Chương 52: Common Days

"Oh~! This one came out well." I nudged Luna to show her the scarf I just finished. Though there were still obvious mistakes and the pattern wasn't all even, it was my best one yet. She glanced over and inspected it before nodding,"It's looking good, you've gotten way better over these past few days." She complimented. As she said, it's been a few days since I made my first scarf. Comparing my first creation to my last is like night and evening, but at least you could see the progression.

And true to my word, I've done nothing but knit. I tended to my plants when they needed it, but they're quite self-sufficient as long as I water them every so often. And since I wasn't planning on doing alchemy until I'm ready, we were currently at Luna's place and watching a TV show. Our days have been quite repetitive. I'd knit for 12 hours a day and Luna would watch TV or play games for the same amount of time… Neither of us have complained or expressed the need to go outside and do something else…

Now that I think about it… Aren't we both just hikikomori's at this point? I can knit for 12 hours straight without a second thought and Luna also stays inside all day without care. Mm… Well, it's not a problem at least.

"I think after a few more days, I'll have a scarf that could sell at a thrift store." I said.

"Oh, will you finally move onto blankets then?" She asked.

"I'll probably try to start adding different colors. I'll move onto blankets when I knit a good-looking scarf that I'm satisfied with."

"Have you fallen in love with knitting…? What will your ex—alchemy think!?" She teased.

"Funny." I rolled my eyes.

"Haha." She chuckled.

"Anyways, I'll make lunch now, any wants?" I asked, standing up.

"Anythings fine."

"Got it." I nodded and headed to the kitchen, Luna continued to watch TV. …

"Mm!" Luna happily scooped mac and cheese into her mouth with a blissful expression. This was a common sight over the past few days. Whenever I cooked, she'd always happily munch away like nothing else in the world mattered. And credit to her, she makes everything look delicious. After a while, we had both finished our food and Luna was washing the dishes.

"Do you like my food that much?" I asked, striking up conversation.

"Yes!" She immediately replied, "Delivery or restaurant can't compare!"

"Well, I'm glad you do."

"Ah, by the way I think I might need to go shopping soon."

"What for?"

"I think my clothes have shrunken in the wash or something. They've been getting a bit tighter lately."

"…" I stared at her back in silence.

"Want to join me?"

"…Yeah, sure. I'll buy myself some clothes while I'm there too…But…Mouse…"

"Hm?"

"…I don't think the clothes have shrunken." Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Huh? Oh, stop teasing me already."

"Mouse, I think you've gained a few pounds." Crash! The sound of the plate in her hand falling into the sink echoed through the room before she immediately turned to me.

"…Bin, that's not something you should tease about…" She said with a low tone.

"Your cheeks have gotten plumper and look…" I approached her and slightly lifted her shirt, "Your belly has gotten a lip." She stared at me in silence before touching her cheeks and stomach.

"Bin…" She looked me in the eye, "Stop feeding me."

"Excuse me?"

"This must be your fault! It's cause you keep tempting me with the devil's food!!!" I just stared at her, deadpan expression, and silently shook my head.

"Waah! No! I need to exercise!" She suddenly declared before pausing and staring at me, "Wait…Bin."

"Yes?"

"We've been eating the same meals…So…Why haven't you gained any weight!?" She touched my cheeks and even checked my stomach.

"…I don't eat as much as you and I have a fast metabolism."

"Are you saying I eat a lot!?" I looked at the empty pot of mac and cheese. There was at least four serving sizes in there…I only ate one.

"Yes."

"Say no!"

"Mm…" I poked her stomach repeatedly, "I've been thinking of a new desert recipe for chocolate cake recently, do you want some later?"

"Yes!" We both paused and stared at each other.

"Bin…" Luna said, "I need to diet."

"Is it that big of a problem? I mean, you still look good even with the added-""Diet."

"Okay."

"Ugh…I need to start working out again too…" She groaned.

"Oh? Are you finally going outside?" I asked.

"No, I'm going to the gym at the bottom floor."

"…There's a gym in here?"

"Yes?" This place is richer than I thought.

"So, when will you start?"

"Tomorrow!" Luna exclaimed, "Is it okay with you if I set the alarm early?"

"Go for it." I shrugged, "I might even join you down there."

"Really?! You're going to work out with me?"

"No." I shook my head and enjoyed the confused look on her face before continuing, "If it's not full, I'll just knit and cheer you on."

"…You'll go to the gym just to knit?"

"I mean, I could just stay home and sit on the couch to knit instead? Would that be better?"

"No, no, I'll accept the company." She paused for a moment before continuing with a meek, quiet voice, "So…That cake you mentioned…"

"Bahahaha!" I burst out laughing, "Sure, I'll make it for us." With reddened cheeks, she timidly shifted her gaze...

"Mm! So good!" She happily munched away at the cake.

"Mmmm~ I agree~" I said, following suit. Cake really is delicious. Especially when it's chocolate coated in chocolate with extra chocolate on top. Ah, did I mention there's chocolate? … After eating, I got back to knitting. I felt quite good about this one, so far, I hadn't made any huge mistakes and it wasn't too messy.

"Oh," Luna suddenly exclaimed.

"Mm?" I turned to her and tilted my head, "What?" Since I always kept one eye on the TV, I could tell that nothing interesting enough was happening to make her exclaim 'Oh' happened.

"A tower event is happening soon."

"A what?"

"Tower event. Have you not heard of them?"

"No? What's that, you nerd."

"…You really do absolutely no research on the tower…Didn't I lecture you about this before?"

"Ah…Ahem, so! Please explain, teacher?"

"Haah…After you complete the 10th floor, you're eligible for tower events—events hosted by the tower itself. They happen monthly and this month's tower event is coming soon."

"Oh, 10th floor? Not interested then." I shrugged, "What's the point of knowing when I'm still far off."

"Well, I don't know," She shrugged, "This event's not that interesting anyway, it's just a gauntlet."

"Gauntlet?" I said curiously.

"…I thought you weren't interested."

"Did I?"

"…" She stared at me for a moment before explaining, "It's a combat event. The goal is reach the highest level of the gauntlet—it starts with weak mobs and progressively gets harder as you climb. Top 100 gets a reward. This event—as well as most others—has the [Deathless] modifier, which means that instead of dying, you just get kicked out."

"Oh~So anyone who's cleared the 10th floor gets invited?"

"Yep."

"Will that anonymous fellow be there then?"

"It's likely. They usually achieve top ranks in most combat events."

"Oh~! Is it possible for me to watch? Or am I'm not cool enough so I'll have to sit home alone and knit?"

"There is an option for me to spectate, I could bring you as a plus one."

"Yes! I want to watch! When's it happening?"

"Sunday."

"Still a few days away then, got it. Hehe, I'm a little excited, it's going to be like the league then, right?"

"Mhm." She nodded, "We'll get spectator seats and it'll be like it's own show. There's even a host."

"Really? This is more official than I would've guessed. How is there a host?"

"Apparently the tower just asks. Similar to the invitation—a holographic screen pops up and you get a 'yes or no' button."

"Neat." I nodded, "Hehe, I hope I get to be a host one day too. It sounds fun."

"…I pray that doesn't happen."

"What!?" I glared at her.

"…I don't even want to think of what shameless things you would say, or how chaotic your announcing would be."

"Hmph! I'm not that bad!" I crossed my arms and turned away.

"Sure…" … The next day, I was still knitting a scarf. But, this time, I was sitting in a cool gym, watching Luna run on the treadmill. She had put on a workout attire—slim fit leggings, a sports bra, and shoes. Her body glistened with sweat as she kept a steady pace faster than I could run at max speed. It was at moments like these where you realized she was a true awakener—someone who's climbed to the 24th floor. The gym was empty except for the two of us. So it was quite peaceful.

I silently watched her exercise, calmly continuing to knit. She does look quite cool when she's serious. When I first saw her after she put on her workout attire, I was surprised to re-realize that when she puts on a proper outfit, it's deadly. I remember her telling me one time that she usually doesn't wear form-fitting clothes because of the looks she'd get. And now, I get it. But! There's a difference between me and strangers! So! Of course, I'll shamelessly stare and appreciate!

After around twenty more minutes, the treadmill started to stop. Luna stepped off, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand and turned to me.

"Warm-up done!" She said as she approached me.

"…Warm-up?" I hesitantly said.

"Of course, that's just a light warm-up, now that my body's warmed up, I can start exercising for real."

"…You just ran for an hour."

"That was just a jog." She said, "Now I'll move on to that machine over there…" She continued to explain her workout schedule and I just silently nodded. Truthfully, I wasn't really paying attention since I wasn't familiar whatsoever with any of the terms she used. But, all I was thinking in my mind was… Note to self, do NOT work out with Luna. … It was only a few hours later when we were finally back in her apartment. I felt tired just watching her workout, but how does she still have so much energy?

Is this the level of a floor 24 climber…? I suddenly don't want to climb that high anymore… Internally chuckling, I figured it was actually the difference between combat classes and production classes. Since combat types need to actively use their body more, of course they'd be more proactive and energetic. Production types like me on the other hand usually sit in the backlines and coast through for an easy clear.

Of course, we still have our uses, but it's their job to protect us from the monsters while we solve other problems. And I certainly didn't plan on innovating or changing that. Sure, I might throw a few explosives from time-to-time, but when I form a party, I plan on sticking to the backlines and doing my job.

"Oh! This one looks decent?" I said, showing off the scarf to Luna. It was one I've been working on since yesterday. There were no holes in it and the patterns weren't all off. I could see my days of knitting scarves coming to an end soon. But, I did have a few projects I wanted to complete before then. I was quite excited to make them too. I planned on making a raccoon scarf for me and a mouse scarf for Luna. I hope she'll like it.