CH 301

“Hello, Leor-san! So you’re here in the royal capital.”

The person who walked in with Chelle was Leor-san, the owner of the trading company that wholesales my idol costumes. The last time I saw him was right after the graduation ceremony of the academy, so it’s been about a year.

“Long time no see, Lars-kun. I’ve been looking for you. I visited your parents’ house and heard that you were already here. But when I arrived, you weren’t here yet. And when I finally found the house, I heard you had gone to Glasco territory.”

Apparently, he had visited us quite a while ago, but we had passed each other. We stopped at Oriola territory on the way, so I guess I should say we were out of luck.

“Sephiro, go play with Chelle, and there’s a bear in the back, so stay in the front, okay.”

“!!”

“Bear? Let’s go, Sephiro.”

Sephiro saluted me and carried Chelle out on a branch. Leor-san rolls his eyes and mutters to himself.

“What’s that, ……? It looks like a tree was moving? Oh, well. You’re Makina-san, aren’t you? I heard that she was Lars’ girlfriend, so it’s true. I thought it was the daughter of the Brion Trading Company.”

“Well, a lot has happened. I hope you don’t mind this tea.”

He smiled and sipped his tea as I led him to the table. I don’t think he knew about the kidnapping, which is understandable. At any rate, it looks like he was looking for me, so I’ll ask him what he wants.

“You seem to be looking for me, but did something happen? I’ve finished my business and I’m going to relax for a while.”

“Oh, yeah! That’s good to know. No, Lars, as you probably know, the owners of the theater where Helena-san works have ordered new costumes. I thought I’d come by and ask you to design some more.”

“Now that you mention it, I think they asked me to do it when I went to the theater ……”

Leor-san nodded with a wry smile and continued his story.

“I was approached before they asked Lars-kun, but I refused because I couldn’t do the job without the design. Will you accept my offer?”

“As expected of a merchant, you go straight to the point. Let’s see, there seems to be a demand for it and there’s nothing urgent to do right now, so I’m okay with it.”

It’s okay to go to Tanji-san’s place once every two days, after all.

When I said that, Leor-san smiled and asked me to shake his hand. He immediately took out a document from his bag and put it on the table.

“…… You work really fast, don’t you?”

“Well, of course. It’s a costume by the popular designer Lars Irving, so the contract should be done quickly. And I have one more favor to ask–“

“Hmm? Not just the costumes?”

I asked, and Leor-san continued.

“When I went to another country, a noblewoman asked me for a dress. A unique piece of clothing. She asked me to design a unique dress for her only.”

“Well, I’m glad you like my designs so much. I don’t mind, though? What’s the appointed time of delivery?”

“Three months, I think. I’ve made a contract, though.”

So he’s been planning to do this from the beginning …… I’ve always thought he was a bit shrewd, but I picked up the contract and checked the contents. I was surprised when I saw the price column.

“Wait …..!? 500,000 Beryl for one piece of clothing!?”

“Well, it’s one of a kind, so that’s about right. I can’t distribute it, so it’s hard to make a profit. So we have no choice but to make it expensive.”

“No, but the money that the client will pay is ……”

They’ll pay at least a million. The 500,000 will be my share, and I will get it as a designer’s fee. But if I get 500,000, I’ll be the only one making money, so the price to pay should be much higher ……

“I was reluctant to do this, so I made a few demands, but they agreed to pay, so it’s okay. Well then, this makes the negotiation concluded.”

“Okay, then I’ll get right on it, like imaging and stuff–“

From there, we discussed what the client wanted. On the way, a shadow appeared behind me.

“Hmm? It became dark ……? Hiiii!?”

“Oh! Hey, I told you not to come out here.”

“Grrr.”

“Kuon!”

I held the baby bear that had jumped on me, and when I looked at the parent, she was holding a large tub in her hands. Oh, so that’s what it was.

“I’m sorry, we’re out of water. You don’t drink pond water because it’s dirty, after all. ”

When the tub was filled with water, the parent Bear withdrew to the back, holding it skillfully with both hands. The little bear are happy to be on my lap.

“…… Isn’t that a monster?”

“Oh, yes. I’ve been going to a tamer’s facility lately, and this kid, his parent, and–“

I whistled, and a Viking wolf swooped in and sat down.

“I’m keeping this wolf and the Treant playing over there.”

“H-Heh …… so you can do all that now.”

“Oh, bear! Wow, he’s so cute …… Can I pet him?”

“!”

“Kuon♪”

The Little Bear, a little smaller than Chelle, squealed contentedly and then dozed off to sleep. Leor-san watches with a dumbfounded look on his face and starts talking.

“He’s really attached to you. I think they’ll listen well to you without leaving them to a tamer facility.”

“Well, they’re smart. But, there’s a monster named called tiger in the tamer’s facility, and it’s kid didn’t like me at all.”

“Well, I’ve heard that there’s a certain chemistry, so I don’t think Lars-kun was a good match for him.”

“Maybe. I haven’t seen him for more than a month since I borrowed him for practice and I think he’s forgotten about me.”

When I laughed, Makina, who had been training with Fath-san, raised her voice.

“Eh!? Why are you here? Your mother is …… Oh, wait!”

“It’s amazing that you made it this far.”

Just as I was wondering what was going on, a small shadow flashed over the baby bear in my lap.

“Meow!”

“Oh, you!”

“Kuon? Kuon!?”

The little snow tiger that I had just been talking about was standing over the little bear, snorting, and tapping him on the nose with his paw. The little bear was so startled by the smack that it almost fell to the ground, but was rescued by Sephiro and Chelle.

Ehh …… did you escape from the tamer facility? I wondered as I picked up the little snow tiger.

Whoa, what’s up with the little snow tiger!?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Exciting Animal Run–“

Don’t go any further.