WM – Chapter 18: Even a gentle close friend can sometimes get mad

“Takki-dono!” 

*Don!* An empty mug hits the table.

O-Ooh…

That gentle Fuji-yan is mad.

Haven’t seen this since the time I accidentally erased his game data a long time ago.

How nostalgic—wait, this is not the time for that.

How did it end up like this?

 “Takatsuki Makoto-sama, are you there?” 

One day around noon.

In the dining area of the Adventurer Guild, the one who came while I was having lunch with Lucy was the clerk that works at the store of Fuji-yan.

The rabbit ear girl.

“Makoto-kun is here.” (Mary)

Mary-san leads her to me.

“So Makoto-kun even knows a cute rabbitkin girl like this, huh…” (Mary)

For some reason, Mary-san sat on the table as well.

Is it okay to not work?

“Good afternoon, it has been a while.” (Makoto) 

I greet the rabbit girl.

“Good afternoon, friend of master. My name’s Nina, from the Fujiwara Store.” (Nina)

She lightly bows.

“Have some business with Makoto?” (Lucy)

Be a bit more friendly, okay?

But Nina-san didn’t break her smile.

“Oh! You must be the comrade of Takatsuki-sama, Lucy-sama, right?! I heard that you are an incredible fire magic user.” (Nina)

“Eh? T-That’s right. I am surprised you know.” (Lucy)

Lucy was flustered at being suddenly praised.

How easy.

“To mark this moment that I met a future great mage-sama, here.” (Nina)

She gives us something.

It seems like there’s one for Mary-san too.

“Wa! This is really delicious.” (Lucy)

“Yum! This is the first time I have eaten this. It is delicious!” (Mary)

Lucy and Mary-san were overjoyed.

That’s probably chocolate. 

As expected of Fuji-yan, he even has that in stock?

“So, what business do you have?”, I ask Nina-san.

“Right! I have a message from Goshujin-sama. ‘At 18 o’clock today, let’s have dinner at Cat Ear Garden’.” (Nina)

“The usual establishment.” (Makoto)

A restaurant that Fuji-yan frequents where all their employees have cat ears.

“Are you available?” (Nina)

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t met him for 1 month. I want to meet him too. It is okay.” (Makoto)

“That’s a relief. Goshujin-sama will be happy.” (Nina)

“Eh? What should I do today?” (Lucy)

Lucy turns my way as if sulking.

I just thought it would be fine to act separately every now and then, you know. Don’t look at me with those eyes.

“If it is okay, you can bring your comrade, Lucy-san, with you.” (Nina)

Nina-san invites her.

“I want to go too~.” (Mary)

Even Mary-san pokes her head in.

“Mary-san, you okay with work?” (Makoto)

“Today it is until night…” (Mary)

“Then you can’t.” (Makoto)

“Makoto-kun, so cold!” (Mary)

Mary-san goes ‘so cruel~’ as she returns to the reception.

“Well then, we will be waiting there.” (Nina)

Nina-san also left.

“Hey hey”, Lucy pulls my sleeve.

“What?” (Makoto)

“The owner of the Fujiwara Store is a shrewd merchant that came from a parallel world, right? So he was your friend!” (Lucy)

“Yeah. You know him, Lucy?” (Makoto)

“What are you saying?! When talking about the Fujiwara Store’s owner, you talk about the many trades he has succeeded in 1 year, and there’s rumors about him having connections with the feudal lord of Makkaren. He grasps the weaknesses of his opposing merchants one after the other, and shuts them up, and it is said that he knows everything about the underground world of this city. He is a big hit that’s at the top ranking of the people you shouldn’t go against in this city!” (Lucy)

“Is that so…” (Makoto)

I didn’t know.

Even when I ask Fuji-yan about this city, he only goes ‘no, it is nothing big-desu zo’.

It sounds like he has been using his cheat skill and climbing well.

“Then, let’s train till evening.” (Makoto)

“Eeh? Isn’t it okay not to for today?” (Lucy)

“I will train alone then.” (Makoto)

“I was joking! I will work hard too!” (Lucy)

We trained real hard till evening.

◇◇

 ““““Cheers!””””

At night, in the Cat Ears Garden.

Today we have Fuji-yan, Lucy, Nina-san, and me. 

Maybe he showed consideration by not letting Lucy be the only girl?

The food here is delicious and the variety of drinks is numerous. 

Also, the employees are all cat eared (beastkin).

I don’t see the appeal of it, but regardless of cat ears, I think the employees are cute.

We were guided to a table in the deep areas in this restaurant that’s always packed.

Fuji-yan is a frequent VIP.

“N-Nice to meet you, I am the mage, Lucy.” (Lucy)

It is rare to see Lucy be this nervous.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Fujiwara. Please call me Fuji-yan like Takki-dono does.” (Fujiwara)

“I am Nina. I work in the Fujiwara Store, and am also working as an adventurer. I am Silver Rank.” (Nina)

Saying this, she shows us her silver badge.

“That’s impressive.” (Makoto)

“No no, not really.” (Nina)

It is said that one of the walls of adventurer ranks is Silver.

Apparently a decently good adventurer can reach around Iron Rank if they work hard. 

Silver Ranks up are called when there’s an emergency quest where strong monsters appear, and they are trusted by the guild.

She is being humble, but Nina should be pretty strong.

“We are bronze rank. We have to work hard, Lucy.” (Makoto)

“I-I have a Monarch Grade Skill after all!” (Lucy)

Oi oi, don’t try taking the high ground here.

Fuji-yan who is an information network probably already knows that you can’t use it properly at all, you know?

“Weell, Takki-dono, you are good. To be able to get a beautiful elf mage like this as your party member.” (Fujiwara)

“Now now, go ahead, Lucy-sama.” (Nina)

“Eh? T-Thank you.” (Lucy)

Fuji-yan stretches, and Nina-san pours wine for Lucy.

Lucy was just drinking whatever they poured in.

Aah, she is gonna collapse real quick at this rate.

I was eating bone meat, pasta with a whole lot of tomato sauce on, and garlic toast.

The food here really is good. 

◇◇

“Makoto, you are way too zealous!” (Lucy)

Lucy is drunk.

When Lucy gets drunk, she either falls asleep, or gets stormy; today it is the latter, huh.

How troublesome.

“He is training everyday, every single day, without getting bored of it. And on top of that, Mary-san is wooing him.” (Lucy)

“That last part has no relevance with me being zealous though.” (Makoto)

She is just being kind with me.

“But I have heard talk about you two. Being able to defeat a Griffon even though you guys are bronze rank is impressive. Even I wouldn’t be able to defeat one alone.” (Nina)

“We were just lucky. I ended up burning myself.” (Makoto)

“Burned?! The Griffons of this world can spit fire?” (Fujiwara)

“That’s right. It is scary, ya know?” (Makoto)

“Makoto~, don’t lie.” (Lucy)

I was bullshitting there and Lucy retorted. 

But telling him that I was burned from the magic of a party member doesn’t sound cool.

We were having a fun talk there for a while, but when the conversation moved to Jean and Emily, who we were getting along with lately, the expression of Fuji-yan got sterner. 

Eh? Did I say something weird?

Fuji-yan gulps down his ale till it is empty.

“…”

He goes silent.

“Goshujin-sama?” (Nina)

Nina-san makes a troubled expression.

“Fuji-yan?” (Makoto)

I called my friend who was now few in words.

Lucy is sleeping.

She is down.

“Takki-dono!” (Fujiwara)

*Don!*, he hits the empty mug onto the table.

“Y-Yes?” (Makoto)

“Why are you not inviting me to your party?!” (Fujiwara)

“Huh?” (Makoto)

That’s what he is angry about?

“I was waiting this whole time, you know?! Didn’t you say you would form a party with me when you got stronger!” (Fujiwara)

“D-Did I…?” (Makoto)

“Goshujin-sama was always fidgety waiting, thinking that Takki-dono will soon be coming.” (Nina)

Achaa.

I did something bad there then.

“I felt abandoned there, you know. Even though I was the first one to invite you in this city.” (Fujiwara)

“Sorry, Fuji-yan. I was thinking about doing that once I raised my level a bit more.” (Makoto)

“If it is Takatsuki-sama’s level, you should have no problems with an easy dungeon.” (Nina)

I see, you are right.

I have been getting experience points one way or another.

“Fuji-yan, I look forward to working with you. Let’s form a party as the former A class duo.” (Makoto)

“Yeah! I have been waiting for those words!” (Fujiwara)

He shakes my hand.

Ah, I decided without consulting with Lucy. Is that okay?

Oh well, it should be fine.

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46 thoughts on “WM – Chapter 18: Even a gentle close friend can sometimes get mad

  1. Ah, looks like NU listed these two chapters backwards, I accidentally read this before 17. Good thing they aren’t particularly related.

    Thanks for the chapter!

    1. Logically speaking, his friend can’t be NTR’d. Since he can read people’s minds to a limited extent and has a log full of useful information, he can easily romance anybody he wants no matter what.

      1. But he hasn’t noticed how his bunnygirl arranged for his night out with his friend, to turn into a double date. What if Makoto starts spouting just the right words, to get her to give up on her dense master?

        1. I don’t think Fuji-yan’s cheat allows him to be dense. It already tells him the feelings of his coworkers, how much more so for someone actually interested in “dating”.

          That’s presumably why he’s such a successful businessman.

      2. I would actually say it’s more like as a former DT candidate Fuji-yan is likely to help Lucy and Mary along with crushing that dense facade that Makoto hides behind. That way they both can enjoy their isekai in full.

        As for the NTR BS, Fuji-yan is immune for three reasons. One he can see the background intentions of an individual and react accordingly and the second reason is because his bunny eared companion is a slave. Even if a willing one. I highly doubt there Fuji-yan has anything to worry about. And lastly, Makoto is far to convinced he will be forever alone to be sinking his claws into another man’s woman.

    1. We dont know if magic fire consumes oxygen, as fire requires fuel and instead it is fueled by magic it would not be strange if it also burns with magic instead of oxygen, as for the cave-ins the would happen in front of them, they can simply retreat

  2. I get the feeling that Makoto is someone who really doesn’t have a sense of time passing. I’m exactly like that myself — I tend to forget how long it’s been since I last spoke to someone, for example. 🤔

  3. Aaaah man. I did not expect Fuji-yan to be this…wholesome when we first met him and again upon arriving at this city. Maybe it’s because of his skill, but he’s oddly attached to his friend and it’s quite adorable. It’s almost like this Makoto has his own young Rembrandt.

    Speaking of his skill, hot damn. I guess I can see how some dating sim menus would allow him to masterfully exert influence over a city. He’s quite a big shot, it seems.

    I’m excited to see how their first outing as a party will go. Takatsuki is evidently the type to get invested in grinding his skills-as any self-respecting RPG player would.

  4. Thanks for the chapter! Fuji-yan is finally gonna get more screen time~ Maybe we’d get to hear more about the former world and also we might get some flashbacks to that other girl that didn’t get reincarnate but probably did or is being held captive by the gods or some cliche thing like that

  5. I’ve got great news dood. A new extra story of tsuki just came out and the author is claiming that a new main chapter will be up tomorrow!!

  6. The rabbit eater girl doesn’t love Fuji I really wish people would stop making comments that make it look like they are together.

    1. I mean, we don’t know how she feels about him though. We only know they aren’t together at the moment.

      It seems pretty natural to assume that they’re gonna be a secondary couple, all things considered.

  7. ” He grasps the weaknesses of his opposing merchants one after the other, and shuts them up, and it is said that he knows everything about the underground world of this city. He is a big hit that’s at the top ranking of the people you shouldn’t go against in this city!”

    “Even when I ask Fuji-yan about this city, he only goes ‘no, it is nothing big-desu zo’.
    It sounds like he has been using his cheat skill and climbing well.”

    It sounds like a flag, i mean people should suspect that he have a skill no combat related that allows him to do that thus they should be people who aim to get him.
    Thanks for the chapters!!

  8. For a moment I thought Fuji-san had noticed the hole Makoto is digging himself deeper into with unnoticed harem. But no he wants to go gaming… er… adventuring.
    Sigh.
    Lol

    1. ‘Haven’t seen this since the time I accidentally erased his game data a long time ago.” Now that’s the most evil thing I’ve ever seen

  9. i feel like everyone really likes lucy, but i dont. i just dont like her. i wish the Mc was by himself a little bit. i hope they break up the party later on and he goes adventuring on his own , i dont mind him partying with others but i’d rather he not have permanent party members like lucy. but thats just me, at least i hope she becomes more likable to me and completely usless and complaining all the time.

  10. Mannn lucy is such a moody girl. Tbh she is really annoying imo. I don’t know why people like easy & moody tsundere like this. This make me slightly disappointed on this series tho. But still gonna read it to the end

  11. Fujimura’s funny.
    I gotta say. Having a powerful merchant as your ally, and one with top tier rabbit girl waifu b9dyguard, would legit be super handy!

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