Plans can suddenly change.
For me, who holds the perception that things rarely go according to plan, bringing Meguri-san to the company was well within the realm of expectation.
We got into the car for security, with Kaido and I flanking her. We began our movement with a group of muscular men. Similar to our journey there, we loaded the car onto the back of a truck midway and returned to the company, taking longer than usual.
“Haa, you really worked at an amazing company, didn’t you?”
Upon entering the company, Meguri-san gazed at the entrance where various species mingled, and she commented with a voice mixed with astonishment and admiration.
“That’s right. Or rather, you still didn’t believe me?”
Sensing a slight awkwardness in Kaido’s tone, which shifted from his usual subordinate-like speech to one used between parent and child, I left Meguri-san in Kaido’s care and contacted him via telepathic call.
“Ah, please arrange it that way. And secure transportation for the return trip, and also…”
I needed to arrange permission and confirmation for the subsequent tour and make preparations for Meguri-san’s return.
The option of her staying at Kaido’s place was available, but it’s probably best to avoid that for now.
I had told Amili-san about our marriage, but not yet about her pregnancy.
Moreover, the twin Seraphim were already staying in Kaido’s room.
I couldn’t imagine Meguri-san’s reaction if she heard that four of them were cohabiting with two young-looking girls.
It would impose too much mental burden on Meguri-san to suddenly hit her with the common knowledge of this world, where polygyny is the norm, and shatter her Japanese sensibilities.
Thinking that being a matchmaker is quite a lot of work, I proceeded to do what needed to be done. The position of General is quite convenient; if I could connect with Evia via telepathic call, I could get permission, and if I contacted Keiri-san, the procedures would advance.
I hadn’t explained everything beforehand, so I mentally added a new task to my to-do list, realizing I’d need to follow up later.
“Preparations are complete. First, I will guide you through our safe commercial district.”
“Please treat it favorably!”
“Mom, please don’t get too excited, it’s embarrassing.”
It was strange how Kaido and Meguri-san looked like siblings when standing side-by-side.
If they were holding hands, it would be perfect, I thought, as I put on a composed expression, not letting my inner feelings show, and led the way, watching Meguri-san with the entry permit card dangling from her neck.
“……Is that person actually someone important?”
While guiding her through the underground mall, Meguri-san noticed how I was deeply respected by passing employees and cautiously asked Kaido in a low voice.
“Senpai is amazing. He recently became one of only seven people in a position within the parent organization of this company. He’s recognized by the president of this company for his abilities too!”
“Seriously? I’ve always been like this, but should I change my way of speaking?”
“No, I think it’s a bit too late for that.”
Unlike the outside, the company was filled with magical power, so their conversation was clearly audible.
“I don’t particularly mind. Meguri-san is a guest, and I am the one welcoming her. As she is an employee’s relative, your current way of speaking is fine.”
“Oh, really?”
As the power of magic filled my body, making me feel physically more at ease, my entire aura changed, and I felt that the distance between myself and Meguri-san had increased slightly.
“This is our company’s pride, the commercial district. We call it the underground mall.”
“Wow! This is amazing.”
The underground mall, which had been deserted when I first joined, was now bustling with activity.
Simply put, the number of testers has increased, but employees are also using it more frequently, leading to an increase in users.
As a result, the underground mall, where a wide variety of species mingle, is steeped in a fantasy atmosphere.
It’s unlikely one would see such a scene in movies or dramas.
It’s a scene that might be achievable in the future, perhaps on a man-made island that could serve as a base for the dungeon I will soon manage, by gathering over a hundred extras and applying special makeup to all of them.
In a sense, Meguri-san’s presence reminded me of my beginnings.
“The shopkeepers are basically people from that side. There are various races, some looking far from human, but everyone working here is friendly towards humans.”
“Oh.”
“Well, just like people on Earth, human personalities vary greatly. It can be said to be a disadvantage of having so many different species, but there are also discriminatory aspects, and some customs are hard to accept. If you can come to an understanding, everyone here is a good person.”
I began the underground mall tour with her.
I had intended to move around shops that were primarily for women, but…
“Why are we at Memoria’s shop?”
“No, Senpai, if we’re trying to match Amili-chan, Memoria-san is the most suitable in terms of appearance, isn’t she?”
“…That’s true.”
“Is this a general store?”
“Something like that. It’s a shop I’ve been going to quite a bit.”
Kaido said he wanted to visit a shop, and on that thought, we arrived at the Toris Trading Company’s underground mall branch, managed by Memoria.
I wondered why we were here, but I found some truth in Kaido’s words and honestly pushed open the shop door and entered.
Meguri-san, with various products displayed inside, seemed to guess it was a general store and was very interested in the unfamiliar items.
“Welcome… Jiro-san? It’s been a while since you visited during work hours.”
“Thanks for your hard work, Memoria. Well, if you call it work, it is work.”
“I see. Bringing Kaido with you, it must be about that matter, right?”
“Ah, that’s right. It’s related.”
I immediately headed to the counter to explain the situation.
I had heard that the shop’s tester usage and employee usage had increased recently due to my patronage, keeping it busy, but it was a less busy time of day, so Memoria was relaxing at the counter.
Memoria tilted her head, recognizing me as a customer.
However, noticing Kaido behind me, she realized it was work related to Amili-san and proceeded to assist us.
“What’s this? Jiro-kun’s acquaintance?”
“More like an acquaintance…”
Meguri-san, who had been interested in the shop’s merchandise, noticed me talking familiarly with Memoria and approached us. Kaido, who also frequented the shop, followed, and the three of us gathered at the counter.
“She’s my wife.”
“I am his wife.”
Although the words were different, they conveyed nearly the same meaning.
“Wow! You’re married too! Way to go!”
Meguri-san blinked her eyes rapidly and then praised me. Memoria, slightly bewildered by Meguri-san nudging my side with her elbow, asked for an introduction.
“Jiro-san, this is…”
“Ah, this is Kaido’s mother, Kaido Meguru. Due to… circumstances, I’m currently giving her a tour of the company.”
“A personal tour from you, General? If someone saw this, they might mistake her for a very important person.”
“I’ve already made arrangements with Evia to avoid that.”
“I see.”
Memoria, sensing the reason for her presence, stepped out from behind the counter and stood in front of us.
“It’s nice to meet you. I am Memoria Tris.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I am Meguru Kaido, her mother.”
Memoria was taller, but the difference was not significant. The two young women bowed to each other.
“By the way, she is a Vampire. A woman older than me.”
“Vampire? You mean, like, *those* Vampires?”
“They are quite different from the Vampires in this world, but yes. Although perhaps not evidence, I do have fangs?”
Memoria, who looked like an ordinary girl at first glance, pulled her cheek aside with her finger, revealing her canine teeth.
It was clear that her teeth in that area were more developed than those of a normal human.
“Does that mean you’ve become a Vampire too? You know, when a Vampire drinks your blood, you become a Vampire.”
“No, we Vampires reproduce just like humans. We can recover stamina, heal our bodies, and increase our strength by using magic to drink blood. Well, as you say, it is possible to fascinate someone and make them our kin by using blood, but the risk and cost don’t match, and furthermore, my power is not enough to dominate Jiro-san’s magic power.”
“Haa, there are all sorts of Vampires, aren’t there?”
She then asked if that meant I was also a Vampire, given that she is my wife.
Well, it’s true that I’m no longer purely human, as I’m half-human.
However, that’s not because I’ve become a Vampire, but because I have Dragon blood mixed in.
In other words, I suppose I’m treated as a half-Dragonkin?
I don’t have scales or horns, or any such distinctive features, though.
“By the way, Senpai has four wives.”
“Eh?”
“Yes. While we don’t have formal wives and concubines, I am considered a concubine in terms of status.”
Amidst this conversation, Kaido set me up to make it easier for her to talk about herself.
I was planning to explain things step-by-step.
I narrowed my eyes for a moment, intending to scold her, but Kaido clasped his hands in apology, unseen by Meguri-san, giving a regretful look.
Well, what’s done is done.
Memoria also confirmed it, so there’s no room for excuses.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. In this world, polygyny is commonplace. It’s possible, as long as you can bear the economic responsibility.”
I nodded at Meguri-san, who looked at me with an expression of “Seriously?” and began my explanation. My sales smile worked well even in this situation.
Somehow, since coming to this company, I feel my mental fortitude has become stronger than at my previous job.
“……I only heard about the common knowledge of this world today and don’t really understand it, but… it might be normal here, but are you really okay with it? Having a man who keeps multiple women as a partner?”
“Mom!”
However, in Japan, polygyny is an unconventional topic, and Meguri-san directly questioned Memoria about something she found hard to accept. Kaido, flustered, intervened.
“It’s true that there are cases where people become unhappy because of it, but I know that Jiro-san is not that kind of person. We are not married yet, but he is genuinely trying to make me happy. And as I said earlier, there is no distinction between a formal wife and a concubine. I truly feel that he loves us all equally.”
She stopped Kaido with a hand gesture. Memoria, her expression barely changing, smiled gently, as if to prove her genuine happiness.
“Hmm, you seem happy.”
Meguri-san nodded, seemingly convinced.
“Yes, undoubtedly.”
Memoria nodded immediately afterward, her face filled with confidence, no hesitation in her eyes.
“I see. I’m sorry for asking something strange.”
“No, I understand that the common knowledge in Japan and this world differs.”
With Memoria’s unwavering declaration of happiness, Meguri-san had no more words to refute. She was convinced, realizing how differences in cultural spheres lead to such outcomes. She let out a sigh.
After nodding in understanding, she said.
“So, you idiot son, you still have something you’re hiding from your mom, don’t you?”
Meguri-san realized there was another secret she was keeping.
Today’s word: Common sense is merely a rule within oneself.
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