Konbini Ossan Volume 4 Chapter 31 — The Old Man, at Crossroads
After resolving the issue with the orphanage kids, I finally returned to my own shop — the Dwarven Cave Magic Tool Store — for the first time in a while.
By the time I got back, the sun had already set, and the lights in the nearby houses were beginning to fade.
I’d spent too much time indulging little Rosa, and before I knew it, the day was over.
“Welcome back, old man.”
Arisa, who was on night shift at the shop, greeted me with a bright smile.
“I’m home, Arisa.”
When I replied, she nodded in satisfaction.
“So, things at the factory and orphanage are finally settled?”
“Yes. I believe it’s much more stable now than before. That said, I’ll still need to keep developing new items, so I won’t be able to stay in the shop all day like I used to.”
“I see. Well, I’m just glad you’re back at all.”
Her bashful smile made my heart skip for a moment. I immediately scolded myself for letting such impure thoughts surface and steered the conversation elsewhere.
“By the way, did anything unusual happen at the shop while I was away?”
“Hmm, not really unusual… but there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
Arisa glanced at me nervously, her eyes darting as if she were trying to gauge my reaction.
“What is it?”
“About that rumor — the one about you and me.”
A bad feeling prickled the back of my neck. And sure enough, my premonition hit the mark.
“Apparently, the neighbors think we’re, uh… husband and wife. And it seems even the employees believe it too.”
“I see.”
I had expected this might happen someday, but it was still troublesome now that it had.
From the world’s perspective, Arisa and I already looked like a married couple. This needed to be addressed properly. I had to take responsibility.
“In that case,” she continued hesitantly, “about that rumor… are you going to take responsibility for it?”
“Of course.”
I answered immediately, and Arisa’s expression lit up with relief.
But as I went on, her face began to cloud over again.
“First, I’ll explain everything. I’ll make sure everyone knows you’re my niece — that there’s nothing between us romantically.
…
I only took you in because you had nowhere to go. I’ll clear up the misunderstanding so no one gets the wrong idea and hurts your reputation.”
“Huh?”
“It would be terribly unfair for someone as young as you to be tied to an old man like me.
…
I’ll take responsibility for causing any confusion that could damage your future.”
Her face twisted between anger and sorrow as she grabbed at me.
“That’s not what I meant! I don’t want you to fix the rumor that way!”
“There’s no need to worry. You’re still young, Arisa. If you look, you’ll surely find someone wonderful. Until you do, I’ll help you however I can.
…
Don’t let a silly rumor stop you from meeting someone good. Think about your future, and choose someone worthy.”
“I already have!”
Her voice cracked as she shouted.
“You know who I mean, don’t you? It’s you, old man! I love you! The one I want to marry, the one I want to spend my life with — it’s you! I love you, Yuuichi-oniichan!”
Her words trembled, as did her voice. It was a confession from the heart.
But it couldn’t be.
I was her uncle. She was my niece. That bond made marriage impossible. I couldn’t let her throw away her future for the sake of a worn-out old man like me.
Besides, I had no right — no worth — to be with her.
I’d already known how she felt. Her behavior, her kindness, the way she smiled at me — it all said enough.
But that’s exactly why… I’d already decided what I must say when this day came.
“No, Arisa. Someone like me isn’t right for you. Someday, you’ll meet someone much better — someone who’ll make you truly happy. That’s why… you mustn’t choose me.”
A sharp slap! echoed through the room.
“You’re such an idiot, Yuuichi-oniichan!”
Arisa shouted, tears streaming down her face, then ran upstairs — abandoning her post, fleeing to her room.
She probably wouldn’t come out tonight.
And most likely… she now hated me.
But that was fine.
It had to be this way.
Even if we both felt the same — even if regret tore at me — this was still the only right choice.
Because Arisa’s happiness must come before mine.
A rift had opened between us.
For a while, things between Arisa and me would remain strained.
But she was still the main heroine of this story.
And someday, we would make peace again.
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E/N:
I had forgotten that Ossan had very low self-esteem… Ossan, you dense ahh muhfugger! Make up fast or it might get ugly! Stay tuned!
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