It might be because I was born in the Showa era to think that host clubs are the go-to for company entertainment.
When the price gets higher, the image of a high-class restaurant with a beautiful garden also comes to mind for company entertainment.
I remember being entrusted with entertainment many times in the past and desperately setting up a host club just so my boss could meet the girl he liked, then negotiating with accounting, while receiving pitying looks, about whether it could be expensed.
To give another example, places I was taken to under the guise of entertainment were usually forums for my boss to air his complaints.
There is nothing more unproductive than complaints about both work and family life.
However, if I were to gloss over it and just offer vague agreement, the next day I would face a displeased boss who would double my workload.
Frankly, I don’t have many good memories associated with the word “entertainment.”
More than that, I could even say I despise entertainment.
However, just because it’s an unpleasant act that I don’t want to do doesn’t mean it’s unnecessary.
“Well, you’ve prepared an interesting venue, Jiro.”
“Yes, I have the authority to book this place.”
A garden restaurant where the ceiling is filled with a starry sky, surrounded by floral lighting.
It’s one of the most luxurious restaurants in the underground shopping street within the company.
It’s a shop where Evia uniquely opened its dungeon function and was granted partial clearance for spatial interference.
Planetarium.
A meal in an environment where space itself is integrated with nature, maintaining perfect air conditioning and scenery.
It is also used for secret meetings, undisturbed by anyone.
A round table is prepared under the night sky.
I sat facing Kirie-san, with Keiri-san on my right and Muil-san on my left, and this meal began.
“This is a seating arrangement that would be impossible to prepare in Japan.”
“Even with magic?”
The meal is a course, so there’s no need to order anything. We start with a light aperitif to smooth things over, with moderate drinking so as not to get drunk, and we begin to talk slowly, but not about work right away.
“While it’s possible with magic, considering the cost, it’s more realistic to simply prepare a traditional Japanese restaurant for the evening, so no one attempts it.”
“I see. Well, considering the cost, I understand that it’s practically impossible.”
By touching upon the restaurant as a common topic, the atmosphere of the place is warmed up. The bodyguard behind Kirie-san stands still like an ornament, not moving.
From his posture and presence, it’s clear he’s no ordinary bodyguard. More than that, he appears to be something that isn’t human, though not entirely non-human.
“Yes, and seeing technology from another world firsthand, it’s true that we lag behind in certain areas because we’ve taken a detour into science.”
“I’ve actually experienced their world. Because they lack science, their evolution tends to focus on everyday items.”
Is it an Oni or aTengu? While keeping an eye on the bodyguard, who exuded the presence of a representative Japanese yokai, we slowly ate our meal and chatted.
“I never expected you, her nephew, to be exposed to this world. Your aunt seemed to be keeping you away from such things.”
“As a child, I wondered why. She’d travel all over the place, but she never took me anywhere. Well, she did take me on trips that could hardly be called ordinary.”
As blood relatives, we have quite a bit in common. Well, mostly topics about my mother, who is Kirie-san’s sister.
“By the way, do you know where my mother is?”
“Do you think I do? Just the other day, the American ambassador asked me about her whereabouts. The last clue was a postcard indicating she was in Antarctica, but judging by the postmark, she’s probably not there anymore. Perhaps, since she was in a cold place, she wanted to enjoy a hot spring and is now in Hakone.”
As soon as that topic came up, they were truly sisters. She understood her sister’s motivations perfectly.
Only I know that my mother is currently staying in Hakone. My mother can easily evade even the FBI or the CIA. I figured that even if I slipped up here, she would quickly go into hiding. I decided not to cause any unnecessary trouble, as she said she’d come to see Yukiera and Sachiera soon.
“She might even show up at the company unexpectedly.”
“She’s capable of that.”
As we shared a smile, remembering the trouble my mother had caused both of us, the meal continued.
“I met Keiri-san the other day, and she didn’t have that appearance, did she?”
“Yes, I conceal it when I go out so as not to attract attention.”
“So, this is your true form?”
“Yes, please think of it that way.”
“I see. Like Evia-san, whom I met first, you both look so young, yet you are older than me?”
“That’s how it is with long-lived races. If I may say so, even among Dark Elves, I’m considered a junior.”
The conversation, led by me and Kirie-san, then shifted to the two who were seated with us.
“Hahaha, among those juniors, Keiri is particularly outstanding. I intend to pass my position on to her someday.”
“Please wait another three hundred years. If I took over your work now, I’d feel like I was dying.”
“Ho ho ho, then I shall wait for about three hundred years.”
“Jiro, how many years would three hundred years be for a human like me?”
“About thirty years.”
“So, it’s literally a difference in magnitude.”
Kirie-san, who had been interacting naturally without showing any particular emotion even in front of the distinct appearance of the Dark Elves, finally showed a change in her expression when faced with the disparity in lifespans. Was it envy or jealousy?
“Kirie-san, do you also wish to extend your lifespan?”
Faced with her unreadable expression, I couldn’t help but ask.
“The longer I live, the longer I’ll have to care for that child, so my answer depends on whether I find that desirable. Well, even without that, as a Miko who serves a god, my aging is slower than that of ordinary humans until a successor takes over, so I am considered long-lived.”
She didn’t give a clear yes or no, perhaps implying it depended on her relationship with Mimamori-sama. In the end, Kirie-san said something astonishing.
“How long-lived are we talking about?”
“At my current pace, I can probably live to be around 140. Beyond that, it becomes difficult health-wise, but if I simply choose to live rather than fight on the front lines, I could live much longer.”
While perhaps short compared to Dark Elves, her lifespan is considerable when compared to humans.
“Interesting. Is it an effect of being so closely connected to the divine?”
“That’s right. Especially since I formed a connection with a god before I even reached adulthood, that influence is significant.”
Kirie-san answered their questions in turn, but then I asked, “Perhaps my mother too?”
In my mind’s eye, I pictured my mother, who could be lively even past a hundred years old.
“No, my sister shouldn’t possess such powers. That is, unless she encountered a divine spirit during her travels around the world.”
“…There’s no way to definitively say she hasn’t.”
“That’s true. I can imagine my sister befriending a wandering god.”
“My mother would probably have them saved in her phone contacts.”
“Even as my sister, her drive and communication skills are exceptional.”
My mother, who looks so youthful it’s hard to believe she raised a son who is now thirty. Her appearance seems to defy aging. If Kirie-san’s words are true, there’s a possibility she’s made contact with a local deity in some country. I stopped eating and nodded solemnly at Kirie-san’s words.
“I’ll question her about it next time.”
“Please do.”
And just to be sure, as it could become a future problem, I said this while looking at Kirie-san’s face, and she responded with a wry smile.
After this discussion, a few moments of silence fell over us.
“Shall we get to the main topic soon? If we continue like this, we’ll lose track of time chatting.”
After finishing the main fish course and as dessert was being served, Kirie-san suggested moving on to the main subject.
“Yes. We still have time, but it might be better to have more time to talk.”
We all nodded in agreement.
“First, to confirm, is the party venue here correct? I saw the name of this restaurant and exterior material in the documents provided beforehand.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Furthermore, the reserved room is the one we are currently using. We have prepared table seating for now, but we plan to have a standing buffet format on the day. We will also provide the staff.”
“Yes, we have also approved those arrangements on our end. Given our lineage, many participants are of noble birth and require appropriate treatment, but I believe this venue is suitable.”
We have exchanged documents numerous times and are aware of the updated information each time, so this meeting is essentially a pre-confirmation. Nevertheless, we confirmed it carefully to avoid any discrepancies.
“Have there been any changes to the number of participants since then?”
“None on our end. How about yours?”
“The final selection is complete, and it is as per the roster sent the other day.”
“Then, there should be no issues with personnel. Regarding the encounters, that will be handled on a personal level.”
“This is a place for exchange between Japan and the Demon Lord’s Army, so it won’t be solely about personal matters, will it?”
“We are both aware of that. It is a venue for organizational exchange, so we are both presenting our benefits to establish it. That’s all.”
Confirmation of the venue, confirmation of the participants. And then.
“Will you and Jiro be the hosts?”
“Yes, it would be appropriate for senior members of each organization to serve as organizers.”
The fact that the hosts of this marriage hunting party are executives from each organization seems to dissipate any romantic atmosphere, but considering the caliber of people gathered, we are the only ones who can handle it. Detailed discussions will continue over the meal.
“What about problems?”
“Ah.”
We need to resolve potential issues that either side has before they arise.
“How to control the disruptive elements from both sides.”
“Yes, you have those too?”
“We tried to ensure everyone is above board, but there are always loopholes. It’s unnervingly quiet around me, both internally and externally.”
“We’re in the same situation. It’s as if there was never any fighting. It’s become too quiet.”
Kirie-san expressed concern about people who are neither enemies nor allies within the organization infiltrating, and about foreign forces that might support them also falling silent. I, too, find it unsettling that the nobles are beginning to fall silent. Both I and Kirie-san understand that poking a sleeping snake is a troublesome endeavor, so we approached this meeting with a policy of leaving it be for now.
“Caution is naturally necessary, isn’t it?”
“Yes, there is information that forces other than the US are also making moves.”
“But we’re here for a marriage hunting party.”
“Few people will likely see it so purely.”
We couldn’t let go of our wariness.
Today’s word: Pre-confirmation is important.
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I am also currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic. The box of Pandora has been opened again, but we are fighting back with various things from our secret base! Please check that out as well!
