Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 55
The next day, instead of heading to the Pigeon Trading Company, Melt and I went straight to the house in the forest.
I wanted to test how long it would take to run from the Adventurers’ Den to the house.
“Phew…! It takes quite a while to get from the Adventurers’ Den to the south gate! We should definitely use the shared carriages when we’re in town!”
“Yeah, for sure…”
Both Melt and I can move faster than ordinary people—faster than carriages, even. But that’s only true at top speed.
Carriages have dedicated lanes even on crowded roads, but people don’t. Running through busy streets actually takes more time and energy.
“So, it’s about an hour from the Den to the house, even though it’s almost a straight shot to the south gate.”
“Lindblum is huge! I really felt it when we ran across it! I want to try circling the whole city next time.”
“That’s definitely gonna take a while.”
We chatted and passed time in the garden of the house. The door wasn’t unlocked yet.
Then we heard the sound of a carriage from a distance. It must be the head of the trading company.
After a moment, the president and—Kokuri-san—arrived via the small path.
“Hey there, Same and Melt. We sure are seeing a lot of each other lately.”
“Haha… you’re the one pulling the strings, aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah. This house was a secondary residence of my predecessor, the former head of the Magic Research Institute. So the institute manages it. I’m the one who decides whether it goes on the market. Actually, I was the one who suggested selling it to the Queen.”
“Schuris-san told you I was looking for a house, didn’t she?”
“Exactly. And considering that, I figured you’d understand why we’d want to place you somewhere within the royal family’s line of sight.”
Kokuri-san spoke with no hint of guilt, but with a sharp, measured gaze.
…Yeah, that decision makes sense. And in fact, I did choose this house, just as they’d hoped.
“Well then, President of the Pigeon Company—would you hand over the key?”
“Y-yes! Here you go, Kokuri Maya-sama!”
“Hmm… Good, no signs of duplication. You seem like a trustworthy merchant.”
“O-of course!”
Wait, this woman is terrifying. Did she set a trap or something?
“Now, I’ll take the 1,200 large gold coins. Specifically 960 from you, and the remainder from the company.”
“Here, I’ve already divided them in advance.”
I handed Kokuri-san two small barrel-shaped attache cases.
We had arrived early to the house so that no one would see us pulling items out of storage.
Then I handed a smaller barrel case with the remaining amount to the merchant.
…All the money containers in this world are barrel-shaped, huh. And they’re metal, not wooden.
Is there some history behind that?
“I’ll check the contents later, alright?”
“Go right ahead.”
“I trust you, Same-san. I’m sure there are exactly 240 coins in here.”
“Haha, trust is everything.”
…Though actually, I secretly slipped in a flyer for a public bath and the payment for it as a little extra.
Nothing like bonding over a good soak to start talking business more casually.
“Well then, President—please return and start drawing up the paperwork. Some nobles caught wind that the Research Institute was selling this place and were desperate to buy it. I’ll need official documentation showing it’s already sold—to shut them up.”
“What! Then I shall return to the company at once. Kokuri-sama, what about you?”
“I’ll explain the house’s specs to these two. You go on ahead.”
We watched the merchant rush off.
So there were already competing buyers…
“…Well, that was just an excuse to get rid of him. Come on, Same-san, let’s go inside.”
“R-right…”
Looks like we can’t let our guard down just yet.
We were let into the house.
Well, our house now.
“Alright, please take this key. At first glance, it looks ordinary, doesn’t it?”
What she handed me was a slightly large ward-type key.
I guess that’s the standard in this world.
“It’s got some complex craftsmanship. Part of the security, of course. But—”
“Oh, it’s a magic emblem!”
Melt, who had been watching from the side, suddenly raised her voice.
“Correct, Melt. Are you a mage?”
“Nope! But I know it from a book—it’s a magic emblem, right?”
“Yes. This key also triggers a magic function. This house is normally protected by an invisible barrier. The key disables it and unlocks the door at the same time. A defense system fit for the head of the Research Institute.”
“I see… So there are still more tricks hidden in this house?”
“Exactly. That’s why I had the merchant leave. Security details shouldn’t be shared with outsiders.”
Makes sense. Even a trusted seller can’t be told everything.
“Would you bring the key over here? To the next room.”
“Oh, the room with the piano! I want to play it again!”
“You can play as much as you like once we’re done, Melt.”
Kokuri-san led us to the sunroom and pointed at a section of the window.
“Hold the key up there. See the key-shaped engraving?”
“Like this?”
Then, a faint glowing circle appeared on the glass.
A small light dot started moving away and eventually disappeared from the window.
…What is this?
“It senses and displays people around the house. That key engraving shows this house’s position. The moving dot was probably the merchant leaving. With this, you can detect anyone near the house. Of course, no one’s likely to target you here. But it’s useful for sensing guests, too. The former owner used it to surprise visitors for fun.”
“Wow! That person must’ve been wonderful! If we know someone’s coming, we can prepare fresh tea and open the door before they knock and go ‘Ta-da!’”
“Haha, exactly! Same-san, your girlfriend is a delight.”
I agree wholeheartedly.
“There are lots of little tricks like that. For example, the bathroom.”
“Oh, the one where you can be seen naked from outside! Can’t we fix that? It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Of course. Once the bath fills with hot water, it looks like a greenhouse full of plants from the outside. But it only works with hot water—not cold.”
“Wow! Same, now we can bathe in peace!”
“Haha, true. This house is full of surprises…”
“There might be other features too, but I haven’t figured them all out. That’s about all I can explain for now.”
With that, Kokuri-san led us up to the second floor of the house.
“After this, I’ll just explain the layout and then I’ll be on my way. Come on, I’ll show you around.”
“Oh, right. We haven’t been to the second floor yet.”
“Having a second floor is so nice~.”
It certainly gives a kind of bonus feel—like efficient use of land or something.
“This is the bedroom. The bed’s really big, so the two of you can sleep together if you like.”
“Ooh! Sounds good. Let’s sleep together, Same!”
“We’re not sleeping together. That was a joke, Melt. From Kokuri-san.”
“Aww, but you could cuddle my tail while sleeping. It’s warm, you know?”
Melt: a girl with no concept of shame.
Even Kokuri-san looks dumbfounded at her unexpected reaction.
“W-Well, this is the bedroom—or rather, there are a few guest rooms too. The furniture’s built-in, but feel free to buy anything else you need.”
“Ah, that’s no problem at all.”
“And over here… see the square outline on the ceiling at the end of the hallway? That’s the entrance to the attic. There should be a ladder stored in the shed, so you can use that to climb up. It hasn’t been cleaned, but it shouldn’t be too dirty. I believe it was used as a second storage room.”
Oh, an attic? That’s kind of romantic.
“I wanna go up! Where’s the ladder…?”
“Hey now, later.”
“Okayyy. This house is kind of fun, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I think the person who built it would be happy to hear that.”
After finishing the full tour, Kokuri-san heads for the front entrance.
“Now then… I’ll be heading off. But I believe you understand what I—or rather, what the queen—wants to say, Same-san. Please, we ask for your cooperation for the sake of this country.”
“I’ll think carefully about how to handle this. Not just me, I’ll consult with my ‘companions.’”
“I see… Understood. When you’ve decided, come see me right away. Well then, I’ll take my leave, Same-san, Melt-chan.”
“Okay, see you again, Kokuri-chan!”
“‘-chan’ huh… haha. I do look young, after all. You can call me that.”
Wait—seriously? She only looks like she’s in her twenties, but could she actually be much older…?
“Kokuri-san, I plan to leave town for a short while to consult with some of my other companions. Will that be alright?”
“Hmm. Alright, I’ll allow it. But keep the information strictly confidential—do your best not to let anything leak. The queen entrusted you because she trusts you. Make absolutely sure nothing escapes the country. Not that we haven’t already increased surveillance on every possible route out, of course.”
“Understood.”
Her eyes… weren’t smiling. She was dead serious—if I tried to run off with this information, I doubt I’d live to tell about it.
“Oh, right. About the spare key—can one even be made for this? I’d like one each for me and Melt if possible.”
“Ah, there is a spare. It should be in the kitchen cupboard.”
“Great. That’s all from me. Melt?”
“Ah, um… is it okay if I keep the piano?”
“Sure. You like it?”
“It makes such pretty sounds!”
“I see. Everything in this house belongs to the two of you now. Feel free to play as much as you want. If it needs tuning, just ask the instrument shop in Lindblum.”
As Kokuri-san said that final bit, all the tension in her expression seemed to disappear.
Melt… terrifying.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
After seeing her off, I immediately check from the sunroom to confirm her presence has vanished.
…She’s not someone to let your guard down around.
“Alright then… Melt, I’m going to change into someone else again. You okay with that?”
“Oh! Are you going to become someone who can play the piano!?”
Melt asks with a beaming smile, her excitement plain to see.
But—
“That’ll be another time. I’ve got… a very important task now.”
“Hmm… Sounds serious. Tell me.”
“Yeah. Actually, it’s about the dungeon core. I received some documents from Her Majesty about how to handle it, and I want to think it over. And for that, it’s better to have someone ‘smarter’ than me. So I’m planning to switch over to Sheele again.”
To be honest, it’s risky. The personality split is so distinct that it’s like it could completely overwrite my sense of self, Shizuma.
No doubt it stems from her strength. Though of course, her being female is part of it too.
But even with that risk, this is a critical moment—we can’t afford not to use her intelligence.
“You’re switching to Sheele! It’s been a while~”
“Yup. So with that said… switching over.”
And with that, I brought up the menu and handed control over to Sheele—
My brain begins to process and reconcile the memories so far.
A mild headache strikes, but I endure it as I gather my thoughts.
Do the memories of each of us characters get shared through Shizuma the moment we switch?
How I acted as Silent. How I acted as Same. And how I will act from this point onward.
I understand the role expected of me, and once my brain finishes processing—
“…It’s been a while, Melt.”
When I open my eyes, Melt’s cute face is peeking into mine.
“Sheele! Long time no see! Look, look! This is our house!”
“Yes, I know. Wow… seeing it in person, it’s a truly lovely house.”
“Right?! Same said he wouldn’t sleep with me, but you’ll sleep with me, right, Sheele? The bed is huge!”
“Hehe, alright. Now then, before we get to the main topic…”
Before pulling out the documents about the dungeon core stored in the item box, I suggested we take care of an “important task that even Same forgot.”
“Melt, let’s go to Hamusutei together. We need to properly say, ‘We’ve decided to move out today,’ and greet them. I can’t believe even Same forgot. He must’ve been quite swept up in the excitement, don’t you think?”
“Ah! That’s right! Oh no—Same totally forgot to say goodbye~”
“Indeed. What a careless one, isn’t he?”
And so, after confirming from the sunroom that no one was around, I headed toward Lindblum.