The awarding of a special permit at the royal castle went off without a
hitch. I mean, it really was just formalities, where the event ended after
I received it…
I thought all that was left to do was to have the housewarming party
tomorrow, but when I came back home, Anima asked me about
something.
Mom and Dad apparently want to work. It seems like they don't like the
fact that they're just being supported by me.
When I first heard about it, how should I say this… I thought that they
should worry about it, and that the two of them were being too serious
about it… but when I thought about it again, I remembered talking to
Alice about something similar. I guess parents and their child would
really have the resembling thought process huh.
Be that as it may, I understand how Mom and Dad feel. It's just that…
even if they consult me about such a thing, I don't have any good way to
help them. After all, even Anima, who has simply spent more years in
this world than I have, and who I hear has recently become more
knowledgeable about the business world, couldn't think of a good way
for them to be able to work…
Though I say that, I can't just leave Mom and Dad in a state of distress.
That means, I can only rely on others…
[…I see.]
[Do you have some way in mind, Kuro?]
She is the honorary president of the world's largest Trading Company, a
person of varying expertise, and someone I can easily consult with.
Looking at Kuro, who had come to visit me in my room as usual, while
cutely holding onto a cushion, regardless of whether it was the day
before the party or not, I told what Anima had told me to her.
When Kuro heard what I said, she looked as if she was thinking about it
for a moment, before she stood up with a bright smile on her lips.
[Then, I've got just the right thing for you!]
[Just the right thing?]
[Unnn. Actually, about a year ago, I started a new project in my
company. Well, to put it simply, it's called "Training Magic Tool
Production Engineers from Zero".]
[W- Whoa…]
Just from what I've heard, that sounds like a great idea, and it seems to
match Mom and Dad's situation. Consulting about this to Kuro really is
the right decision.
[There were originally fewer engineers in the Human Realm than in the
Demon Realm who could create magic tools, right? You see, I taught
Kaito-kun magic before, didn't I? That experience gave me some idea of
how Humans learn magic and where they tend to stumble. I've made a
teaching plan based on that. It will also help solve the lack of manpower
in the Human Realm.]
[…I see. That means it would really be alright even if they start with no
knowledge about magic tool creation at all?]
[Unnn. I'll explain the details at the face-to-face meeting we're planning
to have after the party, but over the next year… We'll have them
carefully work while learning from scratch. We tried introducing this
project in a few small branches a year ago, and after we acquired some
success, we're expanding the scope, and since the second trial will be
conducted in the Symphonia's royal capital and we're going to be
recruiting soon, that project would be just right for them.]
It seems like the timing of my consultation was just right. If it was
Kuro's training plan, it's something that could be trusted, and more
importantly, they've already got a track record of this project.
Just from what I heard, I imagined that it's somewhat similar to the
training internship back on Earth.
[We're still not recruiting yet, so if Kaito-kun's parents want to join, I
can use my authority to prepare slots for them at the Symphonia Royal
Capital branch, you know? We'll be recruiting about 10 people for that
branch… so Kaito-kun's parents will be able to easily find other children
with the same starting point, right?]
[I'm really grateful for that, but would it be alright? Are we not causing
you trouble?]
[It's alright. It's Kaito-kun's request after all. You can always count on
me! Though I say that, we can only have Kaito-kun's parents join if they
want to.]
[Thank you, Kuro.]
[Ehehe, you're welcome.]
As I told her my thanks, Kuro gave me a really lovely smile. Seriously,
having a lover as wonderful as her somehow makes me feel proud… but
noticing something, as if to change topics, I spoke.
[…By the way, do you mind if I ask something?]
[Unnn? What is it?]
[…Kuro, why are you wearing "pajamas" tonight?]
[Ahh~~ No, it doesn't really have any deeper meaning, you know!? It's
just, well, for this and that. That's right! You know, I've been busy lately,
so I'm just feeling a little tired…]
For some reason, from the moment she appeared in my room… Kuro
had been dressed in pajamas with baby castella patterns in it, and when
I asked her about it, she looked away and answered, sounding slightly
flustered.
How should I say this… Rather than being a bad liar… What she's
thinking about is just so easy to tell because even when her face is
turned away, she was still glancing at me.
[…Errr… Do you want to stay the night?]
[Is that alright!? Ahh, no… Erhem. I guess that's good. We don't want to
oversleep since there's a party tomorrow after all! Since Kaito-kun's
inviting me, I guess I'll take you up on your offer!]
[...]
The one who said such a thing is the little girl Demon who had claimed
that she hadn't slept in several thousand years. However, hmmm… I
wonder what it is that she really wants?
To be honest, the flow of this conversation is unlike Kuro. If I asked
Kuro why she's in her pajamas before, I'm sure she would have just said
"Unnn? Because I'm going to sleep at Kaito-kun's place tonight!" or
something like that…
As I was thinking about this, Kuro muttered something in a small voice
that I couldn't quite hear.
[…A- And you see… I- I've read stuff from books… and studied many
things… so if Kaito-kun wants…]
[Unnn? Sorry, what did you just say?]
[ ! ? ! ? I- I- I- I didn't say anything! Ahh! It's already late! Let's go to
bed!!!]
[Eh? No, it's still 9:00 pm…]
[Come on! Kaito-kun, we have an early day tomorrow, so come on. Lay
down already.]
[Wait!? Kuro? What are you———– You're too strong!]
In the end, I received no answer to my question, while the red-faced
Kuro literally threw me on the bed and put me to sleep much earlier
than I expected.
After a long night, I woke up feeling strangely languid and sleepy, and
after washing my face, I headed for the garden where the party would
be held.
The party is scheduled to start at 10:00 am, but some of the early birds
may have arrived already, so I need to be there to meet them.
Anyway, all sorts of things may have happened… My home's
housewarming party is finally about to begin.