Ari Will Live There Forever
File 001. Defect (Albedo) "King of Flies" Poari ( Complete)
File 002. Death (Viriditas) "Carnival Chef" Yerisa ( Complete)
File 003. Death (Viriditas) One Person Factory Manager (Resolved)
File 004. Harmless (Nigredo) Human Shelter (Unresolved)
Progress toward 2nd Encyclopedia Privilege!
"…Huh?"
I blinked, safely back home. The encyclopedia had a ton of new entries?
"One Person Factory Manager makes sense… but Human Shelter is Baesena."
Baesena got registered too? And the progress had jumped two stages already.
I'd have to check them one by one. First up, File 003.
File 003. Death (Viriditas) One Person Factory Manager (Resolved)
* This entity has been resolved.
* This entity cannot be summoned.
* This entity is in the process of dissolution.
* It can no longer attack you.
Shorter than the entries for Ari or Lisa, which had the " Complete" tag. Looks like if you take down a monster without using Cute Girl Punch, it shows as "Resolved" instead of " Complete."
Makes sense, in a way. With Ari or Lisa, I hit 'em with the Cute Girl Punch and then… y'know, fed 'em fried rice to tame 'em.
But the One Person Factory Manager? Just sliced it clean in half. Dead. No way a bisected monster bonds with you—that'd be weirder.
No summoning, no Bond Effect perks, but it still counts toward encyclopedia progress.
"What about Baesena, then?" I tapped File 004.
File 004. Harmless (Nigredo) Human Shelter (Unresolved)
* You encountered this entity and survived unharmed.
* This entity cannot be summoned or stored in the Storage Vault.
* No one has resolved this entity yet—it remains a challenge for you.
* You will have another chance to encounter it.
* it and form a bond!
Way different wording from the Factory Manager. So even if you don't resolve a monster, it still logs in the encyclopedia as long as you survive?
'…Well, yeah.'
In monster games, more monsters are unkillable than not. Surviving an encounter often counts as clearing it.
So, summing it up:
1. Resolve a monster with the Cute Girl Mod active: " Complete" status. Summoning, Bond Effects, all the perks.
2. Resolve without the mod: "Resolved" status. No perks, but encyclopedia entry.
3. Survive without resolving (mod inactive): "Unresolved" status. No perks, but still logs.
To get the full perks, gotta land that Cute Girl Punch.
"But y'know… honestly, isn't the Bond Effect stronger than the punch itself…?"
No matter how I sliced it, Cute Girl Punch felt like a launcher for Bond Effects. After this last ordeal, I could tell—they're insanely powerful. Sure, limits like once-a-day suck, but even accounting for that, overpowered.
So, the real strategy: Girlify every monster that shows up, collect their Bond Effects…?
"But even with just Ari and Lisa, it's a handful… what if more monster roommates pile on…?"
Ugh. Dizzy just thinking about it…
To become a Fixer, you need two things: business registration and an office.
Registration's done—time to snag an office. Real estate today.
"…I, I'm never going in there again."
But Ari was sulking. She'd gotten spotted by Special Task Force agents last incident, so I stashed her and Lisa in the Storage Vault to stay hidden.
Now Ari's burrowed under the blanket on the bed and won't budge. Like a cat post-vet shot.
"Ari, at least eat something first."
No luck dragging her out. Ari will live under there forever. But eat first, damn it.
"…Wanna eat here."
"You'll dirty the blanket."
"Not coming out…"
"Hmm…"
How terrifying was that Storage Vault? Feels like dealing with a rebellious teen daughter.
But Ari's not even blood-related? Why the joyless sense of responsibility…?
Didn't get it, so I left her be. Bought a box of konjac jelly, set it bedside.
"Trash bin here too—toss the empties."
"Yeah."
Ari slurping jelly from under the covers. She'd hole up awhile, so I left her and eyed Lisa, who was just smiling quietly.
"…Gonna hit real estate. Lisa, you coming?"
"Of course."
Lisa's smile eased me. No more solo outings—monsters could pop up anywhere unlucky.
Couldn't relax without Ari or Lisa nearby.
Thus, Lisa and I headed out solo. To the bus stop.
"…"
Lisa followed wordlessly. Quiet mouth, busy eyes—scanning everywhere.
Unlike food-obsessed Ari, Lisa was super curious about human society. Streets full of intriguing stuff; she'd been glancing around nonstop.
"…Lisa, don't stray. Got it?"
Like having a daughter who isn't mine—worried she'll dart into some department store nook… despite being way taller. Why worry about a grown-ass kid…?
"Understood. No plans to leave your side, Mayuri—so relax."
"Uh, y-yeah…"
…That's kinda burdensome phrasing.
True though—Lisa's always been the docile type. Same with Ari. They prioritize my word.
Cute Girl Mod effect? Lisa especially shone last incident.
"Anywhere you wanna stop?"
Lisa tilted her head.
"Aren't we going to the real estate office?"
"Plenty of time—can swing by on the way back. Want anything? I'll buy whatever."
Special Task Force payout: One Person Factory Manager reward. Gag order included—big bucks.
Lisa earned it, basically. Right to spend on her.
But Lisa said:
"Then, somewhere with lots of lovers?"
"Lovers…? Like couple spots?"
"Yes. Want to observe lovey-dovey acts."
"Why the hell would you wanna see that…?"
Pure self-torture. …Lisa got masochistic hobbies or what?
I had zero interest in watching others date. What's fun about it? No jealousy ever, but doesn't make me happy either.
Couples cooing? Love comedies cover it.
"Mayuri, I have one goal."
"Goal…?"
"Remember what you said at the shop?"
'Shop'? That day dragged off by the Carnival Chef…
"You said this:"
"Agh…"
Face burning. …What the hell did I even say?
Ugh, mortifying…
"Didn't fully get it, honestly. My care for humans? Efforts for them? All impure? Does that make it all fake?"
"Told you, that talk's scary…"
"But your words stuck. Understanding them is my goal."
"Mm…"
What to do…? Just blurted it to escape—zero thought.
Flipped some weird switch in Lisa.
If she learned I meant nothing… would she stab me?
Nah. Secret to the grave.
"Agh, wrong bus…"
Stepped off. I sighed, checking my phone.
"…Gotta hit another stop. Lisa, follow."
"Yes."
Trailing me, step by step. Step. Tiny human's back ahead; passing scenery shifts endlessly.
Warm sun. Gaudy lights. Acrid smells. Racing cars. Phone-glued walkers.
Tall buildings everywhere, shops peeking. Nothing fails to snag Lisa's eye.
But her feet never veer. All novel, all alien to her.
"Um, excuse me…"
Someone hailed walking Lisa. Build and voice: guy. Hesitant dude.
Lisa paused.
"Me?"
"Y-yeah… uh…"
"Hm?"
Lisa blinked. Stared him down—he just fidgeted.
No clue. Knows me? Met with Mayuri last outing?
Neither felt right.
-Grab.
Looked down: Mayuri gripped her hand.
"Hey. She has a boyfriend."
Lisa, let's go. That snapped, Mayuri yanked her irritably.
Lisa shuffled along, towed.
Ah, got it. Like last time—asking for a number. Still no idea what kind.
"Stray, and guys like that latch on. …So no solo outings, best."
"I see. But Mayuri, are you upset?"
"No, just pissed… haa…"
Oddly snippy Mayuri finally released. Lisa glanced at her hand.
Clench. Release. Clench. Release.
Hm.
"Mayuri, was that guy just now proposing romance?"
"…How'd you know?"
"Saw a similar scene in a TV drama yesterday."
"TV's scary… teaches everything… …Lisa, you into dating?"
Worried—outings always draw flirts. We're cutegirls, sure? And Lisa just yapped about pure love.
What if some weirdo snags her? But Lisa shook her head.
"Not particularly."
"Oh, okay?"
"Dating. Lovers. Prelude to marriage and birthing humans, right?"
"Not wrong… phrasing's off."
"Curious about human-making process. But joining it myself? Eh."
Lisa eyed the ground. Timely ants marching.
How many? Ten? Twenty? Plenty, but to her—all identical ants.
Who distinguishes ant faces?
"Can't tell human faces apart. Except you, Mayuri—all look the same."
Lisa said.