New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (1/1 chapter)

 

 

At the Inn by the Sea

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

We had arrived at today’s lodging.

“Damn, this is really nice.” (Gentoku)

The inn was by the sea, a little ways outside the center of town. But maybe because of the ocean view, there were plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, making it just as lively as the town center. The place we’d stay in was like a five-story building.

Reinforced concrete… no, that’s not it. I know a little about construction, and this was a hybrid structure, wooden build reinforced with steel beams.

The walls were painted white, probably to protect the wood from rotting due to the sea breeze. The parking lot was big, and several carriage-wagons like the one we rode were parked there.

“Ossan, let’s check in.” (Rosso)

“Yeah.” (Gentoku)

Of course, this world has no phones or internet.

There’s no such thing as an inn reservation system. You just show up and ask, “We want to stay tonight, do you have rooms?”. But there were quite a lot of wagons parked outside. Would they even have vacancies?

We entered the first floor. There was a lobby and lounge, where swimsuit-clad girls and beastfolk were chatting while drinking tropical drinks. There were also fat middle-aged men and muscular guys.

Behind Rosso and the others, I asked Ao.

“H-hey… can a fancy inn like this really have open rooms? It’s vacation season now, right? Wouldn’t everything be full?” (Gentoku)

In my world, during summer vacation, if you went on a trip, you normally booked inns and trains at least a month in advance. Showing up today, now, and expecting to stay… I feel uneasy.

Ao shook her head.

“Oh my, thank you once again for every year. To the members of Scarlet Camellia. We have prepared the same rooms as usual.” (Innkeeper)

“Yup. Ah, can we add one more room? That one’s for Ossan.” (Rosso)

“Certainly.” (Innkeeper)

Just like that, the rooms were secured.

While I stood there dumbfounded, Ao patted my back.

“See, it was fine.” (Ao)

“Y-yeah… you guys are really amazing.” (Gentoku)

Our rooms were on the fifth floor. I thought we’d need stairs, but there was an elevator. Of course, it was a magic tool. Buttons for floors one through five, push one, and it would take you there.

“I see… so this is a magic tool. If there’s an elevator, escalators might also be possible.” (Gentoku)

“Ojisan, you’ve got your work-face on.” (Rosso)

“Ah, yeah… you’re right. I need to forget work. This is vacation.” (Gentoku)

We arrived at the fifth floor.

And damn, all the rooms were suites.

“We three are sharing a room, and Ossan gets the private room next door. Well then, I’m sweaty, so I’ll shower.” (Rosso)

“Then, Ojisama, please feel free to spend your time as you wish today.” (Blanche)

“Ojisan, for dinner… if you wanna join, just call us.” (Ao)

“Nah, I’ll be drinking, so you three enjoy yourselves. Cleaning’s tomorrow, right?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Tomorrow after breakfast, we’ll go. We’ll come fetch you from your room.” (Ao)

“Later, Ossan. Don’t drink too much.” (Rosso)

The three of them entered their room.

Now then, my room. They said it’s a private one…

“Ohhh.” (Gentoku)

It was an incredible room. A fluffy bed, luxury furniture, a hammock on the balcony, even a refrigerator with an ice-maker.

“Whoa, this fridge and ice-maker… that’s the new model from Alexandrite Company, isn’t it?” (Gentoku)

The ice was already made, and the fridge was stocked with fruit and fruit water.

I put ice in a glass, poured fruit water, and stepped onto the balcony. Shaded by the roof, the sea breeze was pleasant. I sipped the tropical drink and lay in the hammock.

“…Vacation.” (Gentoku)

It had begun. My ocean vacation at a resort.

“Fu, fufufu, fufufufufu… this is making me laugh. I’ve got my phone, but no internet. Can’t even watch baseball. But right now, this is insanely fun.” (Gentoku)

I took out a cigarette and lit it. There was an ashtray, custom-made from a split coconut shell.

“Alright. Time to fully enjoy this vacation.” (Gentoku)

And so, my seaside resort vacation began.

 

—

 

I felt so comfortable I ended up falling asleep. The outside sky had turned completely orange… damn.

“…Uwooo.” (Gentoku)

Perfect timing, the moment the sun vanished on the horizon. Orange sky, sparkling sea, the sun sinking into the horizon. I’d never seen such a sight.

‘Gentoku, wanna try surfing?’ (Dad)

‘Sounds great. Grandpa will teach you.’ (Grandpa)

Suddenly, I remembered my childhood.

“…Haha.” (Gentoku)

Come to think of it, my dad and grandpa used to fight over who would get to spank me.

“…Damn.” (Gentoku)

I wiped my eyes… what the hell.

“…Dad, Grandpa. I’m doing fine. In another world… I’m living with the skills you taught me. Just like Grandpa said… I didn’t marry, I’m walking my own life.” (Gentoku)

Dad, Grandpa… I’m really happy right now.

 

—

 

Now then, after the emotions settled, time to go drinking. It had been a while since I was alone. According to Ao, “this area is safe”, so it was fine to go out solo.

“Ohh, feels like a whole street of food stalls.” (Gentoku)

A wide, well-paved main street, lined on both sides with restaurants and inns. In a slightly open space along the way, rows of stalls were set up.

Yeah… having a vacation house near a food street like this would be nice.

“Alright, maybe a drink first, then food. Wonder if there’s ramen… nah, probably not.” (Gentoku)

Someday I should try making ramen myself. I’d made soba before, so I think I could manage noodles. For soup, maybe seafood-based salt. If miso or soy sauce existed, that’d be great. I’d made char siu before. Menma… is that made from bamboo? Maybe impossible.

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“Hm?” (Gentoku)

While thinking, I looked down and saw a cat at my feet.

No… not a cat. A girl with cat ears. She grabbed my pants and stared up at me.

“What’s this, are you lost?” (Gentoku)

“Uu…” (Yuki)

“Hey, what’s wrong? Oi, don’t pull me.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaaa.” (Yuki)

The white-haired cat-ear girl tugged me along.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go with you. Want me to carry you?” (Gentoku)

“Nya.” (Yuki)

“Oh… Ossan?!” (Rosso)

What timing. Just as I picked up the girl, Rosso and the others came walking.

Blanche tilted her head.

“Oh my, who’s that child?” (Blanche)

“She tugged me over… looks like she’s in trouble, so I just…” (Gentoku)

“Ojisan, you’re kind.” (Ao)

“Cat ears, so cute. She’s beastkin, right. So, where to?” (Rosso)

“Nyaauu.” (Yuki)

The girl pointed toward the plaza.

“Perfect, we were just about to eat before heading back. Let’s go together.” (Rosso)

“Yes, it’s an escort mission.” (Blanche)

“Leave it to us.” (Ao)

“Well, alright then. Hey you, what’s your name?” (Gentoku)

“Yuki.” (Yuki)

A white catkin, Yuki. Good name.

Blanche took out a handkerchief and wiped Yuki’s face and dirt. Following Yuki’s guidance, we reached the plaza, where in the corner, we heard a voice.

“Yuki!! I told you not to wander off.” (Mother)

“Nyaa…” (Yuki)

“Ah, m-my apologies, honored guests.” (Mother)

Probably her mother, a white catkin woman bowed her head.

“A shop?” (Rosso)

The woman’s stall was honestly shabby. What she sold were sweet potato-looking tubers. Misshapen, just roasted. One for 100 Sedol. It didn’t look like business was good.

“This girl led us here but…” (Gentoku)

“I-I’m so sorry. She pretends to lure customers… I keep telling her it’s dangerous, but she won’t top.” (Mother)

“Nya…” (Yuki)

I handed Yuki over, and she buried her face in her mother’s chest.

“Really now… don’t do dangerous things, alright?” (Gentoku)

“…Nya.” (Yuki)

“‘Luring customers’… so this kid does that?” (Rosso)

The mother nodded.

“My husband passed away, so only I can work… this child tries to help, luring customers, but she’s nearly been kicked away many times. Still, she won’t stop.” (Mother)

“I see…” (Gentoku)

“She’s a good girl. Truly.” (Mother)

“Nyaauu.” (Yuki)

Yeah… things like this exist everywhere.

We bought all her potatoes and returned to the inn.

Dinner turned into roasted sweet potatoes. Eating together in my room with Rosso and the others—

“Hm? These are actually pretty sweet.” (Gentoku)

“She said she buys unsellable potatoes cheaply.” (Ao)

“…Delicious.” (Blanche)

“Yeah, tasty. If only she could cook them into something more.” (Rosso)

I asked Blanche something I’d been wondering.

“Hey… are there orphans, in this world too?” (Gentoku)

“There are. Any large country has slums. But… Yuki-chan still has her mother…” (Blanche)

“…So sad.” (Gentoku)

I’d only seen the good sides of this country, but of course, there are hardships too.

“Tomorrow, let’s go again.” (Rosso)

“Yup. Ossan, tomorrow’s cleaning, remember. Don’t be shocked when you see my villa at the ocean floor, alright?” (Ao)

“I’ll definitely be shocked, no doubt.” (Gentoku)

Well then, tomorrow I’ll give it my all with cleaning.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)