New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Enjoying Life

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Alright, the fourth one is complete.” (Gentoku)

I had completed the fourth water scooter.

Three were for Rosso’s group, and one was for myself. I ended up making three to avoid quarrels. Furthermore, I even varied the colors, red, blue, and white, each chosen with them in mind.

This way, when they come, there will be no need for them to fight over it.

“Aah~ I am exhausted. I shall call this the end of today’s labor and rest a while… wait!! It is not ‘the end of today’s labor’ at all!! Why am I still working!?” (Gentoku)

A self-retort… No, truly, why am I earnestly doing such a thing?

It had been half a day since Sandrone departed, and yet, here I remained in the underground chamber, crafting magical tools. Not only magical tools. I had also made a beach parasol, and even a portable refrigerator… no, more accurately, a cooler box that even I could carry.

Am I truly so unable to restrain myself, that I must continue creating various things?

“No, no, this will not do!! I must properly enjoy the resort!! Very well, to the beach I go!!” (Gentoku)

I placed drinks and snacks into the cooler box, and carried with me the freshly made beach parasol, beach chair, and foldable table to the sandy shore. I planted the parasol, set the chair, and arranged the table. At my feet, I placed the cooler box, and atop the table, I placed drinks and an ashtray.

Changing into swimwear, I laid back upon the beach chair.

“Phew…” (Gentoku)

The sound of the waves was near, and the blinding sunlight was blocked by the parasol. The sea breeze caressed my body, and perhaps due to fatigue, drowsiness began to seize me. From the cooler box, I retrieved chilled fruit water, and poured it into a glass already cooled with ice.

“Were I to add fruit and turn this into a tropical drink, it would be splendid… yet that much effort is troublesome.” (Gentoku)

Upon drinking the fruit water, a pleasant sweetness spread within my mouth. For a snack, dried nuts. I lit a cigarette, inhaled, and exhaled the smoke.

“Fuu~…” (Gentoku)

This was perfection. This indeed was the resort life. I drew forth the book I had left unfinished, and played a best-of jazz collection stored upon my smartphone. There was even a solar charger, so the battery posed no issue. Fortuitously, this smartphone was recently purchased, though surely, a day would come when it breaks.

Repairing a smartphone, however, is beyond me.

“…” (Gentoku)

For a time, I lost myself in reading, idly resting my body.

 

—

 

“Wake up.” (Sandrone)

“Ngah… aaah? Oh, it is you, Sandrone…” (Gentoku)

It seemed I had fallen asleep. The sky was already dyed in orange, cooler and more comfortable than midday. Yawning, I rose and looked toward Sandrone.

“Do you need something? It should be near time for dinner… fuaaah.” (Gentoku)

“I shall be direct. There is a magical-tool artisan who desires to meet you.” (Sandrone)

“I refuse. I am on vacation.” (Gentoku)

Stretching, I began walking back toward the villa. Leaving the parasol and chair as they were, I carried the cooler box. Then, Sandrone’s gaze fell upon it.

“That, a portable-sized refrigerator… I see. At the beach, one would indeed desire cold drinks and food. And if, instead of handles, one were to add a strap for slinging across the shoulder, it would be easy to carry.” (Sandrone)

“Make one as you like. You have refrigerator technology, do you not? …So, are you still following me? I wish to shower and then eat.” (Gentoku)

“…I know you are on vacation, but could you not indulge me a little?” (Sandrone)

“Ehh~… too troublesome. I do not wish to work.” (Gentoku)

“Please. If you will agree to hear him out, then…” (Sandrone)

Thereupon, Sandrone shifted the front of her dress, displaying the valley of her bosom.

“I shall wear a swimsuit. And play together with you. How does that sound?” (Sandrone)

“What manner of reward is that… haah, very well. I shall at least hear the matter. Where is Richter?” (Gentoku)

“He has secured a room at a nearby establishment. Let us go.” (Sandrone)

“…You are certainly well-prepared.” (Gentoku)

Thus, after showering and changing, I accompanied Sandrone toward the bustling district.

 

—

 

Having readied myself, I walked with Sandrone but a few minutes to the entertainment quarter.

At its entrance stood Richter.

“You have my gratitude for your effort. I shall escort you to the establishment.” (Richter)

“Yo, Richter. Let us drink tonight.” (Gentoku)

“Haha… indeed.” (Richter)

He seemed rather fatigued. The establishment he guided us to possessed great tanks before its entrance. Astounding. The tanks formed the very walls, enclosing the shop within. Upon entering, it was as though one were beneath the sea.

There, the chef took a net and caught fish from the tank, preparing them on the spot. Unbelievably, raw… sashimi was being served.

“Th-this place… could it be, sashimi?” (Gentoku)

“Oh, you are familiar with it. This is an establishment where one may partake in the Eastern custom of ‘sashimi’.” (Richter)

“…Raw? I am somewhat uneasy.” (Sandrone)

“You fool!! It is sashimi, sashimi!! I shall become a regular here. My thanks, Richter!! You have found an excellent place!!” (Gentoku)

“Y-yes. I am honored…” (Richter)

I did not miss it. Upon the table with sashimi rested a small dish. Within, a black liquid. Surely… surely it was.

“Welcome, please follow me to your seats.” (Waiter)

We were guided to a private chamber upon the second floor, from where I gazed at the fish swimming within the tanks. Upon the menu was listed a liquor termed “miscellaneous alcohol”. Though wine and whisky were present, for some reason this alone caught my attention.

As for cuisine, naturally, I ordered “assorted sashimi”. Richter too ordered sashimi, whilst Sandrone requested grilled fish. And the alcohol served was none other than… nihonshu, Japanese sake.

Sandrone inquired of the attendant.

“Water? A peculiar alcohol, is it not?” (Sandrone)

“This is an alcohol refined from mixed grains. In the East, they possess the technology to brew such alcohol.” (Waiter)

“Hmm. Was not mixed grains livestock feed?” (Sandrone)

“Indeed, in this region. Yet in the East, mixed grain cultivation flourishes, and it serves as a staple food in place of bread.” (Waiter)

“I see…” (Sandrone)

“I shall one day journey East. Um, what nation is it called?” (Gentoku)

“An island country named Azuma. Ships do sail there.” (Waiter)

“I am absolutely going next year.” (Gentoku)

“…Why are you so excited?” (Sandrone)

“Idiot!! How could I not be excited by this!!” (Gentoku)

“…Just earlier as well, fool this, idiot that. To me, of all people.” (Sandrone)

“W-well, well. Come now, Ojou, Gentoku-san, let us toast.” (Richter)

I poured the sake from its bottle into a glass (alas, not a tokkuri or ochoko as I had hoped), while Sandrone had wine, and Richter matched me with sake.

Ah, “miscellaneous alcohol”.

We toasted, and I drank the sake.

“Kaaaaaaaaah!! This, this is it!!” (Gentoku)

“…Noisy.” (Sandrone)

“…Indeed, this is quite fine.” (Richter)

“Right!? Hahaha, Richter, you understand!! Good, next time, you and I shall drink here together!!” (Gentoku)

“Y-yes. By all means.” (Richter)

The assorted sashimi was brought forth. It was truly magnificent. Just as I knew, an “assorted sashimi platter” with ice spread upon the dish, upon which were beautifully arranged red and white slices of flesh. And then, the black liquid.

“This is a ‘fish sauce’ made from refined fish. Please dip and partake.” (Waiter)

“I humbly partake!!” (Gentoku)

It was indeed fish sauce. Slightly fishy, but within tolerable range… ah, the sweetness of the sauce harmonized well with the sashimi. The red and white flesh resembled the taste of sashimi I knew, though from fish of another world.

And the sake… sublime!!

“Hahaha… delicious, utterly delicious.” (Gentoku)

“…Now you seem sorrowful? Richter, is Gentoku quite alright?” (Sandrone)

“Er, even I cannot quite…” (Richter)

“Never mind. Now then, Gentoku, let us proceed to the matter.” (Sandrone)

“Excuse me!! Might this miscellaneous sake be warmed for drinking?” (Gentoku)

“Warmed? I have never heard of such. In this land, we drink it chilled.” (Waiter)

“I see. Warmed, it would surely be even better, but so be it. Can it be purchased anywhere?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. At the liquor shop opposite. They carry a wide variety.” (Waiter)

“Excellent!! I shall buy some on the way back.” (Gentoku)

“…Would you please listen to me.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone’s irritation was evident. Forgive me, but in the presence of sashimi and sake, my spirits cannot descend.

“Listen. When I brought your water scooter to the Commerce Guild, by chance a renowned magical-tool artisan beheld it and desired to meet you…” (Sandrone)

“Aahn? Not my concern. Tell them I am on vacation.” (Gentoku)

“You see… that person is from the ‘Witches’ Society,’ a special clan where only the most supreme magical-tool artisans in the world may belong.” (Sandrone)

“I know not, I care not. Hah hah hah!!” (Gentoku)

“…Listen seriously. I shall become angry.” (Sandrone)

“Hmmm~? Very well. And so, a witch? Delivery service?” (Gentoku)

“What nonsense are you uttering… Richter.” (Sandrone)

“My apologies, Gentoku-san.” (Richter)

“Ah, my sake!!” (Gentoku)

My sake and sashimi were seized.

Sandrone brought her face close.

“Listen well. One among the world’s greatest magical-tool artisans gathered in the ‘Witches’ Society’ has taken an interest in you. Do you understand?” (Sandrone)

“…O-oh.” (Gentoku)

“The ‘Aquarius Witch,’ Raslanuf Aquarius… she wishes to take tea with you.” (Sandrone)

“…This suddenly grows fantastical… I am but a magical-tool artisan. What is this Aquarius Witch?” (Gentoku)

“So then, will you meet her, or will you not?” (Sandrone)

“Refuse on my behalf. I have said it many times. I am on vacation, and have no intent to work.” (Gentoku)

“…Very well. I shall convey that.” (Sandrone)

“O-Ojou. Is that alright?” (Richter)

“It cannot be helped. If he has no will, forcing the meeting is meaningless. Besides, were I to compel him and cause him to drift away from me, that would be worse.” (Sandrone)

“Indeed. Thus, the matter of work is concluded. Oi, Sandrone, you drink as well.” (Gentoku)

“…Haah. Very well. Richter, let us drink.” (Sandrone)

“Yes… phew, that is a relief.” (Richter)

That night, Sandrone, Richter, and I reveled together in a merry banquet.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)