Chapter 27 - Underground Grocery Store #5
Underground Grocery Store #5
Translator : Elizabeth
"...."
For a long time, the two of us stared at the silent front door.
「▶ You must not face the existence lurking outside the door.」
What is this?
It was the first time the status window showed such caution toward an existence.
Not when I saw the Director, not when I saw the Doctor, and not even when I faced the current Bella.
I would rather want to interact with them actively, but I had never blatantly made them a target of avoidance like this.
"Wh, Who is outside the door...?"
"An uninvited customer."
Customer, not even 'Customer-nim', just customer.
"....Ugh."
I glanced at Bella.
Two pupils shining more clearly than the subtle lighting of the hotel in the darkness.
I dared to think.
About what would happen if those otherworldly sharp eyes were directed at me.
'Ah, I was lucky.'
I become very grateful for the somewhat peaceful outcome I just had with Bella.
"...."
Bella is still glaring outside the door.
It meant that 'something' that visited this place has not left yet.
What if I faced that when I was alone?
Shiver!
Shoulders tremble on their own for no reason, and I hugged the doll well hung on my waist to the front.
U, Ung-ae-ya... You know if it gets dangerous, right?
Time continues to flow like that.
The moment one minute felt like one hour passed—
"I have no intention of antagonizing you here."
"....!"
Breaking the silence and flowing through the door gap were mechanical yet creepily affectionate 'human words'.
"No intention of antagonizing."
"Yes."
"Are you spouting such lies in my territory, and in front of me right now?"
Squeeze...!
Bella, feeling even more displeased, takes one step forward.
I am certain.
If the existence outside the door offends her one more time, something really seemed like it would happen.
Uwah... Just what is happening...!
"I apologize if you felt displeasure. However, because I felt a presence similar to us from the 'Customer-nim' with you."
"....?"
At those words, Bella looks back at me.
Shake shake shake shake.
I shook my head vigorously side to side, denying the existence's claim head-on.
Who knows whom?! Absolutely don't know! No?! Even if I know, I don't know!
"Regarding my rudeness, I will definitely pay the 'fair' price, so would you give me a chance to meet to make up for the mistake?"
"...."
Fair price.
In the Underground Merchant Guild ruled and managed by Bella, the act of paying a price was an absolute law acting at the top of the rules.
Whoosh.
At that, the atmosphere heightened as if to explode any moment subsided a little.
"The amount charged will be quite large."
Honorifics before I knew it.
Super capitalist, this person...!
"I will bear it all."
At the refreshing answer of the existence lurking outside the door, Bella's displeased sign decreased further.
"What is the purpose of your visit."
"I felt energy similar to us from the guest next to you. I received a conviction that we could become a good relationship in the long term in the future."
"Does it seem so?"
When Bella asked, I answered immediately.
"N, No! I don't want to though...!"
"Says she doesn't want to. Please get lost."
"Oh dear, don't know why she is wary of us, but it is truly regrettable to be wary by such a charming person."
"....."
"If you do not want conversation, we also have no intention of approaching you forcibly. Because what we want is 'wholesome' interaction from an equal position."
Slide.
Under the door, a small piece of paper thrust its head stealthily.
"I attached information the Guest might be interested in, so I hope you check it at least once if you feel inclined."
"Ju, Just who are you to do this to me...?"
"Administration Bureau."
"...What did you say?"
"Just as you have a lot of interest in us, we also have a lot of interest in you. We are sincerely grateful for saving our agents a while ago."
Administration Bureau.
Visiting me and Bella out of nowhere and creating coercion.
Saying it's Administration Bureau after emitting energy enough that even passing Anomalies would say it's a monster like them if caught and asked?
「▶ You must not face the existence lurking outside the door.」
Must not face.
'Okay, got it.'
Then with the door in between, does it mean I can babble as I please inside here?
"You are an Anomaly."
"That is so."
"Then why do you sell the name of the Administration Bureau? Is the Administration Bureau really, a place where people like you are...?"
"Sell the name?"
Outside the door which became quiet for a moment, suddenly laughter bursts out endlessly.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!
"...Ugh."
Laughter flows on the air, and soon shook the point where Bella and I are.
"I will charge separately for the crime of noise pollution."
Stop.
And at blunt Bella's words, the wild laughter stopped.
"Oh dear, because I couldn't hold back laughter."
"...."
"I will bear that too. It is okay... It is okay. Compared to the deep interest I am feeling right now, it is a very cheap price."
"Then may I charge more?"
"That, I apologize."
...What is it.
With tension raised to the max dropping pak, I looked back at Bella.
Bella also looks at me with her unique emotionless eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"...Yes."
"For mental and physical stability, it would be better to refrain from further conversation with the uninvited guest."
"...But—"
"It would be better not to do it."
Something firm sign.
Not simply because of her displeasure, but feeling a heart worrying about me.
Is it because the aftermath of the skill still remains?
Seem to become easier to read Bella's emotions than before.
"First of all, we will stop here for now. Please, please... I hope we can have a very wholesome conversation once with the Guest."
"...What if I ignore it as is?"
"It does not matter if you ignore. Because this will end as just our goodwill toward you."
Then, goodbye.
Ending with those words, no more presence was heard from outside the door.
"Left."
"Phew...!"
Remaining is one small piece of paper scrap sticking out stealthily through the gap under the door.
Bella walking step, step there picked up the paper, and held it out to me.
"This is delivered to you."
"...Yes."
"If you wish, I can also incinerate it right here."
"N, No thanks."
Since I heard the name Administration Bureau, I don't think I can just pass over it pretending it doesn't exist.
Keeping the paper stealthily, I organized my thoughts for a moment in the situation passed like a storm.
"Is Bella, okay?"
"I am okay. If only the Customer is okay."
...Something, internal sense of distance became closer suddenly.
Enduring the gaze not falling off me intently, I spoke.
"Umm... You said earlier you would perform the role of my guardian, Bella."
"That is so."
"Is this also perhaps, charged a separate amount separately...?"
No because thinking about it, until just now she poured out charging attacks whenever there was a chance to the existence outside the door.
This is getting nose cut with eyes open, I also don't know when and where debt might increase mak...!
'Have to keep wits about me.'
Especially here in Underground Merchant Guild, and even there in front of Bella who is practically the general manager, no matter how close, have to keep wits about me...
"Hmm, originally it would be so, but. I will make an exception this time too."
"...Why?"
"Because the Customer is an important 'Excellent Member' of our Merchant Guild now."
Became a member without me knowing...
"Go, Good thing, right...?"
"For Excellent Member, 'Special Discount' is attached to all goods and services in using the Merchant Guild. Also can enjoy various promotions too."
"Ohh...!"
So in VIP, one more V attached, is this it...?!
"Our Merchant Guild wants to maintain good friendship with the Customer from a long-term perspective."
"Bella does?"
"...Yes, I do."
"Hihi."
At the appearance of making a person tense to the fullest until just now, and again avoiding gaze stealthily and answering now.
I couldn't hold back laughter eventually.
"Bella also come play later to where I and Director are! Our Director's rice is super delicious!"
"...I cannot leave the Underground Merchant Guild."
"Then I will pack and bring it, yep yep."
"Then, I will ask for the favor when the time comes. I will make sure to pay the price fairly."
"Will you count it expensively?"
"I will decide that then."
"Hihihi."
Think I can talk openly with Bella slowly.
Is it because we passed a crisis as a team earlier, something internal intimacy sprang up mak mak.
"At first didn't know well, but now I think I did very well coming here."
"Is that so."
"Because Bella taught me this and that kindly."
Watching the situation wriggling wriggle wriggle in that state for a moment, I asked her stealthily.
"...Can I go outside now?"
"The uninvited guest has already left. Probably there will be no more contact with you separately."
"Ohh...!"
As expected reliable. As expected Business Man, no Girl.
"Since the service I can provide is limited exactly only within the Underground Merchant Guild area, you will have to be careful when active going out of here."
"Understood!"
We two came out of the room, and looked around various areas in that state again.
Of course didn't go to the Grocery Store. Since body doesn't feel hunger or anything in the first place, and felt like stomach would be upset for no reason.
Used mainly for walking taking jewels and various building structures as spectacles.
"Excuse me, something like this, would be super expensive, right?"
"Calculating with current Customer's value, if you become an employee, you can pay the full price after 15 years."
"Just asked once."
Yep, tells me not to buy.
"If you sign the contract I provide, payment is possible within 3 years at the earliest."
"Won't buy, won't buy."
"Is that so."
So don't look with such regretful eyes. Se, Seems like thinking I would have been tempted seriously...
.. ... ....
After finishing sightseeing for a long time, I came to feel it was time to return slowly.
'Legs hurt.'
Tired too, and miss Daycare's fluffy bed too.
Ah, have to ask Director to dig ears again before sleeping.
This is almost one of the daily essential routines.
[- To escape from 'Underground Grocery Store', a 'Receipt' proving use of Merchant Guild is needed.]
Recalling information of the gallery, and looked back at Bella staring at me intently again.
"Excuse me, Bella."
"Yes."
"I want to go back now."
"There are still areas available for viewing remaining."
"Umm... Next time come and will definitely look together."
"Is that so."
How do I bring up words about receipt?
I didn't buy anything properly here...
"Do you need a receipt separately?"
"Uh, uh-uh! Yes!"
At the words handed just in time, I nodded my head and affirmed Bella's words.
"Here it is."
What was held in Bella's hand, rather than a receipt—
Took the form of a very antique card.
"Th, Is this a receipt?"
"Precisely, it is an object capable of performing the role of a receipt."
【Underground Merchant Guild Excellent Member Ticket】.
This is a membership ticket...?
"If you sign there, we provide visiting service allowing use of Merchant Guild anytime when convenient."
"Wow...! Then can meet Bella too?"
"That is so."
Then must do. Can't resist this.
I wrote my name 'Little Lamb' three syllables smartly with the antique pen Bella handed, and cherished in my bosom.
"Like this can I come again later?"
"Yes."
"I will try to make effort so Bella can come play later too."
Right. Where is impossible for Anomaly.
Always forcing unreasonableness only among themselves, let us try using conversely once too, yeah.
「▶ Title acquired.」
「▶ Title: Excellent Member of Underground Merchant Guild」.
「▶ You are now an Excellent Customer receiving trust of Guide 'Bella'.」
"....!"
Like this my fourth title was created newly in a corner of status window.
This is totally Anomaly connections!
Reassuring, reassuring.
With such satisfaction, I returned to the Underground Grocery Store entrance I came first together with Bella.
Leaving the flashing shining street, passing musty and dirty alleyway.
Like that.
"If you go out this way, you can return to where you were originally."
"See you again later!"
"Yes, definitely."
Already experienced valuable things enough to overflow.
Information about bad people wearing black suits, things about Bella.
'Clothes, will she like if I show Director?'
Black antique dress, skirt length is a bit short but...
Still my appearance when seen in mirror, was pretty and cute enough to feel awkwardness momentarily.
Attacking Director's heart once again with this destructive power.
And eat delicious things too and lie on bed doing phone and sleep with Ung-ae.
Although couldn't be together this time, if opportunity comes, want to visit with Director again later.
Since became Bella's Excellent Member and Customer now, felt like wanting to visit again with relaxed mind.
"Will come again soon!"
"I will be waiting."
With such words, I stepped on stairs alone chuk chuk and walked until familiar scenery of Daycare was visible.
Creeeeaaak...
"Hwa...!"
Opening the door and coming out finally, familiar scenery greeting me enough to make tension release tak momentarily.
Sunshine Daycare.
It was a place returned again to my heart's sanctuary and warm home.
Legs really become exercise this, will think of it again before sleeping.
But such stress is needed too, yeah. Since Director also wanted so.
"Director!"
I set out to find Director calling missed name immediately.
And could find soon.
Whether she came seeing sleeping Ung-aes, familiar appearance revealing herself stealthily from Sleeping Room.
Seeing Director of very gentle sign, I came to run udada unknowingly.
"I came!"
"Hmm."
Like that.
Flomp!
As usual, dived into Director's embrace.
Even if colliding with whole body with force, Director's cozy embrace accepted my body all.
Very big and fluffy. Bed smell.
"Did, well?"
....
....
....
"Uh?"
And at the voice heard, my head lifted sharply and.
Looked up at Director.
Just now...