"Is the ratio from last time okay?"
"...If it's okay, I won't say anything."
"I don't mind."
The two of them looked shocked at my words and looked to the side.
There, I saw Croana drinking fruit juice with relish.
Apparently it's break time, and they're taking a break at the table where we're sitting.
Croana noticed the gazes of the two, laughed happily and began to speak.
"I never thought the day would come when I would take such action. I guess I still have a long way to go."
"...Chairman, I'm not sure how to respond."
"Chairman Croana, thank you for the underwear."
Marika said this and stood up from her seat and bowed her head.
Croana-san smiled wryly, shook her head, and put her hand up to stop him.
After confirming that Marika was sitting down, she glanced at me sideways and said.
"That incident didn't just help Reid's year, it helped the entire school. As you know, there are a lot of women at the school. If anyone's going to say thanks, it should be me."
"That's certainly true. There are survey results that show that the ratio of men to women in the world is equal, but..."
"That should be the case based on last year's results, but for some reason there are a lot of female students... Perhaps this year's results will be different."
"Well, that means Marika will be busy."
Marika gave a wry smile at my words, while Erika gave me a disdainful look.
I can hear Croana-san beside me giggling.
No, but Erika's funds will increase and, depending on how she manages them, she will have more connections.
I don't think it's so bad that people are looking at me with such disapproving looks...
Perhaps realizing what I was thinking from my expression, Erika let out a small sigh.
...It's not good to sigh at such a young age, you know?
"Reid-san, I know this may sound like it's none of your business, but... if anything ever happens, I'd appreciate your help, okay?"
"...Hmm, that's fine. I think I'm probably not the only one who can lend me their strength."
"...Huh?"
I couldn't help but laugh at Erika's dumbfounded expression.
Although she usually behaves like a model noble lady, the reactions she shows from time to time are incredibly amusing.
I raised my head and looked at the second floor, which overlooked the first floor.
Then my eyes met with a female adventurer.
Her name is Satur, and she is the leader of a female adventurer party.
All three of the party members have large breasts; not quite melon-sized, but about the size of a grapefruit.
When Satur's eyes met mine, she gave a wry smile and waved her hand.
Following my gaze, Erika also looks upstairs and waves her hands in confusion.
...Hey, aren't you guys cute?
Turning his face back to Erika, he spoke as if to say, "Did I show you the answer?"
"That's it."
"...I'm sorry, but I don't really understand this time."
"I see, it certainly seems like Reid isn't the only one who can help us."
Croana-san looks around, nods in understanding, and speaks to Erica.
Marika seemed to have some understanding of the customers, as she bowed slightly to the female and male adventurers around her.
Seeing Marika like that, Erika put her hand to her forehead and muttered as if she finally understood.
"That's an incredible power..."
"Well, the adventurers gathered here are all oddballs. It's an incredible power."
"...Is there no option to ignore it?"
"I've made it so that it responds to any voices it hears."
"Oh," Erika finally smiles in a troubled tone.
That's right, women look more beautiful when they smile, right?
Erika and Marika returned home around 9 p.m., and Croana helped out until midnight.
Tomorrow is a holiday, so they'll be open until midnight.
He's currently sitting in the chair next to me, drinking the fruit juice water that Nimi had made for him.
Nimi and the other two are helping with the tidying up.
After taking a breather, Croana-san began to speak.
"Are you surprised?"
"...That was quite a surprise."
"...Hey, I'm over 120 years old."
"yes"
"I've never had a romantic relationship because I was told I was ugly."
"..."
"...Really"
Croana-san looks up at me, her cheeks slightly red with a sad look on her face.
She exudes the aura of a mature woman that belies her small appearance, and stares at me with serious eyes.
There was a short pause, and then he spoke again.
"...Do you really love me...?"
"I'm joking, I don't say things like that."
I stood up and knelt on one knee in front of Croana-san.
Then he places the cup on the table, gently holds her small hand, and speaks seriously.
Anyway, who was the one who said it was ugly...?
"Croana-san... from now on, please never call yourself ugly again."
"...I told you to call me Croana, right?"
"I think Croana is beautiful and cute... but I already has two lovers..."
"I have received permission from Lady Nimi and Felica."
Croana looks behind me.
I turned my head and saw Nimi standing there, smiling gently.
Nimi nodded, and I turned to Croana, looked her in the eye, and told her.
"I want you to be my lover"
"...I'm so happy, having a lover...it makes me so happy."
Croana was beautiful as she shed tears while smiling happily.
How hurt she was, and how many years she had been alone.
...I feel like killing the person who called her ugly.
I held her hand until the tears stopped.
After closing the bar, Nimi went home and the two maids went home.
I'm outside to see Croana off.
It's sad that when there's a 40cm height difference, it feels like you're looking down on the other person.
Croana smiled happily like a young girl and gestured to squat down.
Without questioning, she got down on one knee and her small lips touched mine.
We just kissed, and then she hugged me around the neck, so I hugged her back.
If I used too much force, I would probably get crushed, so I hugged her small body gently but firmly.
She giggles happily and whispers in my ear.
"I'll be waiting for you in the chairman's office tomorrow."
Before I could reply, I was given another quick kiss as we separated.
Then she left me, floated into the air with magic, and flew in the direction of the school.
...her face was bright red.
Was there even magic to fly in the first place?
I remember Croana's girlish, happy smile, and I can't count how many times I've thought about it today, but I feel murderous towards the person who called her ugly.
I sighed to calm myself down and went into my house where Nimi was waiting for me.