88 - a convenient word for friends and companions








 My sister, Charlotte, has been a big fan of "Sasu-bro," and I, a copy of her, have been visited one after another by people who are lost, like boys with glasses crying over a futuristic all-purpose robot.



 I really don't want to deal with them. Is it bullying to give face-to-face counseling to a shut-in?

 But if the mental strain on the copyists increases, they will go on strike again. My copy is a pain in the ass. Well, it's me. I can't help it.



 So I, the main body, had to go to the office, but to tell the truth, I didn't have any plan.



Help me, Tiaemon!



 At first, I cried to Professor Tia like a certain glasses man. I was in the middle of a human body (?). I pretended I didn't see them doing some kind of experiment.



"Sure, sure. You can count on me."



 I was expecting him to be cross with me or shun me, but he responded in a surprisingly positive manner.



"It's not every day that I get a chance to ingratiate myself with Mr. Harte. I'm going to take a big boat ride..."



"No, thanks."



"Why?



 I'm sorry to be so blunt, but if I owe this guy a favor, I'm going to be in a lot more trouble than I already am. I know that.



 Well, I was wandering around without my only plan when a brilliant idea came to me in the conference room. I found a friend.



 Friends help each other.

 I asked Irisphilia, who was busy writing at the table. I asked her to take care of everyone for me.



"I've got my hands full," she said. I can't take your place any longer.



 I was casually turned down.



"That's fine! We're friends!"



 Unable to give up, I pull out the family's most treasured sword. This is a girl who wants to take care of her friends. I'll make her listen to me by appealing to her friends.



"I'd love to do you a favor, friend, but I'm doing this work for you."



 Well, the copy bragged that he pushed some of them to Iris.

 I didn't really listen to him. I find people's bragging irritating. No matter how much a copy looks like me, or even the same, it's always more annoying. I'm like that.



 Anyway, you've already cut the friend card to Iris.

 Oh, no. There's no more cards. I don't have any other friends.



 Just when I'm at my wits' end, more trouble comes my way.



"Hey, Hurt, how long are you gonna make me wait?"



 A macho lager-man looks grim-faced. This is the attitude of someone who wants to be taught a lesson.



"Raius, you go dance ka-mate. I hear it gets you fired up.



"What? What are you talking about?"



 That's my line. You're wrong to ask me to teach you magic. Because my magic is a little different from the others.



"Ah, Mr. Hurt, you're back. Let's start with me and my theory of magic..."



 Now you're the big sister.



"If you insist on telling me a story, please visit ......."



 I have nothing to say. Besides, you're a princess and president of the student council, so you should be doing more school work. ...... hmm?



 I look at my sister Marianne.



"What is it ......? If you stare at me that hard, I'll go to ......."



 This fidgety person is the princess of this country and the president of this school.

 Now I see a large man.



"What the ......? If you stare at me that hard, I'll ......"



 He is a prince of this country and was admitted as a first-year student.



 Two of the most powerful and capable people in this academy. .......



"What's really going on? We're running out of time, so you'd better get to work on us..."



"That's it!"



 I pointed at him and Lias jumped. You're a big guy, but you're scared.



"I'm busy. I'm incredibly busy. I can't keep up with all the people coming in and out."



 I'm not lying, okay? I have a lot of anime to watch.



"So what do you think? Could you two be my point of contact? If there is something that can be handled by another teacher or something, please assign someone else to handle it and decline the request."



 Most of the consultations can probably be handled elsewhere. Most of them must be impossible for me to handle.



 However, as I am completely useless at negotiating, there is a risk that I will be pushed aside even if I try to refuse. In fact, I can only see a future where I will be pushed aside.



 That's where Marianne and Lias come in.



 There's almost no one in this school who can make a strong offer to them. After all, they are dealing with a prince and a princess. They're also considered as strong men, so they must have some reservations.



 If these two act as a wall to prevent me, I can stay indoors in peace.



 I speak up so as not to leave any room for them to say anything.






"Of course, we will do our best to accommodate both of your requests. I'm a busy guy, but we're friends!"



"Friends, huh? ....... I can't say no to that.



"It pains me that we seem to occupy you, Hurt, but we are ...... friends!"



 A relationship that is more than acquaintance, less than friend, and nicely ambiguous--<>. A useful word.



 I've got your word.

 And while I'm on the subject, my brain has been stimulated to come up with an even better idea.

 I'm sorry, but I don't want to deal with you two either.



"Raius, I know a guy who knows how to control magic remotely. Ask Frey or Riza."



 I can't tell the other students and teachers that they are demons, but my sister and Rias should already know that, so it's no problem.



"Princess Marianne can talk to them too. They know a lot about magic.



 Both of them gave me subtle looks of dissatisfaction, but I guess they understood my plea of "I'm busy" and somehow they agreed.



 Yeah, what a perfect result.

 Now I can shut out all the troublesome consultations. We did it.



 After pestering the prince and princess, I returned to the retreat house in high spirits.

 But then...





"Hey, Mom, what does this "kanjis" mean? What does it mean?"



 A studious child grabs me.

 It seems that she has already learned hiragana and katakana. As was the case with Char, children from other worlds are very smart.



 I've been asking her questions for an hour now, and I'm about to run out of time.



 I've asked Frey and Lise to babysit, but they can't handle learning Japanese.

 I was in the mood to get down on my knees and beg the children to let me go.



"I'm back, brother!"



 The Messiah, here he comes!



"You've come to the right place. Charles, I have a favor to ask you.



"My brother! To us! Do me a favor?



 What's that twinkle in your eye?

 Well, that's unusual. I usually play the role of the trustworthy big brother. Whether it works or not, I rarely ask Char for favors.



 I asked him to teach Mel Japanese.



"Okay..." he says. Charlotte here, let's do our best to <>."



 Isn't that the wrong point? Oh well.



 And so, after solving all my problems at once, I returned to a peaceful life as a recluse...