How long has it been since I was petted three times in a row?
The commander, probably with sore arms, was lying back in the massage chair in the corner, eyes closed.
Poor guy. He should exercise more.
…And I’m lying on the sofa, melting away.
I couldn’t even tolerate a regular petting, and triple petting was too much for my body.
Ugh…
So in the end, I’m making foolish sounds while enjoying the warmth left on my head.
Lying here, I feel like seaweed drifting in the current, and it feels good.
Ah, the massage chair is broken.
The sea, which had been staring intently at the corner of my mouth, poked my cheek and said,
“You’ve been petted for a long time,” it added.
‘I’m not broken. I’m just lying down because I’m tired.’
“Oh, I see. Then it’s my turn to make a wish, right?”
…Well, this is happening.
If I could, I’d want to sleep like this until tomorrow morning, but I made a promise, so I guess I have to keep it.
“Ughhh…!”
I stretched my stiff body and let out a big yawn.
Ah, so refreshing.
Puh, Maru, you just reminded me of our commander.
“Eh, what?”
“Every day, he says his back hurts and does all those stretches.”
What are you saying?
I’m still young.
I frowned.
Hmm…
I’m kind of thirsty.
I just had a cold cola earlier, but why am I still thirsty?
I tilted my head and gulped down the iced water sitting on the table.
I don’t know who put it there, but it’s so cold. Thanks to that, I’m wide awake now.
Wait, this is so cold it’s too cold. My head, ugh. Hiiiii…!
“Ugh, ughhh, haaah…!”
The moment I drank the cold water, my head started to throb.
I found myself saying strange things.
Silly Maru is cute too. I like this Maru too.
“…Are you teasing me?”
No? I’m always serious!
The sea, watching from the side, smiled gently and wagged its fluffy tail.
Ugh.
‘…Heeek?!’
Heheh, it’s a punishment for teasing me.
I suddenly embraced the sea’s warm tail.
The sea let out a strange sound, but since it didn’t stop me, I guess it’s okay.
“Ah, this feels nice. Hehe.”
As I hugged the sea’s tail, which smelled soft and earthy, I could feel my headache slowly easing.
Isn’t this called a “tail scent”? Right? It’s the best.
‘…I wish I could do that for someone too.’
From the corner, Nunu let out a sigh while staring at the little dog-like tail.
Now that I think about it, Nunu was also a beastfolk.
“Her tail is so short, I didn’t even notice. Sorry, Nunu!”
Anyway, it’s fine, right? I can say this, right?
“Uh-huh.”
Then, ahem. Ahem. Drumroll…
“…Do we really have to do that?”
It felt like I was watching one of those “coming up in 60 seconds” TV show teasers.
The sea made hand motions like playing the drums and alternated tapping on the table.
“Drumroll…”
sigh.
“Drumrolldrumrolldrumroll!”
What’s with all the suspense?
“It’s because… it’s an amusement park!”
An amusement park?
“Yeah! The new amusement park that just opened! I heard there’s a zoo and a movie theater nearby too. It’s going to be so much fun. Let’s go together!”
An amusement park, huh?
They’re talking about places with roller coasters and Vikings, right?
That sounds fun!
I imagine myself calmly and coolly riding the scary rides.
“Maru, you’re amazing!”
“That’s amazing, riding those scary rides without changing your expression. Maru is such an adult!”
Hehe, it’s nothing. Hehe.
…Hehe.
I can show off my cool side and also have fun with everyone. It’s a win-win!
Wait, an amusement park? And you want us all to go together?
As I imagined riding the rides, grinning, Nunu came over and sat next to me.
Nunu, looking surprisingly shocked by the sea’s suggestion, had wide eyes, like a startled retriever, and it was cute.
“I thought for sure you’d choose to sleep next to Maru.”
That’s tempting, but no, it’s really charming.
Wait, what did you just say?
“You’ll all leave soon, right? But I’m part of this group, so unless something special happens, we probably won’t see each other again.”
“Hey, Sea? Nuna? What did you just… say?”
Something feels off.
I feel like I just heard something really dangerous.
“I want to make at least one memory before that.”
“That’s thoughtful, but the city is quite far…”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. I heard the monster hunting just ended, and everyone’s returning to headquarters. It’s going to take about two days.”
“We’ll have enough time,” the sea added, smiling and nodding.
“I’m fine, of course, but Commander has to approve first…”
“Huh? Did you call me, Maru?”
“YIKES?!”
“Kya, that scared me.”
I almost fell because of the deep voice suddenly ringing in my ear.
‘W-What is it!?’
“Haha, as expected, teasing Maru is always fun.”
When I turned around, covering my mouth in embarrassment after letting out an unsightly scream, I saw the commander grinning mischievously.
….
You cheeky old man. Let’s see if I share my pudding with you later. I’ll stick my tongue out at you right in front of your face.
‘Sorry, but we’re still a new command unit, so we’re a little short on money. That’s why going to the city is a bit…’
The commander naturally joined the conversation while placing me on his lap.
Nunu’s embrace was nice, but the commander’s lap wasn’t bad either.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s better than hers. It just feels like a rare treat once in a while.
“If that’s the problem, it’s fine. We can just charge our commander for it.”
‘…Oh, really?’
The commander’s eyes sparkled.
I heard loving free things too much can cause hair loss. At this rate, will he end up bald?
If it’s going to happen, I hope it happens soon.
That way, I can tease him. A shiny, bald head.
“If that’s the case, there’s no reason to refuse. Maru… you said you liked the idea earlier, right? Nunu, what about you?”
“I’m fine with it too. It sounds fun to go together.”
‘Great, then it’s decided?’
In the end, we all agreed, and our trip to the city was set.
I don’t know much about cities, but I wonder if they have things like flying cars.
I’m excited.
We rode in the commander’s car for hours until we finally arrived in the city.
I was looking out the window, but at some point, I fell asleep on Nunu’s lap, so I didn’t see much.
But judging by the commander’s exhausted face and the dazzling sunlight, I could tell we had been driving for over six hours.
Couldn’t they just teleport us here? Why waste so much energy on a car ride?
Anyway, my first impression of the city…
It was just a normal modern city. Nothing special.
…That’s a little disappointing.
With teleportation and monsters in this world, I expected cities to be a bit different too.
I should go to a mart and buy some light clothes and shoes.
Oh, there’s one nearby.
‘…Mart? Can’t we just go straight to the amusement park?’
Wait a second.
I know what this is.
This is one of those events where they dress me up like a doll and take tons of pictures.
Do they think I haven’t played enough bad games to see this coming? I won’t fall for such an obvious event.
‘It can’t be helped. I need to buy clothes too. We can all take a look while we’re at it.’
“Commander, did you really only have suits and hiking gear?”
I thought he just dressed like that because he was a commander, but I guess not.
No wonder he looked so out of place wearing hiking gear when we left.
“Yeah.”
Sigh.
Because of this clueless commander, we have to go shopping.
“Anyway, I’m not buying anything for myself. This oversized T-shirt is the most comfortable for me.”
“Fufu.”
…?
What’s this?
I suddenly heard a strange chuckle and turned around.
But all I saw were Bada and Nunu using their phones.
No one else was there.
Were they laughing at a message? What was so funny?
…Wait a second.
Now that I think about it, I’m the only one without a phone!
“Commander, I also… that…”
‘Hm? What is it?’
I grabbed the commander’s sleeve and pointed at his phone.
Buy me one too.
Buy me one.
“So our Maru wants a phone, huh?”
“Yes, yes!”
As expected of the commander.
He understands me just from my gaze now.
“Then that’s another reason to go to the mart. We’ll stop by to get Maru a phone too.”
‘I just got a message from the commander. Since we worked hard guarding the base, we can spend freely today!’
I can already picture some commander from Zone E crying over a massive bill.
But that’s not my problem.
It’s not even our unit’s budget.
And since they said we can spend freely, they must be rich, so it should be fine. Hehe.
“Alright, Nunu and Bada, put your phones away. It’s time to get moving. The mart is a bit of a walk from here.”
‘Okay~ Ah, wait! There’s a huge crowd in front of the mart, sis!’
“Huh? Maru, what’s wrong?”
Nunu naturally walked up to me and gently held my hand.
Her hands are so soft and smooth. Squishy.
No, that’s not the point.
I’m not a kid.
I should tell her I can walk without holding hands…!
“Oh, it looks like there’s a traditional market today! We’re so lucky!”
…Bada?
“Hm? What’s up? Something wrong?”
Before I realized it, Bada had grabbed my other hand.
What are these two doing?
Let me go!
“Oh, there’s a market in front of the mart. Should we check it out along the way… huh? They already claimed Maru?”
“Fufu, too late, Commander.”
The commander, who had been walking ahead, turned around and saw Nunu and Bada each holding one of my hands.
He quickly ran toward us, looking back and forth between them.
What is he planning to do now?
“Huh?! W-Whoa?!”
“Here, take this! Piggyback ride attack!”