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

 

 

Another World Bike

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Haa…” (Gentoku)

Several days had passed since the test run of the motorized bicycle.

The data had been gathered, and I was about to begin full-scale motorcycle production, yet somehow I could not find the motivation. Perhaps it was because Rosso and the others… no, Valen and the others had become friendly with one another, that they no longer came to see me.

Yuki-chan and her friends still came to visit, riding their tricycles, but perhaps they had come to dislike me.

At present, I was drinking alone at a standing bar.

“…Well, it cannot be helped.” (Gentoku)

I drank my ale and ate some simmered food.

A standing bar. I was surprised yet pleased to find such an establishment existed even in this world. I asked if they served broth-diluted sake, but alas, they did not. Perhaps I should make oden next time and drink the broth with sake.

While I was drinking ale, a large mug was set down upon my table with a solid thud.

“Mind if I join you?” (Verde)

“Hm? Oh, Verde. Are you alone?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. It seems Rosso and the others find it difficult to face you.” (Verde)

Verde took a sip of her ale, then set her mug down with a firm thud.

“Gentoku, I came to speak with you about Rosso and the others today.” (Verde)

“…About Rosso and the others?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. About their past.” (Verde)

While drinking her ale, Verde began to speak. Rosso and Valen’s feud. Ao and Ung’s discord. Blanche and Lind’s relationship.

After listening to her story, I understood.

“Ah… yes, I suppose it is natural that they cannot get along.” (Gentoku)

“Exactly. And when the person they trusted most is suddenly friendly with the three they hold grudges against, of course that would create complicated feelings.” (Verde)

“…I wonder if they have come to dislike me.” (Gentoku)

“That is not the case. In truth, Rosso and the others simply do not know what to do. They wish to apologize to you, yet they cannot reconcile with Valen and his group. So today they took a subjugation request while still feeling conflicted. Thanks to that, I am having quite the difficult time.” (Verde)

“T-that must be rough…” (Gentoku)

“Haa… you are the type who would assume they hate you, and then end the relationship there, are you not?” (Verde)

I could not deny it.

Sentimental reconciliations are not my style. If Rosso and the others grow to dislike me and distanced themselves, I would accept it.

No matter how close people are, there are moments that make them stop meeting, and from there, they simply drift apart. Among adults, that happens all the time. I can hardly remember the faces or names of my high school classmates anymore.

Of course, I do feel a bit lonely. Yet I am an adult, an old man at that, and have no desire to rush about just to restore a relationship.

“I am not so heartless as to reject them, but I do not intend to force a reconciliation. We did not even have a quarrel, after all.” (Gentoku)

“Rosso and the others are not content with that. They are simply bewildered, since these feelings are new to them.” (Verde)

“Even so, I do not intend to distance myself from Valen and his group. I have no feud with them. To me, they are no different from you and your companions.” (Gentoku)

“Yes, I know that…” (Verde)

“I am who I am. I will not associate with those I dislike, but if I do not dislike them, I will treat them amicably.” (Gentoku)

“I understand. But please, do not forget about Rosso and the others. They truly wish to apologize and return to how things used to be.” (Verde)

“…I see.” (Gentoku)

Verde and I ordered another round of ale and toasted together.

“I am glad it was you who came. You have no past grudges, after all.” (Gentoku)

“…I do not like that fact, but in this case, perhaps it is for the best.” (Verde)

If Rosso and the others come again, I would be sure to welcome them warmly.

 

—

 

A few days later.

While occasionally taking on magical tool repairs, I continued crafting motorcycle parts. The frame, the engine housing, the tank, the magic stone, the tires… each part was carefully crafted. For the magic stone, I used a ten-star grade. I would not hold back.

When all parts were complete, I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

“…All right.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa! Oji-chan, the ball broke!” (Yuki)

I nearly lost my composure.

Just as I was about to begin assembly, Yuki-chan came to me holding a broken ball. There was a small vacant lot next to my workshop. It had become a playground for the children. It used to be filled with materials, but someone had cleaned it up.

Three tricycles were parked there, and Hikuroku was playing with Yuki-chan and her friends.

“Let me see… ah, there is a hole right through it. Did Hikuroku bite it?” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa. Hikuroku scratched it and it broke.” (Yuki)

“I see. All right, wait just a moment.” (Gentoku)

I began crafting something using leftover materials. I burned and softened a Metal Orc’s bone to bend it, cut some leftover Rubber Cobra skin into fine threads, and wove them through the bone. Then, processing the feathers of a Cockatrice and more Rubber Cobra skin, I fashioned them into a “ball”.

“All done. Come, let us go to the vacant lot.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa… what is that?” (Yuki)

At the vacant lot, I showed the children two rackets and the “ball”, which was actually a shuttlecock.

“Grrr… what is that?” (Kuroha)

“It is badminton. This is a racket, and this is the shuttle. Yuki-chan, hold this.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa.” (Yuki)

I lightly struck the shuttle with my racket, and the Rubber Cobra skin’s elasticity sent it flying high.

“Yuki-chan, try hitting it like I did.” (Gentoku)

“N-nyaa!” (Yuki)

With a soft pop, Yuki-chan struck the shuttle. I lightly returned it, and she hit it back. As she got into it, her movements grew sharper.

“Nyaaa!” (Yuki)

“Ha ha, well done. Here it comes!” (Gentoku)

When I returned the shuttle, Yuki-chan swung and missed, and the shuttle fell.

“That is how you play. Here, Kuroha-chan.” (Gentoku)

“Grr! Looks fun!” (Kuroha)

“Squeak! I want to play too!” (Lisa)

“Ha ha ha. Take turns. Whoever drops the shuttle switches out.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa! Then, Lisa, your turn.” (Yuki)

The children began playing badminton. With Hikuroku watching, they would be fine. I returned to my workshop and began assembling the frame with its parts.

 

—

 

After assembling everything and fine-tuning it, it was finally complete.

“…It is done.” (Gentoku)

The exterior was that of a naked bike, but I had added a few cowls to make it my own design. There was no speedometer, nor any need for gasoline. Still, I had attached parts resembling them. I could not make a real speedometer, unfortunately.

I checked the suspension, twisted the throttle on the handlebar, and tested the brake lever.

“…It is done.” (Gentoku)

I said it again.

I could not help but grin. My motorcycle was finally complete. From meticulous data collection to repeated testing and countless design revisions, it was at last finished.

My motorcycle. Entirely original. Every part crafted by my own hands.

“…Alright!!” (Gentoku)

I struck a triumphant pose. This might be the happiest moment I had experienced since coming to this world.

“Alright, calm down… time to start the engine.” (Gentoku)

I inserted the engine key and turned it.

Naturally, there was no engine sound. This key merely controlled the cover to the conduit that sent signals to the magic stone. When the cover closed, the mana pathway was sealed off, and the magic stone would not activate.

I mounted the bike and then…

“My bike… my bike! Whoa, wait.” (Gentoku)

At that moment, I realized something.

“Oh nooo!!” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa?” (Yuki)

“Grr?” (Kuroha)

“Kyuun?” (Lisa)

“Woof?” (Hikuroku)

Startled by my shout, Yuki-chan and the others peeked in.

“Nyaa. Oji-chan, what is wrong?” (Yuki)

“…I forgot the helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots.” (Gentoku)

That was it. I had been so absorbed in the bike that I completely forgot to make protective gear. And no, I was not foolish enough to ride it in my work clothes.

“…It cannot be helped. The test ride will have to wait.” (Gentoku)

I would make the helmet myself, but the jacket, gloves, and boots would need to be custom-made. The jacket would double as a protector, with reinforced material for the chest and elbows.

Ah, pants too… I want to ride so badly.

“Nyaa, Oji-chan, you have a visitor.” (Yuki)

“Grrr, it is a girl!” (Kuroha)

“Kyuun, a child!” (Lisa)

“…Eh?” (Gentoku)

While my mood was slightly down, I noticed a girl standing near the children.

She seemed around their age, with white side-tail hair, a sleeveless dress exposing her shoulders, and pointed ears.

“My, what an interesting magical tool you have made.” (Girl)

“…Eh? Ah, what is it? Are you lost?” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa, let us play.” (Yuki)

“Grrr, badminton!” (Kuroha)

“Kyuun, four people play!” (Lisa)

“I am sorry, little ones. I have business with this gentleman.” (Girl)

How polite she is. She refused Yuki-chan’s offered racket with an apologetic expression.

She looked about six years old.

Pointed ears… wait, what is this sensation?

The girl gazed steadily at me.

“Hehe. Have you guessed who I am?” (Girl)

“…No way.” (Gentoku)

“Heheh. Your guess is not mistaken.” (Girl)

Placing her hand upon her chest, she smiled brightly.

“Nice to meet you. I am one of the Twelve Zodiac Witches, the Pisces Witch, Poisson Pisces. Pleased to make your acquaintance, resident of another world, fellow countryman of Atsuko.” (Poisson)

“…Seriously?” (Gentoku)

No matter how I looked at her, she was a young girl, yet before me stood one of the Twelve Zodiac Witches.

 

—

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