As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 94: Chapter Four Interlude: Do Your Best, Yuri-kun

Chapter 94: Chapter Four Interlude: Do Your Best, Yuri-kun

“N… Fwa.”

Upon waking, the first thing is to check if one’s body is unharmed.

This is something every man in this world, especially children, must do.

Even if they fell asleep in their own home, waking up in an unfamiliar place, being assaulted by a stranger, is a common occurrence.

It wasn’t taught or learned from anyone.

If anything, it was an insight born from a child’s instincts.

Like how herbivorous animals instinctively know how to protect themselves from predators.

“Good morning, Yuri. Did you sleep well?”

“U-Um, good morning. I slept soundly.”

Rubbing his eyes, Yuri responds to Towa, who has already finished her morning preparations and smiles gently at him.

It’s only recently that he’s been able to wake up without worrying about his safety.

Since the day he came to Ronnyan and Arius told him what had happened to his hometown.

“Hehe, your hair’s sticking up, you know? Come on, go wash your face.”

“Y-Yes!”

The women here won’t harm him.

True, he’s still not entirely used to their appearances.

Yuri wakes up in Arius’s room, or Towa’s, or Mia’s.

Sometimes, waking up next to Mia, who’s surprisingly weak in the mornings despite her appearance, he nearly lets out a small scream at her face.

But he’s never harmed.

“Gargle… Npe.”

No one strokes his bottom while he washes his face, nor does anyone hug him.

If the environment of Ronnyan could heal the indelible fear of women etched into his instincts,

What awaits is a peaceful, warm daily life.

“Honestly… Yuri? It’s still sticking up. Excuse me for a moment.”

“A-Uh, okay.”

Towa uses what must be her favorite—a cute comb—to brush Yuri’s hair.

To an onlooker, it’s a heartwarming scene of a parent and child.

Yuri himself has often mistaken her for his real mother.

All the women at Ronnyan cherish Yuri.

Not because of Arius’s orders. It’s because Yuri, despite his instincts urging him to fear ugly women, has tried to reach out to them.

“There, all done. Now you’re a cool Yuri from every angle.”

“T-Thank you, Towa Onee-chan.”

One thing he’s learned is to look into Towa and the others’ eyes when thanking them.

No, to look into someone’s eyes when speaking—to show manners to ugly women.

How many in this world could do the same as Yuri?

It’s not something to count, but among the few who can, the reason Yuri has managed it is—

“Well then, let’s make today another great day, okay?”

“Yes! Please take care of me!”

It’s likely because he was touched by one man, Arius.

※

“Alright, this problem here—”

After Ronnyan’s lunch rush ends, it’s break time.

If Mia’s free, it becomes Yuri’s study time.

“Um, like this, maybe?”

“Nn! Nicely done, you get a gold star!”

Mia ruffles Yuri’s hair enthusiastically.

From their heights, it might look like kids playing, which is a bit of a shame.

But there’s no shadow on Yuri’s face, beaming with pride and joy at the praise.

Mia is teaching Yuri many things.

Right now, it’s basic arithmetic. Beyond the minimum knowledge needed for society, she even taught him introductory magic theory the other day.

“So, do you know the next problem?”

“Uh… I don—”

“Nope. I told you, no saying ‘I don’t know’ right away. Think it through properly.”

“Ugh… Yes.”

Yuri is an exceptionally promising child.

Mia saw his hunger for knowledge. It’s a cliché to say he’s like a sponge absorbing water, but that’s exactly what he is.

Yuri’s hometown was a farming village.

The only knowledge deemed necessary was about agriculture, and indeed, his parents taught him nothing else.

The reason was simple: there was no need.

Above all, a man’s ultimate goal in this society is to be chosen by a “good” woman. Many such influential figures value purity—or ignorance—in both sex and academics.

Perhaps because of this custom, kidnappers target rural villages.

“Mia Onee-chan.”

“Hm? What?”

“Here, I think it’s like this… but I don’t understand why it works this way.”

“…Huh? Good question. It’s because—”

Mia isn’t a natural genius; she’s a prodigy forged through relentless effort.

From her perspective, Yuri is a true genius.

The material she’s teaching is far too advanced for an eight-year-old—it’s what a twelve-year-old in a decent town would study.

It’s been about a month since she started teaching Yuri.

Mia’s talent as a teacher may play a role, but it’s not the main reason.

“Oh, I get it! I understand! Thank you! You’re amazing, Mia Onee-chan! Uh, I mean, thank you!”

“Hehe. You don’t have to be so polite. Thanks, Yuri.”

“Um? You’re, uh, welcome?”

Yuri still has so much to learn. As a demonkin, he’ll need to master mana control too.

But no matter what she teaches, Yuri will surely rise to the challenge.

To reach the back of the man he admires.

※

After study time, Yuri heads out into the city.

Part of it is to avoid interfering with evening operations, but more importantly, Arius has instructed him to rehabilitate by going out alone.

Though called rehabilitation, Arius’s intent is more to confirm whether Yuri can walk outside safely.

As proof, whenever Yuri goes out alone, one of the Rats always shadows him as a bodyguard.

“Ah…”

Even now, someone casting a lecherous, malicious gaze at Yuri is dragged into an alley.

A peaceful discussion will likely take place—or so Yuri wants to believe.

On Yuri’s chest shines a gold badge inscribed with “Dragon.”

It’s proof of his affiliation with the Arius Family, something Yuri willingly accepted from Arius.

In a way, it’s a mark of being under Arius’s protection.

Yet, there are still many who try to mess with him despite knowing this.

“Hey, Yuri-bo! Take these!”

“T-Thank you! Um, money—”

“Nah, no need! Just play with my daughter next time, and we’re square!”

“Play? I’d love to! But… here.”

There are friendly people too.

Some have ulterior motives, like getting closer to Arius indirectly, but most aren’t worth making a fuss over.

Yuri hands three copper coins to the shopkeeper who gave him fruit, and the shopkeeper accepts with a wry smile.

“Geez, you’re just a kid!”

“Onii-san told me to return kindness with kindness.”

Yuri knows the fruit is worth about one copper coin.

Still, he gives three—earned through his honest wages and allowance from helping at Ronnyan.

“Ha… You’re somethin’ else.”

“Hehe. Come to the shop sometime, okay?”

A wry smile meets a pure one.

After the exchange, Yuri walks on, eating the fruit he received.

“N…”

He senses another lecherous gaze. It doesn’t feel malicious yet.

The biggest change is how he perceives these gazes.

Before, they only brought fear; now, he feels disgust too.

Perhaps because he’s closely observed the gazes Towa and the others direct at Arius.

The women at Ronnyan do lust after Arius, but there’s something stronger in their eyes.

Yuri can’t yet put it into words, but it’s love, respect—something that cherishes the other.

He understands all too well that it’s a gaze of care.

In contrast, the gaze directed at him now—

“Ah.”

The gaze vanishes.

Yuri breathes a sigh of relief. Yes, it’s a one-sided imposition of desire. He can’t help but feel disgust.

“—”

He knows what’s protecting him.

Understanding this, Yuri bows once toward that protection and continues walking.

“…Eh? I’m masking my presence, aren’t I?”

Unaware of the shadow trembling in shock behind him.

※

“Tch! …I give up.”

“Phew. Getting pretty good, huh?”

Outside the capital.

Yuri ventured this far because Serika and the Snakes had a training session scheduled.

As a boy, Yuri naturally admires Serika’s strength.

Sometimes, Serika even gives him simple training.

If Yuri had to name someone whose appearance he truly doesn’t mind, it’s Serika.

“Good work!”

“Oh, you came today too?”

“Good work, Yuri-dono.”

It seems the session just ended, and Yuri feels a bit disappointed not to have seen it, but his expression remains bright.

Sonya gives a wry smile as Yuri happily runs to Serika.

“Well then, Serika-sama. We’ll clean up and head back.”

“Ah, right. Thanks.”

Sonya and the others leave quickly.

Truth be told, Serika finds Yuri a bit difficult.

She knows she should care for and cherish him, but she’s not used to being admired.

It’s a misunderstanding—or rather—

She once, impossibly, wondered if Yuri liked her and was trying to claim her.

—Huh? I’d never take someone important to Onii-san.

He’d tilted his head with pure, innocent eyes.

Though embarrassed by her strange assumption, it only added to Serika’s confusion. Still, she likes Yuri but finds him hard to handle.

“Um… Wanna head back together?”

“Uh, if it’s okay, could I train with you just a little!?”

It depends on perspective.

Even to Serika, Yuri is exceptional.

She thinks he’d be better suited to a magic-based fighting style like Mia or the Snakes, rather than close combat like her, but unlike Mia, Serika’s not cut out for teaching.

“Sure, okay. Here.”

Serika’s training, even for the Snakes, is a “learn by doing” approach.

She hands Yuri her twin swords, her personal weapons.

“Yes!”

Without needing instruction, he starts swinging.

Though the sword’s weight throws him off, he’s better today than yesterday. Tomorrow, he’ll swing even more skillfully.

That’s why Serika thought—

He’s usable.

It’s a harsh thought for an eight-year-old, but Serika is certain Yuri will one day aid Arius.

“A bit sharper.”

“Yes!”

She should teach him how to swing more sharply, but Mia’s lessons shine here.

Thinking for himself.

It’s something Yuri’s been taught constantly since being taken in at Ronnyan.

It’s taken root and begun to sprout within him.

“Keep going, as far as you can.”

“Yes! Yaaa!”

Above all, her certainty comes from—

“N… He’ll be second only to Arius-sama.”

When this boy grows up, he’ll be a captivating man, second only to her beloved.

At the very least, she wants to see that. With that thought, Serika watches Yuri’s swings.

※

“Arius Onii-san! I’m back!”

“Hey, Yuri, welcome back.”

Returning to Ronnyan, Yuri dives into Arius’s chest.

The Family members around them watching enviously, some biting their fingers, is a familiar sight.

“How was today?”

“Yes! Um, uh…!”

Yuri’s built good relationships with everyone, but—

His favorite is Arius.

To become even a little like Arius.

A feeling he never had for his father or anyone else he’s met.

“Oh, take your time and tell me, Yuri.”

“Yes! Listen to everything!”

He doesn’t know how much longer he can stay here.

But he’ll never lose sight of the back he aims to follow for the rest of his life.