The World Is Overflowing with Monster, I’m Taking a Liking to This Life

Chapter 94: Discussion and the Future

I take the breakfast, which consists of bread and canned food, from the backpack. For now, I hide the existence of the Item Box. Thats precisely why I bring along the backpack anyway. Theres already that event which happened near the home center, so its better to avoid being suspected. Momo is hiding in the shadow while Aka is mimicking.

I judged that it would be best to hide them as well. After all, owning a dog which could use skills and a slime which could mimic might make her wary of us. This is especially true with what happened with the monster tamer.

Breakfast

Seeing the bread and canned food, Rikka-chans stomach growls. Her cheeks burn red. She must be famished. She then turns towards me, making an expression which seems to ask, Who is this? From her perspective, I must be someone shes not yet familiar with.

Hello and good morning. Im getting the food ready, so please wait a moment. Eh? Okay?

Rikka-chan stands up while having a question mark floating on top of her head. While she is doing so, Ichinose-san wakes up from her stunned state.

Huh? Where am I?

Good morning, Ichinose-san.

Ah, yes, Ka Good morning, Kudou-san.

Well, this is the second time though. Lets not remind her about her near death experience just now.

Eh? Natsuns acquaintance?

Ah, good morning to you as well, Ricchan. How are your injuries?

Eh, ah. Un.

Thats good.

Ignoring Rikka-chans confused look, Ichinose-san pats her nonexistent chest in relief. Looking here and there, Ichinose-sans eyes land on mine. She must have realized that Momo and Aka arent present.

(Please keep them a secret for now.)

(I understand.)

We communicate through eye contact. Ive told her about this before as well. She must have understood why Im hiding them. Finishing the preparations for breakfast, I take a seat.

Here. Please have some.

Rikka-chan goes silent for a while before reaching out for her food upon seeing Ichinose-san eat.

! This is delicious

Rikka-chan begins to eat faster. She must have been quite hungry. Later on, she tells me that she has not eaten proper food for the past 5 days. With tears in her eyes, she devours the bread and canned peaches.

I have extras. Do you want them?

That! (nod nod)

She calms down after taking a break and drinking the after-meal coffee that I brewed. Caressing her stomach, she appears satisfied.

Ah, that was amazing! Thanks for the food!

Where did your initial wariness fly off to? By the time she finishes her food, Rikka-chan is smiling happily. Now then, we are finally ready to have a proper conversation. I explain the situation to Rikka-chan. About how Ichinose-san was my companion and about how we arrived here. I might have been suspected if I was alone, but with Ichinose-san besides me, things were better. In fact, Rikka-chan believes my word completely. I blur out the details about the Item Box, Momo, and Aka.

I see. Natsun must have had it rough as well

Yes. But I had Kudou-san with me, so I was okay but it must have been difficult for you. Well, kind of. Im separated from Nisshi, and I have no idea where Shibachi and Ono are. Rikka-chan also told us how they came here. She talked about being attacked by the high orc, being saved by an unknown individual (me), meeting with Ishikawa-san and the monster tamer, and arriving at the school. Her explanation was easy to picture. Is her original communication skill helping her out with the explanation? Im jealous. If it was Ichinose-san, she would have definitely fallen ill or bitten her tongue in the middle of her story.

I see so, what will Aisaka-san be doing from now on?

What will I be doing?

You have companions right? Are you going to look for them?

Well, yes, I guess but I dont know where they are or how to communicate with them Indeed, the world right now is inconvenient because we do not have access to phones or the internet. Even so, skills can be used as substitutes.

In that case, I have a solution. If you look at the list of skills you can acquire, do you have something called Mail available? M-mail?

Rikka-chan checks her status table while tilting her head.

Oh, there really is something called Mail here.

Its a skill which allows you to contact people in remote locations. If the recipient doesnt have this skill, the conversation would only proceed one way. However, as long as the recipient also possesses the skill, communicating with each other possible. Hee. But why do I have this?

Yesterday, you should have received a mail from Ichinose-san. Once you receive a mail from someone, it becomes possible to obtain. Ah, now that you mention it So that was Natsun. Thank you, Natsun.

Un.

Do you have spare SP? Just 1 point is needed to activate it.

I have them. I gained two levels from yesterday.

Rikka-chan operates the status plate quickly and taps on the screen.

Wow, this is amazing. Theres even an address book. This really is similar to a smartphone. Natsun and onii-sans names are on there. Ah, I see Nisshis as well. Hey, Natsun, can I send you a message as a test? Uh, yeah

Rikka-chan seems happy about the new skill as she exchanges mails with Ichinose-san. I also wanted to exchange mails like this. Receiving 47 mails nonstop. That was really an unpleasant situation.

This skill is really useful. Hey, onii-san, can I send you messages as well?

Yes, I dont mind.

So Rikka-chan will address me as onii-san? Hmmm, theres something about being called onii-san by a high school girl with big breasts. Fufu. Even the announcement which says You have received a mail sounds pleasing. I feel like my trauma is being purified Kudou-san, what are you thinking right now?

That

I feel a chill running across my back. I turn around to see Ichinose-san staring at me with half her eyes open.

Nothing. Now, you should have finished testing out the skill. If you use this, dont you think you can unite with Nishino-kun and the others? Yes, thats right, but

Rikka-chan looks at Ichinose-san.

Hey, what are you going to do now?

Eh? Me? Uh I Hot!

Due to suddenly changing the topic of our discussion, Ichinose-san spills her coffee. Because of her inability to communicate, it isnt rare for her to panic when the subject of the discussion shifts abruptly.

Are you okay? So you havent fixed that habit of yours.

Its not so easy to fix! I can only speak normally to Ricchan and Kudou-san Kudou-san, is ithmmm

While wiping the coffee, Ichinose-san looks at me.

Kudou-san what will we do now?

About that I was thinking of going to the central market or the agricultural cooperative as originally planned. Coming to the school was just a side trip, so we should now start to secure supplies and search for a safe base. I dont know if there is anywhere safe in this world filled with monsters, but its too early to give up without trying. There may be places similar to a Safety Zone.

Then, then

Lets bring along Aisaka-san?

I finish what Ichinose-san plans to say. Ichinose-san nods. Rikka-chans expression also becomes brighter. She should be worried about Nishino-kun, but as I thought, she wants to be with Ichinose-san.

Its okay if its Ricchan I guarantee it.

Ichinose-san says so before bowing her head. I guess she trust her very much. She stares at me with sincere eyes. After a while of staring, I sigh deeply.

Okay. If youre willing to say that muchIs this okay for you guys?

When I ask, my shadow and my hood trembles. They both seem to give their consent.

Onii-san, who are you talking to?

Aisaka-san, Ive kept this a secret from you, but we still have other companions. Is, is that so?

Yes, Ill introduce them to you now. However, please dont attack them in surprise. ?

Rikka-chan doesnt understand what Im saying and tilts her head.

Momo, Aka, come out.

The shadow near my feet spreads open while the hood of my clothes changes shape. Momo and Aka appear.

Wan!

Furu Furu.

Rikka-chans eyes opens wide at the twos sudden appearance.

What is this cute doggy? And did she just come out of your feet? And, uh, a slime? What? Umu, this childs reactions are always so exaggerated. Leaving that aside, thank you for the shaking. I wont say whats shaking, but thank you regardless.

Ill be introducing them to you. This dog is Momo, and the slime is Aka. Theyre our precious companions. Companions? The doggy aside, is the slime also your friend?

Yes. Both Aka and Momo are our companions.

Rikka-chans mouth opens wide in surprise.

Ha, haha, this is surprising in various aspects Natsuns friends are amazing Un, I think so too.

Ichinose-san smiles bitterly while stroking Momo. Rikka-chan also strokes Momo and touches Aka.

So soft! This is bad the doggy is too cute~!

Apparently, she seems to accept them despite her shock. She hugs Aka tightly and enjoys the feeling. Purunpurun. Pyonpyon Thank you for the meal.

Well then, Aisaka-san. Please message Nishino-kun. Also, please tell us about your skills and lev Hm? Whats wrong, Kudou-san? Ah? Momo-chan?

Responding to my movement, Momo leaps off from Ichinose-sans lap and runs up to me.

Enemy Detection is reacting. Theres a monster nearby.

When I say so, the tension suddenly rises. Ichinose-san grabs her gun silently while Aka and Momo enters combat mode. Rikka-chan also readies her weapon.

Please stay where you are for now. Ill go check.

The reaction isnt coming from within the building, but rather from outside. Since the sun has risen, monsters should have become more active. But why do I feel uneasy? Its presence feels strange for a monster. However, at the same time, Im sure its not a human what is it? From the opening of a wall, I carefully look outside.

What is that?

My eyes become round upon witnessing the scene.