第１２２掘：相談 (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 122: Consultation**
**Consultation**
**Side: Yuki**
Whew, I really went and did it.
I ended up acting as a teacher alongside Ria until the very end.
Well, it’s not like it’ll have any negative impact, and Eris handled the recruitment of Asu’s slaves, so that’s fine.
The truth is, I enjoyed spending time with the children for the first time in a while.
But my real motive was to see just how deep the emotional scars Kaya mentioned really were.
It’s only been one day, so I can’t say for sure, but I suspect her heart is damaged enough to manifest physically.
After all, she didn’t call a single person by their name at school today.
I don’t know if she’s doing it intentionally or if she’s simply unable to, but either way, it’s a serious condition.
I’m no expert in psychology or counseling, but even I can tell that such blatant behavior is a bad sign.
This is a problem that goes beyond just making Ria my wife.
Honestly, if we don’t improve this, I have a feeling she might just wither away.
First, I need to gather information.
I have no choice but to ask the three who came with her.
If I ask Asu, he’ll just get all apologetic, and it’s not really my place to pry like that anyway. I’ll consult with Eris and the others during dinner.
"Ria, how was today?"
"Yes, it was... very fun."
"I see, that’s good. You seemed a bit tense, but you were smiling once we got to the school. Do you think you’ll be okay going forward?"
"E-eh? Was I... smiling?"
"Yeah, didn’t you notice? Well, that’s a good thing. If you can smile naturally, a school with children might be the perfect place for you. I don’t think it’s healthy to go to school wearing a fake smile."
"Is that... so?"
"The best part is that the children were happy. There’s no better answer than that."
"Yes."
Still, a place like a school seems to have a significant impact on Ria.
It’s hard to judge if it’s a "good" impact, but since we have to do something regardless, there’s no reason not to utilize a place where she’s showing a reaction.
She won’t be taken advantage of by the students, so I don’t have to worry about an emotional explosion.
It’s safer than some random workplace, at least.
Damn, I have to consider the workplace environment for my subordinates, too. No, I’ve always considered it, but this time I’m being extra careful.
Management is tough, isn't it?
A normal company president would be prioritizing fundraising, but given my position, I’m not exactly a "president" anyway.
For now, the kids have been sent back to the dorms, so we just need to head home.
Oh, come to think of it, what’s the plan for Ria and the others’ sleeping arrangements?
Should they stay at the same inn again?
As I was pondering this, a call came in from Eris.
"Yeah?"
"Hello, are you finished with work?"
"Yeah, I was just about to head home, but what should I do about Ria? Same inn?"
"That’s what I wanted to discuss. Let’s talk with the four of them directly. Why don’t we gather somewhere for dinner?"
"That sounds good. It’s important to consider the wishes of the four of them, including Ria. As for those who eat at home, they can fend for themselves."
"Agreed. I’ll contact Ratz and the others. Where should we meet?"
"The Laboratory Shopkeeper’s place would be best. We can get a private room there."
"Understood. See you later."
The call ended, and I headed toward the shop with Ria.
"Is there anything you like to eat?"
"Not in particular."
*Sigh.* A lot of people who were slaves are like this.
It’s not so much that they don’t have preferences, but rather that they can’t express them.
"You don’t have to hold back. Well, you don’t have to force yourself to eat things you dislike, either. It’s a meal, so let’s just enjoy it."
"Yes."
Whether by luck or misfortune, I didn’t run into Eris and the others on the way.
We made small talk, but it was the usual pattern: I ask a question, and Ria answers.
Am I being too desperate?
I’m not really the type to be this aggressive.
You know how there’s always that one friend who keeps chanting "group date, group date"?
Watching that always made me feel exhausted, and here I am doing the same thing.
"Hey, welcome. Oh, Boss."
"Yo, I’ll be having dinner here tonight. Six more people are coming, so show us to my room. Is the private room open?"
"Sure thing. It’s open."
After a quick chat with the shopkeeper, we headed to the private room.
I sat down on the tatami mat.
"Ria, take off your shoes and sit down, just like at the inn."
"Yes."
"Now then, anything you want to eat? Here’s the menu."
I handed the menu to her.
"Um, I don’t really recognize most of these dishes..."
"Ah, I suppose so. Hmm, I’ll just order a bit of everything. The others are coming too, so we won’t leave anything behind."
I ordered some yakitori, gratin, and a few other things. Ratz and Milly love yakitori, and Eris likes salads, so...
"Big brother!! Your beloved Ratz has arrived!!"
"Whoa!"
"H-huuh!?"
Right after I placed the order, Ratz rushed in and tackled me, Ria included.
She definitely did that on purpose, that pink rabbit.
"Hey, Ratz, what are you doing? Now, Yuki-san, your Milly has arrived too!!"
"Tackling me from the other side isn't helping..."
"Ugh..."
"Well, well, you’re happy to be hugged by two beauties and enjoy the sensation of their chests, aren’t you?"
"I mean, I’m happy, but if I asked you both to let me knead them..."
"“Please, feel free to knead away!!”"
"See, that’s what they’d say. It’s a rare opportunity."
Besides, the difficulty level of doing that in a restaurant is way too high.
I’m not a pervert.
I get plenty of "kneading" time at night, anyway.
"What are you two doing? You’re scaring the girls you brought with you."
"N-no..."
"Y-you two are a very loving couple, aren’t you!?"
"Um, Eris-san, do you not do that?"
"That’s for the nighttime."
"““Kyaaa!!””"
They look so happy, don't they?
Well, if you ask who the most intense of my wives is, it’s Eris.
Perhaps because she’s so serious during the day, the reaction at night is incredible.
It’s just... intense.
She doesn’t even sleep properly.
I’ve had my stamina boosted, but sleepiness is a different matter, and it’s exhausting.
But Eris is like a perpetual motion machine; she doesn’t sleep, yet she looks radiant in the morning.
It was tough on me. But anyway.
"Ria is getting squashed, so move it."
"Yes, yes."
"Understood."
The two of them pulled away easily.
They probably planned this.
It feels like they’ve already heard a bit about Ria’s situation.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes."
Good, she seems surprised, but she’s unharmed.
Honestly, they shouldn’t be so aggressive when they don’t even know how fragile Ria is.