Chapter 72

When I returned to the Adventurer's Guild, the female swordsman, Kansi, was drinking and pestering the female nun, Mile. Haru was sleeping beside them.

Marina was skillfully manipulating a hamster-like plushie, which she called her familiar, making it look as if it were really alive. Shreil, the young sorceress, watched in amazement.

They seem to have settled in well, the six of us.

I also feel that the distance between me and Suzuki has narrowed considerably.

He has D, and now T as well.

When I entered the Adventurer's Guild, which had turned into a bar, the first person I noticed was Caro.

She was probably paying attention to the surrounding conversations even while chatting normally.

"Master Ichi, welcome back. Is Kōta not with you?"

"He said he had something to do. I think he'll be back soon."

I looked at Haru, who was sleeping soundly.

She gets drunk quickly, but she also sobers up quickly. However, in a place filled with the smell of alcohol, she would probably stay drunk.

"Caro, pay for the meal from here. I'll take Haru to the room."

"Even without you, Master Ichi, I... I don't think I can carry her."

Caro sighed, looking at her own arms.

"Ichi, you don't need money. I'll treat you tonight. I earned some money by demonstrating my super magic just now."

"No, you should keep it. I heard you and Canon made a deal that if you save 10,000 cents, she'll set you free?"

"I never needed to save 10,000 cents from the beginning. I'm a slave to continue the contract with Canon. If I get serious, I can easily gather 10,000 cents. In fact, I just earned 802 cents a moment ago."

"That's impressive."

82,000 yen in one performance.

You're a popular performer, really.

"But, you can use it. Our household income comes from the money Haru earns by selling items to the Adventurer's Guild and the money Caro earns as a merchant."

"...Huh? Then how do you earn money?"

Kansi asked.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes. You don't look like a professional fighter, but what kind of job do you do? I'm curious too."

Mile asked with a smile.

How do I earn money?

Selling items from defeated monsters... is Haru's job.

Smelting iron ore and selling it... is Caro's job.

None of these are entirely wrong, but none are entirely right.

I can't earn money on my own.

So, the only way I earn money on my own is...

"Only by the slot machines in the casino?"

When I muttered this, the four of them, except Caro, were taken aback. Even Marina was surprised.

"...Not having a regular job and being addicted to the casino."

A sharp remark came from Shreil.

No, I'm sorry, it's my fault.

But, how do I explain this?

If I say I'm not an adventurer but I kill more monsters than Haru, they'll ask why I can kill monsters if I'm not an adventurer.

Pretending to be an adventurer might be risky, considering I often have Haru do the paperwork at the Adventurer's Guild.

Should I pretend to be an alchemist?

Or... no.

While I was thinking about this,

"Um... Master Ichi doesn't have a regular job, but... he is my savior."

"Caro, that's not a good defense."

Wow, the four of them are looking at me as if I'm a useless man living off the kindness of my savior.

I'm unemployed!

I'm unemployed, but I'm not that bad!

"Let me make it clear, I don't do what you think. I once used up all the money Haru earned, but other than that, I really haven't... done anything..."

Oh no, I feel like I've stepped on a landmine.

I need to clarify that I used the money Haru earned from the casino to avoid attracting the attention of the casino owners.

Just as I was thinking this, the handsome hero, Suzuki, entered the shop.

"Everyone, we're leaving now. Miss, how much is the bill for that table? I'll pay."

"Wait, Suzuki! This is—"

I was about to say I would pay, but his three companions gave me a cold look and said,

"No need (not necessary) (unnecessary)!" and ran off.

"...Master Ichi, I'll always be on your side no matter what."

"...Yeah, thanks, Caro."

...I regret my lack of vocabulary, no, more than that, my unemployment.

If I were the protagonist of a fantasy story, I would probably tell a better lie and get the girls to squeal.

Suzuki is probably good at that part.

"Ichi, if you don't have a job, how about I teach you some of my super magic techniques? If you get serious, you could earn about 100 cents a day... Ha, too sweet, don't take off the mask—don't take off the mask..."

I tried to take off the mask with my right hand, but Marina blocked it with her left hand and tried to look triumphant. I took the mask with my left hand while she was distracted.

But this time, it's really my fault, so I quickly returned the mask to her.

"...Really, taking my mask, which is my identity..."

"Marina, let me tell you, I have a couple of ways to earn money properly. I'll show you tomorrow."

With that, I carried the still sleeping Haru upstairs to the second floor room.

The room, which felt cramped when we were all talking earlier, seemed spacious enough for two. But with only a bed and a water jug, it would quickly become crowded if we put more things in it.

Fortunately, we have item bags, so we don't have any luggage.

"Purification"

I cast the purification spell on the bed while holding Haru and laid her down.

"...Master..."

Haru murmured.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?"

When I asked, Haru opened her eyes in surprise and immediately jumped out of bed.

"N-no! I'm sorry, I fell asleep."

"Don't worry about it. You were probably tired. I feel bad for always making Haru drive."

"Um, any punishment?"

"No, no... Haru, that's strange. You know I wouldn't do that."

"Um... Master... do you... like it?"

...Like it?

D?

No.

Haru shouldn't know that I bought D.

This is about...

Do I like Haru?

That's what she means.

Of course.

There's no need to think about it.

"Yeah, I like you. Probably more than you think."

I conveyed my feelings with simple words.

"Of course, that's what I thought."

Haru had a somewhat sad expression.

She usually doesn't change her expression much, but it was clear now.

Huh?

What's with that reaction?

"Master, I'm prepared. If... if Master likes that... I want to meet Master's expectations... When I worked at Matthias' shop, a senior told me that there are people who like that."

Something's wrong.

I feel like there's a misunderstanding somewhere.

"Um, Master, candles and whips are a bit—"

"Wait! What? Candles? Whips? What do you mean?"

"Um, Master, you... you're an S, right? When you were mean to Marina, you looked so happy. I've never seen you smile like that. I was very envious."

...What?

"Um, if Master likes that, I can—"

"Wait! Haru Watato, please don't—Silent Room!!"

I hastily cast a spell on the room to prevent any further misunderstandings.

Then, I started to clear up the misunderstanding from the beginning.

I'm not an S. I don't have that kind of fetish.

I was just enjoying it as a game when I was mean to Marina.

Besides, Haru is charming just as she is, and I want her to stay that way.

"I see... I jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry."

Finally, the misunderstanding was cleared, and I sighed in relief.

"By the way, what did you mean by 'like' earlier?"

"......Ah, I'll tell you next time..."

I can't say it in this atmosphere.

I hung my head.

The next chapter will be a bit about leveling up.

By the way, this novel is a heartwarming harem story.

I plan to handle all serious developments as side stories.

Of course, it's not completely unrelated to the story. Ichi's actions will influence the side stories.