Dungeon Refrigerator 52

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Everyday Extraordinary

Chun-chun, it's morning.

I don't think about things like the morning sun streaming through the gaps in the curtains or birds chirping outside. None of that matters in the morning.

"Yawn... Good morning, master. Don't come downstairs until I finish changing and doing my makeup."

"Good morning, but first, let me use the bathroom."

There was nothing between me and Serai-san.

Yes, it was a wholesome, ordinary morning. Despite spending the night with a cute college girl, we went about our morning as if nothing happened. It feels like such a waste, but that's probably just my perverted mind acting up.

But now that I have Ruu, my girlfriend, I've become just like those fulfilled individuals I used to envy. 

So, as long as I have Ruu, my adorable girlfriend, I can forgive most things.

"Don't stare at me too much, okay?"

After finishing changing, Serai-san arranged her makeup tools on the table and started applying makeup. I had to wait near the entrance while she changed, but the door to my room had frosted glass panels, so whether it was there didn't make much of a difference. I could catch a glimpse of Serai-san changing through the glass, albeit not very clearly, and it made me slightly amused in the morning.

However, constantly being subjected to the curious gaze of a man was a strong source of stress for Serai-san. Especially now. So, the beautiful college girl's morning routine, which used to be enjoyable to watch, ended while I lazed around in the loft.

.....

The refrigerator is broken, so I have limited options for cooking at home. That's why we're eating out. Following this syllogism, I gave Serai-san a ride on the back of my bike, and we headed to a fast food restaurant near Dungeon Shop Parade. Serai-san had a part-time job today, so I dropped her off on my bike.

"It was cloudy, but I'm glad it didn't rain." 

She's holding a hamburger in her hand, enjoying her breakfast with a cheerful expression.

"Yeah, it's nice and cool. But it's tough riding the bike in the rain." 

I'm enjoying my breakfast with a hamburger in my hand as well.

When I was a child, I was a very foolish elementary school student, so I used to get indignant and say, "Hamburgers get smaller every year!" without realizing that I was growing up. I thought fast food restaurants were stingy until I reached the upper grades of elementary school.

"Huh..."

"What's so funny, master? Why are you laughing strangely?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was reminiscing about something from the past."

"Huh, what is it? I'm curious now."

I told Serai-san about my silly childhood and the hamburger story.

"A-ha-ha! Master, you're so weird!"

Wait... That sounds completely different.

The conversation then shifted to Dungeon Shop Parade, where Serai-san works.

"By the way, Parade opens at 10 o'clock, but are there many people who come to the dungeon shop in the morning?"

I asked Serai-san, who was sipping a drink that required some suction.

"Nah, hardly anyone comes in the morning, so it's pretty quiet. But people who are about to dive into the dungeon ask if we sell medical pouches."

"Ah, I see..."

A medical pouch, containing bandages, gauze, disinfectant, and ointment, is priced at a surprising ¥4,580. It seems more than half the price is for the antibacterial pouch with a red cross on a white background. By the way, Serai-san also bought a medical pouch at an employee discount to wear around her waist when diving into the dungeon.

"It doesn't seem like we have many other items that sell well. Is everything alright?"

If that's all, I can't help but worry about the store's management.

"Well... it seems okay. Even if we continue operating at a loss for 2-3 years, it's important to secure our share. And sometimes other shops buy drop items from monsters and sell them to non-dungeon divers out of curiosity."

"I see. So, it's like hunting trophies from monsters."

When hunters have deer heads of deer they've killed stuffed or turned tigers and bears into fur.

"But we can't do that at our shop..."

"Well, I guess not..."

The drops from goblins include magic stones, rusty weapons, dirty sticks, and for some reason, ears.

"Things like fangs or claws might have some use, but... ears, not so much..."

"Yeah, they're dirty and not saleable."

I vaguely understand it based on my fantasy knowledge as an otaku, but I don't know if that's accurate. So, I changed the topic and asked Serai-san another question.

"How much do people who request buybacks make daily?"

"Um, around 10,000 to 20,000 yen, I guess. People who dive as a party might make more, but when they split it, it's about the same."

I'm still concerned about the movements of my competitors. At times like this, it's grateful to receive information from Seki-san, who works at the shop. But... I see. In the current situation where there are no recovery items like in games or manga, it seems there are few people who push themselves too hard to dive into the dungeon.

By staying near the dungeon's entrance and hunting goblins one by one, it is possible to hunt five in half a day. The magic stones dropped by goblins weigh around 5-6 grams. In other words, defeating one goblin brings in around 3,000 yen. If you defeat five of them, it adds up to about 15,000 yen. Even after paying the admission fee of 2,000 yen, you can earn about 13,000 yen in half a day if you don't get injured. It can be considered a sufficient daily income.

"Oh! I have to go soon! Alright, master, I'll see you on the way back."

While I was lost in thought, Serai-san switched to work mode, smiled, and left after requesting a pick-up. 

After delivering Serai-san to her part-time job, I had things to do too. I planned to visit several massage schools I had researched, get brochures, and if possible, observe a class. I could request information online, but if I plan to attend for a while, I want to get a proper feel for the school's atmosphere. After all, I don't have good memories of being in school.

So, I visited several schools.

Some receptionists were greatly surprised by the sudden appearance of a macho, somewhat Tetsuo-like character like me. Some were even in a hurry to contact the security company. However, when I said, "I'm considering enrollment. I'd like to see the brochure and have a tour if possible," they changed their attitude and responded favorably.

It seems the combination of being macho and being a massage therapist is a good match.

Even when I was allowed to peek into the classroom during the tour, I attracted the attention of the young students. They all had similar reactions. Saying things like "Wow..." or "What a body..." It seems being macho is well-received by those aspiring to become massage therapists.

Yes, I'm confident that my career choice was not a mistake. After completing the tour of massage schools, I mustered up the courage and called Ruu.

Before Serai-san accidentally reveals information about me. I have to tell Ruu I'm unemployed. Ah, I feel even more nervous than when I confessed my feelings.

"What...!? I can't be involved with an unemployed and lazy person!" What if she says something like that? Nervously, I made arrangements to meet her over the phone and agreed to meet at the park. Ruu, who had a day off from university, said she was studying at the library even on her day off. She seems like an earnest and good girl, just like a character in a picture.

.....

"Coach said you wanted to meet me, and I'm really happy about it."

When I arrived, Ruu was waiting for me at the entrance of a large park right next to the library, and she greeted me with a smile, saying those words.

Just hearing that makes my heart flutter. Right now, I'm completely and intensely smitten. However, I mustn't lose sight of my purpose. We walked side by side for a while along the green path, and when we found a convenient bench to sit on, I gestured for Ruu to join me, and we both sat down.

But it would be too awkward to suddenly blurt out, "I'm unemployed!".

Even I have my limits.

So, while considering how to naturally tell Ruu I'm unemployed, I tried to explore the conversation first.

"Ruu, I'm studying to become a massage therapist right now. What about your future dreams?"

(Oh... um...)

"Well, you're studious and serious, Ruu, so I'm sure you can become anything you want."

(Um, well...)

"By the way, I'm planning to enter a massage therapy school to study."

(As for getting married.)

"Huh? What?"

"I want to be Coach's bride! (Eeek!)"

(What on earth?!)

Hmm... Before confessing that I'm unemployed, I received a proposal from Ruu.