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

 After giving the gem to Estel, I lay on my bed, reminiscing about what had just happened. I never expected Estel to kiss me on the cheek... She always clung to me boldly, but I didn't think she'd go that far. The way she blushed and quickly retreated to her room at the end... She’s so cute. Well, I’ve always thought she was cute. I’ll just chalk it up to her being so happy about receiving the gem that she impulsively kissed me. If she had confessed right then, I might have fallen for her.

Lately, it feels like these kinds of things are happening more often. Like when I almost touched Sisuha's chest, my self-control is being tested. I’m still trying to find a way back to my original world, so making a move is out of the question. But if I ever reach my limit... what should I do? I haven’t even decided whether to return yet... I need to keep my resolve strong.

After pondering for a while, I decided to take a bath to clear my head. Phew... It’s no use thinking about it now, so I’ll put it on hold for the time being.

When I went to the living room after my bath, I found Sisuha sitting in her usual chair with Runa on her lap. Runa was holding a yellow, glowing gem, looking quite pleased.

"Oh, looks like you managed to give it to her, Sisuha."

"Yes! How did it go for you, Ookura-san?"

"Ah, yeah. I managed to give it to her."

"Hehe, that’s good. Estel must have been really excited."

"Well... she was pretty excited."

Though her reaction was different from what I imagined, she was definitely thrilled. If Sisuha knew she hugged and kissed me on the cheek, she’d probably tease me endlessly.

"Did Heiha give something similar as well?"

"Yeah, Sisuha suggested it to me. You’re really fond of that gem, aren’t you? You’ve been staring at it for a while."

"Of course. I’d never dislike something given to me by Sisuha."

"Oh, you say such sweet things!"

Sisuha, clearly delighted, hugged and patted Runa’s head. While Runa’s expression didn’t change much, she was blushing a bit.

"Oh, Ookura-dono and Sisuha, you’re back early today."

"Oh, Noru, were you playing in the kennel?"

"Yes! Mofuto is so energetic that playing with him is quite a challenge, mufufu."

Noru came out of her room, holding Mofuto in her arms, who squeaked at us. I patted Mofuto’s head. Really, playing in that kennel... Imagining Noru stepping out of the kennel made me chuckle a bit.

"Hmm, Sisuha gave you that, didn’t she?"

"Oh, a gift from Sisuha, huh?"

"Yes, it’s made from raw stones we collected in Rugen Valley. I’m glad Runa liked it so much. It was worth the effort, Ookura-san."

When Runa proudly showed off the gem, Noru stared at it intently. For Noru, who usually only thinks about food, this gem must be quite captivating. I’m really glad we went to that jewelry store.

"Did Ookura-dono help with it too?"

"Yeah. I gave a gem to Estel too. I already gave it to her earlier."

When I replied, Noru started pouting. Hmm? Is there something she’s unhappy about? It’s hard to read her expression because of the eye mask, but she seems to be expressing dissatisfaction.

"Hmph, I feel like I’m being left out."

"I don’t think that’s the case... right?"

"Um... I wonder..."

I responded evasively, but thinking back, it did seem like Noru wasn’t involved in this at all. She seems unhappy about being excluded. She continued, pressing her index fingers together.

"I’m a maiden too, you know. I wanted to be involved in something like this."

"...Are you still calling yourself a maiden? Uh... here, take this and cheer up."

Apparently, as a self-proclaimed maiden, she wanted to be involved in this. She looked down and seemed dejected. Feeling a bit sorry for her, I handed her some rock salt we had gathered in the Rugen Valley from the backpack I had left in the living room. I thought it would at least cheer her up...

"...Ookura-dono, do you think you can placate me with food?"

"Eh!?"

What!? I thought this would smooth things over... but it seems she’s not that simple. Even Sisuha and Runa were wide-eyed in surprise at Noru's response.

"Why are Sisuha and Runa also surprised!?"

"No reason..."

"We’re not surprised at all..."

Sisuha and Runa, who had the same reaction as me, looked away awkwardly under Noru's eye-mask-covered gaze. Seeing this, Noru started to tremble.

"Ugh... you’re all so mean... I’m going back to my room!"

"Ah, wait!"

"Let go of me!"

Noru snatched the rock salt from my hand and tried to flee to her room with Mofuto. I quickly hugged her around the waist to stop her, but she kept pushing forward, shaking her body side to side. This girl... She’s as strong as ever! I can’t hold her back! If she runs off, she’ll probably lock herself in her room, so I need to stop her somehow. Noru tends to hold grudges, so it’s better to resolve this now.

"Alright, alright! You can pick any stone you like from the ones we collected!"

"That’s not good enough! I want to go collect them myself!"

"Fine! We’ll go to Rugen Valley together and collect raw stones next time!"

"Really!?"

"Yeah..."

"Yay!"

When I promised to take her to collect raw stones, she stopped struggling and brightened up. Phew, crisis averted. She must have some reason for wanting to collect them herself. I don’t know what she plans to do with them, but if this makes her happy, it’s a small price to pay. After calming Noru down and seating her in a chair, I finally took a breather.

"By the way, where’s Estel? I’m curious about the gem Ookura-dono gave her."

"She’s probably still in her room. It’s best to leave her alone until she comes out on her own."

"What kind of reaction would lead to that...?"

"Estel gets scary when it comes to Heiha. It’s best not to get involved."

Quite some time had passed since I gave Estel the gem, but she still hadn’t come to the living room. She’s probably still calming herself down in her room. I’m almost back to my usual self, but if I see Estel now, I might remember what happened.

Despite my worries, Estel didn’t come out of her room. Noru went to call her for dinner, but Estel asked her to leave the food outside the door. She must be too excited to come out... It’s probably best not to face her today.

The next morning, as usual, I woke up early and was chatting with Noru in the living room when Estel woke up.

"Good morning, brother, Noru."

"Oh, morning."

"Good morning. Breakfast is ready, so I’ll get it set up right away!"

"Thank you."

Estel gave me a light smile and sat down as if nothing had happened. Sisuha woke up soon after, and we all started having breakfast. I was expecting some kind of reaction, but there was none.

"Estel-san, how was the gem that Ookura-san gave you?"

"It was beautiful. I was very happy, truly."

"I’m so jealous. Please show it to me later."

"Hehe, of course."

As we ate and chatted, it seemed Estel didn’t intend to go into detail. Normally, she might tease me by saying she was so happy she even kissed me, but maybe she was embarrassed about it.

"Ookura-san, we’re going to the jewelry store again today, right?"

"Yeah, I plan to take Runa and Estel with me..."

I was planning to take Estel and Runa to the jewelry store today to get the gems made into jewelry. As I was saying this, I felt a strong gaze. Looking in that direction, I saw Noru, with a piece of bread in her mouth, staring intently at me.

"...Do you want to come too, Noru?"

"Mm... Yes, I want to go!"

"Oh, did something happen while I was away?"

"Ah, Noru was a bit upset."

"I wasn’t upset!"

Noru hastily swallowed the bread and raised her hand, saying she wanted to go. She was definitely sulking... I admit giving her rock salt was probably not the best idea. Since I was planning to go to the Adventurers’ Guild after the jewelry store, it’s convenient that Noru wants to come along. I need to check if there’s any progress on the black Magic Stone that Diabolos had. After finishing breakfast, I woke Runa up a bit earlier than usual.

"Runa, have you decided what kind of jewelry you want?"

"Yes, I want a brooch."

"I’m glad we asked beforehand."

Before heading to Queres, I asked Runa what she wanted, and she decided on a brooch. Hearing this, I felt reassured that it was a good idea not to give them finished pieces as a surprise. From her reaction yesterday, she would have been happy with anything, though.

"Estel, what about you?"

"I thought about it all night and decided on a necklace."

"A necklace!?"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

Noru asked Estel, and to my surprise, she said she wanted a necklace. I had expected her to say she wanted a ring, so I was completely taken aback. Estel tilted her head in curiosity at my reaction.

"Well, I thought Estel-san would want a ring..."

"Hmm, that would be nice too, but..."

Estel touched her cheek with her hand, looking thoughtful for a moment...

"I’ll save the ring for the day my brother gives it to me."

She said this with a bright smile. Oh... What does that mean? There’s something in her words...

"...O-Oh."

"You’ve got high expectations, Ookura-san! Good luck!"

"Don’t tease me!"

What am I supposed to do!? Sisuha always makes unnecessary comments at times like this... though sometimes it’s helpful. To change the subject, I turned to Noru.

"You seemed eager to come, but are you really interested in gems, Noru?"

"How rude. I’m a girl too, you know, so of course I’m interested."

"Yet, you only collected rock salt in Rugen Valley..."

"T-That was just a coincidence!"

Does she really have any interest...? Noru, who ignored the raw stones and collected rock salt, isn’t very convincing. Maybe she changed her mind after seeing the cut gemstones? There have been a lot of things happening with Estel and Sisuha lately, but Noru’s unchanging nature is somewhat comforting.

[TL notes: I would be happy if you gave `The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology` a read pretty fun story :D]