Chapter 9 - Climbing the Stairs of Adulthood — Don't You Sometimes Get Carried Away by "Impulse" Without Thinking of the Consequences?
～Navigating toward the sixteenth planet of the Betasia Star System～
Sangou departed from Greta and initially set course toward the third planet, the main star of the Betasia Star System.
However, if she only headed straight for the main star, she would be able to complete the task of delivering Rouj and the others, but the issue of handing over the towed Beta One would not be resolved at the same time.
At this stage of the voyage, it remained inside Jin's Storage Space.
Therefore, it had not yet even transitioned into a towing state.
To add to that, it would be extremely problematic for the Betasia Count Household to learn that Beta One was being constantly carried around by Jin.
Thus, in order to somehow cover that up, Sangou was searching for the most convenient space zone where she could make the excuse, 'Actually, it was hidden here all along.'
The zone Sangou found was one with the sixteenth planet in the same star system.
There existed an 'asteroid belt' boasting considerable density and range.
Jin received an explanation about the asteroid belt Sangou had discovered.
That said, 'there were virtually no other candidate locations,' and Jin's only criterion was 'Is it safe or not?'
If it seemed unsuitable, he would have to instruct Sangou to look elsewhere, and if not, he would decide on it then and there.
At worst, he could simply use this voyage to deliver Rouj and the others, and handle the towing of Beta One separately.
For Sangou, she was aiming for the best option by searching for candidate locations, but Jin simply didn't care that much.
Incidentally, to skip ahead a little and talk about the future, this would turn into 'a rather minor issue that could be handled any which way,' but there was no way for the Hero and the organic spaceship, who lacked precognition, to foresee that.
As a result of their private discussion, they concluded, 'It's appropriate to pretend we hid Beta One in the asteroid belt and conceal the existence of the Storage Space,' and Sangou's immediate destination was set to that location.
It was a course change.
With that decided, the next matter requiring caution was, 'We absolutely cannot let the seven passengers, who are members of the Betasia Count Household, realize the deception.'
They would time the arrival at the asteroid belt to coincide with the women's sleeping hours.
In other words, Sangou would have to manage the time adjustment skillfully.
And that was not something within Jin's reach.
Therefore, all such adjustments ended up being dumped entirely on Sangou.
Thus, having decided what needed to be decided and finishing his private discussion with Sangou, Jin had taken a bath and entered a relaxed mode.
Even if he was the 'Hero,' being in a constant battle-ready state 24/7, 365 days a year would eventually wear out both his mind and body.
Of course, Jin's alertness didn't drop to a completely defenseless state unless something extraordinary happened.
At any rate, aside from the matter of handling Beta One, there was nothing that urgently needed to be decided, so Jin let his guard down a bit.
With his guard down at that moment, Jin's thoughts turned to food.
When there's nothing particular to do, humans might naturally become interested in their daily meals.
At the very least, the Hero Jin was that kind of person.
The meals prepared on Sangou every morning, noon, and night were at a level where one couldn't complain about nutritional value.
Take, for example, the meals served to Jin as an individual.
Taking into account Jin's height, weight, skeletal structure, body type, muscle mass, and body fat percentage, meals were provided that had been thoroughly calculated to maintain his peak condition.
Of course, it goes without saying that 'daily exercise levels are also included in Sangou's calculation factors.'
Furthermore, as for taste, while it might not be 'top-class' and could be said to be 'on the lower end,' it still reached the level of a professional chef, so it could be considered 'delicious.'
However, from Jin's perspective, that wasn't entirely without problems.
After a few days of having the meals provided by Sangou, Jin personally could no longer say there were 'no issues at all.'
Why was that?
The menu of meals Sangou could prepare was based on the military meals of the Deltania Star System and those of a military shipbuilding company that had completed Sangou as a prototype vessel.
And from Jin's point of view, they were 'all Western-style food,' 'nothing but Western food.'
The meals originally eaten by the crew of Sangou were for military personnel, and there was the unfortunate fact that 'there weren't many recipes to begin with.'
However, for Jin, who still had a typical Japanese sensibility and longed for Japanese food and Chinese food, as well as curry and the like, this was tough.
Also, though it wasn't about meals, the reality was that he wanted to eat things like cheap snacks or a wide variety of sweets that were common in Japan.
Well, even when it came to sweets, he didn't demand a quality comparable to a Western-style confectionery store; for Jin's palate, Japanese convenience store level would be enough.
Therefore, although it might be considered indulgent, wanting to eat those things shouldn't be such an unreasonable desire.
However, if the situation were different from now, when he was with the organic spaceship, and back when Jin was in the Louvre Empire...
Given the circumstances back then, he could endure it.
The fact that he was eventually supposed to return to his original world was also one of the factors that allowed Jin to endure.
Moreover, at that time, if he had money, he could at least have Japanese-style food.
Incidentally, the existence of Japanese-style food was because there had been Japanese Heroes other than Jin in the Louvre Empire in the past, but that wasn't important to Jin.
Of course, the variety of Japanese-style food available in that fantasy world was somewhat limited, and at best, it was only an imitation, something similar but fundamentally different.
But even so, it was better than nothing.
The daily meals provided by Sangou were more accurately described as 'formulated and synthesized products based on recipes' rather than 'cooked food.'
In other words, if the knowledge of a chef who could cook better dishes, surpassing the recipe data Sangou already had, were learned based on the composition data of Sangou's ingredients, the quality and taste of the meals provided to Jin would simply improve.
However, it was also true that the manufacturer of Sangou had deliberately imposed restrictions on that aspect.
In fact, in the Deltania Star System, that was a taboo area.
If delicious food, the kind made by top-class chefs, could be easily copied, there was a high possibility that the emergence of new chefs would be suppressed, and creativity and ingenuity in cooking would decrease.
And yet, it's difficult to bind it with patent-like things.
Ultimately, the conclusion was, 'Allowing food not made by human hands to easily replicate top-class chef-level cooking is not desirable in the long run.'
Various reasons like this were intertwined, leading to Sangou's current state.
However, now Sangou was also freed from such past chains.
In essence, she had decided, 'If the meals provided to Sangou's crew become delicious, then that's fine, isn't it? "Don't copy easily"? I don't know about that.'
Also, to fulfill the requests of Captain Jin, Sangou had to become that way.
Therefore...
Jin's vague knowledge included things like soy sauce and miso, seasonings unknown to Sangou, and his interest in them was endless.
Also, from the ideal final forms of the tastes of Japanese and Chinese food that Jin described, Sangou actively cooperated in trying new recipes through reverse calculation.
A fusion of food cultures from different worlds.
Jin's thoughts turning to food was advantageous for Sangou as well, and it was nothing but a benefit for both parties.
In that flow, the reproduction of nostalgic foods that could be eaten in Japan, so-called Earth-produced items, proceeded through Jin's free time and Sangou's full cooperation.
"Captain. A request has come from Rouj-sama, saying 'I would like to speak with you alone.' Will it be acceptable that 'you come to the room we used last time in thirty minutes'?"
"Sure! Then I'll head to that room first and wait while having some tea or something."
At this time, Jin was in the bridge, looking at the external space displayed on the monitor, discussing daily meals with Sangou.
Specifically, they were talking about everything from the ingredients, seasonings, and cooking methods, to the appearance, texture, and taste of the finished dishes.
Thus, he would cheerfully move from the bridge to the lounge.
"Then I will inform Rouj-sama, 'The Captain will be relaxing in the room waiting, so please come to the meeting room whenever you are ready.'"
"Yeah. That's fine. Then I'll head to that room, so please prepare some tea."
"Understood. I have already informed Rouj-sama of that. Well then, Captain, do your best."
"Hey now. What am I supposed to be doing my best at?"
At this stage, Sangou had an idea of what Rouj might talk to Jin about.
That was only natural, as she had fully grasped the contents of the discussion—verging on an argument—that the three sisters had held in one of the ship's rooms.
However, Sangou would not do something so tactless as to directly convey that information to the Captain beforehand.
At most, she would implicitly hint at it with a somewhat suggestive phrasing.
Of course, ideally, she shouldn't even hint at it.
Sangou was well aware of that too.
Yet, despite their short acquaintance, Sangou had come to understand Jin's lack of ability in dealing with women.
The organic artificial intelligence was also excellent at grasping the nuances of human emotions.
At any rate, the moment arrived when Rouj came to the room where Jin was waiting.
Rouj took a seat across from Jin with the table between them.
It was probably inevitable that Jin would be captivated by the beauty of the eldest daughter of the Betasia Count Household and her flowing, graceful mannerisms.
Then, Jin received a formal greeting from Rouj, who first conveyed her thanks for escaping from Greta.
However, after that, a brief silence ensued.
The beautiful elf woman had words and feelings she wanted to convey to Jin.
Rouj, who should have made up her mind and desired a conversation with Jin...
Yet, when faced with the object of her affection, things naturally didn't go smoothly.
Unfortunately, Rouj lacked experience in that area.
Jin's expression began to shift to one of bewilderment under the mysterious tense silence.
Seeing Jin like that, did Rouj finally find the resolve?
Clear words came from Rouj's mouth.
Well, since it was her first time, she started by filling in the safe parts, resulting in an awkward way of speaking.
"Jin. First, please let me confirm about the rewards you should receive from my father in the future. 'The rewards decided so far' are for three things: 'the initial extermination of the bandits,' 'our protection,' and 'delivering us to Greta,' right? My father has presented rewards for all of them, and you have agreed, correct?"
As seen in the above statement, Rouj had started calling Jin by his name instead of 'Captain' a little while back.
However, the dense Hero failed to notice 'why these subtle changes were occurring.'
This was perhaps another regrettable aspect of Jin.
Well, such things weren't a problem, and the conversation continued.
"Yeah, I think it's something like that. Though I don't remember confirming the individual details. Still, it should have been a reward for the rescue and taking you to Greta, so I think that's the right understanding. It's already been agreed with the Count, but what about it?"
With a serious expression, Rouj finished confirming the rewards Jin would receive.
The gaze the beautiful elf woman directed at Jin contained the heat of romantic feelings.
However, from Jin's side, he couldn't grasp the meaning of that gaze, and he had no idea what she was aiming for or what she wanted to talk about.
It would be undeniable that Jin was thoroughly dense at this point.
However, Rouj's way of proceeding with the conversation was also hardly praiseworthy.
Though that might be forgivable given her nervous state.
Be that as it may, the two's conversation continued.
"Yes. You know about the circumstances, that 'the current Betasia Count Household is in financial difficulty,' from our previous talk, right?"
"I understand that (Whoa, don't tell me this is about going back on the rewards or haggling down, is it?)"
While affirming the known fact, Jin went on alert due to Rouj's words.
"The extermination of the space beasts. Also, avoiding the humiliating political marriage with the baron household. And our rescue, effectively trapped on Greta, to return to the Betasia Star System. Additionally, though it's for the future, you will further help with the reconstruction of the two Count territory planets after the space beast extermination. For these points, no discussion of rewards has been made yet."
Jumping to conclusions, Jin had gone into a bit of an alert mode, but Rouj's subsequent words made him realize it was something else, and he was inwardly relieved.
Rouj had no way of knowing, but due to his experiences in the Louvre Empire, Jin had developed an extreme aversion to the notion of 'having promises broken.'
The treatment Jin received in the Louvre Empire was so terrible that it was unbearable to hear by normal sensibilities.
Thus, it was inevitable.
It was undoubtedly fortunate for both parties that this landmine wasn't stepped on here.
However, while Rouj's way of speaking was clumsy and poor, even setting that aside, Jin's reception was far too dense.
At this point, it was no trivial matter that Sangou had begun seriously considering 'whether or not to intervene before the conversation gets messy.'
Well, fortunately, the future where that would be unnecessary awaited.
"Ah, you're talking about rewards for other parts. It's true that hasn't been decided. But about that, well, you know. What I mean is..."
"What is it?"
"Well, how should I put it? It's like... there's also the part where 'I just did it on my own because I personally disliked it and it pissed me off!' To add to that, it's not like there was any 'huge expense' involved. Moreover, I don't think this was a 'job I took on for a reward' from the start."
In fact, the annihilation of the space beasts in question was practically decided by Jin on his own authority.
Also, it was true that almost no expenses were incurred.
Incidentally, regarding 'the space beast related part, the time spent was less than a single day.'
Well, speaking of expenses, to be more precise, it was 'nearly zero.'
Why? Because everything except Jin's food expenses was covered by the inexhaustible magical power generated at no cost from the 'Origin of Dragon Vein' integrated within Jin.
It was true that the Hero had swung the Holy Sword and attacked the space beasts.
But even so, he only actually did it twice.
Even if it was two maximum-power strikes, what was reduced by that was probably just a little bit of Jin's own stomach, perhaps?
The phenomena caused by a Hero's strike not only defy the law of conservation of energy but openly pick a fight with all physical laws.
But that's a trivial matter.
The Holy Sword is in auto-maintenance mode with Jin's magical power, and the necessary expenses incurred in this case were probably just Jin's meals.
However, only Jin and Sangou knew that.
How did he manage both the long-distance round trip in a short time and the complete extermination of the vast number of space beasts?
Without knowing the actual situation, one couldn't accurately understand the necessary expenses, and it would be an incomprehensible matter.
However, from Rouj's common-sense perspective, she couldn't simply accept Jin's claim.
Fuel costs for the round trip, costs for weapons and ammunition used to exterminate the space beasts.
It was natural to consider that money was needed for such things as 'minimum expenses.'
And that...
Under normal circumstances, it would never be such a small amount that one could simply waive the charge saying, 'There's no huge expense.'
But how important and what priority did that point have 'now'?
For Rouj, who had words she wanted to convey to Jin, it was not something she needed to point out and argue about at this moment.
Of course, 'it is certainly an important matter.'
There was no room for dissent there, but its priority 'now' was low.
Therefore, deciding to skip that part for the time being, Rouj moved the conversation forward.
For the eldest sister of the Betasia Count Household, the most important main topic had not yet been touched upon in the slightest.
"Looking back at the sequence of events, indeed it wasn't a request with a reward in mind. However, due to his position, my father simply cannot end it with 'Thank you, Jin!' without compensation. Perhaps he has even said something like, 'We'll settle everything including various matters once all the issues are resolved,' hasn't he?"
Upon hearing Rouj's words, Jin turned his thoughts to the situation at the time.
He had been too concerned about Rouj and had been in a hurry, so he had glossed over the important parts.
He tried to recall the conversations from when he reported the progress and completion of the space beast extermination to the Count.
He had a vague feeling that there had been something about that in the conversation with the Count.
However, Jin couldn't quite recall the exact content of the conversation.
"(At that time, the only thing on my mind was 'delivering the data with the order to cancel the arranged marriage, which I received from the Count, quickly to Rouj.')"
Thinking back, Jin realized there were points he should reflect on.
And what happened when he realized that?
Jin remembered that he was not alone, and that he had a reliable partner.
"Sorry, Rouj. Let me confirm the situation at that time with Sangou."
"Ah, of course. Go ahead."
"Sangou. About what was just said. What was the content of 'what the Count said' at that time?"
"Yes, Captain. At the time of reporting the completion of the space beast extermination, the other party offered, 'I would like to discuss how to repay you after everything is finished.'"
"I see. Thanks, Sangou."
Jin averted his gaze from Rouj and looked vaguely at the ceiling slightly above and to the front.
As if Sangou existed there, Jin spoke words of thanks to his partner.
Then, he turned his gaze back to the beautiful elf woman.
In a face-to-face discussion, it's fundamental to speak while looking into the other person's eyes.
Jin faithfully followed that basic rule.
"So that's how it is, Rouj. There's no way Sangou's memory is wrong. So your guess was correct."
"Yes. I'm glad my prediction was right. Now then, to be completely honest, 'the rewards my father can offer' are, 'aside from honorary ones,' likely to be quite difficult."
Rouj's expression briefly crumbled with a hint of self-deprecation.
They didn't have the money to pay, so it couldn't be helped.
However, Rouj, who wanted to make use of even this bad situation, quickly returned to a serious, hard expression and continued speaking.
"And, Jin. At that time, I actually said this to you. Without any discussion of reward, as a request. 'Please rescue all three of us sisters.'"
"Yeah, you did."
Jin continued to speak while looking at Rouj's face—or rather, her eyes.
Since it was a serious talk, it was only natural.
From Jin's perspective, Rouj's expression was serious, but her eyes seemed to be getting a bit teary.
Seeing that and thinking, 'I don't think I've done anything to make Rouj cry,' is exactly why he was such an irredeemably dense Hero.
"Did you notice, Jin? From the time you first helped us from the bandits, my goodwill towards you existed."
"No. I only thought, 'She probably doesn't hate me.' But you know, it's rare for someone to 'feel aversion toward the person who saved them,' right? Normally, 'people become at least somewhat favorable,' don't they?"
"Yes, you might be right. But at that talk before we disembarked on Greta, you felt angry about our circumstances, didn't you? And even though there was nothing in it for you, you declared to me something like, 'I'll solve everything. Leave it to me.' And everything you did after that was all talk and action. Nothing else. Now everything is being resolved. What woman wouldn't fall for you after all that?"
"(D-did I, right now, just get confessed to by Rouj, the woman of extraordinary beauty before me?)"
With Rouj's words suggesting that she had fallen for Jin, the shock broke through the heavens, and Jin shifted into broken-down mode.
"Jin. You said that time, 'First, I want to get a girlfriend' or 'I want a wife,' didn't you?"
"(You remembered! I thought you had forgotten! I thought you were pretending not to have heard that!)"
Rouj forcibly dragged out the embarrassing memories Jin had sealed away.
Stuck in that state of mind, Jin was forcibly shifted from broken-down mode to full-blown embarrassment mode.
Perhaps full-blown embarrassment mode, being slightly more functional than broken-down mode, could be considered 'better.'
"Jin. I like you. So please, listen without getting angry. 'Can I make myself the reward?' Could I become your girlfriend and your wife? Let that be the compensation, like a bargaining chip for all your actions so far. This proposal might offend you. But right now, I think 'I could give myself to you.' I like you that much. I love you, Jin."
"Th-there's no way that wouldn't be acceptable. I, right now, I think I just heard that Rouj confessed to me, and that Rouj will become my girlfriend and wife."
"Yes. That's what I said."
"It's a dream. This is a dream, right? It's a dream I'll be disappointed to wake up from, right?"
With Rouj's critical words, Jin shifted back into broken-down mode.
Jin remained frozen while sitting in his chair.
Rouj, seeing Jin in that state, quietly rose from her seat and approached from Jin's right side.
Then Rouj hugged Jin and kissed him on the lips.
Jin had his first kiss stolen!
He acquired romantic experience points.
Unfortunately, they weren't in a game world, so no such message actually appeared.
But it was different for Jin.
He felt sure that it had indeed flashed through his mind, but such a thing was probably trivial.
"It's not a dream, Jin. I really do love you."
Rouj spoke as if to impress it upon him, ensuring he understood the current situation.
Then, sensing that Jin's mind had calmed down somewhat, she began to reveal her inner anxieties.
"I'm glad. I was scared. I thought you might get angry and say, 'Don't use yourself as a bargaining chip.' I thought you might get mad and 'reject my feelings and offer.' I thought 'that possibility was very real.'"
Rouj was overcome with joy and relief that Jin had accepted her.
The beautiful elf woman let the tears flow endlessly down her cheeks without wiping them away, letting nature take its course.
Sangou, of course, had precisely grasped and seen every single word exchanged between Jin and Rouj up to this point.
The excellent Sangou fully utilized the organic artificial intelligence's thinking capacity to create the most suitable environment in the lounge for the current situation.
Next to the lounge was Jin's spacious captain's private room, which contained a bed too large for Jin to sleep in alone.
Sangou slowly lowered the lighting in the lounge.
At the same time, she removed part of the wall connecting to Jin's private room.
"Thank you, Sangou."
To the words of gratitude from Rouj, the excellent Sangou only answered with silence.
Given this progression of events, Jin ended up climbing the stairs of adulthood with Rouj that day.
Both their spirits soared to the heavens, and though they didn't explicitly say 'what' they had done, they graduated.
They felt like climbing to the top of a high mountain, where snow remained even in midsummer, and shouting cries of joy.
It goes without saying that Jin's high level of excitement 'only lasted for that night.'
The next morning, Jin became able to calmly consider the situation.
The Hero who had shed his virginity and become an adult.
What was the voice of Jin's heart, which he couldn't let anyone hear?
"(Oh crap! I did it with a count's daughter. And before marriage. I haven't even gotten permission from the Count, Rouj's father. I went all the way with her. What do I do?)"
Thus, Jin shifted into an ultra-terrified worry mode.
Well, once you've done the deed...
There was nothing else to do; no matter what happens or what difficulties await, the only path was to take responsibility cleanly.
And so, on the way to the cover-up operation related to Beta One, while beginning to work on improving the daily meal menu, the Hero Jin received Rouj's confession and, swept up by the momentum, became united with her.
Sangou slowly proceeded toward the asteroid belt, with no need to rush to the destination and with the aim of not letting the passengers or the Betasia Count learn of the organic spaceship's true performance limits.
Of course, this was also due to Sangou's consideration for the captain and the woman who would become his partner.
Jin, having calmed down after some time, understood this belatedly.
The cover-up problem related to towing Beta One wasn't resolved, and he had even taken on the 'problem of having done it,' which could become a fire hazard. What would become of Jin?
No one knew the future.
The Hero, who had accomplished the subjugation of the Demon Lord in the summoned otherworld, put off thinking about how to report his relationship with Rouj to the Betasia Count and stopped worrying about it entirely.
By letting his imagination run wild with excitement about the vaguely imagined 'asteroid belt,' Jin turned his back on the inevitably explosive danger that would certainly come in the near future and fled into a 'reality escape.'