kscans

Chapter 153 - A Backroom Deal

The three of us, Kaede-chan, Nanapon, and I, went out drinking. After that, we went to karaoke for a second round and had a good time. Then, I sent Nanapon home in a taxi. And we went home as well.

And then, the next day.

"Senpai, it's almost noon."

I could hear Kaede-chan's voice.

"Five more minutes..."

I burrowed into my futon.

"No, it's already eleven o'clock."

"Wait? Kaede-chan, what about work? Did you quit?"

"It's my day off."

Oh, right.

"Time to get up... so sleepy."

I threw off the comforter and sat up.

"Huh? Kaede-chan isn't in her pajamas."

She was fully dressed, and her hair was properly styled.

"I woke up an hour ago."

"That's early."

"No, it was ten o'clock, so that's still late."

Well, if you want to call it late, it's late. But we went to bed after three, so it can't be helped.

"I guess... Well, time to get ready."

"I ran a bath for you. Please get in."

Wow! What a thoughtful girl! That's Kaede-chan for you.

"Alright, I'll go take a bath."

I got out of bed, went to the closet, took out Eleanor-san's underwear and clothes, grabbed the bag on my desk, and headed to the changing room. After undressing, I drank a TS Potion and changed into Eleanor-san.

I went straight into the bathroom, rinsed my body, and then got into the bathtub.

"Ahhh... I feel the alcohol leaving my system."

I drank at the izakaya and at karaoke yesterday. Nanapon drank quite a bit too, but she was steady on her feet, so I think she can hold her liquor pretty well. Also, it was hilarious when the tiny pipsqueak with a rabbit on her back sang death metal.

"Today I have to listen to some suspicious old man, and tomorrow I'm searching for gold bars... This isn't the adventure I imagined when I became an Adventurer, but my life is fulfilling."

I could say my life is fulfilling both publicly and privately.

"Ah, it's already December..."

At this age, the years seem to get shorter and shorter. But the second half of this year was dense. Or rather, the contrast between the first and second half is incredible.

Feeling the joy of grasping happiness, I decided to try a little harder. I soaked in the hot water for a while longer, then got out of the bath. I dried my body, dried my hair with a hairdryer, and got dressed.

"I'm getting used to tying my hair up."

I skillfully tied up my long blonde hair and nodded at my reflection in the mirror.

"Well, this should do."

I tossed Okita-kun's discarded clothes into the laundry basket, left the changing room, and headed for the living room. When I entered, a meal was already prepared on the dining table.

"Oh, you're out. Please eat."

Kaede-chan was at the table, fiddling with her phone as she offered me the food.

"You made this for me. Thanks."

"Not at all. I've already eaten."

I sat down and started eating the meal, which was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch.

"It's already December."

"It is. Time flies."

"I'll end the year with gold bars."

The perfect way to wrap things up. For reference, last year I worked even on the 31st.

"That sounds like a wonderful dream. Oh, right. Let's celebrate after the auction and everything is done."

"Sounds good. Should we invite Nanapon again?"

She's probably free. Plus, she'll come if Eleanor-san invites her.

"I think that's a good idea. So you absolutely have to get those gold bars!"

"Leave it to me. The enemies aren't strong, it'll be a piece of cake."

I haven't encountered the Eight-Armed Skeletons yet, but they don't seem that strong, and Yanagi-san and Maede-san should be fine.

"Do your best! Today was about the Level 3 Healing Potion, right? Where are you going?"

"Behind the Ikebukuro Guild. If anything happens there, Harry and Claire can help."

"I see... But the area behind our guild is becoming a spot for shady deals."

It sure is. Mostly with Claire, though.

"The security guards must be super suspicious."

"I bet. But Satsuki-san has probably explained things, so it should be fine."

"You think so? Well, I'll be back by evening at the latest."

"We're having hot pot tonight."

Oh! Kaede-chan's specialty, hot pot.

"I'll look forward to it."

"Okay."

After finishing my breakfast, I left the house and decided to head to the Ikebukuro Guild.

◆◇◆

I arrived behind the guild by taxi. After getting out, I scanned the parking lot. A black sedan's headlights flashed for a moment.

That must be it...

After confirming that Harry and Claire's taxi was there, I approached the black sedan and peered into the back seat. There, I saw an elderly man in a suit. He gave me a slight bow.

Convinced this was the right car, I opened the door and got in.

"You're the one from the phone call yesterday, correct?"

As soon as I got in the car, I confirmed, just in case.

"Yes. I apologize for the sudden request."

"It's fine. Let me ask you, were you the one who entrusted that letter to the young man?"

"I was."

"Are you an adventurer? How old are you?"

This old man was frail and didn't look like he could fight monsters.

"I am over sixty years old. I obtained the qualification in order to contact you."

Even an old man like him can get it...

"Hmm, did anyone give you trouble?"

"People spoke to me, but it wasn't in a harassing way. They were simply concerned."

Even those rowdy adventurers would probably worry about an old man like this.

"What did you tell them?"

"Things like I wanted to see Frontier at least once. Wealthy foreigners do that sort of thing."

I see. Well, a rich person could easily afford that expensive training fee. It's probably like space tourism to them.

"If there were no problems, then it's fine. So, what's this about a buyout for the Level 3 Healing Potion?"

I cut the pleasantries short and got to the main topic.

"Allow me to explain. Eleanor-sama, do you enjoy soccer?"

Soccer? Well, I don't dislike it. I'll watch the World Cup. That's about it.

"I guess it's average? I don't dislike it."

"In that case, are you familiar with the Brazilian player named Pedro?"

"I know of him, at least."

He's on the Brazilian national team and is probably the ace striker for some powerhouse club. I don't know the details, but I know the name.

"He was attacked by a ruffian the other day."

Seriously? That's a huge incident.

"It hasn't been in the news."

"We haven't announced it yet."

"Is he okay? Is he alive?"

"He is alive. The problem is that his leg was injured."

His leg... For a soccer player, that's their life.

"So you want to heal it with a Level 3 Healing Potion?"

"That is correct."

"I'm not too familiar with this, but doesn't the use of potions by athletes count as doping?"

A Healing Potion can heal fatigue and injuries. But its use by athletes still isn't permitted, I believe.

"That is correct. Which is why this must be confidential."

I see...

"Won't it be discovered?"

"It will not. Because unlike doping, it cannot be detected by tests. Just between us, it's not limited to soccer players. Top figures in every field all drink them for fatigue recovery."

I guess that's natural for star players who earn hundreds of millions... They'd drink it if they could maintain their performance for a mere 500,000 yen.

"And you're his agent, something like that?"

"That is correct. An intermediary. As you can imagine, he cannot purchase it openly."

There are all sorts of businesses out there.

"Hmm, and why do you want it by tomorrow?"

"We simply cannot hide it any longer. He is a star player, after all. There are many reporters and paparazzi."

I have the same problem, but being famous is truly a pain.

"I see. I understand the situation. As for me, as long as it sells, I don't care."

"Thank you very much. Then, can I assume you will agree to a buyout?"

"Sorry, but I'm not stopping the auction."

"That is... but the time..."

Pedro is probably a star player, so he has money. He's willing to pay whatever it takes to win the bid, but the problem is time. The auction doesn't end until next week.

"The auction has nothing to do with it. I never said I only have one Level 3 Healing Potion."

"Eh...?"

"I sold one to Claire just the other day."

"Claire... Do you mean Claire Walker?"

The old man glanced at the taxi through the window.

"Oh? You know Claire is over there?"

"Of course. Claire is one of my valued clients."

So that's how it is. But then again, Claire is a merchant. He probably procures Healing Potions from her.

"Hmm, well, whatever. Now, for the main topic. How much will you buy it for?"

"I will offer 100 million. Yen, of course."

"You will offer 150 million yen. His career is on the line, isn't it?"

"That is a bit..."

Is he going to haggle?

"Pedro has tens of billions, hundreds of billions, doesn't he? And he can earn so much more in the future. Is this really the place to be stingy?"

"...Very well. I will buy it for 150 million yen."

Huh? That was quick... He would have paid more. Should I have said 200 million?