The second floor of the Seedle Teahouse, where I was fast becoming a regular. The Red Room.
You're not supposed to become a regular on the second floor, though.
Across from me, Megadia sat in her usual lackadaisical sprawl.
Long, lustrous black hair in a princess cut. Purple eyes, and easily close to 190 centimeters tall.
Always in gothic lolita outfits — blackish-purple with hints of white.
Her frilly skirt had slits in it, showing bare legs.
Today too — black with a purple lining. Same color scheme as a witch. Wonder if that's the trend.
She had purple eyes. She was of the Edda — a noble race.
Megadia Megalopolis was her real name.
And the unfortunate truth was that Hayarn was her ancestor... Ah.
"Ah."
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"Nah, it's nothing."
I can't exactly tell her: "Your ancestor. I found him lying there among a bunch of completely naked men."
And I absolutely cannot say: "Also, that rabbit — he's one of the naked men's companions."
So I'll just forget about it. Farewell, Hayarn.
"Still, I'm glad we got to meet. It's my treat, so help yourself."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I've got money."
"Well then, I'll take you up on that."
It would be rude to refuse in a situation like this. I order a large butter rice and lemonade.
She asked if that was all I wanted, but it was more than enough.
The table in front of her was lined with bottles of alcohol. There was even an extra-large ale mug in the mix.
As always, she loves her drinks. And she can put away enough to put even Agaro to shame.
Megadia swirled the red wine in her glass.
She drank slowly. Our eyes happened to meet.
"Oh my, being stared at like that makes me blush."
"S-Sorry."
"Fufu, it's been a while since we met up here like this…"
"It has."
That was when I was with Pakira.
It was only a few months ago, but it already feels like forever, and I was pretty nervous back then.
Now I can talk to her easily. Funny how that works.
"But this is the first time it's just the two of us, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, it is."
For some reason, Megadia's eyes grew soft and dewy.
Something stirred in my chest. I had no idea her purple eyes could look this captivating when they glistened.
Right. Now's the perfect time.
"Megadia. Actually, there's something I've been wanting to give you."
"What is it?"
"Um, could you hold out your hand for me?"
"Like this?"
She immediately and obediently held out her hand. Pure white, long and slender—an arm and hand so delicate.
Her fingernails were painted a vivid red manicure. The color of wine. Wine red, maybe.
Megadia's lipstick was red too.
"Red... do you like it?"
"Yes, I do. I'm fond of black and red."
After a moment's thought, I slipped the bracelet onto her outstretched wrist.
It was a bracelet with a black gemstone set into a band of red.
"What do you think?"
"It's lovely. Are you sure?"
"Yes. I mean, you've been looking after me, and I'm sorry about that. Because of me, Hiyarn—"
When I said that, Megadia let out a wry, hard-to-read smile.
"Wof's fault?"
"I'm the one who caused all of that."
"I see. But even so, it's not Wof's fault. I mean, I was shocked that my ancestor turned into a rabbit, but that's not something you did wrong. And I don't dislike things like that, actually. So don't worry about it."
As she spoke, she looked down at the bracelet. A soft, pleased laugh.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Here—I really love it."
"I'm glad."
"Wof, you've got a good eye for gifts."
"I have to thank the street vendor for that."
Seriously, gratitude to that vendor.
"But it still takes good taste to pick the right thing."
"Thank you..."
I get a little flustered at the compliment. Just then, our order arrived.
I got a large serving of butter rice and a lemonade.
Megadia-san ordered a platter with five types of sausage, smoked cheese, and fermented fish pickles.
Yep. Bar snacks.
Let's dig in.
I scoop up a spoonful of vegetables, meat, and butter rice and eat.
Yeah, this is good. Butter rice. I've always loved this taste.
The butter rice at 'The Cider House' is rice that's been lightly stir-fried, with butter placed on top.
Then there are vegetables, meat, and a special sauce.
You stir-fry the cooked rice with the vegetables and meat, place the butter on top, and drizzle on the special sauce.
The basic way to eat it is to let the heat of the rice melt the butter, mixing it all with the sauce and rice.
This butter rice.
The model for it is the butter rice I remember from a coffee shop in my past life.
I worked really hard to recreate that taste as best I could, and somehow managed to get it to a flavor I was satisfied with.
The special sauce took a lot of effort.
Eating it brings back memories. From when I was a university student in my past life.
Every year, I worked part-time at that coffee shop only during summer.
The staff meal could be chosen from the shop's menu, but I always went with nothing but this butter rice.
Come to think of it, a junior co-worker once said something to me.
—Hey. Don't you ever get tired of eating the same staff meal every single time?
She said it with a mischievous grin.
............
What strange twist of fate. I'm eating it again in a completely different world. If I could tell her that...
"Looks like you're enjoying it."
"Huh?"
"You were smiling while you ate, you know."
Pointing that out, Megadia popped some smoked cheese into her mouth.
Somehow, I felt embarrassed. Megadia smiled at me like a goddess.
"Being able to eat something you love with a smile on your face — that's true happiness, isn't it?"
Y-Yes.
"That kind of person... I like you."
Huh?
Fufufufu, this is fun.
Yes.
Then we just had normal small talk.
The topics varied.
Dependent.
About Pakira, who had been one. About me.
Come to think of it, I wondered whether Megadia had watched my fight with Arveld.
She was bound by secrecy, so she wouldn't bring it up, but I was a little curious.
Still, I felt like it would be somehow wrong to bring it up myself.
So instead, I talked about them.
"Munieka and Narcissus... So you met those two."
"Yeah. Do you know them?"
"Mhm. They're both from the Six Houses, same as me."
"Oh right, come to think of it, they are."
The Six Houses of Edda — the oldest and most authoritative lineages in Edda.
Narcissus, Munieka, and Megadia all belonged to the Six Houses.
"Especially Narcissus's Utopia family — they're special, a temple house. They worship Edda's god Generas. You must know, right? The color of her hair."
"Purple... 'The Second Coming of Generas'?"
"Yes. But these days, nobody really knows what that second coming is supposed to mean."
"What do you mean?"
"Ask her yourself. You have the right to hear it from her."
"Understood."
And that was the end of that.
I was the one who brought up Munieka and Narshesis.
It was to make it easier for her to ask me whatever she wanted to ask.
But even though she noticed, she didn't ask. Even though she saw through my intentions.
If she was fine with it, I wouldn't push the matter.
I finished eating right around then. Phew. Thanks for the meal.
"You cleaned your plate, huh."
"Yes. I'm stuffed. Thank you very much."
"That's fine. But say, if you're feeling grateful, could you come over here for a second?"
"Hm?"
"Come on, is that okay?"
"O-Okay."
What was this about?
I stood up, and the moment I approached Megadia, she grabbed my arm.
She yanked me toward her, and — thf — something incredibly soft pressed against my face and head.
This was... Megadia's... no wait — Megadia was lying sprawled on the sofa.
I'd landed on top of her, draped over her body, looking for all the world like I'd tackled her down.
"Fufu, oh my, I may have overdone the prank a little more than I intended."
Megadia's cheeks were faintly flushed. Her violet eyes gleamed with a deep shimmer.
The reflection of me in those eyes looked like it could be [Generous].
"Wah!?"
I was suddenly crushed in a tight embrace by both her arms. Megadia's face, which had been right in front of me, wavered.
She shifted to the side, and something warm and wet brushed against my neck.
"Fufufu, a mark from me. I left it on you."
Her tongue slid smoothly across my skin. It was like a living thing.
My throat let out an audible gulp without my permission.
"A m-mark...?"
"It's a kiss mark."
"Huh...?"
"A thank-you for the bracelet."
"A thank-you...?"
Megadia gave an enchanting smile and released me.
Feeling a little wistful, I straightened up and stepped away from the sofa.
"That was so much fun. Let's meet again."
I gave a small nod at Megadia's words as she stayed lying down.
My heart was pounding like crazy.
——————————————————————————————————
Everyone. How are you doing? Are you all well?
It's already June. I'm doing great today, too.
Thank you as always for reading.
Now then, everyone.
I have some sudden news about the book release.
The label will be SQEX Novel.
Yes, that Square Enix.
The illustrator will be Kawamura Una.
Thank you so much.
You can find the book information on the SQEX Novel top page.
It's quietly listed under the "New releases scheduled for next month" section.
"Just Living My Decent Dungeon Life — SQEX Novel"
If you search for that, it'll come up right at the top.
Further details, including illustrations and other follow-up information, will be released in stages, so please look forward to it.
Thank you for your continued support.
With that in mind, in celebration of the book release announcement, I'd be truly grateful if you could leave a star rating — it would really encourage me. Hehehehehe.
If anyone reading this thought, "Oh right, I haven't left a star yet," and clicks that star, I'll be over the moon.
Reader star ratings are the greatest source of motivation for writing.
I hope you'll continue to support me going forward.