kscans

Chapter 178 - It's Not Over

A week has passed since my interrogation by the people of Frontier.

Having started a slightly early and long winter break, I was once again sitting on the sofa, observing Kaede-chan's yoga session.

"Senpai, you're staring too much."

"Wow, you really are flexible."

She looks really flexible.

"What are you looking at when you say that... More importantly, the television. The Prime Minister's press conference is about to start."

At Kaede-chan's prompting, I looked at the television. On the screen, the Prime Minister, surrounded by the media, was answering a reporter's question.

"Prime Minister, is it true that there has been a demand for the extradition of the much-rumored Eleanor Ocean?"

A certain reporter asked the Prime Minister, tape recorder in hand.

"Ahem, first, regarding that matter, I ask for your understanding that I cannot explain in detail as it involves personal information as well as information about Frontier. With that in mind, there has been no demand for Eleanor Ocean-san's extradition."

Oh, he stated it clearly.

"Is that true? Then were those reports false?"

"I cannot definitively say that those reports were fake news. To explain the circumstances, certain countries made an inquiry to the Frontier side as to whether Eleanor Ocean-san was a person from Frontier. If, and I stress if, she were from Frontier, she would of course be an illegal resident and would have to be returned to Frontier. Those reports likely took a small part of that story and ran with it."

Isn't this guy being pretty detailed?

"Then does that mean Eleanor Ocean is not from Frontier?"

"We have received a response that the probability is low."

Hm? We have received a response? Did you make an inquiry too?

"Hm? Does that mean there is a possibility that Eleanor Ocean is from Frontier?"

"We are talking about possibilities. If we punish people based on possibilities, the law dies. What is important is whether there is evidence that she is from Frontier or not. The response from the Frontier side is that since there is no clear evidence, they cannot take her to their side. To do so would be tantamount to kidnapping. Our country cannot condone such an act."

That's right, that's right. You've got some good things to say, old man. Next time I get a call asking if I support you, I'll say yes.

"In that case, does that mean Eleanor Ocean is Japanese?"

"I cannot answer that. Nationality is personal information."

If you're going to talk about personal information, don't use my name.

"Why was the announcement delayed for so long?"

"This report garnered considerable attention, so we needed to investigate the details thoroughly to provide accurate information."

"How did the Frontier side determine that the probability of Eleanor Ocean being from Frontier was low? There are some reports that an interrogation took place."

It's leaked again.

"That also involves personal information. It also involves information about Frontier, so I cannot answer."

"Does your inability to answer mean it did happen?"

So annoying. He just said he can't answer.

"I cannot answer."

"As the government, did you conduct an interrogation of Eleanor Ocean?"

"As I said, it involves personal information, so I cannot answer."

"We believe we also have a right to know..."

I turned off the television.

"No, you don't."

What right to know? Don't they know what an invasion of privacy is?

"It looks like you won't be able to go outside for a while."

Kaede-chan stopped her yoga and came to sit next to me.

"I don't need to. I'll be Okita-kun for the time being. I'm not going adventuring or to the guild anyway."

The guild isn't even open in the first place.

"That's true. I'm on break too. The bed feels so nice in the morning."

Kaede-chan looks genuinely happy. Probably because of that, the time she goes to bed and wakes up has been getting later and later each day.

"This is the life."

"This is the most I've rested since I was a student. Senpai, what are your plans for the New Year's holiday? Going back to your parents' house?"

"My parents' house? It's gone now."

"Huh? It's gone?"

Kaede-chan asked, looking a little surprised.

"My parents sold the house when they went abroad. They probably won't be coming back, so I'll be here, slurping soba noodles."

Last New Year's Eve, I had to work, and I even had to work overtime. I spent it at the office, complaining with a few colleagues while eating instant soba.

"I see... I wonder what I should do?"

"Where is your family's house? It's in Tokyo, right?"

I think I remember that being the case.

"Yes. It's not too far, and I go back occasionally. So even if I go back for the holidays, it doesn't really feel like I'm 'going home'... Hmm, maybe just the 31st and the 1st will be enough? I'll eat some osechi and come back."

So that means I'll be alone on the 31st and the 1st... That's lonely.

"Maybe I'll watch a movie..."

"Would you like to come to my place?"

"No. What would I even say?"

'We're getting married soon'? When we're not even dating.

"Well, that's true."

"Hey, what have you told your parents? Have you told them you're living with me?"

"I told them I'm room-sharing with a senior from university."

Don't they think you mean a female senior?

"Hmm, what should I do?"

Should I give her those documents soon? I wonder if she'll be put off.

"What about?"

"Oh, nothing, just thinking about how to spend the New Year's holiday."

I'll put it on hold for now.

"I'll be back by the evening of the 1st. Let's go for our first shrine visit of the year on the 2nd."

"Sounds good. I haven't been in years, so let's go pray."

"I hope next year will be another good year."

"Yeah. This time, I want to go to Okinawa."

We went to Hokkaido, so Okinawa is next.

"That sounds nice. Well, after spring, I suppose."

"It'll have to be. A hot spring would be nice too."

"That's more of a winter thing, isn't it?"

I'll get to see Kaede-chan in a Yukata. Well, I've seen it before in Hokkaido.

"We have both money and time."

"That's a good thing."

Kaede-chan nodded in agreement.

"Only two weeks left in the year... let's just laze around."

"Let's do that."

Yeah!

As Kaede-chan and I were savoring our happiness while planning for the future, my smartphone's ringtone went off.

"Hm?"

I picked up my phone from the table and looked at the caller ID.

"Who is it?"

Kaede-chan asked.

"Satsuki-san."

"Satsuki-san? I wonder what it is?"

"Probably about the auction... Hello?"

I pressed the call button and answered the phone.

"Is this Okita-kun? Not Eleanor, then."

"Well, I am the original."

Incidentally, Nanapon thinks Eleanor-san is the original.

"Well, either way is fine. The auction transaction is finished."

Oh! It really was about the auction.

"Did it go smoothly?"

"It's all done. The buyer was a wealthy person from China. They were late to pick it up, but the handover was smooth. I've transferred the money to your account."

"Thanks a lot."

"Don't mention it. It's a winter bonus for me too."

Is she talking about her five percent commission... Is that money really for you? Shouldn't it go to the guild?

"Good for you. Try not to get caught."

"It's fine, it's fine."

Is it really...

"Is this your last day of work too, Satsuki-san? Winter break?"

"That was the plan... but I suddenly got some work."

"Oh dear. My condolences."

Poor thing... Do your best!

"Yeah, it's a real pity. Which brings me to the main topic."

Main topic? Wasn't the auction the main topic?

"Did something happen?"

"It did. A letter has arrived for Eleanor."

"A letter? A fan letter or something? I'll read it later."

I have a very bad feeling about this.

"No, read it right away. It came from Frontier."

Frontier... Wait, why!?

"Who? Arc? Mia?"

"I don't know. It's in an envelope, but I can't read a single character written on it."

It must be Frontier script.

"I can't read it either."

"You have a Translation Potion, don't you? So get over to the guild now. The Headquarters Director and Yoshino will be here soon too."

Ehh... no way...

"I'm busy right now."

I'm with Kaede-chan, so I'm very busy.

"Liar."

"That's a lie."

Satsuki-san and Kaede-chan said it at the same time.

"Really?"

"Really. Just get over here. Oh, and of course, come as Eleanor."

Are you serious... I was already closed for the year...