kscans

Chapter 80 - A Call to Yoshino-san (Eleanor-san ver)

The day after I went drinking with Kaede-chan and we had a blast at karaoke, we woke up at ten, cured our hangovers with a Healing Potion, and had breakfast.

"I think I went a little too wild yesterday…"

Kaede-chan said, touching her throat.

"You really sang your heart out."

"I did, I did. But these Healing Potions are amazing. My hangover and my throat are all better."

When Kaede-chan woke up this morning, her cute voice was completely hoarse.

"They’re handy, aren’t they."

"They really are. All thanks to you, Senpai. You’re so coool!"

Alchemy really is a wonderful skill.

"You’re cute too, Kaede-chan."

"I know! Oh, Senpai, would you like some coffee? I’ll make it for you."

After I completed today’s daily mission, Kaede-chan’s mood brightened considerably.

"Yes, please. Oh, I’m going to call Yoshino-san."

"Is it about the party you mentioned yesterday?"

"That’s for later. First, I need to talk to her as Eleanor-san about selling an Item Bag."

"I see. Okay. I’ll be quiet then."

With that, Kaede-chan picked up the dirty dishes and headed to the kitchen.

I stood up from the table, walked over to the sofa, took the TS Potion from the bag I’d left there, and drank it. In an instant, I changed from the Okita-kun that Kaede-chan adores into the Eleanor-san that Nanapon adores.

I rolled up the sleeves of my now-oversized sweatshirt, picked up Eleanor-san’s smartphone, and called Yoshino-san.

"Hello?"

After a few rings, Yoshino-san’s suspicious voice came through the phone.

"Good day. My name is Eleanor Ocean. Is this Saegusa Yoshino-san’s phone?"

"Eleanor!? Sorry, just a second."

After Yoshino-san said that, I could hear some frantic scrambling, batabata, on the other end.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

After a short while, Yoshino-san came back on the line and apologized.

"Not at all. Were you in the middle of work?"

"No, I was out shopping. I just got back to my car."

So she owns a car… Maybe I should finally buy one too.

"My apologies for bothering you on your day off."

"No, I was just killing time, so this is perfect."

So she’s off today as well.

"Well then, let’s get to the point. I heard from Okita-kun that you wanted to buy an Item Bag from me. Is that true?"

"Ah, yes. I asked Okita-kun to act as a go-between. By the way, are you an acquaintance of Okita-kun?"

She’s already starting to probe.

"An acquaintance… Well, I suppose we are? Our guild doesn’t have many people, you see. There are only a few I run into during the day. We just exchange a few words when we see each other."

Yoshino-san pointed that out yesterday, so I figured I’d answer this way.

"He has a girlfriend, you know."

Is this some kind of warning?

"I know. She’s a very lovely girlfriend."

Kaede-chan, who had finished the dishes and was now sitting at the table, nodded with a huge smile. She gets incredibly happy when she’s called cute. That’s what’s so cute about her.

"Well, it’s fine if you know. Kaede is someone I know too, so I was just curious."

She just wants to figure out our relationship, I’m sure.

"Hmm, well, whatever. Is a 100-kilogram Item Bag fine?"

"…………Are there other kinds?"

"Who knows? Why don’t you ask him? Maybe he has some?"

"…………100 kilograms is fine."

My, my, what a coward.

"How much are you buying it for?"

"I’d like to buy it for 40 million."

The going rate was between 40 and 45 million…

"Make it 45 million. Otherwise, I’m better off putting it up for auction."

The last one sold for 52 million, so after fees, 45 million is a good price.

"Can’t you do something about that… I’ll give you 41 million!"

Is she trying to nickel-and-dime me? This woman is so greedy.

"You’re so troublesome. Fine. I’ll make it 43 million for you."

"For 42.5 million…………"

I can’t believe she’s haggling in increments of 500,000…………

"Haa… Fine. And don’t you dare tell anyone else. It was supposed to be 45 million."

"Got it!"

She’s probably thrilled to have saved 2.5 million yen.

"When can you pick it up? Oh, and I’ll need it in cash."

"Ca, cash? A, alright. When can I get it?"

"Whenever. It can be whenever you’re ready, and I’m free anytime my schedule is open."

"Understood. By the way, is there any chance I could get an orb instead?"

An orb? Ah… the thing that turns a bag into an Item Bag.

"Why?"

"I want to make my favorite bag into a 100-kilogram one."

Her intentions are so obvious. She’s just trying to find out if I really use orbs.

"That’s impossible. I’ve already made it into an Item Bag."

"I see… If possible, I’d prefer a shoulder bag, but do you have one? You know, like the one Okita-kun was carrying."

"That 10-kilo one? I have one of those."

I guess I’ll just buy a random one. I should at least try to get a bag that seems like Yoshino-san’s style. Hmm, should I ask Satsuki-san?

"Is that one really 10 kilos?"

Hm? What kind of question is that? It’s strange.

"Why do you ask?"

"I met Okita-kun yesterday, and he was clearly carrying more than 10 kilos’ worth of swords in that bag."

……………………………….

I glanced at Kaede-chan, who had covered her eyes with her hand and was looking up at the ceiling.

"Hmm, could you just pretend it’s 10 kilos? The truth is, I gave that to the two of them as a celebratory gift for moving in together. But Okita-kun doesn’t seem to have much money, so I told him it was just 10 kilos. It’s a source of trouble, you know."

It’s sad even saying it myself.

"Ah, is that so… Hmm, I’ll be careful about that next time."

What… Now a level 4 is going to be lecturing me?

…………No, it’s a sign of respect! I shall gratefully accept the advice of my A-rank senior.

"Please do."

"Then, please make it a similar shoulder bag type. As for pickup………… would tomorrow be okay?"

Tomorrow? That’s fast.

"That’s fine. Where should we make the exchange?"

"How about the family restaurant near the Ikebukuro Guild? My treat."

That place… But a family restaurant…

"You want to do the deal there? This isn’t exactly a transaction we can do out in the open, you know."

"It’s fine. No one will think we’re doing something like that in a family restaurant. Oh, but don’t wear that outfit. It stands out too much."

But I don’t have any other clothes… I guess I’ll borrow from Kaede-chan.

"Alright. In that case, is noon okay?"

She said it’s her treat, so let’s make it lunch.

"Yeah, you can have as much juice or coffee as you want. Oh, but only one food item. If you want more, you’ll have to pay for it yourself."

What does she mean, as much as I want to drink. It’s just a drink bar. This woman is a serious cheapskate…

"Fine, that works for me. I’m hanging up now."

"Ah, one last thing?"

"What is it?"

"What’s your Swordsmanship level?"

How direct.

"Let’s just say it’s 10 for now."

"Hmm, got it. Well then, see you tomorrow."

With that, Yoshino-san hung up the phone.

"Phew…"

I let out a sigh and looked at Kaede-chan sitting at the table.

"You idiot."

Kaede-chan gave me an exasperated look and insulted me with a laugh.

I guess I messed up a little.