Chapter 122.5

Chapter 122.5

[Part 5/6]

I wasn't in the business of serving expensive drinks to anyone.

"That's a shame. If you were to entertain me, Tomobe-san, I'd open more expensive bottles for you."

"It wouldn't bring me joy."

"...Do you really think so?"

"Ah...!?"

'(*ノ▽ノ) Kyaa, so daring!!'

It happened in an instant. Just as I thought she was pulling me, she brought her body closer, effortlessly closing the gap until her face was right in front of mine. Due to her natural actions, I couldn't react in time and she was too close. My face was reflected in Kayo's emerald eyes...

"...Miss Kayo?"

To mask my surprise, I called out her name. While it wouldn't be unusual for my heart to race in response to her beauty and bewitching innocence, thanks to the foolish spider, my head was able to stay cool in this situation.

"Since becoming an attendant, your attitude toward Princess Aoi has grown colder. What could be the reason behind this change?"

'(*゚∀゚) That's right! Please tell me!!'

"..."

In response to Kayo's question and 'actions', I fell silent. I pondered the meaning and derived an answer. Ah, I see, so that's it.

"It's quite bold to make the daughter of a major trading company her attendant. Princess' courage knows no bounds."

"Isn't changing the topic considered impolite, Tomobe-san?"

'(* ́ω`*) Papa is a sturdy and reliable man!!'

The merchant whispered, narrowing her eyes at my non-response. She grinned and gazed at me with an alluring look. She saw through me and observed me. nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.

"I am currently a direct attendant of the family's head. I am not Princess Aoi's subordinate."

"Are you saying you're switching allegiances?"

"...Between the Princess and the head, there's no need to say which one should be prioritized. Isn't that right?"

'(*>∇<)ノI'm next!'

(That's not the point...)

In response to Tachibana Kayo's... no, Onitsuki Aoi's questioning, I answered calmly. Impersonally, dutifully, without emotion. Although I did want to interject internally.

"...I see, that makes sense."

Kayo's interpretation of my response, whatever it may be, led her to detach with an understanding expression.

"I've more or less understood your thoughts, Tomobe-san."

As I candidly pointed out Kayo's assessment, the nanban girl tried to divert her gaze as if trying to deceive. It's not really 'oh no, not at all,' though.

"I can't believe Miss Kayo thought of me in that way... It's truly disappointing."

"Hey, Tomobe-san!? Please don't sigh in such a heartfelt voice! Wait, this is a joke, right? This conversation is just a silly joke, isn't it!?"

"..."

"Tomobe-san!?"

'( ́;゚;∀;゚;) Papa!?"

With Kayo's voice verging on a scream, I finally ended my act. With a mischievous chuckle that sounded like the triumphant laughter of a successful child from beneath my face, the girl who had teased me pouted her cheeks. It was an incredibly adorable sulking expression.

To the point where I couldn't help but let out laughter naturally...

"Geez, Tomobe-san?"

"Hahaha... No, I apologize. Your reaction was better than expected. No, I apologize sincerely for this."

'( ́ω`) Papa is bad man!'

Pressing down on my slightly aching abdomen, I regulated my breathing and voiced my apologies. The imagined dialogue ringing in my mind was remarkably accurate for a spider. However... in reality, these playful conversations with her were a source of precious energy for me.

With the Onitsuki family's affiliates, internal conflicts and the potential for exposure to danger had reached a point where such conversations were no longer possible. It was precisely because Tachibana Kayo was an influential outsider to the Onitsuki clan that such a situation was possible.

With the Onitsuki family's affiliates, my internal conflicts and the potential dangers had made such conversations impossible. It was only because Tachibana Kayo was an influential outsider to the Onitsuki family that this was possible.

"Ughh!!"

"I apologize... Please, calm down. I'll do my best to secure permission for your request."

After some mental calculations, I answered. With Kayo making the request, even that yandere psycho father wouldn't be able to reject it outright. In fact, he might be more worried about damaging his image by refusing such a request. Given that Kayo had succeeded as the heir, he wouldn't want to unnecessarily antagonize the Tachibana Trading Company. Permission for this request would probably be granted. It wasn't a method I could use frequently, though...

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. Oh! By the way, the mansion is located in Mt. Tatara, and during the renovations, a hot spring was discovered! So, I've prepared an outdoor bath! Please look forward to it!"

"Oh, I see... That's interesting."

'(*゚∀゚) A bath!'

While it wasn't uncommon for warm water to flow due to spiritual veins around the capital, having it developed into a hot spring was quite... Wait, huh?

"...Wait a moment. Mt. Tatara?"

Upon hearing the familiar place name, I unintentionally erased my smile and questioned her. A sense of unease crept over me.

"Is there a problem? Yes, it's Mt. Tatara."

"I apologize... Can you confirm something for me? Whose property is the mansion that was bought?"

"Whose property? The one who bought it is the Suyake family, but the original owner of the mansion... I believe it was the Yakushiji family. They had some troublesome things dwelling inside, and it seems like they went through a lot of trouble with it."

"...Wait, seriously?"