Chapter 11

Maki said she wanted to make me her exclusive client, half-jokingly, half-seriously, but I never expected her to react so positively.

Well, I’m a bit pleased, but there’s something that concerns me.

“There are a few things I need to confirm, but is it even possible? I’ve already received an ‘introduction letter’ from Aki, and I’m already an exclusive client.”

“Yes, it’s possible. However, there are certain conditions. For adventurers who already have an exclusive receptionist, it’s not possible to request one from the receptionist. Instead, the adventurer must directly express their desire. Otherwise, there would be an endless number of exclusive receptionists assigned to promising adventurers.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Without restrictions, top adventurers would be overwhelmed, wouldn’t they?”

I’ve heard that high-level adventurers in Japan each have an exclusive receptionist, almost like a partner. But I’ve never heard of anyone having multiple.

There might be some, but I haven’t come across them.

Given the ‘introduction letter’ system, there are probably many receptionists who want to be the exclusive for high-earning adventurers. However, by prohibiting such appeals to those who already have exclusives, the guild prevents scenes like this morning from happening.

I’ve never been interested in such things, but the outside world is tough for both the guild and adventurers.

“But, are you really sure about me? We only met yesterday.”

“To be honest, I thought it was impossible and was just joking lightly. But if it’s possible, I would like to request it. From what I saw at the counter earlier, Maki seemed really troubled. If I’m going to continue relying on this guild, I want Maki to always handle my requests, not just as a proxy, but as a true exclusive. So, if Maki doesn’t mind, I would really like to request it.”

If a beautiful person like her greets and sees me off every time I visit the guild, I’m sure I’ll be more motivated. I’ve been hunting slimes for years with only a slim chance of success, but I really want to see the results of my hard work.

Moreover, I’m definitely going to continue my activities centered around this dungeon. If Maki were to become someone else’s exclusive, she would prioritize her exclusive duties over her proxy work. The thought of that makes me a bit angry, and it would be tough to have to deal with someone I don’t know at all.

At first, I found her easy to talk to because she’s Aki’s sister and was introduced by Aki, but now I really don’t want anyone else.

“...I understand. If I were to become an exclusive, I would want someone like Shouta.”

“Maki...”

...Huh? Oh, this is bad.

It feels like a confession, and my heart is racing.

I’m not the only one who feels this way; Maki’s face is slightly flushed. We both avert our gazes.

“So, with this, the first condition for me to become Shouta’s exclusive is cleared. Excuse me for a moment.”

Maki took out her smartphone and made a call. After a few rings, a familiar voice came through the phone.

“Hello, it’s me, your big sister. What’s up? It’s rare for you to call during work. Well, I don’t really have a job. Nyahaha!”

It’s Aki, as usual.

Aki is like this even with her sister...

“Hey, big sister. Shouta is right here.”

“Oh? Shouta is there? What’s what? You want Maki? What should I do?”

“Hey, Aki!”

“Big sister, this is serious.”

Aki teases me as usual, but Maki, being Maki, ignores it.

“Okay, okay, sorry.”

“Shouta wants me to be his exclusive.”

“Eh? Really? That’s super rare. Since you called, I guess Maki is okay with it. Then it’s fine. I have no problem as long as Maki is happy! Still, Shouta, you’re quicker than I thought. I’m a bit sad, you know.”

“Ugh...”

“Thanks. I’ll hang up now.”

“Eh? Wait, wait!”

Click.

Maki ended the call casually.

Maki is usually polite and kind, but she’s quite rough with Aki...

“The approval from the first exclusive is granted. As for the most important allocation between the two of us, I’ll decide that with my sister. Finally, we need to get the branch manager’s approval.”

“Ah, yes.”

Maki reached for the intercom, but at the same time, there was a knock on the door. It was the door on the back side, which is rarely used. Maybe there’s a staff-only passage?

“I’ve been listening. May I come in?”

“Eh? Y-Yes!”

The person who entered, looking flustered, was a beautiful woman in her 30s with long black hair. Her sharp suit made her look like a capable career woman. Could this be the branch manager?

Her appearance and features seemed familiar. Where have I seen her...? I looked back at Maki, then at the branch manager again.

...They look identical!?

“Excuse me, but are you Maki and Aki’s big sister?”

“Oh!”

“Sorry, Shouta, this is our mother...”

“Mother!?”

It seems that the two of them have a very youthful-looking mother.

To all readers,

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There’s one more chapter today.