Chapter 80: Unreasonable

"Okay, I see.... Anyway, even though it’s a little late, I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet. I’m Astan. If I heard correctly, your name is Shiro, isn’t it?"

The older sister didn’t want me to speak to her anymore, and that was exactly what I did.

I turned my attention to the younger sister and began to speak with a gentle, calm smile.

"Yes... I-I mean, my name is Mashiro... but, if you’d like, you can keep calling me Shiro... Mr. Astan." (Mashiro)

Now that she no longer seemed possessed, I noticed that her personality was much gentler and more polite.

If I had to say, she was the one who most resembled Amarillys, both in personality and appearance.

Although she seemed a little shy, based on her stats, I knew it wasn’t because she was interested in me—it was possible that was just her natural disposition.

Those bangs covering her eyes were a clear sign of that.

"Hey, Shiro! Why are you letting that guy get away with that?... And don’t you even think about calling my sister that." (Momoka)

Even though she herself told me not to talk to her, now she was the one addressing me—which shows just how unreasonable she really is.

Anyway, in order to complete her mission, I have to rule out anything physical or fight-related.

I have to lure her into a situation where I’ll have a chance.

But, as she demonstrated, she doesn’t seem like the type to willingly do what others want... so I have to change my approach.

I started with the only vulnerability she’s shown: her sisters.

I deliberately ignored her and focused on her younger sister.

"I understand, Miss Shiro. Oh, and you don’t need to be so formal with me. I’m just a massage therapist. There’s no need to be so polite; you can just call me Astan."

"You—you jerk! What did I just tell you?" (Momoka)

"N-no... I just feel more comfortable that way." (Mashiro)

"Oh, I see. It seems we have something in common. Anyway, since I have the chance, I want to apologize for my earlier comment about you. I’m sorry for calling you that. Saying something like that wasn’t right, and getting carried away by my emotions is no excuse whatsoever."

"N-no... It’s okay... I understand. I-I’m sorry too for what happened. (≧﹏ ≦)" (Mashiro)

Although she didn’t seem to be in control, it seems she does remember what she did.

On the other hand, I wonder if it’s a mana-related phenomenon—that thing that causes people in this world to literally emit a faint mist when they’re embarrassed. The same thing happened to Rose, too.

"No, I understand now that it was something beyond your control. I’m also sorry I couldn’t ask. Like you, I had my own limiting circumstances as well."

"Ah!... So that’s what it was... I see, I understand.... But do you think that in the future you...?" (Mashiro)

"Hmm... I don’t know, but if the opportunity arises, maybe we could... Since it seems to be a sort of thorn in both our sides."

"Thank you." (Mashiro)

"Nothing’s happened yet, so there’s no need to thank me. Anyway, it’ll be quite a while before your sister is done. Miss Shiro, would you like a massage?"

"Don’t even think about it. Do you think I’d let you touch my little sister?" (Momoka)

"We offer all kinds of services, and—forgive me for assuming—but if I’m not mistaken, you’re in a magic-related profession, right?"

"Y-yes, I’m a mage." (Mashiro)

"Good. In fact, we have a unique massage at our establishment for magic-users that restores damage accumulated over time in the magic circuit."

"What kind of nonsense is that? Something like that doesn’t exist! You’re just trying to be a smartass and grope my sister, aren’t you? I won’t let that happen." (Momoka)

Yeah, even though I treated her as if she didn’t exist, she kept butting in, so I answered her.

"(ㆆ_ㆆ), since you were the one who spoke to me first, I’m going to clarify something that you don’t seem capable of understanding on your own. First of all, I’m a professional. Massage is what I do every day, and unlike you, I don’t have any second thoughts about it..."

"Grrr! You’re just a bastard. I know people like you, who act superficially kind and polite when their intentions are something else." (Momoka)

"You can think whatever you want—wrongly and prejudicially. I know that in my mind, I have no thoughts beyond improving my clients’ health. And there’s something else I can’t help but ask. You’re both considered adult women, right?"

"And why should that concern you? I don’t have to answer you." (Momoka)

She really is way too unreasonable and annoying.

"Miss Shiro, you’re an adult, aren’t you? I assume you must be around twenty or older."

"Y-yes, you’re right." (Mashiro)

"Good. And, as an adult woman, I feel that you can—and, in fact, should—make your own decisions. I really don’t understand your older sister’s persistent interference. I understand that she rejected my proposal, but you, as an individual, should have your own opinion, shouldn’t you? Or, even as an adult, do you let your sister make decisions for you?"

"I-I..." (Mashiro)

"Shiro, you don’t have to say anything to this guy." (Momoka)

"And there she is, persistently controlling her, not letting Miss Shiro make her own decision. Let me tell you, that’s a serious problem."

"Shut up!. What happens between us is none of your business." (Momoka)

"It became my business the moment you rudely interrupted the conversation between Miss Shiro and me."

"Grrr... For just a rank-one masseur, you’ve got some nerve. You should know your place." (Momoka)

"Oh? So now you’re a classist, too. I suppose you think everyone is inferior to you, including your sisters. That’s why you feel free to boss them around and make decisions for them as you please."

"(►__◄), Now I’m really going to kill you, you bastard...!" (Momoka)

"W-wait, sister. I-it’s not right to do that to people in non-combat profession." (Mashiro)

"Or I’ll do it literally. I’ll just make him understand how the world works." (Momoka)

"No! Even so, it’s wrong... H-he’s right. I-I can make my own decisions." (Mashiro)

"Shiro?" (Momoka)

"Sis, y-you’re the one who butted into our conversation. I-I can decide for myself." (Mashiro)

"..." (Momoka)

I’m grateful for Shiro’s intervention; even though her porcentages aren’t that high, she’s taking my side.

Judging by her older sister’s reaction, it seemed that Shiro had always been docile and calm, in contrast to how domineering and aggressive she was.

This situation doesn’t seem to happen very often, so there must be another reason why she doesn’t want her sister to hurt me—and it’s most likely because of what we talked about earlier.

That’s a good thing because it allows me to be even bolder.

"So, Miss Shiro, would you like me to give you some kind of massage?"

"...N-no... I’m sorry. Although I appreciate your offer... I-it’s too embarrassing for me to accept." (Mashiro)

"Oh! I see. That makes sense. In fact, it’s very common, and in those cases my wife takes care of it. It’s too bad she’s busy. Anyway, the important thing is that you gave me your own answer and it wasn’t something imposed by anyone else."

"Grrrr." (Momoka)

"Mr. Astan... hmm... could you please stop doing that...? I don’t think I can stop my sister." (Mashiro)

"I understand... it really is my fault. Haah~. I’m sorry for the way I behaved toward you, Miss Momo,"

"It’s Momoka!!, and I won’t let you call me that. Call me by my last name, Keshblade. Tsk... at least you know how to apologize."

"Yes. I understand and realize that I acted inappropriately and even disappointingly, and, in fact, I’m a little ashamed that I acted that way. Apologizing is only natural, and I know how to do it... unlike other people, whose pride prevents them from doing something so simple."

"(►__◄)" (Momoka)

"Ah! Wait! Sister... I think you need to a-apologize too. I don’t think it was right to say what you said about his wife." (Mashiro)

"Huh? Wait, is this all about that? Just because I said how shameless his wife was? Is that your damn problem?!"(Momoka)

"No. (ㆆ_ㆆ). I just have a habit of treating people the same way they treat me. If you have a complaint about how annoying, pedantic, or unpleasant my way of speaking is, you should take a look at yourself."

"💢Y-you... have a knack for provoking me. You really know how to piss me off." (Momoka)

"That’s strange. I thought it would be an everyday occurrence for you. It really is curious that no one does it, considering how easy it seems."

"It’s because everyone else has something you seem to lack, you idiot! A survival instinct!" (Momoka)

"Maybe you’re right, but you also seem to have something in abundance, and that’s anger and pride. Especially the latter. You seem to believe that everything will turn out exactly as you think it will. Why don’t we test whether it’s me who lacks a survival instinct or you who has too much pride?"

Yes, this might turn out differently than I expect, but for that very reason, I discreetly bought another firearm. That, combined with the suppression of the premises, won’t make things easy for her.

I’ve actually ruled out any physical methods, but if things take that turn, it’s also possible to complete the mission that way—though I really hope it doesn’t happen, since it’s bad in the long run.

"Grr! Are you asking me to attack you?! You bastard!" (Momoka)

"Go ahead, what’s the harm? After all, I’m just a rank-one massage therapist. You’ll probably be able to beat me easily, proving your point. Once you do, you’ll be able to brag that you beat a rank-one massage therapist. I’m sure that’ll make your two younger sisters—and even other relatives—proud of you and praise you. Or maybe it won’t turn out the way you think, and you’ll learn a life lesson that, if put to good use, could save your life in the future... Hmm, I wonder what the real scenario would be where you’d ’win.’"

"💢GRRR Damn it all! Why are you so damn annoying and frustrating?! I can’t take this anymore!" (Momoka)

Bang!