Chapter 1 My Mom Sees Through Everything (Except Her Son’s Feelings)
It was the first night.
Quiet words were exchanged in a room at an inn.
“…It’s just the two of us tonight.”
“Uh, yeah. True…”
Masato had been keeping his eyes tightly closed, but now he opened them.
The lights were out and the room was dark. But the moon shone through the curtains, providing just enough light to see.
He could see, but he had no intention of looking at the bed next to him.
“…So, um…”
“What is it?”
“Uh… No, never mind.”
Not only could he not look, he couldn’t even manage a conversation.
Because he was sleepy? No. He wasn’t the least bit sleepy. If anything, he was wide awake.
The two of them were spending the night in the same room—alone.
Just the two of them, along with that scent—body soap? Shampoo? Either way, it was the sort of scent men find appealing.
“…Ahhh…”
“…!”
The faint sound of her breath next to him. Very distracting. Her bed creaked slightly as she rolled over, and Masato almost jumped out of his skin. He couldn’t handle this…
“Can I join you?”
“…Huh?”
Surprised by the question, Masato made the mistake of looking her way—and found her right in front of him.
Even in the darkness—no, especially in this darkness—the unnecessarily sexy, semitransparent negligee did little to hide her generous curves, which were right before his very eyes and getting closer.
She was clearly about to climb up onto Masato’s bed.
Sharing a bed with someone this sexy meant… Well, you know.
Dad… Mom… This will be my first time. Soon, I’ll be a man!
Was that right?!
“If you can’t sleep, Mommy will sleep with you. Come on, Ma-kun, sleep with Mommy!”
“I’d rather dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
This was no time for sick virginity jokes!
Masato leaped out of bed, pushing his mother away with as much force as he could muster without actually injuring her at all—so not that much force, really.
The lady in the skimpy negligee was Mamako.
And obviously, she was his mother.
“Mom, I beg of you! Please don’t ever suggest anything so horrific!”
“Oh, goodness. You seem quite angry, yet you’re being so polite about it!”
“This is a plea of desperation! A humble request from the heart! I just need you to understand somehow!”
“But you don’t seem to be able to sleep, Ma-kun. Why not let Mommy spoil you?”
Mamako sat down next to Masato, hugging his arm.
Since the negligee fabric was as thin as it could possibly be, all her body heat, the soft folds of her— No, he wasn’t enjoying it!
Masato was about to lose his temper and yell at her for real when…
“…Any second now.”
He suddenly grew very calm and fixed his gaze on the door.
He’d figured it was about time someone burst in, but…no matter how long he waited, no one did.
“…Guess not.”
Masato had been hoping a cliché would save him.
Just as he was lying on the bed, in the throes of awkward contact with negligee Mamako…
…Wise would suddenly burst in, get the wrong idea, and start yelling, “The hell’s wrong with you?!” and then Medhi would show up and say something malicious while looking gorgeous.
Then Porta would come running, be super-confused by everything, and look adorable.
He was hoping that would happen.
“…They’re not coming.”
Why not…? Well…
The morning before…
The Normal Hero’s adventure was progressing smoothly.
His party had everything under control. Their victory was assured.
As they crossed the field…
“Oh, monsters! Be careful!”
The party’s adorable item crafter, the twelve-year-old Traveling Merchant Porta, spotted the enemy.
The monsters hadn’t seen them yet. The advantage was theirs.
The first to attack was the hero, Masato… Or at least, he wished that was the case, but that was doomed to remain a wish.
The first to dash into the fray was, as always, the Normal Hero’s Mother, Mamako.
“Leave this to me! I’ll take care of them! …Hyah!”
The sleeves of her dress fluttering, Mamako ran forward, a sword in each hand—Terra di Madre, a crimson blade with the power of the earth, and Altura, a navy-blue sword with the power of the sea. She swung them both.
And what happened?
The enemies were completely wiped out.
Rock spikes shot out of the ground, and a hail of water bullets followed behind, ripping apart the monsters before they even had a chance to scream. The entire battle lasted approximately five seconds.
“Hee-hee! I did it! …Okay, Porta! Your turn!”
“Got it! Collecting gems is my job! Leave it to me!”
Defeated monsters dropped items that could be sold for money, and Porta scurried around collecting these. The mountain of them was soon inside her shoulder bag.
Approximately ten seconds after combat began, all things related to combat were complete.
Such was the power of the hero’s party!
Mamako’s constant vigilance ensured the other combat members never got a chance to act.
Victory was assured!
Which left the rest of them…
“““…Sigh… The weather sure is nice…”””
…all too aware of their place in the world. When the battle began, the other three combatants had settled down in the shade of a nearby tree, gazing off into the distance.
First, there was Masato. The Normal Hero.
“Oh… I feel like I just developed a new skill…and mastered it. A skill that gives me courage to claim I’m not just watching the fight but developing a new skill. Let’s call it Brave Observation.”
He wore a top-tier jacket that provided both resistance to status effects along with an auto-heal function (but didn’t protect his state of mind). In his hand, he carried Firmamento, a translucent blade with the power of the heavens. He certainly looked the part of a hero.
To his right sat Wise, a high school Sage.
“That’s nothin’, Masato. As the ultimate Sage, I’ve learned Magic Observation, which is loads better.”
“Oh? And what does that do?”
“Observe how I have nothing up my sleeve yet still manage to astonish the crowd.”
“That kind of magic, huh? But there’s no crowd watching you observe this battle.”
As a Sage, Wise was great at magic. She wore a crimson sorcerer jacket, and was using her magic tome as a cushion—she was clearly not planning on actually casting a spell any time soon.
And on Masato’s left was Medhi, a Cleric with a beautiful smile.
“You’ve both learned such wonderful skills. I myself have acquired Holy Observation and am polishing it as we speak.”
“Ooh, even Medhi’s joining in.”
“So? What’s it do?”
“It’s an extremely sacred type of observation that purifies things in a sense. It can even straighten out the personality of someone as fundamentally twisted as Wise. Isn’t that nice?”
“I think your spiteful side is what needs straightening out here…”
Clerics were healers, using Cura and support magic. She wore a pure white healer tunic that suited her job perfectly.
Clearly concerned about getting grass stains on her clothes, she had made sure she was sitting on what appeared to be one of Wise’s camisoles. On the surface, she appeared perfectly pure and innocent.
Then:
“Oh, Mama! More monsters!”
“Got it! Leave it to me! …Hyah!”
Another battle had begun. Porta spotted the enemies, Mamako’s overwhelming firepower demolished them all, and Porta gathered the gems. “Over there!” “Got it!” “And there!” “Got it!” They seemed to be having a great time.
And the three of them just watched. That was all they ever did.
A thought struck Masato.
“…We can’t just sit here chatting about random stuff. We’ve gotta do something.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yes.”
Wise and Medhi both agreed with him. They knew it was true. And yet…
“In which case, let’s go with this.”
Masato pulled out a flyer.
CASINO GRAND OPENING!
Below the flashy header were photos of slot machines, poker tables, and piles of chips. And a map.
Congratulaaaations! To the heroes who defeated Amante, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Libere Rebellion, we’re offering a ten-million-mum giiiift!
There was a handwritten note that seemed to be weirdly attempting to replicate a habit of drawing out the vowels. Both the inexplicable acknowledgment and absurdly high reward were clearly suspicious, even by the standards of dubious flyers.
Masato showed them the flyer, to which Wise and Medhi said, “Yikes…,” and “Again…?” respectively. Both of them glared at him balefully, but he held up a hand.
“Let me explain. This flyer was left specifically on the door of the room where I was staying.”
“So it’s bait? Another invitation from Shiraaase? Offering a high reward for defeating one of the Four Heavenly Kings so she can trick us into helping her with something else…?”
“Something that Mamako will end up resolving all by herself, while the three of us get nothing out of it. I’ve seen this pattern before.”
“Honestly, that’s totally my take on it, too. Fool me once…” replied Masato. “Well, we’ve learned our lesson. And yet…this might be our only chance.”
Masato stared at the flyer again.
“See, I haven’t told my mom about this flyer yet.”
“You haven’t told her… You mean, you think we’ve got a chance of claiming this prize behind her back?” asked Wise.
“Exactly.”
“Mamako has total control over the party’s money…” added Medhi. “And this is a lot of money, so there’s a strong possibility she’d feel obligated to turn it down. But if we were to get the money directly, it would all go into our pockets…”
“Yep. We could split it evenly… I’m thinking of using that money to buy equipment and items to make myself stronger. I mean, you really can buy your way to power.”
“That’s, like…such a banal way to look at it…”
“Pay to win is the scourge of modern gaming, after all…”
“Yeah, but I say we turn that to our advantage. There’s nothing wrong with that!” Masato insisted that this was the way of the world. He was very passionate about this.
“Third time’s the charm. This is our last chance—everything’s riding on this. If it doesn’t work out, I swear I’ll never pay attention to another flyer again. So…”
He bowed his head at both girls, pleading.
The two of them sighed, then nodded.
“Fine! If you put it that way, I’m in… Plus, if it works out, I’ll be filthy rich.”
“It’s not that I’m displeased with the allowance Mamako gives us, but…it never hurts to have more money.”
“True. Besides, there’s a few cosmetics out there I wanna try.”
“I’ve actually had my eye on this one outfit, and this kind of money would definitely help.”
Despite their skepticism, both seemed pretty excited.
Or maybe just plain weird.
“Money… Mwa-ha-ha…”
“Money… Heh-heh-heh…”
“Um, uh… There’s still the option of using it to make yourself stronger, but…uh, to each their own, I guess. Do what you want.”
Once these girls were hooked on a dream (or desire), they weren’t going to listen to a word he said. No mortal could resist the temptations of cold hard cash.
“Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s use that casino to take home even more,” said Medhi, to which Wise replied, “Good idea! That’s where we claim this reward, right?”
“Y-yeah. Superconvenient. Like, straight up telling us to flip that cash into the casino and walk away with even more money. Check it out.”
Masato showed them the flyer again.
“Huh? …Masato, gimme that.” Wise took it from him and glared at it. “Hmm… Hmm? …Um…”
“What’s up, Wise? Something bugging you?”
“The handwritten part here… Is it just me, or does this seem like one of Shiraaase’s invitations?”
“Probably. She did the same thing for the whole academy student recruitment event. Trying to bait us into it, that sorta thing.”
“Right… But… The flyer this time… The wording sounds like her, but the handwriting seems totally different. Hmm… Eh, whatever. Maybe that’s the point! Not worth thinking about.”
“Totally.”
Despite what she’d said, Wise was still staring intently at the flyer, but Masato ignored her. With both girls on board…
“Then let’s go to this casino, claim that reward, and see how high we can build that stake!”
…it was time to act.
Leaving behind the inn town where they’d hit the nadir of grinding their time-killing abilities, they boarded a passenger carriage headed for their destination.
The party was bound for the merchant town of Yomamaburg.
The city was in the heart of an open prairie. It lay on the nexus of several roads leading from coastal towns to interior cities, and the amount of traffic passing through had made it every bit as big as the capital itself. It was one of the largest cities in Catharn.
One could hardly talk about Yomamaburg without also mentioning the casino…
…but that’s precisely what Medhi did.
“Th-that’s all there is to know about Yomamaburg. It’s a place where business is always booming, so as long as you remember that…”
“Oh! …I bet they’ve got a ton of unusual ingredients, lots of options for clothes. We can get some quality shopping done!”
“Y-yes… Let’s call that our main goal…”
“Hee-hee. That does sound exciting! You certainly know a lot, Medhi!” Mamako said, sounding impressed.
“Y-yeah… I happened to come here once with my mom, so…” Medhi was being very obviously evasive.
But Mamako’s thoughts were firmly on the pleasures of shopping. She wriggled with excitement. “Mmph…” “Oops! I shouldn’t move too much!” Porta was taking advantage of Mamako’s lap pillow, so Mamako and Medhi were talking quietly.
Wise and Masato were sitting opposite, watching in silence.
“…Looks like she’s on board for now.”
“Yeah. No problem so far.”
The three of them were enacting a secret scheme.
With Medhi in charge of distracting Mamako, Wise and Masato were whispering quietly among themselves.
“Phase one…get to our destination without letting Mom know why. Seems like we’re gonna clear that mission, at least.”
“But we can’t let our guard down. I mean, this is Mamako we’re dealing with.”
“Yeah…and as her son, I’m pretty sure she’d be opposed to both the reward and the very concept of the casino. But honestly, even if we make it to Yomamaburg, it’s gonna be real hard getting to the casino without her noticing.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”
Wise puffed up her chest (or lack thereof). “What’re you looking at?” “There’s nothing to look at.” “Okay, cool, now die.” Her foot ground against Masato’s, and his HP started slowly draining…
“Wise, Wise! Sorry! I take it back! So please, stop crushing my foot and tell me your plan! It hurts; it really hurts; I’m sorry!”
“Very well… So the key to conquering Mamako…is you, Masato.”
“Me?”
“Of course! I mean, look, you just said, ‘Let’s go to Yomamaburg!’ without a word of explanation, and she was instantly on board. You’re our most effective weapon against her! She totally dotes on you.”
“Oh… Well… I’m not really sure how to answer that.”
“Oh? You’re not gonna throw a fit, like, ‘She totally doesn’t!’? Wow… Maybe you’re actually maturing. Maybe your relationship has leveled up.”
“L-look, I dunno. Does that stuff even have levels?”
It wasn’t listed anywhere on their stat pages. Maybe it was a hidden value.
Anyway.
“Point is, Masato, whether or not our scheme succeeds is all on you. Be ready!”
“O-okay. I’ll do something about Mom so we can pull off this casino quest… That does kinda sound like an adventure.”
“Yes. A sneaky adventure your mom can’t find out about.”
“Now it just sounds pathetic…” He hung his head.
But it was an adventure nonetheless.
And one where he played a key role, one vital to the mission’s success.
That felt pretty good.
“Right! Today I’ll show you what I can do—not as a hero but as a son.”
“We’re counting on you. Now…time to get phase two started.”
The prairie rolling by outside came to a standstill, and the driver announced their arrival.
Masato’s battle was just beginning.
As befitted a merchant town, merchants ran the place; most work here involved buying, selling, and scrambling for profits. They’d expected entertainment facilities to be a modest side attraction.
How wrong they were.
“““…Wha…?!”””
The moment they stepped out of the carriage, Masato, Wise, and Medhi’s jaws all dropped in horror.
Everything around them screamed casino.
Instead of a sign with the name of the town, there was a giant billboard that literally read CASINO. The buildings lining the main street were all casinos. Even the blocks that paved the street each had the word CASINO carved into them.
Uh-oh. It was like the entire town was screaming that the reason they’d come here was the casino.
Masato’s party was in trouble!
“Wait, wait, wait, wait!! This is bad, right?! The rug’s totally been pulled out from under us!” he cried.
“Our adventure ended as soon as it began… What a feeble adventure it was…” Medhi lamented.
“H-hang on! We’re still safe! If we can just keep Mamako in the carriage—!”
“Oh? Should I not have gotten out?”
As the three of them hissed urgently at one another, Mamako clambered down from the carriage and beamed at them.
Crap. If she saw all this casino stuff, she’d definitely be against it.
“M-M-Masato! Now’s the time to put your power as a son to work! Hurry!”
“R-right… I’ll do something…something…right nowww!”
Wise gave him a push, and Masato did the first thing that popped into his mind—reflexively, immediately!
He gently took Mamako’s head in his hands, pulling her close. A tender hold.
Mamako’s face was buried in Masato’s chest, leaving her unable to see. Good, good. Now they were safe.
“Oh my! My, my! Ma-kun! …Hee-hee! This is embarrassing!” Mamako blushed.
“Huh? …Aughhhhh! What am I doooing?! Nooooo! My mom’s turning red in my arms?! Eaughhhhh!!”
“Yo, Masato! Don’t let go! Keep her right there! Keep it—!”
“So this is Yomamaburg! Wow! All these shops are casi— Mmmphhh?!”
“Porta, come with me. I’ve got something very important to tell you.”
Wise took care of Porta, who’d started to say something the moment she stepped out of the carriage. With her lips pulled into a forced duck face, she was rendered mute.
Mamako’s vision was sealed. Porta was being hastily briefed. They were safe…
Except.
“Welcome to Yomamaburg! If you’ve come here, you must all be after the casi—”
“Friendly NPC who stands at the entrance to town and explains things, may we have a word? This way?” Smile.
A man had unexpectedly showed up and started to say the last thing they wanted anyone to say, so Medhi quickly lured him into a quiet corner. She was definitely a beautiful girl. The man looked quite happy, wondering what he’d done to deserve such luck…
A minute passed.
He came back, abject horror on his face. He must have caught a glimpse of the deep, dark terror that lay beneath Medhi’s betwitching smile.
“Kindly town-entrance NPC, will you explain Yomamaburg to us once more?”
“Y-yes! Th-th-the shops in this town are all owned by a company called Casino Holdings, which is why all the signboards have casino in the name, so though they may call themselves casinos, they are in no way actually casinos!”
He delivered this explanation through chattering teeth, then staggered away, presumably seeking some counseling room that could soothe the turmoil in his heart. Probably.
In any case:
“S-so, Mom, did you hear that? All the shops around here are made to look like casinos but aren’t actually casinos! Apparently! See? Not casinos!”
“Yes, I certainly heard him. And gosh, Ma-kun, your heart is beating so fast!”
“Pretend you didn’t hear that!”
Mamako was savoring the experience of being in her son’s arms. It was like he’d hypnotized her—it had become quite easy to implant suggestions. Masato glanced at the others.
He didn’t know what threat or dark power Medhi had unleashed, but she’d done good work. She gave him a nod.
And Wise… Well, Porta had a vague smile on her face and was shifting from one foot to the other, but this was so cute he wanted to give it the okay. Wise gave him a thumbs-up.
Whew… Crisis averted.
Masato relaxed, releasing Mamako from his embrace. “Hee-hee, Ma-kun!”
“Your daily quota has been reached,” he said, pushing her back when she tried to come back in for more.
Well, here they were.
“Right, then…”
“Time for a lovely mother-son Yomamaburg sightseeing tour!” Mamako glowed.
Masato kept trying to move away from her, but Mamako just kept mercilessly putting her arms around him. A Mother’s Light made her shine extremely bright. “Hey, I can’t see!” “Off we go! Hee-hee!” Excessive contact with her beloved son had clearly put Mamako in an unstoppably cheery mood.
As the glowing mother dragged her son ahead, behind them…
…Wise and Medhi were whispering to each other.
“Mamako’s all over Masato. This is ideal.”
“She doesn’t seem to have eyes for anything else. I was worried for a minute there, but it looks like we might actually pull this caper off.”
“Time to fire up the next phase. About that…”
“I got some good intel from the man at the gate, don’t worry.”
“Oh, nice, Medhi. Then we just have to find an excuse to split up…”
“Um, pardon me! Can I ask a question? It’s about the plan Wise told me!”
While the older girls were whispering, Porta had mustered up the courage to speak. She clearly had something on her mind, but…
…Wise and Medhi each threw their arms around her shoulders, purring in her ears.
“We understand. Getting the reward and trying to double down on it in the casino without Mamako finding out isn’t right,” said Wise.
“Y-yes! So I thought I should say—”
“But you mustn’t. You see, this is a surprise for Mamako,” added Medhi.
“A surprise?”
“Yes, yes,” Wise assured her. “We’ll get the reward, and use the casino to make it way bigger, and then use that money to make ourselves stronger, and Mamako will be so surprised!”
“Normally, we leave all the fighting to her. We just want to relieve some of the burden on her, however slight… This whole plan is just us trying to make her life easier.”
“O-oh, I get it! This is all for Mama!”
“That’s right,” said Wise. “That’s what Masato said.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Masato said that? Wow! I knew he was nice!”
This was definitely Masato’s idea, but he hadn’t said a word about making life easier for Mamako. “He said, ‘I’ll take responsibility for everything!’” “He did indeed.” “Is that so?” He hadn’t said that, either.
“So you get it now, Porta?”
“Yes! If that’s the case, I’m happy to help! If there’s anything I can do, just say the word!”
“That’s such a help… With your Appraise skill, perhaps we can figure out which slot machines or cards are ready to pay out…”
“Yeah, with Porta around, we’re definitely gonna rake it in now. Mwa-ha-ha.” Grin.
“It looks like our victory is assured. Heh-heh-heh.” Grin.
Having thoroughly duped the innocent younger girl, sinister grins spread across both girls’ faces. Their expressions alone ought to have led to their arrest.
While this was going on in back…
…up ahead, Masato had no idea that all responsibility for this caper had been thrust upon him and was just being dragged along, caught in Mamako’s arm hold.
Then he stopped in his tracks.
“Wow, that’s…a bit much.”
At the end of the road, he’d found a casino that was so ridiculously gaudy it dwarfed all the other shops around.
Everything glittered. The signs, the building itself, the passages leading inside—everything was studded with magic stones that shone with brightly colored lights. On top of that, there was a visual display depicting a stream of coins falling from the sky. It was blinding. Gaudy without measure.
“This place looks way fancier than these other casinos… Oh, this is the one from the flyer… Huh?”
Masato checked his pockets, but the flyer was gone. Wise still had it.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Wise and Medhi checking it over. They noticed him looking and nodded. This was definitely the place.
“…You guys ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, let’s do this. The final phase!”
“Failure is not an option. We must pull this off.”
They all nodded at one another.
Filled with resolve, Wise spoke up.
“Okaaay, then. I think this calls for some free time, wouldn’t you say?”
“If you head west from here, you’ll find an inn with three sevens on the sign. Let’s meet up there this evening! How does that sound?” asked Medhi.
“Yes! I agree! I’ll help!”
“Whoa, you even managed to talk Porta into it…! All right, let’s do that!”
This was the moment that would decide everything. They had to get Mamako’s approval here and the moment they got away from her dive into the casino.
If Mamako approved free time, then the casino was theirs to conquer!
“Mom, you agree, right? Just say the word and—”
“I don’t mind splitting up, but I just think we ought to explore the place together first. I mean, it’s our first time here, so that would be safer, right?” She smiled.
“Uh…”
That was a totally legitimate argument. Had they failed already…?
No, not yet! Masato dug in his heels. The boy who wanted to claim a huge reward and gamble with it would not be so easily swayed!
“B-but, Mom, hold up! Sure, this is our first time here! But we’re not little kids anymore, so just give us a chance to stretch our wings…”
As Masato struggled, Wise and Medhi shot each other a quick glance.
“Um, Mamako,” Wise suggested. “Let me be honest. The whole idea here is to let you and Masato have some time alone together.”
“Masato just wants you to spoil him rotten, you see. Strengthen the bonds between you and him, making the two of you even more powerful,” Medhi agreed.
“Huh?”
“Masato gets stronger when Mama dotes on him? That’s amazing! How wonderful! I hope you spoil him so much!” Porta glowed.
“Wha—?”
“Gosh! Is that true? Ma-kun, you want Mommy to spoil you? This is like a dream! …I understand! Then let’s all split up!”
“Whew, got Mom’s approval. That’s good— Crap, no it’s nooooot!!”
Wise, Medhi, and Porta could go off and do whatever they wanted, but Masato was stuck glued to Mamako’s side
That was a death sentence.
“Wait, back up! Where did this idea come from? Nobody told me!”
“Masato! Make sure Mama dotes on you a while! That will make her happy, too!” called Porta.
“Y-yeah, Porta, you’re genuinely just doing this for Mom’s sake, but—”
“’Kay, Masato, see ya! Go on and have Mamako spoil you to your heart’s content!”
“We’ll meet up at the inn with the three sevens sign this evening! Don’t forget!”
“Wise! Medhi! How could you?! This is so wrong! What could be more ridiculous than my mom spoiling me…?!”
Masato’s desperate protests fell on deaf ears.
Mamako had her arms tight around his arm.
“Hee-hee. Come on, Ma-kun, let’s go. I’m gonna spoil you soooo much!”
“For the sake of my health try to keep it— Auuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!”
Mamako was over the moon; Masato was white as a sheet.
Their reactions couldn’t be more different, but this spoiling was clearly inescapable.
They watched Mamako’s glow retreat into the distance, Porta waving enthusiastically and Wise and Medhi in grim silence.
“Masato…we promise your sacrifice will not be in vain,” swore Wise.
“We may have sacrificed you without your consent, but we believe it’s for the best.”
“Yes! Mama was sooooo happy! This is a good thing!”
“And we’re free to hit this casino. All good things! Now it’s time to— Oh, but first…”
Before they stepped into the casino, Wise slipped into a shadowy corner and quickly chanted a spell.
“Spara la magia per mirare… Transformare!”
Wise cast a transformation spell on herself. The crimson sorcerer jacket rippled, replaced by an all-new look.
Her flat chest was suddenly overflowing. Her waist tucked in while her backside developed an all-too-alluring curve. Her skin turned tan. She now wore a luxurious evening gown.
Disguised as an adult, Wise came back, showing off her new look to Medhi and Porta.
“Ta-daa! Well? Super grown-up, right?”
“Wooow! Wise, you’ve become the Queen of the Night!” squealed Porta.
“I have? …Um, th-that wasn’t what I was going for… I was just trying to look more like an adult, but…I guess she’s the first person who pops into my mind when I think of a grown-up…”
“The Queen of the Night was your mother, right, Wise? I’ve heard the stories, but…this is downright brutal.”
Medhi showed no mercy. She wasn’t beating around the bush.
“B-brutal? …Anyway, I might only kinda look like my mom, but I’m not her, I’m just a generic grown-up! This way we can act like we’ve got an adult chaperone with us!”
“This world is just a game, so I don’t think they have any rule requiring one…”
“But just in case they do! …And, like, if we go in as just a bunch of kids, we’ll draw a lot of attention, and the Great Porta Plan will be way harder to pull off!”
“I suppose that is a concern.”
“Huh? There’s a plan named after me?” Porta said, looking baffled.
But the evil teenagers brushed right past it. “Oh, whatever, don’t worry about it.” “You needn’t worry about a thing, Porta.” “O-okay…?”
“Right,” grown-up Wise said. “Let’s do this!”
The three of them stepped into the casino.
Drawn inward by the lights of the magic stones, they found the entrance guarded by a well-built man in a black suit.
“Welcome to the casino.”
“Thanks. It’ll be just the three of us. These two are minors, but I’m their guardian, so they’re allowed in, right?”
“Oh yes, no problem there. Our casino does not bar entry to minors or require they be accompanied by guardians in the first place.”
“Ack… I was afraid of that…”
Wise’s transformation proved utterly meaningless. There was a puff of smoke around her, and she was herself again.
“At least you’re consistently useless, Wise.”
“Oh, shut it! Let’s just go in there and win, win, win!”
“Even when you lose, Wise, I will win for us. Not to worry.”
“I can help! Let’s all win lots for Mama!”
Not one of them doubting their inevitable victory, the three girls stepped inside.
It was definitely a casino.
The floors of the veritable pleasure palace were covered in red carpeting, the walls painted pitch-black, and the chandeliers above shone with all colors of the rainbow. It was as elegant as it was luxurious.
The casino boasted a broad selection of gambling attractions. Card and roulette tables stood in rows, and in the center of them was a massive flask-shaped machine for a bingo-like game called keno. Inside the flask were an assortment of numbered balls getting blown around and randomized by gusts of air.
There were also rows of slot machines—analog machines with actual moving parts and video slots with digital screens. Machines with three reels and machines with five—so many contraptions and so many varieties.
While there were no other children in sight, there was a large crowd of men and women of all ages.
Medhi, Porta, and Wise all stopped at the entrance, gaping.
“This is just…crazy extravagant…”
“Y-yes… It really is magnificent…”
“Everything is so sparkly and shinyyy…”
All three of them were left feeling a little overwhelmed.
Then an elderly gentleman in black came walking slowly toward them, a warm, grandfatherly smile across his face.
“Welcome to our casino. Is this your first time?”
“Huh? Oh yes! Our first time! We saw this!”
Wise held out the flyer.
The old man took a long look at it, his smile briefly wavering. But the warmth soon returned.
“I see. You must be the guests our manager invited.”
“Oh? The manager here invited us?”
“We don’t really know anything more than this…unless…”
“Is the manager’s name Ms. Shiraaase, by any chance?” asked Porta.
“Mm? This casino’s manager isn’t named anything like that.”
“““Huh?”””
The old man looked puzzled—the three girls even more so.
“Oh, maybe she’s using a different name?” wondered Wise.
“I suppose Ms. Shiraaase does change her name every time she assumes a new role.”
“I see! Then surely she’s using a totally different name this time!”
She could be annoying like that, so it was probably what was going on here.
When he saw they’d relaxed, the old man spoke again.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am this casino’s assistant manager. I’ve been given the task of serving as your guide, so I do hope you enjoy your visit.”
“Yeah, thanks, dude!”
“Wise, that is not how you address someone of his status. Mind your manners.”
“Sorryyyy. Thanks a bunch, sir.”
“Mr. Assistant Manager! I don’t know anything about casinos, so please tell us more!”
“I’d be glad to. First of all…as this document clearly states, we’ve prepared a reward we’d like to give you all. Would you prefer to receive the reward directly or convert it to chips to use in the casino?”
“So we can get the reward? Cool! Then convert the whole lot and let’s take this casino on! Right?”
“Yes. I agree.”
“We’re here to play!”
“Very well. Then the reward will be paid in casino chips. May you all have a wonderful time. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
The assistant manager produced a case full of chips from nowhere in particular. They were starting with ten million in chips.
Where to begin? The three of them looked around.
“Hmm… I say we start with the slots!”
“Ohhh, always an excellent choice. Using the slot machines to increase your initial stake is a classic approach to casinos. You certainly are well-informed.”
“Huh…? Uh, I just picked something at random…”
“Wise, I think you just used up your beginner’s luck,” said Medhi.
“What?! Nooooo!!” Wise was horrified.
“That said, let’s try out the slot machines.”
“Okay! I want to try, too!”
The three girls ran toward the corner that was jam-packed with the slot machines.
Incidentally, there are two main types of slot machines: flat-top machines, which offer low but more frequent payouts, and progressive machines, which allow you to aim for a huge jackpot at very low odds.
The basic approach to playing slots is to start on a flat-top machine and slowly increase your cash on hand. This is merely common sense.
But our three girls were unaware of this, and lured by the high-value payout, they chose a progressive-type three-reel analog slot machine.
“How ’bout we make this a contest? Like, whoever hits the jackpot first wins. Of course, it’ll be me, duh.”
“I feel like this is a bad idea… That said, I’m definitely going to win. Heh-heh-heh.”
“I’ll try my best! I want to hit the jackpot!”
“To win the jackpot, you must wager the maximum amount of chips on all lines. The total chip number will show the amount of chips you’ve put in. You merely need to press the MAX BET button. Enjoy!”
Each put a single rainbow-colored chip into their slot machine. “Wait, we’re starting at a million?!” “Each chip is a million…” “I feel so rich!” There were three scoring lines, and the max bet on each was a thousand…but the girls were too excited to realize how much that was.
Wise, Medhi, and Porta all pulled their levers simultaneously to start the process. A brief melody played, and the reels began to spin. Soon, they stopped! The results:
All three missed. Oh well.
“Eh, this was only the first turn. That’s just how it goes.”
“That’s true. Let’s go again.”
“Let’s keep going!”
So they did. Two times, three times…ten times…twenty times… Each time they drew again, but…
…the machines never once paid out.
“W-we’re really not getting anywhere…which means…”
“Yes. I think it’s about time.”
Wise and Medhi shot each other a sinister glance, then checked to see if the assistant manager was watching. He was a good distance away, apparently observing the other customers.
This was their chance. They lowered their voices, launching their secret plan.
“Okay, Porta. You’re up.”
“For us to win the prize, for Mamako’s sake—you can do this for us, right, Porta? Right?”
“Yes! If I use my Appraise skill, I might be able to find a machine that will pay out! I’ll give it a try!”
All revved up, Porta started to activate her Appraise skill…!
But in that very moment: “Stop right there, patron.”
A large number of men in black suits suddenly surrounded them.
“Wha—?!” “Huh?!” “Eek?!”
There was nowhere to run.
The wall of suits parted, and the assistant manager stepped forward, smiling just like before.
“I’m afraid our casino strictly forbids the use of Appraise skills or other means of determining odds. Should any visitors attempt to use such unscrupulous means, invited guests or not, there would be a significant penalty incurred. Porta, would you mind joining us in the office?”
“Yes, sir! I did use my Appraise skill, so I’ll go right to the office!”
Porta saluted, readily confessing to her actions. Such a good girl.
Behind her…
“W-wait… Medhi… This means…”
“Y-yes… The worst possible outcome…”
Wise and Medhi had both gone pale as humanly possible, left staring into space.
But of course, Masato had no way of knowing what was happening back at the casino.
After leaving the girls, he and Mamako had wound up at a trendy café.
“Before we arrived in this game world, I would’ve never imagined the two of us out together at a place like this! This is like a dream come true, Ma-kun!”
“More like a nightmare if you ask me… Sigh…”
The idea had been to sit down a minute somewhere, collect themselves, and figure out what they were going to do next.
But moments after they’d been seated on the roadside terrace:
“Congratulations! You two are the seven hundred seventy-seventh couple to visit our café! To mark the occasion, we’d like to present you with this complimentary Love-Love Sip-Sip Drink sure to melt your hearts with sweetness!”
The waitress placed a massive glass on their table, with two straws that twisted through each other to form the shape of a heart. Clearly, it was designed for the two of them to sit face-to-face and drink it together.
A moment later:
“Hee-hee! We’re so lucky! Come on, Ma-kun! How about you share this drink with Mommy?”
“There are things you shouldn’t even aaaaaaaaaaask about!!”
Like sucking on a heart-shaped straw with your son, for one. How many deaths would that rack up?
Masato tried to protest, and yet—
Argh… I can’t tell them we’re mother and son, not a couple…
All the other people in the café clearly were couples. This was obviously a café for couples.
If word got out that he’d come here with his mother, that alone would be a disaster. Although Mamako had just called herself “Mommy,” so maybe the secret was already out. He didn’t think those giggles were just his paranoia.
They had to leave this shop as fast as humanly possible. His throat felt very dry, so first he’d drink some water. And get this conversation over with.
“Okay, so, Mom, as for what’s next…”
“Oh, waitress! What’s this Love-Love Say ‘Ah’ Pancake Set?”
“Pancakes served with sweet honey sauce. You take turns feeding bites to each other, and we offer a free service where we take photographs of you doing that and decorate the walls of the shop with them!”
“Oh, that sounds lovely! We’ll take one.”
“Don’t order things that are even worse!”
The waitress bowed and left.
“Mom! Listen! We’ve got to figure out what we’re doing next!”
“Oh my. Ma-kun, don’t be in such a rush. But I understand. You just can’t wait to have me spoil you.”
“That’s not it! That’s not it at all!”
“Oh, it isn’t? Am I confused again? Well, maybe we should go sightseeing with everyone, then.”
“W-wait… Don’t do that!”
Honestly, if they did that, Masato would be very relieved.
But he remembered what Wise had said.
“Masato, whether or not our scheme succeeds is all on you.”
And how he’d answered.
“I’ll do something about Mom so we can pull off this casino quest… That does kinda sound like an adventure.”
Yeah. This was part of his adventure.
Masato had freely accepted the mission to keep Mamako at bay.
The girls may have picked the means of doing so without asking, and that wasn’t fair—but then again, adventures were never fair.
I’ve got to sacrifice myself for the sake of my party… Man, that’s really heroic.
He was duty bound to stick this out.
This was an adventure nobody but Masato could ever have.
For my party… Yes! It’s all for their benefit!
It was a selfless rationale, one that wasn’t in line with Masato Oosuki’s true feelings, but he repeated it to himself until it sounded convincing.
His mind made up, he said, “M-Mom! I’m gonna make you spoil me rotten today! Are you ready?”
The moment his own words echoed in his ears, he could feel his heart sinking.
“How lovely… Hee-hee!”
Mamako’s smile came from the bottom of her heart. A single tear escaped her eye, rolling down her cheek.
“Wh-why are you crying?! This isn’t worth crying over!”
“Oh my goodness! I’m sorry! Mommy just got a little worked up. I was so happy to hear you felt that way… Sniffle…”
“O-okay, okay! I’m glad you’re happy! So just, um, um…drink this!”
“Yes, let’s. This is not the time for tears! Let’s drink it together!”
“…Wow… I really stepped in that one…”
The Love-Love Sip-Sip Drink’s heart-shaped straw was turned toward him.
His mother’s eyes glistened with tears, and unable to refuse, he took a sip with her. It was…
“…Soooo sweeeeeet…”
Sickeningly sweet. So sweet it was actively painful.
And then Masato realized that all the couples nearby were staring at him. Every mouth hung wide open, like they simply could not comprehend a boy who enthusiastically demanded his mother spoil him.
It was intolerable. He couldn’t go on like this.
“Uh, a-anyway, that’s that! Let’s walk a bit and figure things out! Let’s get out of—”
“Oh! Ma-kun, look out! Behind you!”
Masato had bolted to his feet just as the waitress arrived with the Love-Love Say “Ah” Pancakes. She shrieked, surprised by Masato’s sudden movement. He blinked, and the tray went flying.
Honey-covered pancakes landed right on top of his head with a splat.
Fortunately, there was a staff shower room in the back of the café.
“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”
“Oh no, it was my fault. I’m just glad you’re letting me use your shower.”
Mollifying the profusely apologetic waitress, Masato took off his clothes and stepped into the shower.
There was quite a collection of body soaps and shampoos for women inside—these must belong to the waitresses—but the sweet scent coming from Masato’s head overpowered all of them.
“I’ll just use whatever and get this out.”
Then…
“Ma-kun, let Mommy help!”
“…Huh?”
The shower room door had opened, and Mamako had joined him. He was under the water and couldn’t open his eyes, but he could definitely tell she was there. He was painfully aware.
“Wait, Mom?! Why are you in here?!”
“Why, so I can wash your hair, of course!”
“I didn’t ask you to!”
“But today I’m supposed to spoil you, right?”
“Y-yeah, but—”
“Then why shouldn’t I do just that? Just do what you did when you were little and say, ‘Mommyyy, wash my haaair!’ …You used to hate washing it yourself and always made me do it for you. I really miss that, you know. Hee-hee.”
“Argh… That was a long time ago… I can wash my own hair now…!”
There was no point in comparing Masato as a child to his current self.
But he’d put his life on the line and agreed to let Mamako spoil him. He’d made his choice.
“M-Mom! Can you wash my hair?”
“Yes! I’d love to! Leave it to Mommy!”
Shame, pride—they all went out the window. Masato let her take charge.
He just kept his eyes tightly shut. Not to keep the water and shampoo out but to avoid catching any glimpse of what was happening.
“Well, then, Ma-kun! Stand up straight! That’ll make this easier.”
“Okay… Uh… Whaaaa?!”
When he straightened up, something insanely soft pressed against his back.
Something belonging to his mother.
“U-um, Mom… You are…like, dressed, right?”
“Of course not! Can’t have my clothes getting wet!”
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
His mother in her birthday suit.
Masato quietly tried to lean forward and extract himself, but she took a firm grip on his shoulder and said, “Don’t move!” before pulling him back into the softness squeezing against him. Every time he moved, he could feel it shifting around his back, so he tried moving as little as humanly possible, but it was still there.
Soon the water stopped, and his mother’s fingers were pressing against his head. Scrub. Scrub. Scrub.
“Argh… That does feel good… I mean, it feels good on my scalp, not my back! …And that’s infuriating in its own right…”
“If it feels good, why get angry?”
“That’s a fair argument, but… Argh…”
“Goodness, Ma-kun, what’s wrong? Did shampoo get in your eyes?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just… Argh, I’m ready to cry. What am I even doiiiing…?”
The tears were already flowing.
The brutal path of the spoiled had only just begun.
Once Masato’s head was nice and clean:
“You got honey sauce on your shirt, too! We’ll just have to go buy you a new one.”
“Shopping? I guess that sounds relatively safe. Let’s do that!”
And so they made their way to an equipment shop.
The interior was lined with armor and helmets. In addition to equipment designed for combat, they had normal clothes and underwear.
When Masato and Mamako stepped inside, the girl working there came over to them.
“Welcome!” she said. “Are you…boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“I will kill you.” Masato glared.
“Eek?! You look like you mean that!!”
“Ma-kun! That’s no way to talk to the poor girl!”
“I—I know, I know! …Uh, she’s my mom. We’re just here shopping for clothes. If you say any other weird stuff, I’ll abandon this whole hero thing and come for your head, so how about you just stick to providing information?”
“R-right, understood! Last thing I want to do is interfere with some mother-child shopping! If you need pant legs raised or have any questions, feel free to ask! I’ll leave you to it!”
The girl darted away. This way they were safe from getting any awkward suggestions. A stroke of luck. Whew.
“Okay, Ma-kun, let’s pick out a shirt for you! Yay!”
“Keep your voice down. This sort of thing is best done in whispers. We don’t want to attract attention.”
Everyone else in the store was a young adventurer. Masato quietly pushed Mamako toward the everyday wear, hoping nobody would notice them. Best to get this over with.
“Hey, Ma-kun, stand up straight. I want to see how this fits.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Mamako picked several shirts off the rack and held them up to Masato’s back, checking to see if they fit the width of his shoulders.
Masato maintained good posture, waiting for her to finish…
“This one’s perfect. And it has antibacterial and deodorizing properties… Oh, I know. Maybe if I give it a good squeeze, that’ll infuse it with love and affection? Hee-hee!”
“Uh, just what’re you up to back there? …Hmm?”
He had concerns about what was going on behind him, but something else caught his eye.
Over at the registers, the girl they’d been talking to was whispering with the other staff members. They kept glancing at Masato. Uh-oh… Was this…?
“Look, that boy’s here shopping for clothes with his mom!”
“Begging her to buy him clothes? He’s so spoiled! That’s hilarious.”
They were almost definitely saying stuff like that. Without a doubt.
This was bad news. When they went to ring up the purchases it would be absolutely mortifying. Retreat!
Masato turned to Mamako. “Uh, Mom, I can buy my own shirts. You don’t need to pay for them.”
“Don’t worry, I’m happy to buy them for you. Today is my day to spoil you! If there’s anything else you want, just make sure to tell me.”
“That’s not the point! That’s not what I’m talking about!”
“Oh, isn’t it? …Was all that talk of getting me to spoil you just some sort of cover-up—?”
“No, no!! It definitely wasn’t! It was, uh… I know! I feel bad making you buy everything for me, so let me buy something for you! How’s that?”
“Oh my! You really don’t need to. I mean, I’m delighted you feel that way, but…the money…”
“I’m getting an allowance, so I’ve got some saved up! Okay?”
Arguing like this was a waste of time. Masato quickly slipped around behind Mamako and pushed her forward.
They headed for the women’s section.
“Right, let’s hope they’ve got something decent…”
He had no clue what kind of design would look good on Mamako, so he just picked up something at random and looked it over. “Erk… Nine thousand seven hundred mum…” That was pretty pricey. Would be tough on his wallet.
“Ma-kun, it’d be a shame to spend that much money on clothing. Mommy thinks…that would be a better choice.”
Mamako pointed at the bargain bin.
The contents of it were all priced at 777 mum—definitely pretty cheap. The bin was filled with cotton and lace, a mountain of cloth in all colors.
“And the price is a lucky number. Let’s go with these.”
“I mean, yeah, it’s lucky, but…it’s also pretty cheap…”
“It’s not the price that matters, it’s the feeling! Why don’t you pick out something you think would look good on Mommy?”
“Uh, sure, if you say so… But what are these? Handkerchiefs?”
He picked up a balled-up bit of fabric, straightening it out.
And it was women’s underwear.
“Whoooaaa?!”
“Okay, now go ahead and choose. Which one would look best on Mommy? Pick whatever strikes your fancy! Which one do you want to see Mommy wear?”
“I’m so sorry; please show some mercy. I don’t care how much money I spend, just let me buy anything but this, please!”
He was ready to go down on his knees.
In the end, he had Mamako buy him the shirt, and Masato also bought her something. The same skimpy stuff she always wore.
“Hee-hee, a present from Ma-kun! I’ll treasure these.”
“…Yeah, great… Please do…” He hung his head.
He couldn’t get the look the staff gave him out of his mind—a look that had clearly said, “Huh? You’re buying panties for your mother? How screwed up are you?”
After leaving the equipment shop, the two of them began wandering at random.
“Hey, Ma-kun, it seems like all the shops in this area have different names.”
“Oh, I guess these aren’t part of Casino Holdings.”
He’d been starting to wonder if this place was all casinos, but it was a merchant city after all. Now that they’d found the shopping district, there were stores of all kinds: equipment and item shops, stores that sold everyday goods and groceries, even hair salons and a hospital. They should have come here first.
Masato glanced up at the sky and saw the sun getting lower. It must be nearly three.
“Still plenty of time before we need to meet up… I guess we should find something else to do?”
“Yes. As long as we have time, I want to enjoy this mother-son date.”
“Please stop calling it that…”
He’d said these words far too many times already.
“Oh, Ma-kun! I wonder what that is?”
Mamako was pointing at a shop ahead. There was a sign out front.
PARENT/CHILD… QU…T……… CLASSROOM
Part of the sign was obscured by the branches of a tree.
“Is that ‘Q-U…T’ part quest? You use that word a lot, right, Ma-kun?”
“Uh, yeah, I do…”
“Then I’m sure that place is for parent-child quests! Ma-kun, let’s do that! The two of us together!”
“No, wait, that’s definitely not what this is. The leaves are hiding the rest of the name and… Waahhhh!”
Unable to resist Mamako’s most powerful tug, Masato was dragged inside.
The interior looked like a day care: cushions everywhere, a slide, a jungle gym, toys for little kids to play with, cute animals drawn on the walls.
There was a young woman in the corner sitting cross-legged, staring at nothing. Did she work here?
She noticed Masato and Mamako.
“O-oh? Um…are you a couple on a date?”
“I will kill you.”
“Eek?! Is this a robbery?!”
“Ma-kun! You can’t say things like that! …I’m sorry to just burst in like this. Is this the Parent-Child Quest Center? My son and I would like to take on this quest. Would that be at all possible?”
“Huh? He’s your son? What do you mean, quest? …Ohhh, um… No, that’s not… This is the Parent-Child Quality Life Classroom… Ah—!”
Just as the woman was about to correct Mamako, she suddenly broke off and looked the pair over carefully.
She immediately transitioned into customer service mode. A smile spread over her lips, and she greeted them happily.
“Yes! Welcome to the Parent-Child Quest Center!”
“Wait, you just said it was actually Quality Life.”
“No, no, no, no, that was just your imagination! We’ve just rebranded as a quest center special for parents and their rather large children just like you! Yes, indeed!”
“Gosh, how lucky!”
“This ain’t luck. Besides…”
Masato looked around.
There was a huge sign reading, TO SPOIL IS TO BOND! IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE CLOSER TO YOU!
“Wow, that sounds incredibly dumb. So basically, this place is for little kids and their parents? We really don’t belong here. Mom, let’s go…”
Masato turned to go, but…
…the staff lady raced forward and took a firm grip on his arm. She seemed desperate.
“W-wait! Please stay a while! We’ve had no customers in days, and it’s real bad! Ever since all the city’s parents and children vanished, we’ve been at our wits’ end!”
“Why should we care how your business is doing?”
“Please… It doesn’t matter how old you get, being spoiled is important! Having someone who will spoil you unconditionally opens up the heart and enriches your life! And by doting on you, your mother experiences joy, as well! Both mother and son grow happy together! …Right, Mom?” she asked, turning to Mamako for help.
“That’s right. Children getting their mothers to spoil them is proof of their mutual trust. Mommy wants to spoil you all the time, Ma-kun!”
“See? Come, come! Listen to your mother!”
“And this is the day when Mommy gets to spoil you the whole time. It might help if you learn how to get spoiled here!”
“What, seriously? You two have, like, a day for that set up? …Wow…”
The woman’s smile never wavered as she took a step backward.
“Wait, don’t get the wrong idea! There’s a good reason for this!”
“A reason? Ma-kun, what could that be? Do you have some other goal in mind…?”
“No, no! I mean it! I’m, like, super into this! Let’s study up on how to be spoiled! Yee-haw!”
He could not have Mamako suspecting anything. Abandoning all dignity, he wiped his tears and threw himself into it.
“Well then, young man. As a professional Doting Instructor, I can walk you through it. Let’s begin!”
“Begin…what exactly? I’m honestly not sure what we’re doing here.”
“No need to think about it! Just remember how it felt when you loved to have her dote on you—when you used to throw your arms around her all the time, to get scooped up in her arms—and then just act accordingly. I’m a Doting Instructor, so you can take my word for it.”
“S-so I should hug her? …O-okay, then…”
“Hee-hee. Come, Ma-kun. Let Mommy spoil you!”
Mamako spread her arms wide. Going in head-on was too much.
So Masato approached her back, summoned all his mettle, and gave her a hug from behind. Not a tight one—that would be too much—but a nice, gentle embrace.
“Oh my! Ma-kun, you really are such a spoiled little boy, clinging to Mommy like this! Hee-hee.”
“Argh… Grin and bear it… You can do it… This is all educational…”
“And of course, rather than having the son take action, having him demand that his mother do something also counts as spoiling. Let’s try that!”
“R-right… Um… Um… Um…!”
A flood of horrifying ideas rushed through his mind, all far too embarrassing. He could feel the blood vessels in his face ready to burst.
But he had no choice.
“M-Mom! Can I lay on your lap?”
“Of course! Right here!”
Mamako went down on her knees, patting her thighs.
Masato wiped the back of his head with his sleeve (he wasn’t really sure why) and then put his head down on Mamako’s lap, the shame of it driving him half-mad.
But honestly, his head felt pretty good. Soft. Warm. Relaxing.
“Ma-kun, how is Mommy’s lap?”
“Uh, well… It’s, uh…you know… It’s your lap.”
His mother beamed down at him, a blissfully contented smile on her face. It was the kind of smile that made you forget everything wrong with the situation.
But the instructor staring over her shoulder, looking extremely serious, totally ruined that.
“So, young man, how does it feel to demand to lay on your mom’s lap at such an age?”
“Like I wanna die!”
“That’s an unfortunate choice of words. It’s like you don’t really want to be spoiled!”
“Oh, Ma-kun? Is that true?”
“No! I’m super-happy! Being spoiled is the best!”
He just didn’t care anymore. He forced a smile despite the tears.
“Argh! Instructor lady! What else should we do?”
“Let me see… Then how about adding story time to this? That’s some very advanced spoiling.”
“You’re on! Let’s do it!”
Masato hopped up and went over to the bookshelves. “Um… This one!” He grabbed a picture book and came back, putting his head back on Mamako’s lap.
Then he held up the picture book Momo-mom-taro.
“Mom! Read this to me!”
“Gosh, Ma-kun, to hear you beg like that… Hee-hee. How can I say no?”
And now for story time on Mommy’s lap! Here goes!
“‘One day, a peach came bobbing down a river. A mother plucked it out and bit into it, and inside the peach was Momo-mom-taro.’”
“Now, son, ask your mom a question. Make sure to do so in a pleading tone.”
“H-hey, Mommyyy… Wasn’t Momo-mom-taro born from his mom like normal boys, not from a peach?”
“Yes, just like Ma-kun came out of Mommy. He’s a normal boy.”
“Hmm. That makes sense. A normal mom and son. But with a name like that, I’m worried about his future.”
“Good job, young man. Now turn over for no reason and rub your cheek against Mommy’s lap. That’s really spoiled!”
“Y-yay, Mommy’s lap feels so good!” Rub, rub.
“Oh my! Ma-kun! That tickles! Hee-hee-hee!”
Mamako looked unbearably happy. It was clear she was thoroughly enjoying this. The instructor gave a satisfied nod, as if the effectiveness of spoiling had been proven.
But Masato alone was forcing himself further into despair.
No, no, this is all wrong. It’s all an act; I don’t mean any of it…
Masato rubbed his cheeks against his mother’s lap, his eyes glazing over, his mind screaming denials that reached nobody.
This was unbearable.
“Why does this always happen to me? …The girls are all off enjoying the casino, and I’m left here… Sniff…”
Lamenting the difference in their fortunes, Masato’s tears stained his mother’s lap.
As for Wise and Medhi:
“Crap, crap, crap! This is real bad! I’m outta chips! Hold up, hold up!”
“Wise, will you keep it down? I’ve almost got— Argh! I missed because of your yowling!”
They were teetering on the edge of a proverbial cliff, desperate to stay alive.
Clutching the analog slot machines with bulging, bloodshot eyes glued to the reels, they begged: “Aughhhhhh?! I missed?!” “Ugh! This one, too!” Yet it was one miss after another. The reels never lined up right.
But they couldn’t quit without winning!
“We can’t afford to rack up pocket change! We’ve gotta get that jackpot! That’s the only way! All or nothing!”
“I know! If we don’t hit the jackpot, we’ll never get Porta back! So… Assistant Manager, sir!”
“If your initial stock of chips is running low, you’re able to purchase more. How does that sound? Our casino does allow you to pay later…”
“And that means we can pay with the winnings, right?!” asked Wise.
“That’s right! We just have to win enough that we never have to pay for it!” said Medhi.
“That is certainly a possibility, but perhaps you should calm yourselves and think this decision through—”
“Oh, don’t fuss the detaaaaaails. You heard themmm. They just have to wiiiiin.”
As the assistant manager attempted to talk sense into the two girls, a new woman sat down next to Medhi.
She looked to be a little older than Wise and Medhi. Curvier than your average teen, she wore a long black coat and was running her fingers through her long hair—which was of a dubious shade of purple.
This woman was gazing at the two younger girls through sleepy eyes.
“Um… Who are you?”
“Allow me to introduce you. This is—”
“’Kay, that’s enooough. We’ll have time for that laaaater… More impooortantly, you two seem like you’re in quiiite a pickle. What’s wroooong?”
“The heck d’you mean, what’s wrong? Our friend got charged this insane fine, and we’ve gotta earn enough to pay for it! …So, hey, if you know of any machine that seems like it’ll pay out, please tell us! We’re desperate here!”
Wise was clearly clutching at any straw.
The woman smiled, as if taking morbid pleasure in their plight.
“I seeeee. How aaaawful… Sooo what do you say to a little competiiition?”
“Huh?! What d’you mean? Like, against you? This ain’t the time for—!”
“The rules are siiiimple. First, decide how much you’ll waaager. Then we’ll both play the slot machiiines. Doesn’t matter what you line uuup, as long as you get a hit before meeee, I’ll pay you ten times that vaaaalue. What do you saaay?”
“What? Ten times what we bet?!” cried Medhi. “Th-that would really help, but…but what’s in it for you?”
“Does that maaatter? I just want to gamble with youuu… What do you saaay? We doin’ thiiiis? Or nooot?”
Should they take her draaawn-out proposal?
“Ten times…” said Wise. “We could borrow a tenth of Porta’s fine, and if we win…”
“We could get her back right away! I’m in!”
“Y-yeah, we’ve got no choice. Let’s do this.”
The two of them were still in a state of panic and quickly pounced on the bait dangling before them.
“Very wellll. I’ll play you each onceee… Mwa-ha-haaa…”
For a brief, subtle moment, a faint glow appeared around her, like a skill activating. The woman smiled.
“…Sigh… Being doted on is exhausting…”
“Hee-hee! I got to spoil you so much today, Ma-kun! My body and soul feel so refreshed! It’s like I’ve just learned a new skill!” Glow.
“Spoiling someone can’t possibly give you a new skill, even in this game. Please don’t even suggest it. And you’re seriously blinding me. Could you not to glow so intensely?”
It had been a brutal trial for him, but they had finally left the Parent-Child Quality Life Classroom behind.
Out on the road, the sun was beginning to set. It was time.
“We should head to the meetup point.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Mamako put her arms around him without asking, but he no longer had the energy to fight it. Masato just gave up and started walking like that. He had reached a level of burnout where even the sensation of his mother’s chest pressed against him barely registered. Hooray for burnout. Apathy forever.
“Hey, Ma-kun.”
“Mm? What is it?”
“Thank you for today. Mommy’s bursting with joy now. I was so glad you wanted to spend time with me, and it made me so happy. Thank you again.”
His mother’s heartfelt, earnest gratitude caught him completely off guard.
“Y-yeah… I mean… If that’s all it takes to make you happy, it’s a small price. I guess.”
Defenseless against this ambush, Masato felt his face get hot.
It didn’t actually feel so bad…
Argh, she oughta be the only one happy right now. Why am I getting happy, too? Geez.
His internal conflict over wanting to retain his sense of self raged on.
…Perhaps it would take a lot more practice before he’d be able to just accept gratitude from his mother in earnest.
They walked on through the streets, chatting about this and that.
Eventually they found the inn with a sign that read 777—the place Medhi had chosen for them to meet.
“Looks like the other three aren’t here yet… What should we do?”
“I suppose we should see if they have any rooms open. I’ll go ask.”
“Cool, thanks!”
Mamako went skipping off inside.
Masato leaned against the exterior wall, watching the crowds pass by.
“…Let’s hope they all won.”
He’d sacrificed a lot to let them hit that casino. There was no way that after all this trouble they’d come back like, “We lost the whole reward and went bankrupt! Ah-ha-ha!” That would be unacceptable.
So he was sure they’d show up all smiles, having pulled every trick in the book in order to win.
That moment was almost here.
“…Where are they?”
When he saw them, what should he say? He had to gripe a bit, at least.
Masato stared into the crowd, trying to think up the perfect phrase.
The sun had long since set. Evening had come and gone, and it was well and truly night.
Masato watched the road carefully, but there was still no sign of Wise, Medhi, or Porta.
“…This is far too late, isn’t it?” Mamako said, worried. She’d been watching the crowds with him. Masato had long since run out of ways to placate her concerns.
What should he say? He mulled it over.
“Ma-kun, maybe we should head to the casino and get them.”
“Huh? Oh, um… Yeah, maybe…” he started, and then it suddenly hit him. “Mom, how did you—?!”
“Ma-kun, be honest. They went to the casino, didn’t they?”
“Uh, yeah… They did…”
“I knew it… The moment they suggested splitting up, all three of them started glancing at the casino, so I had a hunch.”
“You did? …So you knew about it all along?”
“Of course! I’m a mother. We always know when children are hiding something from us. Hee-hee.”
There was nothing accusatory in her tone; she just seemed amused by it all.
But then a look of concern crossed her face.
“Maybe I should have warned them… I figured it would be good to let them have their fun without me around, so I pretended I didn’t know, but…”
“I’m definitely wondering why that consideration couldn’t be extended to me.”
“But since they’re so late getting back, I’m sure something must have happened… Ma-kun, we’d better go get them!”
“Uh, yeah! Good point! Let’s go!”
Fixing their eyes on the bright lights of the casinos, Masato and Mamako hurried ahead.
The casino lights were bright enough by day, but at night the glow was so overwhelming that it left no room for shadows anywhere.
All the casinos on the street appeared to be doing very well; the doors were wide open and customers were streaming in—some with evident delight, some with grim resolve, and some with abject defeat.
Masato and Mamako ran down the row of casinos, beneath lights so bright the stars above could scarcely be seen.
“Just so we’re on the same page, Mom, how do you feel about casinos and gambling?”
“Well…I wouldn’t say I’d forbid it outright, but I don’t exactly approve, either. I mean, it sounds like gambling always leads to debt and ruined lives. You never hear anything good about it.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought… And if I said I wanted to go?”
“I wouldn’t stop you. I don’t think it’s good for parents to force their beliefs onto their children… But I might just hug you so tightly that you couldn’t go anywhere.”
“Physical restraint, huh? Love shows no mercy…”
She clearly cared very much about him, so this should make him happy, but instead he was just disappointed. Could you blame him?
“So, Ma-kun, do you know which casino they went to?”
“Uh, yeah. About that… Probably that one there.”
Ahead of them lay the gaudiest, most luxurious-looking casino of all—the place the girls had been so clearly interested in when they’d split up. They were likely inside.
Masato and Mamako hurried toward it and found a large man in a black suit staring down at them at the door.
“Welcome to our casino.”
“H-hi. Um…”
“This is my son, Ma-kun. He’s still underage, but since this is a game world, is he allowed inside?”
“Oh! Nice job, Mom! You’ve actually learned something about games!”
“Hee-hee. Naturally! The guidebook has so many useful facts. Things that aren’t allowed in the real world are allowed in here!”
“You are completely correct, ma’am. Mamako Oosuki, Masato Oosuki, our casino’s manager has been waiting for your arrival. Please head on in.”
“Um…?”
A surprise invitation by name. The man in black said nothing more but simply gestured firmly inward.
“What do you mean ‘the manager’s waiting’? Mom, we should be careful…”
“I’m so worried! Let’s hurry!” She dashed off.
“Will you listen to me?!”
But she was already gone, and Masato was forced to run after her.
And so they rushed through the golden door reflecting all the lights of the street, and into the casino.
Slots, poker, roulette—all sorts of games decorated the lavish interior, each more enticing than the last.
And the staff working here were equally eye-catching.
The dealers handling the cards were cool and stylish, to be sure, but what really grabbed Masato’s attention were the Bunny Girls.
Bunny ears, high-cut leotards constantly on the verge of overflowing, slim legs in fishnet stockings.
They were unbearably perfect.
Gulp-inducing Bunny Girls, right before his very eyes!
“Hey! I’m the ultimate Sage-turned-Bunny Girl, and here I went to the trouble of bringing you a drink, y’know?! And you only give me a one hundred mum chip? You’ve got some nerve! Don’t be a cheapskate!”
“B-but I don’t know what that ultimate Sage thing is…and I’ve been losing pretty badly, so I don’t have that much—”
“Okay, start jumping. Jump up and down. If I hear any jingling, I’m chain casting an instant death spell on you.”
“S-sorry! I do have money! Here! Take it!”
Crying, the man gave the flat-chested Bunny Girl a large pile of casino chips.
Masato was hallucinating. That was the only explanation. Bunny Girls were supposed to be all smiles and blown kisses, not menace and threats.
Look, over there by the slot machines! That was a real Bunny Girl!
“Ma’am? Have I seen you slapping the slot machine? Repeatedly?”
“Um, w-well… It refuses to pay out, so—”
“Count yourself lucky I’m the only one who witnessed it. If I were to report this to the boys upstairs, you’d be forced to pay a very stiff penalty.”
“C-can we keep this between ourselves? Please?”
The woman at the slot machine handed over a large number of chips. The Bunny Girl gave her an incredibly captivating smile and poured the chips into her generous cleavage.
Masato pretended he hadn’t seen that.
Okay, last time! Over by the poker tables, the actual Bunny Girl!
“Hey, cute li’l bunny with the shoulder bag! Gimme a good luck charm, will ya?”
“Okay! Leave it to me! …Will the card be good? It’ll be a good card! A good card…here!”
“Let’s see if it worked… Oh, that’s a great hand! Thanks, cute li’l bunny! Take this for your trouble.”
“Oh, okay! Thank you!”
He must be a high roller. The elderly man gave the little Bunny Girl a bag overflowing with wads of cash. Mm. Delightful!
Wait.
“Oh my! All these Bunny Girls look so familiar!”
“Yeah. Let’s go hunting.”
Since she was closest, Masato started with the self-proclaimed Sage Bunny Girl. He grabbed her by the bunny ears—perhaps not the best way to deal with Bunny Girls.
“Yo, Wise, what the heck are you doing?”
“Huh? Isn’t it obvious? Serving these customers! …Wait, Masato?! And Mamako?!”
“What? Masato and Mamako? …Ah!”
“Oh! Masato! Mama! You’re here!”
Bunny Wise’s cry brought Bunny Medhi and Bunny Porta running over. Reunions! And that meant… “Ugh. Geez,” Masato grumbled, secretly looking forward to a group hug.
“Mamakooo!” “Mamako!” “Mama!” They all hugged her.
“Oh, thank goodness, you’re all safe!” She hugged them back.
“Yeah. I knew it. I knew it all along.” Masato sniffled, lowering his outstretched arms quietly. This was how things always went. “Anyway, what’s going on? Why are you guys dressed like Bunny Girls?”
“Yeah, about that! Listen to this! We—!”
“No, nooo! Stoppp! On-duty staff can’t be slaaacking,” a languid voice interrupted.
It belonged to a woman in a long black coat who looked a little older than Masato. She was flanked by several men in black.
The woman was twirling her long, purplish hair around her fingers, ambling forward as if she were strolling through a field of flowers, her gait every bit as languid as her voice.
Beautiful but with sleepy eyes, like apathy personified…yet she seemed to be carefully observing them all.
Masato felt vaguely anxious and was soon on his guard. He took a step forward.
“…Um, who are you?”
“Meeee? I’m the manager of this casinooo. Myyyy name is Sorella. Hiiiii.”
“Uh, sure. Hiiii. So…what does the manager want with us? I heard you were waiting for me and my mom?”
“I waaaas. I thought I should explaaain directly why your party has all become Bunny Giiiiirls. Don’t you want to knoooow?”
“Yeah, I think that bears explaining.”
“Cooool. You see… But first, bunnies, do get back to woooork. Otherwise you’ll never pay off that deeeebt.”
Wise opened her mouth to argue with Sorella, but then she winced, shut up, and the three girls turned and left.
Masato considered stopping them, but it was probably better to get his bearings. He and Mamako turned to face Sorella.
“…Then please explain. And if you could talk a little faster…”
“Noooope. I won’t hear any complaints about the way I taaaalk.”
“Please, Ms. Sorella. We’d love an explanation. Why are they dressed like Bunny Girls? And what’s all this about debt?” Mamako asked fretfully.
Sorella’s eyes narrowed, focusing on Mamako. But a slow smile soon spread across her face.
“I’ll keep it briiief… Fiiirst, Porta used her Appraise skill to find a slot machine that would pay ouuut. That was against the ruuuules, and the penalty was a trillion muuum.”
“A trillion mum—?!”
“Geez, I bet Wise and Medhi put her up to that. Still, a trillion…!”
“Soooo then Wise and Medhi made a wager with me to get Porta baaaack. And they looost. So now they both owe a hundred million muuum.”
“Both Wise and Medhi?!” exclaimed Mamako.
“Oh, that’s riiight… Medhi was soooo angry that she kicked a slot machine and broke iiiit. Soooo including the destruction of property costs, I believe her debt is actually one hundred fifty million muuum.”
“Aren’t you the one demanding this debt be repaid…?”
“Yesss… Well, something like thaaat.”
Sorella pointed across the casino to the prize exchange counter.
There was a list of prizes and prices, starting with ordinary items:
POTION: 10 CHIPS
MP RECOVERY POTION: 50 CHIPS
THOU DOST NOT WISH TO FIGHT WATER: 70 CHIPS
Next, there were other prizes and the number of chips needed to obtain them:
RUBBER GLOVES (ONE SIZE FITS ALL): 100 CHIPS
LAUNDRY DETERGENT (REFILL): 300 CHIPS
FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE (SINGLE USE): 1,000 CHIPS
And below those…
BUNNY WISE: 100,000,000 CHIPS
BUNNY MEDHI: 150,000,000 CHIPS
BUNNY PORTA: 1,000,000,000 CHIPS
…the three girls’ debts were listed as well.
“H-hey… You don’t mean—!” said Masato.
“Don’t tell me you’re offering the girls as prizes…!”
“I aaaam. If someone agrees to pay their debt, the girls are theirs for the taaaking. Until then, they have to work as staaaaff… Sooo what’ll it be, Masatoooo? Mamakooo?”
Sorella allowed a spiteful smirk to flit across her face.
They had only one choice.
Masato and Mamako glanced at each other and nodded.
“Me and Mom will get the three of them back. That’s the only option.”
“Yes. We simply must!”
“Goooood. Well, have fun earniiiing! …But oh, we’re about to cloooose. So I guess you’ll have to try tomorroooooow.”
“Yo, wait, you’re closing? This early?”
“You seeee, we’ve got special gueeeests tonight. We want to prepare them a little something speciaaal. So that’s all for todaaaay! Off you goooo.”
“Something special…?”
“Hold up. I’m not leaving them here. We’ll pay off their debts, so at least allow them to leave with us—”
“I guarantee they’ll all be safe heeere. They’re valuable priiiizes. After all, Porta’s with themmmm. We’ll take extra, extra care of herrrr. Soooo…see you tomorroooow!”
With that languid denial, Sorella and her goon squad left.
A moment later, an announcement came over the intercom that the casino was closing. It was still early, and the customers looked surprised, but they all began obediently filing out.
The staff quickly retreated as well. Their party members were mixed in with the other Bunny Girls. They all paid a cursory glance to Masato and Mamako and clasped their hands together apologetically…but all the two could do was watch them go.
Their fight would begin tomorrow.
“…I guess we have to retreat for now. Should we go back to the inn?”
“It’s a shame, but I think so… We’ll have to go back, book a room for the two of us, and get a good night’s sleep to prepare for tomorrow.”
“Uh… Then…you and I are gonna be sharing a room?”
“Yes. The first time we’ve slept together since entering this game world!”
Masato retracted his earlier thought.
His toughest battle was only just beginning.
“Hmm-hmm-hmmm, hmm-hmmm, hmmm-hmm-hmm-hmmm… Ohhhh?”
Humming brightly, Sorella returned to the manager’s office, thoroughly pleased with herself.
But she found someone waiting for her inside the dimly lit room: A girl with a wild ponytail dressed in the same exact coat. She was sitting in Sorella’s favorite executive chair without permission, her legs up on the desk, staring angrily at the casino flyer.
Sorella was a liiiiiittle bit put out but not mad. She didn’t let herself get mad.
“Ooooh, ewwww, there’s something gross in heeeere. How did that thing get iiiin? Where did my bug spray goooo?”
“Don’t treat people like insects! …There’s no reason why I should have to explain, but I called ahead, arrived on time, and was led into your office by your own staff…!”
“Buuut, buuuut…all Mamako Oosuki had to do to defeat you was snap her fingers, riiight? You aaare an insect.”
“W-well, I was careless, sure! I never imagined there were attacks I couldn’t reflect! And she didn’t just snap her fingers, she fired a laser cannon at me!”
“Ewwww, excuses are sooo pathetiiiic. I’m ashamed to be among the Four Heavenly Kings with yooou.”
“Ack… Well, gee, sorry!” The ponytailed girl made a face and kicked the desk.
This girl—Amante—was fierce like a tiger. And she snarled at Sorella.
“The point is—! You sure lured Mamako Oosuki here pretty well! So hurry up and go fight her already! I’ll help you—!”
“Whaaat? Are you a total iiiidiot? How could you possibly help, Amaaante? Get ooover yourseeelf. I’ve got this coooovered.”
“Don’t just write her off! Mamako Oosuki’s strength is off the charts!”
“I knooooow. But you seeee, if you fight strength with streeeength, you’re just being stuuupid.”
Sorella paused to emphasize her sneer.
“Mamako Oosuki and her crew will be taken care of by meeee, Scorn-Mom Sorellaaaa, she who scorns all motherrrs. My special skill will take her dooown. I’ve already defeated Wise and Medhiiii. And all without even lifting a fiiinger.”
She made her declaration apathetically, lackadaisically, but with unwavering conviction.
Amante clearly wanted to argue, but all she managed was an exasperated sigh.
“…Ugh, fine, be that way. I’ll do whatever I want, too… I made a fair amount of money at Solo-Killer Tower to equip my lackeys, so I suppose I could top that up a bit in your casino…but I don’t need to tell you that!”
“You really must stop overshaaaring. But we’d welcome you on the flooooor! Use up aaall your moneyyyyy.”
“I’ll be raking it in. Bye!”
Amante stormed out.
And the laugh Sorella had been stifling came bursting forth.
“Ohhhh, she’s so duuuumb! With my skill, there’s no way anyone could make any money heeeere! Not the customers, not Amante, not Mamako Oosukiiii! None of them will wiiiiin! Mwa-ha-haaa! …Oh, I’d better make sure it’s staaaacked.”
One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Libere Rebellion, Scorn-Mom Sorella, had already activated her unique skill. Now she was simply stacking the effect.
Imagining how Mamako would arrive tomorrow only to lose, Sorella hummed and waited for dawn.
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