Come to think of it…… how many days has it been now?
Let me see…… one, two, three…… It has already been more than seven days, hasn’t it?
Normally, he would drop by from time to time, we would run into each other in town by chance, or he would bring over dinner when he made too much, so we would meet at least once every seven days. But if he is not in the city, of course that cannot happen……
「……to-san?」
The town somehow feels like it is missing a bit of its usual color.
The reception work feels slower than usual, and time seems to pass strangely slowly.
Is this…… what people call loneliness?
……No, no. It is not like we are lovers or anything like that……
「……to-san? Are you listening? Riito-san?」
「Eh? Ah, I’m sorry. I was spacing out.」
「Please do not space out in the middle of a business discussion…… It is rude desu wa.」
「Ah, I’m really sorry…… So, how far did we get?」
「Honestly…… We were talking about which shops to supply to. Your cosmetics have started attracting attention lately, so it is better to decide on a business strategy as soon as possible, is it not?」
「You are right. I am not good with that kind of thing, so it helps a lot. Thank you, Meira-chan.」
「……Please do not call your business partner “chan”.」
Even if she says that, Meira-chan is still Meira-chan.
But this girl really has stayed cute ever since we first met……
No matter how busy she is, she never skips her skin care, which is why she maintains her beauty while improving it day by day. It is truly impressive.
And moreover.
「Ufufu. You are still using my cosmetics.」
「……There is no special meaning behind it. It is simply because the product is good desu wa.」
「Eeeh…… For cosmetics, the big brands like DAHC, Seaside, or Frankel’s products should be higher quality, right～?」
「It is true…… Those three are all very excellent.」
Yes, yes.
The three greats of beauty alchemy, the people I admire.
They are existences far above me, the ones I should strive to reach one day.
My dream is to someday stand shoulder to shoulder with them…… or rather, to see my cosmetics lined up on the shelf right next to theirs.
「……However, I believe Riito-san’s products are just as excellent as theirs. You created performance close to expensive materials using cheap ones so that ordinary citizens could use them, and you spread cosmetics at an affordable price. It is thanks to you that the women of Einzheil are said to be beautiful desu wa.」
「……No, no. I’m just cheap by nature. If I can get the same effect with cheap materials that expensive ones give, then I make more profit and can add one more dish to my dinner, right?」
「In that case, would it not be fine to raise the price of the products we are discussing right now?」
「That’s…… a bit……」
「Honestly…… You are using dragon materials in your cosmetics, so no one would complain if you priced this batch higher……」
That may be true, but…… if I raise the price, the people in town won’t be able to afford them anymore.
But still, dragons really are amazing.
Once dragon materials are absorbed into the skin, their effects last for several months, so the cost performance is excellent!
They also greatly improve moisture retention and boost the effectiveness of other products!
As expected of a dragon. The materials are even rarer than a rare species like me!
Being able to offer them at such a low price is all thanks to kouhai-kun bringing them as a souvenir.
They were so expensive that even buying enough for experiments was difficult……
「I’m really grateful to kouhai-kun for bringing me dragon materials……」
「Kouhai-kun? Ah, that person. Come to think of it, he is in Amatsukuni right now, isn’t he?」
Oh? So Meira-chan also knows that kouhai-kun went to Amatsukuni.
「Knowing him, he is probably causing some kind of trouble in Amatsukuni as we speak.」
「Ah…… Yeah, he probably is. Maybe getting chased around by samurai or something.」
「Speaking of Amatsukuni, Gouki-dono is there too. Perhaps something happened with him?」
「Shion-chan is originally from Amatsukuni, right? So there’s that possibility as well……」
「He might even have done something rude to the fox-shrine-maiden-sama of Amatsukuni.」
「Eeeh. Surely not that～」
The fox-shrine-maiden of Amatsukuni is an existence said to be close to the gods, you know?
No matter how many nobles and royalty kouhai-kun has gotten to know, he does not have any connections or acquaintances of acquaintances in that direction, so surely that is not possible～.
「Surely not, indeed. But even if he did become acquainted with the fox-shrine-maiden-sama, I would not be that surprised.」
「Ahaha. That is true. Still, I hope he is not doing anything dangerous.」
「Yes desu wa…… Well, even if something happens, he will probably pop back home before long.」
「Fufufu. He is Einzheil’s troublemaker, but somehow he gives off a strange sense of reassurance, doesn’t he?」
「He must have been born under that kind of star. Truly, he is never boring desu wa. But…… when he is not around, the town feels a little lonely, doesn’t it?」
Hm? Hmm?
Meira-chan feels lonely……?
That is rare…… right? Could this be……?
My maiden instincts are picking up strong signals!
「Oh my～? You seem to think quite highly of kouhai-kun, Meira-chan.」
「……Why are you grinning like that? If you are going to say that, Riito-san, you seem to be paying quite a lot of attention to him yourself.」
「Of course I am. He is my precious kouhai! As his senpai, I have to take care of him.」
「As his senpai……? For someone who says that, it looks more like you are the one constantly being taken care of, receiving dinner and having your sales channels expanded.」
「Muu……」
It is true that kouhai-kun has helped me a lot.
Of course, there are the souvenirs and materials, and his cooking is always welcome.
It is really delicious! Much warmer and tastier than buying ready-made food from a stall!
Thanks to him, I have been able to make better products, and now I am even having business discussions with Meira-chan like this…… Wait? Am I the one constantly being helped?
No, but I did hug him, and I cut his hair, and at that time I pressed my chest against him as thanks.
In the matter of the Twin Star Beauties, Raz-chan and Cran-chan’s class, I think I was able to contribute, so maybe it balances out…… or does it not?
「Riito-san? My intuition is telling me…… Are you aiming for that person?」
「Me!? Well…… I do like him, but it is more like a cute kouhai…… What about you, Meira-chan?」
「Let me see…… Excluding my father-in-law, he is the person who has caught my interest the most so far. I have even thought about him as a potential future spouse.」
「Spouse!?」
So straightforward and honest……!?
Is this what girls are like nowadays?
Is being able to say you like someone so directly the mark of popular girls these days? Is that the part I’m missing!?
「Even just looking at his unique skill, he is highly capable. His alchemy technique is of course excellent, but his knowledge from another world is also wonderful. With that alone, he has more than enough value for me to let him do as he likes with this body, doesn’t he?」
「Ooh…… Hm? Your body?」
「Ara? Of course. Looking at the people around him, it is clear he is very fond of that sort of thing. If I am going to work with him, I should show the resolve to fulfill any and all of his wishes, should I not?」
「Y-Yeah, maybe……」
Meira-chan is still so young!
You can show a little more youthful innocence, you know!?
You can show me love, romance, the blue spring of youth, sweet-and-sour feelings, or slightly bitter ones mixed with honey, all that kind of stuff!
To jump straight to “body” and “do as he likes”…… Aren’t young girls these days progressing a bit too fast……?
Well, still…… it is true that kouhai-kun really likes that kind of thing……
From what I have heard from Wendy-san and Mizera-chan, he is apparently quite…… um, incredible.
They say he became even more incredible after coming back from Roukaku………… What exactly does “incredible” mean?
Guuuh…… My experience is too low, I cannot even imagine how incredible it is……
But I do have knowledge!
Probably something like that happens, then it gets hard…… and then a lot of…… tight…… more than I can imagine…… Hyaaa! Hyaaaaaaa!
「……ro-san? Riito-san? Are you all right?」
「Fue?」
Oops!
That was close. I got completely lost in my delusions……
Still, though……
「Meira-chan, you really only think about business, don’t you～……」
「Of course desu wa. Even a spouse must be counted as part of one’s fighting strength.」
「How cool. Don’t you ever want to do more sweet and lovey-dovey things?」
Like spending a whole snowy day alone together in a warm room, drinking warm drinks while cuddling, or spending an entire day in bed just flirting without taking a single step out…… Ehehe.
「If it produces profit, then I do not mind doing it.」
「You really are a born merchant…… Then even if kouhai-kun marries Meira-chan, he might not get any love from you……」
「……That part will be taken care of by the other ladies. Even if I convey my small feelings……」
「Hmm?」
What was that cute expression just now!
I definitely did not miss it, kyupiin!
「Ah…… Th-That is not it! Just now was……」
「Hmmn～?」
「E-Exclusive rights were never possible from the start, and since the other ladies love him so much, there is no need for me to do the same…… Why are you grinning like that!?」
Well, because that was properly cute in a young-girl way, wasn’t it?
I see, I see. So even while being passive, that was your excuse to secure your own position.
You do not want to become a burden, but still…… Kuhaa!
Nice, nice! I really like that kind of thing!
「…… Riito-san, what about you!?」
「Me? I…… would be happier if someone loved only me.」
「Then he is not to your liking?」
「I would not say that. But, but, maybe an even better man might appear someday!」
Of course I do not dislike kouhai-kun.
He has many good points, he is considerate, and lately he has also become quite reliable. He clears quite a lot of the conditions I look for in a lover.
Well? The important part about loving only me is already impossible, so I cannot quite say with certainty, “This is the one!”
「That is exactly why you……」
「Did you say something～?」
Is that why?
Are you about to say I am missing my chance to get married～?
Ufufufufu.
「No, nothing. You do have the desire to get married, correct?」
「Of course! I want to marry a wonderful and wealthy husband, become a homemaker, and have two or three children! A boy and a girl, with the girl being the older one. I dream of living happily together, seeing my human husband through to the end of his life, remaining faithful, and then slowly waiting for my own life as a venom human slime to come to an end!」
「That is quite a specific dream desu wa……」
Of course!
You cannot make a dream come true if you do not have one!
「In that case…… shall I introduce some men to you?」
「Eh?」
「With your looks and your skill in alchemy, even taking your special race into account, there would be many suitors. Let me see…… just off the top of my head, I can think of three candidates…… All of them are reasonably young, wealthy, and handsome. Of course, they are ordinary good men with no unusual hobbies.」
Th-Three people?
Three handsome men as my potential lovers!?
Y-Yeah…… but still……
「U-Umm…… Is it all right if I pass for now?」
「Ara? You can say that?」
「Guu…… You really go straight for it, don’t you, Meira-chan?」
「Because every time you drink, you start saying things like 『I want to get married, I want to get married～. When I say “I’m home,” I want someone to say “Welcome back.” I want to be hugged. I want to touch and be touched～. I want to flirt with my husband and feel loved! I want children～!』…… and so on.」
「I don’t remember saying anything like that!?」
Was that supposed to be an impression of me!?
Do I really sound that desperate!?
Well, I don’t remember it at all, so I’m sure it’s a lie!
「You do say it…… By the way, you should stop drinking too much at the shop…… When you throw up, the toxicity is so strong that the entire shop has to be decontaminated……」
Uuu…… I do regret that……
Eeeh…… but I really don’t have any memory of saying it……
Am I actually that starved without even realizing it……?
「……Shall I introduce them after all?」
「Uuu…… No tnx, I don’t need any! I’ll find someone myself! And if it doesn’t work out in the end, I’ll have kouhai-kun take responsibility and accept me……!」
「Please stop saying “tnx” at your age…… I do not know what kind of responsibility you mean…… but I hope that slot does not remain empty either.」
TN: She’s basically acting cute. I can’t think of how to make that line cute so just leave it like that.
In this world with polygamy, there are still slots left!?
What? Even for a side position, good catches have waiting lists?
Do I need to make a reservation early～!?
「Now then. Let us return to the business discussion. Money widens your options. Even if you live alone, money makes many things possible……」
「Uuu～! Meira-chan, you’re so mean～!」
I-I’m fine!
Even without relying on kouhai-kun, I’m sure I’ll meet someone someday!
A handsome, wealthy prince of destiny who will love only me～!
……But maybe, just in case, I should casually talk to kouhai-kun about it next time.
It’s a bit embarrassing, but…… if I bring up how I helped him last time, he’ll probably accept, right? Right!?
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