New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Next after Bicycle

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“…Um, Gentoku-san.” (Abel)

“Ah, oh, Abel.” (Gentoku)

While I was collecting data on Verde riding the bicycle, Abel tapped lightly on my shoulder.

“Uh, um… could you at least listen to the proposal about the joint venture?” (Abel)

“Ah, I will leave that to Sandrone. My apologies. Right now, I wish to live for my hobbies and my sense of romance, so I do not want to involve myself in big projects or troublesome events.” (Gentoku)

“Eh, I see…” (Abel)

“As for myself, I will only accept requests for magical tool repairs. Everything else, I shall leave to Sandrone.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Abel)

Abel was left speechless, and Michaela stood frozen. Then, Sandrone chuckled softly and stepped between us.

“So, it seems Gentoku has no intention of accepting work. If you wish to talk, I will listen instead. What will you do?” (Sandrone)

“…Sandrone. What shall we do, Michaela?” (Abel)

“…Indeed. For now, we shall return for today. Gentoku-sama, until next time.” (Michaela)

“Ah, my apologies.” (Gentoku)

I must have just destroyed an event flag. But I am serious about wanting to focus on motorcycle production. Besides, working in the middle of a love triangle would be nothing but trouble.

Once Michaela and Abel boarded their carriage, it departed. Only Valen and the others remained.

Valen laughed quietly and wiped away a tear.

“Heh heh… truly amusing. Gentoku-san, you are quite an extraordinary man.” (Valen)

“Hm? Extraordinary?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Hardly anyone would dare refuse the request of Michaela, the head of the Four Great Merchant Associations, the Klein Magical Trading Company. If one became involved in her business, they would certainly earn a fortune, and yet, you turned her away without even hearing her out.” (Valen)

“It’s not as though I threw her out. She came without an appointment, demanding a conversation. I have my own schedule too.” (Gentoku)

“That is precisely the point. Normally, it is unthinkable for Michaela to come in person. Even His Majesty the King would make time for her.” (Valen)

“Is that so…” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Ah, you have given me quite the laugh. By the way, what is that?” (Valen)

Valen tilted his head, looking at the bicycle that Rosso and the others were taking turns riding. Ung seemed indifferent, but Lind appeared restless.

“Heh heh heh. It is the first step toward a man’s romance.” (Gentoku)

“I-I see.” (Valen)

Hey, why are you pulling away? Ah, I must resume data collection.

“My apologies. Let us stop here for today.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. We are sorry for visiting so suddenly.” (Valen)

“No problem. If you come by personally, you’re always welcome. Invitations for food or drinks are fine anytime.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, certainly.” (Valen)

Valen smiled, then left with Ung and Lind.

“Yahoo! Ossan, this is fun!” (Rosso)

“Hm? H-hey, Rosso, doing wheelies is dangerous!” (Gentoku)

While I had looked away for just a moment, Rosso was riding on one wheel.

 

—

 

Now then, I managed to gather plenty of good data.

While Rosso and the others took turns playing on the bicycle, I sat at the workshop table, organizing data and drafting reports while adding notes to the motorcycle’s design blueprints.

“Hey, Gentoku.” (Sandrone)

“Ah. Wait a bit, I am almost done summarizing the bicycle’s improvement points.” (Gentoku)

“…You really are a remarkable man.” (Sandrone)

“…You too, huh.” (Gentoku)

When I looked up, Sandrone was smiling. I set down my pen and took out an ashtray.

In the corner of the workshop was a small rest area with a sofa, table, and ashtray. I sat there, and Sandrone joined me, taking out her kiseru. Richter lit it for her with a match.

“Phew… I never imagined you would say such a thing to Michaela.” (Sandrone)

“Was that bad? I mean, she’s your childhood friend, right?” (Gentoku)

“Richter, did you…?” (Sandrone)

“Ugh, m-my apologies.” (Richter)

Richter had talked quite freely under the influence of drink, after all.

I lit a cigarette and tapped the ash into the tray.

“Hey, is Michaela a good person?” (Gentoku)

“…Who knows? Honestly, I do not like her much. She used to be a cute girl who simply followed behind me, but she began copying me, doing everything better, and before I knew it, she had vanished. Then one day, she reappeared with overwhelming power, once again standing not behind me but ahead.” (Sandrone)

“You dislike that?” (Gentoku)

“…It unsettles me. I was cast off from my engagement and driven from my family, so I tried to live on my own by founding a trading company. Then that girl, whom I thought long gone, suddenly appeared before me again, saying, ‘I will help you,’ from a height far above me. I rejected her and kept avoiding her.” (Sandrone)

“I see.” (Gentoku)

“But as I continued my business, I found myself thinking of her more often. I never told you this, but every time the Alexandrite Trading Company grew, I would wonder about Michaela, whether I was beneath her feet or not.” (Sandrone)

“And now?” (Gentoku)

“…I believe I am beneath her feet. The Alexandrite Trading Company has grown greatly, yet Michaela’s Klein Magical Trading Company stands at a far higher summit.” (Sandrone)

I pressed out my cigarette in the ashtray and lit another.

“What kind of place is the Klein Magical Trading Company?” (Gentoku)

“I shall explain.” (Richter)

As always, Richter gave an easy-to-understand explanation.

“The Klein Magical Trading Company is the world’s largest magical tool trading company, employing 40 percent of all magical tool engineers in existence. It handles not only magical tools but also daily goods, precious metals, and miscellaneous items, with branches in many nations. The Alexandrite Trading Company has grown, but in scale, the Klein Magical Trading Company still surpasses it.” (Richter)

“Oh, that large?” (Gentoku)

“Yes, tremendously so.” (Richter)

Well, they are not doing anything underhanded, and it is not like with Barion where I had to compete. Or at least, I hope not.

Just in case, I reminded Sandrone.

“Sandrone. I have said this many times, but I am merely a magical technician. Do not drag me into troublesome affairs.” (Gentoku)

“I probably will not be the one to do so. As a company head, she is the wall I must surpass. However, I am a little curious about the joint venture she mentioned with you.” (Sandrone)

“I absolutely will not do it. It sounds like a hassle. I will not trigger any events.” (Gentoku)

“I do not quite understand what you mean but do as you please.” (Sandrone)

Just then, Hikoroku arrived, carrying Yuki-chan and Kuroha-chan on his back, while little Lisa-chan pedaled a tricycle.

“Nyaa, Oji-chan!” (Yuki)

“Gauu!” (Kuroha)

“Kyuuun!” (Lisa)

“Oh, the little ones. You came to play?” (Gentoku)

Yuki-chan and Kuroha-chan leaped down from Hikoroku’s back and ran toward me.

“Nyaa! Oji-chan, I want one like Lisa’s vehicle!” (Yuki)

“Gauu, me too!” (Kuroha)

“Kyuuun, Oji-chan. Please make one for the two of them too.” (Lisa)

Ah, as expected, they want one now. After borrowing Lisa-chan’s and playing with it, they must have decided they wanted their own. They play together often, so I had anticipated this.

Yuki-chan clung to my back, rubbing her head against me, while Kuroha-chan playfully nibbled on my arm.

“…You are quite popular.” (Sandrone)

“Shut it. Alright, I will make two for you as well. Now, let’s have some sweets.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

“Garuruu.” (Kuroha)

“Ossan! Can I take off the wheels at the back? I think I can ride without them!” (Rosso)

Rosso wanted to remove the training wheels.

Hey, it has not even been an hour since he started riding.

“…Oji-san, this is fun.” (Ao)

“Fufu. It is delightful.” (Verde)

“I want one too. Hey, make one for each of us!” (Blanche)

Good grief. The bicycle and tricycle I built for motorcycle data collection have turned into something else entirely. It seems I will have to make one for everyone first.

 

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