Her appearance made me almost gasp, making me realize her preferences were likely inherited from her father. Kaido Meguru-san looked younger and more youthful than Miruru-san, who was Memoria’s mother.
When she wore a red school backpack, she looked so young she could probably sneak into a school.
“Nice to meet you. I am Jiro Tanaka, Kaido’s superior. Here is my business card.”
It was a little awkward to bring a large group of muscular men to a residential area where such a woman lived. We somehow squeezed into the small house. Kaido and I sat side by side in what seemed to be the living room, with Meguru-san sitting opposite us. I took out my business card case and handed her a card.
“Oh my, this is very kind of you. Um, MAO Corporation, is that right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Meguru-san examined the business card, meant for external use.
“You’re a Section Chief in the sales department.”
As she read her title, it became clear she had no magical aptitude. This business card had the same effect as a recruitment flyer; if someone had magical aptitude, my title would appear as its true, official designation.
On my external business card, I was Jiro Tanaka, Section Chief of First Division, Sales Department, MAO Corporation. However, with magical aptitude added, it read Jiro Tanaka, Jin’ō of the Demon Lord’s Army.
Judging by her reaction, the true form of the business card wasn’t displayed, confirming that she was not involved with magic whatsoever.
“Yes, that’s how it appears on the surface.”
So, this was the main event. We weren’t here to deceive anyone by hiding things. We were here to act as matchmakers for Kaido and Amili-san. I couldn’t explain further without revealing the truth.
“On the surface? That’s an unusual way to put it.”
“It’s highly relevant to the reason for our visit today, so it should be taken literally.”
“Regarding today’s reason, all Tadashi told me was that you had something important to discuss and were bringing your superior.”
I couldn’t explain, but Kaido had dumped the entire burden of explanation onto me. Meguru-san was probably approaching this with a first-meeting etiquette.
Kaido’s facial muscles seemed to have been working overtime, and when I silently asked why she wasn’t explaining, she apologized with her eyes, her cheek twitching.
“Is that so? In that case, I will explain from that perspective.”
Her true nature was probably revealed by that flying knee kick she’d aimed at Kaido earlier. Her statement about being the former leader of a biker gang likely wasn’t a lie, given that intensity. I was also maintaining a completely feigned sales smile, so we were in the same boat.
While “putting on an act” might sound negative, it’s not always a virtue to show your true self from the start. Depending on the other person, it can be necessary to be polite at first and gradually gauge the distance with boundaries. If you show your true self immediately, you might quickly close the distance, but conversely, you could cross boundaries that should never be crossed. Therefore, interacting while hiding our true selves is quite common.
“MAO Corporation, where I belong, is a foreign-affiliated company that primarily focuses on trade.”
“Is that so? This child isn’t very bright and can barely speak English, let alone other foreign languages, but she’s managing?”
“Yes, she’s a very reliable asset in my department.”
We were slowly but surely bridging the distance. We both wore smiles, but neither of us truly trusted them. I was setting the atmosphere.
“That’s a relief. She earns enough to send some money home each month, so I’m not worried about that. But why is her superior visiting us? No offense, but bringing these impressive-looking people?”
“I will explain that now.”
Since the conversation had taken a positive turn, I decided to insert my topic at this moment.
“This visit is not for work-related matters but is purely personal.”
“Personal?”
Given that her superior was visiting, she likely expected work-related discussions. When I said it was personal, Meguru-san tilted her head. It was strange for someone from work to interfere in personal matters. I understood her sentiment.
“Yes, it’s about personal matters. Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that his personal life is causing problems; in fact, we’ve come with good news.”
Hearing that her superior had visited for personal reasons, she would initially have a premonition of something bad. Seeing the worry on her face that Kaido might have done something wrong, I quickly clarified the misunderstanding. When I said it was good news, her confused expression deepened, as if it made even less sense. If Kaido had explained things beforehand, this wouldn’t have happened, but it must be difficult to discuss relationships with women like Amili-san.
Since Amili-san had asked me, I decided to step in this time.
“Actually, he’s been in a relationship with a woman from a different department, with the intention of marriage. Moreover, because she is from a foreign country, she holds a rather special position.”
“What! You! Since when did you find such a wonderful international partner!!”
Given that we had come this far, it was easier to just get to the point. Smiling wider, I revealed that Kaido was dating Amili-san. At that moment, Meguru-san’s facade crumbled. She seemed overjoyed that even her child was experiencing romance. Her usually quiet smile transformed into a sunflower-like grin.
“Well, yes, for quite some time?”
“Then why didn’t you introduce me sooner! How did you meet? Who confessed first!? And where is she from? I can’t speak English, so what should I do?”
Meguru-san, apparently the type of mother to jump into her child’s romantic affairs, forgot I was there and leaned over the table, pressing Kaido with questions.
“Now, now, please calm down. The important discussion starts from here.”
“Oh, my apologies.”
My interruption made her remember I was present, and she put her mask back on. Without dwelling on the interruption, I continued with a smile.
“So, the important matter is…”
Once the understanding that he was engaged to a foreign woman was established, she likely grasped my position.
“Yes, due to circumstances on their side, I have been asked to arrange a meal between Kaido, his parents, and his partner. That is what we are here to discuss today.”
“I see, so you’re a mediator. I’ve never seen one before.”
“She is a person in a rather unique position, so I was asked to be present as a third party.”
After all, his partner wasn’t just from a foreign country but from another world. Moreover, she looked quite young. Having a third party explain seemed more convenient. Now, how should I begin the explanation?
Meguru-san’s mind probably envisioned a noblewoman from some distant kingdom, and she likely saw me as an agent for the other party or someone arranging the connection between the two families. The problem now was how to make her understand the concept of another world and how to make her believe in its existence. I had given many presentations before, but this was a first for this kind of presentation. This was quite a tense development.
“You keep saying ‘unique position,’ but is she that important?”
“Yes, if we were to compare it to her country, she might not be in the top five, but in terms of national status, she is undoubtedly among the highest.”
Furthermore, Amili was a General-Kiō, counted among the nation’s military strength. She was exceptionally special; truly, a unique being.
“…You. What have you been doing without my knowledge?”
“Uh, dating?”
“I know that!! What I want to know is, why are you dating such a noblewoman and getting to the point of marriage without even telling me! And not informing us about the marriage until now, they might think we’re rude for not coming to pay respects!!”
Against such a person, Meguru-san probably imagined a lady living in some castle. Her face drained of color, and with an expression identical to Kaido’s when he’s made a serious mistake, she questioned him. Kaido’s response was utterly ordinary, and something in her snapped. Swiftly, she grabbed Kaido’s tie, pulling him closer, and spoke rapidly.
“Now, now, Meguru-san. Please don’t blame him. As I explained earlier, the other party’s position is very unique, and he couldn’t explain even if he wanted to. They themselves are quite regretful that they couldn’t visit to pay their respects.”
I intervened to stop Meguru-san, who was excitedly trying to strangle Kaido, managing to calm her down at the expense of Kaido, who was choking. I began to think that the more I used roundabout explanations, the more damage it would do to Kaido.
“Is that so?”
Finally, Meguru-san, having forgotten her pretense, asked me directly. Her worried and anxious expression was so much like Kaido’s. I was impressed by this parent-child resemblance and nodded to reassure her.
“Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t have been dispatched here.”
“…I see. That’s good.”
Her expression of relief was also similar. Seeing how alike they were, I somehow imagined what her expression would be like during the subsequent explanation. Still, I felt we had come this far, so we should see it through.
“So, about the woman from the other side…”
“Right, we can’t proceed without hearing about that.”
Meguru-san, having forgotten to compose her expression due to distress, crossed her arms boldly, chest puffed out. I was about to drop a bomb on her.
“Would you believe me if I told you she’s an inhabitant of another world?”
“Huh?”
Despite my completely serious and straightforward statement, not joking or teasing, her tone of voice suddenly dropped.
“Ah, I see, I see. You’re perhaps like one of those YouTubers, and this is some kind of prank, isn’t it?”
It was easy to see that her imagination was running wild in the wrong direction. She was trying to convince herself that everything I’d said so far was a fabricated story to surprise her parents and make for an exciting video. Perhaps my approach to the topic was flawed.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Not it? How is it not it? Ah, so you’re not a video uploader, maybe you’re from a TV station?”
“That’s not it either. This is entirely serious. The woman Kaido-kun is dating is what is called an ‘otherworlder,’ someone born outside of Earth.”
That is why I delivered this statement with a serious expression that allowed no room for falsehood.
“I will show you proof.”
I signaled to my escorts to disable their concealment.
Today’s word: The sense of distance is important.
Thank you as always for your comments and error reports. If you find this novel interesting, please leave a review, rating, or bookmark.
I am currently serializing another work: “Pandora Pandemic Panic.” Even though Pandora’s box has been opened again, we are fighting back with various things at our secret base!! Please check that out as well!
