Chapter 109: Moving Complete
Rabbit Queen is so fluffy and feels good. It seems there’s a slightly wicked side to her, but fundamentally, she’s just a talking rabbit plushie, so she’s in my hands.
“Aix-san, please stop.”
“Hehe, can I really stop?”
Since there’s no response, I’ll continue! As I keep petting her, she finally starts wriggling and seems to be feeling good, eventually going limp in my hands.
“Uuusaaa~”
Phew.
One person escorted to heaven~
‘”Eek!”‘ (Uracal’s gang)
“Um… to make the demon rabbit surrender…” (Trap-kun)
Oh right, we were in the middle of moving.
And these people, they came to help because they were threatened by the Rabbit Queen, right? The big guy and Ane-san are trembling as if they’ve seen something terrifying.
“Ane-san, that guy’s dangerous.” (Baldy)
“Could Aix-sensei be… the final boss?” (Ane-san)
Ane-san who doesn’t know the situation and the subordinates stop what they’re doing and watch our interaction.
Sigh, sorry for the trouble with Rabbit Queen.
But, she’s actually a kind child.
I waved the hand of the rabbit who seemed blissfully happy, and smiled.
“Um, you don’t have to be so scared. Look, she’s a cute plushie, you know?” (Aix)
Ah, no good.
It might have backfired instead.
“Wha- are you serious?” (Trap-kun)
“I-I’m being toyed with.” (Baldy)
Alright, let’s give up on convincing these two.
Switching gears, I talk to the Ane-san.
“Instead of that, why don’t we resume the work?” (Aix)
“That’s right. Come on, you two, stop dawdling and start carrying carefully.” (Ane-san)
“Yes.”
The residents of the slum area start carrying the belongings one by one to the separate building.
“Where should we put the piano?” (Trap-kun)
“Well, Luca, where do you think?” (Aix)
Huh? Luca isn’t here. I thought Crazy Bear was unusually quiet, but it turns out he disappeared without me noticing, even though it’s his moving day.
“Come to think of it, I don’t see that Doll Princess.” (Ane-san)
“Huh. Please put it over there.” (Aix)
Well, it’s fine like that.
Luca is a magician, so she’ll probably use magic to deal with it later.
“Where should the rest go?” (Ane-san)
“If you could just leave them there together, that would be fine. Here, this is your reward for today. Thank you for your hard work.” (Aix)
After some hesitation, I handed over two big silver coins as a tip.
It’s a big hit to my wallet.
“Is it okay to receive this much?! I wasn’t sure if we would even get anything, however….” (Ane-san)
“Yes, please take it.” (Aix)
I didn’t know the going rate, but it seems about right.
If Luca doesn’t reimburse me later, my finances will be in pretty bad shape. I trust you, Luca.
“Everyone! Thank Aix-sensei!” (Ane-san)
The people from the slum bowed silently. I wonder if they’ll embezzle, their reaction doesn’t seem too positive.
“Oh, yes. Thank you so much. Everyone, thank you for helping with the move today!” (Aix)
Casually returning the thanks, the helpers from the slum stared at me with surprised expressions.
What’s going on? They were indifferent to me until now, but their gaze has clearly changed, leaving me puzzled.
In their eyes, there was something like pride and loyalty. If likened to animals, it’s like puppies.
“Huh?… Did I do something wrong?” (Aix)
I can tell something changed with my previous statement.
But I have no idea what I did wrong. Confused, I look up at the Ane-san, who suddenly looks gentle.
“Sensei, it seems you don’t understand, so let me explain. All of us here have deviated from the normal path.” (Ane-san)
“Huh? What does that mean?” (Aix)
It’s still not clear to me.
Ane-san finally lets out the sadness and anger she had been holding inside.
“We’re like trash. So, we were happy that you treated us normally, despite us crawling at the bottom of the slum. Thank you.” (Ane-san)
“No, it’s just the right thing to do.” (Aix)
I answer without hesitation, and she smiles refreshingly.
Ah, I see. It feels good to be acknowledged, doesn’t it? I totally get it!
But everyone looking at me like I’m a savior is kind of embarrassing, so I wish they would stop.
“Anyway, please fill your stomachs.” (Aix(
I gesture for them to open the backpack, and the interest that had gathered around me was now diverted to the food inside.
Real food that isn’t expired is the true savior, more so than illusions.
“Hey, you guys. Aix-sensei gave us a special bonus, so line up in a single file.” (Ane-san)
“It’s been a while since we’ve had something good to eat.”
“I’m first!”
“Thank you, thank you!”
With eager eyes, they gathered around and happily received the food, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
I only gave it away because we couldn’t finish it, but the unexpectedly positive response was heartwarming.
After about half the people had gone through, the flow changed with a single word from an old man from the slum who had his turn.
“Ane-san, you look beautiful today too. You’re like a goddess.”
Was he joking? The skeptical looks from the others turned to respect with the next words from Ane-san.
“You understand, Gramps! It’s admirable to be able to say something so obvious properly. Since I’d be in trouble if you died, here’s a little extra.” (Ane-san)
“As expected, Ane-san is a good woman.”
There was a stir among those waiting in line.
“Oh, saying the same thing won’t work. If you want a reward, you’ll have to entertain me more.” (Ane-san)
Faced with unexpected opportunities and challenges, the people waiting in line started brainstorming.
The three boys at the end of the line seemed to be the most troubled, so I approached them out of curiosity.
“Hey! Listen, we’re gonna praise her too.”
“Yeah, got it.”
“But it’s tough.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I overheard their secret strategy meeting.
“Idiot, praise her inner qualities.”
“Smart. But the Ane-san’s inner qualities too.”
“Ugh, it’s still tough after all.”
The clothes they were wearing were all tattered, just like my childhood self.
Perhaps this is fate too.
“Um… is it okay?” (Lai-nee)
“Ew!?! Sorry for throwing rocks. But since I didn’t hit you, it’s fine, right?”
“We worked hard today, didn’t we?”
“Please, give us some food too.”
Desperately pleading, they seemed like a group of boys who had taken over Lai-nee’s hideout.
They say when people have their basic needs met, they learn manners, so maybe I can save just the children, if not everyone.
“No, that’s not it. If you’d like, why don’t you come to my house?” (Aix)
After all, I was once taken in too.
It’s my turn to pick someone up next.
Passing on the baton of happiness. I’m a little happy to be able to say the lines my mentor said to me.
However, the reaction was different than I expected when I thought they would be grateful.
They seemed extremely cautious.
“What? What’s your motive?” (Ane-san)
“Well, I was an orphan too. It’s just an act of kindness.” (Aix)
The boys exchanged subtle looks and then looked at me as if I were an idiot. They’re… quite rude.
“Huh? That’s exactly why you got your hideout taken over by us!”
“Yeah, besides, we don’t need pity.”
“We have a splendid hideout.”
“But there’s no roof there, and there are spare rooms, so there’s no need to be shy.”
Hmm?
Ah, it seems like they didn’t get it.
“Are you okay in the head? You’re too much of a bleeding heart.”
“Anyway, we don’t need help from outsiders! We won’t lose to rain.”
“But it’s your turn now. You gotta praise her.”
Oops, the suggestion was rejected.
Sad.
Ignoring me, it seems like they’ve started a flattery campaign, with the chubby guy who looks like the leader smiling awkwardly as he started.
“Oh, Ane-san! You look beautiful today too.”
“How am I beautiful? Hmm, if you were to compare me to something, what would it be?”
Huh!? Because Ane-san was praised too much, the bar for compliments seems to have been raised a bit.
We were surprised. The most surprised was the chubby guy.
“Y-you’re as strong as an orc queen! Oh, shoot.”
“That’s an insult, you idiot. You don’t get any! Next!” (Ane-san)
“Ow!”
Caught off guard, it seems like his usual gossip slipped out, and instead of a prize, he got punched in the face and teared up. The next attacker was the airhead. Hang in there!
“Yeah! Um, Ane-san is as beautiful as a princess after Miss Ren (Trap-kun).”
“That’s a guy! You moron. Don’t compare to guys. You’re confiscated too. Okay, last one.” (Ane-san)
“Oh no!”
Uh oh. Now, only the clueless-looking boy is left. Their food is entrusted to this child.
“I-I don’t understand.”
“What do you mean, nothing?”
“I’m sorry.”
“She’s such a good woman, though. Then, no bonus, just choose one.”
“…Okay.”
Just as I had dreamed of getting 6 pieces of food, I ended up with only 1 out of the expected 3. With a sad expression, I began selecting the largest one.
Unable to bear watching the three forlorn figures, I couldn’t help but speak up.
“Ane-san, don’t be mean. If you’re a good woman, please give them two each.”
Even if it’s hypocritical.
Until Elise picked me up, my stomach was empty every day. I didn’t want them to go through that.
“Huh? If Aix-sensei says so, then I guess I’m a good woman. Here, two each for everyone.”
The boys’ eyes sparkled with hope.
“For real?”
“Yay!”
“Thank you, Aix’s big brother!”
Not bad.
As they left, the boys, now holding food in both hands, seemed to lose their wariness.
“I misunderstood you.”
“From today, you’re one of us. No, you’re our big brother.”
“Nice to meet you, big brother!”
“Yeah, nice to meet you too!”
The older sister and Rai seemed to be carrying a flat backpack as they left.
“Well, we’re going back too. See you, Aix-sensei.”
“Thank you, Boss.”
The big guy still seemed startled. Even though it’s a misunderstanding.
“Ane-san, it’s dangerous. Let’s leave here quickly. Ouch, why are you kicking me, Ane-san?”
“You’re annoying, let’s just go.”
As they left, it suddenly became quiet.
They were lively people.
“Goshujin-sama, it was like a storm.”
“Yeah.”
Waving goodbye at the door, when I went inside, Luca had returned.
“Aix, um… thanks.”
She seemed somewhat awkward.
I don’t want to see that expression. I don’t want to make her feel that way! So, I convey that.
“It’s okay, Luca. I’m glad I could be of help to you.”
Luca hugged me, her eyes moist.
A sweet, clear fragrance lingered.
The soft chirping of a bird gently stimulated my ears. It was a voice that couldn’t be heard by Lai and only reached one person.
“I’m counting on you.”
The words whispered softly in my ear elevated me to the rank of Senior Knight.
