(Good grief, this has turned into a real pain...)
At the same time Yugo was listening to Shiroi’s story, Anhel was deep in the forest, letting out a heavy sigh of pure exhaustion.
Her expression, however, carried more simmering rage than fatigue as she spat words at the male student responsible for her foul mood.
"What do you think you’re doing? Seriously, what is wrong with you two, obsessively clinging to us like this?"
"I’d really like you to stop. What exactly are you people playing at?"
"Now, don’t be so cold. That’s no way to treat us, considering our relationship...!"
"Yugo isn't here right now, and the others aren't paying attention, so a little bit shouldn't hurt, right?"
Cyan and Egos spoke with greasy, sickly grins, displaying a level of familiarity that crossed the line from strange into the realm of the detestable.
During the move the other day, they had limited themselves to casting leering glances filled with desire—unpleasant enough as it was—but Anhel and Melt were now filled with a mixture of confusion and fury as the two men suddenly began initiating physical contact. The pair tossed out sexually suggestive comments as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"There’s no need to be shy at this late stage, is there? We shared such intense love last night, didn't we?"
"Huh? Hah...?"
"Well, the room was dark, so I couldn't see you that well. But since we did that, don’t act all bashful just because I’m touching you a little."
"Wait, wha...?"
Seeing Cyan and Egos smirking—no, leering—with those slimy expressions, the two girls exchanged a look, their confusion and anger instantly curdling into pure, unadulterated revulsion.
Realizing exactly what the men were implying, Melt and Anhel began to whisper to each other, now certain that the pair had lost their minds.
"Hey, Anhel? What happened to them?"
"I have no idea. They probably found some hallucinogenic mushrooms or nuts and started snacking. Their eyes are bloodshot and they look like death; it has to be that."
Though they didn't particularly want to look closely, Cyan and Egos looked even more haggard than they had the previous day. It was unclear when it had started, but they were visibly more exhausted than before, leading the girls to conclude they must have ingested something toxic.
It went without saying, but neither Melt nor Anhel had any memory of doing anything of the sort with those two, nor had the thought ever crossed their minds. Almost certainly, the men were mistaking hallucinations brought on by toxic mushrooms for reality. The girls let out a synchronized sigh.
"Haa... if it was going to be like this, I really should have just gone with Yugo."
"Exactly. I only came here because he asked me to help, but to think I'd be subjected to this..."
They had joined this team because Yugo had requested they contribute to the Ingredient Gathering while he searched for Shiroi, but they never imagined they would be targeted for such harassment.
They didn't hold a grudge against Yugo, reasoning that he likely hadn't expected Cyan and the others to be quite this delusional. As they stood there, the men closed the distance once again, reaching out with lecherous grins.
"What are you two whispering about~? Let us join in~!"
"Kya!? Hey, stop it!!"
As soon as he spoke, Egos stroked Melt's buttocks. Screaming with blatant loathing, she immediately spun away to put distance between them. Anhel similarly slapped away Cyan’s hand as it reached for her chest. The men, however, seemed completely unfazed, apparently mistaking the rejection for playful flirting.
"That hurts! If you're going to hit me, do it more gently~!"
"We were gentle with you last night, weren't we~?"
"...Sorry, Ann. I’m at my limit. Is it okay if I just blow these guys away?"
"I won’t stop you. If anything, I’ll help... Hm?"
Just as their disgust was about to boil over into violence, a call from Yugo arrived on Anhel's communication device. Retrieving the device from her cleavage while keeping her back turned to Cyan and his cohort, Anhel answered.
"What is it, Yugo? Did something happen on your end? Oh, yeah... pass it to the Vice President? Understood, hold on a second."
"I told you, stop with the whispering~! I’m starting to get angry too—bubeh!?"
Anhel delivered a sharp slap to Cyan as he continued to pester her. Ignoring the stunned man as he flinched, she marched over to Hao. After explaining the situation briefly and handing him the device, she waited until his conversation with Presia—who had taken over from Yugo on the other end—concluded. Once the call ended, she spoke to Hao.
"What did the President want?"
"Ah, well... I don’t really understand the circumstances, but she asked if she could borrow my Large Bag."
"Got it! In that case, we'll go deliver it. Lend us the bag!"
"That's a good plan. Our communication devices allow us to track each other's Location Information. Leave the delivery to us."
Seizing the perfect opportunity to escape the creeps, Melt and Anhel pressured Hao until he handed over the bag Yugo's group required.
With the bag in hand, they headed toward Yugo’s location, guided by the tracker. Realizing they were leaving, Cyan and Egos tried to give chase in a panic, but...
"Oops, and where do you think you’re going? There’s no need for four people to carry one bag. Why don't you two stay here and help us gather the rest of the ingredients?"
"Guh!? Marcos, you...!?"
Their pursuit was cut short as Marcos grabbed their shoulders, pulling them back with a firm grip.
Skull stood nearby, laden with bags of gathered food; the horse also seemed intent on blocking their path.
"Get out of our way! You’re nothing but worthless side characters...!!"
"Hah, so that’s the real you. Everyone calls you 'Lord Heroes' and the like, but you’ve been hiding such rot beneath the surface. Now I’m even more determined to keep you right here."
Marcos spoke with a derisive snort, digging his fingers into their shoulders to signal that he had no intention of letting them pass.
Faced with an opponent they deemed insignificant, Cyan and Egos let their true, ugly natures show. They glared at Marcos with deep-seated hatred for ruining their "fun," even as they realized with bitter regret that they had let Melt and Anhel slip through their fingers.