Chapter 203: Ongoing Suffering
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
I travelled with Pitee for about a week.
We did not stay airborne the entire time. After a full day of drifting through the skies, we came across an island and decided to settle there for the night. [1]
[1] A short exploration of the island soon revealed that it was once inhabited. The most useful thing we found was a small boat, which we decided to use since maintaining a <Barrier> drains my energy reserves by a lot.
Although travel would be slower, it would still be a safer option. The little boat required some repair, but it was fixable. [1] After that, we travelled by sea for the next few days until we were found by Hunters who had been sent out to look for us.
After that, we were swiftly transported to a settlement on Rocky Dog Mountain Floor to await my friends.
It seems like my companions had been dispersed across various floors in search of me. It took a bit of time to send messages across all the floors and get them to the actual people, so I won’t be reuniting with everyone at once.
The first set of people who greeted me were Karios and Gors, the gatekeepers of Clearflow Lake. After a swift greeting, they rushed back to their original floors. Apparently, they had a lot of work piling up since they took time off to look for me.
I’ll have to express my gratitude to them somehow. Maybe I’ll give them a substantial discount on their next purchase.
I spent two more days doing business on Rocky Dog Mountain Floors as a normal vending machine when the next set of friends appeared on the teleportation circle.
“Hakkoooooooon!”
Ramis raced towards me, her feet literally kicking up dust in a way that was shockingly familiar.
Should I put up a <Barrier>? This could well be a situation where a <Barrier> is justified… No, as her partner, I must receive this hug!
I must be someone who can fully embrace her feelings! [1]
Behind the thundering Ramis, I saw Hyurumi coming up much more slowly, a wry smile on her face.
The distance between me and Ramis disappeared in a flash as she threw herself into a flying tackle, arms outstretched.
The wind howled as Ramis sailed towards me with all the grace and force of a cannonball. Hang in there, my bodiii–!
“Eh, wh-whaaa—!!!??
Pitee suddenly slid between me and Ramis, her massive shield held aloft.
Ramis hit the shield with her canonball-like charge was immediately diverted, and sailing overhead and crashing into the sandy beach behind us.
By crash, I meant a serious crash… There was a crater marking Ramis’s landing place. Well, looks like I should increase my toughness before taking on one of Ramis’s flying tackle-hugs.
“Wh-why did you do that, Pitee!”
Ramis said as she crawled out from the crater.
Normally, the shy Pitee would be cowering behind her shield, but right now she fixed her eyes on her ‘opponent’ without backing down.
“You should… hug Hakkon more… gently or… he could be… in danger…”
Though I was glad she protected me, I wished she could have been more tactful. Ramis’s face clouded, and she looked down in a crestfallen way.
That’s because she knew how damaging her strength could be and had always tried to be mindful when interacting with others. That was why I wanted her to feel free to act as she liked whenever she was around me.
I also knew that Pitee was not scolding Ramis out of some kind of pettiness; she was really concerned for my safety.
“Ra-mis”
“Sorry, Hakkon. I was just so happy that, I…”
I really don’t want to see a depressed Ramis. Her vibrant smile is her best feature.
I transformed into my <Flower Vending Machine> form. Then, using <Telekinesis> I handed Ramis every single type of flower I have in my inventory.
When words fail, actions will have to suffice.
“Ho-me”
Ramis, who had been staring at me with her mouth agape, suddenly started to tear up, but her smile was as wide as the sea around us.
“Welcome back, Hakkon!”
Indeed, a smile suited her best. Sorry for worrying you.
“Oh, you got yourself something nice, eh, Ramis? Where’s mine, huh, Hakkon? I worried too, you know?” Hyurumi smirked at me half-jokingly, jabbing the side of my body with her fist.
“Ho-me”
I said.
I thought about what to give her. Flowers would be uninspired, what would make her really happy…
Well, there’s that form I had acquired for the orphanage children, but I never got to use it. Now is a good time as any.
I transformed myself into a <Capsule Toy Dispenser>.
Speaking of which, the name for this kind of toy dispenser varied depending on region and manufacturer. I had come across the term ‘Gacha’, ‘Gachagacha,’ or ‘Gashapon.’ Personally, like ‘Gachacacha’.
The fun thing about capsule toys lies in their variety of products. To be honest, some of the things offered were so bizarre I had to wonder who the target market was.
Speaking of which, although I am a vending machine enthusiast, I deliberately avoid most Gachagacha machines. Otherwise, I will find myself facing bankruptcy.
Still, there were a few items that caught my eye. Among them was a miniature toolset. For 200 yen, one could get a set of capsule-fit tools.
Why did I collect these, you ask? Well, that’s because I have a few miniature vending machines at home and thought that having these tiny tools next to them would complete the whole picture.
By the way, I also have a figure dressed in repairman overalls next to them.
Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. I extract five types of these miniature tools, still in their individual capsules, and hand them to Hyurumi.
“You’ve changed into another odd-looking form again. What’s this ball?” Hyurumi said, studying the capsule curiously.
Since she looked unsure, I used <Telekinesis> to open one of them for her.
“Oh? These are a type of tool, aren’t they? Mini versions, eh? Interesting! These look like they could be really useful. Thanks, Hakkon!”
She seems to like the gift, which is splendid.
I should think of other forms of thank-you gifts for all my friends who assisted in the search. As I meditated over my products and their recipients, I felt a nudge to my side.
Pitee was glaring at me with puffed-up cheeks.
“Miss Pi-tee”
“It’s just Pitee…”
Okay… what is it now?
“Aren’t you… going to give… Pitee… something…”
Ah, she must be feeling left out after seeing me giving presents to the other two ladies. Well, that’s fair. Let’s see, since Pitee likes sweets and flowers… well, I had already given out flowers, maybe some dessert?
I was thinking about this when I remembered the parfait keychain that I once got through a Gachagacha machine at my niece’s insistence. Given Japan’s incredible technology in food sample making, I’m sure she would be happy with it.
When Pitee [2] opened the capsule and saw the strawberry parfait keychain, her mood seemed to improve a lot. What visible expression I saw anyway, under the gap in her bangs.
“Thank you… Hakkon…”
She leaned against my side and gazed up at me. Uh, Ramis was also staring at me, looking more sulky than I had ever seen her. Hyurumi was staring at me with narrowed eyes.
“Say, Hakkon. You and Pitee seem to be getting along reeeeally well, or is it just my imagination?” said Ramis.
“Right? The dynamics between you two seem entirely different from before,” said Hyurumi with a smirk.
Well, Pitee and I had spent a lot of time together. She had grown attached to me mostly because there was just no one else to rely on.
I guess she must think of me as a reliable magical tool or maybe even a brother or father figure. Right, Pitee?
“Hakkon and I… get along well… we’re always… together… the two of us even… shared toilets and… meals… together…”
Well, I can’t refute any of that, but do you have to say it like that?
“Well, I have been close with Hakkon for a long time, too!”
“Hey, I don’t think that’s something you guys should compete over…”
Look, I’d understand the fuss if I were a flesh-and-blood human, but I’m just a vending machine, you know?
The only thing I can do for you is dispense items for money. Though I guess that I’m pretty handy in a pinch as a tool that dispenses food, drinks and other useful things.
“Hakkon needs me. Right, Hakkon?” Ramis declared.
“Welcome”
Yes, that’s absolutely true. I can’t move about without her.
“Pitee can… carry Hakkon…”
Pitee lifted me up effortlessly in front of Ramis using her <Weight Manipulation> gift.
I’m really thankful for her gift since she could carry me around easily.
“I- I can carry Hakkon even more easily!” Ramis cried as she lifted me from the opposite side with Pitee still clinging to me.
Speaking of which, what about Pitee’s lover? Isn’t she still pining for him?
“Quite popular, aren’t you, Hakkon?” Hyurumi smirked at me.
Can you please not?
After that, Mishael joined the fray, and things became even more chaotic. The chaos continued until Director Bear arrived. Things calmed down after Director Bear decisively declared that ‘Hakkon does not belong to anyone’.
Thank you for that, Director Bear.
You really saved me.
I felt bad for Pitee, who had become fond of me, but my true partner is Ramis. Once I can speak more fluently, I must properly convey my thoughts to her.
“Hey, am I s’pose to join in on the battle to be his woman?” asked Shui with her armful of food.
“Fri-end”
“Ple-ase”
[Gumihou: If I ever need evidence that this novel is written by a man, lol]
[1] Adjust details
[2] Added details
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