Chapter 12: Desideratum
TL: Pinky
EN Edit: Anirhapsodist
(TL: Desideratum - something that is needed and;or wanted)
After completing Kyouka’s discharge procedures, I granted her request to drop by a garment shop before making our way to the inn.
She inspected the clothes that were lined up on the racks and placed her selections in the basket.
I thought about shopping too but before that…
“A change of clothes can still be provided as a subsidy. This type of fashion is quite extreme, even for a modern day person.”
The guild actually distributes cotton shirts, pants and trousers to novice seekers. They only need to earn so they can purchase their own pair of shoes. It’s harsh. Even a female seeker won’t be able to purchase her own desired undies if she won’t make money.
A single watadama should yield around five copper coins. Hunting five should be enough to cover the purchase for a change of clothes.
“Large quantities of cotton from watadama are needed to make clothes. It could make you hesitant for a moment knowing that they are materials from the guys we attacked and defeated, but you should try to get used to it already. There is an endless demand for cotton. Strange as it seems, but we can cash it at a fixed price every time.”
Seekers and the partisans are the lifeblood of this country. The materials obtained from demons are one of those things that enable the trade. Food is not only limited of monster meat. People in town were eating something similar to bread.
“Even if that’s the case, I’d feel bad that you’re taking care of everything for me. I even got you to loan me some money.”
“It’s a necessity. Ladies become really conscious when they wear the same set of clothes the next day, am I right?
“When push comes to shove, I won’t be too concerned about those things. It’s only been half a day since we got here…” Igarashi-san looked at me as she’s seems to be worried about something.
“Oh… no… I…I don’t stink so don’t worry.”
“T… That’s not it. Please do not take offence where none was even meant.”
“My apologies. I’m not used to interacting with women.”
Truthfully, I interact with Igarashi-san in a daily basis. Saying that I’m not accustomed with women was all an excuse.
She was not offended about what I said but the sigh she exudes was quite deep.
“Then, from now on, you should get used to it a little since we’ll be in a party, alright? Don’t be a guy who is forever stuck in his puberty.”
“Ha ha ha… I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize every time and besides, I’m not angry. You’ll know when I am.”
Igarashi-san’s expression was soft. She said what she meant instead of giving me an earful.
“If I haven’t been reincarnated, I wouldn’t have the chance to say something like this.”
“Ha ha… That’s true… I mean, I really never got the time to talk to you outside of work either.”
“We were together once during an overtime, right? During that time, I was advised to take caution for no particular reason. Back then, as soon as I started whispering, rumors spread like wildfire.”
(Was there such a thing? If it’s about a rumor, I recall there was this ‘rumor’ about the pace on how Igarashi-san made it to the ‘top’. There were “rumors” back then that the company president personally favored her. I didn’t believe those though. I never thought that I would. I was anxious about what might happen to me. I didn’t want to be ostracized. What was that rumor about though?)
“You should also know about this one Atobe-kun but it was the president who pushed my promotion.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Ah, don’t misunderstand. It’s not an intimate relationship or anything like that. It was arbitrarily decided since he’s had his eye on me and I was just a useful piece. I only came to know about his schemes after being promoted but I guess you guys already knew.”
“He’s had his eye on you because Igarashi-san is a beauty, right? Time and again, our president always talked about ladies from when he was younger.” Even a person in power can change their partner. It was not an uncommon thing in society.
“Did you think of me to be like that?”
“No, I didn’t know sorts about Igarashi~san and the president.”
“It’s not like that. Well, it’s okay. Anyway, it’s just a misunderstanding. I was unwilling to get a promotion and the president’s emails were so persistent. So much that I should have resigned back then when it became impossible to dispute.”
“… So you got frustrated, and then worked me to the bone?”
I tried to get to the bottom of things but I toned down as soon as I saw a defeated look on Igarashi-san’s behavior.
“It’s quite an embarrassing story but I had a curfew. It’s about coming from the office and negotiating to leave at the regular time because my parent’s anger levels are extraordinary.”
“Huh? Igarashi~san, are you an ojou-sama?”
“We own landholdings in the countryside, that’s what I’m saying. And I’m quite popular back in our place.”
How difficult is it to move back and forth from the countryside to the city every day? I bought a house but the commute distance to the company is long, so I rented an apartment that took 15 minutes by bicycle to reach the company. It isn’t wise to have a long commute to work.
“But hell… that overtime job was cruel.”
“I’m sorry, I had no other choice but to go back home and work.”
Things like these satisfies the premise of aggravating a grudge against her. If I would have known of her situation sooner, maybe half of it was alleviated.
“And the abuse was amazing, it nearly broke my sanity.”
“My brother often told me about how pushy I am… When I think I can do more, my mouth gets worse. I’m truly sorry, I know it’s not an excuse but it’s because of my personality.”
How I wish his brother said more, however, she is all but a memory now to her family being reincarnated in this world.
“So, how about your family, Atobe-kun?”
“My parents passed away when I was little. But when you say family, I have my teachers and my colleagues. Can they be family?”
I often feel dispirited when it comes to stories like family to the point that it becomes unbearable and I could not speak. But now that I have been reincarnated, I was unable to conceal it.
“… I’m really sorry, you worked so hard in the company but you couldn’t find even the opportunity to take a promotion exam.”
“Well, I thought that it would be that painful to me, but I’m willing to forget it. Anyway, Igarashi-san is now a member of my party so our roles are kind of reversed?”
“W…well, if it’s orders within the party… I will follow your instructions.”
Let’s bury the hatchet. I believe it is good enough. It’s not that I loathe her to the point that forgiveness wouldn’t suffice. That won’t be difficult.
“By the way… shopping… Are you okay? Ah, the basket is nearly full…”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I wonder if my funds will be enough…?”
I see. She bought too much without hesitation. I can give her assistance. It won’t be free though.
“If it’s not enough, I can withdraw from the bank.”
“Eh… you still have some more? You loaned me fifty copper coins already.”
“I could still afford to spare you some. Will it suffice if I give you a hundred?”
“… T… Thirty copper pieces should be fine. I would have a hard time returning it.”
If we go out exploring as a party and earn, then there would be no problems sharing the yield. 50% can be allocated as party funds and the rest could be shared proportionally or according to contribution. It should give the members some form of fund for personal shopping.
After finding Igarashi-san at checkout to hand her the exact amount she asked for, I realized that I forgot to buy my own clothes. Aside from a seeker’s armor, I also have to arrange some things before I go to bed.
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