136 6-16 Hot spring town Utopola The night before departure

The man at the head of a group of nasty men.

This man is without a doubt the master builder of the "Amatsukuni Construction Woodworkers Association".

He has a bit of gray hair, but he is muscular and still in the prime of his career.

And since he's leading a group of men who are considered to be young, this is the man to talk to.

And this guy, if I had to describe him in one word, I'd say he's a craftsman who can't cut corners.

You see. We were the first to set eyes on this place!　Even from a distance, I can see it from this place--

"Mmm-hmm.

What the f*ck are you smiling about?

'Hahahahaha!

'Wow!　Oh, hey?　Are you okay?

How can I not laugh at this situation right now?

It's Amatkuni. Amatsukuni.

Men who build in the Amatsukuni style.

"Master?　What's wrong with you?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but it's just that I have to laugh at the quicksand when things go so well. Really, I'm starting to feel like I have a hidden status.

And it's a delegation.

In other words, it's probably not about living there.

We can expect them to build a building and make Amatkuni-style buildings widely known.

Then we should all have the same interests.

Hey, boss. Or do you prefer to be the master?

Oh, oh. I don't care which one.

How about I hire you?

Oh?

I mean, I'll take the mansion and the spa, but I want you to help me rebuild it.

What did you say?

What. Not so bad, huh?　You can build houses and spread the word, Amatkuni style. I can rebuild my house. I think it would be mutually beneficial to both of us... what do you think?

And if it's called the Amatsukuni style, it must be a Japanese style building.

To me, a hot spring is a set of Japanese style buildings.

Then there is no one better suited to the task than them.

'Sorry, but that guy can't do it.

Eh....

What?　I said it with a smug look on my face.

This is really embarrassing right now.

"Due to the delegation's arrangement, I can't accept any payment. That's why I won't be taking any requests.

Ah ... I see.

It's a job from the government, and they can't get paid by people from other countries to do it.

Hmm, it's nice to get something out of it, I guess, but that's the spirit of a craftsman. That's just the way it is.

Well then...

So what if I pay for all the materials?

'Oh?　What's the cost of materials and, uh, wood?

Yeah, yeah. As long as it's not a reward, right?

Yes, that's true, but... But..... Building materials don't come cheap. You don't look like a nobleman to me. Do you have the money to pay for this building?

100 million. It's an Amatkuni-style structure made of high-grade wood. As long as we're building a building for the mission, shouldn't it be good?

100 million...

'Not enough?　You can increase it to some extent, okay?

The budget was originally 100 million, but if an Amatkuni-style villa was to be built in a hot spring resort, it was within the realm of some forgiveness.

A vacation home is one of a man's dreams.

It doesn't matter if it's a summer resort or a hot spring resort, but I've always wanted to have one.

''Why do you ask us for a........ Is it just a coincidence?

No. I would have asked you guys to do it when other guys were available.

Dark hair but you're not from Amatsukuni. A drifter?

Oh. A drifter who loves harmony, hot springs, my girl, and peace.

Ha. I see.....

The wingman thinks about it for a bit.

But thinking at this point in time means that there must be a little bit of potential.

'....breakfast.

Hmm?

I want breakfast on the table every day. For all of us.

Okay. We have a deal. All right, let's keep it tight, okay?　I'm going to stick to it, okay?

Pull it out, a**h*le. Why don't you skimp on the materials?

We grinned at each other and shook each other's hands tightly.

Ouch, their grip is as strong as it looks.

You sure you don't want to, chief?

Shut up!　Alright, boys you'll have a unique opportunity to build a building with the finest materials. So shut up and follow me while you study!

"'Hey!　Master!

And he's got some leadership skills.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm not going to be able to get away with it.

So I guess I need to get into the swing of things.

"Oh?　So we're going to buy it, then?

Yeah, I'm sorry. You don't make much of a margin in this house, do you?

That's 10 million.

Compared to a multi-million dollar house, the margins would be much less.

'No yeah. I like customers who pay well. I don't mind if you can pay me for my work. ........Of course, you can also buy me.

That's for another time. So can you sign me up?

'Whoa!　Copy that!　So, let's make the deal--

Now, while we're waiting in Utopora, I could do something about it.

Let's build the best spa house we can before we come back.

It looks like we'll have more contracts with the manager than the margin, and it's going to be a lot better for me.......

.........This guide has a strong business spirit......

Night has fallen and Aina and the others have returned from the guild.

I soak in the hot spring where the men and women of the inn are separated.

''Ahh........''

There is no smell of rotten eggs, so it may not be a sulfur spring.

But it's a little cloudy and white, and when I put out my arm and traced it, my skin felt smooth, perhaps because of the effect of the hot spring.

It's the best, to say the least. It's lonely after all.....

It's not even open-air.

It's an oppressive stone wall.

There is no indication that I can hear the girls' chattering and giggling.

But maybe the walls here are not so thick that you can't hear them.

''We're leaving tomorrow...''

I crumple my face, pour hot water on it and put a towel on my head and meditate.

Will he be happy with the amulet I made for him?

And also, will White be able to do what I've told him to do?

What I'm asking for is surveillance, but there are other reasons why it has to be White.

'I'll have to work on him a lot when I get back...'

What I'm leaving up to White is something I can't do on my own.

To tell you the truth, I want to follow you.

But I don't have time to make up for the skills I'm too lacking.

"You're a terrible master...

'Hmmm?　No, it's not, okay?

It's nice to hear you say that, but what?　Hey, White!

Hmm...?

Hmm?　I'm not. This is a men's bathhouse.

White is a kid. No problem.

No, no, no, I'm just saying...

There's no one else in sight, and I'll know it when I see it.

No, there's a rule... haha. Oh well.

"Hm.

White is piled up on my lap, but I can hardly feel his weight in the hot water.

It's a shameful thing that I have to rely on such a small body.

Perhaps it's because I've been thinking about this, but I hug White, who is on my lap, tightly.

The Lord worries about too many things. If the Lord says 'I asked', White will surely fulfill it.

I'm a wimp. Well, the thing is...

Well I'm sure you three can handle it. White will be there, so it's even better.

I'm worried about White.

Hmm....

I can put my fingers on the hand that gently hugs me.

No matter how strong Shiro, Aina and the others are, I'll still be worried about everyone else.

I regret now that I didn't take my combat skills just because I didn't want to fight.

Because I never thought I would have people so important to me.

'I love being squeezed by the Lord,'

Is it hot?

'A little hot. But I can't stop.

What's that...?

He must have looked anxious again.

I couldn't help but smile at White's kindness in turning the subject around to comfort her.

Furthermore, when they huffed and puffed together, they laughed.

I hug her again as White gingerly lets her body go and takes my loose hand and makes me hug her again.

'........Hey Shiro.

Hmm?

Sorry, man.

Yeah. Good luck at home, Lord. I'm looking forward to our bath.

Oh. I'll be waiting for you at the house with the best open-air bath.

Then I soaked in the hot water as it was for a little while, and I decided to get out because White was going to be down with the stones.

I wiped him down and asked him to wipe me down.

Then, as I open the door to the men's room, the door to the women's room next to the men's room also opens.

"" "" "" "" "" "" "" "

It seems that Aina and the others got out of the bath in good time.

Yeah, really good timing. Really good timing.

"Yeah, I knew it!　White!　I thought you weren't there, and sure enough, you've gone to your master's!

He told me no!

Hmm?　White is a kid, so he just went in with his parents.

I don't know if he thinks that excuse will hold up...

I think.

'White. What were you going to do if someone else saw you?

"You'll be out cold the moment they come in.

It's a case...

I listen to Aina and the others' conversation, and I reaffirm that I inexplicably like this feeling.

'My lord?　You'll need a proper reminder from your lord, right?

Yeah. But the water will get cold, and we'll have to go to my room to continue.

We're all staying in the same room today.

While remembering the school trip, I reminded myself that I can't stay up too late thinking about tomorrow.

When we returned to our room, we decided to pull the beds together first to make a bigger bed.

We've got permission beforehand that it's okay to move them around, so there's no problem.

And but.........

"...What........what?

'No I don't know if I can sleep in there.　And.

'It can't be helped. Wendy and White said they'll give it up this time, but there are three of us. I'm going to be the lightest one here....

Where Solte is, it's right above me, or maybe it's on....

It's usually on top of me, where White sleeps sometimes.

If you don't like it, you can change your ways.

Do you mind if I do?

Aina and Renge call out to Sorte while her arms are taken from both sides.

''You didn't say you didn't want to. Okay, here........''

'Oh well I hope I can sleep.... Don't move a muscle........

Wait a minute. It's going to be nice.

While saying this, he wriggled around and stopped moving, perhaps finding a good position.

Then I'll put the covers on.

"Hm.

As Wendy and White pulled the covers over her, Solte was covered over her head, and she grabbed the covers and showed her face.

Just as they were stacked on top of each other facing each other, I looked down and saw that my gaze met with Sorte, who had just revealed her head.

''....Good night. ''Lord.''

Oh, oh. Good night.

It's kind of embarrassing!

The feel of the chest plate is small.

But it is certainly soft and fluffy to feel through the cloth.

Furthermore, the fluffy warm feeling of the tail.

The urge to pet it is there, but unfortunately, both arms are already secured.

The strength put into both arms also increases, and I'm surrounded by the softness of a hug.

It's like being sealed with a girl.

Surrounded by the unique scent, you are dazed, but you endure.

I must endure it.

I wonder if I'll be able to sleep today....