Chapter 176 The Man Whose Home Was Decided for Him
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Lady Reika’s residence was a magnificent manor—the sort of palatial estate that local residents tended to steer clear of.
To be honest, even just looking at the front gate made me hesitate. This was absolutely the kind of place where that sort of person lived, wasn’t it?
Trembling with nerves, I stepped inside and was led straight to Reika’s room.
”Well then, Shoichi. Could you put the vitality enhancers in here?” Lady Reika asked.
”Oh, sure…” I replied.
I began unloading the vitality enhancers into the provided cardboard boxes. Exactly five hundred bottles. As a bonus, I included five Quality A samples.
Ugh… To think I’m selling vitality enhancers to someone living in a mansion like this… they’ll surely only be used for those kinds of purposes…
I could only pray that some adult video with a bizarre title wouldn’t end up on the market. It wasn’t a given that Reika’s grandfather was in that line of business, but the suspicion lingered.
Lady Reika made a phone call, and a servant arrived immediately. They carried the boxes of enhancers off to some unknown location.
”Once the funds are ready, you’ll be contacted again,” she said.
”I see…” I muttered.
I never imagined I would end up in a woman’s room under these circumstances. Besides, five hundred bottles of vitality enhancers are a considerable burden to transport under normal conditions. I couldn’t risk being seen pulling them out of my Treasure Trove¹ carelessly.
In a sense, delivering them to Reika’s room and packing them into boxes for delivery was the optimal solution. I could receive the cash on the spot, too.
”So… regarding your new residence, Shoichi. We have the funds, so let’s consider it carefully,” Lady Reika said.
”Right… you mentioned an apartment with an auto-lock system was preferable?” I asked.
”Yes. That way, even if I stop by your room after my classes, no one will be the wiser, right?” she replied.
I see…! That’s incredibly convenient…!
To be frank, the pursuers were becoming quite the nuisance. I had been planning to minimize my public appearances while in Japan.
”Ami-chan. If I move… will teleportation from the other world to Japan be an issue?” I asked.
”Since it’s you, Shou, you’ll probably just scatter new desires in your new room anyway! It’ll be fine! You’ll probably be able to use the Treasure Trove’s storage in the new room too!” Ami-chan replied.
Apparently, it wasn’t a problem. It might finally be time to depart from my fifty-year-old 1K apartment.
”But I’m technically unemployed… No matter how much money I have, I don’t know if I can even rent a room…” I muttered.
”It’ll work out somehow. Once the move is finished, I’ll visit the other world during the three-day weekend. That’s fine, right?” Lady Reika asked.
”Of course!” I replied.
I’m looking forward to it…! I want to spend hot nights with everyone again…! Having sex in the large bath with the four Magic Girl²s was the absolute best…!
As the memories flooded back, my rod began to stiffen. Just then, a servant arrived.
”Lady Reika. Your grandfather is calling for you. He requested that your guest accompany you as well,” the servant said.
”Oh, really? Shoichi, let’s go,” Lady Reika said.
”Wha… eeehh!? Is it… is it going to be okay…!?” I asked.
”It’ll be fine,” Lady Reika replied.
I’m actually quite terrified here!?
I followed Lady Reika, trembling with apprehension. We were guided to a magnificent room with tatami flooring.
* * *
”Hey, Reika! And you’re that merchant I’ve heard about! Come in, come in!”
Inside the room was an old man wearing a kimono. He gave off an impression somewhat similar to Lambdaine-san.
Reika and I sat on the zabuton cushions placed on the tatami, facing the old man across a table.
”I’ve heard the details from Reika! So you’re Shimizu Shoichi, eh! I’m Miyakuji Motokuro! I heard you brought the new goods here! A real estate agent was just here, but I had him step out for a moment,” Motokuro said.
Real estate agent…? Could it be Shinya? I didn’t particularly want to see his face.
Motokuro-san, who didn’t look like an old man at all, pushed a thick envelope toward me.
”The money. It’s exactly 2.5 million yen,” he said.
”Eh…!?” I gasped.
Re-re-really…!?
For some reason, Lady Reika took the envelope and checked the contents before handing it to me.
”Haa… th-thank you…” I stammered.
”That stuff you bring in is incredible! Where the hell do you produce it?” Motokuro asked.
”That’s…” I started.
”Grandfather. We’ve had this conversation before,” Lady Reika interrupted.
”Oh! That story about how you checked out the secret factory while he was missing for a few days! But I’m still curious, ya know? After all, the efficacy is damn outstanding!” Motokuro laughed.
It seemed she had used the gift I gave her to smooth over the story of my disappearance.
”I heard the samples you brought this time are even better?” Motokuro asked.
”Ah… no. The effect itself is the same as the previous ones. However, a single dose continues to act for an extended period,” I explained.
”I see, I see! Saves the trouble of taking it every time, and you don’t have to fill your stomach with medicine!” Motokuro said.
He’s a quick study. Or rather, is it appropriate to discuss vitality enhancers in front of your granddaughter…
Well, Reika was the one who pitched it to her grandfather in the first place. Maybe it’s a bit late for modesty.
”So, I’m gonna ask ya straight. Can you keep delivering these things consistently from now on?” Motokuro asked.
”That won’t be a problem. It’s difficult to promise deliveries ‘regularly at a set time,’ but I can continue to provide about this many,” I replied.
”I’d prefer to have ’em at fixed intervals if possible…” Motokuro muttered.
I couldn’t promise that. My visits to Japan only occur when things are settled in the other world.
My Dominion³ is over there, and the other world remains my base of operations.
”Hmph… well, fine. It’s a fact that I’m making a killing off the stuff you bring. Let’s keep this mutually beneficial relationship going,” Motokuro said.
”Yes, by all means…” I replied.
”Now, what was it? You’re looking for a place to live?” Motokuro asked, turning his gaze toward Lady Reika. She nodded.
”Even though he’s the only one who can produce that medicine, he’s currently living in a place with absolutely no security. You understand that risk well, don’t you, Grandfather?” she asked.
”That’s no good. If the producer of the goods is identified, there’s a chance he’ll be targeted first. You’d better move to a place with decent security right away,” Motokuro said.
”Eh…?” I asked.
Am… am I involved in a business where people might actually target me…!?
Without fully realizing it, I might have started doing business with some truly dangerous people. The old man made a phone call.
”Hey, it’s me. Bring in that real estate agent,” he said.
Before I could think, a new person appeared in the room. It was definitely Shinya. He was decked out in a sharp suit.
He also looked quite surprised to see my face.
”Hey. I’ve got a business matter for you,” Motokuro said.
”Y-yes! What would it be!” Shinya stood at attention with both hands at his sides.
Even if it’s for work, talking to the master of a manor like this must be nerve-wracking… especially since he seems to be a major client.
”Consultation for this man’s housing. Isn’t there a good apartment with solid security and a concierge?” Motokuro asked.
”Eh…? Th-this man… no. This gentleman is going to live there…?” Shinya asked.
”Didn’t you hear what I said?” Motokuro growled.
”N-no! My apologies!” Shinya cried.
Shinya opened a laptop to display maps and took various materials out of his bag to introduce properties.
”Ho… isn’t this place good?” Motokuro asked.
”It really is. It’s only about two stations away from our place too,” Lady Reika added.
”Hey. Which floor is vacant here?” Motokuro asked.
”Y-yes. Currently… the 22nd floor is vacant… but…” Shinya stuttered.
”But what?” Motokuro asked.
”Well… the security deposit, key money, and rent are quite substantial for that room…” Shinya said, glancing at me and showing a figure on a calculator. It was a staggering amount.
”Also, for the move-in, there’s a screening process…”
”Can’t you do something about that!” Motokuro shouted.
”Hiee!?” Shinya squeaked.
Ah… there are customers like this. People who demand flexibility on things decided by company rules that the salesperson didn’t even set.
Grandfather exerts quite a lot of pressure. Since he’s a major client, Shinya probably can’t say ‘no.’
”I’ll pay the security deposit and key money. That won’t be a problem, right?” Motokuro asked.
”Eh…!?” Shinya gasped.
”It’s fine, it’s fine. I want to maintain a long relationship with you,” Motokuro said, looking at me.
Is this okay…? I feel like I’m becoming even more unable to wash my hands of this business with the old man…
By the way, the monthly rent I was curious about was 270,000 yen. That’s incredibly expensive…!
But since I don’t know the quality of the land or properties, I can’t tell if that’s a reasonable price or actually a good deal…!
Also, since automatic bank withdrawal would be a bit inconvenient, Shinya would end up coming to collect the rent from the old man every month.
As for me, I’d be handed the total amount from selling the vitality enhancers minus the rent.
Shinya’s workload increased, but since it gave him an excuse to meet a major client once a month, it might not be a bad result for a salesman.
”Hey, and another thing. You probably know this, but don’t tell anyone about this man or what happened today. This man is an important business partner. If you leak his address or anything…” Motokuro threatened.
”I-I understand! It’s the customer’s personal information; I will not disclose it no matter what!” Shinya promised.
Just like that, my new home was decided in a flash. Normally, things wouldn’t move this quickly…
I wrote various things on the papers Shinya gave me, but for some reason, the old man wrote the complicated parts. The seal used was also the old man’s.
I… is this okay…? Is Shinya… being made to do something quite gray here…?
Well, he’s a self-proclaimed capable salesman. He might have gained a lot of troublesome work in exchange for results, but I’m sure he’s used to it.
And so, I became unable to escape from Lady Reika’s grandfather.”
—
Summary:
Shoichi delivers vitality enhancers to Lady Reika’s estate and meets her grandfather, Motokuro. Motokuro pays 2.5 million yen and forcibly arranges a luxury apartment for Shoichi to ensure the safety of his ‘producer.’ Using intimidation, Motokuro bypasses standard rental hurdles through the agent Shinya. Shoichi realizes his life in Japan is now inextricably linked to Motokuro’s influence.
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Character Insight:
Shoichi’s transition from a low-rent apartment to a 270k yen luxury high-rise symbolizes his loss of anonymity. Motokuro acts as a traditional ‘patron’ who protects his assets through total control; by paying the move-in fees and managing the rent, he effectively owns Shoichi’s presence in Japan. Reika facilitates this, showing that her ‘protection’ of Shoichi involves integrating him into her family’s formidable and somewhat shady infrastructure.
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Behind the Scene:
The 270,000 yen rent is a staggering figure for a single man in Japan, placing him in the elite 1% of renters. Motokuro using his own hanko (seal) on Shoichi’s contract signifies a level of extra-legal authority that the real estate agent Shinya is forced to accept due to Motokuro’s status as a ‘big client’ (taikyaku).
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T/L:
Notes:
• Reika – A beautiful high school kendo student who is engaged to ‘The Handsome’ for what seems like familial or arranged reasons. She is a ‘guarded’ beauty. Sha has long black hair, intense eyes, and wearing kendo uniform.
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Lambdaine – A powerful Councilor of the Shital Republic and a successful merchant who built his fortune from nothing. He is the grandfather of Iris and Aris.
• Shimizu Shoichi – A plain, middle-aged Japanese man with short black hair and brown eyes. He looks worn-out and ordinary. Average build, average height, standing looks like Satoru Mikami from certain series.
• Motokuro – The current head of the Miyakuji family and an Ancient Object Dealer. He has significant influence that even the police cannot ignore.
• Shinya – A former classmate of the protagonist, now a salaryman who believes his life path (university, job) is the only correct one. He derives satisfaction from looking down on those who failed, like the protagonist.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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