Chapter 18: If It’s the Widow Type, I’m Game.
◇◇◇◇
Having returned to the Seventh Area, Kazuma parted ways with Hayato and the others at the academy, then hurried back not to the dorms, but to Ivy.
On his way back, Kazuma sped past, giving only a sidelong glance to the town as it diligently underwent restoration from the Ibinom’s assault.
Upon returning to Ivy, Kazuma went to see Honoka first thing.
Heading towards the Faculty Office at the back, he opened the door to find many staff members, Hinata included, hard at work.
And, in the very back, was the administrator and director, Honoka.
“I’m home, Mom.”
“Welcome back, Kazuma.”
“I bought lots of souvenirs.”
Saying that, Kazuma took out the souvenirs he had stored in his bag and handed them to the staff members.
“There are some for the children too, so please distribute them.”
“Thanks, Kazuma-kun.”
Having finished handing out the souvenirs, Kazuma approached Honoka. He quietly informed her, ensuring the others wouldn’t overhear, that his discussion with the government was scheduled for two days later.
“Kaa-san. About the day after tomorrow, I’m going to be talking with some government officials.”
“What is it? Could it be about matters related to the Crimson Knight?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I revealed my identity, so I plan to negotiate. So, could you come with me? I’m not really good with political matters, you see.”
“If that’s the case, I understand. While you’re at it, tell Nanami too. That girl is clever, so she should be a great help.”
“Well, you are Nee-san who sold off underwear featuring Kaa-san’s photo, after all…”
“Don’t bring up such unnecessary things, you idiot!”
“Oww!”
Having taken a fist to the head with a solid thwack that echoed with a sound like sparks flying, Kazuma rubbed his head.
And then, he was remembering Nanami, one of Ivy’s top three brats and the all-time number one older sister. As if to prove the adage that a woman’s worst enemy is another woman, Nanami had tormented Honoka with malicious methods.
As Kazuma had mentioned earlier, Nanami had been up to various misdeeds: she was raking in money by selling Honoka’s used underwear with accompanying photos through social media, playing malicious pranks with Honoka’s sanitary products, and had even attempted to stream secretly filmed videos of Honoka on a members-only video site.
Ultimately, a genuinely enraged Honoka disciplined Nanami severely, and successfully managed to rehabilitate her.
Kazuma, who knew of those days, still trembles even now at the memory.
That Nanami, too, has now become a respectable adult; she’s married and doing her best as a housewife with a family.
Kazuma has also met her daughter, Yakumo, several times.
Though they share no blood ties, to Kazuma—Nanami’s younger brother—Yakumo is his adorable niece.
“Guess I’ll pop over to Nanami-nee-san’s place for a bit.”
“You should. She probably has things she wants to talk about, too.”
“So, it’s about the Crimson Knight, as I thought?”
“What else would it be…?”
Kazuma gave a sheepish smile to Honoka, who muttered in exasperation, and decided to go see Nanami.
“Ah, and while you’re at it, go show your face to Kumiko-san.”
“…Alright. I’ll go see that damn old hag too.”
As Kazuma was about to leave the Faculty Office, having been told by Honoka to also show his face to his own mother, he then departed from the Faculty Office.
◇◇◇◇
Kazuma arrived at the apartment building where Nanami lived, but the apartment building she had resided in was half-destroyed by an Ibinom attack.
Seeing the site where demolition work was underway, Kazuma called Nanami.
“Hello, Nanami-neesan. Where are you now?”
“Ah, Kazuma! I’m living in temporary housing right now. By any chance, are you in front of the apartment building?”
“Oh, right. I came because I had some business, but the apartment building Nee-san was living in had been demolished, so I was wondering where you were.”
“Is that so? I’ll send you the address now, so come there.”
“Got it~”
After he hung up the phone, Nanami immediately sent the address, so Kazuma promptly set off.
The place he arrived at was a plaza that had been set up in a half-destroyed city.
Many temporary housing units were lined up there, and Nanami was living in one of them.
Having arrived at the open area where temporary housing units were lined up, Kazuma called Nanami.
“Hello, Nee-san. I’m here, but where are you? They all look the same, so I can’t really tell.”
“Just a moment,”
Right after that, Nanami, holding Yakumo, came over to Kazuma.
Kazuma rushed over to Nanami and took Yakumo from her.
“Oh~, Yakumo. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Kajuma, Kajuma!”
“That’s right~, it’s Kazuma~!”
Kazuma, lifting Yakumo high and delighting her, was smiling like a doting uncle.
“I’d like to say it’s been a while, Kazuma, but we just saw each other the day before yesterday, didn’t we?”
“Well, yeah. But I’ve been busy with various things myself, so I didn’t really get to talk with you properly, Nee-san.”
“I’d like to hear more about that, in detail.”
“Actually, I have something I want to discuss with you about that. For now, would it be alright if we went to your place, Nee-san?”
“Fine by me. Oh, my husband’s not around right now, so how about we indulge in something illicit? Doesn’t the thought of being with a married older sister get you worked up?”
“Mmmh! I’ve told you, I don’t mess with married women. But, if you became a widow, now that would get me incredibly excited. You know, like, ‘Forget your husband and look only at me!'”
“That would get me excited too, you know. The thought of a boy I always saw as a little brother suddenly wanting me like a beast… just imagining it is enough to make me devour three bowls of rice.”
“What are you two talking abouuut~?”
“Whoops, that’s really not something to discuss in front of a child.”
“That’s right. It’s still too early for Yakumo, you knooow~”
“Buu~!”
These were a series of remarks most detrimental to a child’s upbringing.
If Honoka had been here, she would have undoubtedly brought her fist down on them.
However, with only the two airheads present, there was no one to stop them.
Their daughter, Yakumo, was perhaps the only one who could, just barely, act as a stopper.
After their idle chatter, Nanami showed Kazuma to the temporary housing unit where she was living. Kazuma sat in the center of the simply constructed room, Yakumo still on his lap, talking with Nanami.
“I’m sorry, I can’t offer you tea or anything right now.”
“It’s fine. You’re the one going through a tough time, Nee-san. By the way, why haven’t you returned to Ivy?”
“I can’t just impose on you, can I? It’s true that place is safe, but supplies and things are a different matter, aren’t they?”
“Ah, you’re right. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s not something you need to apologize for, Kazuma. If anything, we’re the ones who received help.”
“No, I have this power. If only I had been more on top of things…”
“Mom said that too, didn’t she? You’re overthinking it, Kazuma.”
“Ugh…”
“So, what brings you here today? Could it be… you came to see me? If so, that would make your Onee-chan very happy~!”
“That’s part of it, but actually, I revealed to the government that I’m the Crimson Knight. I’m going to negotiate with them the day after tomorrow, so I was wondering if you could help me out, Nee-san.”
“Oh? That sounds interesting. Are you planning to demand anything?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. I’m not good at that sort of thing.”
“I see. So, you’re fine with me being the one to think up some demands, then?”
“Alright. Ah, as for my preference, I’d like it if things were usually peaceful like they are now.”
“Understood. For now, I’ll think it over for you, including your request, Kazuma.”
“Please do~”
“Please do~”
Kazuma smiled at Yakumo, who was mimicking him, and lifted her high.
“Speaking of which, what about Danna-san?”
“Work. He has to work, even at a time like this, you know.”
“Being a working adult is tough, huh~”
“Tell me about it~”
After playing with Yakumo for a while, Kazuma parted ways with Nanami and headed towards Kumiko’s place.
Fortunately, her home had not been attacked by the Ibinom, and their detached house was unharmed.
When he rang the intercom, the one who came out was her husband, Seiichi.
Upon seeing Kazuma, Seiichi’s eyes widened.
Then, he immediately smiled and guided Kazuma inside.
“Welcome, Kazuma-kun. To our home.”
When he was guided inside, Kazuma saw his younger half-sister and half-brother there, playing with toys.
And, in the kitchen at the back, Kumiko was washing dishes.
Thinking he had arrived at an awkward moment, Kazuma felt like he was intruding and was about to leave, but the children stopped him.
“Onii-chan!”
“Onii!”
With his younger sister and brother now clinging firmly to his legs, Kazuma couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Kazuma gently separated the two, sat down, and patted their heads.
“I couldn’t greet you properly last time, huh. I’m Satsuki Kazuma. I’m your big brother.”
As Kazuma said that and smiled, the two of them also seemed delighted and smiled back.
The three of them, who had become fast friends in a short amount of time, started playing together.
“Whee~!”
“Whee~!”
“Whee~!”
The well-trained Kazuma lifted the two of them and spun them around and around, delighting them.
Getting carried away and increasing his rotation speed, Kazuma ended up stepping on a toy at his feet, taking a spectacular tumble but firmly protecting the two of them.
“Adeeh!”
“Are you okay!? Onii-chan!”
“Nii-nii, pain pain?”
“I’m fine. Something like this doesn’t hurt at all, not even an itch.”
Actually, he was telling the truth, so their worry was unnecessary.
It was only considered damage if his head was split open and blood gushed out.
However, Honoka’s iron fist alone, powered by love, smashed right through Kazuma’s defenses.
Even after that, the three of them continued to play and have a wonderful time together.
◇◇◇◇
As dinnertime arrived, just as Kazuma was thinking it was about time to take his leave, Seiichi called out to stop him.
“Why don’t you stay for dinner? Kumiko-san and the kids would enjoy it more, and above all, I’d like to talk with you more.”
“No, but, that would be too much of a bother.”
“It’s no bother at all. Right, Kumiko-san? Having Kazuma-kun join us won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…Onii-chan, are you going home?”
“Nii-nii, bye-bye?”
After being told all this, Kazuma couldn’t possibly leave.
As a dormitory student, Kazuma was supposed to eat at the dorm cafeteria or prepare dinner himself.
Kazuma, who had planned to have dinner at Ivy today, called Honoka to tell her he wouldn’t need dinner, then bowed his head to Seiichi-san, saying he would be in his care.
“Excuse me. Well then, I’ll take you up on your kind offer and enjoy the meal today.”
“Th-then, I’ll put my all into making something delicious!”
“~~Tch…!”
Kumiko enthusiastically declared she would make dinner, and Kazuma almost blurted out, “You’re the one cooking, you damn hag?!” but managed to stop himself just in time.
“Um… Seiichi-san, don’t you cook or anything?”
While Kumiko was in the kitchen, cooking with more enthusiasm than usual, Kazuma spoke to Seiichi-san in a low voice in the living room, while playing with the children.
He was, ostensibly, being considerate of Kumiko.
“Er, well, I’m completely hopeless at cooking… When I met Kumiko-san, I was actually out buying some side dishes.”
“I-Is that so…”
Seiichi-san’s appearance made him look like someone who was very capable at work.
He was a handsome, kind-looking man, tall and slender, wearing intelligent-looking glasses.
However, it turned out he couldn’t cook.
Indeed, you can’t judge a person by their appearance, Kazuma thought once again.
“By the way, this is a bit late to ask, but what are the children’s names?”
“Oh? Hadn’t I told you yet? The older daughter is Miki, and the older son is Shota.”
“Miki and Shota, huh? Those are nice names.”
“Thank you. Please continue to get along with them, even if it’s just sometimes.”
“Yes, of course.”
“What are you talking about~?”
“Whispering secrets~?”
“It’s a secret just for adults.”
Kazuma winked playfully to brush them off.
After that, Kazuma played with Miki and Shota, killing time until dinner was ready.
“It’s ready~”
Kumiko’s voice came from the kitchen.
It seemed dinner was ready, as Seiichi-san headed to the kitchen and brought the dishes to the table.
Kazuma tried to help, but Seiichi-san told him to relax since he was a guest, so he looked after Miki and Shota.
Soon after, the food was arranged on the table. Kazuma sat between Miki and Shota, facing Kumiko and Seiichi-san, and looked at the dishes.
“Ah, um, if it tastes bad, you don’t have to eat it, okay…”
Kumiko, who had been so enthusiastic just moments before, now faced Kazuma at dinner and began to tremble pathetically with fear.
Although the awkwardness with Kazuma was gone, this was the first time she was serving him her home cooking.
Perhaps because of that, she was terribly nervous.
“Itadakimasu.”
Kazuma picked up his chopsticks and quietly began to eat the nikujaga and karaage that Kumiko had made.
Watching him silently eat, Kumiko felt happy on one hand, but unbearably anxious on the other.
She kept glancing at Kazuma, wondering if it didn’t suit his taste, or if it was bad.
“…………A mother’s home cooking is something delicious, isn’t it?”
“…Eh?”
“I won’t say it twice. You damn—nnngh! Why don’t you hurry up and eat? If you don’t want it, I’ll take it.”
“Ka-Kazuma…”
At the praise from her not-so-honest son, Kumiko couldn’t help but tear up.
Seiichi-san, sitting beside her, supported Kumiko as she looked like she might collapse, gently rubbing her back.
“That’s great, Kumiko-san.”
“Yes… Yes!”
“Mama, are you crying?”
“Mama, does it hurt?”
“No, no, these are tears because I’m so, so happy, and my heart feels warm. So, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
“Miki, Shota. Just ignore her. If you don’t eat quickly, I’ll eat it all~?”
“Waah, no fair!”
“No, no, no~!”
Kazuma egged the two on, and they ate as if competing.
Though everything from the seasoning was different from his preference, Kazuma still thought the food Kumiko made was genuinely delicious.
After finishing dinner, Kazuma decided it was finally time to leave.
Seiichi-san and the others, figuring they couldn’t detain him any longer, saw him off to the entrance.
Reaching the entrance, Kazuma put on his shoes and, with his hand on the door, turned to face Seiichi-san and the others.
“Well then, I’m heading home. Thank you for the meal.”
“Kazuma-kun, come by again anytime.”
“Kazuma, you can come over whenever you like.”
“Yeah, I’ll come again sometime. Also, Seiichi-san. I’m saying this because I know about her past, but if you ever get fed up with her, tell me anytime! I’ll reduce her to cinders without a trace!”
“Ah, ahahaha…”
“Ka-Kazuma! I told you I wouldn’t do that anymore!”
“Silence! People are creatures who repeat the same mistakes!”
“Jai!”
“Jai!”
Miki and Shota, imitating Kazuma’s way of speaking, also made smug faces.
Seeing this, Kazuma bent down to their eye level and placed his hands on their heads.
“You two, if you’re ever in trouble, call for your onii-chan. I’ll come help you out.”
“”Okay!””
Kazuma smiled at the two energetic replies, then straightened his bent knees and stood tall.
“Seiichi-san. She’s a hopeless mother, but please take care of her. If anything happens, please call me. I’ll do anything I can.”
“Kazuma-kun… In that case, would you mind if I asked just one thing?”
“What is it?”
“The company I work for is a toy manufacturer. And I’m the leader of the toy development team.”
“…………Don’t tell me, the DX Sword was your…?”
“Your intuition is sharp, that helps a lot~! We want to release a Crimson Knight version next, and I was wondering if you could cooperate with us? Of course, the compensation will be generous!”
“…………If that’s your request, Seiichi-san.”
“Really!? Wow, it really pays to ask! Thank you, Kazuma-kun!”
“Hahahaha…”
Kazuma, realizing that Seiichi-san was also surprisingly shrewd, felt his cheek twitch.
However, well, it wasn’t so bad, Kazuma thought, letting out a sigh before bidding farewell to Seiichi-san and the others and heading home.