62. Maybe I Should Look for a Parttime Job…
After that, I discovered that touching the sword was safe. We investigated it more closely, but the only thing learned was that it could only be drawn from its scabbard by me and Rin. Could it be that only Rin and I are acknowledged by the sword? In the end, I had no idea what kind of power it held, nor by whom it had been made.
Incidentally, we had decided to display the mysterious sword in the living room where everyone could watch over it. It would be troublesome if something happened while it was stored away in a place no one could see.
“Alright, there were some unexpected developments, but for the time being, the cleaning is finished.”
For now, let’s set aside the matter of the sword and proceed to a more important discussion.
“Emergency family mee—ting!”
“Mu, it has been a while since the last one.”
“Kaka—ka.”
“Family mee—ting!”
We are having the first emergency family in some time. Today, there is a topic I want to discuss seriously.
“Emergency family meeting?”
“What’s that!? Something fun!?”
Near and Urd tilted their heads. Thinking about it, neither of the two were present for the last family meeting.
“An emergency family meeting is, as the name suggests, just a family meeting. Also, they are not fun. Today, we are going to have a serious discussion.”
“Ah, I just remembered I had something to do. I’ll be going out for bit, then!”
“[Toy] activate. Capture Urd.”
I invoke the special ability [Toy] on the floor cushion. The fluffy floor cushion doll I create then pins Urd within a full nelson.
“Gyaa! It’s fluffy, so it doesn’t hurt, but my back is getting ho—t! The base of my wings is getting all sweat—y!”
“With this, let’s pull ourselves together and hold the emergency family meeting. This time’s topic is money.”
I carry the conversation forward, ignoring Urd’s cries.
“Are we short on money?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s more like we’re somewhat short on money. We aren’t in a serious situation yet, but at this rate I doubt my parent’s allowance will be anywhere close enough to live off of.”
I had been cutting back on hobby expenses and saving as much as possible, but even so, our current situation was starting to tip into the red. The cost of meals for everyone comes to a bit more than one person’s worth. Combined with mine, the total food expenses are around two people’s worth. Then, there’s the gas and utility bills. Those are certainly higher than when it was just me alone. Not to mention that they also use the internet and television even while I’m at school, which raises the electricity bill. Finally, because of the battle with ability user organization (the Toy special ability user), I had to unexpectedly replace an entire uniform and bag for 25,000 yen and 5,000 yen apiece. That was a major expense.
“And so, let’s try to be as frugal as possible. If everyone is mindful and we all cut back, I think we’ll be able to just barely stay in the black.”
“We have no need for meals. If it is food expenses, that can easily be reduced.”
““Eh!!””
Rin and Urd turn pale at Kuro’s words. Certainly, none of them will have any trouble as long as spiritual energy is in the air… Unfortunately, Rin and Urd delight in eating food, so that would be too cruel for them. Besides, I would feel awkward eating alone in front of everyone else.
“I would feel lonely if I ate by myself, so I won’t do that. I don’t intend to cut down on food expenses.”
“Goshujin-sama, bes—t!”
“Goshujin-sama! I love yo—u!”
Rin and Urd seize the opportunity to praise me. This must have made them really happy. What tremendous appetites.
“So then. Let’s do our best to be frugal in areas other than food expenses.”
“Umu, understood.”
“Ka—!”
“Be fru,ga—l!”
“Please leave the management of the electric bill to me.”
“I guess I could cut back on the snacks a bi—t.”
Everyone is agreeing without any trouble, but we will eventually hit the limit. I also want to properly buy Rin clothing instead of giving her hand-me-downs, and unexpected expenses are bound to occur somewhere. Not to mention that with winter coming, the cost of heating will also become a serious matter.
“My body is pretty strong, maybe I should look for a parttime job…”
The night quietly deepens as I was muttering such things.
◇
“Th-this is Uruka-chan’s family house?”
“It’s huuge—!”
“Massive. Ain’t it more like a temple than a house?”
On the same day Kousuke is cleaning out his home, Shizuku, Akari, and Souji were invited to Uruka’s family house. This is because Uruka’s father, Tatsumi, had heard from the Asahikawa practitioners that the 3 had fought using [Special Abilities] and so invited them to his home so that he could speak with them in person. In exchange for providing information about special abilities, they would be taught about [Techniques] as were used by Uruka and those with her. Thus, Shizuka, Akari, and Souji visit the Mizukami family’s main household while harboring slight wariness.
“Sorry for suddenly calling you out like this. If there is something you don’t want to talk about, you don’t have to. If otou-san tries being forceful in his questioning, we’ll stop him with all our strength, so don’t worry.”
“That’s right. Originally, this was supposed to just be a meeting for exchanging information between us, but otou-san forced his way in. If anything happens, we’ll protect you with everything we have.”
“I will help as well, desu. If anything happens to my senpai, I will give my all to defend you, desu!”
After the battle with Io, within whom the heart of an evil god had been embedded, a sense of comradery had bloomed between the 6, the kind forged by toeing the line of death together. As such, Uruka, Uruna, and Owl intend to protect Shizuku, Akari, and Souji, even if it means opposing Tatsumi’s will.
“I’m grateful for your support, but you don’t have to worry that much. We can throw down if it comes down to it.”
“That’s right! If the need arises, I’ll apply [Bestowal] on Souji and have him carry us out of here, so don’t worry.”
“My burden!”
While expressing their gratitude to the 3, Souji and Akari help ease the tension while stepping onto the premises. Amidst that, Shizuku casually voices a doubt she’s been feeling.
“Speaking of which, why wasn’t Yuuki-kun invited?”
“That’s because otou-san…”
“Because I instructed Uruka, Uruna, and Owl not to invite him. My wish is to speak to you 3 about him.”
“““!?”””
Souji, Akari, and Shizuku look around at the sound of a voice coming from nowhere when a blue owl descends before their eyes.
“Forgive me for startling you. I couldn’t sit still, so I sent out my shikigami. Opportunities to speak with ability users are exceedingly rare, after all. I shall give a proper greeting later, but I am Mizukami Tatsumi, head of the Mizukami household and father of Uruka and Uruna.”
“I-I’m Kasai Souji.”
“I am Tsukino Akari.”
“Tsukino Shizuku.”
Although they were bewildered by the presence of an owl speaking fluently, the 3 of them exchanged greetings with the blue owl.
“There is no need to be so wary. I never had any intention of prying from the start. If there are things you do not wish to say, that wouldn’t be a problem in the slightest. Now then, allow me to begin our conversation.”
“otou-san, at least wait until we are inside the house for this…”
Tatsumi realizes they are still outside at Uruka’s words and invites everyone inside the estate.
T/N: Okay, I hope you enjoyed this update.
~Lyfe
Leave a Reply