CH 89

Armor

An hour has passed since I contacted Masa-san.

I came to the Trans’ entrance because Masa-san accepted my request for the production of protective gear, and he said he would take my measurements right now.

I asked the receptionist to call Masa-san, just as I had done the last time I came here, and as I waited, a person as intense as ever came toward me, holding his hands to his cheeks and wriggling them.

“Irasshai~ Kaede-kun~!”

“Mm, hi Masa-san. I’m looking forward to working with you today.”

“Oh, no. Call me Masa-chan~ Kaede-kun, follow me~.”

Masa-san said that and headed for the elevator again with that unique way of walking, so I followed him into the elevator so I wouldn’t be left behind.

“Come to think of it, Kaede-kun. When you came here last time, you said you’ll take the Silver exam. How was it? Did you pass?”

Masa-san seemed to have remembered that I had told him I’ll take the Silver exam when I came here before, and he mentioned it to me.

“Yes. I managed to pass it successfully.”

I answered while showing Masashi the silver-colored explorer certificate I had obtained from the [Item Box].

“Oh my~ it’s true. I’m sure you’ll be able to call yourself a silver explorer now, Kaede. Congratulations~.”

“Ha ha ha. Thank you very much.”

I appreciate it.

So, please stop approaching me with that twitching! Please!

Despite this personal crisis, I managed to arrive at Masa-san and his team’s office and got off the elevator safely.

“Yes, we’ve arrived. Then please wait here for a moment. I’ll bring the tools we’ll use right away.”

“Okay.”

“Nuh-uh. Then practice calling me Masachan while you wait~”

“No, I’ll refrain from doing that.”

“I can’t take it anymore~”

Then, Masa-san went away again with a kink, leaving behind words that made it hard to tell whether he was joking or serious.

“You’re still a man who’s dense in many ways.”

He’s muttering something like that, I stand there and wait for Masa-san to come back.

I stood there and waited for Masa-san to come back. Then, after waiting for a while to observe the people working, Masa-san came with two measuring instruments, a ballpoint pen, and a clipboard.

“Sorry to keep you waiting – well, before I take your measurements, I’ll first ask you to tell me what kind of thing you want to make. Well, let’s talk about that while we sit down. Kaede-kun. Please follow me.”

“Understood.”

And then, I walked behind Masashi who started walking again and came to a place like a reception room with a glass-walled sofa and a desk.

“Come in. Please sit there for now.”

Masa-san put the things he was carrying on a nearby table and urged me to sit on the sofa.

Then, I’ll take your word for it.

“Excuse me………”

“Yes. Please come in – so? What kind of protective gear do you want, Kaede-kun?”

I told him I wanted something like this to be made, showing him the tattered leather armor I had been wearing while I was diving in the dungeon.

Then Masa-san listened to me and started to write letters one after another on the clipboard.

His expression was serious, without any of his usual playfulness, as he concentrated solely on his work.

“I see. After all, it can’t be helped that diving in dungeons inevitably leaves you in tatters, can it?”

“That’s right. Compared to when I was an explorer, I’m much better now, but I can’t avoid wide-ranging attacks.”

“Is this what happened?”

“Yes. …… Can you manage it?”

“Of course. If I don’t make Kaede-kun’s perfect armor, I’ll get scolded~!”

To whom? I want to stick with it, but I dare to go through there.

“But… well. The armor’s requirements are it’s tough enough to avoid being attacked as much as possible, but it’s light enough to protect the entire body. Or, even if you’re attacked, it’ll protect only the vital points. Is it okay to use armor like that?”

“Yes, that’s right. I would like that to be the case if possible.”

To sum up, what Masa-san said, means to avoid taking damage as much as possible and to never got hit in the vital points.

Well, my defense status has not grown much, so if I don’t raise my defense even a little, I may die from a single blow.

“So, leather armor …… hmmm.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Well, Kaede-kun, I’m sure you’d prefer leather armor no matter what. ……”

“What’s the problem ……?”

“Uh~n. It’s not like it’s a problem~ Hey, Kaede-kun. I’d like to talk to you about something. ……”

Masa-san cut off his words once, looked me in the eye, and continued.

“……Will you stop wearing leather armor?”

“…… Eh?”