A few days have passed since the drinking party that was sparked by a small incident.
As Evia predicted, the order for the section chief promotion was quickly announced.
Simultaneously, orders were also issued to the newcomers and the first-term students.
Not only was “Dungeon Tester First Division” assigned, but they were also informed of their affiliations with the Second and Third Divisions, and would fully commence operations after Golden Week.
Though they are friends who went through training together, from here on they will be rivals belonging to different departments.
They probably have their thoughts, but the point is that newcomer training is over, and they’re meant to heal their tired bodies during Golden Week.
And it’s as if they’re telling them to work in earnest with their healed bodies.
In fact, the announcement of their respective assignments did have a slight impact.
Among the Japanese newcomers assigned to the same department, there are quite a few members who are suggesting they go on a trip during this holiday.
On the other hand, the overseas group probably finds themselves wondering what to do in unfamiliar territory, but that’s to be expected at our company, which boasts facilities that are exceptionally well-equipped for employee welfare.
From beach leisure facilities that are part of the sea itself to hot spring towns and ski resorts in the mountains, there’s no shortage of places to have fun.
We also hear talk of people already planning to play together in those locations, regardless of department, simply because they are from the same country.
It seems I’ve glimpsed the temperament of those countries.
Now, as for me, who has been happily promoted to section chief, what am I doing?
“Ah, relaxing in my room on a day off, how luxurious.”
“It has persuasive power when the Master says it.”
“Doesn’t it?”
On the first day of Golden Week, I’m having my ears cleaned while receiving a lap pillow from a beautiful, buxom fallen angel.
I’m not just conquering dungeons; I’m handling all sorts of miscellaneous tasks and occasionally getting caught up in troubles.
There are times when I want to relax like this.
Lying back against the warm softness of her thighs against my cheek, the pleasant sensation of the ear pick gently inserted into my ear relaxes my body.
When men relax at home, they tend to be spoken of in many ways.
This is just my personal opinion.
I feel like men are often asked to go shopping with women or help with housework like cleaning, and that’s the position men take at home in my mind.
There’s nothing wrong with that in itself.
I work, but Suella, Memoria, Himik, and Evia all work too.
So, I feel it’s wrong to harbor dissatisfaction about it.
Therefore, I thought I should also take the initiative in helping with housework.
And today, the first day of Golden Week, I actually tried to help out.
“Hmm. Then, Master, there’s one thing I’d like your help with in cleaning.”
“Got it.”
That was the exchange I had with Himik about five minutes ago.
I waited for a minute in the living room, thinking she was preparing.
When she returned, she held an ear pick, a wet towel, and tissues in her hands.
Instead of starting to clean, she simply sat down on the sofa and patted her lap.
“Come now, Master, lie down!”
And at the same time, she presented her arms forward as if to embrace me, fully prepared, saying “Anytime.”
What she was instructing was obvious.
And there was no man in this situation who could refuse such a charming offer.
Pulled by an inexplicable force, I found myself on her lap before I knew it.
“Hey, Himik.”
“Yes, Giro?”
The time of healing began skillfully.
“Didn’t you want help with cleaning?”
“Ah, I want to help you clean your ears, Giro. I can’t do this without you.”
And so, on this rare holiday, I asked Himik, who was cheerfully cleaning my ears, to help with the work she always does for me. But she had apparently intended to do this from the start.
“Giro, you’re always fighting, creating documents, and working hard, aren’t you? You should relax on your days off.”
“No, that’s true, but… wouldn’t that mean Himik doesn’t get to rest?”
However, wouldn’t that increase her burden? As I pondered this, Himik’s arm, which was gently holding my head, felt as if it were held by everyone in the world, making it impossible to break free.
It wasn’t heavy.
Rather, it was a gentle pressure.
It would have been easy to break free, but I couldn’t dismiss the sight of her happily cleaning my ears and her kind gesture.
“Don’t worry, housework isn’t that difficult once you get used to it. I don’t have any other work, you see. Rather, I’d like to be even more useful to you, Giro.”
When we’re alone, she calls me by my name.
It’s the same at night, but when we’re alone like this, she calls me by the name I was given when we first met.
It’s as if she’s saying the name that comes from her own mouth is hers alone.
A slight possessiveness, as if she doesn’t want anyone else to hear it.
What could I do in response to her attitude?
“I see. If there’s anything, tell me. Honestly, I should be the one to notice, but I’m a bit dense about these things.”
“It’s alright. I know you’re looking out for me, Giro.”
I gently eased the slight pressure I was exerting and fully surrendered myself to her.
Perhaps she was pleased by the slight increase in my body’s weight, her smile deepened.
Then, a period of silence followed.
I was fully savoring the fact that the room was comfortable to be in thanks to her.
The clean room, the pleasant temperature, and her soothing warmth.
There couldn’t be a more luxurious way to spend a holiday.
“If you’re sleepy, you can sleep, you know?”
“No, I feel like it would be a waste to sleep, so I don’t feel sleepy.”
Even though such a comfortable space had been created, I was strangely not sleepy.
My eyes weren’t sharp, but I didn’t feel like sleeping.
Her gently warm lap and her softly placed hand.
I couldn’t choose to let go of either of them.
“I see.”
“Yeah.”
We simply shared time together, as if to say that quiet time with her was important.
“It’s clean now, the other side too.”
“Yeah.”
And precious time, it seems, passes by in an instant.
My left ear was finished, and she told me it was time for the other side. I started to stand up and turn, but…
“Just turn this way.”
“Really? Isn’t that unpleasant?”
“Unpleasant? Of course not.”
She gently pressed my shoulder, and my face turned towards her stomach.
Some people might find it unpleasant, but Himik showed no such signs, and began cleaning the other ear.
There’s no digital clock in this room, so we can’t hear the ticking of a clock’s hands, but if there were an analog clock, this space might have been filled only by the sound of its ticking hands.
“Hey, Himik.”
“Yes, Giro?”
While such quiet time is nice, I suddenly felt like talking to her and opened my mouth.
“What’s for dinner tonight?”
“We haven’t even had lunch yet, and you’re already talking about dinner?”
“No, just… you know.”
I simply said what came to mind, since I hadn’t thought of anything to talk about.
I thought she might find me strange, but she didn’t show any signs of concern, nor did she stop her movements. She answered my question gently, as if speaking to me.
“I got some good fish, so I’ll grill that, and also make miso soup and stew.”
“Oh, Japanese food today?”
“Yes, it’s a dish from your hometown, Giro. I’ll put in extra effort today.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
How long has it been since I met her? At least half a year.
Her cooking skills have improved so much that I can honestly say these words.
And when I say I’m looking forward to it, she…
“Mmm.”
She smiles with a bright, sunflower-like smile.
“Oh, Giro. Changing the subject, but…”
“What is it?”
And then she began to tell me about what she had been doing. About cooking, how she’s no longer regarded with suspicion when she goes shopping, how she’s become acquainted with shopkeepers, and how she delivered lunch boxes to Memoria’s store. She also mentioned learning sewing with Suella’s twin sisters, and that she’s currently studying chess because she lost to Evia. Before I knew it, she had truly blended into this company.
“Ah, that’s right, Giro.”
“Yes?”
As I listened to her voice telling me various stories, feeling a sense of comfort, she changed the subject as if she suddenly remembered something.
“Do you think Suella’s child will be a boy? Or a girl?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. Suella said something about an examination soon.”
“No, not that. I want to hear Giro’s prediction.”
“My prediction?”
“Yes.”
The topic turned to Suella’s child, who is due to be born soon.
Why is she curious? I looked at Himik, but she continued to clean my ears with the same gentle smile as before.
I continued to think it was just casual conversation.
“Rather than a prediction, it would probably become a wish.”
“A wish, what kind of wish?”
“Honestly, I don’t really care about the gender. If I had to worry about an heir, a boy might be better, but… hmm.”
I seriously considered her question.
The saying “first a princess, then a prince” is often heard, but when it comes to having a child, I’m honestly torn between a boy and a girl.
As I told Himik, if my family were a prestigious one, a male heir would be preferable.
Indeed, my relatives are from a rather distinguished family, but our family situation is rather vague in that regard.
And frankly, as a man who has never experienced childbirth, I can’t predict whether it will be a boy or a girl.
So, it simply comes down to my preference.
“If it’s a girl, she’ll probably resemble Suella, Memoria, Himik, and Evia, and be cute.”
I’ve often heard that fathers dote on their daughters excessively.
And I’ve also heard that this doting results in a devastating shock during their rebellious phase.
However, even if that’s all part of the package, I’ve heard that girls are preferred.
“If it’s a boy, well. It might be nice since our household is mostly female, so we could play together, boy-to-boy.”
My ideal relationship between a father and son is that of friends separated by a large age gap.
Friends, as well as parent and child.
As a parent, I have the duty to raise a child, but simultaneously, sharing that friend-like sense of wanting to do something together with my child is extremely appealing.
Whether it’s a girl or a boy, either is fine.
However, it’s the talk of a man who hasn’t experienced childcare yet, so there will probably be many hardships.
I’ll probably only see the good parts and encounter the negative aspects too.
Considering all that, then…
“Either way, the most important thing is for them to be born healthy.”
My honest opinion is that I want both mother and child to be safe.
“I see, that’s right.”
Himik nodded and agreed with my opinion.
“By the way, Himik, which do you prefer?”
“Me? Hmm. I’d like a boy like Giro.”
“Oh, a boy? If he’s born, I’d like to play catch with him.”
Conversely, she pondered for a moment and said she preferred a boy. Hearing this, I pictured a boy with a blond resemblance to her, and immediately thought of things I’d like to do with such a child.
“Then, to make that dream come true, I’ll need you to do your best tonight.”
“You say that, but it’s always Himik and the others who run out of steam first.”
“Th-that’s, well, it’s Giro’s fault for being too intense.”
She invited me for the “night.”
And since today is a day I’m alone with Himik, there’s no way I’d refuse.
So, when I told her about our usual nightly activities to ask if I should “do my best,” she stopped cleaning my ears, her face turning bright red.
“I see, then perhaps I’ll be gentle tonight?”
Her face was so cute that I teased her.
“No, that…”
And as expected, she, who is unfamiliar with such things, hesitated, unsure how to respond.
From the blush on her face, I could tell she was struggling whether to say what she wanted or not.
“Ah! I need to start preparing lunch soon!”
Sensing the unfavorable turn of events, she obviously glanced at the clock and patted my shoulder lightly, but with a slight sense of urgency, to prepare lunch a little earlier than usual.
Watching her face, I thought my luxurious time was ending, and reluctantly, I sat up.
“Then, tell me tonight.”
“Y-yes.”
Her retreating figure, blushing to her ears, looked incredibly charming, and I watched her scurry off to the kitchen with cute little footsteps.
Today’s Word:
Gentle? Or intense? Of course, both.
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*The first volume of the compiled book is available from Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on “Shousetsuka ni Narou,” with the addition of unpublished interlude chapters.
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