As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 34: The Excuse of a Reason

Chapter 33: Excuses Called Reasons

“Ehehe! Onii-chan! I wanna try that stall’s food next!”

“Uh, sure.”

Clinging to my arm with a beaming smile is Shuri-chan.

She’s nothing like the impression I had from afar—is this really Shuri-chan? I’m not so sure.

But her behavior makes me think, Hey, this vibe’s pretty nice even if I’m just being myself.

Her curious gaze darts around, her large, droopy dog ears twitching pyoko toward sounds.

Not to be rude, but it feels like walking a beloved dog, and it’s kinda fun.

“Ooh, look, look! That bracelet over there’s so cute!”

“Lemme see. Oh, yeah, it’d suit you well, Shuri-chan.”

“Fweh!? N-no way, it wouldn’t look good on someone like me!”

What’s with this sly cuteness?

She glances at it longingly, then acts like she’s giving up because she feels bad.

Ugh, I’m weak to girls like this—my wallet’s strings are loosening fast…!

“U-um, n-next! Let’s go that way, okay, Onii-chan?”

“Whoa!? Y-yeah, got it.”

Chasing her wagging tail, I can’t help but grin at how much fun Shuri-chan’s having.

So, yeah.

I’ve never done something like a date in this world, obviously, but it’s honestly fun. With Towa, it was more serious shopping than a date.

When Towa told me today’s client was Shuri, I prepped with Serika to avoid the frustration I felt with Kazune, setting up a welcoming vibe.

But then Shuri said:

—I want to hang out outside.

I was thrown—I hadn’t considered that kind of service.

I glanced at Towa, and after a solid ten seconds of closed eyes, she said, all smiles:

—If Goshujin-sama is willing, desu.

“Onii-chan?”

“Sorry. Just feeling a bit touched.”

I don’t know why Towa felt happy about it.

Lately, I’ve been more swamped than busy, hitting all sorts of issues and feeling stuck. Stepping out made me realize it.

The familiar sky seemed so high and clear today—guess I was that down.

“Touched?”

“Yeah. Like, this feels normal.”

Not zero or one, but this world rarely gives me middle ground.

Hanging out with the opposite sex like this? Maybe it happens, but I’ve never seen it around me.

Relationships here start with sex.

Sharing feelings, building mutual affection—that process doesn’t exist.

“Thanks, Shuri-chan.”

“Eh…”

Even if this isn’t normal, it reminds me of what I know is normal.

Running a shop, hitting tough problems, wrestling with relationships—I thought it was fun, but I’d been telling myself it had to be fun, and it was starting to feel forced.

But it’s normal to struggle.

I knew that when I decided to live selfishly.

“It’s like a mood refresh. Oh, and we’re not ending with just a date, right? Tonight, I’ll make you feel real good, so look forward to it.”

“A, uh, w… I-I need the bathroom!”

Whoops, got too refreshed and let my tact slip out with it—my bad.

Not an apology, but maybe I’ll get her that bracelet she was eyeing.

It’s not pricey, but it’s the thought that counts.

“Excuse me, that bracelet, please.”

“Right! How ‘bout a quick romp to make it free—”

“Haha, maybe next time. Let me pay today.”

“Oh, you said it! I’ll hold you to it!”

This stall’s a hit—nice, laid-back vibe.

“Here ya go! Tossed it in a fancy bag as a bonus! Eighty copper coins!”

“Wow, not letting me off easy, huh? This’ll cost me later.”

I laugh with the shopkeeper.

Man, I’m in a great mood—today’s gonna be a good day.

“—Ah.”

Then, my vision goes black.

※

Seriously, there’s always a flag, isn’t there?

I wanted it to be a good day, you know.

“S-s-s-so sorry!!”

“…Huh?”

How’d this happen?

I don’t know what to do with this human woman pulling off a perfect Japanese dogeza.

“U-um, uh!? Th-there’s no other way, ugh! I-I can’t explain in detail, but it’s not my intention, I swear!”

“Uh, okay… let’s calm down, yeah, let’s do that.”

I should be the one freaking out, right?

But seeing someone more panicked than me actually calms me down… wild.

“U-uh… I’m so sorry.”

“Nah, I don’t even know what to say, but what’s going on here? You can’t explain in detail, got it. But you’re not planning to kill me or anything, right?”

“O-of course not! I won’t lay a finger on you!”

Then we’re good.

If she’s not touching me, can’t I just leave?

“U-um… my name’s Luuri. I’ve served Arius-san at Rongrong.”

“Is it okay to reveal that?”

“Hau!?”

What a klutz.

She looks… normal. Like, no distinct features is her feature.

“U-uwehh! Th-this time, uh, I was hoping we could t-talk.”

“So you kidnap me? That’s pretty bold… Wait, where’s Shuri-chan? She was with me.”

“…Your companion is safe elsewhere. I swear she’s not in danger.”

No way I can trust that.

But I can’t exactly strong-arm her either. She’s calming down, and I’m getting the vibe she won’t say more.

“Fine. Can you tell me about this talk?”

“As expected, you’re calm—impressive.”

I got praised, why?

I have to stay calm. Shuri-chan’s not around, so I can’t risk messing things up.

Plus, I’m used to kidnappings. Worst case, I could seduce this Luuri girl, make her pass out in ahegao bliss, and search for Shuri.

“…Will you join Rongrong’s fold?”

“So, raise the white flag to Ririeru-san and become her ‘thing,’ right?”

“Yes.”

Is this a drama shoot? Nah, it’s like a TV scene. I’m no B-list actor.

“Sorry, but if I say no, what happens?”

“I’ll be in trouble.”

“I’m the one in trouble now… sigh. That’s not the talk, is it? Come on, explain properly.”

It’s not a deal.

She knows it, giving a yeah, right eyebrow-lowering smile.

“…Rongrong’s thriving right now.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s in the capital’s gourmet mags. Jealous-worthy.”

I wasn’t wrong thinking it’s a great place.

Heck, I even thought it’s nice a shop like that’s doing well.

“It’s no exaggeration to call it the capital’s most talked-about diner. But that makes it a target for bad people.”

“Sounds plausible. The nail that sticks out gets hammered, right? When eyes are on you, some are bound to be trouble.”

Places with money or power get messy.

It’s why Ronnyan aimed to be a hidden gem.

“There’s… no way to fix it.”

“Well, that’s—”

“I know. It’s our own fault.”

Fixing messiness takes connections or brute force.

Either way, it’s the owner’s fault for not preparing—I know I’m dodging my own issues here.

“And now, Ririeru-sama’s thinking of solutions, but it’s tough, and we need your help.”

“Help, huh? You know we’re small fry. Even if I agreed, there’s nothing I could do.”

We’re rivals, technically.

Rivals teaming up is cool, but if we’re a sinking ship, what’s the point?

“There is, there’s something only you can do.”

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

“Marry Ririeru-sama.”

“…What?”

How do you even get to that conclusion? I saw the cosmos for a second.

“If we resolve the Ronnyan-Rongrong conflict, it’ll settle things…! I’m not saying become her thing! She’d be happy to be yours! After marriage, you don’t have to do anything! Just the connection is enough…!”

“Whoa, calm down.”

“The profits, too! We’ll offer them! Ririeru-sama would agree! Even if she doesn’t, I’ll make sure she does! So, please…!”

I’m totally lost here. Seriously, chill.

But…

“Women’s tears are unfair, you know.”

“!? S-so sorry! Showing something unsightly…! Sorry! Sorry!”

No, no, you don’t have to apologize that much.

Wait, are tears treated like that here? Didn’t know.

…This world’s “normal” is such a hassle.

Making a girl cry and helping her isn’t my style.

I’m no hero—I’d rather shout, Please leave me alone!

I can’t save a crying girl.

But I’d love to make a smiling one smile more.

“Has Ririeru-san cried yet?”

“O-of course not! Ririeru-sama would never cry!”

Is that so?

I don’t know her well, but if her close friend says so, I’ll take it.

So, she can still be made to smile.

“Marriage is off the table.”

“…!”

It’s not normal.

At least for me, it’s nowhere near normal.

“Marriage should be about loving each other so much you can’t bear to be apart. A beautiful vow to stay together. That’s what I want it to be. Right now, I can’t.”

“Th-that’s…”

I know it’s idealistic, naive, even girlish, and I can’t deny it.

But in this world, that’s how I want it.

Maybe marriage here is contractual, like Luuri says.

That’s exactly why I don’t want to marry for that reason.

“I want a normal marriage. To fall in love, spend time together, crave each other, and share our hearts.”

“H-ha…”

If I’m being colder, I don’t care enough about Ririeru-san to bother.

She declared war, said she’d make me her thing—there’s no way I feel kindly.

Still, there’s a reason to lend a hand.

“But… I want that place to thrive more. So, I’ll owe you one this time.”

Because Ririeru-san built a dream shop I admired.

Only she could run a place like that.

“Let me meet Ririeru-san.”

“Ah, a… Thank you! Thank you! Th-thank you…!”