A month has passed since the PV discussion.
During that time, I had naturally continued to challenge dungeons as part of my work, clearing floors.
Adding the PV filming job, which could be considered a spice to the dungeon攻略 that had become our everyday life, was quite a fresh experience.
Personally, I had been wary since the PV talk began, sensing something might be up, but my peaceful everyday life continued as if my feelings were being ignored.
The other testers who approached me when Kaido and I went drinking haven’t been heard from since.
It might sound strange to call this period peaceful while fighting in dungeons every day, but with only occasional abductions by instructors for their drinking parties, I think this past month was sufficiently peaceful for me.
At least, mentally, it was peaceful.
My cohabitation with Suella, Memoria, and Himik is also going smoothly.
This must be what they call smooth sailing.
Looking back, I’ve been through stormy days since joining the company.
Having lived through such days, I think it’s fine to take a short break now.
“Camera one, OK!”
“Camera two! Position higher in the sky!”
“Camera three! Not there, more to the right! Don’t enter the magic range!”
“Are the summoning circles for the monster extras ready?!”
“Five minutes left!”
“Too slow! Two minutes!”
Even if the scene in front of me was a chaotic film set.
Demons, Dark Elves, Giants, Lizardmen, and Beastkin – various members of the Demon Lord’s Army, busy amidst the hustle and bustle, not only moved around but also utilized the vertical space, floating themselves with magic and moving freely as they prepared for filming with equipment in hand.
I found myself in the midst of such a day.
While handling my normal operations, we had successfully moved forward with the PV project and finally reached the shooting date.
There were times when I felt like a movie actor, discussing details and coordinating with the demon director, but the tasks themselves were no different from my usual work.
All I had to do was spectacularly defeat the enemies.
With the understanding that the work was for the public, the task content was no different from usual, and without any pressure, I calmly waited for the filming preparations to finish, drinking coffee and checking for any loose fasteners on my armor by the side of the set.
“S-senpai, is there anything strange about me? I think I prepared properly today!”
“S-since my stomach hurts, can I go home? Seriously.”
“Um, the magic sequence is to cast a basic spell, then prepare a great magic…”
“I’m here, and then what should I do next?”
“Jump onto the enemy’s back. And my name is Mike. Don’t forget.”
“…uh…”
However, it seems I’m the only one who thinks this will naturally become relaxed.
Looking at the full party members who have gathered in response to Kaido’s call.
Even at a glance, I could tell the state of the Party Members.
If you were to ask about their condition, I’d say it’s worse than ever before.
Not physically, but mentally.
Kaido, for the umpteenth time, requested an equipment check.
Following him, Minami clutched her stomach, her face pale, and declared her full refusal to participate.
Behind them, Kitamiya, seeking perfection, had been checking the script repeatedly.
As if forming the backdrop to them, small shadows flitted around.
Amelia, trying to engrain her role into her body right before the performance, had been flying around the edge of the set.
Midway, she would stop dead, a question mark seemingly appearing above her head, but Mike, her guardian spirit, would provide instructions for the next action.
And Katsu, who seemed the most composed, had been alternately standing and sitting.
Overall assessment.
Everyone is incredibly tense.
I never thought that those who could usually approach dungeons with a moderate amount of tension and relaxation would become so flustered.
I had assumed they’d have some room to enjoy themselves…
I doubt this will actually allow for filming.
I had repeatedly told them beforehand that things wouldn’t go according to script and they could just fight as usual, but they’ve been affected by the peculiar atmosphere here.
“Calm down, Kaido. There’s no need to show off. Just fight more spectacularly than usual. Then this job is done.”
“I-I know that, but… you know, thinking about it being recorded on video makes me nervous. Or rather, why are you so calm, Senpai?”
“In the extreme, it’s just being filmed fighting. Besides, it’s better than fighting the instructors.”
“Ah, thinking about it that way, I do feel a bit relieved.”
“Shetcha finds the content difficult to empathize with, however.”
In such a situation, I most certainly would have been nervous in the past, but unfortunately, my standard for nervousness has been distorted by the experiences I’ve accumulated since joining the company.
Thanks to that, I’ve become uncharacteristically unperturbed by anything less than extreme.
You might understand if I say my daily judgment standard has become whether or not my life is on the line, which is an absurd standard for everyday life.
This filming only involves summoning and defeating Soul Monsters, and the information on the monsters to be defeated is already available.
There’s practically no chance of failure.
If this filming were a battle with the instructors, I wouldn’t be relaxing like this now; I’d be sharpening my senses and desperately trying to find a way to survive.
Ultimately, I’d probably resign myself to it, but it’s certain I’d be considering tactics with an escape route in mind.
Who would willingly jump into a fight for death that isn’t necessary?
“Geez, you guys, pay attention!”
However, this is just the mindset I can have because I’ve accumulated more non-everyday experiences than anyone else since joining the company. It’s strange to expect the same from them, who haven’t accumulated such experience.
To make them resign themselves to it, I clap my hands once, gathering the attention of the Party Members.
“Alright, everyone, what we’re about to do is an extension of what we normally do. Actually, it’s an easier job than usual since we’re not even risking our lives. If we fail, we can redo it. I won’t tell you to discard your nervousness, but go into it with a relaxed attitude.”
Although my tone is serious, at the very end, I break my expression and force a wry smile.
“If anything, to induce tension in a different direction, should I ask the filming staff to prepare an NG compilation for after we’re done? Having a party with that as a snack wouldn’t be bad either.”
Humans can feel nervous just from the thought of possibly failing.
This nervousness can stem from challenging something for the first time, or from a lack of experience due to not having been in many situations.
While seriously encouraging them is not a bad approach for such nervousness, it can sometimes increase it.
Therefore, I deliberately said that failure is acceptable, and then joked a little to ease their tension.
While presenting this as a facade, I mixed in my genuine curiosity to see the NG compilation.
“I’ll never do it!! Recording my black history and showing it off!! Is this public execution?!”
“Min-chan, you’re lucky! If I mess up, that information might reach the girl I like!”
As expected, they all showed a brief expression of relief, but the two who would likely react the most responded with surprising enthusiasm.
These are probably the two who are most likely to fail within this party.
So I expected good reactions from them, and as anticipated, that’s what I got. And if they give me reactions like this…
“Well, basically, we just need to not fail. Unlike them.”
“Is that so? I’m a little worried, though.”
“You’ll be fine. In a pinch, your spirit inhabiting you will take care of it, won’t it?”
“You say ‘spirit’ so cruelly. Can’t it be at least a guardian spirit?”
“Have you ever protected Amī even a little?”
“In terms of knowledge, yes.”
“A guardian spirit isn’t very useful without physical defense, is it?”
“Hmm, maybe I’ll try practicing attacking Undead next time.”
“Do that.”
“Hahaha, don’t do anything strange without me knowing, okay?”
Seeing this, some of them managed to calm down.
Kitamiya, who let out a sigh as if feeling foolish for being nervous, patted the shoulder of the slightly stiff Amelia next to her, easing her.
“Please.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Katsu also returned to his usual self, making more coffee, his “mom skills” activating.
Feeling that the atmosphere was now alright, I finally sat down on a chair, thinking I could relax, when a soft, fluttering sound was heard.
“Master, I’ve brought lunchboxes.”
“That’s early, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s also to escort Suella. So it’s natural for it to be early.”
“I’ve told you I’m fine.”
“Suella is pregnant, you know. It’s too late if something happens.”
“Himik, you’re a bit overprotective.”
It was Himik’s wings, a sound I’d grown accustomed to hearing over the past week. As expected, it was Himik, with her distinctive black wings. She held four stacked bento boxes in both hands, wearing more relaxed clothing behind her, and Suella followed. Even though a Fallen Angel appeared, no one was on guard; they even exchanged casual greetings. I was genuinely impressed by Himik’s personality, which had brought about such a scene.
I recall a certain day, shortly after bringing Himik home.
Initially, Himik had been withdrawn, but despite her fall from grace, she did not become lazy. On the contrary.
“Master, is there anything I can do?”
After a period of rest, Himik actively sought work within a few days, wanting to be of use.
It was as if an OL, a workaholic, didn’t know what to do on her day off and, bored, became engrossed in her work. But I could understand the feeling.
However, by then, we who lived together, myself, Suella, and Memoria, were a bit hesitant.
Even if it was public knowledge, allowing a Fallen Angel to roam around the company premises wasn’t ideal.
Letting Himik wander was, in a way, like letting a fierce beast out of its cage. In short, her current wandering, even if she was just taking a walk, could lead to trouble.
However, we also thought it was wrong to flatly dismiss Himik’s will.
“Then, how about housework?”
“Housework?”
Among our shared understanding that giving her some role would be fitting, Memoria made a suggestion.
“Yes, the three of us have work, so it would be helpful if you could manage this room.”
“I see! Then I accept!”
Perhaps even God himself hadn’t anticipated an angel doing such menial tasks.
Not a “divine decree,” but Memoria’s suggestion, which I also nodded to, led Himik to start doing housework from that day on.
Of course, initially, she was unable to do general housework like cleaning, cooking, or laundry, but utilizing her original diligence and the excellent specs of her body, she steadily improved, and now she’s better at housework than any of us.
Her improvement was so rapid that I once blurted out that she might have a talent for it.
“Is that true, Master!?”
“Ah, yes, I think so.”
“Is that so! Then I have to work even harder!”
“In moderation, though. Don’t overdo it, okay?”
“Yeah! I understand!”
Himik’s extreme joy, so much so that I could practically visualize her tail wagging like a dog’s, is a fresh memory. Cooking was completely Himik’s domain, in addition to cleaning, laundry, and ironing. In Himik’s room, cooking books were steadily increasing on the bookshelves, and sometimes I would go out and buy them.
However, Himik’s appearance gradually began to change.
Initially, she wore casual clothes like jeans and a t-shirt that were easy to move in, but after seeing a traditional Japanese outfit in a fashion magazine, she adopted a kappōgi (cooking apron) as her everyday wear.
“How is it, Master! Does it suit me?!”
“Ah, ah, it suits you, but what’s with that?”
“Memoria prepared it for me! In Japan, you wear this to clean, right?”
Seeing the Fallen Angel dressed in a light green kappōgi, I was unable to react, but Himik, who was happy to hear my compliment, didn’t notice. And seeing Himik happy, I couldn’t retort by asking if it was difficult to move in or if it wasn’t common. Well, I was convinced because it suited her.
It was natural for Himik to start making bento boxes. Even though we all had different workplaces, home was the same. So, Himik, wanting to be helpful even a little, started making bento boxes for us.
However, a slight problem arose here.
Making bento boxes required ingredients, and buying ingredients meant going out.
Initially, Memoria, who was closest to the shopping street, was in charge of shopping. Himik would buy the ingredients Memoria ordered and make bento boxes. That was the cycle, but here, I made a mistake.
I hadn’t had a bento box in a long time, and I forgot to take Himik’s bento. Himik noticed this and, using the reason that we were in the same building, tried to bring it to me outside.
While her intention was good and she had no malice, the problem was Himik’s species. Himik, who usually flew around with her wings out in her usual casual manner, happened to be present when staff carrying PV equipment caused a collapse.
At the critical moment when a major disaster was about to occur, Himik moved at high speed and supported the equipment, preventing its collapse. However, the sudden appearance of a Fallen Angel caused even more panic in the surroundings.
I was called to the scene and rushed over to find Himik sitting there, surrounded by people watching her warily, looking embarrassed, and doing nothing. Until I arrived, she had been subjected to countless gazes, yet she…
“I’m sorry, Master. I caused a commotion.”
She sat there, quietly, like a child who fears being scolded for their mistakes. She understood that if she did anything clumsy, the commotion would only escalate.
All I could do for Himik was to wholeheartedly explain the misunderstanding. That she had no ill intentions and had helped out of goodwill. That even if she was of the same kind as the treacherous angels from ancient tales, she had no such will now. And simply that she had tried to deliver the bento box I had forgotten.
Fortunately, the people carrying the equipment were acquaintances, and Himik’s actions were understood and accepted as well-intentioned.
That was probably the trigger. Rumors spread quickly, and before I knew it, Himik’s existence became widely known within the company. The fallen angel who delivered bento boxes. Thanks to those rumors, there was no more panic, and we were able to go shopping, although we still needed one of us to accompany us. First, it was the shopping street, then the people involved in the delivery routes, like me, Suella, and Memoria. And before I knew it…
“Hey! Young lady! Don’t you have any for us?”
“Hmm, I apologize, but I only made them for Master and the others. I’ll bring you something as a token next time.”
“Looking forward to it then!”
Combined with Himik’s natural innocence, she had completely blended in. The supervisor’s exasperation at this scene is something I, who received a reprimand, know best.
“Now, Master, please eat.”
In any case, I’m glad Himik has settled in.
Well then, before I get eaten by Kaido and the others, I’d better eat too.
Today’s Word: There are people you just can’t hate.
That’s all for this time. If you enjoyed it, please leave reviews, ratings, bookmarks, etc. I look forward to your continued support of this work.
