Side: Flam
After leaving the foreign capital, Yamato and Prim brought us to the Silver Ore Inn where they were staying.
It wasn’t a kidnapping, of course, but a measure for our safety. However, for us, who were born and raised in the neighboring Prada Village, it was bewildering.
The inn where we were staying had a three-person room for 200 Eru per night, and meals were separate.
Yet, they were staying in a House Room that cost 1,000 Eru per night. We could only keenly feel the difference in our status as Hunters.
“Yamato is using that room, so Raus, you’ll use this room.”
“Y-Yes!”
Raus was completely intimidated by being able to stay in such a luxurious room he had never imagined. Rebecca was also hiding behind Raus, and I had no idea what to do.
“Don’t be so nervous,” Mina-san from Order said to us, but I could only reply that it was impossible not to be nervous.
“It’ll be alright. You’ll get used to it,” Prim-san said.
“Eventually,” but how long would “eventually” be? I didn’t think I could get used to it so easily, though.
“You will. I’ve already ordered some sake, so they’ll bring it over shortly.”
When did she order it? While we were surprised by the Silver Ore Inn?
“When did you order it?”
Mina-san seemed to have not noticed either and looked surprised.
“When I paid for everyone’s bills.”
I see. We three were frozen by the unexpected amount, and Mina-san was trying to bring us back to our senses. So, she took advantage of that moment. I could only sigh.
“In Yamato’s world, they say that sighing makes happiness run away.”
I couldn’t say anything but “Even if you say that.” No, at this point, I can’t escape, so I should probably just accept it.
“Understood. So, if Raus’s room is there, then Prim-san and I will be in the empty room together, is that right?”
This House Room had five rooms, and Yamato and Prim were using two of them. There were three remaining rooms, and Mina-san had apparently stayed there before, so it was likely her room. And Raus had been assigned one room earlier, leaving only one room, meaning Rebecca and I would be sharing a room.
“No, all the girls will be in my room.”
I thought that, but Prim-san denied it. I didn’t understand why. Why would it be like that?
“Since we’re here, I want to have a long talk, don’t you? My gut tells me we’ll be friends for a long time, so I thought we could deepen our bond while we have this chance.”
So that’s what it was. Edward-san and Marina-san were invited too, but they were leaving, so Yamato was seeing them off. However, they meet often, so there would be other opportunities in the future.
Conversely, we were scheduled to return to Prada Village once our business was done. In the fall, there would be the harvest of wheat and vegetables. In winter, it would snow, making it difficult to walk, and we might not be able to leave the village. In spring, we would be sowing seeds in the fields, so it would be difficult to move around until things settled down. Therefore, we would be active as Hunters mostly in the summer.
Well, I take care of the village children, so I don’t do much farm work. Raus and Rebecca also go hunting outside the village often, so we will be a nuisance to the village to some extent, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be active as Hunters. At least Raus and Rebecca will be active as Hunters in Feel.
Perhaps I’m afraid of changing, of changing, of realizing that I’ve changed.
“Well then, let’s go to the bath first. Since not everyone can fit at once, it will be two at a time. Ah, Raus, you’re last.”
“I know!”
She’s blushing furiously, but just a few years ago, I used to bathe Raus and Rebecca often, and once a week, I would take them to the bath at the inn in the village. But even if I and Rebecca were fine, if Prim-san or Mina-san were to peek, we couldn’t complain even if we were killed. So, no matter how much Raus is of age, he wouldn’t do anything so reckless.
It seems Rebecca and I will go in first, so I feel apologetic, but we will go ahead.
Side: Meena
That was a nice bath. After all, baths feel so good. Yamato-san is back, and the sake has arrived too. We decided to have a girls’ talk in Prim-san’s room.
“So that’s how it is, Yamato.”
“Understood. I want to have a drink after my bath too, so leave some for me.”
“Okay. Oh, but first, what was it like outside?”
Yamato-san, who had seen Edward-san and Marina-san off, went to the gate to check the situation. Honestly, I was curious too.
“I caught the Tashirtz’s Parrot. It was trying to escape from Feel, and it let slip that it seemed to be connected to the people outside.”
“As expected. We only have Tiger’s Pain and Noble Sword left, so it should be settled by tomorrow.”
That’s fast, Yamato-san. No, in this case, we should say that the timing of the Tashirtz’s Parrot was bad.
“About that Noble Sword, a few of them, including the leader, are apparently of Noble birth. Of course, from *that* country.”
Raus-kun is in the bath and isn’t here, but Flam-san and Rebecca-chan are here, so Yamato-san is being careful not to mention the country’s name. They will eventually know, but the current timing is not ideal, so I’m grateful for Yamato-san’s consideration.
Still, if there are Nobles from Retisencia in Noble Sword, Retisencia will likely make a fuss about it. They, who already don’t admit their mistakes, find fault with others, and have been making a fuss about the same thing for years, are now bringing up something that was resolved decades ago and causing a scene. They are truly troublesome.
“That sounds like an incredibly troublesome situation. But whether they are Nobles or Royalty, once they become Hunters, they should be prepared to die at any time, so it’s none of our business.”
“I agree. Rex-san was also exasperated.”
I bet. And Yamato-san, did you meet my brother?
“Ah. I just happened to run into Order fighting the Tashirtz’s Parrot. Rex-san was commanding them. Ah, I’ve already told Rex that Mina is staying here tonight, so you don’t need to worry about anything.”
With that one sentence from Yamato-san, I could feel my face turning bright red. Yamato-san talking to my brother… it’s so embarrassing, and I don’t know what to say!
“Ah, I see. Okay. Then we’ll have our talk time in the room.”
“Understood. I’ll take a bath and have a drink, then go to sleep. Don’t stay up too late.”
“Don’t worry. Good night then~”
“Good night, Yamato-san.”
“G-Good night.”
“Good night!”
Since I didn’t want to be pressed about that topic, and Prim-san seemed to understand that, we said good night to Yamato-san and entered Prim-san’s room.
Side: Prim
Alright, everyone’s in. It’s a good opportunity to talk with Mina and Flam, and I also wanted to hear my sister Rebecca’s opinion. But, as it turns out, I’m getting nervous…
“I’ll put the sake here, and for snacks… ah, I think I have some dried Horn Rabbit and French fries, so let’s have those.”
I placed the sake on the table as if to distract myself, and took out the dried Horn Rabbit and French fries I had bought for snacking during our camping trips from storage.
“Prim-san, you’re acting suspicious!”
“I-I’m not!”
Rebecca’s comment startled me, but I quickly drank the sake to cover it up. Ah, this sake is delicious. Is it brandy? No, that’s not it!
“I understand what you want to talk about from your actions just now, but was it really necessary for me to be here?”
This girl might be quite sharp… But since I’ve come this far, I have no retreat.
“Not at all. In fact, I wanted to hear my sister’s opinion, so I welcome it.”
“Even without listening to my opinion, you can tell what it is just by looking at your sister’s attitude, can’t you?”
I can’t deny that, but judging by Yamato’s attitude, he hasn’t noticed. As Mother said, Yamato is incredibly dense when it comes to romance, so I don’t think he’s noticed my feelings. Moreover, the world Yamato comes from is that monogamy is normal, so he definitely hasn’t noticed Mina’s and Flam’s feelings, nor has he imagined them.
That’s infuriating in its own way, but the fact remains that we are attracted to Yamato, or rather, we’ve fallen for him. Who ever said that love is a losing battle?
“Do you think he’s noticed?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t think so.”
Rebecca quickly surrenders. Since even Rebecca, whom I don’t know very well, thinks so, it must be true.
Mina and Flam are listening to our conversation with tilted heads, but don’t think you can keep that composed look forever, okay?
“What have you been talking about since earlier?”
“You say my attitude is like this, but is there a problem?”
Flam, who was named by Rebecca, looks uneasy, but there’s no problem. In a way, it is a problem, but it’s also something I find extremely favorable.
“I don’t like beating around the bush, so I’ll ask directly: Mina, Flam, you’ve fallen for Yamato, haven’t you?”
At that moment, both of their faces turned bright red. I can almost see steam rising, but it’s just my imagination, right?
“You’re so obvious. Or rather, Prim-san, you like Yamato-san too, don’t you?”
At Rebecca’s unexpected words, my face also turned bright red. This girl is really cutting to the chase. Wouldn’t she be more successful as a Hunter if she used a sword instead of a bow?
“Honestly, if all three of you are blushing and silent, we can’t talk at all.”
Rebecca looks exasperated. But I don’t have the composure to retort. Was I that obvious?
“It’s not that you’re obvious, but I thought you were already dating. So I thought it was a matter of making Mina-san and my sister the second and third wives.”
What a sharp approach this girl is making… I did have that thought, but I thought we should first figure out how to convey our feelings to Yamato…
“Isn’t it a matter of making a fait accompli by sneaking into his room all three of you and spending the night?”
Mina, Flam, and I were completely frozen. What is this girl… Why can she come up with such terrifying ideas…?
“No way, Rebecca, you already…”
“Yes. I’ve already had Raus hold me.”
This is shocking. It’s a shock like lightning striking from head to toe. I never thought this girl was walking so far ahead of us…
Helios Orb has a high female ratio, so many women don’t get married at all. However, women who do get married often become physically involved with their partners before marriage. This is necessary to have children, even if something happens to the partner and they cannot marry.
In this world, where the number of men is not large and it’s uncertain when they might die, having descendants is quite important. Therefore, there are quite a few women who have children without getting married. Since no one would want to have a child with someone they don’t love, they get permission from the man or his family to have a child and then become single mothers, raising them alone. This is common in noble families and small villages. In some cases, I might have also looked for such a partner to inherit the family. Now, I can’t think of anyone but Yamato.
In Rebecca’s case, she had Raus, her childhood friend, and since she lived in Prada Village, there was no one else besides Raus, so it probably happened naturally. However, the fact that they were already intimate is nothing short of shocking.
“I had a feeling, but I never thought you were really involved…”
The one most shocked is undoubtedly her sister, Flam. It’s impossible not to be surprised when her sister, whom she thought of as a younger sibling, has gotten involved with her childhood friend in such a way.
“Never mind me, but if you keep doing nothing, Yamato-san won’t understand, will he?”
I’m curious about that too, but she’s right. However, Yamato knows that I’m not interested in men weaker than me, so it might be best to make a move. I will undoubtedly lose, but in that case, it’s not impossible for me to make a move on Yamato.
“Prim-san, fine, but what about you, big sister, and Mina-san?”
Wait a minute! Without saying anything, how did she know what I was thinking!? Can she read minds? That’s scary, this girl!!
“It’s not like I can read minds. It was just coming out of your mouth.”
To think I was that out of it…
“Also, big sister. Hurry up and use your human transformation magic. Your legs have reverted.”
“Eh?”
Ah, she’s right. Moreover, I can glimpse beautiful thighs peeking out.
Undines and Lamias don’t have their entire lower bodies as fish or snakes; rather, it starts from around the middle of their thighs. Therefore, they wear underwear normally, and skirts are preferred so that they don’t have problems even if they release their human transformation magic.
“Mina-san, why don’t you sit down and calm yourself?”
Mina is also restless, with her gaze wandering around. I can’t say anything, can I?
“It can’t be helped. Everyone, please calm down and sit down for a moment. Then, let’s discuss thoroughly how to win over Yamato-san.”
At Rebecca’s words, we sat on the floor. And strangely, all three of us were in seiza.
“…Please sit on a chair.”
I’m afraid of Rebecca-san’s exasperated expression.
In the end, under the leadership of their teacher Rebecca, we discussed how to win over Yamato all night long, and before we knew it, the four of us were lying in bed. I intended to take the lead, but I never expected Rebecca to take it from me.
However, this is the first time I’ve done something like this, and I learned about Mina and Flam’s feelings. My feelings were also understood, so I think it was good, and above all, it was fun. I’d like to do it again someday, this time with Marina too.
