The Zilnius Academy might only have crazy people.

That goes for both the main characters and the background ones.

Looking at the people in front of me, I couldn’t help but think that.

“—Dungeon Skip Club?”

“Yep. It’s a club for those who want to take it easy.”

“So, an experiment where you’re skipping through dungeon exploration while sleeping?”

“Yep.”

Thanks to Kanon-chan’s divided death, we were able to wake up the defeated students and ask them what happened, and they confirmed it was exactly what they said.

Kanon-chan and I exchanged glances and tilted our heads.

Seriously, what are they even talking about?

“We got the idea from sleepwalking. We pre-programmed the actions as patterns and control them using magic. This way, even if the person isn’t conscious, they could still explore the dungeon.”

“That’s not possible, what are you even saying?”

Kanon-chan responded with a completely serious expression.

Well, that makes sense.

“If this succeeds, we’ll be able to explore dungeons while sleeping! During the day, we can focus on our research, and at night, we’ll explore dungeons in our sleep. How does that sound?”

“That’s a failure.”

“That’s a failure.”

At our words, the students showed sad expressions.

Don’t cry, it’s okay, I’m sorry.

“We were still in the experimental phase, so we were trying it late at night in this building where no one really comes. We even spread rumors about ghosts to keep people away, but…”

Huh… So that’s the ghost story?

I’m really disappointed now.

『Looks like Toa-chan’s fainting was a waste.』

“Why did you have so many people involved?”

“We divided roles among the members like it was a game, and decided to try exploring the dungeon this way. This was kind of like a demonstration.”

The other club members nodded.

I see… Since it’s hard to do complex actions while asleep, they planned to stick to simple patterns for dungeon exploration.

Wait, so the rumors about ghosts spreading might’ve just been because they kept adding roles like this?

“But, if you’re going to attack other students like this, that’s not okay. We programmed it so that it only reacts to dungeon monsters or the dungeon master, but the program we put together in an hour wasn’t accurate enough.”

“Seriously, you thought this would work? Did you even submit a request to the student council? This is clearly a stupid and dangerous experiment.”

At that, the student quickly looked away.

When Kanon-chan took a step closer and stared at them intently, the student sighed as though giving up.

It’s not fair, I want a beautiful girl to stare at me like that!

“I submitted the request a week ago, but Vice President Luka rejected it saying, ‘If you have time to do something so meaningless, hurry up and analyze Sorciera’s magic formulas.’”

“Ah, if it’s Luka, that makes sense. If it was Nico or President Hishou, they’d’ve approved it immediately.”

“That’s right! A month ago, when I asked President Hishou, he was like, ‘Rainbow-colored glowing? That’s amazing! Alright, I’ll get some budget for you!’ and approved it right away.”

“Now that you mention it, that was you guys… I thought I recognized your faces…”

Kanon-chan placed a hand to her forehead and looked up at the sky.

It seems she and Miyume-chan were always solving incidents like this.

“Well, I’ll report it in a way that sounds good, so let’s just stop here, okay? Luka’s been on edge lately. Seriously, when she gets mad, it’s scary!”

Seeing Kanon-chan shivering, all the students nodded, seemingly remembering something. Why does it seem like everyone has experienced that?

“I understand. Let’s back off for now. Let’s go, everyone.”

“Yes, President.”

The students stood up, apologized to us, and turned to leave.

“Next time, let’s try that research where we can make the dungeon core glow freely, so it’s easier to organize.”

“Hey, keep it to research I can protect, okay?”

Looking at those crazy club members from Zilnius Academy as they hurried away, I couldn’t help but think this place probably has a lot of that kind of thing.

Kanon-chan sighed as she watched them go.

“There was no romance, no anything. So ghosts don’t exist, huh?”

“That’s right… Ah, Toa-chan, wake up.”

I woke Toa-chan, who had fainted in my arms.

“Mmm, hmm… huh, w-what about the ghosts?!”

“The ghosts were just people who wanted to explore dungeons in their sleep.”

“????”

She’d just woken up, so her brain was probably still fuzzy.

Toa-chan had a lot of questions swirling around in her head.

I’ll explain it properly later.

“Anyway, we solved the problem—congratulations!”

“Thanks for your hard work.”

“What’s going on…?”

“The Dungeon Skip Club turned out to be ghosts.”

“????”

She’s really sleepy, huh?

It’s true, Toa-chan usually goes to sleep by now.

Should I have someone make her a nightcap and pajamas?

The rainbow-colored ones. I just met some people who are really good at that kind of thing.

“With the credit for uncovering the truth behind this incident, I’ll be able to hold on for another month. I’ll even negotiate to get a nice budget. Alright! Tonight, I’m treating you both to a late-night snack! Zilnius Academy has a lot of places that stay open all night because staying up late is the norm!”

Kanon-chan laughed as she put her arms around me and Toa-chan’s shoulders. Alright, one guilty point.

I mean, that late-night snack money is coming from the research budget, right?

‘Does food bought from a beautiful girl taste better?’

Well, of course it does.

As we were feeling like the incident was wrapped up, I suddenly remembered.

There wasn’t just one ghost rumor.

“By the way, what about the rumor that the ghosts eat students…?”

If it’s their rumor, shouldn’t the eating part be a little strange?

“Hm, well…”

Without thinking, Kanon-chan immediately laughed and answered.

“It’s just a rumor. There’s no way that’s true. It was just a lie to scare people off and keep them away.”

“A lie, huh…”

Upon hearing that, there was no longer any doubt.

In fact, the ghost problem had been solved.

“Let’s eat steak, steak! Ah, are you the type to care about meals at night? Is that something that starts to matter at your age?”

“Huh, ah, I’m fine with eating at night… it doesn’t really matter to me…”

“Nice! Me too!”

Hmm, things feel relaxed.

From this relaxed atmosphere, I became certain about the spin-off.

This is it.

A spin-off where Miyume-chan solves the comedic incidents at the Zilnius Academy.

Maybe it’s even a four-panel comic.

A comedy at Zilnius Academy.

After being exiled, she’s probably helped by a group of two or three beautiful girls, and together they solve incidents, right?

Or maybe, it starts with just Kanon-chan and Miyume-chan, but the group slowly expands.

I’m familiar with these things, so I can tell.

That Dungeon Skip Club? They’re definitely supporting characters.

With that level of depth for a mob character, it’s impossible to be just a random background role.

In that case, all that’s left is to find the right characters and pair them with Miyume-chan!

It’s simple. I’ve won.

『Is it really that simple? Kanon’s behavior was a bit odd for a moment.』

It’s not that I’ve forgotten.

I believe that Nameless must have done something.

That guy must have interfered, ruining the chaotic gag comedy.

While keeping an eye on Kanon-chan’s behavior, I’ll also look for Miyume-chan’s true companions.

Geez, being a mysterious beautiful girl means there’s so much to do, it’s troublesome.

『Nameless, just who are you…!』

Stop that, it makes me feel like I’ve lost.

■

In the hospital room, where mechanical sounds echoed regularly, she suddenly sat up.

The time had already passed midnight.

“…”

Something was missing.

She thought that.

With this uncomfortable feeling, it was impossible to sleep.

Eventually, she unconsciously rubbed her stomach and realized the source of her discomfort.

Her mouth was filled with saliva, and her stomach was growling.

That’s right, she was hungry.

“…I’m hungry.”

It had already been a whole day without eating.

To live is to eat.

Then, I must eat to live.

“I need to eat…”

Her actions were driven by instinct.

Without even putting on shoes, she stepped barefoot onto the floor.

Then, with unsteady steps, she left the hospital room.