I said I wanted Maki as my exclusive half joking, and half seriously, but I didn’t expect her to be onboard with that idea.
Well, it does make me kind of happy, but I can’t help but wonder.
“There’s a lot I want to check, but is that even possible? I already got a letter of introduction from Aki, so I already have an exclusive.”
“Y-yes, it is possible, it just comes with conditions. Firstly, if an adventurer already has an exclusive, the receptionist can’t be the one to propose it. It’s like the opposite of the first time, the adventurer has to propose it directly. Otherwise, receptionists would rack up all adventurers that looked promising.
“Ah, you’re right… Without limitations, it would be tough for top adventurers.”
I’ve heard on the news that high level adventurers here in Japan have exclusives that are like partners, but I’ve never heard of any of them having more than one. I’m sure there are though.
Under the letter of introduction system, there must be a lot of receptionists who want to become exclusives of adventurers that earn a lot of money, but they’re prohibited from enticing ones that already have exclusives. So I guess employees of the association don’t cause sights like the one I saw outside.
I was never really interested in this sort of thing, but I guess the world out here is tough for the association and adventurers alike.
“But are you sure about this? We just met yesterday.”
“…I’ll be honest, I said that as a joke. But if it’s possible, please make it so. It looks like you really do have trouble with stuff like what I saw at the counter, and since I’m going to stay here in this branch, I want you to be the one to handle my business. As an actual exclusive, not a proxy.
So if you don’t have a problem with it, let’s do it.”
Being welcomed and seen off by such a beautiful girl every time I come here is going to fill me with motivation. I hunted slime for years, betting on a slim chance, but now I want the results of that effort.
I’m sure I’ll be working mostly in this dungeon from now on. If Maki becomes someone else’s exclusive in the meantime, she’s going to prioritize them rather than being a proxy.
Imagining that kind of annoys me, and it tickles me to think about having to deal with a complete stranger instead of her.
“…All right. If I’m going to be someone’s exclusive, I think it’s nice that it’s someone like you.”
“Maki…”
Hn…? Ah, oh no.
I’m getting nervous because all of this sounds like a confession.
Her face is a little red too, so I guess I’m not the only one thinking that. And we both turn away.
“W-well then, that clears the first step towards me becoming your exclusive. Excuse me.”
She says as she pulls out a smartphone from her pocket and makes a phone call.
I hear it ringing a few times, in this awkward atmosphere, until there’s a voice from the other side.
“Hello, it’s your big sister here. What’s wrong? You never call me during work hours. Not that I have any work to do, nyahaha!”
Sounds like the same old Aki.
So she’s like this with her sister too…
“Hum, Aki, Shouta is right here next to me.”
“Oh? Shouta’s there? What, do you want my Maki? Hm…”
“Hey, Aki!?”
“I’m calling about something serious.”
Says Maki to Aki’s seemingly usual teasing.
And Maki completely glosses over it like she’s used to it.
“Yes yes, sorry.”
“Shouta says he wants me to be his exclusive.”
“Eh? Oh? Seriously? A second exclusive is super rare. And if you’re calling me, that means you’re okay with it. Fine then, I don’t mind the two of us together! But that Shouta sure works fast with women uh? I didn’t expect that from him. Your big sister here is sad…”
“Uguh.”
“Thank you. See you later.”
“Eh? Wai…”
Maki then casually ends the call.
She’s always polite and kind, but it looks like she’s rougher with Aki…
“The first exclusive has authorized it. The most important thing now is to decide the distribution between the two of us, but leave that for me and my sister. Lastly, we need permission from the branch manager.”
“Ah, yes.”
Says Maki as she reaches over to the business phone. But just as she does, there’s a knock on the door. And it’s from the back door, that’s usually not used. Is that for employees only?
“I heard it. Can I come in?”
“Eh? Y-yes!”
Maki gets flustered and tells someone to come in, who turns out to be a beautiful woman in her thirties with long black hair. Her sharp suit gives off the impression of a career woman. Is she the branch manager?
Wait, I remember seeing that figure and face before. But where… My eyes turn to Maki, and back to the branch manager…
…They’re so similar!
“E-excuse me branch manager, are you Maki and Aki’s big sister?”
“Oh my.”
“Sorry Shouta, but this is our mother…”
“M-mother!?”
And apparently their mother is actually as young as she looks.
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just a note, the next chapter seems to be out on Novel updates, but Next chapter is not working on this page at this time.
We got ourselves a bowl of chicken and eggs boys!