New Steps
"Huh?"
Mika blinked in confusion at Hypno's sudden words.
"Mika, didn't you think something like this? That me and Nabi... ahem, Kitty, were dating and doing some weird play?"
"Uh?"
"Uh, w-well..."
"You have to answer me honestly, right?"
"Y-Yes... I did think that..."
"That's a huge misunderstanding and super rude. Because Kitty really is my pet. Right, Nabi?"
"Yeah, Master!"
"Nabi?"
"That's the real nickname I use for Kitty. Anyway, mistaking our relationship for boyfriend-girlfriend... that's just absurd and insulting."
"Uh... u-uhh...!"
Mika's face drained of color as Hypno kept emphasizing his point. She looked like a lowly office drone who'd just accidentally nuked a critical company project that decided the boss's fate.
"S-Sorry! I-I-I didn't mean to... it wasn't on purpose...!"
"Does that make it okay if it wasn't on purpose?"
"W-What do I... h-have to do...?"
"Then... you'll have to apologize properly. In the way I want, of course. That's only fair, right?"
Mika's pale expression suddenly lit up with desperate hope, like she'd spotted a ray of light in the darkness.
"Y-Yes! A-A-Anything! Just tell me!"
"Heh heh heh... alright then..."
As Hypno leaned in to suggest his fun, twisted apology method, he remembered what Nabi had mentioned earlier.
'I can get an apology anytime. Might as well hear what this 'good method' is first.'
Hypno turned back to Nabi. "Nabi, speaking of which, what was that good method you mentioned?"
"Huh? Oh, that. Hey, Mika."
Nabi waved the quest paper in her hand. "Our master's registering as an adventurer now, right? But you know that massive line over there. So you handle this herb-picking quest for us."
"What!? Again? K-K-Kitty... quests are supposed to go through the item intake staff, not me... Eek!?"
Mika started to refuse, but one glance at Hypno's face turned her pale again. She nodded frantically and snatched the quest paper from Nabi's hand.
"I-I'll process it right away! D-Does this count as... a little apology...?"
She kept stealing nervous glances at Hypno. He smirked, curling his lips upward.
"I'll take the apology, but yeah, my mood's improved a bit."
"Phew..."
Mika knew a better mood meant her apology would land better. She let out a tiny sigh of relief.
"The apology..."
Hypno pondered for a moment. It was just past lunchtime. Herb picking might take a while—by the time they gathered and returned, it'd be dinner. And after dinner, he had his duty as master to exercise Nabi.
Meaning no time for Mika's apology today.
'Tomorrow then. Right after splitting from Nabi? Nah, doing it inside the guild would feel lame after Tris. So...'
Hypno recalled a steamy hypnosis scenario from one of his old eroge games.
Receptionist. That was basically an office lady. Fucking an OL didn't have to be in an office—sometimes a relaxed, private space where she could unwind was even hotter. Banging her at home? Total winner.
With his Intelligence 20 brain firing on all cylinders, Hypno asked, "Mika, when do you get off work?"
"M-Me...? Um... around 7..."
"Where do you go after?"
"H-Home, of course..."
"Then we'll do the apology at your place tomorrow."
"M-My house!?"
"Yeah, I get to pick the apology spot. That's my right. Right?"
"Ugh... Y-Yes. Um... what kind of apology...?"
"I'll tell you when I get there."
Hypno turned away, done talking. "Alright, Nabi. Help me with the herb picking."
"Sure, Master!"
"We'll help too!"
"Let's knock it out quick!"
Hypno led the trio out of the guild and immediately asked Nabi, "Where do we go for herbs, Nabi?"
"Herbs are... oh, wait, Master. Before that, let's book a place to stay first. Rooms fill up at night."
"Yeah, good call."
Hypno figured they'd grab a room and head straight out. But what awaited him was Nabi, Tomi, and Dibi's infamous "Beginner Adventurer Crash Course."
Hypno booked a room at the same inn as Nabi. As they geared up to head out for herbs, Nabi asked, "Master, got your basic gear?"
"Basic gear?"
"Yeah, like a dagger for herb cutting, first-aid meds, potions..."
Nabi listed off the essentials every newbie adventurer needed. Of course, Hypno had none.
"Not a single one."
"Then let's go shopping!"
"We'll pick the good stuff for