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Published at 12th of April 2024 05:55:51 AM


Chapter 81

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Chapter 81:

Settlement

Saturday afternoon.

On this day, Serai Machi, who boasted a distinctive bust, had been taken into custody by the police for assisting with her stalker problem. She also went to a hotel cake buffet to celebrate and console Toga Ruri, also known as Shark, the high school girl who had helped protect Machi in the underwater dungeon and had gotten injured in the process.

Serai Machi wore a white summer knit top and jeans, carrying a leather handbag slung over her shoulder with a strap, giving her the appearance of a stylish college girl. Standing next to her was Ruri, wearing a checkered skirt with green and black lines, and a blazer her school uniform, as she had been invited suddenly and came straight from school.

"Wow! I can eat whatever I want! (Sparkle!)"

When they entered the hotel restaurant, Toga, with her determined and shining eyes, exclaimed in amazement while looking at the numerous sweet treats on display.

"Hehe feel free to take whatever you like. I'll have some tea while you enjoy."

"Oh, okay! I'm going now! (Dash!)"

Ruri dashed off energetically like a wild animal set free. After watching her with a wry smile, Macii went to the drink bar to brew some tea and then took her seat.

"Phew it's finally over."

Machii took a sip of tea and let out a sigh.

It might have been a short period in terms of time, but it felt long. She had been exposed to curious and sometimes strange looks, and some customers said odd things. When she realized that only her trash from the previous night had disappeared from the trash disposal area when she left for work in the morning, it sent shivers down her spine.

However, the problem was resolved.

The people who had been staring at her during work and making comments were the same individuals who had been posting on online forums. They had been enjoying themselves by referring to her as the cute guild receptionist'. However, they misunderstood her toe-standing and breath-holding secret training' during work as something lewd, which led to various unruly behaviors.

Ezuki-san had been there to support her. So she could confront them confidently. But even now, the thought of what might have happened if she had been alone still sent a chill down her spine.

"Look, Machi! They have Mont Blanc, strawberry shortcake, and chocolate cake! And there's even tiramisu!"

While reminiscing and sipping tea, Ruri, who had loaded her plate with several slices of cake, returned.

"Yes, they all look delicious."

"Oh Machi, you haven't started yet. Can I go ahead?"

"Hehe, of course. Today is a treat, so please enjoy it without holding back."

"Great! Then here I go! (Nom) Mmm~! So delicious! The hotel's cakes are amazing! (Nom)"

After taking a bite and expressing her amazement, Ruri enthusiastically devoured the cake. Machii couldn't help but smile as she watched Ruri enjoying her dessert.

After waiting for Ruri to finish her cake, Machi finally spoke up.

"I'll go get you a drink. What would you like?"

"Oh, sorry. You're treating me, and I'm still asking you to do things. But I don't know much about tea, so I'll leave it to you."

"Alright, then. I'll get you some delicious tea."

"Thank you. (Munch, munch)"

Although their initial encounter involved some unpleasant words and attitudes, this high school girl named Toga Ruri had a straightforward personality that Machi appreciated.

[I remember Ezuki-san mentioning that Ruri used to be like him when he was in elementary school.)

[Ring, ring Ring, ring]

As Machi was on her way to get tea, her handbag's communication device started ringing [Who on earth could it be?]. When she answered, she heard a voice from an unknown number.

[Hello, may I speak to Serai-san please?]

"Yes Who is this?"

Although slightly irritated by the caller's refusal to identify themselves at first, Manami was curious about the identity of the person calling.

[I am an attorney from Hikuni. I understand that you have been involved in a significant incident, and I offer my condolences.]

"Oh I see."

[In light of this matter, we have received a request to settle the issue promptly, and we would like to discuss a settlement on behalf of our client.]

I didn't request any of this. It seemed like the person on the other end of the phone was calling on behalf of the apprehended stalker and wanted to discuss a settlement.

[We believe that a speedy resolution of the issue would be beneficial for both parties. So, if it's convenient for you, could we meet today to talk about it?]

"Today!? But it's Sunday!"

Machii had just returned from a beach trip on Sunday, and they had been conducting a decoy investigation for the stalker on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. She had thought they finally caught the stalker on Friday, but now she was receiving a call from a lawyer the very next day.

Machi was in a dilemma.

Last night, she had forcibly persuaded Ezuki-san to stay over because she was [scared and anxious].

"O Mrs! Why would you!"

Attorney Hikuni scolded his client's mother, who had resorted to violence.

"Hikuni-san I arranged this meeting after considering your request. But to treat us like this? Is this not assault?"

"Well um, this is"

"Ruri, please Call the police, and we'll file a report"

"Alright! I'll run to the police station and be right back! (Dash!)"

Taking in Machi's intentions, Ruri quickly runs out of the hotel and heads for the police box.

"Se, Serai-san! Excuse me for the moment today! I will apologize again later, so for today! Ma'am!"

"Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~! (thrashing)

"No, you can't! (smack)

"Wait a moment! Please Hikuni-san! And you, Ma'am! The police are on their way!"

"At a later time! We'll apologize properly later!"

Leaving behind Machi with her bleeding cheek, Attorney Hikuni, and the stalker's mother hastily departed as if fleeing. Left alone, Machi received a thinly veiled sarcastic comment from a hotel staff member who told her to [Leave if you're going to cause a commotion].

"So, that's what happened."

"I see"

I sat next to Serai-san in my room, sipping on a canned chuhai as she recounted what happened today.

When I returned home at night and climbed the stairs, I saw a figure crouching in the dark corridor. It turned out to be Serai-san, who had a plastic shopping bag and was squatting in front of my door.

As I was asking, [Is something wrong?], I welcomed her into the room. I respected her preference not to make direct eye contact while talking, so we both sat side by side at the table, and I listened to Serai-san's story.

"It was such an awful feeling"

Well, of course, it would be. She had almost been attacked by the stalker the night before, and the next day, she was confronted by the stalker's mother.

Glancing at Serai-san's profile, I noticed a band-aid on her cheek. She got scratched by the stalker's mother's nails during the confrontation.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Holding a can of lemon sour in her hands, Serai-san drank it slowly and intermittently, looking at me with an uneasy expression. She was probably referring to her decision not to settle.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Serai-san. Both the stalker and his mother were just imposing their selfishness on you. You don't need to worry about humanitarianism or morality in dealing with someone like that."

"But if I think about how someone said, [This could affect someone's entire life]."

Ah, they must have said something like, [he deeply regrets it], [So he doesn't want to tarnish his future], [so let's settle this amicably]."

"Life is important, of course. But this time, your precious life was at risk. The culprit had a hidden knife and was trying to break into your room. You got threatened with a knife, and there was even a possibility of being silenced to prevent you from talking. You don't need to be concerned about humanitarianism or morality when you are facing a situation like that. That's what I think."

"I thought the same way, but then this happened"

Serai-san poked the band-aid on her cheek with her fingers, showing it to me. It seemed that she was more shocked by the actions of the stalker's mother than the stalker himself.

Hmm.

There is a neurotransmitter called [oxytocin]. It's often referred to as the [happiness and affection hormone], and it's believed that people who have higher levels of this neurotransmitter tend to be happier and more affectionate individuals.

However, on the flip side, some research suggested that people with higher levels of oxytocin secretion tend to display [higher aggression when the target of their affection gets harmed]. Well, that's probably where the source of the hero's anger comes from most of the time.

The stalker's mother likely let her emotions run wild, driven by the desire to protect her son, and attacking Serai-san. It's interesting how oxytocin, a hormone associated with happiness and affection, can paradoxically increase a person's aggression when their loved ones get harmed.

"The mother wanted to protect her son. I can understand those feelings. But her actions were extremely emotional. As a result, she harmed you. If both the son and the mother realize their actions were wrong, isn't it okay for you to pursue legal action? You already reported it to the police, right?"

"Well, that's true"

"In that case, don't worry about what others say. You should do what you want. If they claim that [he deeply regrets it], then [fully admitting one's guilt and accepting the punishment] should be the true sign of [regret]. That's what I think."

"Talking to Ezuki-san made me feel a lot calmer"

"I see, that's good."

When Serai-san calls me by my last name instead of Master' it usually means she's quite serious.

"It's good that I have Naruto-san by your side"

(Huh!?)

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I looked at Serai-san, who was sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest. She called my name and rested her head against my shoulder.

Uh, what's with this situation?

S-Serai-san, please stop! You're going to make me fall for you!!




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