Money Can Buy Everything

071: Hurry up and Finish the Quest

"Hey, Momo, aren't you afraid of being killed when you are asleep? You do realize that Asuna is the one with the knife, right?"

Reimu leisurely looked around the oddly tense living room, feeling like she could use some popcorn. But she wasn't nervous at all about the situation; after all, she was pretty much the only outsider here.

"Afraid? Well, it's not like I encouraged this. Kayaba just wants to use Yui to drive a wedge between me and Asuna, right?"

"In his eyes, the Rose Garden is in Asuna's hands, and the actual controller of the Watchful Knight is Diavel, so if Asuna really splits from me and he informs Diavel secretly, I'll be left all alone."

"Isn't that so?"

Momo shrugged, saying, "But he's overthinking it. My relationship with Asuna is unshakeable, and Diavel, he's smart enough not to do anything unnecessary. But in this situation, I guess we shouldn't expect him to do much anyway."

"Isn't it useless to say those things? Aren't you really not planning to try to salvage the situation?"

"Well, Argo chose to be with Yui's mother all along. I have to face that. Or rather, she has to confront Asuna openly to resolve her issues."

"This is Argo's trial, and I can't stop it."

Reimu squinted, with a hint of mockery in her voice, "Why do I feel like something's not right? Shouldn't this trial be about you?"

"Everything is under control. Right now, I'm completely detached from their situation. If I get involved easily, everything will probably explode in an instant."

"You know that? Then why don't you solve this problem quickly?"

Momo shrugged, "Stop kidding. Is there really a problem now? Asuna and Argo are still good friends, and Argo and I are just ordinary friends. We're just a little awkward  between each other because of this Quest."

"Yeah, but that’s only on the surface. But it's about to explode in reality!"

"That’s right, that’s why I can't mention anything about anything internal. I just need to act according to the surface situation. The internal conflicts didn't arise because of me, and I can't let them shift onto me."

"That's a declaration worthy of a heartbreaking playboy. One day, a girl would have enough of your  attitude and will use a sword to cut you up.

No one knew about Momo and Reimu's banter. Yui continued to stare confidently at Asuna, while Argo stood awkwardly, wanting to persuade Yui but for some reason, not taking any action.

"Argo, do you really think that way too?"

Argo was startled, quickly denying, "How could I think that? Didn't I say I would take Yui back to the hotel? Yui, how about going back to the hotel with Mom? Mom will rent the most luxurious one, and the beds there are even more comfortable than here!"

Yui looked at Argo with a bit of resentment, then turned to Momo and asked, "Um, is Daddy going with Yui?"

"How could that be!"

This was both Argo and Asuna speaking simultaneously, which startled Yui. She hugged her head, looking like she was about to cry.

Seeing this, Asuna couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated. Although Yui's suggestion was absurd, she was still a child, and Asuna wouldn't argue with her like equals.

As for Argo, no matter what he thought, as long as he still held importance, Asuna wouldn't truly turn against him.

"Momo!"

Asuna looked at Momo with a reproachful tone, saying, "You're usually full of ideas and words! Why are you silent now?"

"Well— I’m afraid that if I said anythingI I was going to get hit!"

"If you don't speak now, you'll get hit!"

Reimu chuckled coldly, "I told you, how can you always play it safe?"

"Well, I have a suggestion that might solve the current problem."

...

"Is this your suggestion?"

Asuna and Argo looked at the sleeping bag beside the bed, feeling both amused and resigned.

"Yes, it satisfies Yui's request and won't upset Asuna. Isn't it a good solution?"

Asuna and Argo's eyes towards Momo carried a hint of apology, because Momo's suggestion was simple and practical.

After all, the bed was a double bed, and although Yui was small and wouldn't take up much space, the bed could still only fit two people.

So, it was decided to let the two ladies share the bed while Momo laid out the sleeping bag against the wall. Sleeping in a sleeping bag wasn't really a hardship; after all, the rewards of venturing out at night in the wild were plentiful. Many people chose to continue hunting monsters and leveling up at night as long as it was safe.

As for players like Kirito who were crazy about clearing dungeons, they were prepared with sleeping bags and would occasionally take a nap at safe points. They could spend over ten days straight in the wilderness or dungeons, truly becoming dungeon-crawling maniacs.

"Even so... letting Argo..."

Asuna still hesitated. In her view, this still meant Argo and Momo would be sharing the same room.

However, she didn't finish her sentence. Would opposing this make her seem overly petty? After all, they were just resting; there was no need to undress or anything...

"Why? Why does Daddy have to sleep on the floor! Can't Daddy sleep with Yui?"

"If Daddy sleeps on the bed, then Big Sister Asuna will have to sleep on the floor! Taking care of ladies is the duty of a gentleman, a moral obligation of civilized humanity."

Momo's words clearly had an effect, silencing the discontented Yui.

On the other side, Argo looked at the still uneasy atmosphere and said, "Um, maybe this isn't such a good idea? Yui, can't you just behave? Otherwise, Mommy will get angry!"

"No, this is the only way. Mommy and Daddy have to be together, and Yui has to be with them too! Yui won't sleep on the bed anymore, I want to be next to Daddy!"

Yui's suggestion instantly brought a blush to Argo's face. Asuna sighed and said, "Let's just go with this."

With that, Asuna tapped on the bedside, converting the bed back into furniture and clearing up a lot of space in the bedroom.

"Why don't we all just sleep in sleeping bags, as if we're camping outdoors? I have spare sleeping bags too, top-grade ones that Yui can use."

"As for the arrangement, Yui can be between you and Momo, and I'll be next to Momo. Would that work?"

Argo chuckled awkwardly, "Um, thanks for that."

"If you think I'm bothering you, Argo, then tomorrow I'll go check on Yui's task information. I mean it."

With that, Asuna laid out four sleeping bags side by side on the floor. Though her tone was calm, Argo knew that Asuna's patience was wearing thin. After all, Asuna wasn't tolerating Argo solely because of the task. If the conflicts continued to revolve around him, it was questionable how much longer Asuna would endure.

"I understand..."

"Mommy..."

"Alright, Yui, don't worry too much! Today, Mommy will sleep with you, okay?"

"Mm!"

So, the four of them transformed their newly purchased house into a lively camping ground in the bedroom, storing away the bed. It was a delightful camping experience indeed.

"So this is your strategy, making yourself the victim and then freeing yourself from the situation?"

Reimu floated in the air, not needing to sleep, so she chatted with the now-closed-eyed Momo.

"Don't talk nonsense, I'm just doing what I should do. The conflicts arose because of me, but now I'm not at the center of the conflict. Should I still rush in and get squeezed by both sides?"

"Well, that's also a choice. I've left the decision to Argo, let's see what he'll do. Maybe we'll miss out, or maybe..."

Momo didn't continue, because Asuna lightly poked his cheek, making him turn his head.

"Face me, don't look the other way!"

Asuna murmured softly, but Momo's maxed-out perception skills allowed him to hear clearly. Asuna was aware of this too.

As Momo turned back, he saw Asuna's face filled with grievances, her eyes slightly red, seeming truly repressed.

"Come closer."

"What?"

As Asuna leaned in as instructed, Momo suddenly leaned forward and kissed Asuna on the lips.

The warm touch instantly melted Asuna's heart, warming it up. She knew Momo's actions were cunning, but this approach was effective.

After a while, they separated, Asuna blushing and whispering softly, "Hurry up and finish the Quest. I can't hold out much longer! After the Quest, I want your surprise. If you don't give it to me, I'll take it myself!"

"Don't worry, Asuna, it's all for you."

"Mm..."

Asuna tucked her chin into the sleeping bag, leaving only her warm eyes to watch Momo.

"Daddy... Don't leave Yui..."

At this moment, Yui murmured too. Momo nodded slightly at Asuna and turned to check on Yui's condition.

This time, Asuna didn't stop him. Instead, she smiled slightly and chose to fall asleep.

Momo reached out to put his hand on Yui's sleeping bag, intending to comfort her, but he encountered another hand. Momo instinctively wanted to withdraw, but suddenly, that somewhat cold hand held his tightly.

It was Argo's hand.

Argo showed no intention of letting go.

Momo looked over with some confusion, only to see Argo with closed eyes, tears staining his cheeks.

"Sorry..."

Argo whispered softly, but he held onto Momo's hand even tighter.