Otherworld Dagashi Shop Yahagi

The weather is getting colder, but the five selected as representative players are training everyday for the competition.

They work in the dungeon during the day and practice in the evening.

It must be quite hard work, but all five of them never cut corners.

[Garm, you’re slacking on your defenses! That’s your bad point.]

[E- Elder Sis!]

Michelle had turned into quite an oni of a coach.

[Merle, you’re too cautious. You have to be more aggressive when a chance appears!]

[A- Alright!]

[Mira, you’re too fixated on small attacks. Incorporate surprise attacks to catch your opponent off guard!]

[Yes!]

[Titti is…… well, she’s doing good. You sneakily outmaneuvering her opponent from behind, and persistently attacking isn’t a bad strategy. You’re really using your strengths to your advantage……]

[Hey, are those supposed to be compliments to me?]

It kind of reminds me of after-school club activities.

Michelle’s coaching is strict, but the skills of Merle and the others have definitely improved.

It seems that her instructions also apply in dungeon battles, so everyone is delighted.

[Oi, kids, the weapons you asked for are ready.]

Sanaga-san and Mirai-san came to the practice field.

Sanaga-san had made weapons that would fit each of the players.

[Sorry, Sanaga-san.]

[Keh, Michelle aside, I’m not sure if the others can gain us a win. I think it’s best I give you better weapons……]

Sanaga-san lays out Mobile Force weapons with a sour look on his face.

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Each of the weapons looked artistically elaborate, reflecting the requests of each player.

[They’re well made. Thank you.]

[Of course, they would be. A lot of people come to see my work. They’re pains in the ass, but I can’t make sh*tty tools. Good grief, my shoulders are so stiff because of these!]

Watching Sanaga-san complain, Mirai-san let out a chuckle.

The two had recently started living together.

They’re a perfect couple.

[Even though he said that, he’s the one who looks forward to the tournament the most. Even these weapons, he was so happy to repeat the trial-and-error process every night. There’s no need to be so grateful.]

[Keh, it’s not like I’m looking forward to it! It’s just, if we’re gonna go fight a tournament, I want our representatives to win……]

Sanaga-san is as tsundere as always.

[Alright, everyone, let’s get outfitted with our new weapons.]

The players happily picked up their new equipment.

Two hours of practice went by. The sun had already set and it was dark.

The wind blowing by was cold, and Merle and the others shivered.

[Uuuu, so cold! I don’t think I can keep up like this any further.]

Merle is shivering.

The lips of the other four are also turning pale.

I guess it’s finally my turn.

[Leave it to me. I’ll give you something to warm you up.]

[Curry crackers?]

[No, Merle.]

Curry crackers are a standard product when it comes to warming up the body, but what I’m going to serve them this time is a new product.

I summoned my shoulder-pole stall and pulled out a shiny silver packaging.

Product name: Hot Dr. Pepper

Description: A carbonated beverage with a unique taste of more than 10 different flavor blends. Drinking it three times will get you addicted! The warm stimulation will shake up your soul and something will happen!?

* Effects vary from person to person. Limited to one effect per person.

Price: 50 rims

Dr. Pepper is by no means a common drink.

In Japan, it was only distributed in limited areas such as Kanto and Shizuoka.

Moreover, when it comes to the Hot version, it’s more of a legendary drink.

What I took out this time was a silver can with a large logo on it.

I heard that some old-time dagashi shops used to boil the container in a pot or warm the Dr. Pepper directly in a kettle and pour it into a cup.

There are even records of being served in coffee shops.

[It has a very unique aroma. Is this…… cinnamon?]

[That’s right. As expected of Michelle, you quickly figured it out.]

Titti, who was also sniffing its scent, interjected.

[I could smell vanilla too. Somehow, its aroma kinda seems to be in the same vein as a love aphrodisiac…….]

[Hey, don’t compare Yuusuke’s products with your vile stuff!]

[What, I was just expressing my opinion!]

[You sisters stop fighting. That aside, try drinking it while it’s warm. Each effect can only appear once per person, but it apparently has good effects.]

After I urged them to stop fighting, they sipped their hot Dr. Pepper.

[It’s delicious.]

[Hmmm……]

It seems like each person has different tastes.

Michelle, Merle, and Garm liked it, while Mira and Titti didn’t like it so much.

Dr. Pepper really is a product that clearly divides people in terms of taste preferences.

Incidentally, I like it a lot.

However, I prefer drinking Dr. Pepper cold rather than hot.

[So, did it work?]

Upon my question, Merle was the first to respond.

[Ahh! ……]

[What’s the matter?]

[I think I might be able to use Emission-type Magic now……]

[What!?]

Merle was now able to unleash Non-Attribute Mana flying from her sword.

[That’s a great effect. What about everyone else?]

[I’m……]

[What’s up, Titti?]

[I think I’m starting to like cats……]

[Huh?]

[I’ve never particularly liked cats before, but I now feel like caressing their fluffy fur and burying my face on their tummies.]

[T- That is…… well, good for you……]

I guess the effect doesn’t necessarily improve your ability huh……

However, that’s certainly quite a drastic change it brings.

[What about you, Mira?]

[I feel like I can now eat green peas, which I used to hate.]

Unnn, it’s good to have your food pickiness disappear, isn’t it?

[What about Garm?]

[My arms have gotten a centimeter buffer. Hehehe, I’ve gotten even cooler.]

Garm, who is slightly a musclehead, looks happy.

[And what about you, Michelle?]

What would happen if Michelle, who is already strong enough, got even more powerful? As I nervously waited for her answer, Michelle brought her face blushing with embarrassment close and let out a sweet sigh by my ear.

[I…… I think I’m a better kisser now……]

[Eh……]

That effect also exists!? That’s great, Doctor!

[Y- You want to try it tonight? Well…… That’s if Yuusuke wants……]

[I- I suppose so. I guess I’ll ask for some later……]

Everyone looks at our secret exchange curiously.

The most unreserved of them all, Garm, asked his question.

[What effect did you get, Elder Sis?]

[It’s a secret!]

[Eh~~ Don’t say that, tell us.]

[No! I won’t tell anyone except Yuusuke!]

Everyone seemed to have guessed something by the way Michelle looked.

No one asked any more questions.

[Hohoho, this drink tastes funny, doesn’t it?]

Hearing a sudden voice from behind us, I looked back and saw Mani-san sipping a cup of hot Dr. Pepper.

[Good evening, Mani-san. Have you come to watch them practice?] 𝘣𝘦𝑑𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝑙．𝑐𝑜𝘮

[Unnn…… Oh, what is this?]

Whoa, it seems that the power of the hot Dr. Pepper extends even to a God like Mani-san.

[What’s the matter, Mani-san?]

[I just remembered something.]

[Could it be the way to create energy packs?]

[I don’t know how to do that.]

Even though he’s the one who developed it, he’s now saying he can’t create it……

[Then, what did you remember?]

[An elevator.]

[By elevator, you’re talking about that ascending and descending elevator?]

[That’s right. A dungeon elevator.]

A ridiculous terminology just got brought up, what should I do?

I drank a hot Dr. Pepper too to relieve myself from the tension.

I think it smells more strongly of cinnamon and vanilla than when it’s cold……

Now, what effect will it have on me?

I hope it will strengthen my magic and allow me to see the future with Clairvoyance……

Nope, that wasn’t the effect I got.

As a result of my soul being shaken and the hidden ability within me blossoming, I’ve become a menko master.

It doesn’t really help me in any way, but well, I guess I’ll just be happy about it……

That aside, let’s think about that dungeon elevator first.

I have to get the details out of Mani-san before it disappears from his memory.

<Translator’s Notes>

Hot Dr. Pepper: An intellectual drink, for the chosen ones. A commercially sold “Hot Dr. Pepper” doesn’t exist afaik, but hot “Dr. Pepper” does exist.