Konbini Ossan Volume 4 Chapter 6 — A Done Deal
When I finally spoke with Maria, she frowned slightly and asked me this:
“Did you say the same sort of thing to Shirley-san?”
“Yes. Why? Was that a problem?”
When I asked back, Maria sighed as if exasperated, then explained.
“Haah. I always thought Otsugi-sama lacked a bit of common sense, but this — this is not so good.”
“Oh? I’d like to hear more about that.”
“Very well. When a successful adventurer quits the trade and opens a private shop, then takes along his exclusive receptionist… that usually means he’s keeping her as his lover or mistress.”
At her words, my mind went blank for a moment.
Then, rebooting quickly, I recalled Shirley-san’s recent behavior.
“Ah, I see. Leaving her ‘kept’ while handing over the work, then going off somewhere else — it would look like the act of an unfaithful man.”
“Not just ‘look like.’ It is unfaithful. What did Shirley-san say?”
“When I explained I’d return to the shop once things settled at the factory, she seemed relieved.”
“Without a doubt, she thinks she’s going to be your bride.”
I see, I see. So that’s what this is.
“I’d like to put this matter off for now.”
“If you don’t talk it through soon, it will turn into something ugly, you know?”
“Yes, but until I think of a good solution, I’d rather play dumb than poke the hornet’s nest.”
Maria glared at me with narrowed eyes.
Yes, I know. By any measure, this is rotten behavior. But what can I do? Accidentally proposing without realizing it leaves me no proper way to respond.
“So, for the time being, could I ask you to keep this matter a secret?”
“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. Stirring things up without reason will only cause confusion.”
With that, Maria let out another sigh.
“To begin with, with Otsugi-sama’s means, it wouldn’t be strange to keep all three of us. Frankly, deciding to take that resolve would be the cleanest solution.”
“Wait, three? What do you mean by that?”
When I asked, Maria’s eyes grew even sharper.
“Myself, Shirley-san, and Arisa-san.”
“Even Arisa-san?”
“From society’s point of view, Otsugi-sama has already ‘taken’ Shirley-san.
…
And since you’ve entrusted me with the same position — if not higher — than hers, everyone assumes you’re keeping us all as mistresses. In fact, until just now, that’s what I believed too.”
I see. So being a former adventurer carries that implication. It’s far from the mindset of modern Japan — I hadn’t considered it at all.
“Among us, Arisa-san has been with you longer than Shirley-san or me, and thanks to her skill she holds final decision-making authority. Naturally, I thought you were going to make her your lawful wife.
…
Then today, when you said ‘I’ll focus on the factory, so I leave the shop to you,’ it sounded like a letter of severance. Honestly, it shook me quite a bit.”
“Truly, I… I’m sorry.”
For now, all I can do is apologize.
“Well, I’ve already decided to support Otsugi-sama, so I’ll take this as a good thing — that we’ve now established a fait accompli.”
“Eh, wait, I have no plans of marrying just yet—”
“If you don’t even keep us as mistresses now, then society will think we’re worthless women. You’ll take responsibility for that, won’t you?”
Indeed, Maria is right. Acting on my own convenience and causing these three to be slandered is unacceptable.
If things went poorly, that bad reputation could even ruin their chances at marriage.
I never imagined trouble would arise in this way. Unexpected as it is, it’s something I can’t ignore.
“My apologies, but for now I’d like to keep this on hold.”
“Very well. I’ll be waiting for a proper answer.”
Maria ended with a smile — broad, dazzling, and somehow intimidating.
No, I’m certain it wasn’t just my imagination.
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E/N:
"Arisa too?", what do you even mean ffs?! 😂 That's your sister's child! 💀
And then this Maria! She really has a way with her words! Ossan was her goal after all, Ossan run! 😂
Stay tuned!
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Check out the other project I'm working on - Soul Devourer of Infinite Growth
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Konbini Ossan was not prepared for the attack from Maria.
ReplyDeleteSuccubus attack~ lel
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