Chapter 508
Machine World Arc Coltran at Present
Author’s Note: I’m sorry, I’m a bit late! Recently it’s not easy to take time to write and this chapter become an excessively long explanation chapter combined with last week’s unfinished chapter, but still best regards!
「How’s that, boss. I can give you proper hospitality this time right?」
Jasper’s face became a little proud while his finger rubbed under his nose.
Both sides had finished their introduction and currently they were enjoying tea and relaxing.
Sofas were surrounding a large table made from gla.s.s. Hajime who sat on one corner of that placed his cup on the saucer with slight clinking sound.
「Yeah, thanks for that. But, it’s not anything for you to look so smug for.」
「No, well, I guess so, but still」
Jasper scratched his head with an embarra.s.sed look at the opposite side. But then Hajime said 「I’m joking」 while smiling naturally.
On Hajime’s lap──sitting at the left side was Listy staring up fixedly on Hajime with a slovenly smile *funyaa~*, while sitting at the right side was Myuu saying 「My my, how adorable」 with a tone that was half like Remia mama and half like a quasi-sn.o.bby lady.
Listy instantly snapped 「Aaah!?」, and Myuu snapped back 「Ooh, you wanna have a go?」. This was already the forth time.
Also, this was the aftermath of the war for papa’s lap.
When Listy saw Hajime plopped down on the sofa like he was in his own house, she quickly retreated from the war of Orekko correction that she had with Myuu.
And then she rushed to Hajime’s side with rapid footsteps. However, perhaps there was a bit of embarra.s.sment that had slightly budded inside her due to her growth. She didn’t climb up like in the past, but fidgeted while looking alternately at Hajime’s lap and eyes──it went without saying that such gesture made Yue and others writhed from cuteness.
Myuu who usually would prioritize others over herself cut in with an unruffled face and immediately monopolized the lap with a nonchalant look. It also went without saying that Remia mama sported a dee~ep wry smile seeing that.
Also, the other children──even though they were called children, the oldest was a seventeen years old boy while the next oldest was a sixteen years old girl, and the other were generally around the age of middle schooler──too,
──W-what, who’s that girly looking Listy……
──I forgot……that Listy is a girl
──Lies……my little sister, is too cute?
──If those bunch at the junk mountain see Listy right now……they might faint
──Or else won’t they think that this is a dream?
──No one would ever think that this kind of kind is the kind of person who would throw wrench or hit with hammer at all
──Heey, before this, I saw her throwing a wrench that came back like a boomerang but, was that a dream?
──I, I, saw her hammer somehow crackling with electricity or something……
They were whispering with some concerning words tossed out here and there, but putting that aside, after the two girls were grappling with each other with their hands locked and pushing against each other, Hajime pinched their cheek *munii~* and they calmed down at the end in the current positioning.
By the way, the sofas were big and could easily be used by ten-odd people, but they still weren’t enough for everyone here, so some of Jasper family’s children along with Ryuutarou and Suzu, Shia and Tio, also Yuuka and Atsushi and others were sitting down on the carpet directly.
That Ryuutarou and Suzu were smiling at the sight of such rare Myuu while joining in the conversation.
「From what we saw in the video recording, in the past they only got gel-shaped something made from who the h.e.l.l know what wasn’t it.」
「It must be something really amazing to make even Nagumo-kun teary.」
The gazes of those two were looking at not only cups and teapots but also snacks that were served with the tea. It was a heap of cookies. There was no gel. The cookies were definitely solid. The sweet aroma was tickling their nose.
Apparently these five years had not only granted Mindy and others the knowledge of cooking their own food, but also how to make confectionary.
Confectionary was an indulgence. For the environment to have changed that the people could make such thing on their own meant that the people had the leeway to not merely survive, but also live a better life.
Both Ryuutarou and Suzu were feeling deeply moved exactly because they knew about the extremely poor living condition of the people here before.
「Mindy, and also you guys. Thanks. This cookie is also delicious.」
Mindy the leading actress of the hospitality who was sitting beside Jasper jerked and trembled when Hajime turned his gaze toward her.
The children puffed out their chests proudly or high-fived while yelling 「Yahoo!」 and the like happily. Meanwhile,
「I’m glad that it suit your taste.」
Mindy also blushed faintly while nodding bashfully.
*Twitch* Yue and Kaori who were sitting on Hajime’s sides reacted. They were tilting their cup to hide their lips while observing Mindy closely. *Jii~*
And, Yuuka who was half forced by these two to sit between Hajime’s legs in front of him and doing it in seiza posture for some reason, she too too a hard long look on Mindy, then right after that she quietly looked back over her shoulder to check Hajime’s expression.
Also, on the sides of Yuuka there were Shia and Tio.
From the outside this guy only looked like a harem b.a.s.t.a.r.d who was waited on by women on both hands and both legs. No, he didn’t only look like, he was an actual harem b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
Even the children of Jasper family had been growing up quite much. They could even be said to be in the middle of their p.u.b.erty.
When their joy from the reunion with Hajime calmed down a little, if asked whether it would be natural if they got captivated by Yue and others when they introduced themselves then the answer would be yes. When they saw the sight of such women sitting to surround Hajime as though it was only natural……
The boys were especially looking at Hajime with awe and veneration in their eyes while saying things like 「As we thought he’s an amazing person……」「Yeah. Nothing has changed……no, he easily surpa.s.sed our imagination. I’m looking up to him yeah」「I see……so this is the peak that one must aim for……」.
Of course, the girls were looking at those brothers of them with cold eyes. While sending glances filled with curiosity that was characteristic of p.u.b.erty toward Yue and co. While also almost got shot down by Yue smiling back at them when they were doing that.
As expected, for the children who had been living with everything only available in limited amount to them, the Nagumo family was apparently a strong stimulation to them in various senses.
There was no doubt that Yuuka was sitting with seiza posture from embarra.s.sment because of those gazes from the children too.
Or rather if the gazes from the children were embarra.s.sing then she could just change her sitting position but……she didn’t really show any sign of moving and only acted strangely formal. Perhaps being looked like that by the children actually made her felt quite good?
It went without saying that Nana and Taeko were grinning.
Getting back on topic(Putting that aside).
Perhaps she didn’t notice the gazes from Yue and co, Mindy didn’t really react and her calmness immediately returned and,
「It’s thanks to the many help from G10-san. After all n.o.body in Coltran has the knowledge of something like making snack.」
「Aa……I see, certainly. There’s no way Mother would keep any record about something like mankind’s indulgence item in her database.」
「Yes. She said that she wish for us to not merely live, but also enjoy life……is G10-san doing well?」
There was no way for Mindy and others to know about G10’s condition. Only members of Jasper family possessed the communicator that could be used using biometrics, but G10 almost never call them for just idle talk.
She only contacted them when it was necessary and only giving the necessary information.
AI mustn’t influence human’s life. G10 was practicing that thoroughly. To the end she only gave a.s.sistance to the humans who until then only knew to be dependent to be able to progress on their own feet.
They understood that. But, even so there was a tinge of loneliness coloring Mindy’s expression. The other children were also the same. Everyone was concerned for G10.
「Yeah, she’s well. More than that even, like, how to say it……she’s super powerful?」
To a degree she had won a s.p.a.ce war. Though Hajime only said that inside his heart. Telling them about that here would only cause chaos. After all even them fell into commotion when hearing that.
「Is that so……thank G.o.d.」
Mindy patted her chest and sighed in relieve. The children also smiled and looked to each other.
The figure of Mindy who was similarly smiling peacefully while being surrounded by smiling children was far more charming compared to five years ago. She was like a mother to the children, and also a family to the governor, and so she must have experienced much hardship until now. Her mental growth could be seen.
In fact, Atsushi was muttering 「Mindy-san……lovely……」 in fascination. n.o.boru too was staring at her in a daze *poheee*.
「Actually, we have prepared present for when Hajime-san and others can come here. After all we are finally able to obtain “our own possession” even if only bit by bit, so these children made a suggestion, that they want to put into shape their feeling of grat.i.tude from that time.」
「Is that so? That’s……I’ve must made you guys waited for so long.」
「Fufu, I’m glad that we can meet again like this. We also have the share for G10-san, so can I ask you to please hand it to her when going back to the holy land?」
A girl with pigtail who looked like someone who had just gotten into middle school shyly took out a bag that she had been hiding behind her back. It was filled with a lot of handkerchiefs. There were some that looked warped, but they were embroidered with various patterns like flower or Coltran’s sacred peak.
Surprisingly there were more than the number of Hajime and co there. They weren’t something that could be prepared in a short time from yesterday or today, so they must have prepared them in a number that was more than enough from the start.
Apparently Mindy and everyone had become able to obtain their own possession bit by bit but, even so luxury items must still be something precious for them. Among those indulgences the best present that they could prepare was surely embroidery.
They must putting their utmost effort in order to stabilize their life in the reborn Coltran. There was no doubt that they were dividing the labor while making the handkerchiefs bit by bit everyday while practicing over and over.
Everyone could easily imagine the feeling of Mindy and the children.
「……Everyone is good kid-」
「Uu, I’m, weak against something like this……」
Yue and Shizuku were unconsciously moved to tears. Shia and others were also looking moved.
The expression of the children also bloomed knowing that everyone was happy by their present.
「Umm, demon king-sama.」
「Tsk tsk tsk nano. The current papa have cla.s.sed up even higher and he is called “demon G.o.d” now nano. Now he’s treated like G.o.d nano. Fufufu-」
「Eh? Is that so!? Oto──Ani-san’s awesomeeee!! What happened!?」
Myuu and Listy who were snapping and pressing their forehead on each others instantly became smug and full of curiosity with sparkling eyes, but let’s put them aside for now.
「You can just call me Hajime-san. Yoou called me that before right?」
The bewildered pigtail girl pulled herself together from Hajime’s gentle tone and fidgeted even while taking out a ribbon from inside the bag.
It was a large red ribbon. It easily jutted out even when held by adult hands. Of course, it was also embroidered.
「Listy used magnet so it can stick to metal. If it’s this then perhaps G10 can also wear it.」
「I-I see.」
Hajime imagined it. Yue and others also imagined it.
The figure of G10 with this big ribbon attached snugly on her head.
「It’s a good work. G10 will look good with it. She’ll surely be happy.」
Surreal……everyone thought that unanimously but not even a peep of that came out from Hajime and everyone else. Hajime and Yue and others praised the girl with a wide smile.
G10 would definitely rejoice without reservation by this present after all.
The present bag was received with care, then Yue and others each said their thanks while selecting the handkerchief they preferred. Hajime was glancing at that sight and returned the talk back on track.
「But, is it alright? Knowledge that n.o.body at Coltran know about……based from how you said it just now, it’s not only about snacks right?」
「That’s right. There’re also various cooking that we pretended to be Mindy’s invention. Right now she’s treated as a genius of that field, like an evangelist.」
Jasper gave additional explanation with a wry smile. Certainly, to the people of Coltran who didn’t know about the relationship between G10 and Jasper family, Mindy must look like a cooking genius who kept inventing new dishes one after another.
「Mindy-oneechan is the idol of most woman here.」
Even though Listy called Jasper big bro, apparently she still called Mindy “Onee-chan” like in the past. She said that with a smug face.
Also, she noticed Hajime wanting to place back the cup he was holding on the table but he couldn’t reach that far, so she planned to take it……
Her hand touched the hand of Myuu who was similarly trying to be considerate. Of course, both slapped each other’s hand. Their eyes snapped wide open. *Slap Slap Slap Slappp!!” Ani-san’s! Papa’s! cup is going to be held by me! Ny Myuu nano!
Everyone also ignored that quarrel.
「I also got a lot of advices from G10……. Because of that I got excessively respected each time I made a decision……haa. These five years, my stomach is always feeling incessantly p.r.i.c.kled.」
「At least you made the decision after learning the knowledge from the upper world resident right?」
「Yeah. But, the upper world residents──that term now isn’t referring to the place but to the people’s role or position, so they’re called “Expert” now. But their knowledge is also limited.」
「So you’re doing things that surpa.s.sed that knowledge? More specifically, what kind of place Coltran is right now?」
「Aa~, I guess soo~. For example──」
Expansion of farm and redevelopment of infrastructure, establishment of new occupation and system of free choice of occupation as well as setting up the reward system, reestablishment of rule and penalty, correction of disparity by lifting up the minimum level of food, clothing, and shelter as much as possible.
In addition, school-like facility was also opened in order to attempt to correct the disparity of knowledge. Technology research facility to study and repair the facilities that Mother destroyed, and establishing exploration group with the purpose of exploring the outside of Coltran, etc, etc. The policies made after talking it out with the representatives of former upper world and lower world residences were innumerable.
Just like how the once garbage dump was reborn into the junk mountain range, the bottom layer like the slum was also gradually getting rebuilt and readjusted with public facilities like bathhouse or laundry also getting added.
In addition, tools and the like for a bit of entertainment like board game and trump card were also getting developed in order to provide relaxation as well as interaction between people.
Such result from these five years was something that one should be proud of, and yet Jasper talked of them while hunching his back with an expression like a dog tired puppy.
Aiko and Remia reacted 「No, doing that much in five years……that’s plainly amazing isn’t it?」「My my, it’s only natural that you get respected after that……」 in surprise. Liliana too reacted like 「I, I want……I want to scout him as minister or something for Randell-」 and her eyes glinted like a demon wolf targeting a prey.
Hajime and others were also completely agreeing. Should it be called unexpected, or exceeding expectation?
「If it’s like this, the day G10 can job change to Avenst might not be that far in the future huh……」
「True that. I hath thought this too when watching the video recording but, this man’s disposition as leader art staggering.」
「Five years has pa.s.sed and things has also improved a lot, and yet a former dweller of the bottom layer is still continuing to be the leader must be because of this. Even if there’s discontent and grumbling, he can just smack them all away with all these achievements and shut them up desuu」
Even the princess of the head reaping rabbits who shut up all naysayer with violence after rising up from a position that could be said as the lowest rung of the beastman race without exaggeration grinned brightly from hearing this.
In fact, the former residents of the upper world didn’t even try to stand above Jasper because they were bad with taking initiative and forging ahead even though they possessed the knowledge. They still couldn’t get out from their habit of waiting for instruction.
They already harbored no other feeling than respect toward Jasper who could honestly bow his head toward them asking for their teaching, and on top of that being able to achieve things that surpa.s.sed their knowledge with unbelievable momentum.
「Big bro is liked even by most guys of the main capital.」
Listy-chan was smiling proudly even while shaking hand with Myuu for some reason──no, perhaps they were doing grip strength match. Her voice was shaky even though she was smiling, perhaps because she was gritting her inner teeth. It was a bit scary.
「Main capital?」
Funnuuu~~, Myuu’s precious adorable face became wasted from how she straining herself. Unable to see that, Hajime activated “Lightning Clad” lightly while tilting his head.
Mindy answered while smiling wryly seeing her little sister and Myuu raising their voices 「「Abaah!?」」 in harmony with their hair standing.
「It’s the “Main Capital” because it’s the main city. Calling a district as lower or upper, or using number might lead to thought of discrimination or sense of superiority, so it was altered like that.」
「This is also from G10’s advise huh.」
It seemed advises from G10 also included warning about trouble that might possibly happen in the future. Jasper accepted that advise and worked out countermeasure beforehand, which must also be a part of the reason why he got excessively respected.
In any case, according to Mindy, right now the former lower layer and bottom layer altogether got called as the “Main Capital”, and that capital got further divided into “residential area”, “agriculture area”, “commercial area”, etc. The upper world too got renamed into “Governing Capital”.
「By the way, boss. Do you remember? About the plant of the sky machine soldier.」
「I remember that. Was it at the west mountain district? It was where the force that was sent to destroy Coltran at the end got manufactured and stored wasn’t it?」
「That one. Actually, that place is called as “Sub Capital” right now.」
「! Don’t tell me, there’s even immigrant to outside Coltran already?」
If he remembered correctly, the place should be located around 400 km west from Coltran. Even though just the fact that that there was one more city created outside this city itself was already beyond shocking……Hajime showed his surprise for real this time.
But, Jasper smiled wryly while shaking his head.
「No, actually it’s not at the scale of a “capital” at all. At best it’s just a village. It’s a reclamation village. The people dispatched there are mainly researcher.」
「You guys really have gotten a lot of leeway……no, it’s the opposite huh. It was exactly because you got no leeway.」
Mother had self-destructed all the systems in Coltran. The only things that were safe were only some of the aircrafts that Hajime and co repaired at that time and individual soldier equipment. Even those were only firearm that used bullet at best.
But, the plant for sky machine soldier was a different story. Coltran would be able to regain its civilization level drastically if they could gain the system and technology there.
「Well, in the first place anything related to the system is like gibberish even for the experts though. Even so that doesn’t mean we can just leave those alone. I thought it would be best we can gain something from there even if only bit by bit. Besides, there’ll be nothing better if we also have an emergency evacuation place just in case something happen.」
「I see. Is that also an advise from G10?」
「No, G10 won’t lend a hand at all with restoring the system. She said that such power is too much for mankind right now.」
But, she also wasn’t stopping them. Because if mankind researched, grasped, and on top of that revived the power of the old era by their own power, then that would be the result that mankind advanced toward on their own.
The exceptions were only the restoration of electricity generator, things related to medical treatment, and also food and fuel related things. She was secretly giving support for those although only at minimum. After all the life of mankind was hanging on those things.
「Theen, it was Jasper-oniisan who thought up the idea of the sub capital nano? That’s amazing!」
「Haha. It’s embarra.s.sing but, that ain’t the case, Myuu-chan. The one who thought up the idea is Listy who Myuu-chan is currently tickling her armpits like h.e.l.l.」 freēwēbnovel.com
「Eh?」
Fuhih, nhihihih-, Listy was trembling while letting out a strange voice. Myuu’s eyes widened like saucer toward her while her hands hadn’t stopped tickling.
Although Listy-chan had magnificently s.n.a.t.c.hed the cup, she immediately got hit by a tickling counterattack. However, she also couldn’t possibly let go of the cup, so she desperately endured with expression & teary eyes that a girl shouldn’t make.
Hajime interrupted and Listy somehow got freed from the tickling h.e.l.l. She glared at Myuu with bright red face and teary eyes while,
「Because rather than scrounging junks around, it’ll be more efficient to experience an active facility in order to get closer to Oto──Ani-san.」
She slowly, slowly got down from Hajime’s lap, then placed the cup on the table like a wary cat.
Myuu stared fixedly on such Listy looking like a cat who was going to leap with a hiss anytime now, while bending her fingers like claws in a roaring pose.
Slowly slowly. *Gaooo-. Fushaaa!!*
「That was why, even though I kept telling her it’s still too premature, she looked like she was going to depart even if only by herself……although, as expected it was unknown how safe that place was so I couldn’t just allow her.」
「I see. And so, you made that decision, because that place would definitely be useful for research.」
「That’s right. Although, n.o.body but us knew about the existence of that plant right? So I went around explaining the necessity of exploration group for outside the city, attaching a lot of excuses to guide everyone’s thought for making a research place, then creating a base at the other side……」
「And you did all that while pretending not to know anything, huh. That must be hard.」
「I thought my stomach was going to burst. In the end, around a year pa.s.sed until a base was made there. After that around one more year pa.s.sed I guess……sure enough, it looks like that place can’t be dealt with that easily. Even now that place isn’t giving any significant gain. Though it’s good enough for human to live in.」
「Really this girl, she looked like she was at the end of her patience already……she planned to head there at the next regular shipment you know?」
Mindy was staring worriedly at the youngest sister.
What a staggering drive even though she was still ten years old. Just like Jasper said, surely Listy would depart to there even if she was alone and there wasn’t any plan of the sub capital getting carried out.
If she believed that it was necessary, she would follow her own conviction.
Listy jumped back on Hajime’s lap in a single leap the instant she placed back the cup on the table. Hajime patted her head while,
「A child travelling for 400 km through a trackless path huh. Don’t make your big sis and others so worried like that.」
Listy looked up to Hajime when he told her that and then spoke like it was of no concern.
「It’s just a stone’s throw away compared to going to the holy land.」
Listy’s eyes were so straightforward that everyone spontaneously held their breath. Those eyes were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with determination and ambition.
Visiting the holy land on her own. That was one of Listy’s big goals. It would be presumptuous of her to utter such goal when she was unable to even go to the plant. Her eyes looked like she was saying that.
「Listy-chan, you wanted to go to the holy land on your own?」
「……Even though you should know how far that place is from here?」
Even Kaori and Yue were also looking shocked. They reflexively asked her those questions.
「If Oto──Ani-san won’t come, I can just go to him. I’ll need something that can fly long distance for that. The things we have at Coltran right now can fly for long, and everyone else need it for themselves.」
「Myu……」
Shia and others were going 「Eh, this girl is so cool……」 in admiration, while the one who showed the most reaction was Myuu.
Her hands that had determined that her rival’s weak point was at her armpit stopped aiming to tickle there. Then her lips mumbled incomprehensibly while her expression looked like she didn’t know what to say.
「My my, ufufu. She’s the same like Myuu isn’t she?」
「Muu~」
In the psat, when Hajime informed her of their parting, Myuu certainly said it. That she would go to meet papa on her own. She wouldn’t give up the idea even when told that the place he was going was very far away.
Knowing that Listy was feeling the same like her even at such thing and in fact she had been putting in effort to do just that, surely she feeling something like 「I DON’T WANT TO RECOGNIZE IT-! But……well, I’ll at least recognize that spirit……nano」.
Shia and others who knew about what happened at that time were also grinning while looking alternately at Myuu and Listy.
「Besides」
Listy tilted her head in confusion seeing how Remia and Shia and others were smiling, even so she easily cut off her gaze from the conflicted looking Myuu and looked up at Hajime once more.
「If we don’t quickly prove that human can go anywhere and do anything……G10 won’t be able to become Avenst with peace of mind.」
Human could arrive until the holy land on their own.
Who knew whether G10 would immediately stop looking after mankind when Listy came alone to the holy land. She would have to make the decision based on the whole. But, Listy’s success would definitely become a factor.
「Perhaps……that’ll be the best way to pay her back. That’s what I think.」
「……Good grief. You’re really something.」
Hajime narrowed his eyes and rubbed Listy’s head a bit roughly. Even though her head got shaken up back and forth like bobblehead, Listy’s expression was becoming slovenly *funyaa~~h*.
The atmosphere of the room was truly warm. Everyone’s atmosphere was softening after hearing Listy’s determination.
Listy-chan noticed the gazes that were gathering on her and gasped Hah!? as she returned to her senses. She glared angrily at Myuu.
「I-I’m not going funya funya at all!」
「Myuu isn’t saying anything nano.」
In reality, she was honestly impressed by Listy’s feeling toward G10 and her drive, so Myuu didn’t really feel like teasing her.
But, it looked like her normal att.i.tude was provoking Listy’s embarra.s.sment instead.
Coupled with the warm gazes from the surrounding, Listy’s gaze darted around before she attempted to make the talk return on track. Or rather, like usual she practiced the worldly wisdom (?) that she had cultivated during these five years, that generally it would be fine if she offloaded everything to her big bro when there was trouble.
「A-anyway, big bro is idolized not only by the experts but also by the lot at the main capital. He also often showed his mug at the place of the former bottom layer lot, and eat together with them.」
Listy fixed her messed up hair while also cursing 「He also often come to my workshop. Even though I told him that he’s just in the way even if he come……」. But, Listy’s subtly broadening lips spoke of her honest feeling more eloquently than anything could.
The gazes of Hajime and everyone were becoming increasingly warmer……
In any case. Apparently there was no denying that the former residents of the bottom layer were also feeling relieved and friendly seeing a man who was also a former resident of the bottom layer like them was still interacting with them without any change in his att.i.tude even after standing on the top of the country.
Coltran right now was stable, furthermore, it was properly advancing forward.
It looked like there was no doubt that one of the big reasons for that was the virtue of Jasper.
Five years had pa.s.sed here which was something outside expectation but, it didn’t look like there was any major problem for both Coltran and Jasper family, so Hajime and co naturally relaxed.
Amidst that,
「Hohou, I see. That’s a good work you’ve been doing here, Jasper-san. You have a good command in the technique of seizing public feeling.」
For some reason there was a single person who was sporting a black-hearted smile. It was the princess who was also similarly leading a country.
Governor-san looked puzzled.
「Public, feeling, seizing……? I don’t really get it but……I’m just a rough guy at heart. The meal with those expert bunch ain’t bad at all but, it’s just giving me stiff shoulders no matter what. That’s why, I mixed in with those former bottom guys for relaxation too.」
Heheh, Jasper laughed a bit bashfully. That smile looked really pure.
He wanted to eat with some affable guys so he ate there. Everyone there couldn’t feel any sign of him trying to trick them. Not at the slightest.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the princess who was sporting a black-hearted smile.
The gazes that were filled with warmth turned to exasperation that said 「Really princess……」……
The princess froze with the black-hearted smile still on her face. Right after that, she slowly started hugging her knees on the sofa and buried her face on her knees──
「……Don’t look at this filthy me……」
Remia who was sitting beside her sidled up and gave her a hug while patting her head and saying good girl good girl.
For the time being, let’s leave the self-exploding princess to the incarnation of motherhood.
「Well, anyway Coltran is in that kinda state right now. I somehow tricked everyone using every trick in the books and allowed to shoulder a big t.i.tle like governor somehow till now.」
The face of Jasper as he concluded the talk was sporting a deep wry smile that clearly told everyone how he was thinking from the bottom of his heart that he was just being over evaluated.
As expected his self-esteem was too low. Ain’t no way that’s true, Atsushi and n.o.boru who were quietly eating cookie reflexively cut in like that.
「Based from everything we heard……aren’t you being a bit too humble?」
「I think your achievements are worthy to get you called the governor though……even though you got G10’s advice or the help from the people around you, at the end of everything it was Jasper-san who made the decision and led the way right?」
Nana and Taeko also praised Jasper like 「You can be more confident!」 or 「Accepting respect honestly, might also be the requirement for people who stand at the top?」.
Even the children also launched additional attack 「Look! Even these people said the same thing!」「Jasper-nii should be bolder!」. It seemed all of them were also thinking the same thing the whole time.
Jasper scratched his head 「Is that really true」 with a troubled expression.
「I guess I still can’t get out from my mindset as bottom layer folk? Everyone is telling me that but, I just can’t calm down about it. That’s why, I also said it during the self-introduction but you don’t need to talk with me formally……or rather, spare me that.」
「You’re still not used to it even after being mankind’s leader for five years?」
「I’m not. I can’t be as shameless as you boss. Besides, I think that this smooth sailing might be over soon. Should I say that now is the critical juncture, or that the problems are gonna start popping out after this.」
「I understand. You mean the demerit brought about by leeway, aren’t you?」
After the legendary final battle where mankind fought as one, Liliana had truly continued to face and handle various problems while the rebuilding was settling down. She formed words of sympathy toward Jasper.
While being half embraced by Remia mama. I wonder if she’s already fine? She thought and stopped her hand that was giving the good girl headpat──a pained gaze from the princess! The headpat continued!
The damage that the black-hearted princess received from the pure existence of the governor was apparently deeper than expected.
「Y-yeah. That, that. In fact, there’re already factions forming. In order to stand closer to me even. What’s more, there’re also some crazy folks who think of me like a G.o.d at the main capital. Sometimes they speak or act a bit extremely, and then a group that opposed them also formed……things where one side can’t stand if I go prop the other side are increasing bit by bit now.」
「Aa~, I see. That’s a common thing to happen huh.」
「……Nn. Your true worth as governor is going to be tested for real from here on. Maybe?」
Jasper withered listlessly. Hajime and Yue somehow guessed Jasper’s actual position right now and sympathy formed on their faces.
Nana and Taeko who were munching cookies without reservation now looked slightly put off and they spoke what came to their mind about the situation.
「Uwaa, even though the t.i.tle governor sounds grand, he looks completely like a middle management salary man.」
「How truly sad……like, he’s the picture of worn out corporate slave……」
True that……Hajime and others were nodding while looking like they didn’t know what to say.
He had obtained the post of governor, but far from becoming stuck-up, he looked like he was becoming even more battered than when he was still just a bottom layer resident. Felt like tears were coming out……
Hajime’s expression became very kind and he quietly took out a specially made energy drink from his “treasure warehouse”.
Before anyone realized it Listy had been a.s.saulting Myuu’s cheeks, perhaps to hide her embarra.s.sment. Myuu was pinching Listy’s cheeks back while saying something like 「Wnyat’re you doingggg」. The two were harmoniously giving their best effort to tear off the other’s cheeks with teary eyes. Hajime mediated between the two while also urging Listy to hand the drink to her big bro.
Ani-san asked me a favor! Listy-chan’s murderous eyes instantly shined like an innocent girl and went to distribute the energy drink with a cheerful smile.
Meanwhile Myuu crept and occupied the center of papa with a slide. Then she planted down her b.u.t.t *BAM-* and crossed her arms. The posture was screaming, There ain’t any seat for ya even if you come back here!
Of course that territory war was set aside by everyone else.
「Besides it’s a fact that I’m having a better living. Not all former folks of bottom layer are thinking well of me.」
Especially the former bottom layer residents who knew Jasper from before. Some among those tried to directly ask him to let them live in the government capital too, but their request got refused and then they harbored grudge because of that. Apparently there was a certain number of such people.
「Hostility thee say? How unsettling.」
「Ambition, jealousy, selfishness……leader being exposed to danger to their life is not a rare story……」
「Jasper-san, someone who is entrusted with the fate of the country has to be careful with their life more than anybody else. That is your duty. Do you have any problem with the security around your person?」
Tio knitted her eyebrows, Shizuku gave a worried gaze, and Liliana advised with a strict expression as a royalty. Of course, she was doing that while half burying her face between Remia’s chest.
Some of the boys were looking jealous, or their face was reddening shyly……
「A-aa, no, yes. I’ll be careful, yes……」
Jasper was bewildered by the princess’s surreal pose, even so he repeatedly bowed his head subserviently like a salary man who was getting scolded by a regular customer.
His habitual att.i.tude toward his subordinates could be inferred from there……everyone thought.
In fact, the children of Jasper family were whispering things like 「This is why you’re getting looked down」 or 「There’ll be more c.o.c.ky people like that」 while sighing.
「But, there’re also those who said “I want to support him” or “I want to follow him” because he’s this kind of person you know? No, the number of that kind of people is overwhelmingly a lot more.」
Mindy smiled wryly while adding 「We called them hostile but it’s not anything that grave, and the former residents of the upper world who received combat training are forming a security force for us」.
「Is Mindy-oneesan also getting proper protection? Nano」
Against a target who was strong or had strict protection, they could just aim the weak target who was close to that person. Myuu who knew about that “weak target” position better than anybody was also looking toward Mindy with worry.
One couldn’t take risk lightly in anything. Unreasonableness was a close neighbor to anybody living. Besides, human would sometimes take action that was unbelievably foolish or impossible to understand.
What the girl stated was filled with very heavy atmosphere. The children of Jasper family looked at each other.
And then, for some reason they all looked simultaneously toward Listy who had finished distributing the energy drink and was in the middle of getting back toward Hajime.
「Anyone who have complain can just try it. Anyone who lay a hand on my family──I’ll kill them all.」
Listy-chan said such thing while looking toward Myuu who was monopolizing Hajime’s lap with contracting pupils.
So that’s how it is. The mad dog girl was also the watchdog girl. If anyone tried anything to the brothers and sisters of Jasper family, the youngest little sister wouldn’t stay quiet.
「Oi, Listy! You mustn’t say something like that!」
「If it’s Oto──Ani-san then he’ll say that.」
「「「「「Certainly」」」」」
Yue and the others all nodded. And then they looked at Hajime. Hajime looked up to the ceiling.
「K-killing is no good okay? It’s fine before because Mindy stopped you, but if she didn’t then five, six people would already cross to other world you know?」
「……Big bro, it’s alright.」
「Y-yeah. So you understand──」
「Next time I’ll do it without anyone finding out.」
「Wrong, that’s not what I mean」
「If it’s Ani-san then he’ll do that.」
「「「「「Certainly」」」」」
Yue and the others all nodded. And then they stared hard at Hajime. Hajime covered his face with his hands. While muttering 「Please……don’t use me as a model anymore……」
Listy stood in front of Myuu with blazing eyes. Oi, screw off. Her eyes were saying.
Myuu snorted 「Fuhn」 and waved her hand in a shooing gesture.
*Snap* A vein pulsed on Listy-chan’s forehead──*Chomp* She bit that hand like a mad dog.
「Nnmyaa!?」
「Shrew hoff alreadyyy」
「Youuu──gauuu-」
「Higyuu!?」
Myuu also took Listy’s hand and undauntedly bit it. The two girls were biting each other’s hand and wouldn’t let go. They were going chomp chomp tearfully. At least there was no blood so it seemed both were holding back, but it felt like there would be splendid teeth mark remaining behind.
Yue who couldn’t bear to see it anymore tore Myuu away while Kaori was tearing away Listy. They then immediately plopped down the girls on their respective lap and wiped their drool covered hands with handkerchief.
The two were still growling threateningly at each other. Yue and Kaori were looking at the two of them like they were some hopeless kids, and then their expressions turned into smile as they looked at each other.
「……We can watch a lot of Myuu’s rare appearance when Listy is nearby. It’s great that she get a squabbling friend.」
「That’s true. Of course the good girl Myuu-chan is also great but, there’s also the saying of being so close to someone that you get into a fight with them. Regardless of everything it looks like you two are getting into a good relationship.」
「「We aren’t friends! We aren’t close!!」」
Myuu and Listy harmoniously protested together. Yue and Kaori chuckled fufufu together.
Seeing the two like that made Hajime and others thought. Eh? Are they doing self-introduction? Were Yue and Kaori not aware that Myuu and Listy’s relationship was similar to their own relationship?
「I also got this thought when watching her confrontation with Myuu-chan before this but……is Listy-chan strong just as we thought?」
Most likely the people who picked a fight were adults. For a girl who still hadn’t reached ten years old to half-kill five or six people was astonishing.
Myuu is exceptional. Then there is also Hinata-chan and Koone-chan. Isn’t little girls recently too strong? Aiko had that thought while asking the question with a slightly twitching expression.
「Aa~, well, I guess so. She receive combat technique lesson from former upper world residence, and on top of that she’s equipped with enough inventions of her own……she’s a fair match even against the security guards. And if the location is the junk mountain, that place is Listy’s territory so if it’s just a squad then she might be able to annihilate them?」
「T-that strong?」
「Being able to do that much is natural if I wanna get recognized by Ani-san’s daughter.」
The hurdle of being daughter is so high……Ryuutarou and others thought speechlessly.
「Sides, weakling can’t work as salvager.」
Listy said that with crisp expression that looked somewhat cool. A cheerfully smiling Kaori was still hugging her tightly from behind her so it looked somewhat mismatched though.
「Whaat do you mean salvager? Can you tell Onee-san?」
「Mu? Got it. Desu. Salvager is the name of a new job. Desu. Exploring the vast facility underground Coltran, mapping the place, and bringing back useful looking things are the work description. Desu.」
「Is that so? That sounds like adventurer isn’t iit?」
「Adventure……yeah, it can certainly be called that too. Desu」
Digging out the junk mountain, exploring the underground world of the old era, and then researching the gathered treasure in the workshop, inventing useful item.
Apparently that was Listy’s daily life.
「Boss, there’s this hideout of G10 that we evacuated to at the beginning right?」
「Hm? Aa, That place with permanent preserved foods or something.」
「Right right. G10 told me that actually inside there are books related to medical treatment, fuel refinement, or electricity generator facility.」
「They were preserved with care for the future huh.」
「Yeah. Naturally we collected them. Of course, we dressed them up as “lucky discovery during investigation”.」
I see, Hajime and co nodded. So that was the beginning of the salvager occupation.
「And, Listy collected them while we were still preparing. Even though she still hadn’t been told about the books there. She said “Big bro, I found these”.」
The big bro was gazing at the distance. It must be very shocking. After all, it was a story that happened around four and half years ago.
In short, Listy-chan who was still around five years old, entered the underground alone without even hearing anything from anybody, and scored the treasure that was like the lifeline of mankind.
「I knew that place had a lot of precious things, and at that time my head was only filed with wanting to be like Oto──Ani-san as fast as possible, so I was just a bit bullheaded.」
「No, even now you’re like that.」
She ignored her big bro’s reproachful stare.
In any case, Listy became the first human in Coltran who showed the possibility of treasure sleeping underground of Coltran.
「I-in other words, you’re the origin of salvager, nano!?」
「Aah? Well, I guess that’s so……」
Myuu’s chuuni heart throbbed. So jealous, her eyes shined with envy! Because, words like Origin~, or Beginning~, or First~, were the kind of words she loved!
Anyway, the really precious things had been collected by G10 during the two centuries of her activities for making the summoning device and the like, but such advanced parts would be beyond the capacity of the current mankind anyway.
Conversely the parts that G10 discarded were actually none other than the things that would be very useful for the current mankind.
Those items were sleeping along the junk mountain range. Just like dungeon exploration in story, the number of people diving underground in search of treasure was inevitably increasing.
「Even after that Listy kept finding nice things. I don’t know whether it’s because she got good instinct or what. What’s more, she researched those and developed electric tools and farming tools, and even things like simple transport car, contributing to Coltran’s progress. In that kind of sense too, our Listy is getting lot of respect.」
n.o.body could lie a hand on her not simply because she was the governor’s little sister or because she was strong and violent. Her solid achievements brought her respect from other people regardless of her still young age, which also made it possible for her to do something like living alone at a corner of the junk mountain.
Jasper was saying all those with a smug look and puffed out chest. Even though he was hunching that much when talking about himself, apparently he was proud of his youngest little sister like it was his own achievement. He was also sending glances at Myuu. Perhaps he was trying to give her a push? Like, Our girl is amazing right? Can’t you recognize her?
「S-stop that, big bro. Something like that──」
「Ain’t that something. Now I’ve gotta go see this workshop of yours even more.」
Hajime patted the head of Listy who was still being hugged by Kaori. There was definitely admiration and praise seeping from his eyes.
Listy instantly turned bright red from those genuine words. She was shy, happy, but she didn’t want her super happy face to be seen.
She unconsciously twisted around and buried her face on Kaori’s shoulder. Uu~, she let out an adorable groan but then right after that 「Oto……san praise me……?」 she muttered with a fading small voice and her lips split open into a wide grin. It must be something unconscious, but she grabbed Kaori’s arm and hugged tii~~ghtly.
Kaori’s face turned bright red. Her expression also became funya funya. Looks like her heart had gotten shot through.
「Listy-chan, you’ve worked really hard aren’t youu? Soo amazing, soo awesomee」
「! J-just this much is nothing. Desu」
「Fufufu, you don’t need to force yourself using polite language you know?」
「Y-yeah」
Kaori-san put one arm around Listy’s stomach and held her body firmly, while her other hand rubbed Listy’s hair. Her voice sounded extremely gentle. No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration even if they called it sweet. Her eyes were projecting fondness to the brim.
And yet, Listy was freezing for some reason.
「Hajime, what to do? Kaori is awakening motherhood.」
「And yet, why is Listy strangely tense like a frog getting glared by a snake?」
「Doesn’t she instinctually sense that it would be the end for her if Kaorin locked on to her?」
「「「I see (desuu)」」」
Yue, Shia, and Tio saw Suzu’s point in understanding.
Listy’s gaze darted around in bewilderment before she stole a glance at Kaori. Kaori’s smile was slightly twitching from hearing the exchange between Shizuku and co.
「……Yaa~i, Stalkaorii~. Children are all scared of youu~」
「T-that’s not true!」
Sure enough, Yue grinned and laughed. Kaori panicked and her arms that were unconsciously restrain──not that, hugging tightly let go.
And then, she looked at Listy apologetically and asked 「D-did I scare you I wonder?」. While lamenting 「But wait? Why am I scaring her even though I’m just smiling at her? I’m losing confidence in various senses like this!」 inside her heart.
「E-err, I don’t know why but sorry. Was I too familiar so suddenly? Look, maybe you want to go back on Hajime-kun’s lap?」
Kaori urged with a look that couldn’t fully hide her unrest and sadness, but Listy who was staring still at such Kaori was,
「…………C-can I……stay here for a bit more? Yeah? Desu?」
Her cheeks reddened slightly and tension left her shoulders while she leaned on Kaori. She first talked with her past way of talking, then consciously switched to boyish tone, and then she further switched to polite language that she wasn’t used to. It looked like such switching of the ending of her sentence was exposing the shyness inside her heart.
Of course, for Kaori-san such gesture was unbearable.
「So cuteeeee!!」
「Mugya!?」
「Just ignore some like Yue, you can think of me as the one who might be your mom!」
「Fugyuu~~!?」
Kaori instantly turned Listy to face her fully and hugged her again on her chest.
Listy was buried into the chest while letting out a stifled voice 「S-strength, too strong-」 that sounded a bit painful, but her face seen from the side didn’t look that dissatisfied.
「Sly-, kaaaah, too sly! To try cajoling starting from the big Onee-chans! Nano!」
Myuu ran toward Kaori as though to say that she wouldn’t allow such thing to pa.s.s. And then, she hugged Kaori strongly, putting Listy to be sandwiched in between.
Kaori-san’s happiness meter went up! Her face was totally fawning. She hugged both girls together tightly, but then she started sending glances at Hajime.
「Children are so nice!」
「Well, guess so.」
It wasn’t hard to understand what Kaori wanted to implicitly say. As long as they looked at Kaori whose eyes were blazing with expectation, and with even her nose huffing *fuuh fuuh* in excitement.
Yue and others also looked much the same. They were watching Kaori who was being fought over by two girls with envy even while sending glances at Hajime. With eyes that contained a mix of expectation and excitement.
The bright family plan looked like it would become something really tough……
At the same time of Hajime thinking such stupid thing,
「Yuuka-chi! Look, don’t avert your eyes obstinately!」
「As I thought we should make you wear one of the twelve garments before coming here. We gave up because you stubbornly refused even though we prepared it especially for SF world but……you lost the boldness because of your normal outfit. You lack the outfit buff here.」
Nana and Taeko were saying such thing, so it seemed it made hard for Yuuka-chan to be here.
She replied with a small voice 「No, there’s no way I can say something like “I want your baby” even implicityly! Stupid! Just how many steps are you two skipping! Stupiddd!」 while blushing.
Of course, Hajime and others heard it clearly.
Shia and Tio who were at both sides grinned 「Hohou?」 and turned their gazes to her. Yuuka became 「Hah!?」 and fearfully looked back over her should, witnessing the gaze of Hajime who didn’t know what to say.
Her gaze snapped back forward. Her face and even her neck and ears became bright red while she moved to retreat toward Nana and others……because she had been sitting on seiza posture all this time her legs must be numb.
「Auu!?」
She stumbled forward. Incidentally it made her got into a pose where her b.u.t.t got pointed out toward Hajime.
Also, today she was wearing a miniskirt. As apology for rejecting the choice outfit from Nana and Taeko, she at least wore the bold underwear with small surface size that was also prepared by the two.
「Hyuu~, really Yuuka, that’s bold.」
「Oi oi, like that you’re no different than a slu──」
Angle-wise only Hajime and Yue & Kaori would be able to see, but Atsushi and n.o.boru knew how those three could see so they reflexively teased.
Yuuka pressed her skirt and fixed her pose in G.o.dspeed while sending a murderous gaze toward the two, so they immediately shut up. They really didn’t want to become the prey of her throwing skill because they were getting carried away.
And so, they turned their gaze to the faraway distance while doing a lousy whistling to dodge the retaliation.
Yuuka was shaking all over due to her numb legs and embarra.s.sment while fearfully looking back over her shoulder.
「Y-Yuuka-chan. We’re in front of children!」
「……Fuh, d.a.m.n you Yuuka. To wear that kind of underwear──not bad.」
Kaori was hugging Myuu and Listy even tighter so they wouldn’t see, while Yue was sighing fuh.
And then, Hajime was folding his arms for some reason while looking down with a serious gaze like a researcher. At the area around Yuuka’s waist.
As expected from demon G.o.d-sama. Apparently he wouldn’t do anything gentlemanly like averting his gaze. Far from that, You got any problem? He looked like he was even going to say that.
「J-Jasper-san! Is it okay to go outside!?」
「O-ou!? No, err, that’s a bit wait!」
A sudden pressing question while he was rejoicing because it looked like Listy could be accepted into Nagumo family.
Jasper was startled and behaved in a strange way, he hurriedly tried to stop Yuuka who looked like she was going to rush out anytime now while looking even more shaken up than he himself.
This house was completely a private building, but not all the windows at the rooms above the ground had been completely closed. Because doing that would look unnatural. Also, there were security guards outside the house.
They wouldn’t peek into the building, but if they felt suspicion then they might move into the house, which would be undesirable for everyone here.
「There there, Yuuka. Come over here.」
「T-Tio-san?」
「Umu umu, I understand. That must be embarra.s.sing. Here, I shall hide thy face. Leap in.」
「Tio-san!!」
In addition of Liliana who was still being mothered by Remia mama, Yuuka also leaped toward Tio mama’s voluptuous chest. Wanting to sink into the ground in shame──no, in this situation was it wanting to sink between b.r.e.a.s.t.s? Anyway, Yuuka’s face sunk fully and it looked like she was calming down slightly.
Hajime smiled wryly at such Yuuka while looking toward Jasper to change the mood.
「I still have things I want to ask, and you guys too must have things you want to ask us but, it’s not that amusing to keep drinking tea underground like this don’t you think? Let’s change spot already.」
「Y-yeah, you’re right. Though even if you say that, what’re we gonna do? You guys must want to look around various places but……」
Jasper pulled himself together and scratched his cheek with a troubled look.
「I understand. After all our presence here mustn’t be found out no matter what. I’ve prepared the artifacts to take care of that, and we can also somehow manage using perception blocker or illusion, but as expected we aren’t planning to openly tour the city.」
This was something that had been decided from the start after talking it out with Yue and others. Even if they were going to sightsee, they would do it only at place with few pa.s.serby. Because doing it that was would possess the least risk.
「What about heaven right now?」
「For most humans that place is a kind of holy ground. Only the researchers are coming and going there. Especially the area near the peak is considered as Mother’s grave. Without the governor’s permission, no one can enter the place where boss fought with Mother.」
「I see. Then might as well. Let’s eat the lunch near the peak.」
「……Nn. Etemp & Netemp went with Endou, so we couldn’t watch the first half of the fight with Mother. If we go there then there won’t be any problem to watch with past replay, I’m looking forward to it.」
「That’ll be a bit embarra.s.sing with how we got beaten up a lot though.」
「We might be able to see the whole Coltran from there, so that place is just right isn’t it?」
Shizuku said at the end. Ryuutarou and others showed no particular objection so they agreed.
By the way, Shizuku was putting on a mask of calm but, right now she was being funya funya.
Perhaps she couldn’t hold back because of her love for cute things. After begging earnestly, she succeeded in hugging Listy, and in addition just as predicted, 「Myuu won’t hand over Shizuku-oneechan too! Nano!」 and Myuu rushed and hugged her. Her expression was simply filled with satisfaction.
「Hey, Nagumo. Let’s also watch the moment when Endou got summoned yeah!」
「Tamai, why’re you asking something that obvious? Of course we gotta record it properly.」
「As expected from you Nagumo. An elegant Aby torturing just like a flowing water. I’m paralyzed in awe.」
「Stop that, Aikawa. That’s just par of the course.」
Pitiful Abyss Lord……Ryuutarou was the only one who thought that. If Aby learned that, surely he too would leap to Ryuutarou’s thick chest.
After deciding their course ahead, Hajime stood up followed by the rest.
「After we finished touring the mountain peak will be Listy’s workshop. I’ll clear up anyone around so show me everything you got okay?」
「Uu……I left in a hurry so the place is messy……」
「Workshop is just that kind of place. I’m looking forward to it you know?」
「Heheh, yeah!」
Listy smiled widely even while Shizuku was rubbing her cheek on her face. But, a beat later her face became serious and pondering.
「……If you’re going to clear out the place then we can also have a duel there, right?」
Listy muttered like she was talking to herself. The one who reacted the very first to that was of course, Myuu.
「Fuh. Come to think of it you said that’s your territory nano. Very well, we’ll use that place as the duel arena nano. Come at Myuu after equipping anything you like at full force! Nano」
「Are you taking pity on me? Don’t regret it later-」
The two glared at each other fiercely from point-blank range with blazing fighting spirit. Their cheeks were being poked and rubbed insistently though so the confrontation lacked impact.
Of course, the culprit was Shizuku. 「Don’t do anything to dangerous okay?」 She said with widely smiling face that was overflowing with motherhood. She couldn’t say anything about Kaori like this.
「……Hajime. Just in case, should I match the outfit?」
「Yeah, please.」
Hajime distributed the artifacts for blocking perception to Ryuutarou and others, then he also distributed the artifacts to neutralize those to Jasper family. Then he nodded to Yue.
Yue was enveloped in faint golden light. Jasper family murmured. The next moment,
「……How’s this?」
The golden light coiled around Hajime and co, then right after that their outfit became really similar with Jasper and co. It was a type of cloth layering using illusion.
It was the first magic-like magic that was shown. Jasper and Mindy were holding their breath seeing that, and of course the children also became greatly excited. Their eyes sparkled brightly and they gave high praise 「Yue-oneechan so amazing!」 to Yue.
「…..T-that so? Fufuhn」
To that Yue-oneesan got a triumphant look. Apparently her loneliness after Myuu and Listy got taken from her also became cleared up.
「Then let’s go quickly. Jasper, lead the way. After all it’ll be better to use a route that has few people.」
「You got it! Leave it to me. In exchange, it’s fine even if it on the way there but tell us about your world boss. Especially about Kouki-san──」
「That guy has gone to a world far away. That’s why I don’t give a d.a.m.n.」
「EH!? What do you mean by that!?」
Everyone was clamorously talking like that and they were going to depart──just a moment before that.
「Sorr~yy, wait for a sec Nagumo-chi!」
「Hm? What’s wrong?」
「No, this outfit you see」
Nana was looking down on herself while asking Hajime to stop.
「What, you don’t like it?」
「No no, it’s not that. Right, Tae-chi?」
「As expected from you comrade Nana. It looks like you’re thinking the same thing.」
While they were gathering everyone’s attention wondering what was going on, Taeko made her “treasure warehouse” shined.
「You know, we mentioned it a bit before this right? That Yuuka rejected the outfit for today.」
Yuuka who was still being hugged by Tio mama even after standing up from the floor reacted with a jerk.
「You mentioned that this world is like science fiction, so of course we also prepared that kind of outfit for her.」
「And then what do you know, a coincident! Our outfit right now is also pure white, and the outfit we prepared has almost exactly the same design even if it’s a bit tight! It won’t be embarra.s.sing if everyone wear the same thing! And so Yuuka-chi too if it’s now──」
「There’s no way I’m wearing that! That, that thing──」
As expected Yuuka didn’t separate from Tio, however, only her face plopped out from Tio’s chest and raised her voice in protest.
Right after that, the aforementioned outfit was transferred to Taeko’s hand. Nana quickly helped to spread out the outfit so it was easier to see.
「Something like skintight bodysuit!!」
The boys let out 「Oo……」 from their lips. There was even a boy among Jasper family who muttered 「S-so other world has that kind of thing too……I see……」 with an aura as though some kind of a new frontier had been reclaimed.
Certainly, that looked like a bodysuit. No, if anything, wasn’t it already a full-body tights? That was what everyone thought.
The body line of anyone who wore something like that would be fully exposed. There was no doubt that not only the chest shape, but also the navel and the crack of the b.u.t.t would absolutely stand out distinctly.
「Something like pilot suit that often come out in SF world! At least call it that!」
「You don’t know how hard we had it to make it both pleasant to wear and still fit the body tightly like a rubber suit!」
「Annoying! Don’t put real effort for that kind of thing!」
No amount of hard work was too much if it was for the sake of best friend. Such mettle was radiating out from Nana and Taeko. What a very wasted effort. At the very least they should carefully scrutinize the direction they were putting their effort into. Or that was what Yuuka wished for.
「Don’t worry, Yuuka. All of our outfits have two stage.」
「Look, we proo~~perly make it so that it can hide the whole body!」
Something else came out from the “treasure warehouse”. In a glance it only looked like a slightly dirty cloak. It was a poncho cloak. It was knee-length, with tailcoat and only the front was the length of a miniskirt, while the back was knee-length.
It was intentionally tailored so the bottom looked ragged and uneven. A pilot who had kept fighting in a devastated world……the concept was definitely something like that. Perhaps, they got the idea after hearing about G10’s story.
It must be the obsession point. The two together were strongly arguing 「The body line is hidden but the tight and voluptuous slender legs can be seen only from the front!」.
「What’s not to worry from this? In the first place it’s also not similar at all with the outfit of Mindy-san and everyone here. I absolutely won’t──」
「Nagumo-chiii!」
「Whaddya thinkkk!」
Don’t you wanna see Yuuka wearing thisss! Nana & Taeko yelled while spreading out their arms to show off the suit like they were a musical show performer.
Attentions gathered on Hajime!
Hajime looked at Yuuka. And then, he muttered toward Yuuka who jerked and became on guard from his attention.
「What. So you aren’t going to wear that?」
「EH!?」
A somewhat disappointed aura could maybe be felt somehow! Yuuka whose stance was Absolutely not! was quickly looking around everywhere but Hajime!
The most perplexing thing was that Yue and others were also looking at her with expectation in their eyes for some reason, but it was easy to see what they were looking for. Myuu and Listy, and even Mindy and others were also watching with blushing faces even while their hearts were pounding. It went without saying what the boys’ reaction was.
「So you aren’t going to wear it……I see……」
「……」
In a sense, the atmosphere was warming up to be one that was suitable for before their departure to here.
The wordless expectation heightened up.
In the end, Yuuka’s choice was──
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
※Material introduction
– Bodysuit
From Alice of [G.o.ddess of Victory Nikke]. As expected Yuuka would die from embarra.s.sment wearing it so somewhat long poncho was a necessity.