After Ninth explained herself again and again, Steamed Bun finally believed that Ninth and the others had not been doing anything naughty.
"'Pulling down pants' is Dreamscape terminology. It doesn't mean actually pulling down pants—it means using special methods to disarm a boss and seize its weapon for yourself. Don't worry, Steamed Bun, we really weren't doing anything naughty."
Steamed Bun was completely confused, feeling as though they were not playing the same Dreamscape Game at all.
But when she looked closer, she saw light in Ninth's eyes as she spoke.
Yesterday, they had still been listless and lifeless. Today, they were animated and beaming. The three gathered together as if they had forgotten the regret of being unable to take the National College Entrance Examination, talking only about the Speedrun Race in Fairyland Survivor.
She did not know what exploiting glitches meant, nor did she really understand what an optimal route was. She had no idea what switching time at checkpoints meant, and she could not begin to figure out what delaying one move and extending another meant.
Still, she could see how excited the three were. While talking, they cleaned up every last bit of food, even wiping away the grease at the bottom of the plates.
All right. This was enough.
Steamed Bun's grandfather was a barbecue expert. He did not merely enjoy grilling mushrooms—he liked grilling anything that could be grilled.
According to her grandfather, grilling meant Abundance. It meant having surplus food. On freezing days, there was nothing more enjoyable than lighting a fire to grill mushrooms and chatting with one's children while waiting.
Living was all about roasting that batch of mushrooms.
Then letting everyone eat their fill.
Steamed Bun rested her chin on her hand, her gaze passing over the three before her