It had been a week since Mea's departure.
　At first, everyone seemed to miss her, but that faded away as the days got busier and busier.
　We knew that Mea-san would eventually leave, so there were no major problems at work, as her shifts had been reduced.

　Holiday.
　I was looking around at a couple of stores.

　I was looking for skills, as usual, but apart from that I was also researching the current market.
　What was in short supply and what was in excess?

　Well, I was going to discuss this with Krua-san afterwards anyway.
　I had also made an appointment to meet with Mr. Krua today.

　When we signed the contract, we hadn't planned to see each other this often, but now we saw each other at least once a week.
　After looking around the market, I headed to the store where I was going to meet Klua.

　Mr. Krua was near the doorway of the store.
　She was tossing her bangs around as if she was worried about them and didn't seem to notice us.
　As we approached, our eyes met with hers.

　Krua-san straightened up quickly and smiled.

''Thank you for taking the trouble to do this, Relius-san.
Don't be so formal.
'That's not going to happen. I have a reservation at the restaurant, please.

　A conversation with Ms. Krua usually begins with this.
　I enter the restaurant with her.
　This is the same restaurant where Krua got drunk on a grand scale before.

　Maybe that's why he looks a little tense.

Do you want to have a drink today?
Well, uh, no, I don't drink.

　Krua-san puffed up her cheeks slightly and turned away with a pout.
　........It's a cute expression.
　I can't help but want to tease her.

　Could it be that Ristina-san also feels that way?
　The cocky junior comes to mind.
　No, that guy just wants to play with me and tease me.

'What's wrong with you?'
Oh, no. I'm talking about the new part-time worker at the inn, but he's a cocky guy in some ways.
Is that so?
'Yes. I always make fun of people all the time, and yet I can't say anything because I do my job well. And yet, I can't say anything because I do my job so well.
'I see. Oh, but I can't help but want to tease Lelius-san.
........Eh. Does Krua-san have a personality like that too?

　.........It might be better than being teased by Krua-san.
　Because I know that she's a gentle girl.
　Ristina-san is not kind.

''Well, I guess it's half a joke.

　So the other half of the story is no joke.
　If it's Krua-san, I don't mind. I was tempted to tease him, but I pushed it away.

So, what did you want to do today?
'What?　

　Polly Krua-san was scratching her cheek.
　I've been gathering information in the time I've had so far to keep up with Krua-san's merchant knowledge.
　Even though I'm a craftsman, I'm also close to a seller.

　I'll need to check the market situation and if I think there are new products that need to be delivered, I'll need to call out to them.

''It seems like there aren't many state recovery potions in this city right now, right?　Is that delivery?
What?　Ah, ah........that's true. As of now, we can't supply the supply very well, and the attack on the D-ranked labyrinth has been delayed.
...Nah, I see, I see.

　There was some talk about the difficulty of attacking the labyrinth, but is that part of the connection coming through?
　This is still a close connection, and you can imagine it if you want to.
　But it could also be that things are decreasing for seemingly completely unrelated reasons.

　It's hard to be a merchant, after all.
　I was in deep thought. Mr. Krua quickly bowed his head.

''I'm sorry, I'm sorry........''
What's going on?
Yeah, well, you see...

　Mr. Krua's face was red and slumped.
　What was wrong with him?

........You said once, Lelius, that it was like going out to dinner with friends. It's like going out to dinner with a friend.
Yes, sir.
''I also thought I'd like to get a little closer to Relius-san. I'm sorry, too!　I'm not here to talk about business in particular!

　
　Krua-san is a serious person, so I was sure that was the case.
　I shook my head at her, who was shaking her body in an apologetic manner, and I shook my head.

''I'm grateful to hear you say that.
"...what?　Is that so?
'Yes. I'll have to learn to fit in with Mr. Krua myself!　I thought, "I only had a tacked-on knowledge. I didn't want to get in any more trouble than I already had.

　Just then, glasses were brought in.
　A glass of juice for Mr. Krua and a glass of alcohol for me.
　When we grabbed each other's hands, we brought our glasses closer.

Well, then, let's talk without any hesitation today.
...Yes!

　Mr. Krua said and sipped his glass.
　I also drank as I stirred the glass.
　Today, I was an alcoholic. I was just in the mood for something to drink.

　When I glanced at Krua-san, her body shook with a twitch.
　........Huh?
　I glanced at Krua and she was already red in the face.

''Oh, that. Is that alcohol.........?
Mr. Lelius....

　Mr. Krua stood up with a strange, interminable voice.
　Then he sat down next to me.
　Chi, close. Her chest touches my left arm and she squeezes me.

　How soft it is.
　I feel like my head is going to melt. But I have to keep my wits about me here.
　Otherwise, I won't be able to carry her to the inn.

　I send a desperate command to Krua-san's hand that almost reaches for her chest, and I hold her hand to gently remove it.

''W-what's wrong, Krua-san?''
'Listen to me!　Last time I was helping out in the shop........!

　Then Mr. Krua exploded into a whine.

'I almost got my ass touched!　What the hell is that pervert?!

　It's vaguely connected to the story.
　I didn't expect to make it this far in just one bite.
　Predictably, it's like I was almost s*xually harassed when I was serving customers?

...I see. Well, Krua-san has a charm, so it can't be helped.
Is there a charm, Mr. Relius?
Yes, yes....
Where is it?

　Yes......

Is it a beautiful, pretty place?

　I can say this much separately.
　Please, just get it over with.

Oh, is that all you've got?

　She turns bright red and teasingly leans in closer to us.
　That's not all. I think it's her breasts and ass that are most attractive.

　She has a slightly juvenile face, and her body is a selfish body.
　It was impossible not to be attracted to her like that.

''There's something else, isn't there?
'Uh, well...'
Where is it?

　He pulls himself even closer.
　A soft touch wraps my left arm with a soft smile.
　I'm going to have to take it with me, my reasoning........

　Krua-san is just drunk.
　Krua-san is a valued business partner.

　I don't want you to do anything. I mustn't do anything.
　I grabbed Krua by the shoulders and smiled at him.

'The positive attitude towards work, isn't it?　Watching it makes me feel better.
Oh, really?

　Krua-san's complexion turned even redder, and she quickly moved away from me.
　........Thank God. I'm glad that you're convinced by this.
　When I took a breath of relief, I stared at Krua-san.

　Mr. Krua-san had a dazed look on his face.
　He looked as if he was about to fall asleep.

Krua-san, please take it easy today, and I'll take care of the accommodation for you. I'll make sure you get some accommodations.
...Yes, yes. Thank you.

　Mr. Krua nodded his head like a child.
　I wonder why.
　Mr. Krua looked a little apologetic and drank more alcohol.