The Hero and Kehma

Then, three days had passed.

In these three days, wed gotten around 4,500 DP from Hero Wataru. In addition, three days worth of inn fees, seventy-five gold coins. And twenty-five gold coins in meal fees Uhuahaha! Uhuahahaha!

Ah, the amount Rokuko and I ate on the first day when the hero invited us was a treat from him, ten gold coins.

By the way, a sandwich is served for breakfast as a service.

However, the suite is amazing, its easy money whenever Haku-san comes over. Even without her tips to Rokuko, were getting DP directly as well. For some reason, when Haku-san is there our income from her is 0 DP per day.

Hey Kehma, when will you give me that ring? I want it.

Nn, ring? What are you talking about?

You forgot!? H-hey, the partner thing.

Ahh, ahh, that one. I remember, I remember. Yep. So, what kind do you want? Gold, silver, decorated?

Whatever Kehma thinks suits me is good!

So shes basically saying shell leave it to me, thats the number one most troubling thing well, its fine. Its a present.

Rokuko has fair skin and blonde hair, so maybe something bright red? Roses or something would suit her. Making a ring with jewels ahh no, maybe I should worry about how intense it feels? Should I look for some fantasy metals? Though orichalcum and stuff is really expensive in DP, the amount needed to make a ring probably wouldnt be that much.

Itll probably take a little time, is that alright?

Yeah, umm, un, Ill look forward to it!

Rokuko left the room, squirming a little.

Did she have to use the toilet? No, that cant be it, she doesnt need to use it.

By the way, when I asked Ichika what [Partner] meant, it seems that it means [Companion]. Though partner also has the feeling of being related to marriage, it seems adventurers that are close also use the word partner. Im told that they give each other matching accessories (not always rings).

So Rokuko was just jumping to conclusions about him proposing to her huh no well, the hero himself confirmed it.

Yep, its that. Its not my self-conceit, Rokuko, isnt it that she fell in love with me?

I had no inkling there was that kind of element going on at all though. If so, I really feel bad about it. I like Rokukos cute legs.

But if for arguments sake I touched herah, I immediately felt Haku-sans blood lust. My imagination is too strong.

[No, this is todays results too. Please look, playing cards! Two boxes!] [Oh my, thats amazing. By the way, what kind of magic does Hero-san use?]

Nerune was talking with the hero at reception.

The hero hadnt tried to make a pass at Rokuko since then. Even if he saw Rokuko in the inn by chance, he would just raise his hand and give her a simple greeting.

Hmm, whats that guy scheming? Im so bothered by it I cant sleep. grah. That guys disturbing my quiet sleep.

[So, will you eat the A-Rank meal today as well?] [Hmm, its a bit much to eat the same meal after three days in a row, so lets go with something else today. The B-Rank meal.] [Would you like me to bring it to your room?] [No, its fine. I want to eat in the dining room today. Im also quite homesick over the system of buying food with meal tickets after all.]

Because of that, it doesnt look like hell be having the A-Rank meal today. Unfortunate.

Well, even so its still one gold coin. Hes wantonly spending gold coins, but well, S-Rank adventurers probably have a huge income I wouldnt go so far as to risk my life for money though. If I can live as a good-for-nothing sleeper, thats good.

*

While I was taking a catnap before I went to sleep, Rokuko came in eating pudding.

Kehma, the hero is looking for Kehma you know?

Not Narikin?

For some reason, Im getting a bad feeling.

I mean, right now I should only be acquainted to him as Narikin. Whys he looking for me?

Un, hes looking for Kehma. For some reason, he was talking with Meat.

Uwaaah sounds bothersome cant you say Im not here?

No, the usual adventurers are in high spirits saying things like: [If its him, that guys always sleeping in the inn] or [Kehma? Ah, that sloth] or [That boss huh, isnt he the most informed about the dungeon?] Introduced like that, its probably impossible.

And after that, she said everyone was treated to pudding. His generosity unsealed the adventurers mouths.

Tch, he was prepared.

Or rather, whys he talking with Meat? Ah, could it be that? After falling for Rokuko, now hes in love after seeing Meat?

It cant be helped, hes calling me huh Is he in his room?

Hes waiting in the dining room.

It feels like he wants to talk in public on purpose.

He tried to take Meat to his room, but Meat didnt want to so hes waiting there.

Well, its not in his character for that hero to forcibly bring her to his room However, he tried to bring Meat into his room, huh?

I woke up a little and went to the dining room.

If possible, I didnt want to meet the hero looking like this. Well, its probably fine already.

In the first place, meeting him as Narikin was just a wait-and-see. My true identity shouldnt have been exposed, but I have a bit of an expectation.

When I entered the dining room, Meat immediately came and hugged me. The surrounding gazes focused on me.

Goshujin-sama.

Yeah, its alright, its alright. What happened?

~

When I pat Meat on the head, her tail and ears wiggled in delight. It calmed me down. Alright, lets go back to my room and sleep.

Are you Kehma-san?

The hero stopped me. Cmon, read the air.

I am, but you are?

Wataru Nishimi I wanted to talk about that girl, however, my intention changed.

Judging from Watarus line of sight, he was probably looking at my hair.

Now then, is me being Narikin leaked? My voice isnt even different.

It would be a little hard to speak here, could you come to my room?

Sure, is it fine if Meat comes as well?

Err, well, yeah.

Hero Wataru was a little flustered. For now, I brought Meat along to the suite. Some of the onlookers were curious but I just ignored them. Something like having a conversation with the hero, doesnt this look like an event where he talks with a minor character?

On the way, Wataru spoke to me.

Are you Narikin-san?

Nope. Im Kehma.

Isnt your voice the same!? Even though you said that you were leaving to restock!

Didnt Narikin say that he had a scar on his face? Do I look like I have something like that?

Ah, you really dont wait, no, I didnt confirm that with my own eyes though!?

Tch. He didnt fall for it huh.

You! Youre Japanese after all!?

My parents were Japanese, so I know a lot of things about Japan. Its not like I know everything though.

Oh, so thats it?

Hes obviously sad about it. I didnt say that Im not Japanese though.

Then, we reached his room.

So, what did you want to talk about?

Umm, I asked you on the way here, but that Ojou-san too, are her parents Japanese? She has black hair. With dog ears though.

I dont know since I just picked Meat up. So, Meat?

I cant remember anything about my past. However, Id be happy if its the same as Goshujin-sama.

Good girl. I stroked Meats head.

So, youre Japanese after all, Nakarin-san.

Im not Nakarin, Im Kehma.

Then Kehma-san do you know the meaning behind [Meat]s name?

Nn? [Meat]s meaning? Its a general-use name for slaves. When I asked Meat, she said she wasnt embarrassed as Meat and would work hard.

I asked Ichika to make sure, but it seems theres a huge range of slang for it, so while it can mean [Pet] and [Hug Pillow], for adventurers in particular it also seems to mean things like [Meat Shield, [Meat Wall], [Bait], and [Decoy].

Those meanings imply disposable too, it doesnt look like it means something that good. I asked Meat if she wanted to change her name, but she didnt want to change it since it was the first name I gave her, so she told me that it wasnt a problem and would work hard to suit her name.

Well, I didnt intend to throw her away you know? Shes my important hug pillow.

My profession is dungeon master so theres no problem with having a bad reputation. That being the case, I just let it as is since she herself wanted to keep it.

I know, but is there some problem?

Heeh so you know about the name?

Boom!

He hit the table and it broke.

In an instant. The table was built to be very solid, but it broke with two lines originating right where Watarus fist hit it. It looked like the letter [V] breaking it.

Its a bit late, but I started sweating a bit. Why, why did you suddenly attack the table!?

As I thought that, Watarus face also looked like, Ah crap. Moreover, Meat took position in front of me while wielding the golem knife as to protect me, glaring at the hero.

This child, so cool.

I didnt mean to hit it that hard I will pay for it. However, arent you ashamed for using such a small child as a shield!?

Including the trouble fees, five hundred gold.

Eh!? Ah, wai, uhh, can you take it in parts?

To my idle grumble of a sentence, Wataru lost his composure. Alright, five hundred gold coins GET!

Ahem I didnt think that you were a person to touch such a small child! I will not leave Rokuko-san to you! Do not approach Haku-samas imouto!

Eh, touch? Whats he saying? Is he thinking that [Slave = Ero Things]? Is his head filled with pink?

Lolicons that I know say YES loli NO touch and would absolutely never touch a child, it held that meaning among men!

Dont tell me that! Ah, but I definitely am touching her. As a hug pillow though.

Goshujin-sama, do I defeat him?

Stop. Hes a hero.

And Meat was going at her own pace. Rather, it felt like she was planning on winning against him.

Shes become splendid.