Chapter 170: Punishment Game

―――― The 23rd day of training.

「… What are you doing, Shishō?」

「Punish――I mean, Nell is, you see…」

The next day after we returned to Diana. I’m racking my brain while facing the desk. This problem was created by yesterday’s tag game. Not many survived this death race against Nell, who departed an hour later. In the first place, if one of us got caught, the penalty would come to me. The penalty would become heavier and more outrageous for each number of people caught. That’s why I couldn’t let even one of us get caught. Even though I ran away as fast as possible, I was supporting Haru and Touko from a safe area that Nell couldn’t reach. Or at least that was the plan.

At the beginning, we were all running at a better pace than expected. Haruna used her magic to lighten her Doggan Staff, and Touko somehow managed with her willpower. We kept running without any problems even after Nell started. Yeah, we didn’t make any mistakes…

What happened was that damn Nell was chasing us seriously unlike the original plan. When we were running, the beautiful rampaging dragon came after us from behind with a roaring sound as if using a jet engine. Our faces became awfully pale at that time. Not only the information that came to our ears, but the temperature of the surroundings that gradually became hotter was telling us that the demon was approaching.

I was worried about the safety of Chinatsu who was being carried by her, but I had to worry about myself first. If I didn’t do something, the two would get caught and my punishment would be heavier. There, I turned around and stood in the way between Nell and the running girls to hinder Nell as much as possible. However, even though Nell was carrying Chinatsu, I was also carrying Gobuo on my back. Facing the charging Nell, I couldn’t buy time that long and got caught.

After that, I found Touko collapsed on the road. Apparently, she collapsed because of her reckless running in full-body armor while the temperature was rising to the same level as midsummer. While being carried in the arm on the other side of the arm that was carrying Chinatsu, I immediately recovered and revived Touko. However, she was caught and Nell carried her on the back. Nell then ran with the three of us on her body.

Two people had already been caught, if Haruna got caught too, it would be unbearable. There, I secretly made our weight heavy with Gravi as the last resistance, making Nell as if carrying several Doggan Staff. Thanks to it, Haruna was able to escape just in time. Good grief, she sure is childish that she took it seriously against the girls.

Still, one person survived didn’t mean that I wouldn’t get the punishment. Since I and Touko were caught, the second stage of the punishment welcomed me. And the thing that Nell suggested is making me racking my brain right now.

「Um… schedule for going out?」

Haru tilted her head when she saw the letters I wrote on the paper.

「… Well, something like that.」

This is the so-called date plan, and there’s a possibility of death for me. My partner is Nell, of course. While smiling, she ordered me to have a date with her and make her satisfied as the punishment. After that, she said something like, 『If I’m not satisfied―― you understand, right?』 and then deepened her smile. It seems that if I make her dissatisfied even once, I would turn into ash and die. Just like when she proposed, are there only dead or alive options for me? Also, I wonder if she realized that she treated her date as a punishment game?

Hmm, anyway, going on a date, huh… When I think about it, we were often going out together, but there were no such things. It was usually a bloody battle, a dangerous adventure, went into an unexplored area that nobody would enter, and then making merry while drinking. When we were adventurers, we used to do shopping together, but I was more of a guardian rather than a lover… Huh? Did we skip many important things?

「Uh, I somehow felt something like a pink aura!」

Lily, who was exercising after a meal, suddenly jumped up. Let’s not say what she felt. Still, this is bad. At this rate, I’ll be on the same level as her perceived lover. I don’t want to be on the same level as her. That’s sad. Putting it in other words, being on the same level as the Great Eight Demons sounds amazing, but the reality is not like that.

Not that I’m going to go along with Nell’s plan, but it’s a good chance to get out of it. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make memories before getting married. I want to make it worthwhile. However, just what kind of date will make Nell satisfied?

「Shishō, if you are going out, how about running while you are on the move? And while carrying lunch basket!」

I don’t know if she recognized it as a date or as a training, but it’s a really Haru-ish idea. The contents of the lunch basket are going to be chaotic, right? Well, if the partner is Haru, I’m sure it’s a perfect idea. If it’s Nell, I probably――

「――going to be burnt.」

「It won’t! I’ll cook it properly!」

Nell is actually an outdoor person, so I somehow feel it would work. But, she’s a maiden in some aspects. I feel like the mood is not enough for a date.

「Ah, are you talking about going out? Goshujin-sama, you see, Lily――」

I don’t think Lily’s idea is worth listening to. I’m even afraid to write it. Hey you, do you want to kill me that badly? Hmm… Should I ask Touko? But, she looks like a delinquent and she’s quite wild…

「After all, I should go there when I’m in trouble.」

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「――So, is that why you’re here?」

「It’s natural, right?」

The signboard of Chinatsu’s Troubles Consultation Office shakes slightly outside the door. It seems that today is another busy day that I had to wait in line for some time.

「Errr… You suddenly told me to come up with a date plan, but I have no experience with that…」

「I know that from the previous fan letters talk. Even so, I believe that Chinatsu will do it! You see, you are Nell’s disciple, and since you are also a girl, it seems that you can give helpful opinions.」

「I’m not happy with the way you trust me… Anyway, making Shishō satisfied, huh. I think that she will be pleased with whatever you do, Deris-san.」

「Eh?」

I unconsciously listened back to the unexpected words of Chinatsu.

「Perhaps, what Shishō wants is for Deris-san to do things with her in mind. Whatever the result, I think she will be very satisfied as long as it’s filled with feelings. You were talking about making her satisfied or die, but there’s no way Shishō will kill you. In other words, she will be satisfied from the beginning. Ah, but, it’s not good if it’s too off the mark.」

「… Seriously?」

「I think it’s 90% true. You see, Shishō is more honest and cuter than she looks. So, please don’t rely on others and think about it yourself. Now then, the next person can come.」

I got driven away from my seat. What a quick settlement. When I turned around, I saw Canon entered the consultation room. He was startled when he saw me, but now is not the think to worry about that. Yeah, let’s go home and think about it.