Chapter 411: Chaotic Reception Room Fores (1/2)

I am happy that the business meetings ended quickly and there’s breathing space in between the schedule.

If the next person has also fortunately come early, it would be even better, but I personally like how free time that can be filled is made.

Being pressed for the next, next, and next, is personally the worst feeling for me, as if desperately trying to swim up to get my nose and mouth out of the water.

It is a smoldering feeling, yeah.

So I say, but it is not like I have the style of running around aggressively as if hunting prey.

I am the type that immediately hunts the prey that enters my shooting range while I am calmly sitting down.

That style fits me the most.

The meeting with Muzo-san ended sooner than scheduled, and next was Rembrandt-san.

He is a person I am grateful towards since he always introduces me to companies and would speak about business opportunities.

Even though he should be far busier than me, he still makes time to meet me. Rather than calling him a business partner, he is more like a guardian.

He is an ideal business discussion partner that doesn’t make me nervous and doesn’t create a thorny atmosphere while not taking that much time, so I really have nothing but gratitude towards him.

“Excuse me… Rembra—hm?” (Makoto)

When I opened the door, a thick scent hit my nose.

Quite the strong scent of perfume.

Moreover, several different types.

While having a bad feeling about this, I confirm the presence of the person that should be diagonally right considering the composition of this room.

“*Oku-sama*?! And…?” (Makoto)

It may be a Rembrandt, but it is not Patrick-san, it is Lisa-san.

If I remember correctly, the one coming here today should be the P one of the Rembrandt-sans though.

In the first place, I have close to no business discussions directly with his wife.

Moreover, she isn’t alone.

What’s with those…attractive mature ladies (?) that are filling up the whole sofa.

The amount of women is astounding.

8. There’s as many as 8 excluding Lisa-san.

And I don’t know a single face here.

What’s with this situation?

In the first place, this is a room for business meetings of around 5-6 people, so having 8 ladies in dresses here was making the air in this place crazy. No, it is like this room can’t keep up with the florid atmosphere.

My eyes and nose are in a pretty bad state right now too.

What’s this?!

“Sorry, Raidou-sama. I had something to talk with you about, so I have switched with my husband. But everyone here I met coincidentally wanted to meet you once, so it ended up being a big group… It really was a bother?” (Lisa)

Just for the record, it is not like Rembrandt-san and I do anything dirty or discuss anything that is hard to say out loud.

I swear on the name of anything you want that that’s not the case!

In the first place, that person is madly in love with his wife and daughters, so there’s no way he would cheat on her.

If I were to be asked if it is a pain, I would immediately state it is a pain though.

But well, even if she asked me that, there’s only one answer here.

“No way. Me being left wide-eyed by my plans being a bit different is just my inexperience showing. Everyone, please forgive my lack of manners. I am the representative of the Kuzunoha Company, name’s Raidou.” (Makoto)

I stand at the front of Lisa-san with a table in between, bow, and give my greetings.

Seriously, what are they thinking? Just as they say, it is a bother.

But there’s no way I would speak out my true feelings even if they were to try and squeeze it out from me.

I have known Lisa-san since the ghoul time, but lately she has been overflowing with energy as if she had rejuvenated, and has been really lively.

Her skin seems to have more moisture and looks really smooth. I can say for sure that there’s no man who would use her age as an excuse to not see her as a woman.

As for the women around, I honestly would say they are older, around their middle-ages, compared to Oku-sama.

However, I can tell at a glance that they are people that pursue beauty in a variety of different directions and are very particular about beauty.

Then, the correct answer here is…yeah…

“Fufu, there’s no need to force yourself, you know. I am not here to have a delicate conversation that would require such formality. Right, everyone?” (Lisa)

Everyone agreed with her and directed smiles at me.

After Lisa-san finished a simple introduction, I got introductions individually.

2 wives of former adventurers, 4 who are wives of close-aides or representatives of companies, and 2 wives of Limia nobles.

6 are residents of Tsige, and the other 2 are apparently in the middle of their trip in Tsige where they have friends.

…This is bad. I can somehow match their names and faces, but I don’t have the confidence of remembering them as the talk lengthens.

Judging from how the introductions went, Oku-sama is most likely the top of this gathering.

In the past and even present, the Rembrandt Company has been an existence that shows its power to the surroundings, and Lisa-san herself isn’t incompetent either.

It is not like I have had chances to see that personally though.

Seeing how Rembrandt-san and Morris-san are, there’s no doubt she is also one incredible person as well.

Ah, but there’s the chance she is purposely staying at the number 2 spot!

“No, I was surprised. I didn’t expect so many extravagant and gorgeous people would be visiting me today. Was today a day to warm up your old friendships of the same age? I am overjoyed to be blessed with this fortune. Hahaha…” (Makoto)

I want to leave already.

I want to throw this onto someone else without listening to what they have to say, and leave.

Also, Mio isn’t coming.

In other words, she has perceived instinctively that this gathering won’t be assaulting me or anything of the sort.

Even though it would have relaxed me more if there were at least one girl by my side.

“Really?! There may be slight differences in ages, but we are all great friends of around the same age. And so…you see…about that matter that Raidou-sama told me secretly before, I tried telling everyone here as well. Of course, everyone here understands the meaning and importance of secrets, so please don’t worry.” (Lisa)

…T-That’s a relief.

Looks like it was the right answer to say they are of the same age.

Who knows what would have happened if I had carelessly said she was having a gathering with her seniors.

Just thinking about it is giving me shivers.

But…secretly?

To housewives?

Have I told her something that requires that much secrecy?

Or more like, a gathering of women that have nobles and company presidents as husbands; that doesn’t sound like a combination that I would say secrets are safe with.

But if Oku-sama says so, there should be no problems, I guess.

The meaning and worth of secrets…huh.

I then noticed the gaze of Oku-sama, and she caressed her cheek with her right hand elegantly.

What? Skin?

…

…!!

Ah, about that!!

“Could it be you are talking about the health preservation facility of this company, Lisa-sama?” (Makoto)

What’s with all this noise?

These 8 samurais…no, these 8 housewives were showing unrest.

“Yeah, that matter that I…requested of my husband even if it was difficult to do.” (Lisa)

…

Could it be that the details she gave them are slightly different?

I should play safe here and match what Oku-sama says here.

This is a bit of an aside, but the mood of Oku-sama changes quite a lot depending on if she has 1 trip to the hot spring resort in that week, or 2 trips in that week.