At the front of the rugged group of men stood a single imposing figure.
There was no mistaking it, this man was the head of the 『Amatsukuni Construction & Carpentry Guild』.
His hair was streaked with white, but his build was powerful and solid, clearly still in his prime.
And with the younger men following behind him, he was clearly the one to talk to.
He gave off the impression of a craftsman who didn’t know the meaning of cutting corners.
「Listen up. We’re the ones who spotted this place first! This location stands out even from a distance…」
「Fufufu.」
「Hey… what’re you laughing at?」
「Ahahaha!」
「Whoa! H-Hey? You okay?」
There was no way I could not laugh at this situation.
It’s Amatsukuni. Amatsukuni.
These were craftsmen who built in the Amatsukuni style.
「Master? What’s so funny?」
「Nah, sorry. Things are going so well it’s almost funny. Honestly, I’m starting to feel like I’ve got a hidden luck stat or something.」
And they were an envoy, too.
Meaning they weren’t here to live.
They were likely here to build and promote Amatsukuni-style architecture.
If that’s the case, then our interests should align.
「Hey, boss. Or would you prefer ‘foreman’?」
「O-Oh. Either’s fine, but what is it?」
「How about working for me?」
「Huh?」
「I mean, I’ll take this house and the hot spring, but I want to hire you guys to rebuild it.」
「What the hell are you saying?」
「Come on. It’s not such a bad deal, right? You get to build a house and promote Amatsukuni-style architecture. I get to rebuild this place. Sounds like a win-win to me… what do you say?」
And Amatsukuni-style meant Japanese architecture.
For me, hot springs are best paired with traditional Japanese buildings.
There’s no one better suited for the job than these guys.
「Sorry, but that’s not gonna happen.」
「Huh…?」
Wait, what?
I said it all smugly too… this is embarrassing…
「As an envoy, we’re not allowed to accept payment. So we can’t take your request.」
Ah… I see.
They’re here on official business from their country.
They can’t accept money from outsiders.
I mean, I still think it’s fine if they benefit from it, but… yeah, that’s the artisan spirit for you.
In that case,
「What if I cover all the material costs?」
「Huh? Material costs, like wood?」
「Exactly. If it’s not payment, then it should be fine, right?」
「Well, yeah, but… Listen, construction wood isn’t cheap. You don’t look like a noble to me. And you’re telling me you’ve got the money after paying 10 million for this dump?」
「I’ve got a budget of 100 million. We’ll use high-grade wood to build a traditional Amatsukuni-style structure. If you’re building it as an envoy project, wouldn’t it be better to make something really impressive?」
「100 million…」
「Is that not enough? I can go higher if needed.」
The original budget had been 100 million, but if I could build an Amatsukuni-style villa in a hot spring town, that was well within acceptable limits.
A villa, one of a man’s dreams.
Whether in a summer resort or a hot spring area, I’d always wanted to own one someday.
「…Why us? Just a coincidence?」
「No. Even if other craftsmen were available, I’d still choose you guys.」
「…Black hair… but you’re not from Amatsukuni. A drifter?」
「Yeah. A drifter who loves all things Japanese, hot springs, my women, and peace.」
「Hah. I get it…」
The foreman thought for a moment.
But if he was even thinking about it, that meant there was a chance.
「…Breakfast.」
「Huh?」
「Give us breakfast. Every morning. For everyone.」
「Deal. Then we’ve got a deal. Don’t cut corners, alright? I’ve got standards.」
「Cut corners, my ass. You better not cheap out on the materials.」
We exchanged wide grins and shook hands firmly.
Ow. As expected, he had a crushing grip.
「Are you sure about this, boss!?」
「Shut it! Listen up, boys… We don’t get many chances to build with top-grade materials. Think of it as a learning opportunity and follow my lead!」
「「「「「「「Heck yeah, Boss!!」」」」」」」
Whoa… that deep chorus was intense.
They were well-organized too.
This might turn out really great.
I’ll have to give it my all too.
「Well then, can I assume this means you’ll be purchasing the property?」
「Yeah. Sorry, this one probably won’t give you much commission, huh?」
It was only 10 million, after all.
Compared to those multi-hundred-million houses, her commission would be pretty small.
「Oh, I don’t mind at all. I like customers who pay generously. As long as I get paid for my work, I’m happy… Though, I wouldn’t mind being bought myself, you know.」
「We’ll talk about that another time. Mind getting the paperwork ready?」
「Ohoho! Absolutely! Then let’s get that contract drawn up, !」
Now, while we wait in Yutopola, I’ve got something to work on.
I’ll build the best hot spring lodge before they come back.
「Fufufu… The skill to sell a wreck like this… I’ll probably make more off admin contracts than commission. This is nothing but profit for me…」
…This guide sure is business-savvy…
-0-
That night, after Aina and the others returned from the guild.
I soaked in the inn’s gender-separated bath.
「Ahh…」
There was no rotten egg smell, so it likely wasn’t a sulfur spring.
But the water was slightly cloudy, and when I ran a hand along my arm, my skin felt smooth, probably due to the spring’s properties.
「It’s amazing, no doubt about that… But still, it’s lonely…」
It wasn’t even an open-air bath.
The stone walls made the space feel cramped.
And I couldn’t hear any giggling or splashing from the girls on the other side.
Well, maybe the walls were too thick to hear through, even if they were being lively.
「We’re leaving tomorrow, huh…」
I splashed hot water over my face and placed a towel on my head, then closed my eyes.
I wonder if they’ll be happy with the charm I made.
And I wonder if Shiro will carry out what I asked her to do properly…
I asked her to keep watch, but there’s another reason it has to be Shiro.
「I’ll have to give her a lot of love and care when she gets back…」
What I left in Shiro’s hands was something I couldn’t handle on my own.
If I’m being honest, I want to go with them.
But there’s no time to make up for how lacking I am.
「I really am a terrible master…」
「Mmm? That’s not true at all, you know?」
「It makes me happy to hear you say that, but, wait, Shiro!?」
「Hmm…?」
「Don’t ‘hmm’ me. This is the men’s bath!」
「Shiro is a child. No problem.」
「That’s not the issue here…」
「There’s no one else here, and I’ll know if someone comes by their presence.」
「Still, there are rules, you know… Ah, fine. Whatever.」
「Hmm.」
Shiro settled onto my lap, but in the water, she felt practically weightless.
How pathetic that I have to rely on someone with such a small body…
Maybe that’s why I suddenly wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight.
「…lord worries too much. If lord says ‘I’m counting on you,’ then Shiro will definitely make it happen.」
「I’m just a coward. Can’t help it…」
「Hmm… It’ll be fine. With the three of us, it’ll definitely be fine. And Shiro’s going too, so even more fine.」
「I’m worried about you too, you know…」
「Hmm…」
She gently placed her fingers on the hand I was hugging her with.
No matter how strong Shiro or Aina and the others are, I’ll still worry about them.
I regret not choosing any combat skills.
I never thought I’d end up with people who meant this much to me.
「I like it when lord hugs me tight.」
「Isn’t it too hot?」
「A little hot. But I can’t stop.」
「What is that even supposed to mean…」
I must’ve had that worried look again.
Shiro gently changed the subject to cheer me up, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Then our eyes met, and we both chuckled softly.
Shiro leaned her whole body into me and guided my relaxed hands to hug her again, so I held her close once more.
「…Hey, Shiro.」
「Hmm?」
「Sorry, I’m counting on you.」
「Hmm. Lord, do your best with the house. We’re all looking forward to the bath together.」
「Yeah. I’ll be waiting in the best open-air bath house you’ve ever seen.」
-0-
We stayed like that in the water for a little longer.
But Shiro was starting to get worn out, so we decided to get out.
I dried her off, and she helped dry me off.
When I opened the door from the men’s side of the changing room, the door to the women’s side opened too.
「「「「「Ah」」」」」」
Right on cue, Aina and the others were coming out of the bath as well.
Yeah. That’s some perfect timing.
「Ah, I knew it! Shiro! I couldn’t find you and of course you went to Master’s place!」
「You were told not to do that, remember?!」
「Hmm? Shiro is a child, so I just went in with my guardian」
「Do you really think that excuse is going to work…?」
「I do」
「Shiro, what would you have done if another man saw you?」
「Knock him out the moment he stepped in」
「That would be a crime…」
Listening to Aina and the others talk, I realized again how much I liked this kind of atmosphere.
「My liege? You need to properly scold her too, you know?」
「Yeah. But we’ll catch a chill, so let’s continue this in the room」
Tonight, we were all staying in the same room together.
It reminded me of school trips, but thinking about tomorrow, I knew we couldn’t stay up too late.
When we got back to the room, the first thing we did was push the beds together to make one big bed.
We’d already gotten permission to move them, so there was no problem.
However…
「…What?」
「Well… can you really sleep like that?」
「It can’t be helped. Wendy and Shiro said they’d give up their spots this time, but there’s three of us. I’m the lightest, so I’ll sleep here…」
Sorte’s spot was basically right on top of me.
Normally, Shiro occasionally sleeps there.
「If you don’t like it, I can switch」
「I can too」
With both my arms already taken, Aina and Renge spoke to Sorte from either side.
「I never said I didn’t like it. I’m fine here…」
「Ah, well, as long as you can sleep… just don’t wiggle around too much」
「Hold on. Almost… okay, this feels right」
She wriggled around for a bit and finally settled into position.
「Then I’ll pull the covers over us」
「Hmm」
Wendy and Shiro laid the blanket over us, completely covering Sorte’s head. She clutched the blanket and peeked out her face.
We ended up face-to-face, stacked like layers, and when I looked down, my eyes met hers just as she poked out.
「…Good night, my lord」
「Y-Yeah. Good night」
That’s kind of embarrassing!
What I felt against my chest was small, but there was a definite soft sensation through the fabric.
And then there was the warm, fluffy feeling of her tail.
I had the urge to pet it, but unfortunately, both my arms were already occupied.
The pressure on my arms increased as the softness around me pulled tighter, almost as if I were being embraced.
It was like being sealed in by girls.
Surrounded by their unique scent, I felt a little dizzy but endured it.
I had to endure it.
Would I really be able to sleep tonight…?
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