Well, anyway, it’s better than fighting with bare hands, so I guess it’s a good thing?
I gently took out the umbrella and carefully held it.
…Phew.
Fortunately, nothing unexpected like suddenly disappearing happened.
“Hehe.”
The corners of my mouth lifted. My mood also lifted.
I now have my own weapon. A ‘dedicated’ weapon that no one but me can touch!
It’s awesome! It’s cool!
There’s romance in it!
…Even though it’s just an umbrella, it’s important that I have it.
Who knows? It may look like this, but it could be an incredibly strong and vicious weapon.
“Ah, right! I should brag to Nunu and the commander!”
They’ll definitely love it, right? They’ll probably hug me and lift me up high or something.
Filled with excitement, I went out into the lobby.
I went out, but… why is the light turned off?
Did everyone go to bed?
I checked the clock hanging in the center of the lobby.
Although it was dark because the lights were off, it wasn’t so dark that I couldn’t see, so I could still make out the time.
“11:30.”
It feels like time’s been passing quickly today, just like when I was cleaning.
At this time, the commander should still be working, but… he must be tired.
I’ll tell him tomorrow.
“Fox rain, I’ll rely on you tomorrow.”
After returning to my room, I carefully placed the umbrella in the closet.
It’s my precious weapon, and what if it gets dust on it? It could cause a huge problem in tomorrow’s mission.
…Wait a minute. I can’t trust the closet either. What if a spider comes in and spins a web?
“Fox rain, should we sleep together tonight?”
In the end, I got anxious and took the umbrella out again, holding it tightly in my arms.
Even though it’s an umbrella, it feels warm. Could it be that special equipment feels different?
I haven’t used it yet, but I already like it.
Holding the umbrella, I walked to the bed and dove in.
“Ugh.”
…Since I’m short, I don’t weigh much, and I almost bounced off the bed.
I was so surprised! It felt like bouncing a bouncy ball!
Anyway, I rolled left, then right, while lying back down on the bed.
The umbrella I was holding was tucked between my legs.
…It feels strange, but it’s a habit, so I can’t help it.
A manly man needs three pillows to sleep.
A belly pillow, a hugging pillow, and finally a pillow tucked between the legs.
What? Maybe not?
“Wow…”
While rolling around, I noticed the glow-in-the-dark dinosaur stickers on the ceiling.
The shiny, glowing dinosaurs were floating gently on the ceiling, each one wearing a bright smile.
I don’t know who put them up, but I like them.
I can’t resist glow-in-the-dark things. I can’t resist dinosaurs even more.
If it’s a glow-in-the-dark dinosaur? I just can’t help myself.
“Hehe. Wait a minute, I need to sleep, why am I doing this now?”
I have a super important mission early tomorrow morning. I shouldn’t be spacing out looking at glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs right now.
I need to sleep quickly. That way, I’ll be in good condition to face the morning.
“Mmm… Mmm…”
Something’s strange. I just can’t fall asleep.
How long has it been since I’ve been rolling around with my eyes closed?
The bed, which had been neatly made, had long since turned into a mess from rolling around, and counting sheep has long passed a hundred.
…Why can’t I sleep?
Could it be because I don’t have a hugging pillow? Or is it the faint light from the glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs?
Maybe I’m low on sugar? But I’ve already eaten dozens of puddings…
Anyway, I can’t sleep like this. Is there a good solution?
I got up from the bed and grabbed the box that was lying miserably in the corner.
The size is a bit awkward, but it should be big enough for my umbrella to fit in.
Swoosh
“Oh, this is it. This is perfect.”
After settling into the box, I felt like I was wrapped in a cozy blanket.
I always wondered why cats jump into boxes whenever they get the chance, but now I understand. It’s because it’s so comfy.
Anyway, with this, I’ll fall asleep soon…
“Ugh!?”
Suddenly, I opened my eyes.
I must have fallen asleep without realizing it. Ah, I even drooled a little.
When I was lying in the bed, no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t even yawn, but as soon as I got in the box, I passed out.
I didn’t even know, but it seems that my body feels more comfortable in this small box than the soft bed.
It feels like I’ve become a cat. My body feels relaxed like a cat living leisurely, and I get the urge to fall into a dream again.
But!
I shouldn’t do that. Today’s an important mission day!
I quickly jumped out of the box and raised the umbrella high into the sky.
Strong and powerful…
Crash!
…Huh?
Right. This is my room.
As soon as I realized that, something fell from the ceiling.
I looked up, and… there was a huge crack in the ceiling.
Ah.
“It should be fine, right?”
By the way, now the floor’s cracked, and the ceiling’s cracked.
The crack in the floor was from me bumping my head, and the crack in the ceiling was from me hitting it with the umbrella…
Let’s just consider it free remodeling. It’s balanced, and it’s fine.
It’s better than this dull gray wallpaper, so this mixed pattern works better…
Hmm, maybe that’s not it?
“Well… I guess I should take a shower.”
It’s fine as long as it didn’t collapse.
I ignored my wrecked room and stepped into the bathroom.
…I’ll ask the commander to fix it later.
“Alright. Let’s do our best today!”
I’m getting used to my reflection now.
I looked at myself in the mirror and energetically cheered myself on.
Since I have to leave early today, I need to get ready quickly.
I nodded and lathered up the soap in the sink.
“Oof, ugh. Ow, ow…!”
But because I washed my face too quickly, soap got into my eyes.
My eyes!
“Ugh, argh…”
No matter how much I rubbed them, the stinging wouldn’t go away.
What if I end up being late?
‘I-I should just brush my teeth first. Where’s my toothbrush…’
Luckily, I had memorized its location, so I found it easily even with my eyes closed. The same went for the toothpaste.
Brush, brush, brush!
‘Bleh.’
Ugh, it’s strawberry-flavored toothpaste again!!
Aaaagh!!!!!!
After a loud and chaotic morning routine…
“Ugh, I still feel like my mouth smells like strawberries.”
I rinsed my tongue with milk and carefully checked to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.
Oh, the milk was in my room, so I guess the commander brought it over.
I was a little suspicious about whether it had gone bad, but it was cold, and the expiration date seemed fine, so I drank it without worry.
I already feel like I grew 1 cm taller. Milk really is the best.
Alright, let’s see… I packed Fox Rain.
Wearing my plain white T-shirt. Check.
Keeping my manly spirit. Check.
Good. Perfect.
Today, I’m invincible.
No hardship can bring me down.
I can do anything! I’m a mighty mushroom!
‘Let’s go, Fox Rain!’
My noble umbrella, Fox Rain, responds in agreement.
Confidence surges through me. My shoulders puff up.
With determined steps, I opened my door and walked out—
“Maru! Wake up!”
—Smack!
Huh?
“Oh my, Maru? Maru!”
My vision feels weird. Why do I see a glowing dinosaur?
Oh, I fell.
“Maru, are you okay?! There’s no bump on your head… Thank goodness.”
Nunu sat next to me, gently rubbing my forehead.
Oh, I must’ve hit my head. No wonder I heard a loud thud.
‘Maru, say something! You’re okay, right?’
…The warm hand comforting me feels nice.
Like a hot pack on a cold winter day, the touch feels cozy as it brushes against my forehead.
Huh?
Something feels a little off, so I instinctively grab the warm hand and rub it against my cheek.
Hehe. Feels nice. I could fall asleep like this with no regrets.
The faint scent of peaches drifts over… Wait, what?
Huh?
‘Whoa, this is insane… Maru, can you do that again?’
…Ah.
I’m insane. I must be out of my mind.
How could I do something like that in this situation?!
This is a disaster. Something definitely went wrong.
Wait, did I hit my head so hard that I lost my senses? That must be it. Yeah, that’s the only explanation.
Otherwise, there’s no way to justify what just happened.
“Maru, s-sniff, are you okay?”
Now, I’m standing in the dormitory lobby, still holding Nunu’s hand.
I had wanted to curl up in my bed and kick the blankets in embarrassment, but Nunu stopped me and practically dragged me out here.
“Nunu… Please don’t tell the commander about this.”
I looked up at Nunu, pleading desperately.
If the commander found out, something terrible was bound to happen.
Not only would I be teased endlessly, but every time a new mercenary joined, this story would be dragged out over and over again.
That can’t happen…!
“Hmm. Then call me ‘big sis’ just once, and I’ll keep it a secret.”
“…Really?”
“Of course.”
…Big sis? I hate that.
I hate it, but… if I refuse, the whole world will know.
The rumor will spread, and before I know it, I’ll end up with some ridiculous nickname like ‘Crybaby Maru.’
Between momentary embarrassment and eternal shame… The choice is obvious.
“…Nunu, big sis.”
“Hehe, just kidding. It was partly my fault too, so I won’t say anything.”
…Huh?
Wait, what?
What?