Chapter 32: If That’s How You Want to Play It, Then I Have a Plan Too! A Plan Called Brute Force!
Kazuma, riding in the limousine, was given a juice from the built-in refrigerator.
“So, um, what business do you have with me?”
Kazuma was acting humble, but having downed all the juice he was given, he was judged to be quite composed. And it was also clear that this demeanor was an act.
“Hahaha, no need to be so formal, Mr. Satsuki.”
“Oh. I-Is that so?”
“Yeah, you’re a VIP, after all. A guest we must treat with utmost courtesy. I wouldn’t complain even if you leaned back and acted more arrogantly.”
“(Like hell I can say, ‘Alright then, I’ll do just that!’ You idiot!)”
It wasn’t just the Witch in the limousine. Whether he was her attendant or manager was unclear, but there was also a handsome, blond middle-aged man who looked as if he could be a Hollywood star.
He was laughing cheerfully, but deep in his eyes, there was a light as if he were appraising Kazuma. Understanding this, Kazuma was doing his best to act like a humble, ordinary student.
That being said, it was already meaningless, making it a comical situation.
“Hey, hey, Kazuma! Between sushi and sukiyaki, which one do you recommend?”
“Sukiyaki, I guess!”
“Then, let’s go for sukiyaki!”
“Yeah!”
His persona of a humble, ordinary student vanished to the far reaches of the universe. Kazuma was excitedly singing a sukiyaki song with the Witch.
“Sweet and delicious~! Su-ki-ya-ki~!” (Both singing)
“(Is this guy an idiot? Or is he so out there he’s actually a genius? If he’s acting like this fully aware of his own situation, then he’s one hell of a sly fox, isn’t he?)”
Kazuma possessed no such advanced skills. While he boasted unparalleled strength in combat, his political abilities were nonexistent. In terms of stats, his intelligence was practically zero. It wouldn’t rise any further. His test scores might fluctuate, but Kazuma’s intellect would not. All of America would surely weep at this sad destiny (sadame).
“Yeah!!!” (Both)
Getting excited, Kazuma and the Witch exchanged a high-five. The man watching them smiled, thinking the upcoming negotiations would be a piece of cake.
◇◇◇◇
The limousine carrying Kazuma and the others stopped. It wasn’t because attackers had appeared or an Ibinom had emerged; they had simply arrived at their destination. It was a traditional Japanese restaurant (ryotei) that looked like the kind some politician would use.
This must have been why the Witch had asked Kazuma earlier whether he preferred sushi or sukiyaki. Kazuma got out of the limousine, looked at the ryotei before him, and his mouth hung open.
“(Wooow!)”
“Alright then, Kazuma! Let’s go!”
His arm suddenly taken, Kazuma was pulled by the Witch and stepped into the ryotei. Kazuma was dumbfounded by this world he had never seen or even heard of before. “So this is the world of the rich,” he thought, his head busily turning as he looked all around.
“What’s wrong, Kazuma? Did you see something interesting?”
“No, it’s just, I was thinking this is the kind of high-class restaurant I’ve only ever seen in dramas or movies.”
“This kind of place is normal~”
“Is that so~”
“That’s right~”
Kazuma, having given up on thinking, headed with the Witch to the room they were guided to. It was a tatami-matted room with a long table in the center, a hanging scroll, and fusuma (sliding doors) with extravagant patterns—a very typical room of that sort.
“(This looks like the kind of room where you’d eat with a corrupt magistrate!)”
He wasn’t a corrupt magistrate, but it was true he was about to eat with an American “magistrate.”
There weren’t any particular manners to follow, but Kazuma sat at the lower seat (shimoza), and the Witch sat next to him. Naturally, the seat of honor (kamiza) was for the remaining man.
“Well then, we have a little time before the meal, Mr. Satsuki. Shall we talk business?”
“Business?”
“Yes, business. Ah, don’t be so on guard. It’s not a difficult conversation.”
“Is that so? Understood.”
The man popped the boiled spinach appetizer (ohitashi) that had been brought as an otoshi into his mouth, smacked his lips in appreciation, commented, “Delicious!” and then broached the topic with Kazuma.
“Now, I said business, but first, let’s start with introductions. I’m Stephen Marker. An American Gifted. My Gift is Item Box. I’m pretty much that princess’s luggage carrier.”
“Stephen-san, is it? A pleasure to meet you.”
“Yeah, likewise.”
“Okay, okay, my turn next!”
Stephen placed a hand on the table and offered Kazuma a handshake. Kazuma took it, and they exchanged greetings.
When the two finished their handshake, the Witch energetically raised her hand, asserting that it was her turn to give her introduction.
“I think you already know, but I’m the Witch! My real name is Alicia Miller! I’m an American Gifted, and I possess two Gifts: Barrier and Telekinesis! Nice to meet you, Kazuma!”
“Yep, yep. Pleasure.”
“That’s kinda sloppy! Act more Japanese!”
“Oh, for this lowly self of mine, it is far too great an honor, truly, truly—”
“…”
“Ogeeeeeeeeh! Stop silently squeezing my head!”
She was quite the violent young lady. Alicia apparently didn’t like Kazuma’s attitude, and without a word, it wasn’t a vise grip, but a Telekinesis grip. Kazuma, whose head felt like it was about to be crushed like a tomato, was desperately pleading.
“Even I didn’t like that last one! If you do it again, I won’t forgive you!”
She was puffing her cheeks and pouting cutely in anger, but from an onlooker’s perspective, it could only be described as terrifying. Stephen, sitting in the seat of honor and watching their exchange, also trembled a little. At the same time, he respected Kazuma.
“(Amazing… He’s taking her Telekinesis and acting completely unfazed. She’s probably holding back, but he’s not showing any sign of pain at all…)”
For appearance’s sake, he was pretending to be in pain. “Ow, ow, ow,” he said, rubbing his head exaggeratedly.
“Still, though. Even if you tell me to act more Japanese, I think I was pretty close, wasn’t I?”
“Really?”
“Hold on a sec.”
Saying that, Kazuma operated his phone and showed Alicia an old-fashioned period drama.
“It’s true. Is this that famous ‘You’re a villain too, eh?’ thing?”
“Yep, yep. The ‘Gehehehe, you’re one to talk, Lord Magistrate’ one.”
“Heeh! This is exactly like that right now, isn’t it!”
To this, Kazuma understandably had no comment. He just nodded with a vague smile.
“Hahaha. More importantly than that, the food has arrived, so shall we eat?”
Hearing Stephen’s words, Kazuma turned around to see a server bringing a pot, vegetables, and meat. The preparations for sukiyaki must have been ready, as the server began to set things up efficiently.
On the long table, sukiyaki and the alcohol Stephen would presumably drink were prepared.
“Well then, shall we partake?”
“Let’s eat!”
“Well then, if you insist, I’ll dig in.”
Kazuma cracked a raw egg into his small bowl and mixed it. After lightly whisking the egg, Kazuma immediately took some of the main dish—the meat. He didn’t know the meaning of the word “restraint.” From this moment on, this place was a battlefield. It was first come, first served.
“(Seriously, this guy… Does he not know the meaning of restraint?)”
“(Fool! If you hesitate, the meat will be gone!)”
“(For now, I’ll try a bit of everything!)”
The three showed their respective reactions. Kazuma focused on taking the meat, while Stephen, though surprised by this lawless person who had lost the two characters for “restraint,” also secured some meat. Meanwhile, only Alicia took an equal amount of vegetables and meat, eating deliciously with a beaming smile.
The ingredients in the pot rapidly dwindled, and the meal approached its end. It was then that Stephen finally broached the main subject.
“Mr. Satsuki. Would you have any interest in coming to America?”
Kazuma, who was munching on meat, wasn’t surprised by the sudden invitation and calmly finished chewing and swallowed the meat in his mouth.
“Is it alright if I refuse that?”
“Well, don’t be so hasty in drawing a conclusion.”
“Eh, but, I probably won’t go to America no matter what you say, you know?”
“And why is that?”
“Because Japan is better. I, uh, like anime and manga, you see!”
“I see. But you can watch and read those in America too, you know?”
“It takes time for them to be imported, and there are many regulations, so no thank you!”
“We can arrange things on that front, and we intend to ensure you won’t face any inconveniences. Is it still no good?”
“Let me ask you instead, why are you inviting someone like me to America?”
“Aren’t you the one who understands that best?”
With this reply, Kazuma was convinced. America was likely proceeding with the conversation on the assumption that he was the Crimson Knight.
“Well, I have absolutely no idea…”
Just as Stephen was about to press Kazuma, who was playing dumb, further, Alicia interjected.
“Hey, Kazuma. Do you hate America?”
“Sorry. I do.”
His eyes were serious. Kazuma didn’t lie in the slightest and answered Alicia’s question earnestly. Hearing his answer, Alicia understood. She understood what would happen if they forcibly tried to take him back to America.
“I see…”
This is impossible. Even if I were to challenge him with deadly resolve, I’d probably be defeated as easily as twisting a baby’s arm. It’s sad, but this is where I have to back down.
“But, I don’t dislike you, Alicia.”
Alicia was taken aback by the unexpected reply, but for now, that was more than enough. It was a relief he wasn’t hostile. If he was a good neighbor, she would probably be able to ask for his help. Understanding just that much, Alicia smiled happily.
“Oh, I see! In that case, will you be my friend?”
“Yeah, sure. If it’s just that, then it’s totally okay!”
“Thanks, Kazuma!”
Stephen tried to stop Alicia, who was moving the conversation forward on her own.
“W-wait a minute. The discussion isn’t—”
“Stephen.”
Alicia called Stephen’s name with a voice so cold it sent shivers down his spine. Hearing her voice, he stopped dead in his tracks.
“This is fine for now, isn’t it?”
“………Okay. If the princess says so, I won’t say anything more.”
“Thank you.”
As if surrendering, Stephen raised both hands and backed down. After that, Alicia thoroughly enjoyed her meal, engaging in a lively conversation with Kazuma.