NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24 - Episode 24: Oni
Episode 24: Oni
The next day, I lazily lounged around in the morning for the first time in a while. I suppose the completion of business had relaxed me. Around noon, I washed my face and refreshed myself. I made coffee with Kuro and poured it into a flask. I also packed some chocolates and cups and saucers into my bag. I left the rest of my belongings at the front desk and headed to the mercenary agency.
Upon entering the agency, I saw Marie sitting at a corner table with a sharp-eyed, white-haired giant of a man. Despite the usual hustle and bustle in the agency, no one approached that table. Even with just Marie there, the atmosphere was intense, but with the presence of this over 2-meter-tall giant, it felt downright dangerous. Honestly, I didn’t feel like getting close right now.
“Bonus, come here,” Marie called out.
“Uh, yeah… Hello,” I replied nervously.
The big man didn’t change his posture, only looking at me with his eyes. Covered from head to toe in a black robe, he exuded a considerable sense of intimidation. Though his irises were a beautiful ice blue, his gaze was stern, with slightly sunken eyes and furrowed brows. Meeting his eyes, I couldn’t help but flinch at his imposing presence. Even his hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes were pure white. His skin had a grayish-brown hue, which made his white hair stand out even more. Coupled with his blue eyes, he seemed somewhat mysterious. Despite his towering height making it difficult to discern, his face was surprisingly slender and had a somewhat androgynous look to it. Putting all these elements together, he was a handsome man with a stern expression.
“And who’s this?” I asked Marie.
“I don’t know his name,” she replied bluntly.
Seriously? What’s going on here?
“I think he’s from the Oni race. Probably a mountain Oni,” she continued.
“Um, I’m not very knowledgeable… Oni race? Mountain Oni…?”
“The Oni are a skilled warrior race, and the mountain Oni live in the eastern Tamir Mountains. They’re known for… their resilience.”
“Resilience?”
“They heal from injuries quickly. Also… they’re very strong and aggressive. You often see them going on rampages. And… I think they have horns. You occasionally see them among mercenaries around here.”
Even if they’re called aggressive Oni… What do you want me to do about it? They seem different from monsters, but… I can’t really ask about it. He might get angry.
“But this Oni seems to have a rather gentle personality. I don’t think he’ll get angry… probably,” Marie added.
Probably…
It’s hard to judge if he’s gentle just from his appearance. If anything, his gaze is too stern and scary.
Still, Marie’s opinion is somewhat reliable.
But… probably… is scary.
“How about hiring this person for Bonus’ stall?” Marie suggested.
“Huh? Him? Not as a mercenary, but as a stall attendant?” I asked in surprise.
“I think he’s a good person. When I was bothered by troublesome monsters before, he helped me. From what I saw at that time, he’s undoubtedly strong and, above all, calm.”
If Marie thinks he’s strong, it must be something. However, unlike Marie, he looks quite tattered overall. His robe is worn in places and quite dirty. He doesn’t seem to have bathed either. Is he the type who doesn’t care about that? That would be problematic for a food and beverage establishment…
“Since then, every time I see him at Savoia, I’ve been trying to talk to him, but it seems like he hasn’t taken any proper requests. And every time I see him, he seems more rough around the edges…”
In other words, she couldn’t leave him alone. If that’s the case, it might be best for Marie, who seems to have some leeway, to do something about it quickly…
Well, Marie isn’t much of a talker, and she’s not particularly adept at managing relationships.
Taking a closer look again… He has a lot of hair, all messy, and he’s so tall I can’t even see his horns.
Hmm, his gaze is certainly sharp, but he doesn’t seem aggressive. Despite looking quite unkempt, with his height and looks, he might attract some women… Could be good for drawing in customers… But if he starts attracting a certain type of clientele… that might take a toll on my sanity.
Anyway, since Marie brought him here, she must have considered his suitability and compatibility with me to some extent.
But I’m anxious about whether I can communicate with him.
Can he not speak, or does he choose not to… Either way, it seems like it could be quite troublesome.
He showed up for the meeting quietly, so he should understand to some extent, but…
Well, even if this big guy sits in the shop, it would provide considerable security.
Hmm, I still can’t quite grasp it.
At times like these… I guess I’ll just try talking.
“I’m Bonus. Bonus. Nice to meet you. And this is Kuro, the imp.”
“Gyau gyau!”
Kuro… it’s good that she’s lively, but she’s facing an oni, is she okay with that?
“……”
He didn’t speak, but he nodded slightly.
It seems like he’s understanding what I’m saying to some extent.
“I’m currently selling coffee and chocolate at the Misharl Market. But doing business alone makes it difficult to ensure safety. So, I’ve been looking for someone to be a bodyguard for a while.”
He’s listening intently, looking at me. Maybe he’s somewhat interested?
“So, when I consulted Marie about it, she introduced you. To be honest, I can’t afford much money, but would you be willing to try it out for a few days?”
“It’s a short time, but Bonus is a good person… I think? If you’re not doing anything right now, it might be good to hire him,” Marie chimed in, offering her support.
But why is she phrasing it as a question…?
While he seems to be listening to my words, there’s no further reaction…
I’m not sure if he understands the words but chooses not to respond, or if he doesn’t fully understand…
What’s going on?
Well, since he doesn’t seem to dislike the proposal, it’s probably a language issue.
He seems to grasp some language, but I’m starting to feel like he doesn’t understand numbers or detailed meanings very well.
At times like these, a non-verbal approach might be more effective.
“Actually, today Marie asked me to bring these items, so if you’d like, you can try them out. — This is chocolate… and this is coffee. The coffee is made for Marie, so it has milk in it and should be easy to drink. Please, have some, Marie.”
“Oh, thank you.”
I set up cups and saucers for myself, Marie, and the big man on the table.
I pour still-warm coffee from the flask and accompany it with chocolate.
“Now, please, give it a try!”
Saying that, I push the chocolate and coffee towards the big man.
At first, he just looked somewhat puzzled, but after a while, he slowly picks up the cup and saucer, brings it to his lips, and takes a sip.
Then, in an instant, he finishes the cafe au lait and throws the chocolate into his mouth.
I catch a glimpse of his fangs.
Ohhh… As expected of an oni.
And even before chewing, his throat moves, and then a tear falls.
Tears?
“Was it that delicious?”
“……”
He’s nodding, but crying over something as simple as delicious chocolate seems unlikely… His gaze seems to have softened slightly, though.
“Um, if you’d like, have another piece of chocolate.”
“Give me one too.”
“Sure, here you go!”
I hand them both slightly larger pieces intended for private use.
Marie happily munches on her chocolate, looking content. The oni man, as before, quickly devours his portion. His expression seems calmer than before.
…Maybe he’s just extremely hungry.
Meanwhile, Marie seems to have finished her work and is leisurely enjoying her coffee. She’s quite laid-back, isn’t she?
“If you work here, I’ll prepare your meals. It’ll mostly be self-cooked, and it won’t be particularly delicious, but you’ll be able to eat plenty,” I offer.
Suddenly, the man leans in close. The pressure is so intense I feel weak, but I manage to hold my ground. Marie is enjoying her chocolate without a care in the world… It’s probably safe.
I thought his hand looked surprisingly slender and clean, but when we shook hands, I felt an inexplicable fear. It was just a gentle handshake, but it felt like sticking my head into the mouth of a fierce beast. I sensed a strength beyond ordinary biology.
“R-Right. Nice to meet you? …So, you’ll become an employee?”
“……”
Well, it seems so. Maybe he was just really hungry after all.
But this is bad… I casually ended up inviting him to be an employee.
I wonder if I’ve inadvertently offended him and if he might whimsically decide to tear me apart.
But seeing how he’s been hungry all this time and hasn’t gone on a rampage, maybe he really does have a gentle personality.
“Have you settled the matter?” Marie asks, looking satisfied after thoroughly enjoying her coffee and chocolate.
Somehow, it feels like everything went according to Marie’s plan.
She must have really good instincts. She knows intuitively who to talk to, what to say, and when, without calculating.
Anyway, I’ve come this far, so there’s no turning back now.
I brace myself and prepare to work with this oni somehow.
“Oh, it seems like you’ll be working as an employee for now. We haven’t decided on the details yet…”
“That’s good to hear. When the shop reopens, please pass on my message. Well then, see you both later.”
With that, Marie stands up as if her business is concluded and leaves the mediation office without stopping.
Suddenly, it’s just the two of us left behind.
How should I behave from now on…?
…Well, I can’t worry about that now.
“So, what should I call you?”
“……?”
“Well then… Let’s go with Shiro for now, is that okay?”
“……”
He’s nodding, but it’s unclear if he understands.
Well, I’ll just have to keep pushing the conversation forward even if it’s difficult.
“All right, Shiro, I’m starting to get hungry, so let’s go back to the inn and make lunch. We can talk while we work and eat.”
“……”
“Gyau gyau!”
“Do you have any luggage to check in?”
“……”
“Gyau gyau”
He just keeps staring at me without any response.
What a situation…
Come to think of it, none of my companions can speak properly…