Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

"I am minding my manners! And I just asked for an obvious solution. Don't you want our room to be next to yours as well?!" Ruby asked impatiently.

"I do. But yelling, threatening, or stating the obvious won't get you a room."

"Then how?"

"Watch me," Rudy said with a smug look on his face.

"I am sure you will use your powers," Ruby scoffed. "Have you ever done anything on your own? You have always relied on your power to do everything."

Maria furrowed her brows at Ruby and said, "Ruby, that was rude."

"I am just stating the truth, am I not? You, of all people, should know it."

"He didn't use his power in the gambling tournament. Even when we first met, he never used his powers. In fact, for everything he has done so far for us, he never used his power except for the battles. Of course, I am not including flying and teleporting since they are basic transportation powers."

"I…" Ruby turned her face to the side and muttered and said, "I didn't know."

"Then you should speak of something you have no knowledge about."

"...I am sorry. I just don't like when he tries to school me whenever I do anything."

Rudy turned to the guard and asked, "Can't we do anything about the rooms?"

"Everything is already planned, and we can't do anything. If you would like, you can talk to the master."

The guard handed him a communication device.

"Yeah, I will do that."

[Who is this?] she asked.

"It's me."

[Oh, hello. It seems you got here on time.]

"Yes, thanks to your ride and special VVIP service."

[I assume you are not contacting me to show your gratitude. That's unlike you.]

"Yes, you got there right," Rudy sighed.

[Is there anything you need? Or did you find something unpleasant here? Or have you called to rant? If you want to talk to me, we can talk privately later.]

"Is there any way I can have the room next to mine?" Rudy jumped straight to the point.

[Sadly, that's not possible.]

"Why not?"

[That room is assigned to someone else. The guest will be displeased if we ask them to change their room at the last minute. You would feel the same, would you not?]

"I would. But have the guests arrived already? If they haven't, I am sure you can change the rooms."

[Yes, they arrived an hour ago. They have settled in.]

"Then what about the room on the other side?"

[You have the corner room, so there is no room on the other side.]

"I see. What about the room next to Mia's?"

[Uhm, I don't know anyone by that name.]

"I am talking about Ruby. Their room is below mine, what about the room next to theirs? Have the guests arrived there as well?"

[Indeed. I wasn't going to tell you this, but you are the last guests to arrive on the island. I was waiting for you to start the auction.]

"Wow. That's a lowkey burn right there."

[The room is not suitable for six people to fit in. Otherwise, I would advise you to get one room.]

"So, in simple words… there is nothing we can do?"

"Heh!" Ruby scoffed, seemingly taunting Rudy.

After a brief silence, Lu Bela said, [There is one option.]

"I am always open to options. What is it?"

[Ask the guest's next room and convince them to change rooms. That's the best and most peaceful solution I can think of.]

"That would be as easy as slicing butter with a hot knife."

[Please refrain from using your powers. Especially mind control, although it's not like I would know even if you used it.]

"Did you just indirectly allow me to hypnotize the guest and convince them to change rooms?"

[You didn't hear that from me.]

BEEP~ BEEP!

Rudy looked at the girls, who were staring at him with judging looks on their faces.

"What?"

"Maria stood up for you, so don't let her down."

"Just watch me. I am a professional when it comes to convincing people. Okay, that was a joke."

"I will take you to the room."

The gang followed the guards and took them to the end of the hallway.

"The corner rooms are bigger than the rest, and that's why the Master insisted that you should have one."

Rudy turned to the girls and said, "You girls can rest in the room. I will talk to our neighbor and find a way to convince him… or her"

He looked at the guards and said, "You two. Thank you for showing us the way. You can leave now."

"But the master has assigned us as your personal guards until the auction has ended. Every life is in danger here, including yours."

"I am pretty sure everyone's lives are in danger, but from me."

Both guards glanced at each other and said, "At least let us stand outside your rooms. We have a task, so don't take that away from us."

'The Underblades are pretty sensitive about their tasks, calling it a reason to live and whatnot. So I will let them do whatever they want,' Rudy uttered inwardly.

"Okay, you can stay. But I will talk to the neighbor alone. They will be scared if they see guards at their door."

Rudy walked over to the next room's door and knocked on it.

'This shouldn't be too hard.'

Rudy glanced to his side from the corner of his eyes and saw Ruby peeking from the doorway.

"I can see you."

Ruby walked out of the room and said, "I wasn't trying to hide."

"I will come with you." She stood beside Rudy.

"Why? To make sure I don't use my powers?" he sighed with a soft scoff.

"No. You are doing this for me, so I have to at least show my gratitude by accompanying you."

"Then be my guest and knock on the door."

Ruby knocked on the door and said, "Excuse me, we would like to talk to you for a second. Can you open the door?"

A minute later, the door opened, and Rudy's eyes widened upon seeing the guest.

"You are…"