“Huh? Isn’t this a ‘Communication Ring’?”
To break the awkward air that had settled due to the marriage talk, I pointed at the ring I found with a slightly exaggerated attitude.
A “Communication Ring,” as its name suggests, is a ring used to talk with people in distant locations.
While that might sound like a convenient item, it’s not very useful for long-distance conversations with NPCs, and besides, the AI of NPCs didn’t have the thought patterns to use it.
This item was probably created when “Nekoneko” was being developed as an MMO.
I knew of its existence, but I never used it in the game. However, in this world where NPCs have become real people, it might be possible to utilize it effectively.
“Do you know how to use this?”
When I asked the shopkeeper, they kindly explained.
Apparently, you register by placing your finger on the gem of the “Communication Ring” and speaking a name. Then, another person wears it, thinks of the registered person’s appearance, and calls their name to establish communication.
There might be another activation method using an “Order,” but it should be fine.
As a test, I said my name and handed it to Ena.
Ena put on the ring on her index finger and called my name.
“Um… Hello, Soma-san?”
Then, even though she was several meters away, Ena’s voice sounded as if she were speaking right next to my ear.
Yeah, that’s good.
But what about when I speak from this side?
I was about to ask the shopkeeper about it when I said,
“Excuse me. From this side…”
“Kya?!”
Before I could even finish asking, I found the answer.
Ena was holding her ears and looking surprised.
It seemed that during communication, all my words were being heard right by her ear.
“Th-this feels strange. Soma-san’s voice is coming in double.”
Ena’s voice was also being heard from right beside my ear, and from her mouth.
It’s subtly inconvenient, or rather, a bit ticklish.
I lowered my voice so as not to agitate Ena too much.
“Um, this…”
“Hih!”
It seemed to have the opposite effect.
Ena let out a small scream and jumped up.
Incidentally, that scream was also heard by my ear, which felt strange.
In fact, it felt like I was engaged in some kind of bizarre play.
I never expected to be in such a pinch over a mere “Communication Ring.”
What am I supposed to do?
“How do I stop this communication?”
I asked the shopkeeper, seeking a solution.
This time, since I was speaking in a normal voice, Ena managed to hold back.
Or rather, perhaps trying desperately to suppress her scream, Ena’s ragged breathing could be heard beside my ear.
It was extremely uncomfortable.
It’s my own fault for not listening to the end of the explanation, but I want to know how to stop it as soon as possible.
The shopkeeper looked troubled by my expectant gaze.
“Actually, once you start a communication, there’s no way to stop it.”
“Ehh?!”
“Eeeh?!”
We both screamed simultaneously and writhed in agony simultaneously.
This is too much.
“Th-then, does this mean… forever…?”
The shopkeeper shook their head apologetically at my barely audible concern.
“No, that’s unlikely.
However, I forgot to mention…”
“Hm?”
Judging by their tone, there must be a solution.
But why are they looking so troubled?
“Actually, these rings are disposable and break after three minutes of communication.”
With a *clack*, I turned around to see what had been a ring falling from Ena’s finger.
–Huh? Do I have to pay for this?
Fortunately, I was spared compensation by purchasing another “Communication Ring.”
Of course, it was our fault for trying it out immediately, but the shopkeeper had forgotten to explain beforehand, or rather, because the item had so few buyers, they had forgotten until just before that it would break when used.
I thought it was a convenient item, but perhaps its unpopularity from the game era carried over.
For a hidden gem, it was an affordable price at 1000 E each. Despite the accident, it could be said to be a good purchase.
The shop also wasn’t losing much, as they sold an item that hadn’t sold at all.
I registered myself with the purchased “Communication Ring” and handed it to Ena again.
“Thank you.
Then I’ll keep this safely in my bag.”
Ena didn’t put it on immediately, but said that and put it in her bag.
I was surprised, but Ena said sheepishly,
“Because, if I call your name while thinking of you, Soma-san, it’ll become like what happened earlier.
…If I wear it, I’ll probably break it again soon.”
“R-really? Th-then, that’s probably for the best.”
Does that mean she’s always thinking of me?
Unlike her earlier remark about marriage, this one seemed to have no ulterior motive, which is why it struck me a little.
“A-ah, Ena.
You shouldn’t say things like that so casually.
It could be misunderstood…”
However, Ena laughed it off.
“What are you saying, Soma-san?
There’s no way I’d say something like this to anyone other than you, Soma-san.”
“Eh? Ah, well… yeah.”
I was surprised for a moment, thinking she might have confessed, but Ena showed no sign of wavering.
This means she had no ulterior motive at all, and was simply implying, “There’s no way I’d have anyone else to talk to aside from you, lonely as I am.”
To think that she could deliver a line with more impact when there’s no hidden meaning than when she’s intentionally trying to seduce. She’s not to be underestimated.
As I trembled at the appearance of this unexpected formidable opponent,
“But, thank you very much.
This is the first time a guy has given me something like this.
I’ll treasure it forever!”
“Ah, yeah…”
Ena continued her assault.
This probably also means, “I have no friends, so this is the first time I’ve received anything from anyone other than my mother,” but even knowing that, it still hit me.
I should really be saying, “No, use it properly,” but I ended up just going along with it.
This girl is dangerous.
The current her is not Train-chan.
The current Ena is, so to speak…
–a Heroine-chan!!
After that, the Heroine-chan’s momentum was tremendous.
Since we were going all out, I equipped as much as possible: one pendant around my neck, two bracelets as I discovered I could wear them on both arms, and rings on all ten fingers, for a total of thirteen accessories. This made me look like a flashy guy.
Especially my hands, which bore ten rings in a world where only two can be worn, I wanted to hide them, when suddenly,
“Here, if you’d like.”
She casually offered me gloves.
After that, I went to the magic shop I hadn’t had a chance to visit before, and I ended up impulse-buying all the magic books on display.
As I sighed at the dwindling contents of my wallet,
“Um, shall we go to the ‘Trial Cave’?
I also want to level up a bit more.”
She subtly thought of ways to help me make money.
There was no trace of the troublemaker I met the first time.
I wouldn’t say she’s a reliable partner yet, but I was certainly starting to find Ena very helpful.
Perhaps by not being alone anymore, she had grown mentally and her hidden ‘consideration’ skill had blossomed.
Ena’s stock price keeps rising.
Maybe she really is a Heroine-chan.
After finishing our shopping, we went to the ‘Trial Cave’ and went through “Train” twice, earning levels and money for Ena.
Though not as much as last time, Ena’s level rose to 72, and we earned about 60,000 E.
I received half, 30,000 E, and by chance, another wakizashi dropped from an Armored Knight, which I also took.
Even though the “Train” doesn’t happen without me, I felt a bit guilty taking so much without doing anything myself, but
“Please don’t worry about it.
I would never have thought of earning money like this if it weren’t for you, Soma-san.”
She reassured me.
Heroine-chan, truly a heroine.
As we sold the drop items, it was getting late.
Ena was going to her house again, so we decided to part ways.
“Well then, we’ll part ways here for now.”
“Yes. But I feel like I’m forgetting something.”
“Forgetting something?”
But I was sure I hadn’t forgotten to buy anything, and I hadn’t left anything behind in the ‘Trial Cave’.
“Ah, I’m sorry.
It’s probably nothing!
Well then, see you!”
“Yeah, see you.”
With a natural demeanor, we made plans to meet again.
This was something I couldn’t have imagined just a day ago.
“Alright, I guess I have to work a bit harder too!”
As soon as I parted ways with Ena, I started walking towards the outskirts of town.
And that night,
–Gogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogo……
“Um, could you please be a little quieter?”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”
Through training at the church, I raised my “Step” proficiency and my movement-related skills, mastering “Jump,” “High Step,” and “High Jump.”
“Alright!”
Glancing at Marielle-san’s resentful gaze, I struck a victory pose.
I won’t say this is thanks to Heroine-chan, but it was a productive day.
And so, after another night had passed, it was the fifth day of my game life.
“Good morning!”
I was refreshed by the smile of Heroine-chan, who arrived first thing in the morning.
Of course, I intend to part ways with her when I leave Ramur Town, but until then, I might as well cherish the good fortune of meeting her.
And then, immediately after having that thought.
I was about to be reminded.
That Ena Trail, this girl, is a “Train-chan” through and through.
“–You are Soma?”
The new disaster she brought with her was in the form of a beautiful, black-haired woman.
