Konbini Ossan Volume 6 Chapter 4 — Arrival in the Domain Capital
Our journey continued with the conversation between Arisa and me unresolved.
The atmosphere stayed strained. Kanehama and Mimori looked uncomfortable, and every attempt I made to speak with Arisa was smoothly avoided.
Nothing improved.
In that mood, we finally reached one of our destinations: the domain capital, Waynesvale City.
Arisa had said she wanted to meet the lord of Waynesvale, Marquis Roosevelt, so we sent word immediately upon arrival.
A messenger from the marquis came the same day, saying he could meet us at once, so we headed to the mansion.
On the way, I tried asking Arisa.
“Arisa, what business do you have with the marquis?”
“Leave it to me. It’s something I have to do.”
She wouldn’t give details.
Still, Arisa is a trustworthy subordinate. If she says to leave it to her, then that’s what I’ll do.
More importantly, she has the skill «Calculator». She doesn’t make mistakes.
We arrived at the mansion without incident, and soon the meeting began.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Otogi-dono.”
“Likewise. Thank you for responding despite the sudden notice.”
I shook hands with Marquis Roosevelt.
Present with me were Arisa, for her business, and Kanehama with Mimori as accompanying guests.
“I didn’t expect you to be on friendly terms with the Hero.”
“Yes, I am.”
He said that, though he surely already knew.
The fact that my shop had publicly declared support for one of the hero groups, and that several heroes frequently visited — including Mimori and Matsuriya — would not have been hard to discover.
“I hear you were active on the front-line base as well. Is today’s matter related?”
“No. Today, Arisa here has something she wishes to request, and I only arranged the meeting.”
“Oh? Arisa-san… she is your niece, was she not?”
The marquis’s gaze shifted to Arisa. She straightened her back, as if bracing herself.
“Um, Marquis-sama. I came today because I have a request.”
“A request, hm? Depending on the content, I may consider it. What is it?”
He asked kindly.
Arisa hesitated for a long moment, then finally spoke.
“Please take me as one of your concubines.”
(E/N: I fricking knew it!!!! F*ck me sideways! 😠😠😠ðŸ˜)
The words were so unexpected that my mind went blank.
“Hm. Do you understand what you’re asking?”
“Yes. I researched it, thought about it, and decided. I know this is the best choice. Please.”
“And yet you don’t look happy about it.”
The marquis gave her a probing look — then turned a sharper one toward me.
A look that demanded: what is going on?
I hurriedly questioned Arisa.
“Arisa! Are you certain about this?”
“I said I am. Why are you panicking now? You knew this was the best answer too, didn’t you?”
“That is…”
It was true.
I had considered it before. Becoming a concubine of the Marquis of Waynesvale was, objectively, the best marriage prospect for Arisa.
The marquis, from what I’ve seen, is not a bad person. He also cannot abuse his authority with her — because he must maintain relations with me, his supplier.
And he is young, handsome, and blonde — far better suited for Arisa than someone like me.
Unlike me, he would not cast a shadow over her future.
But the suddenness of it was staggering.
Arisa had told me, only recently, that she still loved me.
Not that I felt longing, but… it meant she didn’t love this marquis as a man.
So why this, so suddenly?
Thoughts swirled uncontrollably, leaving me unable to speak.
As I struggled, Arisa continued, pushing the conversation forward.
“Marquis-sama, your answer?”
“Hm. I have no objections. But are you truly fine with this?”
“Yes. This is the greatest happiness for me.”
Her voice held weight, the weight of true conviction.
If Arisa truly believed this was her path to happiness…
Then I had nothing to deny it with.
Her life is hers to choose.
I am only the cursed man who named her; my judgment has no value.
And she has «Calculator», the skill that never errs.
I had nothing left to say.
The marquis watched me for a while. Seeing that I said nothing, he gave her his decision.
“Very well. I was prepared to welcome you from the beginning. We shall proceed on that course.”
“Thank you.”
“I will send the formal documents to the capital later. Until then, continue your life as usual.”
“Understood.”
Their exchange — dry, procedural — reached my ears faintly.
But my mind refused to process any of it.
The voices drifted away, distant and hollow, as if fading into the distance.
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E/N:
Huh? I'm crying… Why does my heart hurt so much? What is this…?
Wow, this is just like the time when I read "I want to eat your pancreas" LN and watched the near-final episodes of "Toradora".
But, «Calculator» was mentioned twice and it never errs… Can we have hope…?
Please do forgive my outburst, orz! Stay tuned! (2/2 chapter)
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Check out my other project -
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Stopping here, way to close to NTR. I’m done.
ReplyDeleteOof, I know how you feel! But brother/sister, we must hold hope! Don't give up yet! Fight!
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