Ch.68 Kaito with His Childhood Friend and Neighbor who Loves Stalls 4

After walking a little, we can see our destination, <Frog Manor>.

Once we pass through the brown gate and through a short stone paving, a three-story building with a striking yellow-green wooden exterior is visible.

What catches the eye even more is the yellow roof and sign, which reflects beautifully in the sunlight.

"Did Takemaru-san go to get his weapon repaired as well?"

We follow along the stone paving and touch the door.

The glass remains clean and clear, welcoming customers with a sense of cleanliness.

The door detects contact and opens to the left and right.

"That's right. So you noticed, huh."

"You attracted the enemy from the front after all."

Not only the shell is durable, the turtle itself is also very strong.

If he took hits from a tough enemy like that, even if he was clad in full body armor, it wouldn't be weird if his armor got destroyed.

In fact, our armor is in tatters too. It would be quicker to just buy new ones than to send it in for repairs.

I plan to go shopping after the celebration is over.

And if his weapon got bitten, it'd probably be just snap on the spot.

It's such a huge turtle. You have to see for yourself how strong its jaws are.

He faced such a powerful opponent head-on, making sure it never changed target.

No matter how hard you try to avoid being hit, it's rare to get away unscathed. Even if you're a seasoned player, you're bound to take some hits.

So I thought that Takemaru-san had also gone to request repairs for his weapons and armor.

"So, does that mean Shuuto and Kaito have been sent yours in for repairs too?"

"Yes" "That's right"

"That turtle was tough. That's why my blade chipped a little."

"It only got chipped? Ours are in tatters."

"Yeah, I need to buy some new armor soon."

We walk across the red carpet underneath, passing between several round tables and sofas.

There are many different types of inns, but this one has a slightly more elegant feel. There's a place to eat right when we enter, so it's not the typical inn you'd see in a manga.

Upon entering, there is a fairly large hall and a reception counter. The dining area and stairs to the top are on the left side of the hallway, while the baths and entertainment facilities are on the right side.

Apparently there's a trading counter as well, but I've never used it.

"Armor, huh. I think I'll get some new ones myself too."

Takemaru-san's armor is covered in scratches. I don't know if those were from this battle or previous battles, but it feels like it could still protect its wearer for a while longer.

What material is it made of?

"Welcome, to our Frog Manor."

When we get to the counter, the receptionist gives us the standard greeting.

The staff this time is different from when we left in the morning.

"I'm Takemaru from room 215. Please give me the key."

"Please wait a moment as it is veing checked."

The receptionist lowered her gaze to her hands and began typing away on the keyboard.

She moved the mouse and scroll wheel, then looked at the screen in front of her for a moment. She stopped what she was doing, bowed to Takemaru-san, and walked through the door at the back of the counter.

That must mean she's done checking.

The staff returns shortly after with a key in her hand, which she hands to Takemaru-san.

"Welcome back, Takemaru-sama. Here is your room key."

"Thank you"

After receiving the key, Takemaru-san shifts to the right.

I took a step forward and entered the open space, right in front of the reception staff.

"It's Shuuto and Kaito. We'd like the key to room 208, please."

Why do we need a key if all we want to do is take a bath?

That's because the lockers are designed so that they can be opened and closed with the room key.

There are several lockers in the changing room where you can store your clothes and belongings, but each one is numbered and can only be opened and closed with the number that matches the room you are staying in.

These lockers are perfect for crime prevention, and two lockers are available per room. Each one are quite large.

Apparently, at higher-class inns, each rooms have their own baths.

However, which is more convenient: a bath on the first floor like this one, which you can use as soon as you get back, or a bath that you have to climb the stairs to your room with a tired body to use?

At least in games, anything can go inside the magic sack.

If you put everything you need for a bath in it, you won't have to worry about any preparations.

Thinking about it, if you don't mind bathing with strangers, it might be more convenient to have a bath on the first floor like this.

Case closed.

" I will check your return, so please wait a moment."

As before, the receptionist typed away on the keyboard, checked the screen, and then walked towards the door at the back.

"It's been 37 minutes. I think we barely have enough time."

"It's gonna be a close call."

The clock hanging on the wall in front of the reception desk reads 1:37 PM.

It seems there won't be enough time to soak up to our shoulders in the bathtub.

"Welcome back, Shuuto-sama, Kaito-sama. Here is your room key."

After receiving the key from the staff who returned. I head to the right corridor with Takemaru-san and Shuuto in tow.

"Now that I think of it, are you two in a clan?"

"Yes, I'm in." "All three of us are in."

"I see, that's unfortunate."

Takemaru-san looks a little disappointed.

It's a shame that we're in a clan... Is this a clan invitation?

"What's wrong?"

"No, I'm currently trying to form a clan with Midori, and I was hoping Shuuto and the others would join too. Well, it looks like you're already in one, so forget about what I just said."

So it is. I'm very happy about the invitation, but I don't have any plans to leave the clan for now.

Shuuto, Mimia, and I are currently a member of the beginner support clan <Sprout Garden>, which was founded by Shuuto and his brother-in-law, Formalin-san.

It's a decent clan with 23 beginners and Formalin-san, for a total of 24 people. Everyone's free to join or leave, but I can't imagine my brother-in-law smiling at Shuuto and Mimia leaving the clan. That's how much love he has for them.

I don't have any particular attachment to any clan, but if Shuuto and Mimia won't leave, I don't think I need to either.

It'd be more fun to be in the same clan as them.

Takemaru-san entered the entrance to the men's bath, one of the two that required no swimsuits.

Past the bath curtain is the changing room, where there are rows of lockers.

"I'm very happy to get the invitaion."

"Thank you"

"If you ever want to join, just let me know. I'll welcome you anytime."

"Yes" "Yes"

We Insert the room key into the locker lock and turn it.

Hearing a click, confirming that the lock was open, we grab the locker doorknobs and open them. The door made a little creaking noise until it was completely open.

"By the way, what clan are you in?"

"It's called Sprout Garden."

"Oh, isn't that Formalin's place?"

"Ah, yes, that's right."

"You know about Nii-san... Formalin?"

"Yeah, of course. We're friends. Of course I know him."

Shuuto's brother-in-law and Takemaru-san know each other and are even friends.

The world is so small.

We take off our armor and clothes, put them inside our magic sacks, and then take our hands outside after looking the items we need inside.

The thing in my hand is a brand new bath item I recently bought. I rip the adhesive on the back of the package and take out an orange, slightly rough body towel from the bag.

I didn't need the packaging, so I put it inside my magic sack. I then lock the locker with a body towel in one hand.

"Is that so?"

"He was someone who helped me out a lot when I first started playing this game."

The key is just a rectangular piece of plastic with the room number written on it attached like a strap, and there is no loop or anything to attach it to wrist.

So I just carry me and Shuuto's key in my hands along with the body towel. It's a bit of a hassle, but it would be a pain if I lost it.

I open the door to the bathroom and we step inside, feeling the warmth.

"We met during the beta version. We've been friends ever since. I knew he started a clan, but I never imagined Shuuto and the others would be members. And he's your brother, didn't you say?"

"It's a small world, isn't it?" Takemaru said as he picked up the shower head.

I also take a sit on the bath chair and press the silver button to turn on the hot water.

As the warm water pours over my head and body to rinse them off, I then take an appropriate amount of shampoo in my hand and wash my hair.

Since I have short hair, it's easy to do it in one go. It seems like it would be difficult for people with long hair. I can't bring myself to grow it out.

After shampooing, I start applying conditioner.

I have friends who don't bother with hair care because it's too much of a bother, but I think if you have the time, you should do it. Hair is important, isn't it?

It's sad to see frizzy and dry hair.

While chatting, we wash our bodies and remove the dirt.

There's no time to stop and chat leisurely, so we quickly finish our bath.

Returning from the bathroom to the changing room, I grab a towel from the cart next to the entrance and use it to dry my hair and body.

The towels are rolled up like a roll cake, and it looks more like one log than one sheet.

I wonder if it looks that way because I'm hungry, but when I unfold it...yeah, it's just a normal towel. Of course.

The fluffy towels are gentle on the skin and feel great, but I can't take them with me.

This towel seems to be quite expensive. I wonder if they sell it in the convenience store. Depending on the price, I'd like to buy it.

Once the water has been removed, the towel is placed in the used towel collection cart.

We return to our lockers and unlock them, quickly putting on my new clothes and drying my hair myself.

"Are you done, Kaito?"

"I'm done now."

I unplug the hair dryer from the outlet and wrap it back up.

After returning it to its original state before use and placing it on the wall near the sink, I pick up my luggage and head out of the changing room with Takemaru-san and Shuuto.

It's just a passageway, but the fresh air I feel every time you walk down it helps to cool my body down, which is great.

"We're going out again, so please keep the key."

"I understand. Have a nice trip."

We went down the hallway to the reception counter and hand over our key to the staff.

When you leave the inn, you have to leave your key with the reception staff, so be sure to hand it over to them. If you take it with you when you go out, you will have to pay a penalty later. Even if you took it with you by mistake.

It will be explained to you when you check into the inn, so I think everyone will check it when they leave the inn during their stay.

I guess this is to prevent it from being copied or otherwise misused.

We leave the inn, walk along a short stone paving, and go through the brown gate.

"We'll still make it in time even if we walk."

"Seems like it."

"I'm glad we rushed to take a bath."

When I checked the clock before leaving the inn, it showed 1:55pm.

It's not far from here to the meeting place, the Explorer's Guild.

Just turn left there and we'll be there.

"Once Takemaru-san and Sakidori Midori-san form a clan, can I come and hang out?"

"Oh, I want to go too."

"Of course, that's fine. But we haven't decided on a clan house yet, so we'll have to start from there."

As we walk towards our destination, I caught something in my field of vision.

Something bright flashes by. Is it an insect? Curious, I turn towards it.

"What's that... a fairy?"

"Fairies? What's... what's that?"

"Wow, I've never seen so many of them gathered together. Is that a player in the middle?"

Before our eyes, we see a player on the road, surrounded by what appeared to be fairies. It's quite a strange sight.

"There are at least 3 or 4 of them."

"Yeah. I wonder how it got to be like that."

"Player's name is... Fairy Princess Meril. She does look like a princess."

The voluminous, flowing dress looks difficult to walk in, but it looks gorgeous. It's exactly what a princess in otome games would wear.

Something like that appeared in an otome game I played once out of curiosity.

There are fairy-like beings around this princess-like figure wearing such a dress. That alone is very fantasy-like.

It would have seemed even more so in a forest or a castle.

"I feel like I've seen that name somewhere before. I've never spoken to her before, though."

"Is she a famous person?"

"Isn't that the case if she stands out that much?"

"I think it was on some kind of message board. There were a lot of comments about fairies or spirits or something..."

As we turn left, we can see the Explorer's Guild.

In the end, Takemaru-san never remembered where he had seen her. That's what happens since he doesn't even know her.

We arrived just before the appointed time. As expected, it's only barely, but we still managed to make it.

Mimia and the others are nowhere to be seen, but it seemed like it's about time for them to arrive.

"Looks like Midori and the others haven't arrived yet."

"That's true. I think it's about time for them to arrive, though."

"Ah, Takemaru-san. Can I send you a friend request?"

Just as we're waiting for them, Shuuto opened his mouth.

I'm grateful. I've wanted to send him a friend request fir a while now, but I wasn't sure where or when to ask.

The best time would have been when the topic of clans came up, but we were in a hurry and didn't have time.

"Hmm? Oh, now that you mention it, we haven't done that. Sure."

"Me too."

"Of course"

When we sent a friend request, Takemaru-san touched the space in front of him.

After a while, his name has been added to my friends list.

"Thank you" "I look forward to working with you"

"Looking forward. Oh, have you finished your business?"

I wondered why he was asking us if we'd finished our business, but when I looked at Takemaru-san, I realized that he wasn't saying it to us.

When I turn towards the direction his voice was directed to, I see Mimia and the others walking towards us. They arrived just in time.

But what's this? Mimia, when did you become friends with her?

Is that Vester on your shoulder I see?

When I looked towards Shuuto, our eyes met. It seemed we were thinking the same thing.

We stop looking at each other and turn our gaze back to Mimia, who's coming towards us.

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〘Inn〙

By paying money, you can secure a safe place to sleep, wash your body in the bath, eat a meal and fill your stomach, and do many other things.

There are many different types of accommodations, and the more services and facilities offered, the higher the accommodation price and the more elegant the appearance of the accommodation.

A place to relax your mind and body.

No matter how cheap the accommodation, there will always be a place to sleep and eat.

A place like this that doesn't have anywhere to sleep and doesn't even give you a lodging is not an inn. It's an illegal business pretending to be an inn. If you tell the soldiers, they'll arrest the people working there.

〘Furniture Item: Body Towel〙

These towels are available in three basic types: soft, medium, and hard, and are perfect for washing your body.

It can also be used to apply body soap or similar and lather it up to clean your body.

Although scrubbing is not good for the skin, it is a popular product for it because it gives the best feeling of cleansing compared to washing gently with just foam.

The most popular type is the soft type.

Its popularity stems from the contradiction of wanting to feel cleansed while also avoiding damaging the skin as much as possible.

Be careful though, as some body towels are like deadly weapons that can ruin your skin with just one stroke.

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