" ": You talking

' ': You thinking

* *: Narrator/Voice-off

Your POV:

Sena: IS SATOU KAZUMA HEEEEERE ?! YOU! YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN !!

Kazuma: S- Sena ?! What's it now ? Actually, there's still some time left to prove my innocence.

Sena: Don't play dumb ! So you really were someone from the demon king's army !

"We've been around that point time and time again, and it never ended upright for you. Why don't you just calm down and tell us what's happening ?"

Sena: R- Right... The toads ! The toads who were hibernating, have started crawling around the town ! According to reports, they started moving as if they were afraid of something ! And then I remembered that someone just happened to be firing Explosion magic in the vicinity over several days, threatening the residents !!

"... ... ... IIIIIIIII'm about to rip somebody's eeeeeears~..."

Megumin: PLEASE WAIT !! I was just ordered to do so by Aqua !! Aqua is the main culprit ! AAAAAAAAAAAAAOWTCH !!

Aqua: Megumin, that's unfair !! You were pretty excited about it too !! I shall show you my power !! OWOWOWOWOWOW !!

Kazuma: This isn't the time to be putting up pitiful arguments ! Let's go and clean up what you've done !!

Aqua: NOOOOOOOOOOOO !! I DON'T WANT TO BE EATEN BY TOADS ANYMOOOOOOORE !!

"So these really are toads in the end... Not frogs... Alright, keep baiting this one like that !"

Aqua: NOOOOOOOOO !!

Sena: A- Are you guys always fighting like that... ?

"I mean, you're starting to understand why we'd never be part of the demon king's army."

Sena: Y- Your integrity... ?

"We're way too comically pitifully weak."

Kazuma: But still... The movements of toads here sure doesn't dull even in this cold weather...

Megumin: It's a cruel world, so all living beings must do everything they can. We can't lose to them either.

"You say that... But haven't lost to them already ?"

Kazuma: Isn't it about time we lend you a hand already ? You've already fired your explosion magic too.

Megumin: You can leave that for after you've defeated the toads chasing Aqua. It's warm inside the toads.

"And here's yet another piece of information I'd rather not know."

Kazuma: Aqua ! It's about time you let them eat you ! You can't finish them off !

Aqua: NOOOOO !! YOU LET THEM EAT YOU !!

Sena: ... 'Are these people really connected to the demon king's army.... ?'

Kazuma: What are you saying ! You can't defeat toads, can you ? Gah, whatever... Time to blast.

"Finally... I was getting tired to watch for the sideli- *GLOMP*"

Kazuma: ... Ah...

"Goddammit."

Kazuma: This is bad... We don't have enough people, even if we include Sena among the bait...

Sena: Y- YOU'RE PLANNING TO USE ME AS BAIT ?!

Aqua: KAZUMAAAAA !!

Kazuma: WAIT, DON'T COME HERE, IDIOT !!

Megumin: Sorry, it seems like I'm starting to get swallowed gradually, so I think it's about time you helped me...

"It's about the same here, except I'm going in head-first. It's dark and I don't like the smell."

Kazuma: 'This is bad, this is bad, this is bad !! I've completely let my guard down ! We're going to get eaten !'

???: LIGHT OF SABER !!

Kazuma: Wh- What... ?!

Sena: That just now... Was high-tier magic... To thinkthat someone who can use high-tier magic existed in such a novice town...

Megumin: ... Ah.

Kazuma: hey, can you two move ?

Megumin: It'd be a great help if you could share some mana with me...

"Roasted toad meat is always an improvement on the smell department..."

Kazuma: But still... I don't know who you are, but you're a lifesaver ! Thanks !

???: N- No... It's not like I was saving you. I mean, I would lose face if my r... Rival was defeated by mere toads...

Kazuma: Hm ? Rival ?

"Are you Megumin's acquaintance ?"

???: No... Well. Acquaintances... Or rather... LONG TIME NO SEE, MEGUMIN ! As promised, I've trained and come to settle things between us ! Now, it's time to duel !!

Megumin: ... Who might you be ?

???: Eeeeeeh ?! You always came first and I was second ! I- It's me ! I was your colleague in the crimson demon village's academy...

Megumin: Hah ?

"... That was something said so nonchalantly... You were first in the academy... ?"

Megumin: What are you asking, now after all this time ? I did introduce myself when we first met, "I am the Crimson Demon's greatest magic user" !

"... That probably would have a greater impact if you weren't covered in mucus."

Megumin: WH- WHAT ?!

???: Wait a minute ! Hey, Megumin, did you really forget about me ?! Come on ! When I challenged you to duels in tests and anything else, you would say that you needed compensation ! And that if I bet my bento you would take me on, so you often took my bentos from me !

Kazuma: You did such things ?

Aqua: hey, hey. It doesn't really matter, but this seems like it'll take some time, so is it okay for me to go to the guild ? I'll go and swap the toads for money.

???: D- Doesn't matter...

Sena: It does seem like you have a lot to talk about. I shall be excusing myself for today as well... Satou Kazuma. I still do not trust you, so keep that in mind.

"... I've been wanting to ask that for a while, but what the hell did you do to her ?"

Kazuma: Huuuuuuuuuuh... So, that girl says that she's your acquaintance and all, but... What do you say ?

"You won't be able to dodge this question forever, you know."

Megumin: I don't know her. In the first place, it's odd that she hasn't introduced herself, no ? This must be that "It's me ! It's me !" thing you told me about earlier which they do to steal your money. We should not get involved.

???: Wait a minute ! Hold on ! AH, GEEZ ! I GOT IT ! 'It's embarrassing to do this in front of someone I don't know, but...'

Yunyun: MY NAME IS YUNYUN !! AN ARCHWIZARD, AS WELL AS SOMEONE WHO CONTROLS HIGH-TIER MAGIC !! AND I'M THE ONE WHO SHALL EVENTUALLY BECOME THE HEAD OF THE CRIMSON DEMONS... !

Megumin: ... So yeah, this girl is Yunyun. She's the daughter of the head of the crimson demon, and my self-proclaimed rival.

"Oh, that kind of stuff."

Yunyun: Wait ! So you do remember me well

Kazuma: I see. I'm her adventurer comrade, Kazuma. And this is Y/n. Nice to meet you, Yunyun.

Yunyun: yes... Hm... ? Huh ? You didn't laugh despite hearing my name ?

"We've already got Megumin with us, so it's not the first time."

Kazuma: Even if it's a little different, it doesn't mean it has to do anything with you in person. In this world, there are people who have weird names, yet they go with aliases like "The psycho explosion girl".

Megumin: Oi, are you talking about me ?

Yunyun: I- I see. You've find some nice comrades, Megumin !

"That's nice and all, but if you're here to chat, you mind doing it elsewhere ? I'm getting cold and I need a bath."

Yunyun: Ah ! That's right ! I didn't come here to have such a chat ! I came to settle the score with you ! I am the one who will eventually become the head of the crimson demons... I can't take that seat until I defeat you ! For that, I have learned high-tier magic and have come ! Now, let's duel !!

Megumin: I don't want to. My body is starting to feel cold too.

Kazuma: Well then, guess we'll head back. Let's go eat something after we take a bath.

Yunyun: WHY DID IT TURN OUT LIKE THIS ! LET'S HAVE A DUEL !

Megumin: Talk about underestimating me... Do you intend to take me on in a duel with magic ? With my power, I've vaporized 8 foolish toads just now... Do you think you can so something like that, Yunyun ?

Yunyun: Eh...

Megumin: I believe you have heard, haven't you ? Of how the Demo King's general as lured to this town when he felt threatened by my magic, and of how the destroyer, which was famed as invincible, got destroyed by my Explosion Magic !

"I mean... It's not like she's lying..."

Kazuma: I guess...

Yunyun: E- Even if I have no chance... I... I've got to duel with you !

Megumin: I guess it can't be helped... I can't use my magic anymore today. So, how about we have a duel in martial arts, which used to be your turf ?

Yunyun: Eh ? Is it really okay ? You, who never attended martial arts lessons properly ? You, who would always go loitering around during lunch break to show off to me, and lure me into dueling you then took my bento ?!

Kazuma: ... You're such a good-for-nothing.

Megumin: It was a matter of life-and-death for me because of my family circumstances. If I went to challenge her myself, as if I was extorting her. Am I wrong ?

"... ... ... ..."

Megumin: Why are you looking at me like I'm a creature of sort ?

Yunyun: That's fine ! And you will need compensation for the duel, right ? How about this ? A first-class manatite that any magician would want !

Megumin: Very well, I shall accept your challenge. Now then, come at me however you like !!

Yunyun: I won't hold back !! I will defeat you and take the throne of the Crimson Demons' number one !

Yunyun: ... ... Say, Megumin. Your body seems to be glistening... Could it be...

Megumin: That's right. This is a toad's mucus. Now... more importantly, come at me ! The moment you draw close, I'll hold you with all my strength and pin you down.

Yunyun: Hiiii... W- Wait a minute, you're kidding, right ? You're trying to break my fighting spirit and get me to surrender, right ? I won't be deceived anymore... ! Hiii... No... Sto-...

Megumin: We're friends, aren't we ? I believe friends are all about sharing hardships with each other.

Yunyun: NOOOOO !! I GIVE UP, I GIVE UP, SO LET ME GOOOOOO !!

Megumin: Ah, guys. I'll give you the manatite crystal. Use it to knock some of the debt.

"You mean some of Aqua's debt, right ? Is it okay ?"

Megumin: That thing substitutes for your mana when you use magic. A normal magician would value it so much, but with that size, it won't substitute for the Explosion magic's immense mana draw.

"... You're still not planning on learning any other skills than explosion, are you ?"

Megumin: Nope.

Kazuma: 'That Yunyun girl did defeat the toads with high-tier magic that seemed easy to use. But she became pitiable afterwards. Not only her magic, but she also has a beautiful face and a slender body. And compared to her...'

Megumin: What is it ? Why are you sighing... ? Shall I try and guess what you were thinking now ?

"I think it's kinda obvious..."

Kazuma: I was thinking, "Megumin sure is more beautiful than that girl from earlier..."

Megumin: Why, thank you ! I'll give you a huge hug to show my gratitude !

Kazuma: S- STOP IT ! DON'T COME NEAR ! YOU REEK OF TOADS !

"Come on, group hug !!"

Kazuma: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH !!

Kazuma: Uuh... I've never had such an unpleasant hug in my life...

Megumin: there are people out there who, depending on the circumstances, would pay to be hugged by a girl covered in slime, you know ?

"Context, Megumin, context..."

Kazuma: What are you saying so casually... I've gotta take a bath and wash all that off quickly.

Megumin: Wait. The slime feels disgusting, so let me go in first.

"... We feel disgusted too, you know ?"

Megumin: have you ever heard of "ladies first" ? You need to treat a woman with great care, you know ?

"Ahhhhh... Kazuma, if you please..."

Kazuma: ... I yearn for true gender equality. I have no patience for one who talks about female privileges when it suits them and then complains about someone "Not being a man" when it's convenient ! And in the first place, if you want to be treated as a lady, then wait until you legitimately become one.

Megumin: Y- You're just treating me like a child ! Just so you know, we're only 3 years apart in age...

"Even so, that's with Kazuma. in my eyes, you're just a kid. Okay, I'll go in first."

Megumin: Aah ! This man is really taking off his clothes ! I see, I understand that you don't see me as a girl... then we might as well take a bath together ! There should be no problem if you don't see me as a gir-

Kazuma: That's right. If we go in together, this problem would be solved. Guess we should go with that.

Megumin: W- Wait a minute ! Normally, at times like this...

Kazuma: I- idiot, there's no way I can do something like that !

Megumin: is what you should say, and then reluctantly let me go in first ?

"Why would we go with such a cliché ?"

Megumin: It appears I have underestimated you...

"And you keep doing it."

*POP*

Kazuma: ... He just teleported straight into the bath, didn't he ?

Megumin: V- very well ! Then let us go in ! I'm going in ! A bath is nothing at all ! Kazuma, quit sneakily rolling a towel around yourself and let's go in already !

Kazuma: Hey ! Quit pulling, you pervert ! Why are you getting so brave all of a sudden ?!