Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

One day, a while after adding the bath with House Extension, Sisya and I went hunting in the Goblin Forest early in the morning to collect magic stones.

"Hey, it's time for a break!"

"Okay! Just a moment!"

After hunting for a few hours, I called out to Sisya, who was still fighting. She responded cheerfully and grabbed the goblin's head in front of her. The Prominence Finger gloves she wore glowed red and exploded, blowing away more than half the goblin's body. The goblin turned into light particles and disappeared.

"Phew, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"You always have such a great smile..."

"Yes, it's satisfying to defeat monsters myself. Though goblins and orcs are a bit underwhelming."

"R-right."

Sisya wiped her forehead and came over with a big smile. She always looked so vibrant while hunting. Today, she had been throwing orcs headfirst into the ground and kicking their heads before they hit the ground. With the added explosions from her Prominence Finger, she was becoming more like a battle priestess.

Feeling a bit awed by Sisya, we moved to the edge of the forest to take a break and have lunch. Although we could have used food from the gacha, Noru had prepared lunch for us before we left. Opening the cute pink bento bag, we found sandwiches filled with lettuce, eggs, and meat. It seemed like a lot of sandwiches for two people, but we started eating.

"These are delicious. Though it seems like a bit much..."

"Noru must have made them with herself in mind... but they're tasty, so it's fine."

Despite the simple appearance, the sandwiches were well-seasoned and delicious. Even though there seemed to be enough for three people, Sisya and I finished them quickly, as we were quite hungry from hunting. After lunch, we started chatting idly.

"Noru-san has been cooking a lot lately. It's helpful because it means we don't have to cook as much, and her food is delicious."

"Well, she calls herself a maiden after all. Maybe you should aim to be a lady too... or rather, a refined woman."

"That's rude. I'm already a refined woman. Perhaps you should try being more manly."

"W-what!? I-I'm fine as I am!"

She might look like one, but considering her behavior, she wasn't exactly ladylike. And she called me unmanly. I don't mind not being manly, thank you very much.

"That's why you resort to those thin books."

"T-that's irrelevant! And you revealed that last time! Estel gave me a hard time because of it!"

The aftermath of the thin book incident was tough. Although they weren't confiscated, it was still challenging.

"Well, onii-sama is a man, so it's understandable."

Estel had shown some understanding of the thin books. However, she later asked to read them for reference, which worried me. I managed to convince her that showing them to a girl wasn't appropriate.

The incident had somewhat overshadowed Sisya's confession, but now was my chance to demand an apology.

"I accidentally let it slip... I truly apologize."

"Really? Are you truly sorry?"

"Yes, really. If you like, you can touch here as an apology. I know you like chests, Ookura-san."

"Ugh... you..."

Sisya smirked and showed off her chest. The covers of my collection featured girls with large chests, so she assumed I liked them.

She was clearly teasing me, knowing I wouldn't touch her. She had done this before, showing her chest on purpose for my reaction. This was the same.

I decided it was time to teach her a lesson and show her what happens when I get serious.

"Alright, then. I'll touch them."

"...What?"

I moved closer with wiggling fingers, and her smirk turned into surprise. She covered her chest with her arms and took a step back.

"Oh? Why are you covering up? Are you scared?"

"Um... well..."

She looked away, clearly flustered. Just as I planned. It's surprising how shy she can be despite her usual confidence.

"Apologize now, and I'll stop."

"Ugh, okay."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"I said okay. Since I'm the one who said it. Go ahead, don't hold back!"

"Huh?"

"Go ahead!"

She uncovered her chest and thrust it out, looking excited. I hadn't expected this... seriously?

But if I back down now, it'll be the same as always. Maybe she's just bluffing.

"Are you sure? I'm serious. Apologize now if you want me to stop."

"Yes, go ahead! A priestess doesn't go back on her word!"

I reached out but she didn't flinch or run. Was she getting desperate?

"Try it if you can, Ookura-san!"

"Fine! If you're so confident, I'll do it!"

She was taunting me further. Damn it, I can't back down now!

I moved my hand closer to her chest but couldn't bring myself to touch it. My arm wouldn't move. Why? Move! I'm not a coward!

"What's wrong? Your face is red. Hehe, I knew you couldn't do it."

"You're the one turning red. You're just pretending. Apologize and I'll stop."

"No way!"

Both of us were red-faced, staring silently at each other. I was trying to push through but couldn't. As I cooled down, I started wondering what I was doing.

"Hey... let's stop."

"Yeah."

Sisya seemed to feel the same and sighed as we both relaxed.

"I got a bit carried away. I'm sorry."

"No, I should apologize. You tend to let things slip and get yourself in trouble. Let's call it an accident."

"Ugh... I have no comeback. I swear I won't talk about it again."

"Right, and stop searching for them."

Sisya often lets things slip and gets scolded by Estel. Let's consider it an accident and move on. It's important to forgive with a generous heart.

Just as I thought the conflict was resolved, we fell into an awkward silence, probably because of what just happened.

I was wondering what to do when Sisya broke the silence.

"By the way, Ookura-san, you've gotten pretty good at fighting."

"Huh? You mean in battle?"

"Yes, of course."

She suddenly praised me. Compared to Noru and the others, there's a big gap, but I've improved somewhat from fighting so many monsters. With better equipment, it's only natural I'd improve.

"You've become quite the shield-bearer, and with Runa-san joining the party, I've had fewer chances to fight. Will I just end up watching your backs?"

"Uh, yeah... isn't that fine?"

"Tch."

Sisya looked sad but quickly changed her expression and clicked her tongue.

"Don't click your tongue."

"I was trying to get you to comfort me and say, 'That's not true!' but it didn't work."

"I won't fall for that."

If I had comforted her, she might have said she'd try to join the front lines more.

"Well, even if I fight less, I can still hunt with you. Being alone with you is more relaxing."

"I think you're always pretty free... You were quite free with Runa too, but you seem even more at ease alone with me."

"Really? Then I'll speak to you in a more gentle and loving manner from now on. Yes, smile."

"Whoa!? That’s creepy, stop."

Sisya clasped her hands and smiled, reminiscent of when she was first summoned. It used to seem friendly, but now it gave me chills.

"Don't react like that to my heartfelt smile!"

"You'd react the same if I did this. See, smile."

"Whoa!? Don't look at me like that!"

When I returned her smile, Sisya rubbed her arms and stepped back. I playfully chased her, and we ended up playing tag instead of hunting. After a while, we laughed at how silly we were and resumed hunting for magic stones.

"By the way, what would you have done if I had touched you?"

"Nothing. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."

"...What? Wait, what does that mean?"

"Hehe, I'll leave it to your imagination."

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Author Notes:

I have posted information about the benefits in the activity report.

If you are interested, please take a look.

You can read a sample and see some illustrations of volume 2 on the official GC Novels website, so please check it out if you're interested.

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