What a hassle, troubles are truly troublesome.
“Ah, I want a cigarette.”
“It’s bad for your health, and if your father smokes, it will have a negative impact on your children.”
However, after overcoming those troubles, the marriage hunting party concluded, with a question mark hanging over whether it was truly safe.
If we only consider the results, it was an outcome that couldn’t be entirely called a failure.
In the end, several couples were formed, and the party concluded with the idea of using these pairings to strengthen the ties between organizations going forward.
If it had ended there, it would have been a happily ever after, but the problem is the troublesome interrogations, or rather, the cleanup, of those who were secretly pulling strings during the event.
Specifically, how tired I am is to the extent that I crave the smell and taste of nicotine, even though I’ve quit smoking for a long time.
“I understand, but when work isn’t going well, I tend to crave things.”
I do not succumb to my cravings and smoke, but it’s a troublesome situation to the point where I miss that taste.
“It seems that side of things isn’t going well either.”
“Yes, in many ways, it’s not going well.”
The apprehended women were all hired spies from different factions. You might wonder if they’re talking too quickly about their organizations, but we have a contract with a high-ranking spirit.
We possess methods to make them spill everything just by conveying how we’ll threaten them.
However, the information they’re revealing is the problem. Because there are words that cannot be conveyed to Kirie-san, I must be vague from here on.
With the lights dimmed in various places, the party venue was being cleaned up by the staff.
“Speaking of which, how should our organizations interact going forward?”
“Regarding that, it will be a step-by-step process, but I believe the focus will be on the men and women who met this time.”
“I intend to secure their status as their representative, so that’s more than welcome.”
The makeshift stage had already been dismantled. Muil-san and I had escaped the interrogations taking place in another room, under the guise of overseeing the cleanup of this venue.
The sheer volume of information was enough to give me a headache the more I heard it.
“Haa…”
It wasn’t just me; Kirie-san also seemed to have issues, as interrogating her at our headquarters would have caused more problems than in the current situation, forcing us to rent this room even though it put us in their debt.
You can probably tell by our simultaneous sighs.
Even though it was a marriage hunting party filled with anxieties, the fact that couples were formed in the end is a cause for celebration. However, it’s the dark underbelly of organizations that prevents things from simply ending on a happy note.
Politically charged discussions only increase our stress, Muil-san and mine.
“What are your plans for after this? I will report this incident to my superior, but I have received permission to impose a gag order on that information.”
“The condition was to overlook your misconduct, but isn’t that too cheap? It would be easier later if something were to happen here now, rather than me making a demand later.”
The successes and failures are so intertwined that I can’t even figure out how to evaluate this outcome anymore. The objective was achieved, but there were too many extraneous details. That’s the impression I have.
With mistakes too large to ignore on both sides, the resolution was for both of us to turn a blind eye this time and proceed with our interactions smoothly.
But Kirie-san doesn’t seem to agree. While the extent of our respective failures might appear equal, when it comes to the problematic information that has surfaced retrospectively, the Japanese side has unearthed slightly more concerning details.
I can’t get into specifics, but there’s talk of politicians and a certain benefactor being involved.
Whether it’s true or not, the fact that humans were mixed into an event involving a god is causing problems, not only for the relationship between the Demon Lord’s Army and the Divine Spell Association, but also threatening to crack the relationship between the Association and the government.
“It’s the superior’s decision that it’s more beneficial to have this as a debt owed later rather than to demand payment here. They said we have to buy it cheaply.”
“That’s a scary thought. I hope you don’t do anything too reckless.”
In terms of weaknesses, we’re not any better off. While we didn’t go so far as to reveal everything, we hinted at information that indicated we weren’t entirely unified. Normally, information about each other’s failures could be used as a weakness against the other, potentially escalating the animosity, but in Muil-san’s and my case, the impression of having gone through hardships together takes precedence. We’ve ended up in a relationship where we can’t exploit each other’s weaknesses.
“I will do my best, but don’t expect too much.”
“I will expect it. Therefore, I will also respond with sincerity.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“Yes, well, I have my duties, so I will be going now.”
Therefore, how our relationship will develop from here on out has become a matter of grave responsibility, depending on what Muil-san and I decide.
“You’ve booked a room, but is that alright? I could have invited you to my mansion.”
“At this point, we are both in a delicate position, and it would be too chummy. Perhaps another time. I am also interested in your child, whom I’ve heard about, which is unfortunate. I never thought the day would come when your older sister would brag about her grandchild.”
I resolve to do my best to ensure a good future, and in response to Kirie-san, who shows a slightly personal side, I can only offer a wry smile. I wonder what kind of bragging my mother did to Kirie-san.
“I will work hard with the hope of achieving such a future. Well then, Jiro. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
Although a lot of things went awry behind the scenes for this event, with this exchange, my work, in a sense, has reached a turning point. I see Kirie-san off as she leaves the venue, scratch my head as I think about what comes next, and then start climbing the stairs of this building. I should actually be participating in the interrogation of the spies, but Muil-san asked me to take on a different task, saying that if I did it, it would be a cycle of passing out and then being revived.
“You’re late!”
And that task is to keep Keiri, who is drinking herself into oblivion, company. The second floor of the venue is a bar. The private booths that were there earlier have been removed, and the space has returned to its original state as a stylish bar. That venue was merely a temporary measure; this is its true form. On the stylish and luxurious counter, a woman is downing a glass.
“I’m still on duty.”
“I’m off duty.”
Keiri, dressed in a gown, glares at me and beckons me over. In some countries, that gesture means “go away,” but I figure she wouldn’t know that, and yet my feet carry me over to her, and I sit down next to her.
“Master, a strong drink, whatever’s good.”
“Certainly.”
“You’re ready to drink, aren’t you?”
“Considering what happened, I have a mountain of troubles. I can’t cope if I don’t drink.”
And with thanks to the master who brought me a strong drink as a quick pick-me-up, I drink about half of it. The burning alcohol travels down my throat, yet I don’t get drunk, and I feel unaccustomed to my own body.
“Hmm, does that mean I’m also tiresome work for you?”
Beside me, Keiri, who is unusually completely drunk, tilts her head as if asking.
“I’m indebted to you, Keiri-san, so I don’t consider you tiresome. By the way, if I start talking about troublesome matters here, I’ll completely enter work mode, but do you want to hear it?”
“No. Right now, I’m completely off duty.”
I wryly smile, thinking how our exchange is almost like that of lovers, and take on a posture of listening to her. She covers both ears with her hands, declaring she can’t hear. I wait for her to open her ears, which takes a few seconds.
“Haa, I’m so down.”
Keiri suddenly rests her head on the counter.
“Why is it that I’m not successful while other girls are?”
Five couples were formed at this marriage hunting party. You might think this is a small number considering the participants, but if you consider the couplings crossed racial boundaries, it’s an astonishing figure.
“Everyone except you, Keiri-san, is also not successful. Those five couples are just special cases.”
“Even so, the men on the other side said things like, ‘You’re reliable’ or ‘You seem like you can do anything,’ seeing me only as a woman who can live on her own. In their hearts, they must have thought I lacked charm.”
Keiri, whose mood has soured due to that number, seems bothered by the words she heard during the marriage hunting party. Given that I have some familiarity with those words, it’s difficult to deny them. After all, I rely on her every single day for work, and she seems capable in many areas, making her appear invincible.
“…I think you’re charming, though.”
This might be the first time I’ve focused on her charm.
“For example?”
“You have an unrivaled love for dogs. You even have a picture of my Feri as your wallpaper.”
When it comes to a woman’s charm, physical appearance might come to mind easily, but that’s a minefield, so I quickly brought up her love for dogs.
“Anything else?”
“You have a terrible sweet tooth. You’re always contemplating whether to buy seasonal sweets or not.”
When asked for anything else, I’m surprised how easily things come to mind. Unlike the first sip, I savor the next one too, thinking about Keiri’s charming aspects.
“Anything else?”
“You love children. You seem to have so much fun playing with my child, don’t you?”
It’s embarrassing to think about considering someone’s charming aspects sincerely instead of just making them up, but there’s no turning back now. I’ll rationalize it as the effects of alcohol and say everything I can on impulse.
“Anything else?”
“You dislike bitter things. You can’t drink coffee black.”
“Anything else?”
“You willingly take on troublesome tasks for other women.”
“Anything else?”
“You can be serious for someone else.”
As I list “anything else,” she keeps asking for refills, and with each request, I continue to list whatever comes to my mind.
“Why do you think of more things than I do?”
“The male perspective and the female perspective are different.”
Keiri finally says something other than “anything else” in response to our exchange, but her mood doesn’t improve. She pouts at me. If I found this unreasonable, I would have left this seat already. Somehow, she’s still shocked that the marriage hunting party she put so much effort into wasn’t successful. It’s taking her time to accept the outcome.
“…Could it be, Jiro?”
“Hmm?”
The question Keiri asks, in return for my kindness, is:
“Do you like me?”
“… ”
It was a confirmation question that felt like something a high school student would ask. I was momentarily speechless. The thought of “Why would you think that?” flashed through my mind, but calmly considering it, I realized it’s understandable to think that if I’m listing so many charming qualities.
“Hey, what is it?”
Keiri, trying to get my attention, gently reaches out her slender fingers and grabs the hem of my clothes. She peeks up from below and waits for my answer with an upward glance. Facing her, I hesitate about what to say.
“!? ”
Realizing that I hesitated, I slowly close my eyes and search for words.
Today’s word: Even if you think it’s over, it might still continue.
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