Beehive

Wataru had come to visit that day.

As usual, he'd collected a hundred gold coins for his debt repayment and, along with Rokuko and Nerune, the four of them sat at a table in the cafeteria eating a C-rank meal and chatting.

"So, this guy was holding a tube like this and he pointed it at me saying, [I'm gonna turn you into a beehive!]."

While making a gesture as if shooting a gun, Wataru glanced at me.

"Oh? And then?"

"Then, bees actually came buzzing out of the tube! They were called Parasite Bees that actually parasitize humans. He was really meaning to turn me into a [Beehive]!"

Wataru glanced at me again.

You're being way too obvious, I'm not going to fall for it.

"Huh. So there are bees like that?"

"Parasites, wow. So wait, a real beehive? Or a fake beehive or something?"

"What happened then?"

"… No good, huh! I thought it was a pretty good story!"

Wataru seemed disappointed with our reactions.

Was he still trying to probe me for my Japanese identity, thinking I'd react to something like that?

"In the world I came from, there was a weapon called a gun that fired bullets from a tube. The principle is different, but it's kind of like a Stone Bolt. When you attack an enemy with it, it makes them full of holes. So, the phrase [Turn you into a beehive] is a set phrase, likening it to a hole-riddled beehive."

Being forced to explain what was funny about his own amusing story felt like a punishment, didn't it?

"I see! So you hold the gun just like that tube, right? Combining that with the phrase, that's quite a coincidence!"

"That's right, Rokuko-san, you're quick on the uptake! That's very helpful."

"… Ah, I see. I completely understand now."

"Kehma-san, you seem unnaturally slow. It's as if you're waiting for Rokuko's reaction before claiming to understand?"

That's exactly what it is. You already knew that though, didn't you?

"Um~, what's interesting about that story~? Was there a magic formation inside the tube or something~?"

"Ah, yes, there was. There was a magic formation that accelerated the bees."

"Acceleration, huh? Do you have the actual thing?"

"Here it is. Here you go, Nerune-san."

"I love you, Wataru-san~!"

Wataru handed the [Tube] to Nerune. It seems that when you pulled its trigger, a lid on the bottom would open and release the loaded bees. With its iron appearance, it certainly looks like a gun.

Despite being a coincidence, combining it with the phrase [I'm gonna turn you into a beehive] would certainly be surprising. It's just a coincidence, right? It's not something Leona set up, is it?

"That's an interesting magical gimmick. It might be useful for something."

"Is the magic formation at the bottom of the tube~? It's not~, maybe on the inside~? How did they engrave this magic formation~…? Master, how do you think they engraved this magic formation~?"

"Hm? Didn't they engrave it first and then roll it into a tube shape? If you heat a metal plate, it will bend. It's easier to make than carving it out."

"I see~! That means you could make it even without extraordinary craftsmanship~! If I look closely, there does seem to be a seam too~."

Nerune was completely absorbed in the tube, leaving Wataru—whom she just said she loved—behind.

"Hey, Wataru, I don't mean to bring this up, but…"

"Don't say it. This, in its own way, is happiness."

"Really? I think you could at least pat her head. Right, Nerune?"

"Huh~? Go ahead~?"

Nerune tilted the top of her brown hair toward Wataru as she continued to look at the tube.

Wataru gently patted her head, saying, [I won't hold back then]. It was heartwarming.

"By the way, Wataru, you like Nerune right?"

Rokuko suddenly brought it up, causing Wataru to be visibly flustered.

"What?! Uh, are we really confirming this now? She's right here!"

"Do you like her?"

".. Y-yes, I do, but—!?"

Oh, he said it with a red face.

Unfortunately, Nerune was completely unfazed and continued examining the tube.

"Nerune just said she loves Wataru too, so it's mutual."

"I-is that so? I'd be happy if that's true, but…"

"And now! I'm creating something amazing! It's a small park."

"U-umm—?"

"So, help me out a little. Nerune will be happy too, right, Nerune?"

"Yes~, I'll be happy~"

Ah, it seemed Nerune didn't really understand what was going on, but she just went along with Rokuko.

"Then I'll help!!"

"Hey, Wataru, I don't mean to bring this up, but…"

"Don't say it."

"Right… Well, if Wataru's happy, that's fine."

With that, Wataru was made to promise to help Rokuko create a confession spot.

The main tasks were to clear the still forested park site, exterminate wild monsters, and ultimately become a successful confession story after the park was completed.

"Rokuko, is this a setup?"

"Don't worry, Wataru, what matters is that it is [True]. If you weren't already mutually in love, the confession wouldn't be successful. What's important is providing an opportunity for potential partners to become actual partners. That's why we're building a park for that purpose!"

"Well, if that's the case…"

By the way, it seemed that I would be the first case of it working, so it wouldn't be someone else's problem. Just great.

Oh, and Rokuko? I can leave explaining the whole thing to Haku-san to you, yeah?