Chapter 40

Book 4




　Last night, I contacted Chairwoman and told her, 'I agree to go see and hear her out.'
　Apparently there had been sightings of her around my parent's house ever since Summer Break started but she was gone after they gave her a warning.
　Hm, she sounds kinda stalker-ish, scary. Where'd that zeal come from out of nowhere anyway.
　As I was pondering about that uncharacteristic of me, my smart terminal rang.
　For a moment I thought that woman finally got my number, but--

"Hello? Selia-san?"
『Ah, I got a signal. I thought there wouldn't be one in the airport! So, I just got back.』

　It's Selia-san calling. Right of course, she's not feeling unwell unlike Satomi-san since she's a Grandian.

"The trip must have been tiring. How was your hometown like after so long?"
『It's way out in the sticks so nothing's changed, really. Village kids wouldn't stop pestering me to narrate them story about earth though.』
"Haha, I can imagine. I'm planning to go home after our little tour around Tokyo myself. I bet the kids around my neighborhood are gonna badger me too... I did get in the news and all."
『Uwaa, sounds rough! Ah, have you set a date for our Tokyo tour? Tomorrow's all OK with me.』
"Tomorrow? ...Hm, that could work. Remember Satomi-san who was with us during that field training? She's coming to my house tomorrow. Why don't you come too, Selia-san. All three of us can head out to Tokyo together."
『Ah, un... Gotcha. Oh right, you live near the campus, don't you Yuuki.』
"It's right next by your running course. There's a house on the hill, see."

　In fact, she could get there in less than 30 seconds going from that course.

"Okay then can you come around ten in the morning tomorrow? Satomi-san should get there around that time too. I'll go get you two."
『Loud and clear. Have you decided where to go tomorrow?』
"I haven't actually. We could poll our pick together tomorrow."
『Alrighty. I'm gonna bring a guide book just in case.』
"Thank you Selia-san. Be seeing you, tomorrow."

　I took a breather after hanging up.
　I gotta call Satomi-san next. Gotta check if she's okay with Selia-san coming along the tour tomorrow.



　Got Satomi's approval. In fact, She doesn't have another friend she could casually hang on with in Floating City besides me, so it'd be nice if Selia-san could become that friend using this opportunity.
　I also told Ixia-san that my friends would be visiting tomorrow.

"My, isn't that Satomi-san... the girl I saw in the sushi restaurant previously?"
"Yes. Actually, she took the summoning experiment together with me too."
"Oh, did she now? Fufu, your friends are always welcome to come play here."
"Thank goodness. The other girl is my classmate, a Grandian elf called Selia-san."
"Elf... I see, very well then."

　Ixia-san's brows moved a bit when I got to the elf part.

"In that case, I must stay alert. As I mentioned before, elves can perceive our brethren scent and mana quality. I would be categorized as an ancient elf dwelling an artificial body. It's possible that she might infer something were we to stay together in an enclosed space for a long period of time."
"R-really!?"
"...It has only been a year since this body was created... She might be able to work out that I feel too young..."
"C-can't you just tell her that you're actually young...?"
"Can I really? That would mean she would see Yuuki as 'someone who lives in the same house with a young woman', you know?"
"Uh, yes I am."

　No really, I am. Everybody who knows my situation probably thinks that way already. It's interesting how Ixia-san would say something so... airhead-sounding every once in a while.

"Is that how it is..."
"Yes. So please don't worry about it."
"Understood. Then... right, that's it. I will bake some sweets. Let's enjoy them together tomorrow."
"Oh! That sounds great! Anything I could help you with?"
"Fufu, oh I'll be just fine. I have a strong ally with me!"

　Ixia-san held out her favorite book, BB channel recipe book, as she proudly proclaimed.





"I'm heading out to fetch Selia-san and Satomi-san at the campus. "
"Yes, please watch out for the bear."
"That warning is seriously scary."

　The morning after, I left for the campus's front gate with a warning that sounded simultaneously serious and not.
　Sure enough, the one who arrived earlier was--Selia-san.

"Good morning, Selia-san. How's it been."
"Yuuki! Morning I'm good, we're meeting Satomi-san here right?"
"Yep. But man, you're really going all out with the dress for this tour aren't you?"
"A-Am I? Do I look weird?"
"Nope, you look real pretty. You've got the tallness and the air around you to pull it off."

　I think she's taller than Ixia-san. Which means, taller than me.
　So jealous. I wonder when elves start their growth spurt. I still have room to grow though.

"Oh you, what if I blushed."
"Go ahead and blush for me."
"Eeh, what's with that."

　As I checked the clock while chatting with her, I spotted Satomi-san running up to us.

"I-I'm here! Did you wait long!?"
"Slow down, okay. You're fine, right on time."
"Oh thank goodness, I kinda overslept a bit."
"Ah, I see. You just got back from Grandia, Satomi-san?"
"Ah, good morning Selia-chan. Yup, the other day actually."
"Alright, time to head out for house. We'll get to the hill through the campus ground. Just a reminder, unauthorized personnel can't enter the campus when you're not with me so you gotta go around from here and find the other entrance."
"I see... Guess I could ask Yuuki-kun to fetch me when I come visiting you?"
"Get to know the other route too."

　Right, almost forgot since only people related to this school visited us, but outsiders can't enter the campus. Can't say it's not annoying.

"Uwaa... Schwein School is way big... There's even three school buildings!"
"Isn't Satomi-chan's Firstoria Magic Academy just as big? They used the World Tree that showed in the myth itself as the school building, right?"
"Ah, you might be right, my school probably won't lose in scale if we count the height. As for whether it's really the World Tree from the myth... Nobody can say that for sure so... Maybe?"
"You're right... Not sure why but not a lot documents from the Age of Myth remain today."
"Maybe it was a tall tale all along?"

　I mean it's a myth and all.

"No, we don't have a lot of data about the age but I believe it was real. I mean, the things summoned in Summoning Experiments are all objects present day Grandia can't reproduce."
"Yep. That's a reckless remark, Yuuki."
"I'm sorry. Now that you mentioned it. Yeah you're right."

　We even got a living proof in Ixia-san. I completely forgot.
　She was an inhabitant of the age of myth....

"Phew... it's so hot. Last spurt. Just gotta walk over this steep now, you can do it girls."
"This is nothing! Today's not unbearably hot either."
"I-I'm... kinda not good with heat these days... but I can keep going."
"Satomi-san, is that due to your summon?"
"C-could be..."

　Is it because her aptitude for fire shoots up?
　We trucked on while aiming for occasional shades, and strayed a bit from the animal trails  before arriving at my home garden... or more like a field considering its scale.

"Look, you can see my house over there. Complete with our field."
"Oh! Kinda reminds me of my hometown! Our village, you see, is located inside a forest with plenty of fields to go around." 
"Ah, I'm from a farming family myself. It does look like ours too. What are you growing?"
"We've got eggplants, tomatoes and potatoes right now. Gonna grow sweet potatoes once fall comes around. The rest is herbs and flowers as you can see. Ixia-san uses them for her experiments and medicine making, see."
"Ah, you've got herbs. It's basil. Careful about this one, okay? Look away for a bit and it'd overrun the entire field."
"Yup, we had a hard time dealing with basil too back then."

　Oh... guess basil is infamous after all. I actually bought the seeds from the campus.

"I'm back."
"E-excuse me..."
"Excuse me."

　Welcome welcome. Ah... there's a sweet scent in the air. Ixia-san baking sweets maybe?

"Welcome back. Please make yourself at home, Selia-san, Satomi-san."
"Long time no see, Ixia-san. I'll be in your care."
"N-nice to meet you, I'm Selia, Yuuki-kun's classmate."
"Fufu, you're the girl Yuuki has been getting along well, right. Nice to meet you. Now, do come in."

　Ah, finally a release from the scorching hell into the air conditioned living room.
　Cool air seeped out of the open door as I hurried inside and breathed in the heavenly cold and sweet air.

"Haa, I've been reborn anew."
"Yuuki-kun, you're being a drama queen."
"Isn't he. Ah, but it does smell nice..."
"I'll go and get you cold drink and snacks, okay."

　I think as I sit down. Aren't I quite blessed right now?
　I'm in the same room with a beautiful older sister, a pretty classmate and a cute friend. I'm the only man here to boot.
　Won't blame men all over the world if they get jealous of me--!

"Your mom is too amazing, Yuuki... she's your mom, right?"
"Yes that'll do. Koune-san calls her that too."
"Fufu, then do you call her 'mom' too, Yuki-kun?"
"No. Ixia-san is Ixia-san."
"I get you. She's more like an older sister."
"Older sister... Yuuki, Ixia-san... is around her early twenty from an earthling's perspective right? Yet she's a mother of a boy from a different race... she's really amazing."

　Ah, figured that's her age from an elf's perspective. Thankfully it's not one year old.
　Wonder if Ixia-san's soul is affecting her body.

"I'm thankful for Ixia-san from the bottom of my heart. She didn't hesitate to step up and name herself my mother. That's why I'm going to protect my life with her... from now on and ever."

　I put up a front as I said that--

"Fufu, you're exaggerating Yuuki. Don't you two think so too? Here you go, ice tea and marbled ice. I'll bring in the cookies once they cool down in a bit."
"T-thank you! But looking again... Ixia-san is so beautiful and young... yet she chooses to be Yuuki-kun's mother. I think that's a feat in itself."
"Yup yup. If it were me... I probably would put my own interest ahead...  Ah but, I guess you'll lead a single once you graduate, Yuuki?"
"Nn, well... I'm gonna move out somewhere with Ixia-san though?"
"Eh."
"I'm staying with Yuuki forever, you know?"

　Not as a mother... but as family in a different definition, someday for sure.

"R-really now? Ixia-san is beautiful after all. Even as an elf myself... you're so pretty. Err, where do you come from, Ixia-san? Judging from your hair and eye colors... Thirdis Continent, right?"
"Ah, I was wondering about that too. Ixia-san is, err... um, a classmate of mine is a royalty from Thirdis Continent and you two look really alike."
"Yup yup! I've got a bit of 'Bright Elf' blood running in my veins, so do you right, Ixia-san?"

　Another term I don't know. What's even a Bright Elf?

"Alright it's your turn, exposition master Satomi-san."
"Eh? Eh? Bright Elves are elves who have the blood of an elf royalty lineage that traces back to the age of myth, I think? They generally have blond-adjacent hair, and green-adjacent eye color."
"Yup yup. Ixia-san's definitely part of the lineage no doubt about it."
"Hou... Can't deny that pretty blond color and Ixia-san's eyes have this pretty emerald-like glint to them for sure."
"Oh Yuuki, you'd make me blush staring at me so intently. Fufu, there, have a stare back."
"Gwah, that's foul play."

　No seriously, I'm getting embarrassed here. B-being too beautiful... is a sin.

"People told me that often. Yes, I was born on Thirdis continent, but I don't believe I'm related to the royal family. Perhaps their blood might be running in me. I believe earth has this concept known as atavism, which might be the case with me. As a tidbit, I might have been born on Thirdis but I worked in a small general store at the Commercial City Alvis on Semifinal continent."
"Eh! You did!? I've always wanted to go there at least once in my life."
"Hee! That's a huge city! Why did you go to earth?"

　There it is, Ixia-san's Fake Backstory Talk! A fraudulent tale!

"Yes, that city is famous for its prosperous trades. The general store I worked at handled earth goods, see. One day when I was little, I went with the manager to stock up those products. However, back at the time, there were not many Grandians around in Tokyo, and a kid elf like me was a prime target for kidnapping which I fell victim for after getting lost."
"Uwaa... I think I've heard about those incidents happening in the past yeah..."
"W-what happened after that?"

　Despite knowing that it's a tall tale, I can't help but wanting to know the continuation. What's gonna happen to Ixia-san!

"A passing woman perceived something amiss with how I was acting and took my hands away from those suspicious men. She kept me company until we found the manager. That woman stayed with me all the while I was bewildered by the sheer size of crowd unthinkable in Grandia."
"Oh! What a wonderful encounter."
"And then...?"
"I asked for my savior's name and swore in my heart that I would pay back her kindness once I grew up. Several decades later, I moved to Earth to work in a research facility as an assistant. I went to look for that woman to repay my debt." 

　Ah, I see, it connects to her previous backstory!
　Ixia-san never misses a beat...

"However... Time flowed differently for an elf like me and an earthling like her. By the time I found her, she had already departed this world along with her husband and her son. Only her grandson, Yuuki was left to fend for himself in their house. That's when I found out that he had been enrolled in a Tokyo school. Thus I made the decision to move in this house as Yuuki's mother."
"So yeah, that's the whole story. For me, Ixia-san is an important family member."

　Oh, the story sounds so real I'm under the illusion that's what actually happened now...!

"So that's it... Err, is Ixia-san a staff member of the campus then? Since you live here."
"Yes. I'm an assistant of an Akimiya Group's researcher. I write reports and make medicine as well as talisman in this house."
"Ah, I had no idea. I'm glad for you Yuuki-kun. You were all alone in high school, right?"
"Umu, yeah. Man... looking back, I sure worked myself to the bone back then."

　I seriously believe that. I worked all kinds of part times and saved as much as I could.
　Well, I had to put that aside and focus on study once I was a third year though.

"Welp. About time to discuss where to go."
"Ah, right. Ixia-san, would you like to come with us?"
"Fufu, you three can have fun today. I'm happy for the thought."
"Are you? But, Yuuki-kun would be happier if Ixia-san comes too, wouldn't he?"
"Naw, I can always go out with her alone anytime. I mean, think about my feeling if I'm the only one with a guardian while you two aren't."

　That's way too embarrassing. Even if the people around us don't see it that way.

"I'll be waiting for you three here. Go out and have fun in Tokyo. When are you coming home?"
"Ah, I'm in the dorms so I gotta be there by seven sharp... I didn't file the form for a sleepover."
"I live alone so I don't have a curfew... but I should be back by seven o'clock like Selia-san."
"Gotcha. Then, what about dinner? Should we drop by--"
"Fufu, how about having dinner here? If so, I'll bring out the best of my ability to cook for you three."

　Sorry, I'm picking that option then.

"Is that okay? I mean it's close by my dorms, so that's a plus for me..."
"Ah, I wanna have a taste of Ixia-san's home cooking too. The cookies were so good."
"Fufu, leave it all to me. Perhaps thanks to the experience I amassed, I'm now able to cook more elaborate dishes recently."
"Haha, you really are. Thank you for all the ever tasty food."
"You're very welcome, Yuuki."

　Selia-san and Satomi-san are looking at us with tepid eyes.

"C-come on, let's pick a spot. I personally wanna go see the classic choice, Sky Tree, myself."
"Ah, yeah. I'd like to go there too... From there, we can head to Shibuya or Shinjuku..."
"Oh, I wanna go to Shibuya. It's got a lot of clothing stores."

　Oh, that's a completely different Shibuya from my original Earth's. Don't think I can suggest Akihabara judging from this mood.
　Wait... in a world where game, anime and manga cultures don't really get developed, Akihabara is probably nothing more than a big electric appliance district... They've probably got lots of device-related stuff there though.
　I wanna have a look... Ah, I guess this world does have some manga and anime goods too if only a bit.
　They're all unfamiliar to me though. The work are all mostly sport and martial arts genre.
　Ah, but can't say I'm not interested in anime collab devices or combat suits though.

"Err, I wanna go to Akihabara..."
"...Yuuki-kun, how studios can you be...? That place's chock full of educational goods you know? Stuff like 'Battler Biographies Comebacks' or 'Sword of Takemiya'."
"Ah, I know that! This world's got manga too."

　Sorry, what that! But I see, anime is considered educational goods in this world. I see... that's not something you go to when you're going out to have fun... Too bad.
　Ah... If there's one thing I'm regretting about my original world is the fact that I don't get to play the remake of a certain game nor can I tour the original Akihabara anymore...

"T-then, Shinjuku it is for me... also, maybe Kabukicho. Ah, not in the way you might think. I'm just curious what's the most famous pleasure quarter in Asia like."
"It's got a scary vibe to it though... but I guess nobody would dare to pick a fight with Schwein students..."
"Hee, I betcha! Well, Yuuki-kun's gonna take care of any trouble for us anyway, right?"
"I'll run as fast as I can with you two under my arms."

　At any rate, we've got our destination set. 
　After saying goodbye to Ixia-san, we took a bus in front of the campus gate headed for the ferry harbor.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


"...Now that I think about it, this building is actually a radio tower. Can't they use magic to make it more efficient? It doesn't have to be this tall."
"You're missing the point, Yuuki! You don't get a lot of opportunity to climb a building this tall, no? The taller it is, the better the view! Look, you can even almost make out the floating city from here!"
"I can almost get a view of Schwein School with a telescope even! Yuuki-kun's house... is hidden behind trees."

　And here we are at the Sky Tree. I had always wanted to climb it but man I don't feel anything special now that I'm actually here...  Personally, World Tree, where Satomi-san's school at is more interesting.

"Earth is amazing... Humans built this tower, didn't they? The neighboring Tokyo Tower was even built before magic was developed... The pace of technological advance going on here far outstrips our world's."
"Hmm, I wonder about that. If magic was advanced enough since at least 2000 years ago to support a live without poverty, then I guess it makes kinda sense for the technological advance to slow down in Grandia?"
"Is that how it works. What do you think, Yuuki?"
"I agree with Satomi-san. Isn't it a good thing if it was prosperous enough no one saw the need to innovate? I mean compared to Earth 2000 years ago... it's kinda, you know?"

　I think the concept of country was just about conceived around that time here.
　If Grandians were already leading a life of abundance by that era thanks to magical advance, that would be incredible.
　Well, you could also call it a stagnation of culture and technology from another point of view though.

"Ah, should we grab some souvenirs? I think they sell them on the observational deck?"
"Yup, I think so too. Have had enough, Yuuki-kun?"
"I have, let's go."

　We waited to get in the elevator. A crowd of people rushed inside when the two got in, maxing out the capacity at once.

"Got a late start huh. You two go on ahead."

　As I saw the two off and waited for my elevator, my smart terminal rang.
　It's Chairwoman. Suspecting it's gonna be a long call, I drift away from the elevator.

"Hello, Chairwoman? I'm not home right now..."
『Well now, my apologies. We have notified the other party that you have agreed to a talk.』
"Ah, okay. Got it. Would you tell me the date once you have one?"
『Yes... it's just that the only reply we received is 'Our side will initiate contact'--』

　That was when I noticed something weird.
　I looked for a spot with nobody around but the whole floor itself had been emptied by the time I noticed.
　Only my voice resounded here which felt amiss.

"Chairwoman. Something's not right here, mind if I hang up?"
『...Very well. Yuuki-kun, the responsibility lies on me if anything goes wrong about this matter. Make sure to prioritize your and your friends' safety above all.』

　After hanging up, I walked back to the now people-less space in front of the elevator. As I was bewildered by all this strange happening, someone suddenly spoke behind me.

"I cleared the crowd. I want to have a private talk with you. Hey, we can pick a different spot if you want."

　Wonder why. My instinct is telling me to look away, to get away from the owner of this voice.
　As such--I give my reply without turning around.

"Not a care in the world about my schedule, huh. I don't feel like talking with someone who severely lacks common sense like you anymore."

　I got on the elevator and left.



　Was that? ...My hunch is telling me it's definitely her.
　But what is this? There's no way a commoner is capable of this.
　Clearing the crowd? Shut them away? Has she been monitoring me? And prepared that crowd? ...At the very least, she's definitely got a backup, someone with influences.

"Ah! You're finally here! You're so slow Yuuki-kun~."
"Was there a huge line for the elevator? It kept coming and going but you never showed up."
"Ah, sorry about that... I think it was probably a tour group. Had to give my spot for them."
"Oh okay. Come on, let's go buy souvenirs."

　It's probably not, a coincidence. The shock made me forgot how many souvenirs I bought. Been waiting for this outing and it's ruined now... dammit.



　Next up, we went to Shibuya as the two requested. I know this impression is trite and all... but the crowd density is way too much I thought there was a festival going on.

"Yuuki-kun, let's go check out those clothing stores! Selia-san too!"
"Ooh, it's unbelievable! Let's go Yuuki, we'll even pick yours!"
"Eh! I'm kinda scared to go in that kinda store."
"Don't worry about that, let's go."

　And thus, urged by the two I set foot into the aggregation of clothing stores for youth--not. It's full of women inside, I can't bring myself to. I've gotta report about the matter earlier too.

"Well I guess, it's hard to enter when it's nothing but girls inside. Will you wait in front of the store then?"
"The foot traffic is too much... Ah, right. Yuuki, go wait in that cafe over there!"
"Got it. You two go ahead and take your sweet time."
"Fufu, I've been wanting to check this place out forever. Let's go, Selia-san."
"Yup yup, I can't wait! See ya, Yuuki."

　I left the two for the cafe. It was so crowded I asked for a private room.
　I immediately called Chairwoman. 

『...It does appear that she may have a powerful backing. Yuuki, we shall dispatch a helper just in case... I'm sure you will gain 'her' cooperation.』
"Err, who's 'her'? Do I gotta do something with that cooperation?"
『Yes. We will run an investigation on our part as well, but no one in this world can match her prowess in electronic and information warfare.』

　I noticed then. Yeah, I do want to gather intel. I recalled how I had her cooperation during the last field training.

『Also... We just received a message. 'I apologize for my action earlier. Would you let me see you again now?' Her men are probably lurking nearby.』
"...Thirty minutes at most. Tell her she must leave past that point."

　Not a moment after I left Chairwoman with that message, a waiter knocked on my private room's door and told me that 'my companion is here.'

"...Thank you for giving me another chance, Yuuki."

　The human who called out to me in Sky Tree earlier showed up.
　First time I've seen her face. But... This woman's face does hint that we're biologically related.
　Well, that's easy to alter with plastic surgery though.
　She looks young. Also, pretty short. The thought that she might be someone handpicked to deceive me irritates me. The implication being my short stature is hereditary.
　...My grandparents are actually pretty tall, you see.

"I don't recall ever giving you permission to drop the honorifics. Haven't you learned the etiquette on communicating with a 'stranger' on first meeting?"
"! You're right, forgive me Yuuki-kun."
"And what about your introduction? I don't know your name."

　I'm not hiding my hostility. Doesn't matter if she's real or fake, anyone who claims themselves as my parent is an enemy.
　That's simply the result of my upbringing.

"You're right, I'm sorry. My name is--Saori."
"What about Family Name? Looks like you've got a powerful backing. No bachelorette can pull that off. I bet you married into a real nice family after abandoning me and my dad. If you're really the human who brought me into this world that is."
"--It's Kishisaki. Yuuki-kun, you're um... quite well adjusted, aren't you."
"Of course I am. I've got less people to rely on that my peers. Only answer my questions from here on. Please don't speak. No really, I'm just here to listen. I'm not interested in small talks."

　The face of this woman who called herself Saori warped.
　A sociable voice tone, and a docile demeanor. Yet her eyes look hollow with no emotions, filled with darkness like peering into a cave.
　It's as if something is missing in there. I can't stand to stare into that darkness and look away.

"Why did you leave me and dad. What have you been doing all this time. Why did you get in contact with me now. Answer those three questions. After that, our paths will never cross again."
"...Will you let me see you again if I don't answer?"
"You don't have that option. If you want, right here and now--"

　Hey, Chairwoman. You've made all the preps to make your move no matter what happens in this meeting, right.
　I'm sure you've got an inkling about my true nature.
　There's no way you don't know what I did even before you gave me that mission, right.
You know for a fact that 'Sasahara Yuuki is not as kind as everybody thinks he is'.

"I'll turn you into specks. Just as you have your men lurking around, know that we too have ours. This private room has no camera conveniently enough. I'm not bluffing."

　Not bloodlust but malice. Ordinary humans can't perceive bloodlust.
　I show it through my glare, my body language and violent words.

"Why are you trembling now. I bet your new husband noticed my worth and gave you the order or something along that line."
"! I've been through a lot. My fiance told me to let go of the child I gave birth to. That's the kind of the world I live in. You too... must be aware of that world if only a little."

　Surprisingly enough, the woman didn't opt to gloss over the matter and tried to merely muddle her way through words instead.
　As such, I can believe that's really what happened.
　So what, though.

"I believed you were my son I was never able to see. I wanted to see you. It's my instinct as the mother who gave birth to you."
"That's a lie. I can say that for sure considering the timing. Your family wouldn't give you the permission to go and see me out of the blue for no reason. Considering what happened earlier, your side's quite... used to controlling crowds, huh."

　It's too brief. The period between me showing up on the media and her getting in touch. She managed to pinpoint the location of an Akimiya Group's student in a few months and visited my parent's house herself.
　As if she was sure that she would find me and people related to me in that house.
　Otherwise... Why would she pick my parent's house first when the news depicted me as a student.
　I bet she thought my dad or grandparents were still alive.
　Which is to say, she never knew or tried to find out what happened to my family.
　After I gave the lowdown, the woman seemingly gave up and turned downcast.

"You won't tell me the reason because it's not something you can say in public. You look young after all, I'm sure the man who took you is that kind of human. He's got influences too. I get why the guy wants to monopolize me."
"! Then, would you come with me to my house. You're in an outing right? You could bring your friends with you. How about we talk it over dinner tonight? There's a lot of thing--"
"...Your head is that empty huh. Sorry to say but I've lost all will to speak with you anymore. Too bad for you, I've already got a plan to have dinner with my 'mom' and my friends tonight. We won't see each other again. Can you leave now?"
"Why? It doesn't have to be today, please come to my house at least once anytime. That's what my current husband--"
"Okay, got it, leave. Never get in my sight again. Shut your mouth. You're fouling this cafe."

　Not like I had an expectation to begin with, but man, this woman's head is even worse than I thought.
　Doesn't she realize how negative the whole conversation was veering from the start? Why would she believe I'd agree to her invitation?
　The reason she abandoned me... seems to really be all about money and authority.
　Dad, why would you marry this woman? The thought of her blood running in my veins is dismaying me.
　...Or perhaps, have all the money and power drowned her so much she turned this dumb?

"Please don't tell me this is over. Yuuki-kun, I'm the mother who gave birth to you! We can, meet again right? Please, come to my house at least once! If not--"
"He'd abandon you?"
"! My husband wants to see you bad! Hey, so next time--"
"Quit yammering. Leave now. Or else, see this?"

　The cup in my palm turns into dust. No splinters pricked into my skin, only transparent speckles remained.
　I showed it to her, implicitly saying 'wanna turn like this?'
　An emotion harbored in her hollow eyes for the first time. Fear colored her eyes as the woman hurriedly left the room as if she was running for her life.

"...Guess I can't say that this meeting was all for naught. Someone that hopelessly dumb is related to me. I guess getting a chance to get rid of her... is a plus."

　I muttered on my own. I'm gonna keep mum about that conversation to Ixia-san.
　I'll just tell her that the woman is much dumber than I ever thought. Yep, I'll do just that.
　Speaking of which, Chairwoman said something about a helper--

"Pardon me. Your companion is here."
"Ah, got it."

　The waiter came and said that once again.
　The one who showed up was neither Selia-san or Satomi-san--

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