It was the first time I had learned that there could be so many kinds of pillows in this world.
"They are not pillows, they are training tools," Tsubaki corrected me seriously. When it came to matters related to training, her eyes shone with a passion completely different from her usual sleepy languor. "The world of training tools is very profound, you know. I will do my very best to help you choose a tool that lets you sleep with peace of mind!"
"Then I will be counting on you."
As I said that, my gaze slid down from Tsubaki's innocent face and was drawn to the generous curves rising and falling as she spoke.
If I used those as a pillow, would I sleep more sweetly? Or would it have the opposite effect?
At that moment, Tsubaki began introducing the characteristics of different pillows to me.
"Wooden pillows are hard, so there are pros and cons. But once you get used to them, they are so comfortable that you cannot live without them anymore."
"The feather kind lets you head straight to the land of dreams the instant you rest your head on it…"
"As for memory foam pillows, they support me anytime and anywhere. That sense of stability is really hard to give up."
When she talked about things related to training, Tsubaki, who usually looked half asleep and uninterested in everything, could list them all as if she knew them by heart.
"Alright, let's keep looking."
After explaining several common types of pillows, Tsubaki led me onward, continuing to browse the mall in search of the best training tool.
I could not help but feel that this could completely be considered a date.
Next, under Tsubaki's guidance, I saw all kinds of pillows. Latex pillows, fiber pillows, air pillows, water pillows. The variety was dazzling. No matter which one it was, Tsubaki could explain the advantages and disadvantages in just a few words, leaving me amazed at how knowledgeable the girl was in this area.
Sure enough, when it comes to training, I really should ask Tsubaki for guidance. Preferably the close, hands on kind.
After covering most of the area, Tsubaki stopped. With a lingering sense of reluctance, she asked me,
"Sensei, among the training tools I introduced earlier, is there one that particularly suits your taste?"
I smiled wryly. "To be honest, for a beginner like me, it's kinda hard to choose."
"That is true… In that case, let's finish looking at everything first. But the ones after this are mostly tools I have not tried myself, so they are not very ordinary."
Wait, does that mean she has personally tried all those many pillows from before?
It sounded surprising at first, but when I thought about the frequency of training of the Inner Discipline Club President, it did not seem that strange after all.
Still, thinking about it this way, could it be that a large portion of the Inner Discipline Club's budget has been spent by Tsubaki on buying various kinds of bedding? That is rather suspicious.
"For example… Sensei, how about this one?"
Tsubaki picked up an almost life sized, pure white body pillow. "This is the kind of training tool you hug while sleeping. It is quite large, but it is fine if you use it indoors. And they say that sleeping while holding something makes it easier to fall asleep."
Thinking back, that did seem to be the case, though it probably had more to do with physical exhaustion.
"Hm?" Suddenly, Tsubaki made a puzzled sound. "Here, in the detailed description, it says, 'You can print any life sized illustration you want'… Hm?"
I froze for a moment, then was startled, and could not help but feel tempted.
However, even if I really bought it, deciding who to print on it would become another agonizing dilemma.
After excluding Kaya first, it became hard to continue narrowing it down. I could not exactly buy dozens of them, could I?
Meanwhile, Tsubaki was still confused. "A pillow… no, I mean, why would you print something like this on a training tool…?"
…Did she just let something slip?
After putting the blank body pillow back, Tsubaki scanned around again and quickly chose a new target.
"Ah, there is also this one, Sensei. This is a training tool with YES written on the front and NO written on the back."
Wait… could this be…
My expression subtly changed.
Ever since coming to Kivotos, I had inevitably come into contact with some literary works that carried a strong educational significance.
And among them, such mysterious and wonderful tools would appear from time to time, adding an extra layer of intriguing philosophy to the stories.
Of course, this was the first time I had seen such bedding with multiple layers of meaning in real life.
"Ta da," Tsubaki picked up the pillow. "Sensei, have you been diligently training at night?"
"Of course, YES!"
Just like my attitude toward Tsubaki.
After playing around with it together for a bit, Tsubaki finally looked at the detailed description and read it out loud.
"This is a pillow for newlywed couples?"
Even after learning this fact, Tsubaki did not panic. She simply stared at the YES side of the pillow and dragged out her tone.
"Heeey."
What the Inner Discipline Club President was thinking at that moment was truly hard to grasp and irresistibly curious. If I had not experienced the side effects of continuous use, I would have wanted to use my newly acquired authority on her. Even just knowing the feelings contained within would have been enough.
Seen this way, [Mind Transmission] was indeed not completely useless, even if its usefulness was limited and only satisfied a momentary curiosity.
In any case, the fact that Tsubaki held at least an above average level of fondness for me was already beyond dispute.
The next moment, with her expression unchanged, Tsubaki put the pillow down and excitedly pointed to another direction.
"Sensei, Sensei, look. This pillow can be used in battle, it can be set as a trap. It is a Peroro pillow."
She is already calling it a pillow outright!?
And why Peroro!? Using it as a trap in battle!? No one would fall for that kind of trap, right!?
Uh, well, maybe… someone actually would…?
Seeing this white and yellow, silly looking chicken plush, I could not help but recall the Lord Faust I once swore to follow…
Joking aside, it really had been a while since I last saw Hifumi. Recently, I just could not find an opportunity.
It might be worth keeping an eye out for some rare Peroro merchandise. In a few days, when we meet, I could give it as a gift to that seemingly honest, ordinary, cute girl.
With Lord Faust's hardcore style in private, maybe I could obtain some very interesting authority?
With a hint of anticipation, I continued to accept Tsubaki's recommendations, strolling through the merchandise packed mall together with her.
To be honest, I was quite surprised that Tsubaki managed to maintain an above average level of enthusiasm the entire time.
Normally, she would definitely sneak in a nap somewhere, yet this time she was unexpectedly proactive.
Perhaps Tsubaki's attitude toward me, just like the pillow from earlier, was also a "YES."
Finally, after rushing to finish browsing the entire pillow section, Tsubaki took a deep breath and asked me with anticipation,
"So then, Sensei, do you have any thoughts now?"