Chapter 9 The visitors.
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"Caw, CAW, CAW." 'Oh for the love of…'

"I was busy working! And! You could use some exercise!" 'Damned turkey, I hope you grow too fat to fly and get eaten.'

The flying menace is demanding food like usual and I can't be bothered to protest today anymore. I walk back down and gather scraps into a bowl.

"Here you go, eat up!" "Caw!"

'Right, let's get some food in my belly.' I relax my tired hands and sunbathe for a bit. Feeling bored, I check my available resources on the tablet.

"Now, what do we have here… Mp 1730… Hmm, well considering all the clothes I ruined, the tools I used and me living here… Yeah, that makes sense. Ep 0, haaa… sure, I'll get to that another day."

'I'm a looong way behind on unlocking all the rooms… Do I go for the cheap ones first? I don't need a bigger kitchen for now. More storage area and a hot springs, that would leave me with just a few hundred Mp left…'

"Hm, hm, hm. I have not tried using the battery on the carrot-men or the chicken-raptors, though the later one would be a waste."

If I can farm Mp easily, then choosing matters little. I decide to postpone unlocking anything today and enjoy the rest of the day.

'There is still crafting to be done tomorrow, I can take on a few carrots and see how it goes then.'

There are no more customers this day, if you count the slowly fattening bird as the first one. I do some baking and set some meat aside to marinate. All in all, a boring day in my life is a welcomed one.

---

League of Legends ‒ Burn It All Down (ft. PVRIS)

The next morning I spend sawing a nice tree into planks, it is not any less tiring, or fun, or easy. I have given up making it the best shield I can make, and settled for an ok-ish, durable piece of nailed together board, with a handle.

Checking the time, I decide to test the carrot-men mana quantity.

'Around 10 a.m. Got to chop some carrots, before lunch. Then I can relax, and do the detailed work on my shield in the evening. Maybe finish everything today? Should be easier than the first time.'

Having made a rough plan, I move to get my trusty shovel and the mana battery.  

"So, an hour trip, no rush this time."

I tread my usual path inside, marveling that in just a few hours, a sapling is already growing from the stump. 'In a day it will be a tree again. This is a bizarre ecosystem. How are all the plants growing so fast? Will I get the same if I unlock the farming floor in my HQ? Will it have a manageable maintenance cost?'

I believe, that the building got much more benefits then me, so it probably will be ok.

It is easy to orient in this dungeon, since all the landmarks regrow, even when they are eaten by the slimes. I get to a veg. clearing in 20 minutes of slow walking.  

I double check that my backpack is fully strapped and secure. I want to check whether the battery can suck up the mana with me carrying it, or not.

"Hyhup, and there we go." The disarming goes smoothly and another swing finished the mob.  

I stand by and wait for it to either turn into loot or mana… Two minutes later, the mob liquefies into mana. I take the battery out and see the results.

"WELL, ha, ha, damn carrot is worth 10 slimes. Hmm… Yeah the slimes are kinda hunted by everything and I've seen them being absorbed. Explains why the mana content increased, I'll check if there are deviations, or 10 Mp is a standard."

'It's good I get plenty of Mp from the carrot-men, but they are not numerous, even if I move fast and light, I'll get maybe 1 every 5-10 minutes at best. Realistically 100 mp/h if I move deeper, more carrots and definitely some chickens are unavoidable.'

Risk and reward, it can't be more clearly displayed here. I can only mitigate it by limiting the time I have to be focused and training more, to be able to carry my shit around faster.  

'Haa… I need the shield for safety, but it's gonna weigh over 5 kg, even if I make it the best that I can. Can't compromise on making it thinner, my life is more important for me then comfort.'

I get another 3 carrots, each ranging between 9-10 Mp. With this done I return as planned, within the hour.

"It would be better if I balance things a bit. Make it a routine: first fill up the battery, then collect some drops, then relax in the afternoon and do some training or extra cooking in the evening. Sounds good, I think."

Having little to do for now, I get some general cleaning done. Being the only one living here, I need to keep plenty of space cleaned, at the very least the three floors that I use and people can see.

I mop the floors and wipe the customer areas clean until late afternoon, earning myself a relaxing evening and light training in the gym.

"Sigh… I want chocolate…"  

I am tortured by the fact that there must be a convenience store nearby but I can't go there at all. I crave a chocolate bar, or a mixed party bag of choco goodness.

"This is inhumane. It would have been better if I were in some Middle Ages timeline, but no, it is just a few minutes away, but unreachable."

I lament and decide to distract myself by making sweets. Kind of.

"Time to use my skills to the maximum. Haa… homemade stuff is good, but just not the same."

I get a 10 L bucket and strap my shovel to my back, heading for the dungeon. My plan is simple and hopefully delicious.

'So, a bucket of berries will yield a good 12 L of dungeon berry jam. Hm, should I try making different consistency? Meh, just thick and a little runny will do. Having two pots is easier than a humongous one I can't move.'

"It will deplete my sugar reserves. However if I start hunting more actively for Mp, I will get more opportunities to get the drops. Slimes are a bit of a waste of time, to wait for 2 minutes to get 1 Mp, yeah not worth it."

I spend my time in the mid section of the forest, filling in the map blanks, gathering edible berries, and picking up a few interesting drops from the slimes I come across. Mostly sugar and a single drop of soy sauce.

My cooking skills tell me I should leave the berries soaking in sugared water for half a day, so I guess I'll have a busy morning.

I have a productive week all in all. Making great snacks, getting plenty of exercise and a new, not so bad looking, wooden shield.  

\----

(You wanted this)

All is good, if not a bit lonely without the internet, but Friday casts a shadow over my life. I fear I have jinxed myself.

Spoiler

Proud of My Kaichou by gumbat-artProud of My Kaichou by gumbat-art

Retrieved from

https://gumbat-art.tumblr.com/post/163462498440/proud-of-my-kaichou-both-mari-and-meiko-has-a/amp

[collapse]

I am lost for words, frozen, immobilised, just flat out unable to process what I see before me.

"Wha…" This might be a vivid dream, because there are three women entering and the one leading them, causes me to malfunction.

"The Fu…" Sure, like many men I know little about fashion, I can wear the same type of clothes for a decade as long as they are comfortable.

"Aaaa…" 'This must be irrefutable proof that this is an anime world. Normal people don't wear such clothes, I think, probably. At least I have not seen any, in so far.'

"I… Kuhum, y-yes, r-right!"  
`Smack, Smack` I squint and hit my cheeks with my palms. Trying to accept the existence of the two fashionable people as the norm. I turn to the least excessive one in greeting.

"Hello and welcome to the restaurant 'Sacred Grove', I am the chef and only employee, Valentine. Please call me just chef or chef Valentine, as my surname is a mouthful to pronounce."

Since it is unavoidable, I show my improvements in Japanese language. 'You got to give the foreigner a few brownie points for making an effort to learn your language, hopefully enough to get an amicable start.' I will myself to not glance at the other two and fortify my will, to not cringe at them.

Pov Hana

It has been an interesting first week at the academy. Can't say everything is perfect, at least my classmates seemed nice. Just a few days ago, one of them invited me for a tea party.  
It just so happens to be the famous one at that. The young lady of the Kurihara conglomerate, whose virtues are told in songs.  
She definitely has the air of nobility and even has a devoted servant, if I had to honestly voice my thoughts.

When they invited me into the forest for a picnic, to share a horrible secret, I was apprehensive. When I saw them dressed like that, I almost burst out laughing and expected some sob story about their lack of fashion sense. Maybe a plea for aid? A request - to lend them some help in choosing more normal clothes?  
Probably being a rich girl, all her clothes were bought or designed for her personally by others and poor Meiko doesn't have the heart to spill the truth, or worse, judging by her own choice of clothing.

As it turns out, it is something completely different. I had no idea that there was such a large clearing, or a building this far from the dorms. Even more surprising is that it is staffed by a single male. 

The biggest shock for me is that those two are ok showing themselves in front of a young man in those clothes! Jesus Christ! I think I heard his mind crash and burn. Fuck! He is now completely ignoring the two, as if it makes this any better!  

I have absolutely no idea what is going on anymore!! Don't start greeting me like it's normal! I'm dying of embarrassment, being associated with those two!   
'Get it together Hana. Just ask calmly for a table and find out what kind of shame play is this shit show! I will beat the crap out of them if this was done on porpoise.'

"Hana: It is nice to meet you. I'm Hana Midorikawa. I believe we would like to share a table."  
I do my best to compose myself and not turn tomato red. I am likely a shade of pink at the very least.  
"Mari: That is indeed so, I believe the weather is fine enough to take a seat at the roof."  
'Gods, anything to just get away from this awkward situation!'

"Valentine: It is also a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Midorikawa. I believe your two… kuhum, companions will be able to lead the way. Please allow me to get the tea started right away. Just make yourselves comfortable, I'll be with you in a moment."

'Ah, he is running away. Can't blame him, I am also confused, embarrassed and want to run away. Someone better start explaining everything sooner than later!'

"Mari: Well then let's head upstairs for now."  
"Meiko: Allow me to keep an eye on the chef while you explain the situation to Hana, lady Mari."  
"Mari: If you insist Meiko, you can take your time asking about the desserts available and help bring up the trays while we talk."  
"Meiko: It shall be done!"

I just followed, without asking any questions. 'If this turns out to be a plot to turn me into a perverse exhibitionist, I am jumping off this building, running straight to the headmistress and transferring to another class.'

"Mari: Hana… I can see that you have already come to understand the surface level of a major threat to the academy. How that man was transfixed by our arrival, barely keeping himself civil in the presence of us three."

'Have you actually looked in a mirror?!? Most people wouldn't know how to react to you! Especially if they have seen you wearing normal clothes before! The contrast is too much to handle! At least he didn't gawk at your scantily clad figures! Gods, have they no shame!'

"Hana: Can you explain what is going on here, before I jump to further conclusions."  
"Mari: The truth is... that this place is a trap, designed by my father to slowly gain leverage in the academy... ultimately, taking up the headmasters position and allowing males to enroll."

'I have no fucking clue how rich people think and I need the long version of this talk! Gods, what have I gotten myself into? There are still big question that need to be answered here!'
"Hana: Before we delve any deeper into the whole 'trap' thing, I'd like to ask... Do you usually have professional stylists pick your outfits at home? Yours and Meiko's look very 'free' today."
'Oh don't give me that incomprehensive look!
"Mari: Well, indeed, I usually have my wardrobe managed by the staff at home. This is actually one of the few pieces, that me and Meiko bought together last weekend. It is a novel experience, to coordinate outfits by myself."

'You physically can't be this oblivious! It's a damn scandalous outfit that leaves little to the imagination! You can't walk in the city wearing that!!!'

"Hana: Yes, it is a delicate process that requires input from different perspectives. Probably it is better to consult more people on their opinion."
"Mari: What you just said, pretty much sums up why we invited you here. We would like to ask for your help in our endeavour to preserve the dignity and traditions of the academy."

'SAY THAT WHILE PROPERLY DRESSED!!!' I ball up my fists, resisting the urge to shout out in her face.
"Hana: Haaaa... So, you don't want that chef to be employed here, I get it that far. Are you going to pretend he behaved inappropriately, smack him around a bit and ask me to testify as a witness?"

'At least that would explain the outfits, somewhat. Even though it will be a dirty job and I still have not much of an understanding of what's going on. A hard pass on that one, thanks.'
"Mari: Oh, my. That can be made to work, a bit wicked for my tastes, but as a last resort it may be considered.

'Oh sure, make me the wicked one here!'

I was mostly planning to show and explain the problem we will come facing in the future, and hopefully build mutual trust to cooperate for a common goal. There is plenty of time to do this right, if we start early."

"Hana: Is this how high class ladies ask to be friends? I've seen that so far you have been close to only Meiko, and what you are talking about is probably trusted to only stalwart allies."
'And there she goes blushing like a maiden. Not when walking around in that, but now!'

"Mari: It is a sad truth, although I can be friendly with people, I do consider only Meiko my true friend at the moment. It would be reassuring to have you as a trusted friend for the both of us."

I contemplate deeply on the matter at hand.
'I knew that the rumors were highly exaggerated. No one is a little miss perfect. Just clumsy people, doing their best. At least it would be more fun with them, then the boring, monotonous, everyday school life. If there really is a secret plan to corrupt the academy, and we stop it, we will be heroes. If not, we get to have some fun. WIN-WIN.'

"Meiko: We have brought the tea and desserts!!!"

'Right, there is that too. The cupcakes were absolutely lovely, I think I'll take some with me afterwards.'

"Hana: I would like to hear more about this, later perhaps? The three of us sitting down in private?"
I smile and whisper the last part.

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