the massage for that reason as well.

Now, first things first, after returning home, I changed into my pajamas. Serai-san, being considerate, changes the small entryway. Once we both finished changing, we unintentionally wore matching gray sweatshirts as our sleepwear.

"Haha... It seems our tastes align, master."

"Yeah, we're master and apprentice, so it's fine."

It felt as if we were a lovey-dovey couple. However, we intentionally avoided that topic and disguised the awkward atmosphere by addressing each other as master and apprentice.

Then, we laid face down on the mattress of the recently purchased high-quality down futon.

"Well... here I go." 

"Yes, please."

(Thrills. I never thought that the first person to get on the same futon with me would be Serai-san... But nothing happened... Don't worry. I'll send a goodnight message to Ruu with a healthy heart before sleep.)

(Thump!)

"Ouch!"

"Eek! Sorry! Did that hurt?"

Serai-san suddenly stepped on me. Not only that but while standing on my back, she lost her balance and fell on her butt.

"Oh... it's okay. But it would have been nice if you had given me a heads up before stepping on me."

"I-I'm sorry, sensei..."

Ah, I thought I was going to spew out garlic ramen when she unexpectedly hip-dropped me.

"Just be careful with that kind of massage where you're stepping on someone's back. It can be dangerous if you don't have something to hold on to, you know?"

"Yeah, I thought it would be okay since you have a broad back, sensei, but I realized it's risky, so I'll stop."

Saying that Serai-san, who was still on top of me, shifted her body and straddled my hips. Hmm, this alone feels pleasant.

However, as for the actual massage, I recently received an intense massage at a super bath house from a young staff member who pressed into my pressure points. Therefore, I couldn't help but compare it and feel slightly unsatisfied.

"Yes! How did it feel, master?"

And so, Serai-san's massage lasted for about 20 minutes.

"Ah~ It felt so good. Thank you. Serai-san, you have a talent for massage. It's amazing."

But that's one thing, and this is another. The massage at the super bath house was a paid service, whereas the massage Serai-san gave me was out of gratitude. It's only appropriate to express my appreciation and praise in return.

After that, Serai-san and I engaged in a topic that would not hurt anyone and was suitable for the situation: "How kind, honest, and good of a child Ruu is.". Finally, we called Ruu on the phone, and the three of us happily chatted and drifted off to sleep.

"........"

Having lost the luxurious down comforter to Serai-san, I spread out the envelope-style sleeping bag I used during the motorcycle tour and lay in the bed. Serai-san smiled and said, "If your shoulders get stiff, I'll give you a massage again♪," I had no choice but to give up the brand-new luxurious down comforter.

"Ezuki-san... Are you already asleep?"

"Hmm...?"

"Listen... Thank you for everything..."

Under the faint light coming in through the skylight, Serai-san, sleeping below in the dark room, expressed her sincere gratitude to me.

She must have been feeling much more vulnerable than I had imagined. That's why I returned to her the words I had wanted to hear most from a friend when I got bullied.

"Don't worry. I'll always be on your side."

"Yeah..."

After confirming that she had started breathing quietly, I drifted to sleep.