Kichou: ...Will you be okay living by yourself? #Don't mind me enabling auto-play#
Kensuke: Huh? ...Are you worried about me, Kichou?
Kichou: Of course. #Oh. Nice answer#
Ah... so Kichou is worried after all. That makes me kinda happy. #I was expecing cliche "W, who's going to worry about you?!"#
Kensuke: It's okay. I'm moving, but it's in the neighborhood, and Hiyo and Koro will be in the same building with me.
Kichou: That's why... you're not doing anything, right? Don't trouble Hiyo and Koro, okay?
Ah... Kichou is Kichou after all. #Still better than cliche tsundere reaction#
Kensuke: Or actually... I can cook and do laundry.
Kuon: Is that so?
She asks me that... sure, I'll admit Kichou was doing everything around here, so I didn't do much...
Kensuke: Just what do you two think I am...
Two: Freeloader. #In terms of housework at least#
Kensuke: Ah, yeah... no matter how you look at it, that's right...
As we were talking about that in front of Kuon's mansion, a familiar duo arrived from behind the corner.
Hiyoko: Kuon-sama! Boss!
Koroko: Yuina-sama, hello to you too!
Kensuke: Hiyo! Koro!
Koroko: We're here to pick you up, boss.
Kuon: Good job, you two.
Kensuke: But, you didn't have to pick me up...
Hiyoko: Kensuke squad's residence might be a bit hard to find. Also...
Kensuke soldier 1: Boss!
Kensuke soldier 2: Nitta-dono. #This surname reminds me of Soul Link#
Kensuke: Isn't this... quite a crowd?
I understand Hiyo showing me the way, but why would there be so many squad members together?
They have a cart and a carrying pole... somehow, it feels as if they're here to pick a fight and loot.
Hiyoko: Crowd... I think this is normal.
Koroko: That's right. So, boss, where's the rest of your luggage?
Kensuke: Eh?
Hiyoko: Your luggage. Like clothes or futon...
Koroko: That's why people from our squad tagged along. We'll carry it all at once, so tell us where you left it.
Kensuke: Luggage... this is all of it, okay? #Well, he hasn't been in this world for long#
Just the katana on my waist and some items in my pockets.
This is all the stuff I had on me when I arrived at Kuon's mansion.
So, of course, it'll be the same situation when I'm leaving Kuon's house...
Koroko: ...Eh?
Hiyoko: What about your change of clothes? #Don't be like Kazuto, wearing nothing but your uniform#
Kensuke: I borrowed it from Kuon. #Though I guess even Kazuto changed his underwear#
Hiyoko: ...F, from Kuon-sama?!
Kuon: Precisely, it belonged to my father...
Koroko: What about kitchenware?
Kensuke: Well, Kichou was taking care of the cooking...
Koroko: What about other tools?
Kensuke: I have none...
Hiyoko and Koroko: ...
Kichou: It's true. Kensuke was eating, but wasn't helping out. #He was a guest, after all#
Hiyoko: I, I see... #Plus, he was kinda busy#
Kuon: That's how it is, so acquire necessary items when you get there.
Koroko: Ah... understood.
Kensuke soldier 1: Umm... Kinoshita-sama?
Hiyoko: Umm... it appears he has no luggage...
Kensuke soldier 3: So, we're free to go then?
Kensuke: Yeah... sorry about it. Even though you came all the way...
Kensuke soldier 4: No, no. Don't worry about it.
Kensuke soldier 2: Okay, we're free to go. Dismissed.
Kensuke soldier 5: Well then, boss, Kinoshita-dono. See you at the residence.
Kensuke: Yeah. I'll be in your care from now on.
Kensuke soldier 1: It feels wrong to move around in such a crowd, so I'll kill some time before going back.
Kensuke: Sorry, making you worry about stuff like this.
Saying that, all squad members left on their own business.
We're all going to the same place, but everyone's taking different routes there... well, they have their own relaxing or drinking to do.
And walking around in a big crowd will make people worried.
Koroko: W... well, let us go as well, Boss.
Kensuke: Yeah. Also, Kuon, Kichou. Thank you for a lot. I'll go out for a bit.
Kichou: A bit? Even though you're moving?
Ah, right. I'm leaving Kuon's mansion...
Kensuke: Then...
Saying goodbye would be wrong, we'll be seeing each other a lot. And saying "thank you for looking after me all this time" feels wrong too.
Kensuke: ...See ya, I guess?
Kuon: Right. See ya.
Kichou: Drop by once in a while.
Kichou: So he left...
Kuon: I really worry if he'll be okay...
Kichou: I more worry that he'll cause trouble for those two... #With how multi-talented he is? Unlikely#
Kuon: Well, he's tough, so I think he'll be okay... #He probably learned cooking from Karin and Ruru#
Kichou: Miss him already?
Kuon: Yeah... you're right.
Kichou: ...
Kuon: This mansion doesn't feel as lively without just one more person.
Kichou: Though you can just say he's kinda noisy... #Is he really? He seems like a chill and calm dude#
Kuon: Fufu, that's true.
Kensuke: I see, so you also had to move, Koro.
Koroko: Yeah, I moved here a few days ago. Kensuke-sama, I'll be in your care from now on!
Kensuke: Same here, I'll be counting on you.
Hiyoko: Well then, what should we do next, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: ...What?
Hiyoko: Go to the residence first, or go shopping in the town.
I see. Since I have no luggage, we can just head directly to the town.
Kensuke: You have to buy stuff when you're living by yourself...
Now that I think about it, I don't know what items I need. #He was always living with Kazuto's family, after all#
Kitchenware for sure, clothes, also...
Kensuke: Ah... should I think of it as of [camping] equipment?
In that case, I'll also need some kind of illumination.
Koroko: Ca...?
Don't mind it. I was just thinking of what I need to buy. #Obviously, checking the house first is necessary#
Hiyoko: Right... if it bothers you, should we go to the town first?
Kensuke: No, it's okay. I need to learn of the route from the residence to the town, and I need to see my room before I buy anything for it.
Like what it's lacking, and I need to know how much space my house has.
Hiyoko: Understood!
It's not like I never wanted to live on my own.
Well, I never though it would be in a residence during Sengoku period.
Crap. Now that I think about it, I don't know anything. #Luckly, he has two nice girls willing to help#
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama, you look kinda pale. #He has it much better than Yoshiharu from Nobuna#
Kensuke: Well... I'll have to ask you for help a lot, so I'm counting on you.
Koroko: Sure. Ask us anything. #He's treated nicely. And he has more than his hedge to eat...#
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama. It's over here.
Saying that, Hiyo went down a small road branching off the main street.
I see. This is a bit hard to find indeed.
Hiyoko: We're almost there, Kensuke-sama.
Even I can find Kensuke squad's residence at this point... or actually...
Kensuke: ...Let me guess, is that it? #Doesn't look too bad. He's really treated nicely#
Hiyoko: Yes!
Kensuke squad banners were all around, waving in the wind. #He has his own banner too? And it looks... pretty nice#
Kensuke: ...Military camp?
Hiyoko: Ahaha... this is kind of a way to welcome you.
Koroko: I tried to stop her... telling Hiyo that it stands out too much. #Now I really want to see Kazuto's banner from SKM#
Hiyoko: Ah. Koro-chan, that's not fair! #I know it looked like + at least#
Kensuke: W, well. I'm grateful for that at least.
And, before I realized it, other members of Kensuke squad were all standing near the entrance.
Kensuke soldier 1: We've been waiting for you, boss.
Kensuke soldier 2: We'll be in your care from now on. #Japanese and their pleasantries...#
Kensuke: Y, yeah. Same here, I'll be in your care.
Kensuke soldier 3: So, where's your luggage?
...Eh?
Kensuke soldier 2: Your luggage. Luggage.
Don't tell me...
Hiyoko: ...Noone came back yet?
Kensuke soldier 4: Yes? If you mean people that left with Kinoshita-dono earlier, none of them are back yet.
Kensuke soldier 5: Did something happen?
Kensuke: Well...
Rather than being considerate... so they really just left to have fun or grab some drinks...
I should've at least taken the cart with me then.
After that, I cleaned up my room and thanked everyone for waiting.
After more or less figuring out the layout of my home, we went back towards Kiyosu town agan.
Kensuke: I kinda... feel sorry for making you do this.
The people with me are same as before.
Hiyoko: Don't worry about it. I was planning to show Koro-chan around to begin with.
Koroko: After coming here, I found out I'm missing a few things... so it's a perfect opportunity for me too.
Kensuke: I see... Hiyo, have you lived in that residence long?
Hiyoko: No. I only got here around the same time when I joined your squad... how many days was it before Koro-chan joined?
Kensuke: Huh. Is that so?
I thought Kensuke squad was put into the residence Hiyo was living in to begin with... but I guess that's not the case.
Hiyoko: Ah, but my previous residence is not far from here. So leave it to me to show you around this area!
Kensuke: I see. That sounds reliable.
Hiyoko: Ehehe...
Kensuke: You're in a good mood.
Hiyoko: But of course. I finally became a samurai as Kensuke-sama's subordinate, and I'm even working together with Koro-chan now!
Koroko: And I finally became employed as an officer too.
Hiyoko: Let's earn a lot of merit together!
Kensuke: Hahaha... that's right.
Though I have no idea how exactly you earn merit... #Kill enemy officers, capture locations, destroy targets#
Koroko: Merit is fine and all, but... Hiyo, can you cut off a head? #Oh, right, you need a proof of killing enemy officer...#
Hiyoko: Eh, ah... auu... #She's a treasurer though, so it's not her job#
Ah. As I thought, that's the most basic way to earn merit.
Hiyo seems troubled, but I also don't feel like beheading enemy officers...
I'm not sure if I can earn any merit myself, cooperating with everyone. That's a serious problem for a captain of Kensuke squad.
Hiyoko: N, not that... look! Something like building that castle at night that we did, not decapitation...
Hiyoko: That also counts as a merit, right, Kensuke-sama?!
Kensuke: That's right. We got praised by Kuon over our contribution at Sunomata... Koro, are you skilled at beheading?
Koroko: Ahaha... beheading wasn't exactly a mercenary's job... #This conversation and this bgm don't really mix...#
I guess beheading is a job of samurai, not mercenaries. Looking at Sunomata, Koro is better at stuff like gathering information, construction and ambushes.
Hiyoko: Jeez. So you're not the one to scold me, Koro-chan!
Koroko: Eh, I never said I'm good at it, you know? #She's right. She just pointed out they all suck at it#
Kensuke: Come on. Don't fight. #This is much more interesting than yet another food-related event#
I got between them and lightly patted their heads.
Hiyoko: K, Kensuke-sama...
Koroko: Auu...
As we were discussing that on the move, I saw some familiar faces.
Wakana: Ah, Kensuke.
Hina: Heya, Kensuke-kun. #I wonder why noone called Kazuto this way#
Kensuke: What's up, you three walking together and all?
Wanko: We're shopping a bit!
Wakana: Monkey, are you guys also shopping?
Hiyoko: Yes. Kensuke-sama and Koro-chan moved to our residence, so we're buying what we lack...
Wakana: Ah. So that's why your residence had all those Kensuke squad banners.
Huh, so even they noticed it... well, I guess anyone would wonder what it's all about, seeing all those banners.
Hina: Ah. Come to think of it, Kensuke-kun got kicked out of Kuon-sama's mansion. Poor guy.
Kensuke: Hey, don't start any weird rumors. #Hina is dangerous#
I left her mansion to get closer to everyone in my squad! I wasn't kicked out!
Wanko: Is that so? Poor Kensuke-sama... #And she's also dangerous - she will clearly believe everything#
Wanko, please don't look at me as if I'm some abandoned puppy...
Wakana: Eh? I've heard he got kicked out after he made a move on Kuon-sama, you know?
Wanko: Is that true, Kensuke-sama?! #This is bad...#
Hina: Kensuke-kun, you lowlife.
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama...
Kensuke: That's not true!
...Not just Wanko, even Hiyo?!
Kensuke: I moved to the residence to get closer to Hiyo and Koro! #That... still sounds kinda wrong#
Hina: In a lewd way? #Guess I'm not the only one to notice it#
Koroko: ...K, Kensuke-sama?!
Kensuke: ...N, not in that way, I meant as fellow members of Kensuke squad! Hina!
Wakana: Monkey, newcomer... watch out, okay?
Hina: They say all men are animals, after all. #Who says that? Show me that person, I'll turn her into merit!#
Hiyoko: Auu...
Koroko: Kensuke-sama...
Please stop with this conversation. And, you two... don't look at me like that.
Hina: Ahaha. It was just a light joke. #Ah, good. She admitted it's not true#
Kensuke: Jeez...
It doesn't sound like a light joke when all three of them are saying that. #Jokes like that are bad for my heart#
Wakana: Yeah. Kensuke, you're overreacting. #Good, she also knows it's not true#
Wanko: ...Eh? It was a joke? #And this person is dangerous#
Wanko...
Kensuke: Ah, right... I have something to ask you three, can I? #It's nice to know they're not as prejudiced as SKM girls#
Wakana: What?
Hina: That was a shameless way to change the topic, but what is it? #And this girl is a troll. Not to be taken seriously, I guess#
Kensuke: ...What is the way for samurai to earn merit?
Wakana: Heads.
Hina: Heads.
Wanko: Heads.
Hiyoko: Auu... #Give up and kill people#
All three answered instantly...
Wanko: Samurai are people that claim trophies on a battlefield!
Kensuke: So it's like that after all...
Wakana: Of course. Why are you asking that all of sudden?
Hina: Well, I find that stuff bothersome. Wish there were more relaxing ways to earn merit.
Kensuke: Then, Hina, what kind of way would it be?
Hina: Hmm. I don't really know, but won't anything do, as long as Kuon-sama and Mugiho-sama praise you for it?
Kensuke: I see...
It's kinda vague, but it's a simple and straightforward answer. She's right.
Wakana: Well, Kensuke and Monkey earned plenty of merit with that Sunomata construction, so why not? Leave getting head trophies to us.
Wanko: Yeah, yeah!
Hiyoko: O, okay...
Kensuke: Thanks. Then, I'll leave beheading to you. Good luck. #Well, Kensuke's squad is not a combat-oriented one#
Wakana: Yeah! Leave it to us! #They're more like operatives or engineers#
Hina: I don't really want to do it either though...
Wanko: But, was it what you wanted to know, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: Yeah. I was kinda wondering about it.
Wakana: You're pretty weird for asking something that obvious.
Hina: Well, whatever. We'll be going now.
Wanko: Kensuke-sama. See ya.
Kensuke: Yeah. It was pretty educational. Thank you.
Kensuke: You've heard them...
Hiyo looked kinda depressed, seeing off the usual trio.
Hiyoko: So head trophies are the main merit of samurai after all...
Koroko: Hmm. Becoming officer was hard, but it's going to get even harder...
Kensuke: Right.
Koroko: Kensuke-sama, don't talk as if it has nothing to do with you...
Kensuke: Well, it really doesn't.
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama, that's just cruel!
Kensuke: It's not. Earning merit is the problem of the whole Kensuke squad.
Hiyoko: But you just said it had nothing to do with you...
Kensuke: Beheading has nothing to do with us.
Koroko: ...Eh?
Kensuke: So, Kensuke squad won't really bother with head trophies.
Hiyoko: What do you mean? Are we... not going to earn merit?
Kensuke: Yeah. In a way, that's right.
Koroko: ...Eeh?!
Kensuke: We're not suited for it. Hiyo and Koro, you're not good at beheading, right?
Koroko: That's... well... true.
Kensuke: Honestly, I'm not good with that either.
Hiyoko: Eeeeh... then, what are we going to do?!
Koroko: That's right. If we can't earn merit, what was the point of us becoming samurai...
Kensuke: It's as Hina said. Head trophies are not the only way of earning merit. Everything is merit as long as Kuon, Mitsuki-san or Mugiho-san praises us for it.
Sure, head trophies are the top thing on the battlefield.
But even without it, Kuon will definitely understand properly when something helped her realize her strategy.
Kensuke: So, we'll focus on doing things Kuon will appreciate. Other than beheading.
If Kuon likes it, it'll naturally become merit... and even without earning merit, it's okay as long as if it was of use to Kuon.
Hiyoko: Ah...
Koroko: ...That's why you told Wakana-san that you'll leave beheading to them, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: There's quite a competition when it comes to it. Most of all, I have no confidence in competing against Mitsuki-san or Wakana's group.
First of all, Kensuke squad is not strong enough to compete against Wakana and the rest on a battlefield right now.
Koroko: That's true... #Yup, focus on your own field#
Kensuke: So, we'll earn merit with something only we can do. Like that Sunomata castle.
Hiyoko: You're... right.
Kensuke: And it's easier to earn merit when we're not competing for it.
Hiyoko: Uu... if you put it like this, I'm starting to think we'll be okay without taking head trophies!
Kensuke: That's right. Feeling motivated this way, you two? #This is pretty situational of a squad#
Hiyoko: Yes!
Koroko: We'll do our best!
Kensuke: Ah... come to think of it, Hiyo.
Hiyoko: What?
Kensuke: I've been wondering for a while, but why does Kuon and Wakana call you Monkey?
I know that historically, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was called that because he had a monkey-like face...
But calling this cute girl a monkey gives me a question mark.
Hiyoko: Hmm. I was serving under Kuon-sama and they started calling me like this before I realized... when did that happen again?
Kensuke: So it's Kuon's fault, huh...
When we were talking about the castle, she also brought up some weird nicknames once in a while.
Since she said them quite naturally, it's probably her habit.
Come to think of it, Akechi Mitsuhide was nicknamed "kumquat". ...I haven't met Mitsuhide in this world yet, but will it be the same here?
I can't imagine it, but I wonder if Mitsuhide is a girl too. #Mitsuhide, huh. She's around, but quite different#
Kensuke: But you're this cute, you don't look like a monkey.
Hiyoko: C, cute... that's... ahaha.
Kensuke: Hmm? Hiyo's cute, am I wrong?
Hiyoko: This is the first time anyone told me that... this is kinda embarrassing...
Ah, I suppose she looks like a monkey a bit when she's blushing like this... but it's still more cute than monkey-like.
Koroko: Fufu.
Hiyoko: Ah, Koro-chan. Why are you laughing?!
Koroko: Well, you see...
Kensuke: Do you know something?
Come to think of it, Koro is Hiyo's childhood friend.
Koroko: Yeah. When she was still small...
Hiyoko: Ah! Hey, Koro-chan?!
Koroko: Ahaha. Can I say it, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: Please do, I'm curious. #He actually has some personality#
Hiyoko: Heey!
Koroko: You see, it's from when Hiyo was still a child. Before I noticed, she'd climb some tree and eat chocolate vine and peaches... or take a nap on a branch.
Kensuke: Ah, I see...
No wonder she's called Monkey then.
Hiyoko: Noo! Don't tell him any more! Don't, Koro-chan!
Koroko: Well, it's Kensuke-sama's order, after all. I'm not sure what to do.
Hiyoko: Jeez!
Kensuke: So, what else?
Hiyoko: Wha, Kensuke-sama?!
Koroko: And, when she's looking after children, she'll run around carrying them...
Kensuke: Ah. Like a monkey mom...
Koroko: Right! Just like that!
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama, seriously!
Koroko: So. Maybe Kuon-sama found her acting like that monkey-like?
Hiyoko: Koro-chan, that's rude!
Koroko: Ah, right. When she fought brats from a neighboring village, she'd climb a tree and throw unripe fruit at them... that was just like a monkey fighting.
Hiyoko: Koro-chan, during that battle, you took cattle dung and...
Koroko: Hey! Why would you bring that up?!
Huh. It appears Hiyo started fighting back.
Hiyoko: Fufu. Right back at you! Kensuke-sama, you want to hear about it, right?
Kensuke: Please do, I'd like to hear about when you were children. #Yup. Get to know them better. ANd have them know you better#
Koroko: Kensuke-sama, did you just betray me?! #I'm all for betrayals of this type#
After that, there was a long battle of exposure...
Koroko: Haa... haa, haa...
Hiyoko: Haa, haa...
Koroko: Hiyo... let's drop this conversation already...
Hiyoko: Yeah. Let's do so... or it'll never end.
Kensuke: ...There's more? #Just how many embarrassing things they know about each other?#
Starting from battles with brats from neighboring village, they talked about stealing village chief's peaches and fighting a grumpy old man...
Koroko: A lot...
Hiyoko: We haven't even covered a single year yet, right? #Just how hyperactive of children were you?#
Kensuke: So much, huh... #Characters here actually have past#
They can bring up so much without even going into details... having a childhood friend is a fearsome thing.
Kensuke: Huh. It's this late already...
Or actually, dusk arrived while I was enjoying listening to them. I can even hear crows from the horizon already.
Koroko: Time flies when you talk about the past...
Kensuke: It's evening already... maybe we should go shop tomorrow.
In this age, there's no way shops will be open at night. Town is quiet after the sunset.
Hiyoko: S, sorry... #And there's oni at night too#
Kensuke: It's okay. I enjoyed listening about your childhood.
Hiyoko: Auu... I wish I could tell you something more entertaining...
Koroko: Right...
Well, for them, it was an exposure battle. Guess I'll listen to what they call entertaining some other time, right?
Kensuke: Let's eat out today and go home... do you know any good place? #Of course, it wouldn't be Koihime without eating#
Hiyoko: Yes. Then, I'll show you the way there!
Kensuke: What about you two? How about I pay as a celebration of me moving?
Koroko: Really?
Kensuke: Of course.
Hiyoko: T, then... it'll be a feast!
Kensuke: Huh...
Koroko: What's wrong, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: Umm, you two are my subordinates... right?
Hiyoko: Yeah, so?
Koroko: What about it?
Kensuke: Well. There's this thing called fief, okay? I got it from Kuon and I'm not quite sure what to do with it...
Koroko: Eh.
Hiyoko: ...
Koroko: ...
Kensuke: ...
Koroko: (H, Hiyo... can we count on Kensuke-sama?)
Hiyoko: (H, he's someone that arrived from the heaven, so he probably just doesn't know about this... he seems to know what money is at least)
Koroko: (We won't end up without any appanage, right?)
Hiyoko: (I don't think that'll happen... if we explain properly, it'll all be okay... I think... probably)
Kensuke: What's wrong?
Hiyoko: N, no, it's nothing!
Koroko: U, umm... Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: Hmm?
Koroko: This might be rude... but can I take time to explain you... about this?
Kensuke: Yeah. I wanted to ask you about it myself. There's... appanage? I need to pay you and the squad from the fief, right?
Koroko: Yes.
Koroko: (G, good... it seems Kensuke-sama is aware)
Hiyoko: (Yeah...)
Kensuke: Hmm?
Koroko: Ah, r, right, umm... Kensuke-sama, you should have a fief you've recieved from Kuon-sama.
Kensuke: Yeah. Fief ownership... right? #This reminds me of Warband#
I don't know the details, but Kuon told me Owari's, whatever it's called, is my land.
Koroko: Right. You use rice and income from that fief, hire officials to govern that fief and hire soldiers like us to fight.
Hiyoko: Sunomata's project was on Kuon-sama's orders, so Kuon-sama provided the funds, but if you are to mobilize Kensuke squad again...
Kensuke: I have to use the income from my fief for that, right? #So he's a full-fledged vassal lord now#
Koroko: That's right. #This is pretty cool. Also, damn I love their voices#
...Huh? #Kinda affectionate and apologetic#
Kensuke: So, if I were to forget to pay you...
Koroko: Ahaha... we'd have to take the road.
Koro laughed... but her eyes were not laughing...
I'm glad I asked...
Kensuke: I'm glad... If I haven't noticed, it'd seriously result in you and the squad deserting.
Hiyoko: We're also glad we realized it in time. #Did Kazuto ever pay Nagi? Or did Karin do that?#
Koroko: For now, Hiyo and I can manage the fief. When we have spare funds, we can hire a reliable official and leave it to them...
Kensuke: Sorry. I still don't know a lot of things... if you notice anything that bothers you, tell me.
I just started and almost got all Kensuke squad to desert... #Shouldn't Kuon assign someone as his mentor for starters?#
Koroko: Yes. Pleased to work with you. #Oh, right, those two are his mentors#
Kensuke: In fact, I'm the one that should be pleased...
Koroko: N, no... please don't be so.
Kensuke: Then. Can I ask something else while we're at it?
Koroko: Yes?
Kensuke: How much do you want?
Koroko: Eh.
Hiyoko: What do you mean?
Kensuke: I'm talking about your salary. How much would you want. #That's a common question in modern interviews, no?#
What's with this shameless question!
Kensuke: Well, I don't know anything when it comes to this. How much was your salary before, Hiyo?
Hiyoko: Eh, well, umm... #He needs to know his income first#
Kensuke: Ah... right. Since you were promoted from doing odd jobs, you need a raise...
In that case, Hiyo's previous salary won't be a good reference.
I really have no idea about this...
Hiyoko: Umm, well... #Isn't that where treasurer does her job?#
Kensuke: I need your opinion on this after all.
Hiyoko: Uu... what should I do, Koro-chan?
Koroko: What, you ask... I also have no idea what to do.
Koroko: For reference, Hiyo, how much did they pay you before?
Hiyoko: Lend me an ear...
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama, don't eavesdrop!
Kensuke: Ah... yeah.
I wanted to use it as a reference myself though...
Hiyoko: Umm... *whisper*...
Koroko: Whoa, that's quite a lot.
Hiyoko: That's right. That was more than enough for me, but Kensuke-sama will probably say that won't do...
Hiyoko: If I'm paid this much, other squad members will complain too, right? #Well, she's an officer, so they get paid more#
Koroko: Yeah... probably.
Hiyoko: Koro-chan, haven't you earned quite a lot as a mercenary too?
Koroko: Well, yeah, for some time, I worked at the river and got plenty of income other than from fighting, but...
Hiyoko: How much? I said, so you have to say too, okay, Koro-chan?
Koroko: Then, Hiyo, lend me an ear.
Koroko: Kensuke-sama! Don't eavesdrop!
Kensuke: Y, yeah, I know...
Koroko: Umm... *whisper*...
Hiyoko: Wha?! With this much, you didn't need to become an officer...!
Koroko: Well, becoming an officer was my dream. And my income dropped a lot lately... so, I don't plan to ask for that big of a salary...
Hiyoko: But if we say too low of a number, our squad won't have enough living expenses.
Koroko: But it would feel bad if we ask for too much... #Those two are pretty trustworthy#
Hiyoko: That's right... even if Kensuke-sama doesn't know, I can't bring myself to trick him...
To be fair, I could hear everything except for the actual number...
But, well, I brought it up, but it's not a simple topic.
Ask too little and you won't have enough, ask for too much and you'll end up taking advantage of my ignorance...
They probably know how much income I'll be getting from the fief... or actually, they will find out either way if they help managing it.
Hiyo is good at such calculations, and Koro was a mercenary leader, so she should know more realistic numbers.
They kept discussing it for a while after that...
Hiyoko: Kensuke-sama.
Kensuke: Oh. Have you decided?
Koroko: We can't decide after all!
Hiyoko: Please, Kensuke-sama, you should decide!
Kensuke: I don't really think you'd exaggerate it, you know?
Koroko: Did you overhear it?!
Kensuke: Loud and clear.
Hiyoko: Uu... that's not fair, Kensuke-sama.
I knew you'll think it over properly, that's why I suggested you should declare your own salary.
Koroko: I'm not sure if I should be happy about it or not...
Hiyoko: I'm glad you trust us... but it's still not fair.
Kensuke: Sorry, sorry. Then, I'll discuss your salary with Mugiho-san before deciding. If it'll end up being too low, tell me.
Koroko: Okay. #Good call#
Hiyoko: We're in your care!
But that means they'll be unpaid for some time...
For now, I have money I got from Kuon, so I can sustain at least three of us for now... but, isn't it the same for other squad members?
Ugh, I should discuss it with Mugiho-san as soon as possible...
Kensuke: Then, I'll take responsibility and look after you two for now...
Koroko: Eh?
Hiyoko: Eeh?!
Kensuke: Hmm? Did I say something strange?
Hiyoko: W, well... look after us...
Kensuke: Ah, guess you'll end up looking after me instead...
Koroko: That's not it... umm...
Hiyoko: It's kinda sounds...
Koroko: ...As if we're your housewives, no? #I believe they eventually marry#
Kensuke: It's! ...I didn't mean it like that, okay?! ...Until I can decide your salary, you won't get paid, so you won't have anything to live on!
Hiyoko: T, that's true, right?! Ahahaha... #They kinda liked that idea though#
Koroko: I, I understand, okay? I understand, but... I was just a little surprised...
Kensuke: Hahaha...
This is clearly because of that trio. Damn them...
Kensuke: Well, at any rate, I'm counting on you.
Koroko: Yes. Leave it to us!
Hiyoko: We'll do our best with Koro-chan to support you!
Ah... no matter what, I'm glad to have those two around. Thank you for assigning them to me, Kuon.
Kensuke: Yeah. I'm counting on you two.
Hiyoko: Hya...
Koroko: Ehehe...
Saying that, I patted their heads...
Hiyoko: Ah, Kensuke-sama. Here's that store!
Hiyo stopped in front of a diner.
Kensuke: Okay. Then, let's eat for now. #Also, will someone lend him an extra futon?#
Koroko: Ah, right, Kensuke-sama. We want to hear about Kensuke-sama's childhood too.
Hiyoko: Ah, that sounds good. It wouldn't be fair to not tell us about yourself after listening to all that, right, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: It's not like it's that interesting to hear about... #But it's VERY important#
Hiyoko: We'll decide if that's so. Right, Koro-chan?! #That's what SKM lacked - mutual understanding#
Koroko: That's right. That's okay, right, Kensuke-sama? #I just hope Kakumei learns from this game#
They were fighting when they were telling me about their childhood earlier, but now they're cooperating... as expected of childhood friends.
Kensuke: Okay... so, let's hurry up and come in for now. #I just hope all this will not be in vain#
Hiyoko and Koroko: Yes!
After their cheerful reply, we entered the diner that Hiyo recommended.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét