Bonus 1: As Usual in the End

“Haaah.”

At a small spring near the hidden village—one known for being a decent fishing spot—Master let out a loud and unmistakable sigh as he cast his fishing line.

I ignored him on purpose and poked at the water’s surface with a random stick. A ripple spread out, startling some small fish that darted away. What, you’re saying they'll run off if I do that? Well, that’s why I’m doing it. Got a problem with that?

“Fuuu...”

The water near the bottom is a bit murky, so I can’t see all the way down, but I can make out the silhouette of a big fish lazily swimming by. Must be nice, living so freely.

“Haaaah…”

“Senpai, maybe it’s time you actually listened to him?”

Getting tired of waiting, Lulu—who’d been watching from behind—poked me in the back. But no thank you, no! Thank you! I refuse!

It’s definitely going to be some ridiculous problem again. I just know it. My instincts are never wrong.

“Mind-reading is great and all, but sometimes it's better to actually say things out loud, y’know?”

“Funny joke, Lulu. You should ask him yourself. Good chance to score some Master Points, you know?”

There are perks to racking up Master Points. I mean, he’s a total cheat character, so having him on your side is nothing but gain. But I’m just not in the mood to suck up today, so I’ll pass.

Master is a limited-edition product. You can’t just sell that easily.

“...Ugh.”

“You totally just made the ‘ugh, what a pain’ face just now.”

“Of course not! Don’t say such mean things, senpai!”

Lulu suddenly switches to full cutesy-mode, going “Yaa~n” and wiggling around. I stare at her half-lidded. But as expected of a cat—this kind of thing doesn’t move me in the slightest.

“――Lately…”

“Sorry, I’m kinda busy right now.”

Just when I was messing around like that, Master opened his mouth—maybe something got switched on from the sheer absurdity of the moment.

“I feel like I’ve hit a bit of a slump.”

Didn’t I just say I’m busy!? Don’t start talking like it’s a given! What is he, some king who won’t stop yapping until someone says “yes”?

A slump, huh? Did he run out of ideas for new magic tools or something?

“It’s been kind of same-y with Sora lately, y’know? I want to try a new way of flirting or something.”

...Ah. So that kind of slump.

I see, I see.

“Okay got it!”

Responding with a cheery voice, I immediately followed up with a flying kick to Master’s back.

May you rest in peace…!

“So in the end, it was just the same old thing.”

“Senpai, you really don’t learn, do you?”

“Shut up already, the both of you…!”

Lulu and Yuria were shamelessly turning my room into their little girl-talk hangout, taking advantage of the fact that I couldn’t move. By the way, my flying kick was blocked without much effort, but Master let me off the hook because “same-old” got boring or something.

Honestly, I should get a medal for not biting chunks out of him. Not that I had the energy for that anyway.

By the way, the culprit nursed me just enough to get me conscious, carried me back to my room, and then promptly disappeared into his own. Seriously, what is his deal?

“So where’s Master now?”

“Hmm, he wandered off to his room muttering about something. Thanks to that, I didn’t get any dinner.”

She says that, but she’s the one who ditched me and went off on her own, okay?

While I glared at Lulu pretending like this was someone else’s problem, the door suddenly opened—and in came Master.

“All present and accounted for? I was thinking of stepping out for a bit.”

“Oh? And what exactly do you plan to do about the fact that I can’t move thanks to someone?”

I mean seriously, because of someone, I’m getting warm, pitiful looks from all the village women!

“…Once Sora’s recovered, I thought we could go flower viewing.”

“Flower viewing?”

Lulu and Yuria didn’t seem to get it right away, but I was mildly impressed. Pretty clever idea for Master.

“Is there a good spot for that or something?”

“I asked Riara-san, and apparently there’s a type of tree that blooms beautifully around this time of year.”

According to what he heard, white petals flutter in the wind, making for a gorgeous sight. The trees are on a hill deep in the forest, and apparently they give off a scent monsters don’t like, so the area’s relatively safe.

Kids often play there, so it doesn’t seem dangerous.

“So that’s the plan… let’s go in two or three days.”

“So basically a picnic, huh? I need to get ready!”

“We should prepare lunch boxes too!”

He was originally going to say “tomorrow,” but after noticing my glare from the bed, Master changed the date. Good. Learn some consideration.

Apparently starved for entertainment during the winter, the two girls lit up with excitement and scampered off to their rooms, squealing all the way.

My room has completely turned into their hangout spot, hasn’t it…?

“…My bad.”

After seeing them off, Master sat down beside me and gently patted my back while I lay face-down. Look, if you’re going to be half-considerate, just don’t bother in the first place.

“…You overdid it.”

Honestly, when someone apologizes to me so directly, it’s kind of awkward, so I’d really prefer you didn’t. I did try to drop-kick him with everything I had, after all.

“That much wouldn’t hurt me, but… I just couldn’t resist teasing you.”

“The fact that I hesitated even a little makes me the real idiot here…”

Got it. No point in reflecting. I’ll just carry on, never losing my rebellious spirit.

“Relax, Sora. Your pranks are nothing to me.”

“I swear, one day I’ll make you regret those words!”

I let out a hiss and tried to claw him, but he easily dodged. Dodging? That’s cowardly! I can’t even move, you know!

“Come over here!”

“Is that an invitation?”

“Of course it is! To hell!”

Whatever protections you’ve got elsewhere, they won’t work here! Get within reach so I can scratch that fancy magic staff of yours!

“That makes me less inclined to get close.”

“Didn’t you just say my pranks were nothing? Don’t tell me you’re scared!”

I threw a pillow—urk! He caught it and threw it right back! Isn’t that cheating!?

Take the physical strength difference into account, will you? I’m delicate and fragile, okay!?

“…………”

Just as I was doing my best to launch an assault on Master, Lulu suddenly stood frozen in the doorway, having opened the door.

She looked oddly irritated, one brow raised and the fur on her tail slightly bristling.

…What’s her deal?

After a moment, Lulu moved with a sway and suddenly shouted:

“You two are just flirting like usual again, aren’t you!?”

“We are not flirting!!”

Stop spreading baseless rumors already!!