“Rokuhara-san is missing!!!”

I became certain of this when I quickly spotted Toraku-kun, wounded and collapsed, and Mihaya-chan, who was standing in front of him, facing the dungeon boss in a protective stance.

In the original story, they wouldn’t have been in such a dire state.

Toraku-kun and his team were currently in a large cavity deep within the cave, which was the nest of the dungeon boss.

By the way, we were observing from one of the higher horizontal caves among the many that existed.

The boss, which looked like a giant mantis, had scythes for arms but no other special abilities.

However, Toraku-kun hadn’t yet mastered how to use Lutra, and Mihaya-chan hadn’t awakened her powers either, so the timing was bad.

The protagonists found themselves in a pinch, but this was where Rokuhara-san was supposed to barge in.

That was the original scenario.

But what was unfolding before my eyes was completely different.

This is really bad.

The story is going to end!

If Toraku-kun dies, the world will be destroyed!

This is no time to just sit back and watch!

“Kei-kun!?”

“Sorry, I’m going ahead!”

I jumped down in front of the protagonist team all at once.

Then, I threw myself into the spot where the dungeon boss was about to slash Mihaya-chan with its scythe.

“Wha!? Why are you here!?”

There was no time to answer.

As the scythe swung down, my thought process sped up, and everything turned into slow motion.

The scythe loomed before my eyes.

Dodging or counterattacking was impossible.

If that was the case, there was only one thing I could do.

“Hmph!”

I concentrated all my magic into my right arm and thrust it out to block the scythe.

All I could do was defend!

If I can protect my favorite ship, it’s worth it!

“Guh… ah!”

The scythe dug into my reinforced right arm, and I felt my bones creaking.

Blood gushed out so much it was almost laughable, but I succeeded in stopping the attack.

At this point, it was my win.

I swung my left hand’s dagger down at the dungeon boss.

The paralyzing poison infused in the blade began to seep in from the cut, and within less than a second, the dungeon boss was paralyzed.

“Toa-san!”

I shouted her name, and in response, a golden light poured down from above.

It turned the dungeon master into ashes without allowing any resistance.

As expected, it’s our unbeatable strategy.

Paralyze and finish them with one blow. This is ultimately the fastest way.

“Hah, hah…”

Just in time. It would be no joke if the story ended here.

Thinking that, I turned around to check on the protagonist’s party.

“Narou Kei…”

It’s our second time meeting! Hello, Mizuhi-chan!

“Hmph, to think I’d have to see your faces again. I’m in the worst mood today.”

“Y-you’re still saying that…!”

Sorry about that.

But, I am Narou Kei, after all.

If I become a beautiful girl, I’ll be friendly then.

Oh, and of course, Touka-kun is all yours.

I’ll build my own yuri harem.

So, how about we rename it to Fectom Yuri Academy, student council president?

“Hey, is that your attitude after I went out of my way to help you? I’m the third son of the Narou family.”

“Hmph, I know all about you. You were kicked out of the Narou family and cut ties, right?”

Now that you mention it, that did happen.

Since it has nothing to do with TS, I forgot about it.

“And who is it that this outcast saved?”

“Ugh.”

…Oh, now that I think about it, with Rokuhara-san not here, who will teach Touka-kun about Lura?

It’s a skill he’ll need for the boss fight coming up soon.

Should I do it instead?

But getting involved with the original plot is…

Is Touka-kun even in a state to listen? Shouldn’t he be in a hospital?

“Don’t get close to Touka!”

“Shut up.”

I sit down and check on Touka-kun.

Hmm, he seems okay.

It looks like a typical case of magic depletion.

“…A-are you Kei-kun?”

Oh, he’s awake.

“Hey, Touka. You almost died. How are you feeling?”

“So, you saved me, didn’t you? Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m not thrilled to be thanked by a guy.”

That’s a lie. I’m happy.

Now, it seems I have to teach him how to use Lura in place of Rokuhara-san.

Honestly, it’s too heavy a role for a stand-in.

Hmm, should I act more like Rokuhara-san to keep close to the original?

Recalling Rokuhara-san’s lines and actions in the original, I started teaching him how to use Lura.

Sorry for being a stand-in!

“—But hey, I watched your fighting style a bit… What the hell was that?”

I glared at Touka-kun.

Ignoring him as he tried to say something, I grabbed his collar.

Ah, he looks like he’s suffering! But I’m suffering too!

“You have no idea how to use Demonsgear. If the wielder is garbage, even the weapon rots.”

“Guh…”

“Let go of Touka!”

“Here you go.”

I dramatically let go of Touka-kun.

Then I picked up the white katana that had rolled to his feet.

Yeah, as expected, it’s okay for others to hold Demonsgear as long as it’s already bonded.

“The true value of this Demonsgear isn’t extraordinary physical enhancement. It’s something else entirely.”

“…Huh?”

“You can talk with Lura, right? Ask it what it can do. Well, since it’s been silent until now, maybe it doesn’t trust you. Haha.”

“Ugh, I…”

Touka-kun’s face darkens.

Naturally, I feel down too.

But, I’m sorry. This is how Rokuhara-san taught it…

By the way, my right arm hurts a lot.

Is this okay? Am I in more danger?

『■■■』

What is it? I’m busy right now, so leave it for later.

『■■■■■!』

Huh, are you interested in Lura?

No way. You troublesome fellow can’t get involved.

Okay, I’ll return Lura to Touka-kun now!

Seriously! Recently, you’ve been making a ruckus in my head too often.

“If it weren’t bonded, I would’ve used it myself… Well, if you die, I’ll take Lura then.”

I tossed Lura back to Touka-kun.

As expected, he caught it.

The story progressed as in the original. Good!

“Well, see you around. If we’re both alive, that is.”

Let’s go home.

Toa-chan is waiting up there… huh, when did Toa-chan come down?

Are you okay? Not hurt, right? You’re a beautiful girl, so you shouldn’t do anything that might scar your skin.

“Kei-kun…”

“Let’s go, Toa-san.”

Come on, let’s go.

My arm hurts like hell.

“Wait a minute!”

“…What?”

Sorry, Mizuhi-chan.

Whoa, she’s absolutely furious.

“What are you? What are you trying to drag Touka into!?”

“Hah, how should I know?”

That’s up to the grand will of the original plot or whatever…

“You bastard!”

Mizuhi-chan aimed her gun at me.

Her finger was already on the trigger.

Wait, is she seriously going to shoot!?

“Tell me what you know. Otherwise…”

Her eyes showed she was fully prepared.

As I pondered what to do with her in front of me, before I knew it, Toa-chan was standing protectively in front of me.

“…Please, stop.”

“Step aside. This has nothing to do with you.”

“It does. I-I’m Kei-kun’s companion.”

“Then do you understand everything about what he’s doing and what he knows?”

To Mizuhi-chan’s question, Toa-chan shook her head.

However, in the next moment, she lifted her face and spoke.

“Kei-kun acts recklessly, and he certainly knows something, just like Rakka-chan. But it’s also true that he helped me—helped us.”

Toa-chan…

“It doesn’t matter what Kei-kun did for you all! I want to believe in Kei-kun!”

Thank you for your overwhelming emotions.

I will definitely transform into a beautiful girl and accept them all…!

“Toa-san…”

“Let’s go, Kei-kun.”

Toa-chan took my left hand and began to walk.

Still tightly holding on, she pulled me away from the scene.

As we left, I glanced back out of curiosity and saw Mizuhi-chan staring at us with a complicated expression.

As expected, nothing good comes from sticking my nose in…!!!

“…Kei-kun.”

“Yes?”

As we headed toward the exit, Toa-chan called my name.

Her demeanor was different from her usual timid self.

“I know you acted that way on purpose toward those two. I believe in you, in us.”

“Thank you.”

“…At least, please, don’t do anything reckless.”

Her grip on my hand tightened slightly.

As a general rule, to be held by a beautiful girl, one must also be a beautiful girl.

So, I tried to pull away, but this girl’s grip was too strong to escape.

Could she be mad because I acted on my own? …Maybe I should apologize just in case.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…”

This girl is too kind and considerate of her friends.

For Toa-chan’s sake, I need to become a beautiful girl as soon as possible.