Serai And Shizue's Tea Ti
The second wave of the Dungeon Stampede left deep scars. Recovery has been slow, but people have been working hard, and to so extent, daily life has been restored.
At a café near the station, Serai and Shizue could be seen.
"It feels like it's been a while since we last did this. Just casually visiting a café in casual clothes."
"Yeah, it does. But after wearing suits for so long during the Stampede, I feel kinda uneasy not wearing one now."
Beside them was a large travel bag.
However, they weren’t planning to go anywhere. Inside the bag was a battle suit, carried as a precaution in case of unforeseen events. Though the bag was bulky and heavy for most won, for the two of them, who now possessed strength beyond that of ordinary people, it was no burden at all.
Their ordered tea arrived, and after enjoying the aroma, they took a sip.
"But even though the university reopened, there are hardly any lectures. It’s practically the sa as being on break."
"Well, what can you do? Many of the professors are injured and on leave."
The university Serai and Shizue attended had reopened, but with many professors hospitalized due to injuries, most lectures were canceled.
"Sigh... So professors even passed away..."
"It was the Stampede, after all. A lot of students died too, right?"
When Shizue asked this, Serai averted her gaze, her expression darkening as she looked out the window.
"Yeah... So of the boys who used to dive into dungeons with us too..."
"I see... But when you’re skilled, you tend to fight back instead of running when monsters attack, huh..."
"If I hadn’t t Egetsu-san and just kept ssing around with those guys, I might’ve died in this Stampede too..."
"True. But you did et him, and you’re alive now, so that’s what matters."
Looking back, that was the turning point.
If they hadn’t t Egetsu, who knows what would’ve happened to Serai, Shizue, or Ruu during this terrible Stampede.
The conversation then turned to Egetsu.
"...But when I first introduced Egetsu-san to you, Shizu, you were super wary of him, right? You even tested him and everything."
"Well, of course! Serai, your taste in n is notoriously bad. It’d be weird not to be cautious."
"Ugh! Shizu, you’re so an!"
Serai puffed out her cheeks in protest, but deep down, she knew it was true. She took a sip of tea to calm herself.
"But back then, Egetsu-san handled your requests so well, and he never got angry."
"Yeah. Even though I gave him a pretty tough stress test because he was soone you brought around, he didn’t flinch at all."
The two reminisced about Egetsu when they first t.
His strength was evident from his rugged appearance, but he had a sowhat stern and gloomy deanor. Yet, this man had flustered Serai with his bold actions and reluctantly indulged Shizue’s cunning requests.
That’s why Shizue decided to give him a chance.
"Sigh... But then Ruu ended up falling for Egetsu-san..."
"I thought Ruu would be scared of soone like him, but that was a surprise."
As she said this, Serai leaned back dramatically, while Shizue narrowed her eyes at the color of the tea in her cup. It was unexpected for Ruu, who was shy and reserved, to develop feelings for soone like Egetsu.
"But Egetsu-san’s always been kind to us, right? Though I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback when I saw him in that weird outfit and rcilessly beating monsters."
"Yeah, true. Now that we understand the suit’s capabilities, it makes sense, but back then, he just seed like a weirdo."
Egetsu was being harshly judged by Serai again, without his knowledge.
"Fufu, you’re one to talk, Serai. It’s not just Ruu who fell for him, you know."
Shizue teased with a playful glance, and Serai responded by dramatically flopping onto the table.
"Sigh... What a lifelong regret. By the ti I realized how great Egetsu-san was, Ruu had already beaten to it..."
"Right, right. That just ans Ruu has a better eye for n than you do. My opinion of him changed after he ca to visit when I was sick."
"Oh, you an the softshell turtle incident?"
"Incident? Really, Serai... But yeah, who would’ve thought a guy would show up at my door holding a live softshell turtle? I almost fainted."
The two laughed as they recalled Egetsu’s eccentric behavior.
Who would’ve imagined a man bringing a live softshell turtle as a get-well gift for a woman with a cold?
"...But you know, even though I was shocked at first, when I saw him start cooking in the kitchen, I realized he genuinely cared about . Most guys would’ve gone for sothing flashy, but not him."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"With Egetsu-san, it’s not just about being kind to acquaintances or friends. His kindness goes beyond that—it’s more like the kind of care you’d show to family."
Serai gave Shizue a sidelong glance as she spoke with unusual enthusiasm.
"Hey, Shizu... I know you like Egetsu-san too, but promise you won’t get serious about him, okay? If you did, Ruu and I wouldn’t stand a chance..."
"Fufu, don’t worry about that. I care about both you and Ruu too much to do sothing that would hurt you. Besides, if I did, Egetsu-san would probably hate ."
"Really...?"
"Really. I promise. To the outside world, our relationship might seem ssed up, but for us, this is the most comfortable and enjoyable arrangent. So let’s keep it this way."
"Thanks... You really are my best friend."
"Of course. But don’t forget to include Ruu in that too."
"Yeah. Sigh... But when I think about it, it feels like Egetsu-san’s the only one benefiting from all this. It’s kinda frustrating."
"What are you talking about? You’re always the one being spoiled and relying on him emotionally, Serai."
"Eh...? But with Ruu around, I can’t exactly cling to him like that..."
"Honestly, you’re acting like a grade-school boy. It’s ridiculous."
"Hey, don’t tell Ruu about this, okay?"
"Don’t worry. Ruu probably already knows."
"Wait, really!?"
"You didn’t realize? Sigh... You’re such an idiot, Serai. Ruu’s way more perceptive than you think."
"No way..."
This was a white lie to keep Serai from being too spoiled with Egetsu. Unaware of this, Serai was genuinely shocked by the revelation.
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