Side: Yuki
Phew... I went and did it.
In the end, I stayed with Ria and acted as a teacher all the way through.
Well, it's not like it had any major consequences, and Eris handled the slave merchant arrangements with Asu-san, so it's fine.
The reason? I realized I actually had a good time hanging out with the kids after so long. But my true intent was that I wanted to see just how deep Ria's emotional scars—the ones Kaya mentioned—really went. It's only been a day, so I can't say for sure, but isn't her heart damaged enough to start affecting her physically?
I mean, during the entire time at school, she didn't call a single person by name.
I don't know if she's intentionally avoiding names or if she simply can't say them, but either way, she's in a pretty serious state. I'm no expert in psychology or counseling, but even I can tell that something so blatant is bad news.
This is an issue that comes way before the whole "making Ria my wife" thing. Honestly, if we don't fix this, I feel like she might actually waste away.
First, I need to gather information. I'll have to talk to the other three who came with her. If I ask Asu-san, he'll probably just get all apologetic and flustered.
It might be awkward for me to ask the girls directly, so I think I'll consult Eris and the others during dinner.
"Ria, how was today?"
"Yes... it was... very fun."
"I see, that's good. You seemed nervous at first, but you were smiling after we got to school. Do you think you'll be okay continuing there?"
"Eh... was I... smiling?"
"Yeah. You didn't realize? Well, that's a good thing in its own way. If you can smile naturally, then a school full of kids might be the perfect place for you. Going to school with a forced smile is no good, after all."
"Is... that so?"
"The most important thing is that the kids were happy. There's no better answer than that."
"Yes..."
Still, the school environment seems to have a significant effect on her. Whether it's a good effect is hard to judge yet, but since I have to do something regardless, there's no reason not to use the school where she's actually showing a reaction.
It's not like the students are going to force themselves on her, so I probably don't have to worry about a "sex-triggered explosion" there. It's safer than most workplaces.
Damn, I even have to consider my subordinates' workplace environment. Well, I always did, but this time I'm being extra careful. Being in management is tough. If I were a normal CEO, my priority would be scraping together capital, but in my position, I'm not exactly just a "CEO".
For now, the kids have all headed back to the dorms, so it's just time for us to go home. Oh, wait—I wonder what the plan is for Ria and the others' sleeping arrangements? Is the same inn okay?
As I was thinking about that, I got a Call from Eris.
"Hey, it's me."
『Hello. Is work finished?』
"Yeah, I was just about to head back. What should I do with Ria? Same inn?"
『That's what I wanted to discuss. For starters, let's talk to the four of them directly. Why don't we all gather somewhere for dinner?』
"Sounds good. Their preferences matter too. The ones eating at home can handle themselves."
『Understood. I'll contact Ratz and the others. Where should we meet?』
"The Experiment Hall is probably best. We should be able to get a private room there."
『Got it. See you later.』
After the call ends, I head to the Experiment Hall with Ria.
"Do you have any favorite foods?"
"Not... particularly."
Yeah... people who've been slaves often answer like that.
It's not that they don't have preferences—they just can't express them.
"You don't have to hold back. Even if you don't have a favorite, don't force yourself to eat things you dislike. It's a meal; let's enjoy it."
"Yes."
* * *
Whether it was good luck or bad, we didn't run into Eris and the others on the way.
I kept up some small talk in the meantime, but as usual, it was mostly me asking questions and Ria giving short answers.
...Am I being too pushy?
Being this aggressive isn't really my style. You know that one friend who's always shouting "Mixer! Mixer!"? Seeing that usually just exhausts me.
"Hey, welcome—Ohh, General Yuki!"
"Yo. I'm eating dinner here today. Six others are coming, so show them to my room. Is a private room open?"
"You bet. It's all yours."
After a quick chat with the owner, we went to a tatami-style private room and sat down.
"Ria, just like at the inn, take off your shoes and have a seat."
"Yes."
"Now, anything you want to eat? Here's the menu."
I handed the menu to her.
"Um... most of these dishes have names I don't recognize..."
"Ah, right. Hmm, I'll just order a variety. The others are coming, so nothing will go to waste."
I ordered some yakitori, gratin, and various other things.
Ratz and Milly like yakitori, Eris likes salads...
"Oniiii-san~! Your beloved Ratz has arrived!"
"Whoa!?"
"Heu!?"
Right after ordering, Ratz burst in and hugged me, nearly squashing Ria in the process.
That was definitely on purpose, you pink‑rabbit freak.
"Hey, Ratz, what are you doing? Yuki-san, your Milly is here too~!!"
"Doing the same thing from the other side doesn't really..."
"Ugh..."
"Come on, being hugged by beautiful girls and enjoying the feel of their chests—doesn't that make you happy?"
"Well yeah, but if I asked to squeeze them..."
""Go right ahead!!""
"...That's exactly what you'd say. There's no rarity value anymore."
Besides, the difficulty level of groping them in the restaurant is too high.
I'm not a pervert.
At home I get to squeeze all I want, anyway.
"What are you two doing? You're startling the girls we brought."
"I-It's fine...!"
"Y-Your relationship as a married couple is very... lively!"
"Um, Eris-san, aren't you going to do it too?"
"I save that for the night."
"""Kyaaaa!!"""
They seem happy, don't they?
Well, if you asked who the most intense one among my wives is, it's actually Eris.
Maybe because she's so serious during the day, the rebound at night is amazing... Seriously, she's well... on another level... She doesn't even sleep properly.
Even though I have enhanced stamina, I still get sleepy and tired after doing it. But Eris is like a perpetual motion machine—she stays up all night and still looks radiant in the morning... It was rough for me.
Anyway, back to the topic.
"Ria's stuck between you two, so move a bit."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I understand~"
They move away easily, like they planned it.
Seems like they've heard a bit about Ria's situation already.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes."
Good, she looks startled, but at least she seems fine.
Still, don't act so aggressively when we don't fully understand her situation.
"Alright, everyone sit. I've already ordered food—just pick your drinks."
"""Okay~!!"""
We passed the menu around and chose drinks.
Since the four newcomers didn't know anything, we decided to order various things and let them taste.
"Wow, this is delicious!"
"Hey, this one is good too!"
"It really is!"
"Yes... it's tasty."
Even though it's only their second day, these girls seem to be enjoying themselves reasonably well. On my second day, I was still panting while trying to build a dungeon... The residents of this world are resilient.
"Here, Onii-san, say 'ahh'~"
"Have some of this too."
"This salad is great as well."
Meanwhile, I'm being doted on by my wives.
I can eat by myself, you know...
It's probably because just the three of them eating with me is rare—usually, I'm the one looking after Aslin and the others. I can't exactly be cold to them, and I don't dislike it, so I let them feed me.
"So, how are the other three doing? My side is going smoothly."
"Same here. No problems at all."
"No issues on my end either."
"Well, me too, but it's only the first day."
"Too early to judge, then?"
"Yes. Let's watch them longer."
"If they don't fit, we can just introduce them to a different workplace."
We all took a breather with some beer.
"Man, that post-work drink is the best."
"Yeah, feels like I live for this moment."
"I prefer wine, but beer isn't bad either."
We relaxed while eating yakitori. Once I saw everyone had eaten their fill and slowed down, I brought up the next topic.
"Regarding their living arrangements... what should we do?"
All eyes turned to Eris. I assumed she had already thought of something.
"The standard options would be: placing them in a four-person room in the training facility's independent wing, or preparing a new residence for them."
"I agree with Eris. Those are pretty much the only options."
"Yes. They are only unfamiliar with Weed's rules; otherwise, they're well above passing grade. There's no need for them to go through the training center. It's either the independent wing where people who have saved up money go, or we provide a new place for them to live together."
"But you know~ if I, the representative of the Adventurer District, or Ratz from the Commercial District, or Eris from the Entertainment District provide a new house, those girls will be seen as receiving special treatment."
"True. What do you think, Onii-san?"
"I agree with Milly. It would be total special treatment. But... isn't it a bit late for that?"
"Late?"
"I mean, we've been dragging these four around with us all day."
"""Ahhh."""
Exactly. Since we spent the whole day personally mentoring these newcomers, they're already being treated specially. Even if there are "Hero" circumstances involved, that doesn't matter to other people.
How can we handle this without causing unnecessary waves?
"Plus, there's also Ria's case."
I lowered my voice and glanced at Ria, who was happily chatting with the other three.
It's worrying to leave her alone. If she explodes, we're in big trouble. I don't want to wake up tomorrow to the headline "Entire Apartment Building Collapses!?"
"Then how about this? We prepare a new residence with two-person rooms and have them live together until they can earn enough money. Putting them in the training center now, after Yuki-san's involvement, might start some weird rumors anyway."
"True. Spending the whole day by our side and then being sent to the training center tomorrow... to outsiders, it might look like they were deemed useless."
"Hmm. I really want Yuki-san to look after Ria-san personally, but excessive special treatment is tricky. For now, why don't we ask Ria-san if she wants to live with Yuki-san before showing her the new place?"
"I think the probability is low. I mean, it's only been one day..."
"I know that. But we have to minimize the risks, right?"
Yeah... I get that.
But if, by some miracle, I brought Ria home tonight... I wonder how my wives react?
