Mayor Hagino said that the details of the job would be formalized at another date. He leaned back into the sofa and exhaled loudly.
「With this, the original major objective has been achieved. What’s next is the issue of Eru-san’s guardianship and wellbeing.」
As the Mayor says, Eru’s outward appearance is not much different from high schoolers such as Yasutaka and his friends. They never learned Eru’s actual age till now; the three had just assumed she was the same age as them.
「Since Eru-san does not look like an adult, a guardian, or rather, a guarantor would be necessary, even if it’s just a front. Now, at first I planned on becoming her guarantor, but……」
For some reason, Mayor Hagino looked at Yasutaka with somewhat discerning eyes.
「I have mentioned this a while ago, but Eru-san might contract different diseases in the future. For that reason, a trustworthy and tight-lipped doctor is absolutely necessary. Therefore, I contacted a certain female doctor…… a former doctor, to be precise. Of course, I have made her swear to secrecy on matters concerning Eru-san’s situation and explained it to her.」
The Mayor’s gaze was still fixed on Yasutaka. At this time, Yasutaka realized who the Mayor got in contact with.
「And then, that female former doctor and her husband suggested that they take responsibility not just for Eru-san’s wellbeing, but be her guarantor as well…… After all, it was a request from both of them.」
「O, Ojisan…… y, you can’t mean……」
Yasutaka turned pale.
Truth be told, in the unlikely event that Eru does falls ill, Yasutaka had in mind only one doctor he could rely on. But, if he could, he would only rely on that doctor as a last resort.
「Yes. They are currently waiting in a separate room. Let us have them come here immediately.」
The Mayor took out out a cellphone from his pocket and made a phone call to somewhere.
The other party answered immediately; The Mayor informed them curtly and hung up shortly after.
Before long, approaching footsteps could be heard. Those footsteps stopped in front of this room, the Mayor’s room, and the sounds of knocking resounded on the door.
For Yasutaka, that sound was like the toll of bells heralding the end of the world.
「Yasutaka-san? What’s the matter?」
Noticing that Yasutaka looked pale, Eru called out to him, but the person in question did not hear her.
He was looking around, frantically searching for a place to hide. But the Mayor’s room had neither a place to hide nor an escape route.
By the time Yasutaka realized he could neither run nor hide, the door to the Mayor’s room opened. And beyond it were the two people Yasutaka had deduced.
A man and a woman who seemed to be of the same age as Mayor Hagino. The two bowed to Mayor Hagino.
「O, Oyaji…… Ofukuro……」[2]
Right. They were, without a doubt, Yasutaka’s parents.
「It’s been a while, Yuuji. Kaori-san, you, above all, seem to be doing well.」
「Yeah, you’re the same as ever too, Kouichi. Your mischievous side hasn’t changed at all since we were kids.」
「We’re on the same boat, aren’t we?」
While firmly holding each other’s right hand, the two close friends laughed.
Like their sons, they too were childhood friends, and that friendship continues even now. Reasonably, with their work and having families, the chances to meet have diminished from the time they were in school.
「I’m sorry, Hagino-kun. It seems our son has caused you some trouble.」
「That’s not true, Kaori-san. Thanks to Yasutaka-kun, our town has secured a rare existence, namely Eru-san.」
「Yeah, that’s right. That is the main goal.」
Yasutaka’s father, Akatsuka Yuuji, glared at Yasutaka.
「Hiii……………!!」
Screaming soundlessly, Yasutaka was ready to run. Not minding Yasutaka’s state, the superior one walked up to his son, and swung his fist downward and onto his son’s head.
「Agu……!!」
Yasutaka reflexively crouched and held the crown of his head.
「Yasutaka…… I am ashamed……」
「O, Oyaji……?」
While bearing with the pain, Yasutaka looked up at his father, rather than angry, like he said, he had an expression of shame as he looked down at his son.
「Kaori and I…… are your parents really that unreliable? Why didn’t you first consult with us when you sheltered Eru-san?」
「N, no, that is……」
He simply couldn’t say it.
It’s just part of the development, but what kind of face would his parents make if he told them that he sheltered and is now living with a girl around the same age.
At least, it was not possible for Yasutaka to say. It was too embarrassing.
And that was also the reason he was only relying on his mother, a former doctor, as a last resort if Eru ever gets sick.
Yuuji stretched out his hand towards Yasutaka, who was still crouched on the floor, and pulled him up.
「I heard the situation from Kouichi. I was confused as it was incredulous hearing such things like how she came from a different world, or that she is an elf, or that she is a non-human existence. But I know you are a splendid person who helps others; You haven’t done anything that you can’t tell other people, right? If so, then inform us proudly. We are your parents. No matter what it is, we believe you and will support you.」
「Oyaji…… un, you’re right. I wish I informed you guys right from the start. Sorry.」
The father ruffled his son’s head a bit roughly, smiling macholy.
Concurrently, while the father and son were having a talk, it seems there were talks on the other side too.
「You are Eru-san, correct? Uwah, you are more beautiful than I thought. For such a beautiful girl to become our daughter…… we have another daughter but she’s married now so it’s a bit lonely. That is why I’m happy to have a new daughter. You know, since I am a girl, I would help you unconditionally so he must take after his father, that son of ours……」
Incidentally, Yasutaka’s father, Yuuji, is a high school teacher; His mother, Kaori, is a doctor of internal medicine at a certain local hospital.
His father’s new job at another prefecture was decided the spring of this year, and his mother went with his father because he had no houseworking abilities at all.
His mother, Kaori, too. Having been sexually harassed by the director of her workplace, she used this opportunity to quit and cut ties with her workplace. She went to another prefecture with Yuuji, and is now a fulltime housewife.
「W, wait a minute, obasan. What do you mean by Eru is your new daughter?」
Aoi who was listening in on Kaori and Eru’s conversation ーー also known as Kaori onsidedly talking on and on ーー took notice of a phrase in it that she got curious about.
「The thing is, Aoi-chan. When my husband heard about Eru-san’s story, instead of acting as her guarantor, he said he would rather she become our family’s adopted daughter.」
「Well, that’s how it is. As for the troublesome process for adopting Eru-san as our daughter, we have reliable friends for that.」
「Do you think that just because someone is the mayor, he could do anything? Well, I will cooperate since it’s turned out this way. However, I might have to use a slightly high-handed method. At that time, I implore you not say anything needlessly, yes?」
Mayor Hagino held his right index finger in front of his lips and winked.
Suddenly finding out that Eru will now become a new family member, Yasutaka felt confused.
In the first place, the progress of the talk was too fast so he couldn’t accompany Eru.
Pleasantly watching the two were the Akatsuka couple.
Takashi and Aoi looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders at the prospect of a new addition to the Akatsuka family.
「Somehow, we’ve reached a point where we can calm down…… right?」
「That’s right. Still, Eru becoming the adopted daughter of Yasutaka’s family is fine, but will she become Yasutaka’s oneesan? Or imouto?」
「Now that you mention it, which is it?」
Suddenly remembering something, Takashi and Aoi looked at each other’s faces at the same time.
「H, hey…… I am usually with Eru a lot, but I completely forgot about something till just now……」
「…… what a coincidence. Me too……」
It seems the two’s exchange was heard. Yasutaka asked Eru directly.
「Hey, Eru. How old are you now?」
「Me? I am 152 years old now?」
「……………………………………eh?」
「The age to acknowledge an elf as an adult is different in every clan, but the Zaphyra clan that I belong to has a 600 to 700 year life expectancy so one is treated as an adult at the age of 150 years old. Therefore, I left my hometown when I passed 150 years old and became an adventurer.」
Yasutaka involuntarily stood stock still, dumbfounded by Eru’s words. Naturally, since the others couldn’t understand Eru’s dialect, they aimed their questions at Yasutaka.
Thus hearing Eru’s age from, the adults spontaneously froze.
「…… makes sense. Elves being a long-lived race is often the pattern.」
「That’s true, isn’t it. I completely forgot too…… but from what Eru said, the Zaphyra clan has about ten times the lifespan of a human.」
Though Takashi and Aoi only had a certain amount of knowledge regarding elves, they had looks of understanding and were nodding repeatedly.
「By the way, Kouichi.」
「What is it, Yuuji?」
While watching the children get excited about the elves’ lifespan, Yuuji shamelessly questioned his old friend.
「Eru-san’s identity, it’s namely the family registry and certificate of residence, right? Would you really be able to manage it?」
「Yeah, I believe it won’t be too much trouble.」
Asked by his old friend “What do you mean?” with just a gaze, Nisshin City’s current mayor smiled like a mischievous brat who’s prank was successful.
「There are plenty of cases where local yurukyara and stray wild animals are given certificates of residency. That being the case, don’t you think there would be no problem issuing a certificate of residency to Elf-san who’s settled in our city?」
Footnotes:
Imejikyara – Image Character, Moekyara – Moe Character, Yurukyara – Mascot representing either a city, a specialty, or a company. Oyaji / Tousan / Otousan / Chichiue – Father. Ofukuro / Okaasan / Hahaue – Mother. Oneesan – older sister. Imouto – younger sister. Obasan – Aunt or something a younger person calls an older lady. Ojisan – Uncle or something a younger person calls an older man.
Mayor Hagino said that the details of the job would be formalized at another date. He leaned back into the sofa and exhaled loudly.
「With this, the original major objective has been achieved. What’s next is the issue of Eru-san’s guardianship and wellbeing.」
As the Mayor says, Eru’s outward appearance is not much different from high schoolers such as Yasutaka and his friends. They never learned Eru’s actual age till now; the three had just assumed she was the same age as them.
「Since Eru-san does not look like an adult, a guardian, or rather, a guarantor would be necessary, even if it’s just a front. Now, at first I planned on becoming her guarantor, but……」
For some reason, Mayor Hagino looked at Yasutaka with somewhat discerning eyes.
「I have mentioned this a while ago, but Eru-san might contract different diseases in the future. For that reason, a trustworthy and tight-lipped doctor is absolutely necessary. Therefore, I contacted a certain female doctor…… a former doctor, to be precise. Of course, I have made her swear to secrecy on matters concerning Eru-san’s situation and explained it to her.」
The Mayor’s gaze was still fixed on Yasutaka. At this time, Yasutaka realized who the Mayor got in contact with.
「And then, that female former doctor and her husband suggested that they take responsibility not just for Eru-san’s wellbeing, but be her guarantor as well…… After all, it was a request from both of them.」
「O, Ojisan…… y, you can’t mean……」
Yasutaka turned pale.
Truth be told, in the unlikely event that Eru does falls ill, Yasutaka had in mind only one doctor he could rely on. But, if he could, he would only rely on that doctor as a last resort.
「Yes. They are currently waiting in a separate room. Let us have them come here immediately.」
The Mayor took out out a cellphone from his pocket and made a phone call to somewhere.
The other party answered immediately; The Mayor informed them curtly and hung up shortly after.
Before long, approaching footsteps could be heard. Those footsteps stopped in front of this room, the Mayor’s room, and the sounds of knocking resounded on the door.
For Yasutaka, that sound was like the toll of bells heralding the end of the world.
「Yasutaka-san? What’s the matter?」
Noticing that Yasutaka looked pale, Eru called out to him, but the person in question did not hear her.
He was looking around, frantically searching for a place to hide. But the Mayor’s room had neither a place to hide nor an escape route.
By the time Yasutaka realized he could neither run nor hide, the door to the Mayor’s room opened. And beyond it were the two people Yasutaka had deduced.
A man and a woman who seemed to be of the same age as Mayor Hagino. The two bowed to Mayor Hagino.
「O, Oyaji…… Ofukuro……」[2]
Right. They were, without a doubt, Yasutaka’s parents.
「It’s been a while, Yuuji. Kaori-san, you, above all, seem to be doing well.」
「Yeah, you’re the same as ever too, Kouichi. Your mischievous side hasn’t changed at all since we were kids.」
「We’re on the same boat, aren’t we?」
While firmly holding each other’s right hand, the two close friends laughed.
Like their sons, they too were childhood friends, and that friendship continues even now. Reasonably, with their work and having families, the chances to meet have diminished from the time they were in school.
「I’m sorry, Hagino-kun. It seems our son has caused you some trouble.」
「That’s not true, Kaori-san. Thanks to Yasutaka-kun, our town has secured a rare existence, namely Eru-san.」
「Yeah, that’s right. That is the main goal.」
Yasutaka’s father, Akatsuka Yuuji, glared at Yasutaka.
「Hiii……………!!」
Screaming soundlessly, Yasutaka was ready to run. Not minding Yasutaka’s state, the superior one walked up to his son, and swung his fist downward and onto his son’s head.
「Agu……!!」
Yasutaka reflexively crouched and held the crown of his head.
「Yasutaka…… I am ashamed……」
「O, Oyaji……?」
While bearing with the pain, Yasutaka looked up at his father, rather than angry, like he said, he had an expression of shame as he looked down at his son.
「Kaori and I…… are your parents really that unreliable? Why didn’t you first consult with us when you sheltered Eru-san?」
「N, no, that is……」
He simply couldn’t say it.
It’s just part of the development, but what kind of face would his parents make if he told them that he sheltered and is now living with a girl around the same age.
At least, it was not possible for Yasutaka to say. It was too embarrassing.
And that was also the reason he was only relying on his mother, a former doctor, as a last resort if Eru ever gets sick.
Yuuji stretched out his hand towards Yasutaka, who was still crouched on the floor, and pulled him up.
「I heard the situation from Kouichi. I was confused as it was incredulous hearing such things like how she came from a different world, or that she is an elf, or that she is a non-human existence. But I know you are a splendid person who helps others; You haven’t done anything that you can’t tell other people, right? If so, then inform us proudly. We are your parents. No matter what it is, we believe you and will support you.」
「Oyaji…… un, you’re right. I wish I informed you guys right from the start. Sorry.」
The father ruffled his son’s head a bit roughly, smiling macholy.
Concurrently, while the father and son were having a talk, it seems there were talks on the other side too.
「You are Eru-san, correct? Uwah, you are more beautiful than I thought. For such a beautiful girl to become our daughter…… we have another daughter but she’s married now so it’s a bit lonely. That is why I’m happy to have a new daughter. You know, since I am a girl, I would help you unconditionally so he must take after his father, that son of ours……」
Incidentally, Yasutaka’s father, Yuuji, is a high school teacher; His mother, Kaori, is a doctor of internal medicine at a certain local hospital.
His father’s new job at another prefecture was decided the spring of this year, and his mother went with his father because he had no houseworking abilities at all.
His mother, Kaori, too. Having been sexually harassed by the director of her workplace, she used this opportunity to quit and cut ties with her workplace. She went to another prefecture with Yuuji, and is now a fulltime housewife.
「W, wait a minute, obasan. What do you mean by Eru is your new daughter?」
Aoi who was listening in on Kaori and Eru’s conversation ーー also known as Kaori onsidedly talking on and on ーー took notice of a phrase in it that she got curious about.
「The thing is, Aoi-chan. When my husband heard about Eru-san’s story, instead of acting as her guarantor, he said he would rather she become our family’s adopted daughter.」
「Well, that’s how it is. As for the troublesome process for adopting Eru-san as our daughter, we have reliable friends for that.」
「Do you think that just because someone is the mayor, he could do anything? Well, I will cooperate since it’s turned out this way. However, I might have to use a slightly high-handed method. At that time, I implore you not say anything needlessly, yes?」
Mayor Hagino held his right index finger in front of his lips and winked.
Suddenly finding out that Eru will now become a new family member, Yasutaka felt confused.
In the first place, the progress of the talk was too fast so he couldn’t accompany Eru.
Pleasantly watching the two were the Akatsuka couple.
Takashi and Aoi looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders at the prospect of a new addition to the Akatsuka family.
「Somehow, we’ve reached a point where we can calm down…… right?」
「That’s right. Still, Eru becoming the adopted daughter of Yasutaka’s family is fine, but will she become Yasutaka’s oneesan? Or imouto?」
「Now that you mention it, which is it?」
Suddenly remembering something, Takashi and Aoi looked at each other’s faces at the same time.
「H, hey…… I am usually with Eru a lot, but I completely forgot about something till just now……」
「…… what a coincidence. Me too……」
It seems the two’s exchange was heard. Yasutaka asked Eru directly.
「Hey, Eru. How old are you now?」
「Me? I am 152 years old now?」
「……………………………………eh?」
「The age to acknowledge an elf as an adult is different in every clan, but the Zaphyra clan that I belong to has a 600 to 700 year life expectancy so one is treated as an adult at the age of 150 years old. Therefore, I left my hometown when I passed 150 years old and became an adventurer.」
Yasutaka involuntarily stood stock still, dumbfounded by Eru’s words. Naturally, since the others couldn’t understand Eru’s dialect, they aimed their questions at Yasutaka.
Thus hearing Eru’s age from, the adults spontaneously froze.
「…… makes sense. Elves being a long-lived race is often the pattern.」
「That’s true, isn’t it. I completely forgot too…… but from what Eru said, the Zaphyra clan has about ten times the lifespan of a human.」
Though Takashi and Aoi only had a certain amount of knowledge regarding elves, they had looks of understanding and were nodding repeatedly.
「By the way, Kouichi.」
「What is it, Yuuji?」
While watching the children get excited about the elves’ lifespan, Yuuji shamelessly questioned his old friend.
「Eru-san’s identity, it’s namely the family registry and certificate of residence, right? Would you really be able to manage it?」
「Yeah, I believe it won’t be too much trouble.」
Asked by his old friend “What do you mean?” with just a gaze, Nisshin City’s current mayor smiled like a mischievous brat who’s prank was successful.
「There are plenty of cases where local yurukyara and stray wild animals are given certificates of residency. That being the case, don’t you think there would be no problem issuing a certificate of residency to Elf-san who’s settled in our city?」
Footnotes:
Imejikyara – Image Character, Moekyara – Moe Character, Yurukyara – Mascot representing either a city, a specialty, or a company. Oyaji / Tousan / Otousan / Chichiue – Father. Ofukuro / Okaasan / Hahaue – Mother. Oneesan – older sister. Imouto – younger sister. Obasan – Aunt or something a younger person calls an older lady. Ojisan – Uncle or something a younger person calls an older man.