Middle-Aged Man Isekai Summoning - Chapter 13
Future Policy
I made love with Maya until morning, but I woke up to do my daily routine of an early morning run. Maya was still sleeping peacefully in the bed, so I quietly adjusted the blanket and left the room.
As I started running while inhaling the chilly morning air, a familiar sight of red hair caught my eye.
"Good morning, Yuno."
"Yeah, good morning."
It was Yuno, my morning running partner.
"You must be tired from everything that happened, so it's impressive that you're out running."
"Yeah, I just felt a bit restless. Besides, you're the same, right, Dai? Yesterday was your first time in a fight to the death, wasn't it?"
Yuno's words felt as though they melted into the cold morning air. I involuntarily went silent.
(In the end, I had Yuno take over killing that guy for me... It's embarrassing to have a girl worry about me like this...)
Remembering that moment made me acutely aware once again of my lack of resolve. My chest felt heavy, and the cold morning air stung my skin. Not knowing what to do, I instinctively turned to Yuno for advice.
"Yeah... hey, Yuno... how can I get the resolve I need?"
Even to myself, it felt sudden. But I wanted someone to listen to this weight on my chest. Yuno slowed down his running pace slightly and appeared to think for a moment.
"That's sudden. But... well, I don't want to kill people either, so honestly I don't know."
It was a straightforward answer. But I could tell it was an honest, unvarnished statement. Since my consultation ended in an instant, an indescribable silence settled between us. Amidst that, Yuno suddenly looked over at me and asked:
"By the way, is Maya in your room, Dai?"
"...Yeah, she's sleeping."
I felt like Yuno's eyes wavered for just a split second. Pretending not to notice, I kept running while looking straight ahead.
"I see... You don't hide things, do you, Dai...?"
Yuno's words carried a somewhat probing tone. In response, I shrugged my shoulders.
"There's no reason to hide it. If I were married I might hide it, though."
As I explained dryly, Yuno paused for a moment before muttering softly:
"Weren't you married in your original world either?"
"Nope, I was single."
At that answer, I felt Yuno's lips loosen slightly.
"Then... is there still a chance for me...?"
"...A chance for what?"
When I instinctively asked back, Yuno widened his eyes and shook his head in a flurry of panic.
"Nothing! More importantly, why don't we discuss our future policy with everyone after lunch?"
"Yeah, sounds good."
When I gave a light nod, Yuno smiled with a hint of happiness.
"Alright, see you later!"
Saying so, Yuno waved at me and ran ahead. Watching his retreating back, I let out a deep breath to shake off the faint sense of awkwardness lingering in my chest.
"Phew... Today, wasn't just our usual harmless conversation, there was a serious air mixed in as well..."
After parting ways with Yuno, I went straight back to my room and took a shower to wash off the sweat. When I returned to the room, Maya was still breathing peacefully on my bed. Her fair shoulder peeking through the gaps in the sheets brought back lingering memories of last night.
"...Still sleeping?"
(Did I go too far yesterday?)
Muttering softly to myself, I quietly sat down on the edge of the bed. As the quiet atmosphere filled the room, the door suddenly opened.
"Lord Dai, I have brought breakfast."
The one who entered was Cattleya, carrying herself with her usual grace. Breakfast was neatly arranged on a silver tray.
"Thank you. ...By the way, is there a portion for Maya too?"
When I asked, Cattleya replied with a subtle smile.
"Yes, I have prepared hers as well."
Admiring her thoughtful nature once again, I gave an honest thank you.
"Thanks as always ❤️"
"Not at all, it's only natural as a maid ♪"
I then turned my gaze to the bed.
"Maya, wake up. It's breakfast."
Shaking her shoulder lightly, Maya slowly opened her eyes and let out a large yawn.
"Nnh... fwaaa... good morning..."
"Yeah, good morning."
As I smiled at her, Maya slowly sat up with a half-dazed expression. The sheet slipped from her shoulder, momentarily revealing smooth skin that recalled last night's remnants. However, without even trying to hide it, she stared straight at me and smiled softly.
"Wanna do a good morning kiss? ❤️"
At Maya's languidly whispered voice, I couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly. However, glancing at the person standing right next to us, I spoke with a bit of embarrassment:
"I'd love to... but Cattleya is right here, you know?"
"Eeeek!"
Maya reacted with a start.
"It seems Lady Maya is so exhausted from last night's activities that her head has turned into a flower garden ♪"
Cattleya flashed a pleasant smile while casually dropping a spicy remark.
"~~~~gh!"
Turning bright red, Maya couldn't counter and clamped her lips shut in silence. I stepped in to cover for her.
"Anyway, let's eat!"
When I said that, Maya pouted slightly but sat across from me to start breakfast. However, while eating, she muttered softly:
"Eating breakfast face-to-face like this feels kind of like newlyweds—"
"Ahem! In this world, polygamy and common-law wives are officially recognized. Therefore, it is nothing extraordinary for unmarried men and women to dine together."
Cattleya cut off Maya's words, adding a calm clarification.
"Hey! Don't interrupt when Master is talking!"
"My master is 'Lord Dai'. I am different from a woman who misinterprets spending a single night together as becoming a wife."
"HAH!? You say that after keeping your distance so aggressively the other day?!"
Maya voiced her anger openly, but Cattleya declared coolly with a composed face:
"Tonight, Cattleya is scheduled to spend a passionate night with Lord Dai, so this exact scene might repeat itself tomorrow morning ♪"
"HUH!? Dai, are you doing it with Cattleya again!? I mean, aren't you breaking up with Cattleya!?"
Maya widened her eyes at the sudden bombshell. Flashing a wry smile, I voiced my honest thoughts.
"My policy is to make every woman involved with me happy. So I have no intention of severing ties with Cattleya."
For a moment, Maya's face flushed as if about to explode, but after a few seconds of silence, she took a deep breath and regained her composure.
"Got it..."
Her words carried her own form of toughing it out, along with a tone of resignation.
"How surprising. I expected you to get angry as usual," Cattleya said dryly. Maya gave a small shrug.
"Since I joined later, I won't say anything more. Besides—"
"Besides?"
"It's just gonna keep increasing anyway, right...?"
As Maya muttered under her breath, Cattleya gave a small nod as well.
"Cattleya agrees with that..."
Seeing their synchronized reaction, I involuntarily let out a wry smile.
"No, no way, an old guy like me can't possibly be that popular, right?"
""Haaahhhhh...""
The instant they heard my words, Maya and Cattleya released a deeply synchronized sigh.
[Morning Practice]
After finishing breakfast and walking Maya back to her room, I headed to the training grounds. There, Aria was swinging her sword as usual. Her sword techniques were beautiful even to an amateur's eye, captivating me.
"Lord Dai, good morning."
Aria shifted her gaze toward me.
"M-Morning! Your swordwork is as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you. This is my only redeeming feature after all!"
Her tone was matter-of-fact, but brimmed with a touch of pride. Thinking it was a good opportunity, I asked Aria for a sparring session—and was thrown onto the ground multiple times.
(I don't feel like I could ever win in a normal fight...)
[Breakfast]
Dull pain echoing throughout my body, my empty stomach led me to the dining hall. As I took a seat—
"Dai..."
"Iris... morning. Want to sit?"
"Yeah!"
As usual, Iris sat snugly on my lap. Eating meals with her resting on my lap had completely become part of my routine.
"Iris, is it delicious?"
"Yeah!"
"Glad to hear that ♪"
I enjoyed my meal while feeling healed by Iris's smile.
[After Breakfast]
After finishing the meal, we began discussing our plans moving forward.
"What should we do from here?"
When I opened the topic, everyone took on a serious expression.
"For now, our priority should be gathering information on the demon race, the reasons behind their invasion, and knowledge about this world."
"What kind of knowledge about this world specifically?"
"Things like how paper currency works, how towns were formed, the route to the Demon King, and various other things. Without knowing those, we can't make any moves."
As everyone nodded, I paused briefly before announcing the first step to take.
"However, before that... what I want to ask of you all first is to learn the written language of this world."
"The language...?"
Yuno frowned. I turned my eyes toward Maya.
"Maya has already learned a fair amount, right?"
"Yeah, though not as much as you, Dai."
Maya smiled modestly, and Sharon-san nodded lightly as well.
"I think I can manage somehow."
The problem lay with the remaining members. I shifted my gaze to Yuno, Aria, and Iris.
"Sorry, I don't feel like I can do it at all..."
"Same here!"
"Yeah...!"
Yuno, Aria, and Iris slumped their shoulders in unison. Seeing that, I let out a light sigh.
"...Can't be helped. I'll teach you from scratch, so let's work hard together. Since you can already speak it, as long as you memorize the vocabulary needed for daily life, you'll manage."
Everyone's gaze gathered on me. While their expressions held a trace of anxiety, I also felt a small flicker of expectation.
(Back when I taught English to my boss's daughter, she praised me saying I was better at teaching than her school or cram school teachers. Well, I didn't just teach her English, I also taught her "sex" to make her feel good! Of course, even during the act, it was all in English! She should be working overseas right now, I wonder how she's doing?)
Then, Yuno spoke up with a serious voice.
"I'm sorry. I'm counting on you. I'll repay this favor next time ♪"
"It's fine. I caused trouble at the mine, so we're even."
When I said it casually, Yuno widened his eyes for a moment before letting out a soft laugh.
"Got it, thank you. And I look forward to working with you ♪"
A positive look gradually returned to my companions' faces, putting me at ease as well. We decided to hold a study session with Yuno and the others tonight.
"Alright, let's leave that topic here—next up is about the demon race."
"Do you have something in mind?"
The atmosphere in the room tightened up. When Yuno asked with a serious look, I gave a light nod.
"We might be able to hear information about the demon race in my room. I have a hunch about someone who knows."
"Who?"
"She should be cleaning around this time... Let's go ask her."
Everyone exchanged looks. They seemed a bit surprised by the unexpected source of information, but no one objected.
"Alright, let's go."
Together, we headed toward my room.
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