Chapter 75

After parting ways with the class representative, I went around the gardening stores during the day's shopping time and purchased various items one by one.

Starting with tulip bulbs, then pansies, violas, and cosmos... I thought that it seemed like anything Japanese could sell, and I bought a set and took it home.

...Thanks to my status, it wasn't heavy at all.

When I came out of the store, other customers looked at me strangely.

I entrusted it to the class representative to cultivate.

Of course, it was within the range that could be brought in.

Day by day, I increased the variety, and as a result of buying things from the florist, the class representative came about a week later.

"Hanehashi-kun, my prediction was right."

The class representative was in high spirits.

It seemed he had made quite a profit, as the words suggested.

"Oh, so it sold?"

"It's just the beginning. Haha, dozens of nobles even came to my field."

At that point, Ramures looked at the documents and agreed with a sigh of amazement.

It seemed to be true.

However, it hadn't become a large-scale issue involving the country's prestige.

Still, it had become a matter that required some attention, and the class representative's field was being evaluated and taken over by the royal family.

"Yes, it seems that the unknown plants provided by the people from another world were brought to the nobles' appraisal meeting... and they received high praise."

"It's turning into a situation where an unimaginable amount of money is being piled up. My prediction was indeed correct. This is this week's share."

The class representative handed me the equivalent of 3 million in money and points.

What is this amount... more than spices.

Moreover, he said it was this week's share.

Would the same amount, or even more, be deposited next week?

"To make that much in a week... the items Hanehashi-sama brought from another world are truly remarkable."

Ramures also answered with admiration.

"I think it will continue to be deposited. Please use it to your heart's content."

"Ah, thank you."

For some reason, the class representative, who had been treated badly by Taniizumi, looked incredibly reliable.

Well, negotiations with Taniizumi didn't work at all.

This scene really fits the phrase "right person, right place."

Knowledge is something that those who have it really do have.

I thought I should reflect a little on my former self, who used to only play games.

Of course, the money this time will basically be used for the equipment of Ito and the others.

Ito and the others are also making quite a bit of money, and according to Morishin, they are close to having enough for the number of people.

At this rate... maybe I can also get the full metal series and go for leveling up soon?

While thinking about that, I looked at Ramures.

"It's like a gold rush, but is it okay with the country and all?"

"The market is being revitalized with unknown plants and spices... but it hasn't become a major issue."

"Why is that?"

Ramures turned his eyes to Morishin in response to my question.

"It's because the issue that Hanehashi-sama and the others are struggling with to fight monsters is a significant factor. Since weapons are the true point of expenditure, the amount of money the people from another world earn doesn't reach a revolutionary scale."

"Ah..."

"Basically, it's not a matter of life and death. It's still within the realm of hobbies, like spices and plants."

Is this the common sense of another world?

In other words, the focus is on creating weapons, and since those weapons are so expensive and consume a lot of points, it's not being seen as a major issue, even by the nobles...

"If there were many incidents like the adamant turtle attack that only Hanehashi-sama could resolve, the country, nobles, and adventurers would have judged it as a major issue..."

"Uh-huh."

"Still, there's a possibility that it could become a major issue in the future, unknown to us. In case of an emergency, we would be grateful if you all continue to become stronger as you have been, so that you can resolve it with your own power."

In other words, even if various trades continue and this country or other countries take notice, we should strive to be able to counter any plots with our own strength.

Judging from the reactions of Ramures and the people of this country so far, I think they will cooperate.

"Also, our country is involved in the business. The profits are being used to expand the military, so we are better able to protect everyone. Please rest assured for the time being."

"Is that reliable, or is it a scary threat?"

"Hehe... sorry."

That's how we ended up being busy with our daily work.

"Roar."

Separate from leveling up, in my free time, I buy various toys for Kumako and teach her tricks.

I gave her a balance ball and a unicycle, and she started practicing, so I joined in.

It seems that entertaining everyone is Kumako's joy, so I don't hesitate to help.

Well, only when I have the time.

I also practice sparring with her.

"Kousuke, we have a visitor."

"Huh? Again?"

Is it another money-making opportunity?

If it's spices and plants, maybe it's animals this time?

Cows and pigs are living things, so I think it would be difficult to bring them in...

There were pigs, but Japanese pork that has been selectively bred might be highly rated.

Still, can I bring in the seeds of cows and pigs?

My ability can't bring living things.

"Hey... hey..."

It turned out to be Ito.

He's a swordsmanship ability user and has the full metal series, and currently, he's the one with the highest level among the combat-oriented group.

"What? Do you need something from me? Like help with leveling up?"

According to Ito and the others, the manifestation of expansion abilities changes every 10 levels after level 30, and further on, the senses expand.

However, it seems that performance can improve within the expansion abilities.

"That's part of it, but..."

Ito had a troubled look on his face.

What's wrong?

Now that I think about it, Ito always has this look when he's with me.

Does he really dislike me that much?

"Tell me if there's anything I can do. I want to help everyone survive."

Lately, I've started to feel that I'm contributing to everyone.

It's probably because I'm bringing things from the transfer and making a lot of money.

"Um..."

Then Ito looked even more troubled and turned to Morishin.

Morishin also seemed to be sighing.

Ah, Hagizawa has been recruiting companions and going on hunts recently.

I offered to help, but apparently, we're not needed.

He said it's better if we earn points and money.

"Kousuke, come with me for a moment."

Morishin took my hand and led me to another room.

"What's up?"

"Kousuke, as I said before, being self-sacrificing and serving us isn't your character. Understand?"

"Even if you say that..."

Because I was a bystander, I couldn't stop the rampages of Taniizumi and Ono early on.

So I want to be a help to everyone so I don't regret it.

I don't want anyone to die.

If I can protect even one person, I won't hesitate to use any means.

The result is that the points earned from trade are being used for weapons, which Ito and the others are using to earn money more efficiently.

This has been proven by past events.

"Especially Ito, who survived because Meguru-san strongly argued with Ono when he was about to be killed. Kousuke, who was close to Meguru-san, seems to have a strong sense of guilt."

"..."

At that time, one of the classmates who was about to be killed when Ono was called by Meguru-san was Ito, and Ono also liked Ito's ability.

Well, it's swordsmanship.

It's rare for a Japanese person who has played games to not be interested in swordsmanship.

I see... Ito was saved by Meguru-san.

"Kousuke, it's been a while since then. Isn't it time to show a more cheerful face? Ito wants you to treat him the way the old you would."

"I see..."

"Roar?"

Kumako tilted her head at the difficult request.

Well, Kumako doesn't know the old me.

Still, it's hard to be told to act like the old me.

However, isn't it important to fulfill requests as much as possible?

...Sigh.

"Alright."

It's a request to act like the old me.

I recalled the old me and returned to Ito with Morishin.

"Um..."

Ito was at a loss for words.

If I were the old me, I would probably have a conversation like this with Ito...

Yeah, this is probably it.

"Hey, what do you need at the item storage? The item you asked me to keep... is already gone, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

Morishin looked at me with a bewildered expression.

Huh? Was I wrong?

But there's no turning back now.

"Um..."

"Are you storing something?"

"From Japan..."

"I don't know such a service."

I think the old me would have held a grudge against Ito's actions and denied knowing anything.

While it doesn't really matter anymore, I remember being threatened with a sword to the cheek in the forest.

I would have probably favored close friends or base members and provided them with items.

That's the kind of person I was.

"I'm sorry for what happened back then!"

Suddenly, Ito did a dogeza (prostration) to me.

"For making you work for free at the item storage and threatening you, I'm sorry! Meguru-san is my savior, and Hanehashi, you saved me too! But please, hear my request!"

Ito bowed deeply, continuing to do so.

What is this guilt?

Why am I making Ito do a dogeza?

I don't understand.