43: The Woman Who Doesn’t Trigger Erea’s Sensor
I have my fair share of connections with famous Fighters.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say I’m generally acquainted with people known as top-class Pro Fighters.
Among them, a certain Fighter I’ve been friends with for a long time is coming to visit the regional city where I live for the first time in a while.
Since that’s the case, we arranged to meet at the station to grab food together. Unfortunately, Daia couldn’t make it.
Well, since this acquaintance is staying for several days, we’ve arranged to meet up for drinks on one of those days.
Detective-san is also an acquaintance, so he’ll probably join us.
Other than that, it’s a question of whether Erea will participate.
While thinking about that, I check the time—it’s almost the appointed time.
Actually, since they’re coming by train, it’s about time for them to arrive.
Thinking that, I put away my phone that I’d been fiddling with and head into the station—
There’s a crowd gathered somewhere inside the station.
“That’s the place.”
I immediately head toward that crowd.
Pushing through the wave of people, I reach the center—
“Hiii! Shizuka has arrived!”
A flashy woman was saying that while flashing smiles at everyone around. A tall, slender woman.
About my height or slightly shorter, with black hair down to her waist streaked with blue highlights and a unique quirky style characteristic of hobby anime.
Combined with pants that clearly show her body line, the word “beauty” suits her well.
“——Whoa, it’s Minamo Shizuka.”
One of the onlookers mutters that.
Minamo Shizuka.
One of the top-class Pro Fighters, also called the strongest female Fighter in this country.
Contrary to her name, she’s a flashy woman who loves to stand out.
And,
“Hey, Shizuka-san. Long time no see.”
“Oh my, if it isn’t Manager. I was waiting for you.”
She’s also an old friend of mine. Specifically, since middle school.
I once participated in a tournament together with Daia, and that’s when I met this Fighter. We went to different middle and high schools, but we attended the same university.
“Hey look, that’s the manager of ‘Duelist.'”
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“Wow, so Minamo Shizuka knew the manager.”
I can hear the onlookers’ voices.
“Fufu, it seems you’re more famous here?”
“Well, this is my home turf after all. Come on, it’s not great being this much in the public eye, so let’s move.”
“You’re right. Fufu, being too famous is something to think about.”
——And well, as I said before.
As you can see, Minamo Shizuka is a confident woman who loves to stand out.
Now and in the past, she hasn’t changed. And she has the ability to match.
Truly, you could say she’s a Fighter perfectly suited to be a Pro Fighter.
Even though my companion is a woman, after ten years of acquaintance, I hardly ever think about such things anymore.
Also, Shizuka-san and I didn’t have that many opportunities to spend time together.
Because she doesn’t get caught up in Dark Fighter-related incidents, we don’t have opportunities to encounter each other during such events.
So well, we ate food without reservation, talked about random things while killing time, and eventually ended up heading to my shop.
Since we’re both Fighters, it’s natural law that when we meet and talk, we eventually want to Fight.
Today’s my day off, but it’s not like it’s forbidden to visit as a customer on my day off.
So, when we enter the shop—
“She’s here! To think he’d bring a woman straight to the shop… Manager-san, you’re being so bold……!”
“Fuhahaha! A date course worthy of that weirdo! I’ve been waiting, Heavenly-Person!”
Somehow, I got surrounded by regulars.
Starting with Yato-chan and Ren-san, mostly women.
Also, there’s Atsumi-chan, Necca’s childhood friend, and I’d say most of the female regular customers I know are here, wouldn’t I? The only one missing is Haku-san.
“What, what’s going on?”
“Well, it’s because there were rumors in town! That the manager was walking around with a woman nobody knew!”
What’s that about?
……Hmm? Ah, no. I guess that would technically be the case, huh?
Since my companion is Shizuka-san, I wasn’t conscious of it at all though.
My moves today can only be seen as if I’m on a date with an unknown woman.
Even if the date locations are a ramen shop and a card shop.
“…That’s what they’re saying, Shizuka-san.”
“Oh my, I’m happy to be the topic of conversation, but the Shop Manager is still the center of attention. I’m jealous.”
Saying that, Shizuka-san appears from behind me.
Then the reactions inside the store are roughly divided into two.
“Minamo Shizuka!? The real deal!?”
“Wait, isn’t that the Water-Person!”
Yato-chan is surprised and shocked by Shizuka-san’s sudden appearance, and Ren-san, who is acquainted with Shizuka-san, understands that the rumor was just a rumor.
These two reactions.
“Heey, I’m Minamo Shizuka! Nice to meet you!”
Shizuka-san boldly enters among the regulars without hesitation.
In any case, the store suddenly becomes noisy all at once.
At the same time, with Shizuka-san becoming the center of attention, no one pays attention to me anymore.
With room to breathe, I turn my gaze toward the counter.
It seems Mecha-Shi is minding the store. Then, where’s the other one… I was thinking when.
“Shizu-nee, you came! Welcome!”
A high-tension but slightly downbeat voice echoes from the crowd at the entrance.
Needless to say, it’s Erea. She probably went out to take out the trash.
She must have just returned.
“Oh Erea, you’ve gotten even cuter since I last saw you!”
“Says Shizu-nee herself, you’re looking especially sharp today.”
Looking at them, the two are doing an American-style greeting.
In other words, a hug. They get along as well as ever.
After that, people gather around Shizuka-san and talk about various things in a fun atmosphere.
Creating a large circle that attracts people like this is one of Shizuka-san’s good points.
Just like a beautiful recreational lake.
Shizuka-san has something that fascinates people like that.
While watching that, I head toward Mecha-Shi at the counter and complete a certain procedure. The field usage procedure.
Since I came as a customer today, I properly paid the five hundred yen.
“I can use it without waiting time?”
“Everyone was excited about the rumors of Shop Manager Mitsuru. Piga-ga-pi.”
I see. No, they’re way too excited about it. Isn’t it a holiday afternoon right now?
While thinking that, Yato-chan, who doesn’t seem to be the type to join crowds, leaves Shizuka-san and comes over here.
“Shop Manager, you were acquainted with Minamo Shizuka?”
“Well, we’re old friends. We’re both busy so we hardly see each other’s faces though.”
“Hmm… By the way, I have a question.”
While saying that, Yato-chan casually leans against the counter and looks up at me.
“Erea seems quite attached to Shizuka-san.”
“That’s right… Is that surprising?”
“Honestly, yes. …Erea has strong vigilance despite all that, right?”
That’s true.
As a former scout soldier, even though she seems to respond normally, Erea properly observes the other person.
Rather than being wary… it’s more like observing others has become a habit.
“Especially, her vigilance toward women around the Shop Manager’s age is incredibly strong.”
“Ah, yeah. That’s true.”
“I call it the Erea Sensor.”
What’s that? I’ve never heard of it. Well, she probably just came up with it now.
Anyway, in short, it’s about Erea being wary of women around my age who approach me.
Well basically, I have no intention of dating women much older or younger than me, so it’s natural for Erea to be wary of women my age, but…
…Saying it myself makes me embarrassed.
“Well, as you can see, Shizuka-san’s charisma has won Erea over.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen Erea call someone that way.”
“Shizu-nee, huh. No really, she’s quite attached.”
While saying that, I decide it’s about time to invite Shizuka-san to a fight.
After all, the people gathered here are fighters who love Ignition Fight. If Shizuka-san is going to use the field to fight, it’s natural they’d want to see it.
“I’ve been waiting for this, Shop Manager. No, Mitsuru. Today I’ll finally defeat you… and prove my ability.”
“There’s no need to prove it. Besides, in overall record, Shizuka-san should have more wins, right?”
“There’s significance in defeating you in this kind of setting!”
Well, overall record aside, I’ve won quite a lot in fights in public places. For Shizuka-san who loves attention, that’s a fact she can’t overlook.
“Ah, Shop Manager. Welcome back.”
“Yeah Erea, how’s the store?”
“Same as always, no changes.”
In the middle of that, I exchange words with Erea.
“That’s the usual Erea. The Erea Sensor really doesn’t work on Shizuka-san.”
I hear something from far away, but I’m ignoring it, ignoring it.
Erea is tilting her head at the term “Erea Sensor,” but you don’t need to worry about it.
“Oh right, the night after tomorrow I’m inviting Daia and the detective-san to go drinking with Shizuka, but—”
“—I’m going.”
It was an instant answer.
Somehow, I felt a chilling gaze for a moment.
I-is this what they call a sensor…?
“I’m going, I’m absolutely going. I trust Shizu-nee, but drinking is the only thing that’s not okay.”
“Why? It’s not like I’m going drinking alone with Shizuka-san, you know?”
“That’s exactly why. When you go with close friends, your guard drops and—”
Erea stops her words for a beat.
“There might be a one-night mistake…!”
“There won’t be!?”
I ended up shouting involuntarily.
I don’t understand Erea’s standards…!
TIPS: The chances of something happening in one night between the Shop Manager and Shizuka is about the same as the probability of Erea pulling a [Michiru] from a box she bought through any method other than buying a carton.
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