The night was long for them, yet even so, when the morning came, they appeared as if nothing had happened. It might be weird, but as Shizuku came to this world, she could feel her body grow stronger. What helped her recover faster was Suzuki's penthouse and food.
Suzuki had checked before, and it seemed that his food could boost his status stats, and his penthouse also enhanced the recovery of those who stayed inside.
"...your ability is so cheating."
Shizuku didn't want to return to her room and stayed on his bed, not wanting to wake up. No, the thought of leaving his penthouse never crossed her mind, especially when she thought of how the world was.
"I don't mind, but what will Kaori do?"
If Shizuku wanted to stay at his place, Suzuki didn't mind, as he could think of ways to make her stay, but when Kaori came into the equation, how could Shizuku react?
"....."
"...I will wake up."
Shizuku sighed, but even if she felt reluctant, her body was as fresh as ever. Suzuki's nurture had kept her body in optimal condition, but her mind wasn't in the right state, as she still needed to adjust, especially after being summoned to another world.
Yet while she had Suzuki, what about Kaori?
As for the rest, if Shizuku had to say, she didn't pay much attention. It was cold, but she knew that to maintain this penthouse skill was expensive. Only a limited number of people could enjoy it, and it was either "them" or "everyone."
If "everyone" knew that Suzuki had this ability, they would likely corner him and tell him to share it with "everyone." Shizuku knew well the toxic culture of her original world, as in many cases, people tended to sacrifice for the majority, or rather, there was even a saying, "the hammer that sticks out will be hammered."
At this moment, Suzuki's strength was still limited. He needed a certain level of leverage, authority, and power to protect himself, so he had to stay low-key in his situations and, until that time, remain invisible as the team's vital logistics.
"Let me help you."
Suzuki, who saw his girlfriend having trouble putting on her clothes, dutifully helped her as he squeezed her body several times, as he knew that she was exhausted and needed a "good" massage.
"Should I say thank you?"
Shizuku rolled her eyes, but she was happy that he loved her.
"But, what are you planning to do?"
Suzuki, who sat behind Shizuku, trying her long hair into a ponytail, knew that he shouldn't tell about his ruthless plans to make everyone in this country be in debt to him, so that they would be leashed by him. Instead, he said, "I am thinking of buying a guild."
"...buying a guild?" Shizuku looked at her boyfriend, dumbfounded. "Seriously?"
"You can think of it like how a modern person buys a company. At our home, there are even many CEOs who are at a young age, right?
"...that's the modern world. What world do you think this is?"
"It's the same." Suzuki didn't think that there was a difference. "If there is a difference, it is the information, since unlike our world, where we can know everything from the media, we can hardly get information in this place, and I am not even sure whether the kingdom tells us the truth or not, so I need a good source of information, which is why, I might either buy, create, or work on the guild."
"I think work is better."
It wasn't realistic to buy a guild, Shizuku thought.
"Yeah."
Suzuki nodded and didn't argue with Shizuku, since he knew that in a week, everything would change. Still, as they were preparing to leave and left the room, they were stunned when they saw someone in front of his place.
"Kaori?"
"Shizuku?"
Kaori, who was about to knock on his door, was stunned when she saw Shizuku and Suzuki staying together.
D-Did they sleep together?
While Shizuku panicked, Suzuki faced Kaori calmly. "You came at the right time. She is about to call you after she comes to my place, and we will come to your place together. Have you eaten?"
"Ah, um, not yet. I wanted to go to Shizuku before, but it seemed she went to visit you first."
Kaori wanted to say "stay" to Shizuku, but in the end, she changed it so Shizuku visited his place instead, because she felt... she shouldn't open her best friend's heart.
Still, how could she tell that Shizuku stayed at his place?
It was because Shizuku couldn't properly hide how healthy and beautiful her complexion was, having been thoroughly loved by her boyfriend.
Yet Kaori couldn't help but feel a little miserable, as her mind was in a constant panic, and she didn't know what to do. The future was bleak, and it was impossible to tell what would happen.
Kouki was too mindless, and he just went straight as he said to everyone, "Everything will be okay!"
Then, what about Nagumo?
The boy that Kaori thought of as kind, and had a certain strength that was different from others?
If they were in their original world, Kaori would stick to Nagumo, but in this world?
She needed a sense of peace, and Suzuki was the only one who could give it to her.
"Suzuki-kun... what do you think will happen to us?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Yes, for now, as long as we follow the instructions, we're going to be stronger, so nothing is going to happen." Suzuki looked at Kaori and said, "I know that it might be hard to believe me, but I will think of a way."
Kaori stared at Suzuki for a while as she tried to hold back the feelings about to overflow, then thanked him sincerely with a gentle, sweet smile, "Thank you, Suzuki-kun."
"It's fine. You are Shizuku's best friend, after all."
"Um." Shizuku nodded. "I will protect you, too, Kaori."
There were many people in the class, yet without a doubt, for Kaori, the side of Shizuku and Suzuki was the one that gave her peace.
Yet, without a doubt, Kaori felt a bit weird at how good the scent of the two was. It was like... they wore clothes that were just fresh out of the laundry?
It felt weird, but it was hard to ask, as they quickly regrouped with everyone. Meld came early as usual, telling them to prepare for the training, but Suzuki didn't join, as it was just a waste of time for him. Instead, he toured around the castle, walking around until he went to visit various places, from the library to the accounting room.
"Oh?"
Suzuki smiled as he entered, hoping to see something interesting inside.