Volume 9 - CH 4

Chapter 4 – The Little Brother and Wataru

After the Marquis’ messenger left, an emergency meeting was held to decide what to do with my clothes.

“It’s a problem, isn’t it, to demand to meet him and then go there in ordinary clothes?”

“Yes, it is a problem. I’m sorry. I already told him.”

“No, it’s not your fault, Alessia-san. I was willing to meet him too.”

Because I took the initiative, I thought, “I’ll do it.” I was embarrassed. I’m not used to doing this.

“Would it be easy to get clothes for the Marquis’s dinner?”

“Good new clothes are custom-made, so it takes time. Used ones are not recommended, as there is a high chance that you won’t be able to find clothes that fit your body shape.”

Alessia-san replied with difficulty. Is it hard to find clothes in this world?

“Hmm, the most decent thing I have is a suit, but that’s not the standard in this world, is it?”

“Yes, it would be something that has never been seen on this continent.”

“That’s right. After we opened the luxury liner, it would have been a little more common and less of a problem… But the clothes of the high-ranking people are very flashy, aren’t they?”

I haven’t seen much of it, but the appearance of high-ranking people is flashy, isn’t it? The quality of the clothes seems to be better than the ones I bought in the Castle, but…

“Yes… but high-ranking people dress fancy to show their status, so there’s no need for you to dress fancy, Wataru-san.”

There is no need for me to dress fancy? I thought that I would have to be sparkly to meet the high-ranking people. I wanted to buy a white tuxedo and go to an accessory store and buy all kinds of jewelry, but thank God.

“There is no need for me, an F-rank merchant, to dress up so fancy, is there? Then I should wear a suit to let them know my association with the mage. As long as it’s clean and of a certain quality, they won’t be offended by unusual clothing, right?”

“…I suppose so. I think they might be interested, but I don’t think they’ll be offended. But what if they ask for details about the suit? Wouldn’t Camille-san be offended if you spread the word that you didn’t sign up with the God of Commerce-sama? It’s a type of clothing that has never been seen before.”

…It was a blind spot. It’s possible to imitate it, if only in form. It would be a lot of trouble if someone registered it first. I’m also afraid of Camille-san’s anger.

“Shall we go to the merchant’s guild tomorrow and sign a contract just for the clothes I will wear? I’ll be really pissed if someone registers it without doing anything.

We have a brief meeting to decide what clothes we’ll wear and then return to our respective rooms. It seems that I won’t be able to take Ines, Felicia, and Rimu to the Marquis’ place. I hear that Girasole will protect me well, but I’m a little nervous.

………………

The next day, we go to the Merchant’s Guild and register every item of clothing that will be worn. I think it’s cool to call clothes an item. They said it on TV, but I’m not using it wrong, am I? I was afraid to use it in Japan, but I can use it in this world. No one will know if I’m wrong.

The receptionist from yesterday continued to deal with me, but when she saw my suit, she was stunned. There seemed to be a feeling of discomfort. I wondered what kind of interest rate I should sign up for, but I heard that I could re-sign the contract later and there would be no problem, so I signed the contract at the percentage the receptionist said was appropriate. The rest was up to Camille-san.

After signing the contract, we went back to the inn and had lunch. Everyone wanted to eat on a luxury liner rather than in the city. I won. Girasole is quite dependent on other world cultures.

Before going to the Castle, they asked to use the showers on the Lutto, and maybe they’re already in a state where they can’t separate themselves from the Ship Summoning? The question is what to do with them after…

If I make a move on one of them, it’ll ruin the others, and if I make a move on all of them at once… What does it mean to make a move on all of them at once? Like saying I like them all or asking them to join my harem? I have no idea what to do all at once.

If you want to continue using the ship’s facilities, be my wife… That’s impossible. I know it will end sadly. I wonder if there was a Goddess of Love or something among the goddesses?

…Love, huh? When I think about it calmly, it doesn’t feel like love. Of course, I like them, but I think my desire to monopolize a beautiful and big-breasted Onee-san is stronger. I’m sure the Goddess of Love would be angry if I talked to her about it.

While I was thinking silly things in my head, an innkeeper came to tell us about a visitor. Remembering yesterday’s sadness, I kept quiet in the back. It’s none of my business. I hear several male voices. Who are they?

“Wataru-san, my brother and his friends are here. He’s in a party of adventurers, but when I went back to my parent’s house the day before yesterday, I couldn’t see him because he was out on a mission. Can I say hello to him?”

Alessia-san told me who the visitors were. It’s her brother and his brother’s friend, right? When I looked around, I saw a handsome young man, because he was Alessia-san’s younger brother. That one, it’s kind of painful.

“My name is Wataru. Alessia-san has always been very kind to me.”

When I asked for a handshake, he shook my hand a little sullenly. Why is that? I’m the one who wants to be grumpy. The people around him aren’t very friendly either. What’s with this atmosphere?

“I am Saverio. What kind of business are you in, hiring Girasole as a bodyguard?”

“Hey, Saverio, you’re being rude to Wataru-san. Watch your language.”

“Hahaha, it’s okay. I am a merchant.”

“What is your rank?”

Don’t pressure me like that.

“It’s F.”

“What? Nee-chan is an A-rank adventurer. How can an F-rank merchant hire Girasole?”

“Nee-chan?”

…I know. Saverio is a siscon. I’ve never seen one before. I’ve seen them in manga and anime, but I’ve never met them in real life. They really exist. I thought they only existed in fiction.

Well, with a big-breasted, beautiful, and strong sister like Alessia-san, I can understand him being a siscon. It can’t be helped.

“W-what is it? Nee-chan is Nee-chan, right? Instead, explain to me how an F-ranked merchant can hire Girasole.”

I see. No wonder he’s so grumpy; he’s worried about his favorite sister being hired by an F-ranked merchant. The other members are also his friends, so they more or less admire Girasole—no wonder they’re so grumpy. I’m an adult. I’ll be gentle and take care of them.

“Why are you grinning at me? I’m going to beat you to death.”

What do you mean by grinning? It should be a wonderful gentle smile of an adult watching over a child.

“Saverio, enough of this. We owe Wataru-san a debt of gratitude. Be polite.”

Oh, this is the opposite of what I want to do. This is a pattern of the resentment of being scolded by his favorite sister coming back to haunt me. Sure enough, the little brother stares at me with teary eyes. I look at him with a wonderful archaic smile.

“Don’t you dare look down on me!”

He is so angry. Apparently, my smile makes people uncomfortable. I am quite shocked. I’m going to have to practice smiling, or I’ll be at a disadvantage for the rest of my life. Oops, Alessia-san is about to get really mad. I have to do something.

“Um, Saverio-kun, you don’t have to raise your rank in the Merchant’s Guild if you have a special route. I’m an F-rank merchant, but I make enough money to hire Girasole.”

Actually, that’s not true, but even though he’s Alessia-san’s younger brother, I can’t talk to him about a lot of things. That’s because he doesn’t like me.

“A-are you making that much money? How long are you going to hire Girasole?”

When he heard my comment about my profit, he lost a little momentum. But it looks like he wants me to part ways with Girasole as soon as possible.

“Saverio, that’s none of your business.”

Hmm, it seems that Alessia-san is insensitive to her brother’s feelings as well. So this is the insensitive protagonist. …I wonder if my feelings will reach her? Usually, the main character is insensitive and frustrates the other members.

I’m also a person from another world with cheats. It wouldn’t be surprising if I were the main character, but I don’t understand why the person I’m aiming for is an insensitive type.

“I was just wondering how long Nee-chan would work as an escort.”

“How long? I mean, I can’t leave for a while.”

“You can’t leave! Why not? What kind of relationship do you have with him?”

Little brother, you’re being pushed around at full speed. There’s no deep meaning in Alessia-san’s words, you know. You’re her little brother, you know that, right? I approach Ilma-san while watching the two of them argue.

It’s Ilma-san I can rely on in times like this. The other members of Girasole are so close.

(Ilma-san, have they always been like that?)

I whisper to Ilma-san.

(Yes, it hasn’t changed since they were little.)

Ilma-san whispered into my ear. At the same time, something that looked like a murderous intent came flying at me. I looked over and saw one of the little brother’s friends staring at me in frustration. Oh, so he’s after Ilma-san. He likes the bewitching older sister, doesn’t he? I love her too.

Feeling a little sympathy, I try to smile at him but stop myself in a hurry. If I smile now, he will definitely misinterpret it as a triumphant smile. I have learned that much.

(Don’t you want to stop it?)

(It will stop soon. Saverio is completely weak against Alessia).

I listened to Ilma-san’s words, and soon after, the little brother apologized to me. It’s an overwhelming power relationship.

“So Saverio, you didn’t just come to visit us, did you?”

“Uh, yes, we’ve become C-rank adventurers. Now that we’re full-fledged adventurers, we’ve come to ask you to let us join Girasole.”

The other members nodded in agreement. They are all handsome young men, but I sense a tearful effort on their part. Perhaps they have worked hard to join Girasole. It’s a wonderful thing, but it’s very uncomfortable for me. What’s going to happen?

“It’s hard to hear you say such a thing so suddenly.”

“So suddenly, you say? I’ve been asking you to take me with you for a long time. What’s wrong with that?”

“Hey, guys, excuse me.”

As I approached Alessia-san, I was intimidated by the little brother. Watchdog is the perfect word for him. I won’t be able to get close to Girasole once he joins them.

“What are you going to do, Alessia-san?”

I ask, and she replies with a difficult look on her face.

“He’s my sweet little brother, but he’s still C-ranked, so there’s too much of a gap between our abilities. There’s the idea of training him, but we don’t have time for that since we’re going to help Wataru-san.”

They continued the discussion and came to the conclusion that they would not take him with them. Good. I guess that won’t stop me from getting close to them.

When Alessia-san told him that he couldn’t go with them, he said, “No, I’ll go with you.” He’s stubborn. If I had that kind of courage, I would have a different life.

“It is not possible. I can’t suddenly add more people to my group because I work for Wataru-san. You know that.”

“If that guy says it is good, will you let me join?”

Little brother, why are you doing this? Don’t come over here.

“Hey, I can go with you. You look weak, and I’ll protect you, including that weird Slime on your head.”

What did he just say?

“Rimu, weird?”

I hurriedly took Rimu in my arms and stroked him, telling him that he was not weird. I praise him all the time for being so cute. Isn’t that worth dying for, even if he is Alessia-san’s brother?

“Hey, why are you flirting with a Slime? Are you a pervert?”

I’ll show him hell.

“Hey, Saverio, that’s enough.”

What should I crush him with? Maybe the Fortress. The Fortress would be more powerful. Or should I use the Castle?

“The Fortress or the Castle? I’ll let you choose especially.”

I’ll give him a small gift.

“Wataru-san, wait, calm down. You can’t go with the Stronghold or the Castle, no matter what. There’s too much damage. I’m sorry, but please use another punishment. I’ll make sure it’s done.”

“Stay out of it, Nee-chan. I’ll talk to him.”

“Shut up. We are Wataru-san’s bodyguards. Anything more, and you will be treated as an enemy.”

The air around them changed drastically as Girasole readied their weapons. The tense atmosphere scared me and the little brother.

“I-I understand. When I think about it calmly, it wasn’t that big a deal, so I don’t mind. But… you will carry out the punishment I decide.”

“Why, you’re the one who said…”

“Saverio, behave yourself, okay?”

“Nee-chan. All right, just don’t point your sword at me.”

What should I punish him with? It’s true that summoning a ship is overkill, isn’t it? Now that I think about it, his words weren’t even malicious, and he seemed to think he was protecting me… but for some reason, it was really annoying. I don’t like light punishment.

“I have decided. No joining Girasole for at least a year, which was the cause of the problem. Always use honorifics when addressing me and the other members of Girasole. No Nee-chan, and call only Alessia-san. Have respect for Slimes. I will let bygones be bygones if you abide by the above.”

I look at the little brother, whose face is bright red. He was so angry that he couldn’t speak.

“Thank you, Wataru-san. I’ll make sure it’s done. Saverio, you understand, don’t you?”

“No way, Nee-chan.”

“You know, honorifics and Alessia-san, right? From now on, for every mistake you make, I will extend your joining ban and honorific period by one month. Good. Now go back.”

Alessia-san turned the little brother and the others away without saying anything. I’m so tired. I hate the fact that this is going to be a long relationship. I have dinner with the Marquis after this, don’t I?