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

 

 

Four Bicycles

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Poisson had said, “I shall come again”, and departed. Before long I heard cheerful voices from the side and, to my surprise, Poisson had been pulled along by Yuki-chan and the two of them began playing badminton in the vacant lot.

She is the progenitor of magical tool creation, yet when I look at her like that she appears merely to be a child. Well, she is having fun, so that will do.

“Now then, I have avoided the event, so I will finalize the bike check and make the helmet and protectors.” (Gentoku)

As I headed toward the bike on the first floor, voices reached me.

“Ossan…” (Rosso)

“Oji-san…” (Ao)

“Oji-sama…” (Blanche)

“Ah? Oh, it is you.” (Gentoku)

Rosso, Ao, Blanche and, behind them, Verde were standing there.

When the three came before me they bowed their heads.

“We are sorry.” (Rosso/Ao/Blanche)

“H-hey now. It is not as if you did something to deserve an apology. Come on, lift your heads.” (Gentoku)

I was taken aback.

The three of them wore downcast faces. Rosso spoke while looking down.

“We were rude to you, Ossan. You are always kind and amusing, and being with you is fun. It is not because of us but because you are you, an old man who is kind to everyone. So, when we saw you being friendly with Valen and his group we felt bad inside.” (Rosso)

“I felt the same. Oji-san, I did not want anyone to take you away from me.” (Ao)

“I as well. I was overcome by jealousy. It was an ugly feeling.” (Blanche)

“You are being dramatic. Besides, there is no need for that.” (Gentoku)

I reached out and patted Rosso, Ao and Blanche on the head in turn.

“You are children. It is natural to feel that way. An old man like me cannot claim to understand such feelings. Do not fret any longer. I am not bothered by it.” (Gentoku)

The three of them nodded in silence, though they still seemed to carry the worry. Then I remembered something.

“Listen. I have a present for you.” (Gentoku)

“Eh?” (Rosso)

“For us?” (Ao)

“A present?” (Blanche)

In the corner of the workshop there stood an object covered with cloth. I went over and whipped the cloth away.

“Here. These are bicycles made just for you.” (Gentoku)

They were like mountain bikes. The frames were colored red, blue and white. There was a basket at the front and a lockable crate at the rear.

I had made them more robust than the prototypes. I melted down Metal Orc bone and mixed it with the bones of an iron-strong magic beast called Iron Kong to create a custom alloy. For the tires I trusted young, resilient Rubber Cobra hide for Rosso and the others, wrapping it around the rims and carving treads for extra grip so they would not slip.

“These are finished, custom bikes from me. You can put things in the front basket, and they are sturdy so you can ride wild if you like. The chain might come off from time to time, but that is something we can fix.” (Gentoku)

The three fell speechless.

“Perhaps calling it a reconciliation is odd, but these are for you. Use them for your adventures.” (Gentoku)

At my words Rosso leapt forward and clung to me.

“Ossaaaaaan!! I am sorry, thank you! I would even let you hold me, Ossan!” (Rosso)

“Ow ow ow!? Hey, you are squeezing!?” (Gentoku)

She squeezed me so tightly I thought my spine might snap. Verde intervened and pried Rosso off me, and Rosso wept. Next Ao clung to my arm.

“Oji-san… I love you.” (Ao)

“Ah, ah. Well, if you need training wheels say so.” (Gentoku)

“Oji-san…” (Ao)

“Um, your face is very close. Hey wait, stop!” (Gentoku)

I held Ao’s head back to protect myself from a kiss. Blanche then pulled Ao away and wrapped her hands around mine.

“Oji-sama… I am grateful. I find I might truly fall in love with you.” (Blanche)

“Uh, right. As a friend, right.” (Gentoku)

“Heh heh, which do you prefer?” (Blanche)

Their hands would not let go.

Is this some sudden harem scenario? I do not want a harem, though. More importantly, I need to change the subject.

“Hey! Get on those bicycles! I need to know how they ride!” (Gentoku)

“All right. Crying time is over. Scarlet Camellia, prepare yourselves!” (Verde)

“Oo!!” (Rosso/Ao/Blanche)

The three mounted their bicycles. Then Verde noticed.

“Gentoku.” (Verde)

“Mm? What is it?” (Gentoku)

“…Where is my bicycle?” (Verde)

Silence followed and I bowed my head.

“I am sorry. I genuinely forgot.” (Gentoku)

“You are kidding me! Why do I get the short end of that role!?” (Verde)

And so, we all laughed with Rosso and the others.

Sorry, Verde. I will put extra effort into a custom bike for you to make up for the trouble.

 

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When Rosso and the others rode off, Yuki-chan and the others took their tricycles and six children sped away together. Left behind were Hikuroku, Verde and Poisson, who had been playing badminton.

Poisson approached me a little shyly.

“Ahem. I indulged myself despite my age. That playground was interesting.” (Poisson)

“Badminton, yes. Poisson, would you like one of those as well?” (Gentoku)

I pointed to Yuki-chan’s tricycle.

Poisson watched it for a moment and murmured…

“I would like one.” (Poisson)

Verde shot me a sidelong look, so I had no choice.

“All right. I will make one for you to match Verde’s.” (Gentoku)

“R-really? Magical tools are expensive, are they not?” (Poisson)

“It is not a magical tool. It is a vehicle. I have spare parts so assembly will not take long.” (Gentoku)

“Then, I shall ask. How much will it cost? I thought Raslanuf and Aries paid 10 billion Sedolls for your work.” (Poisson)

“No need. Consider it a gift.” (Gentoku)

I assembled spare parts I had kept from building the bicycles, painted one green, painted Poisson’s tricycle green as well, and in 15 minutes brought them to the two girls.

“Here you go. Sorry to keep you waiting.” (Gentoku)

“I have been waiting. Now I will catch up with those boisterous ones. Hikuroku, let us go.” (Poisson)

“Waoon!!” (Hikuroku)

“Tricycles, huh. So, you propel them with your feet.” (Verde)

“Yes. If you pedal slowly, they will start to move.” (Poisson)

Verde and Hikuroku pushed off to catch Rosso and the others, and Poisson set off at a gentle pace.

With everyone gone, I stretched deeply.

“Haa… finally alone. Now then, what had I meant to do?” (Gentoku)

After a minute of thought I remembered.

“That’s right, helmets and protectors. Once I make those I must go to the tailor and order a custom jacket.” (Gentoku)

So much to do, busy times ahead.

I had successfully avoided the lightning event, but life kept me busy in other ways.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)