dmims Page 108
Page 108
"So... Xiangzi, what are your specific plans regarding those debts?" Yuecunze asked after thinking for a moment.
Working as a customer service representative alone is definitely not enough to pay off the debt.
"The current idea is to form a new adventurer group. But not the traditional adventurer group under the Adventurers' Guild that only focuses on hollowing out, but a commercial adventurer group that emphasizes both performance activities and hollow exploration." Toyokawa Shoko became much more talkative once she started talking about this. "Regarding the selection... I already have a general idea in mind..."
She paused, then looked up, her golden eyes meeting those of Yuecun Ze.
"Ze, you haven't joined an adventurer's party yet, right?"
No, you know, I've actually been a member of MYGO!! for a long time. Shiina Tatsuki is incredibly strong, Nagasaki Motoyo is very reliable, Chihaya Aine makes up for the lack of magic output, Takamatsu Akari provides encouragement and support, and if Kaname Rakuna were a cat, we would definitely have great chemistry.
As for Shoko Toyokawa? Wishing her all the best on Ave Mujica!
"Me?" Koshimura pointed to himself, somewhat surprised. "Indeed, I don't... but if you were to form a commercial adventure team, wouldn't it be the basic requirement to have all the members be girls?"
Otherwise, if I, a guy, stand on the stage surrounded by five beautiful girls, people would think I run a harem.
...Thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem like it's not a bad idea?
"Well, these kinds of things can't be decided so hastily, can they?" Koshimura quickly pulled his wandering thoughts back. "It's best to discuss it with the others first..."
“I was just about to come and discuss this,” Toyokawa Shoko said, pointing to the doorplate in front of her. “So I need to let my father meet you first and get his approval.”
So, in your eyes, forming an adventure team is really on the same level as getting married?
"Alright." Koshimura Sawa took a deep breath, as if preparing for battle. "Should I knock on the door first, or will you go first?"
“I’ll do it.” Toyokawa Shoko stepped forward and stood in front of the door. “After all… at this time, Father might not even be home.”
She reached out, and her knuckles just touched the door panel with a crisp sound. The door then slammed open from the inside.
"Xiangzi, you're back—" Toyokawa Kiyoko greeted him with a smile, but his smile froze instantly when his gaze fell on Koshimura Sawa behind Toyokawa Xiangzi.
“Dad, this is Koshimura Sawa,” Toyokawa Shoko introduced.
"Hello, Uncle." Yuecunze bowed slightly and said.
"Oh, the things are here, that's enough. Why bring anyone?" Toyokawa Kiyoko took the milk and fruit gift box from Koshimura Sawa, and with his other hand, pulled Toyokawa Shoko towards the door, making as if to close it. "It's getting late, let's go home."
"Huh? Wait—Dad?" Toyokawa Shoko quickly pulled her hand away from his and looked at her father in confusion. "Didn't you say before that you wanted to meet him and asked me to bring Ze home as a guest?"
When did I say that?
Toyokawa Kiyoko was taken aback.
He tried hard to search his memory for relevant information, but to no avail; he found no related fragments.
etc--
He seemed to suddenly remember something.
I was wondering why Xiangzi suddenly asked me why I wasn't cooking dinner, but thankfully I managed to brush it off by saying I was too busy with work...
Eli, you bastard, what have you done to my body?!
“Look, they’re even calling me by my name.” Toyokawa Kiyoshi sighed, then put on a serious expression. “Xiangzi, these salesmen outside are using all sorts of tricks these days, and they’re all so convincing. You mustn’t be fooled by their sweet talk.”
"No—it really is Koshimura Sawa!" Toyokawa Shoko was so anxious she almost stomped her feet.
[A. "Old Deng, is it safe to park my will-o'-the-wisp downstairs at your place?"]
[B. "Hello sir, how about swimming for fitness?"]
[C. "Here is 1 million yen. Please leave my wife."]
"Here is 1 million yen. Please leave my wife."
Koshimura Sawa paused for a second, then suddenly reached into the fruit gift box, pulled out a banana, and solemnly placed it into Toyokawa Kiyoshi's hand.
Toyokawa Kiyokaku: "..."
Toyokawa Shoko: “…”
The air suddenly became quiet.
The two slowly lowered their heads, their gazes focusing on the thick, long banana.
Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath, turned and walked towards the door, trying to close it forcefully: "Father, you're right! We really must be careful and not easily trust strangers!"
Yuecun Ze quickly stepped forward and grabbed the door tightly.
"Wait! Xiangzi! I haven't gone in yet!"
------
So we're back here again...
Looking at the slightly cramped but very clean living room, Yuecunze's gaze habitually swept around the surroundings, and a strange sense of familiarity suddenly welled up in his heart.
Even though he had only been here once before, he seemed to know everything in the room by heart, and could even recall the approximate location of each item just by closing his eyes.
That's strange, why is this happening?
[This looks exactly like it; it's definitely due to watching too much Abbott's Chicken.]
Just as Toyokawa Shoko was about to get up to pour tea for Eshimura Sawa, she saw that he had already picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup, and even filled the cup in front of her as well.
...?
Wait, isn't this my house? Why do you seem to know it better than I do?
Koshimura picked up his teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip.
The warm tea soup has a light aroma when you put it in your mouth. Although it is bitter at first, it has a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Surprisingly...not bad at all?
He picked up the teapot, ready to refill his cup.
Veins bulged on Toyokawa Kiyoshi's forehead as he snatched the teapot from his hand: "This is a high-grade tea that I finally managed to find. Drink it sparingly."
Koshimura glanced at him as he secretly put the tea bag back under the table.
There are three Chinese characters written on it.
Biluochun tea.
Small-leaved variety!
I guessed which team Koshimura Sawa's team was in 0 seconds, try guessing it too!
“Father… Ze is a guest.” Toyokawa Shoko quickly took the teapot from her father’s hand, giving him a slightly reproachful look. “Hospitality is the most basic courtesy of the Toyokawa family. Have you forgotten?”
As she spoke, she thoughtfully filled a teacup for Yuecunze, blew on it gently, and handed it to him.
Koshimura took the teacup and raised an eyebrow at Toyokawa Kiyoshi with a smug look.
Toyokawa Kiyotaka's lips twitched involuntarily.
Aren't you my daughter? Why are you siding with outsiders?
"Have you finished drinking?" he asked irritably as he watched Koshimura put down his teacup.
Actually, I feel a little thirsty...
“Then there’s no need to drink.” Toyokawa Kiyoshi bent down and took out a hammer, a pair of pliers, and a gleaming silver dagger engraved with exquisite patterns from under the table, placing them on the table with a “bang.” “You can choose one yourself. I’ll try to be quick and decisive.”
"Wait?! Father?" Toyokawa Shoko interrupted him in shock. "Where did you find all these things?"
[A. "No, Uncle! What will happen to Xiangzi's baby if I die?"]
B. "Let's go at it all at once, I'm in a hurry."
【C. "You jerk, stop it! Let's talk about it in the room tonight~"】
Koshimura glanced at the three gleaming "instruments of torture" on the table, then at Toyokawa Kiyoko, who was impatiently tapping the table.
She suddenly stood up, abruptly knelt on one knee in front of him, and grabbed his hand.
"No, what are you doing—" Toyokawa Kiyotaka was taken aback by the sudden action and quickly tried to pull his hand back. "Get up! What kind of behavior is this!"
"No, Uncle!" Yuecun Ze raised his head and said, tears streaming down his face, "If I die, what will happen to Xiangzi's baby? He can't be without a father!"
"What—?!" Toyokawa Kiyotaka was struck dumb, jerking back and nearly choking on his breath. "You...you already have a child?! When did this happen?!"
Yes, theoretically speaking, I am now the legitimate heir of the Toyokawa family.
"Wait... Ze, what nonsense are you talking about!" Toyokawa Shoko's face instantly turned bright red as she hurriedly explained to her father, "Dad! It's not what you think! He... he was just joking!"
"That's true..." Toyokawa Kiyoshi patted his chest, still shaken, trying to reassure himself, "I knew it, how could Shoko—"
[You have received a reward for selecting the "defying the heavens" option.]
【thermometer】
It's just a regular thermometer, but it looks a bit like some kind of family planning product.
[Note: The person opposite you seems to have a slightly elevated blood pressure. For their health, please get them tested!]
Just then, a long, white object slipped out of Koshimura Sawa's pocket with a "thud" and landed right at Toyokawa Kiyoshi's feet.
Two lines, one dark and one light, are clearly visible in the oval groove in the middle of the object.
"Eek—!" Toyokawa Kiyoko let out a short cry of surprise, his body stiffened abruptly, and then he fell straight backward.
------
"...Is he still not awake?"
Koshimura Sawa shifted his gaze from Toyokawa Kiyoko, who had collapsed on the floor, and looked at Toyokawa Shoko beside him, who looked anxious and helpless: "Should we try some kind of healing magic?"
“I don’t know how to do that kind of thing…” Toyokawa Shoko said helplessly. “Speaking of which, Sawa! Why did you buy that kind of thing?! And it had to be that kind of appearance?”
"I bought it because I thought it looked interesting." Koshimura took the thermometer out from under his armpit, and the electronic screen, divided by two lines, was displaying numbers.
35.9.
It was less than 36 degrees Celsius.
Is this a sign that I'm about to become a cold corpse?
"Really..." Toyokawa Shoko let out a long sigh, giving him a reproachful glare. "You could at least have told me beforehand. I was quite startled."
Xiangbao, we're completely innocent, what are you afraid of?
Could it be that he has a guilty conscience?
You don't actually have feelings for me, do you? That's disgusting. (Raises hand, emoji)
"Should we try pinching his philtrum?" Koshimura's attention returned to Toyokawa Kiyokazu on the ground.
“No need…” Toyokawa Kiyoko suddenly raised a hand, gripped the edge of the table, and sat up with difficulty. “Very good… Fearless in the face of danger, and even able to think of a way to fight back, you have passed the first test I set for you.”
What, Toyokawa Nakanobu, was this also within your expectations?
"What is the second challenge?" Koshimura asked curiously.
"I'm still thinking, don't rush me." Toyokawa Kiyoshi waved his hand.
Koshimura Sawa: "?"
"Alright." Toyokawa Kiyoko suddenly sat up straight, his expression turning serious again, his gaze sharp as he looked at Koshimura Sawa. "Koshimura Sawa... what is your name?"
Listen to this, is this even human language?
“Koshimura Sawa,” Koshimura Sawa said, “Koshimura as in Koshimura Sawa, Sawa as in Koshimura Sawa.”
Toyokawa Kiyoko placed his hand on the bone flute under the table.
There was no response... Does that mean this is actually his real name?
"age?"
"sixteen..."
How many people are in your family? What do they all do for a living?
Are you here to check household registration too?
“Dad—” Toyokawa Shoko couldn’t help but try to interrupt him.
"It's alright." Yuecun Ze gently placed his hand on the back of her hand, reassuring her with his eyes.
These are necessary procedures to reassure your dad and get him to agree to us forming an adventure team.
Are all these tests necessary to get my father's approval for our marriage?
Ze... I didn't expect you to be thinking about our future so seriously...