Im in front of the door to Eris room.
I managed to place the winning bid on Eris hospital for 1,500,000 Zeni, which was nearly everything I had. That being said, it was considerably lower than the market value. Eris hospital was originally the ho of Eris family of four, so its a rather large house.
If the location werent so bad, I probably wouldnt have been able to afford it.
But now I hold the deed for that very hospital in my hands.
The deed is currently under my na, but I plan to transfer it back over to Eris as soon as I can. Its not like there would be any problem with leaving it like this, but if Eris hospital beca no-longer-Eris hospital it would leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.
While Im mulling it over, I knock softly on the cheap, splintered wooden door.
But theres no response. Is she not there?
I try knocking again. Still no response.
Apparently Eris is out. Well, its not like Im dying to tell her that I bought the hospital right away or anything. Ill wait patiently.
As Im waiting in the inn room for Eris to return, I notice that Yuel has fallen asleep. Spending all day yesterday hunting the boss must have really tuckered her out. Shes sleeping soundly, taking soft breaths. She probably wont wake up for a while.
I have a sudden thought.
How is Eris going to react when she sees the hospital deed?
Eris was living in that hospital for many years. It must hold a ton of family mories for her. And she probably wanted to wait for her sisters return in that house. From Eris perspective, it must have been sothing she really didnt want to let go of.
And thats where I gallantly swoop in, holding the title deed.
Ill hand her the deed without asking for anything in return. Shell be so moved, of course. Hell, maybe shell be so impressed that she goes all my hero, take ! on .
The problem is what cos after that. If by so chance Eris and Yuel start to bicker over , things could get bloody. Up until now Ive just been absent-mindedly thinking I wanna make a harem, but if I actually try to do it I bet that so difficulties will arise.
If I hook up with Eris then Yuel will cry, but if I hook up with Yuel then Eris will hand over to the authorities. Nah, since shes a slave and all it probably doesnt work like that in this world.
As these thoughts are running through my head, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs from the hallway. I stick my head out the doorway to find Eris just about to enter her room next door.
What do you want?
When Eris spots co out into the hallway she calls out in a low, tired voice. Theres almost no light in her eyes. She looks exhausted.
And she seems pretty moody. Is it her ti of the month?
Nah, thats probably not it.
Her outfit is the habit she used to wear at her hospital. I bet shes been going around to other hospitals trying to find a job.
Have you figured out where youre going to work yet?
Not yet, but Im fine. Ill work it out soon. Besides, today the hospital was sold, so I have a bit of savings now.
Her attitude is curt. I bet she hates making other people worry. Shes the kind of person who wants to solve her problems on her own. Living by herself from a young age probably gave her a strong sense of independence.
Be that as it may, she hasnt found a new workplace yet after all. Since I bought back her hospital, that works out better for . But I had a feeling thats how it would turn out.
Eris abilities as a healer arent especially amazing, but she does have an average level of skill. Besides, shes a blonde bombshell with magnificently ripe lons. Im sure she could get hired just about anywhere, but other hospitals dont think very highly of her.
Because Eris set her hospitals treatnt fees a lot lower than market price.
Its not like this city has a union that establishes uniform treatnt costs or anything, but theres a general market price of 400 Zeni per Heal. The fact that Eris attracted custors by slashing that price in half likely didnt sit well with the nearby hospitals.
For her hospital to go bankrupt while operating like that, and then for her as the manager to co around looking for a job, they all probably either told her she got what she deserved, or approached her with obvious ulterior motives. Id be fully in the second camp by the way.
But once Eris sees the deed Im holding, her haggard face should perk right up.
Shes built up a lot of fatigue from not being able to find a job. Maybe the other hospitals said so awful things to her, and its wearing down her emotions. If I show her this deed at a ti like that
Sothing like Y-You bought back the hospital for ! So dreamy, take ! is sure to happen. Eris will start calling dear, maybe even with a "Heart ?" attached to it.
So what is it you want?
Eris worn-out face is giving a look that says, state your business already. In front of those tired eyes, I dangle the hospital deed.
Eris, take a look at this.
What is this? So official docunt?
Eris makes a suspicious face, but she takes a look at the deed. Then her expression turns to shock.
W-Why do you have this!? Even though today it was sold off
Eris keeps reading the deed over and over in astonishnt.
Yeah, I bought it.
Once Eris realizes what Im saying
You did? B-But how that much money!
I wait for her to co leaping into my arms but nothing happens.
But but you three months ago you werent you broke!?
H-Huh? Thats not quite the reaction I was expecting.
Far from rejoicing, its more like her whole body is shaking out of frustration. Shes choking back her trembling voice and clenching her clothes with her head hung low.
Whats with this reaction? That hospital deed that was so important to her is right here, isnt it? So why
Im sorry, I, I cant deal with this right now
Then Eris disappears into her room as if to run away, with tears trickling down her cheeks.
What just happened? Does Eris hate so much that even the hospital doesnt make up for it? Since her hospital ended up in the hands of a man like
Nah, probably not. More likely its because she couldnt hang on to the hospital no matter how hard she tried, and then I bought it like it was no big deal. It was so important to Eris that she was willing to incur the ire of the surrounding hospitals by lowering her prices, just to protect it.
I easily acquired the hospital that she desperately tried and failed to protect. That must be why she seed so frustrated.
No doubt Eris just needs so ti to sort out her feelings right now.
Yuel is sleeping softly on the bed in the room. I ought to give Eris more ti before trying to talk to her again but without soone to talk to, theres nothing for to do.
Wait, that reminds , my item box is getting full. During yesterdays Huge Sli farming, along with the rare drops, I also got a huge amount of Sli Jelly. Adding in the amount I had already saved up, theres easily enough to last a year.
I could spend so money at the adventurers guild to expand the size of my item box, but since I just bought the hospital I dont have much money left. Alright, Ill organize my item box.
As I dig through my item box, more and more trash cos out. Street food skewers, fruit cores, a gravure photo taken by a magical projection tool that last ones not trash. A frayed toothbrush made from so sort of animal hair that I never got around to tossing out, a chipped wooden cup
And a bloodstained, tattered habit.
Its the one from that ti I went into the labyrinth to search for Yuel. I kept thinking about throwing it out, but it always slipped my mind.
Before I forget again, I should hand it over to the inns poster girl and have her throw it out with the rest of the trash.
Then, as I leave the room with the habit in my hands
Sorry about earlier, I!?
I bump into Eris in the hallway.
Shes staring at my arm no, at the bloody, ripped habit. Her expression shifts back and forth between surprise and sadness a few tis while she looks at .
Hey, is t-that
Eris covers her mouth with shaking hands, and gawks at my habit in shock. The very sa habit that I was wearing when I went to look for Yuel.
Dont tell for ? Did you really go looking for an expensive magic item in the labyrinth for my sake, and because of that?
H-Huh?
Looks like Eris is jumping to conclusions.
No, this is
Actually, wait.
Eris definitely thinks that I recklessly risked my life to scour the depths of the labyrinth for the sake of her hospital, or sothing along those lines.
Maybe I shouldnt go out of my way to correct her misunderstanding.
As far as I can tell, now that Eris thinks I bet my life to earn the money to pay for her hospital, it feels like her mood is much better than before. And shed likely be more willing to accept that I bought her hospital if the story was that I risked life and limb for it.
Sorry, I must have made a mistake. But how, how did it get like that?
Eris strokes the bloodstained habit as her eyes start to water. I can clearly feel the compassion in her tender gesture.
This is my chance.
For Eris sake, I risked my life to earn enough money, and bought back her hospital. Why dont I go with that? It makes look cooler that way too.
Besides, it will improve Eris mood. Right, this is for Eris sake as well.
So I smile at Eris and casually explain.
Of course, I had to pay you back for the kindness you showed , right?
Upon hearing that, an expression floats up on Eris face thats sohow simultaneously happy and sad.
You dummy, going that far. Besides, a hospital isnt sothing worth risking your life over.
I totally agree. I would never risk my life for the sake of a building.
Eris is still looking at with that sad-yet-happy expression. I take the opportunity to retrieve the deed from my item box and
Eris, I want to set things right with you. Back then, even though it bothered you, I just thoughtlessly did whatever I wanted. And I didnt see any problem with it. But thats not how it felt for you.
Im sorry for not realizing it. I was in the wrong. But Id like to atone for that by returning the goodwill you showed . So wont you accept this?
I kneel down at Eris feet as I speak.
I must look like such a stud right now. Risking my life to raise the money to purchase my benefactors hospital, and then returning it to her with no strings attached.
What a moving story.
I feel like I pulled it off flawlessly.
! Im so sorry, I even kicked you out, and yet you still
Eris takes my hand thats holding the title deed and softly wraps both of hers around it. A single tear spills down her cheek.
I dont bla you for that.
Since it was clearly my fault for sexually harassing you.
But we have a tender mood going right now. I shouldnt ntion sothing so vulgar. Ill gently use my finger to wipe away her tear.
When you showed up, it felt almost like my father had co back. Your healing magic skill that could make up for the deficit, and how you would show kindness in one way or another. It felt almost nostalgic, sohow. But you know, thats exactly why I hated the sexual harassnt so much.
That was wrong though, youre not my father. Youre your own person
Sexual harassnt is bad even if Im not your father you know. But Eris is completely caught up in the atmosphere.
Its a good mood.
But dont ever do sothing that dangerous again. Look, the debt is gone, so Im sure we can live off of the hospital alone. Why dont you stop being an adventurer, okay?
Its a good mood, and yet.
And yet Im feeling a little guilty.
The way this is headed should be the best outco for both Eris and myself. But my chest feels like its getting jabbed by needles. Yet its for Eris sake that Im letting this misunderstanding continue.
Even so, I shouldnt earn her favor by taking advantage of the situation. I feel guiltier and guiltier every ti she says sothing nice to .
Yeah, even if its this late, I should tell her that its a misunderst
It was too embarrassing, so I never told you this, but you saved just as much as I saved you. It was lonely running the hospital all by myself. and business was terrible. When you showed up at a ti like that, I was sure that together we could get the hospital back on its feet.
While Im still processing that, Eris continues talking.
And, in a voice thats barely a whisper, Eris mutters.
Thank you.
Then she lets her head thump onto my chest.
Since shes bending forward, I can feel her bountiful breasts. Along with her softly fluttering blonde hair. A sweet scent tickles my nose.
I decide to take this lie to the grave.
Afterwards, we head to the property broker near the center of town. For now, I left Yuel a note saying that I went out with Eris.
There are no issues with the title transfer, and its finished in an unexpectedly short ti. Then, as we stroll down the main street on our way back, I try casually putting my arm around Eris waist.
! Honestly
Eris flinches and throws a questioning glance at . But, she doesnt resist. She has an attitude like I suppose it cant be helped.
I think Ill have Yuel go work a shift at the tavern tonight.
Eris opinion of has seemingly skyrocketed. If it was before, shed slap my hand away from her waist and scowl at .
We continue walking like that, and as we pass in front of the tavern
Yo, Shiki! Your farmin with the venturers really paid off, huh! Co buy us a round!
Whats with the gal on your arm? Whatta hottie. Hoho, I get it, you went right to a brothel as soon as you got so money huh? Way to go, Shiki!
We run into Eight and Geyser, whose faces are flushed bright red from drunkenness.
Uh oh. This developnt is not good.
You comin with us next ti? Just havin you there is crazy profitable! Whaaat, sfine if you hang back like last ti n jusss heal! Let us take care of stoppin the attacks, its allll goood!
Yeah, leave the fighting to us! Hahahahaha!
H-Hang on! Lets talk about it later! Nows not a good ti!
Not good. Whats not good, you ask? The fact that Eris-san is right here. I look to my side
Why might it not be a good ti, I wonder?
And Eris is glaring at with eyes sharp enough to shoot to death.
I really didnt think this through.
I confess. I confess everything.
About how the bloodstained habit had nothing to do with earning money for the hospital. About how I just decided to go along with Eris misunderstanding. And that I mainly did it to improve Eris image of .
I-Im sorry
I prostrate myself. Without a doubt, its a perfect-form dogeza. With my head against the pavent stones of the main street, I beg for nothing but her forgiveness.
Eight and Geyser, perhaps sensing the turbulent atmosphere, flee the scene.
Hahhh, you really know how to spoil things. Its fine. You dont really need to apologize.
She must just be fed up with at this point. I want nothing to do with you anymore, so dont bother, that kind of feeling.
I timidly raise my head and there is Eriss outstretched hand.
Seeing in that state, you were worried about , right? I get it, okay.
I take Eris hand and rise as she gives a smile. The feel of her soft hand sohow makes very happy.
It doesnt really matter how you did it. The fact is, you raised a huge amount of money to buy the hospital for . Right?
Then Eris mutters But lying is bad, got it? while giggling.
Look, now your knees are all dirty.
Y-Yeah.
I brush the dust off my knees and look at Eris. Frad by the sun, her smile has an all-enveloping tender feel to it. It reminds of the days when I used to work at her hospital.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I speak while trying my best to stay calm.
Shall we go back?
And Eris replies
Yes, lets go back. To the inn where Yuel-chan is waiting. Then we can all go ho to our hospital.
She says with a smile.
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