Chapter 31: Double Standards

In Hana's room, Fujio sat on the desk and Hana sat on the bed.

Fujio rubbed his hands, feeling the helplessness of an aging father encountering such a situation with his daughter. Hana, who was once a clingy child, had grown up.

At her age, it was quite normal to have a crush. But as someone who had been through it all, Fujio knew well that these infatuations were often based on looks alone. They rarely considered compatibility or truly understanding the other person.

"Hana, can you tell your father what's so special about this 'senior' you mention every day?" Thinking about what Rei had said, Fujio decided to first focus on the positives. Later, he could address and eliminate these strengths, leaving behind only the disadvantages.

"The merits of senior?" Hana gazed at Fujio with suspicion, not understanding why her father was asking this question. Nonetheless, she began, "The good things about senior... Let me think..."

Fujio: "..."

Go on, then.

Hana racked her brains, suddenly clapped her hands, and exclaimed, "Senior excels in sports. He consistently scores full marks in physical activities, and he's fantastic at playing basketball. He even made the big red-haired guy at school cry after a match. Whenever I think about it, it's so amusing. A tall guy like him crying loudly, hahaha."

Kagami: "... Don't bring that up."

"Sports, huh?" Fujio was quickly deep in thought.

However, considering Rei's comments, he realized that beyond the advantages, there might be several drawbacks.

"Does this senior also have good grades?"

"No, his grades are actually quite average. He ranked around twentieth in the class during the last monthly exam."

"Then, perhaps he's talented in music or other arts?"

"Huh? Not really. I've heard the senior sing before, and it's so bad that it's like having maggots in my ears."

"Does he have a lot of friends, then?"

"Friends? The senior can't even remember everyone in the class, so he only gets along with a couple of boys. Recently, a childhood friend who used to be in the same orphanage as him transferred back, and she's said to be an idol."

Through Hana's descriptions, Fujio gradually formed a mental image of this 'senior': strong in physique, but with average grades, lacking other special talents, struggling with popularity, and facing difficulty in making friends... Wasn't this a bit like a gorilla type?

"So, my daughter, what are your thoughts on him?"

"My thoughts? I pity the senior. He might end up being alone forever. If I don't spend time with him, who knows, he might become so despondent that he doesn't want to live anymore. Thanks to me, he can continue living in this world," Hana said with her hands over her heart, a solemn expression on her face.

"What would he do without me?" Fujio's eyes widened. It was as if he was seeing Hana in a new light. "I'm sorry, Hana. Dad misunderstood you. I've just realized what a kind-hearted person my daughter is!"

He had been mistaking his daughter's kind gesture for something more...

...

"Slash"  In New World, the dragon knight controlled by Rei, couldn't help but sneeze.

Who on earth was talking about him?

"Senior, I've got that skill!" Umaru sent a voice message to Rei. Due to their level difference, she couldn't reach the second floor where Rei was. She could only contact him through the friend column. She was trying to call Rei to join her for a mission. The next moment, the colorful world in front of her suddenly went black, and then her vision abruptly brightened.

"Little burial, stop playing now. The meal is ready." Taiping placed three cooked plates on the table. He turned to Umaru and said, "You call Rei, I'll go get the drinks."

As the mouthwatering aroma wafted from the table, Umaru's stomach growled suddenly. For the sake of dinner, she didn't mind her brother interrupting her game time. Little Umaru thought about Taihei's words. She rolled in Rei's direction, taking only a couple of rolls to reach him. Stretching out her hand, she shook it vigorously. "Senior, it's time for dinner. We can play later."

Soon, Rei took off his helmet. Taihei just brought the drinks to the table. "Thank you for the hospitality."

"It's nothing. It's because of my misunderstanding that I broke Rei's door. I should be the one apologizing to you," Taihei said. In the heat of the moment, he had rushed over, and now his upper arm still ached.

"By the way, Taihei-san, I'd like to rent both rooms on the other side of this floor. And if possible, I'd like to buy them after a while." After the meal, Rei didn't immediately return to the new world for mining. Instead, he turned to Taihei with this request.

As a landlord, Taihei wouldn't refuse such a proposal. But considering Rei's financial capacity... Mitsunari of Tokugawa Corporation had just sent over the game capsule to his room. Was this guy actually a second-generation wealthy person wanting to experience life?

Why did he say that? Well, ahem, it's because Taihei himself was one.

As a student, he always maintained the top spot in school. After entering society, he successfully joined the Doma Corporation through his own efforts. Then, he went incognito and, with his own abilities, rose to the position of a salaryman in the company. It was truly an extraordinary journey.

Seeing Rei now, Taihei felt like he was looking at his younger self.

"In any case, no one's living over there. Rei, if you want to live there, just do so. Pay the rent as you see fit," Taihei said to him.

"Tonight, you can stay at our place, and then go back after your door is repaired tomorrow."

"I am sorry for the inconvenience."

"It's fine. You play with Umaru. Umaru will be very happy."

"Alright then."

Rei hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed.

"Huh? Senior is staying the night at our place! I'll make a bed for you!" Hearing the commotion, Umaru immediately took off her game helmet. She leaped up from the ground, kicked the dining table in the middle to the corner of the wall, and excitedly pulled out a roll of quilts from under the bed.

Umaru laid out the floor, rolled onto it, turned on the TV, and brought out a box of snacks. He said to Taihei, "Brother, you sleep in the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the floor with senior."

"... Little Umaru, you've never helped me set up the futon like this before." The corners of Taihei's mouth twitched.

Suddenly, a hand gently patted Umaru on the head. "Little Umaru, Rei is a boy, and you're a girl. You shouldn't be sleeping together."

Umaru contemplated for a moment. Then, in the blink of an eye, she transformed at lightning speed. In an instant, she donned her hamster-patterned nightgown, transforming into a hamster version of Umaru.

"This should be fine!"

"Hmm," Taihei nodded gently.

Rei: "???"

Wait, why is it acceptable now that you're smaller?