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

 

 

End of Vacation, Return to the Edelstein Kingdom

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Several days had passed since the Kraken’s attack.

First, Rosso and her companions received rewards from the Zanad royal family as heroes who had saved the nation. As promised, they did not mention my involvement in any way, and their renown as national heroes increased accordingly.

When asked about the vehicles they had used, they responded that they were new products of the Alexandrite Trading Company, which caused a rush of reporters and newspapers to the Zanad branch. There, Sandrone seized the opportunity to widely promote the ‘underwater scooter’ and the ‘magical apparatus boat’, increasing the notoriety of the Alexandrite Trading Company as well.

People flocked to the branch, eager for the product’s release.

“Every day, reporters, tourists, local residents, and fishermen come by. It is still in development, so it has not been commercialized yet.” (Sandrone)

“Then… why not implement a reservation system? Or, alternatively, announce the release date officially?” (Gentoku)

“Huh? Reservation?” (Sandrone)

“Yes. People come to ask when it will be available, do they not? In that case, have them write down their name and address in front of the store and provide them a voucher. On the day of release, they exchange the voucher for the product. This way, you can understand the number of units needed, and even if the store becomes crowded, money exchange is unnecessary with the voucher system.” (Gentoku)

“…That is an excellent idea.” (Sandrone)

“Yes. It is also prudent to set the release date properly, ensuring sufficient preparation time.” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Measures against voucher forgery… can be managed with magic. Limiting the exchange to vouchers will reduce congestion. Very well… have the newspapers promote the reservation system so that we can prepare in advance.” (Sandrone)

A few days later, the newspapers carried the headline: “New Products from the Alexandrite Trading Company Now Available for Reservation”. Reservations for the underwater scooters and magical apparatus boats poured in, matching or slightly exceeding the anticipated numbers. The projections had been remarkably high, even astonishing Sandrone herself.

 

—

 

The three members of Scarlet Camellia seemed to have little leisure time, as additional requests kept arriving even after their fame grew. Snow-san, too, was busy taking care of them, leaving little opportunity to attend to Yuki-chan. Thus, Yuki-chan occasionally came to visit my villa atop Hikoroku.

“Nyaa~” (Yuki)

“Hahaha, is it delicious?” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

When I prepared hotcakes, she was greatly pleased.

Rosso and her companions quickly completed their additional requests and finally began enjoying a genuine vacation. They stayed at my villa, played with the underwater scooter, and Ao and I went offshore in a boat to fish. At noon, Snow-san prepared a barbecue, and in the evening, we ventured to the entertainment district, where we met with Sandrone for lively festivities.

The delightful hours of vacation passed swiftly.

 

—

 

One day, Sandrone came to my villa alone.

“I granted Richter a few days off. Everyone needs time alone occasionally.” (Sandrone)

“I see. And you?” (Gentoku)

“Of course, I came to play… fufu, I will show you my swimsuit.” (Sandrone)

Sandrone appeared on the beach wearing a black bikini.

My goodness… her figure is like that of a model from Paris Collections. Her proportions are perfect, where it should emerge, it does, where it should recede, it recedes. Her flawless skin bear not a single blemish, her long hair is neatly tied, and she wears a straw hat.

“How do I look?” (Sandrone)

“Like a goddess.” (Gentoku)

“Fufu, thank you. But you… are not very interested in me, are you?” (Sandrone)

When Sandrone leaned forward, her ample cleavage became visible.

It was peculiar. Though it appeared erotic, I felt no excitement whatsoever. I reaffirmed my understanding, she was merely a professional colleague, and nothing more.

“I am interested, yes? I would like to fondle those breasts and pull off the swimsuit to see you fully exposed.” (Gentoku)

“…You can say such things to me so casually. I truly think that is remarkable.” (Sandrone)

“Is that so? Well, I have zero intention of entering that kind of relationship with you, and you feel the same, do you not?” (Gentoku)

Hearing this, Sandrone looked momentarily blank before letting out a quiet laugh.

“Yes. You are amusing and intriguing… but not a man. Nor family. You are like a mirror showing me my true self without embarrassment.” (Sandrone)

“A mirror?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. No one feels embarrassed seeing themselves in a mirror, yet we see it every day… naturally. That is what you are. Does that make sense?” (Sandrone)

“Hm… I do not understand. Very well, swim or rest as you wish. I will read.” (Gentoku)

“Then, I shall do the same. By the way, this is not a tarp, is it… what is it?” (Sandrone)

“A beach parasol. And, no business talk.” (Gentoku)

Sandrone and I sat on beach chairs and read.

Only the sound of waves, the scent of the wind, and the brilliance of the sun existed between us. At noon, we ate my special fried rice. In the afternoon, Sandrone enjoyed the seawater along the shoreline, fully appreciating the ocean.

I watched her and surrendered to a pleasant drowsiness.

 

—

 

Time flowed… and September arrived.

The tropical nation of Zanad remained hot as ever, yet the Edelstein Kingdom would enter autumn in one month. It was time to consider returning.

Sandrone and the others left, stating, “We will leave it to the branch manager and return first”. The Alexandrite Trading Company’s Zanad branch was performing well, with the underwater scooters and magical apparatus boats scheduled for release in a few days.

I inquired with the visiting Rosso, Snow-san, and Yuki-chan.

“Now, we should start considering returning to the Edelstein Kingdom.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, we have played enough, and it is already September. Oji-sama, when will you return?” (Rosso)

“I will follow your lead. Well, my belongings are just a change of clothes, and once we close this place and place it under the Real Estate Guild’s management, we can return anytime.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaaa~” (Yuki)

Yuki-chan, held by Snow-san, approached me. I sat her on my thigh and stroked her head.

“…Our requests are complete, and we are merely playing. We can return at any time.” (Snow)

“Indeed. Yet, we wish to purchase souvenirs.” (Blanche)

“Yes, yes. Snow-san, is Yuki-chan ready?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. We disposed of her previous residence, and her belongings are few.” (Snow)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“Then, we shall prepare. Shall we return in about three days? We will arrange a wagon to meet us then.” (Blanche)

Thus, my vacation concluded, and we prepared to return to the Edelstein Kingdom.

 

—

 

The day before departure, I completed the procedures to place the villa under the management of the Real Estate Guild. From that point onward, the guild would handle management, cleaning, security against intruders, and patrols. There was nothing of value to steal, so it was not an issue.

Alone, I gazed at the night sky from the wooden deck.

“It was a good vacation… villa, private beach, swimsuits, resort…” (Gentoku)

Tomorrow, I would return to the Edelstein Kingdom. A month-long vacation had come to an end. Though its content had been intense, it had left good memories.

“Soon it will be autumn, then winter… I would like to visit a hot spring.” (Gentoku)

I wondered if hot springs existed in this world. If they did, I would love to experience them, to immerse myself in their waters.

“There are still many enjoyable things ahead. But first… I must develop magical apparatuses for autumn and winter, as I promised Sandrone.” (Gentoku)

The sea country Zanad… perhaps I shall return again next year.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)