Chapter 55

"Thank you for the bookmark evaluation m(_ _)m"

"Alright, let's get started!"

We are currently receiving treatment at the guild for the first time in a while.

...But I was really surprised earlier.

This morning, when I went to wash my face and stood in front of the mirror, for some reason, my face was swollen and red.

Surprised, I asked the knowledgeable Professor Aura, and apparently, I had been bitten by blood-sucking insects during the night.

Well, despite all that, the treatment was completed quickly, and it wasn't a serious issue.

"Hey! I'm counting on you today!"

Since the first customer of the day has arrived, I should focus on the treatment—

"Phew... Finally, I've finished the initial round..."

By the time it was about lunch, I had managed to treat most of the people in line.

"Aura and Torue, you can go ahead and have lunch."

We need to leave one of us here in case of any urgent customers, so this combination is inevitable.

"Got it. I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

With that, Torue and Aura left the guild.

Lily, who was left behind, sat on my lap and closed her eyes contentedly.

"Next, please—"

And I resumed the treatments.

"Hey, kid, you're always working hard."

When there was a rare lull in customers, a few of the regular adventurers who often come for treatment approached me, probably just to chat since they didn't seem to be injured.

"Hmm, I'll go talk to them for a bit!"

Just then, Lily, who had recently learned some secret code from Aura and the others, got off my lap.

"Understood."

I watched Lily leave, thinking that the old men might be more open to talking without her around.

"Alright, let's get comfortable... So, kid, who's your main squeeze...?"

One of the old men leaned in and asked.

"Uh, what do you mean...?"

Unfortunately, I didn't quite understand what he meant.

"First, I don't get what 'main squeeze' means..."

"Oh, come on..."

The old men looked exasperated, but I couldn't help it if I didn't know.

"Ha, well, it's like this. Who do you want to get it on with the most?"

"Wha—!?"

That's weird. I don't understand why the conversation suddenly turned to this.

"Because, you always bring around three cute girls, right? Well, two of them are still kids, so it narrows it down to one, but I heard you're pretty close with Asa from the guild too?"

"Well, I can't deny they're all cute..."

But that doesn't mean things will progress smoothly.

I'm just a regular guy, and they probably wouldn't even consider me.

"Ha!? Are you even a man? Could it be... you like men...?"

"No way!?"

I hurriedly denied it as they moved away, worried about any rumors.

"Haha, just kidding, of course."

"Please, spare me..."

Honestly, it didn't sound like a joke.

"Ta-da! I'm back!!"

As I sighed, Lily, who had gone to pick flowers, sat back on my lap.

"Hey, what were you talking about?"

She asked me and the old men with an innocent smile, but I couldn't tell her what we were discussing.

The old men would probably be more careful around a child.

"We were just talking about what kind of relationship you and this young man have."

One of the old men bravely told Lily.

...It's a bit risky, but it should be okay.

"Hmm? Relationship with Nest?"

"Y-Yeah, that's right. These old men are being persistent. Tell them, Lily."

Lily wouldn't say anything inappropriate, and besides, we haven't done anything.

"Well, Lily is on top of Nest?"

"Wha...?"

"What are you saying, Lily?"

Could she mean sitting on my lap...?

"Surprisingly, the top of Nest is really big and feels really good."

"Could it be... you're that kind of guy?"

"Then, you'd rather he likes men...?"

"Scary..."

The old men started to move away from me.

The fastest ones were already at the guild entrance.

"Well, I'll be going ahead."

"Good luck...?"

They scattered, saying whatever they wanted.

"It's a misunderstanding!!!"

But there was no one left to hear my scream—

From the next day, rumors started spreading that I had a fetish for young girls.