Chapter 27

"......Shiki, you went? And you even rented it out? A-All by yourself?"

I tried to go to the brothel, but I didn’t. I thought about renting it out, but I didn’t. I did consider using up all the 100,000 zeni, but I only thought about it. I haven’t done it yet. It’s an attempt. I’m innocent.

"That, well, you know, um......"

I cast my gaze to the back of Yuel’s head, who was sitting on my lap, and then to Ruruka. It’s eye contact. Now, this conversation is not good. I can’t talk about it in front of Yuel.

Gaiser invited me to the brothel. But I can’t let Yuel know. Because Yuel’s master is not the kind of person who buys women with money. He is clean, noble, and kind. I wouldn’t be invited to a brothel, and I wouldn’t even think about going. I don’t even poop.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t get that sparkling look of admiration from Yuel. Being praised by Yuel is one of my few joys these days. Besides, Elise’s attitude has been getting harsher lately. I need to be healed by Yuel’s smile and receive that look of admiration. I can’t ruin Yuel’s ideal image of her master.

Ruruka slowly nods at my eye contact. Does she understand? Ruruka is perceptive. She should understand.

"Yeah, I get it. Yeah, Shiki is... a guy, after all. Sometimes you want to do that kind of thing, right? It can’t be helped, I understand."

She doesn’t understand at all.

Ruruka’s face is flushed, and she keeps intertwining and untangling her fingers, looking around. When our eyes meet, she quickly turns away. This is bad.

"I don’t get it! You absolutely don’t get it!"

"I, I get it. I really do. Men, they, you know, get... built up, so they want to go to those places, I understand."

Thank you for understanding. But that’s not it. Usually, she lets me touch or press her chest, so why is she reacting like this now? She’s innocent.

It seems she’s trying to be considerate, but the only saving grace is that no decisive words that Yuel would understand have come out. Yuel seems confused by the flow of the conversation, tilting her head and thinking about something. This way, I can probably bluff my way through it with Yuel later.

The only thing left is to correct Ruruka’s misunderstanding...

"It’s a misunderstanding, yeah, let’s talk about it later!"

"No, no, it’s fine. You don’t have to bluff. I don’t mind that kind of thing!"

Thank you for not minding. But I’m not bluffing. I haven’t gone to the brothel at all. I did think about renting it out for some role-play, but I didn’t go.

What should I do? How do I clear up the misunderstanding? Well, since she said she doesn’t mind, maybe I don’t need to clear it up. But if I don’t, Ruruka will think I go to brothels regularly. And if I have extra income, she’ll think I use it to rent out brothels and indulge in luxury. While it’s true that I am that kind of person, I don’t want others to think so.

I have to clear up the misunderstanding. As I’m thinking about this—

"Um, well, it’s a shame about the Huge Slime, but if there’s any good news, let me know? I’ll come again."

—Ruruka, who seemed to be done with her business, was about to stand up from her chair. I couldn’t stop her from standing up because Yuel was sitting on my lap.

"Wait a minute..."

I could only watch as Ruruka left the clinic as if she were running away.

After Ruruka left, I told Yuel to keep the flower shop a secret and tried to bluff my way through when she asked, "What does ‘men get built up’ mean?" Then Elise came back from shopping.

And then came dinner. Elise’s cooking was laid out on the table.

"Hey, Elise, isn’t there less meat in my stew?"

Elise, sitting across the table from me, looked thoroughly displeased.

"Maybe it’s just your imagination."

Recently, Elise’s attitude has become more prickly. She was very kind right after we bought back the clinic. But her mood started to sour around the time I went to check on her in the bathroom after hearing her scream. It seems there was a dead spider in the bathroom, and Elise suspects I put it there. What a ridiculous idea. If I were falsely accused, what would I do?

But setting aside whether I’m falsely accused or not, Elise’s mood has been very bad lately. If I don’t improve it, I might end up in the same situation as before.

So—

"Elise, you’re really beautiful, you know. You have a great figure, and you’re the ideal woman."

—I decided to compliment Elise. When it comes to women, it’s best to compliment them if you’re in trouble. While my motivation is purely strategic, I’m not lying. Elise shouldn’t mind being complimented.

"......So, you peeked in the bathroom?"

Her voice was irritable and filled with frustration. ...It seems Elise is still holding a grudge. She doesn’t seem ready to forgive me easily. I doubt I can say something like, "It’s because it’s Elise" with a serious face.

But Yuel is here too. If she hears that I peeked in Elise’s bathroom, it would be a problem.

"I didn’t peek. I heard Elise’s scream and thought something happened. That’s all."

When I said this, Elise glared at me as if I were trash, looking like she was about to click her tongue. I can’t fool her. Maybe my behavior has been too bad. I should change the topic.

"Ah, ah... right, the meat in this stew... it’s Fangabbit, right? To make that tough meat so tender, Elise, you’re amazing. It melts in your mouth, and it’s really delicious."

"It’s just chicken."

"......Hmm, well, even so, Elise, you’re really amazing to be able to make such delicious food. The seasoning is just right, not too strong or too weak, and the balance is perfect. You really think about the people eating it. I’m always grateful. You’ll make a great wife."

Elise’s face twisted in annoyance, but she didn’t respond with sarcasm. This is a good sign. If I keep complimenting her, she might say, "Fine, whatever" or something like that. Let’s try one more push.

"Master, I helped a little too!"

Just as I was about to compliment Elise again, Yuel chimed in from the side.

"You’ll make a great wife too, Yuel."

"......!"

When I said this, Yuel’s face turned red, and she looked down, blushing shyly. It’s a different, more innocent and cute reaction compared to Elise. She’s so cute that I couldn’t help but pat her head, and in response, she rubbed her head against mine. She’s so cute. Yuel is really rewarding to compliment. I want to compliment her more... but right now, I need to focus on improving Elise’s mood. Her mood is still delicate.

"Right, Elise, you must be tired from work and housework. How about a massage later?"

"I don’t need one."

She answered immediately. Why? I thought it was a good idea. What other way can I improve Elise’s mood...?

"Ah, right, I bought some flowers. Look, aren’t they beautiful?"

When I took the bouquet out of the item box, Elise’s eyes widened in surprise.

"There were some in the hallway too, but you bought quite a lot."

Elise said this with a hint of exasperation, but I didn’t miss the slight softening of her cheeks.

After dinner, I took a bath with Yuel. After we got out, Elise went in, but I didn’t set up any spiders this time. I can’t harass Elise for a while. I learned my lesson when I was kicked out of the clinic. Testing the limits of harassment means pushing until it’s no longer okay.

After the bath, all that’s left is to go to bed. I changed into my pajamas, took a toothbrush from the item box, and started brushing my teeth. This world has proper toothbrushes and toothpaste, though they’re not as good as those in modern Japan.

As usual, I was sitting on the sofa in the living room, brushing my teeth, when—

"Do you like people who are good at cooking, Master?"

—Yuel, who had finished brushing her teeth first, asked this. What’s with the sudden question? Ah, because I praised Elise’s cooking so much.

I’m not sure. If we’re talking about good or bad, then good is better. I don’t know how well Yuel can cook, but being able to cook is better than not being able to. Also, saying this might motivate her to cook. I nodded while brushing my teeth.

"Of course, that’s true... and, um, about what you said earlier, about Master peeking in Elise’s bathroom, is it true? Do you like people with big chests like Elise?"

The toothbrush in my hand snapped with a crack.

"No, Yuel, that’s not true. I heard Elise’s scream and was worried, so I went to check. It wasn’t peeking, I just went to check. Got it? I’ll say it again: I was worried about Elise and went to check. It wasn’t peeking. It was an unavoidable accident. And, by the way, your chest will grow too, so don’t worry."

Yuel slowly nodded, muttering, "Grow..." and started touching her own chest. Her thoughts seem to be focused on her chest. For a moment, I thought she was questioning my actions, but it’s probably due to her inferiority complex about Elise’s large chest. I felt a chill. I thought my lie was exposed.

Yuel continued touching her chest. Indeed, seeing Elise’s large chest every day could make anyone feel inferior. But this conversation is over. Continuing it will only lead to bad places.

As I was about to resume brushing my teeth, I noticed—

"My toothbrush..."

The toothbrush was broken in two near the tip.

The toothbrush handle is made of wood and can break with a little force from an adult. I must have gripped it too hard when I was surprised by Yuel’s words.

I searched the item box, but there were no spares. I must have accidentally stepped on one before.

What should I do? I thought. Then I saw Yuel holding her toothbrush, staring at it. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I should gently warn her.

"Borrowing someone else’s toothbrush isn’t good, you know."

There’s no choice. It feels a bit gross to brush my teeth halfway, but I’ll buy a new toothbrush in the morning and use that. Just as I was thinking this, Yuel spoke.

"Master."

Yuel was looking at me, holding the broken tip of my toothbrush. It was already coated with toothpaste. She smiled and said,

"I’ll help you."

She held the small, two-centimeter toothbrush tip and offered to help.

I understand what she means. Yuel intends to use that small toothbrush tip to brush my teeth. While it might work for front teeth, what about the back teeth? Is she going to put her finger in my mouth with the brush? No, even Yuel wouldn’t do that... or would she?

I have a bad feeling. I need to stop her. I need to make her stop.

"Yuel, it’s fine for today. Just put that away," I was about to say.

But it was too late. The moment I opened my mouth, Yuel’s finger slipped into my mouth. I couldn’t close my mouth, and an incoherent sound escaped my throat.

Yuel smiled at me as if to say, "Leave it to me," and started brushing my teeth.

Let’s look at this objectively.

No toothbrush, so a young slave girl is brushing my teeth with her finger.

Absolutely not allowed.

I need to stop this. I need to stop this, but Yuel’s finger is already in my mouth. If I try to stop her, I’ll end up biting her thin finger. I can’t do that.

As I was thinking about what to do, Yuel gently brushed my teeth, massaged my gums with her fingers, and scrubbed the inside of my cheeks. She seemed focused on brushing my teeth, looking into my open mouth from close up. Her warm breath touched my neck, and the scent of soap spread each time she moved, fresh from the bath.

This is bad. This is really bad. As I pulled back in disgust, Yuel pushed my shoulder—

—pushing me back into the sofa. I was lying deep in the sofa, and Yuel was leaning over me. ...Maybe it was a matter of angle, and she couldn’t see my mouth well. I hope that’s the case.

Yuel looked intently into my mouth, moving her finger. She brushed my front teeth, canines, molars, the back of my teeth, the gaps... carefully, carefully, taking her time.

"Hmm..."

Then, perhaps finding it hard to see, Yuel changed her position. ...She straddled my waist. While it might be easier to sit properly, why this position? Still, if it’s still hard to see, Yuel adjusted her sitting position, continuing to brush my teeth.

The sound of the brush, the sound of water, and Yuel’s faint breaths filled the air.

Yuel continued brushing my teeth. She moved her thighs and frequently adjusted her position on top of me, but she was only brushing my teeth. Only brushing my teeth, but...

Why is Yuel’s face red, and even her ears flushed?

Well, I can understand. While we’re brushing teeth, it feels like I’m kissing Yuel’s finger the whole time. Yuel probably realized this while brushing and got excited on her own.

Suddenly, Yuel stopped brushing and caressed my lips with her finger. Repeatedly, repeatedly, sliding her finger over my lips.

Is she done brushing my teeth? If she’s done, I want her to move. I’m not a pedophile, but being this close and having my lips caressed, I don’t know when I might do something. And Yuel is already fully excited. If I do something, I’ll probably be eaten.

Yuel looked away from my mouth and up. When our eyes met, her body trembled.

"Master... Master..."

Yuel’s face was flushed red, and her eyes were wide open, looking at me. She seemed very focused on brushing my teeth, and her breathing was shallow and rapid. Suddenly, her free hand caressed my cheek lovingly.

Yuel and I stared at each other in silence. After five, six seconds, Yuel’s slender throat moved up and down.

...I’ll be eaten.

I need to pull away. But if I forcefully pull her away... it would be like rejecting her. Yuel is just devotedly brushing my teeth. If I reject her, how hurt will she be?

While I was hesitating, Yuel continued to look at my face, caressing my cheeks, lips, and touching me with her hand.

If I pull her away forcefully, Yuel will be hurt. But if I do nothing, I’ll be the one who gets hurt. What should I do? What should I do...!?

Then, the living room door opened with a creak.

"What are you two doing...?"

Elise, just out of the bath, was drying her wet hair with a towel and looking at us with a mix of exasperation and a slightly improved mood, probably because she liked the flower petals I had put in the bath.

Yuel looked at Elise, gave my lips one last caress, and quickly jumped off me.

"I’m done, Master."

Then, Yuel said with a hint of reluctance and put the broken toothbrush back in the item box.