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Mai Sakurajima hesitated for a moment.
It wasn't that she thought the place was too expensive. She just worried Rosen was putting on a show, pretending to be richer than he really was.
After all, when she'd been to his home before, it was obvious he wasn't well-off. No parents, no family—he was basically on his own.
If it came down to it, she figured she'd just cover the bill after the meal.
She'd been a celebrity for years; she still had plenty tucked away. Supporting a guy wasn't exactly a big deal for her.
Rosen, however, only smiled.
He had stolen more than a thousand tons of gold. There wasn't a single corporation in the world that could compare to his wealth.
"Alright, let's head in and eat." Rosen chuckled.
Then again, he thought, wasn't this a little backwards? In the DanMachi world, gods were supported by their followers—but here he was, footing the bill for his own.
The three of them sat down, and Miko Yotsuya's eyes instantly lit up at the sight of Wagyu sizzling on the grill.
If she didn't have to maintain her "lady" image, she probably would've started drooling on the spot.
Just then, Rosen heard a delighted voice:
"Miko? You're here?!"
The sound of small leather shoes tapping against the rough stone floor echoed closer.
The three of them looked up and spotted a cute girl with short orange hair, wearing a white blouse and pleated skirt. Her face lit up with surprise as she looked straight at Miko.
Her outfit wasn't revealing, but her figure was impossible to miss. Even hidden under fabric, her "assets" were… well, eye-catching. Her fair skin looked like it was made of milk.
"Huh? Hana, what are you doing here?"
They spoke at the same time, proof enough of how close they were.
Miko looked genuinely shocked. Running into a classmate while grabbing dinner? What were the odds?
"That's my line, Miko! I texted you just yesterday asking if you wanted to come to this buffet with me this weekend. Didn't you turn me down, saying you were busy today?"
As she spoke, Hana Yurikawa's gaze shifted suspiciously to Rosen.
Her expression changed in a flash, and she darted over to Miko, lowering her voice.
"Miko, tell me the truth—this guy, is he your boyfriend?"
"No wonder you said you couldn't make it. You were on a date with him, weren't you?"
Her voice was quiet enough that only Miko should've heard it—except Rosen and Mai both had sharp ears, so they caught every word.
"N-no, that's not it! Lord Rosen isn't my boyfriend!"
Miko's face went bright red, her hands fidgeting nervously on her knees.
If a stranger had asked her that, she wouldn't have reacted so strongly. But rejecting Hana's invitation, only to run into her here of all places—it was the perfect storm of awkward and embarrassing.
"It's okay, Miko!"
Hana suddenly gripped Miko's shoulders, her face set with determination.
"You don't need to explain. Explaining just means hiding, and hiding means it's true! As your best friend, I fully support you chasing your own happiness!"
She even gave Miko a big thumbs-up for emphasis.
Miko wanted to cry.
If it were true, fine. But it wasn't true at all.
She glanced helplessly at Rosen for backup.
But Rosen only smiled faintly, offering no explanation.
Then, an idea struck her.
Didn't Lord Rosen need new followers right now?
And maybe—just maybe—Hana would be a perfect fit.
After all, to Miko's eyes, her friend was surrounded by golden flames and had an innate spirit-absorbing constitution.
Ever since Miko awakened her "spirit sight," she'd constantly seen ghosts clinging to Hana.
Miko could only pretend not to notice, powerless to help.
Sure, Hana wasn't haunted today, but the moment she passed through an area thick with wandering spirits, she'd be swarmed again without fail.
To save her friend from that constant danger—
Miko took the initiative. "Hana, it's really not what you think. There's another reason I'm here."
"What reason?"
"There are too many people around. I'll explain it all somewhere quieter, okay?"
"…Fine," Hana pouted, but quickly brightened. "Then at least let me sit next to you."
Rosen had no objections.
Hana's life energy was unusual—exactly the kind of thing that made her a prime candidate for a contract.
And since Miko was actively trying to bring her in, there was no reason for him to refuse.
After all, what kind of man would say no to a busty beauty joining the team?
"..."
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