Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 45

The LAB Director, Part 1 

Even if I did figure out how to use the Portal (aka Monolith), it's not like I can test it in a place this crowded. Besides, everyone else in my party is still completely out of commission from the mana sickness.

You know, this scene... it feels familiar. What was it?

Ah! That's it! One of those gritty fishing documentaries!

I forget if it was crab or squid, but to cure seasickness, they just keep getting on the boat. Over and over. They just endure it until they can take it. For a guy who gets motion sick and 3D sick, that's my literal definition of hell.

"So, anyway, I'm bored. I'm gonna go to the food court."

"How... how can you say that... when you see us like this?" Akiyoshi hissed.

"I'm saying it because I see you like this. Look, it's not that I don't care about you. But if I'm here, not just my precious party, but all the other girls... they all have to tense up, right? It's hard to puke your guts out in front of a guy, even if you are sick. So, this is me... being considerate. It's not because I'm bored or anything—"

"(Talking fast... which means Yuu-kun is guilty.)"

"Can you summarize that in one sentence?"

"I'm bored, so I'm going to the food court."

"S.H.I.N.E." (Die)

(Did... she... just spell "shine"?)

That means I'm shining today too!

---

Location Change: The food court.

...Followed by me being escorted to what appears to be the top floor of the Dungeon Administration Building.

"K-K-Kashiwagi-kun?! Teacher has never been summoned here before! What did you do?!"

"Nothing?"

"Don't pout! It just makes you look cute, and that's not helping! Is this okay?! Am I going to be okay?! Getting called to the Labyrinth Administration Bureau Director's Office... this isn't just a problem... this is my career!"

"Sensei. If we're getting yelled at, we're getting yelled at. Calm down."

"How are you so calm?!"

"Because... I didn't do anything?"

"Kashiwagi-kun... people who didn't do anything do not end up in metal bracelets... like the ones you're wearing."

"Hmph."

"Ugh! Why are you pouting?! You're weaponizing it!"

So, yeah. I'm waiting in some big-shot's office. And, as my teacher pointed out, I'm in handcuffs, flanked by two Special Forces-looking... mask-women. A... puzzling situation.

"This is... definitely... Akiyoshi's fault. She's just jealous I'm not bored."

"Akiyoshi-san is from a normal family! She can't mobilize a government agency!"

"Well... I'm cuffed, but I'm not in jail. Maybe... they're going to praise me?"

"They are not! This is a five-alarm crisis! Look! If teacher loses her job over this... you'd better take responsibility—"

"I will not."

As we were bickering, the door opened—

Eh? A... stunningly beautiful woman just walked in.

If Shizuka is the (yandere) fae-like beauty of a girl becoming a woman... And Shouko-san is the (yandere) ethereal beauty of an older sister in her twenties... This...

"Ooooh... the mature glamour of a woman in her late twenties... And yet... that fleeting glimpse of innocence in her expression..."

"Kashiwagi-kun! How are you hitting on this old— I mean... this lady... at a time like this!"

The woman just smiled, a little flustered.

"Oh, my. Thank you. It's... rare for a man to be so direct with his compliments. I'm flattered."

See, Sensei? That's how a real woman reacts.

She smiled, then sat on the expensive-looking leather sofa. Damn... powerful female executive vibes... so hot...

"Uncuff him. And let him sit."

"Ma'am! But... he..."

"It's fine. A gentleman who calls me beautiful... can't be a bad person."

"Eh? She fell for that cheesy line?! She's so eas— OOF!"

"Sensei, let's be quiet now, hmm?"

"K-Kashiwagi-kun... Elbowing your beautiful teacher in the ribs is... not okay..."

Just shut up before you ruin this!

They took off the cuffs, and I sat on the sofa... with Sensei. They served tea... and pastries. The atmosphere... shifted.

"Hello. I am Rokujou, the Director of the Osaka Dungeon Administration Office."

"Rokujou-san. I'm Kashiwagi Yuugiri. My friends call me Yuugiri. Please, feel free."

Greetings done. I flipped the switch to Merchant Mode. We shook hands, holding eye contact. This... approachable type... they're always the toughest negotiators.

"Now, let's get right to it. I've read the report... but... it seems there was some... confusion... at the scene. There are parts I don't understand. I'm sorry to ask... Kashiwagi-san... but could you please explain your actions... from this morning until now... in detail?"

"My teacher here... she can be a bit of a handful. My apologies."

"I was called here because of YOU!"

"Of course. So... it all started when I woke up and took my shower..."

"Kss. No, from when you arrived here will be fine."

"Oh, so you're going to ignore your teacher of several weeks... and prioritize this old— this LADY you just met?! I see how it is!"

So, I explained the morning. (Skipping, of course... all the parts where I was sexually harassing my classmates.)

"I see. So... Kashiwagi-san... you have a natural resistance to mana. It's been over a century since male Explorers... vanished. For a man to reappear now... with mana aptitude... It's possible... Kashiwagi-san... that you could be this world's... savior."

"Haha, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Of course... if my power can be of use to someone... especially to you... I'd be overjoyed. But I'm just a student. A rookie. Please don't get your hopes up."

"Fufu. Of course. And you... carried your incapacitated party members out of the dungeon? You're much stronger than you look... Kashiwagi-san."

"Haha, well... I do work out at home. Ah... you don't believe me? I could prove it... I could lift you up right now... if you'd like—"

"That's a very... tempting offer... but I am at work. And then... you moved to the food court... to avoid making your sick party members uncomfortable."

"What is this?... This... polite man... is NOT the Kashiwagi-kun I know!"

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