Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!!

Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! extra 33

Shinigami and Her Older Brother

“Aah… Tired.”

The Medicine Witch’s house.
When I flopped on the table and grumbled, Granny said with an amazed face.

“What are you doing in somebody’s house?”
“Nn? Aah, I have time off.”

Today Princess will spend the whole day with her ridiculously strong fiancé.
Not wanting to see that, I ran away to Granny’s house.

“After all, those two flirt all the time when they are together, so I don’t know where to look…”
“Aah… Indeed. Well, they’re like newlyweds, so it can’t be helped.”
“They haven’t married yet, so what’s with newlyweds?”
“It’s similar.”
“I guess.”

Recalling Princess’s state, I deeply nodded. Certainly. If not newlyweds, what else would you call them?
But――.

“I have a feeling they won’t change much after they stop being newlyweds…”
“You shouldn’t think about it deeply.”

When I muttered my worries, Granny returned words that were almost an affirmation.
Then while laughing, she threw something at me.

“There.”
“Eh!? Wah… Safe.”

Although I was about to drop it, I somehow caught it. It was a tiny vial with a green liquid inside. When I shook it, it made a heavy sound.

“What’s this?”
“I got it for you. You’re bored, right? Try drinking it.”
“… I’m not really desperate.”
“What do you mean?”

Granny lifted her eyebrows with a twitch, but I didn’t mean anything unreasonable.

“After all, Granny, your medicine is unbelievably awful. I’m not so bored as to specially drink it… Or rather, I don’t want to drink it even if I’m bored…”
“Honesty is a virtue, but you shouldn’t be too honest. Well, you never know until you try. Don’t grumble and quickly drink it.”

The last line was incredibly scary.

“… Cruel. Isn’t it almost a threat?”
“Hm? Any complaints?”
“… None.”

Granny’s eyes were serious.
There’s also the fact I feel indebted to her for regularly receiving favors, so I was unable to strongly oppose. I reluctantly opened the vial and, resigned to death, drank its contents.

“Ugh… Guha… Guaaaaa.”

As I thought, the medicine was deathly bad. It wasn’t spicy or sweet. It was just awful.
In a sense, it was harsher than anything before.

“Shit… What? … What Is this? It’s not a drink for humans.”

When my mouth warped in disgust, Granny nodded, “Hum,” while pouring me water.

“It’s a rare medicine that changes eye color. Nobody wants to use it because it tastes too bad. There have been no buyers for decades. It would expire soon, and it would be a waste to throw it away, so I thought of having you drink it. You are resistant to my medicine, so you should be fine.”
“Cruel.”
“You are in fact okay, right?”
“…”

Upon learning that I was used to dispose an unnecessary substance, I flopped on the table. Inside my mouth an inexpressibly bad taste lingered. There was no relief from drinking water. I spontaneously teared up from the insistent taste.

“What, are you crying? How shameful of the Shinigami.”
“Wrong. It’s spontaneous. It’s a mere physiological response… It’s that bad.”

There was no power in my answer. If I could spit it out, I would. When I clutched my stomach, feeling like the badness reached it, Granny handed me a hand-mirror.

“Take a look.”
“? What…?”

Not understanding at all, I received the hand-mirror. When I straightened up and looked into it, reflected in it was me with black eyes.

“… Ha?”
“Hum. It seems to have worked quite well.”
“…”

It felt so out of place my mouth opened agape. The red eyes that had always been avoided by everyone weren’t there, instead common black eyes were reflected. It was too much for my head to process.

“Ha? Huh? What?”
“It’s that kind of medicine, okay? The taste might be lacking, but I’m confident in its effectiveness.”
“Eh? Eh? Eh?”
“The effect lasts for just half a day… Now then, it’d be annoying if you keep idling here forever. Since you have black eyes, nobody will bother you. Go walk around the town.”
“Wait… Granny.”
“Unlike you, I’m busy. Now, go.”
“Wah…”

I got forcibly raised and pushed towards the stairs.
And so, while still not understanding well, I ended up going out to town.

◇◇◇

“Incredible… I can’t calm down at all…”

With my eyes turned black by Granny’s medicine and with nothing else to do, just as I was told I resigned myself and went around the town.
I always walk while casting down my eyes to hide my red eyes, so it felt fresh not having to do that, but I couldn’t calm down at all.
I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable being treated by everyone as the same town resident as them.
I felt I finally understood how the way one is treated changes depending on just eye color.

“Where should I go…?”

Even if I’m told to walk around, there’s no particular place I want to go. By habit I went to the southern town and then spontaneously went to the curry store Princess is the owner of.

“.. I’ve been greatly corrupted…”

What am I doing going to such a place without Princess?
I thought of turning back, but somehow I stopped. I came up with an idea.

“… Should I try eating there once?”

It doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
My red eyes are extremely noticeable. I don’t want to make a commotion, so even if I walk through town, I only buy what’s necessary and don’t interact with anyone. But with today’s black eyes, it should be alright if I eat curry.

“It’s my master’s store… There’s no way I wouldn’t be interested…”

I know Princess would readily make curry if I asked, but I’d feel guilty for taking up my master’s time. I don’t really care, but if I have a chance to eat it, it’s not a bad idea to try it out.

“… Well, it’s a good time-killer.”

I muttered so and obediently stood at the end of the queue.

◇◇◇

“Customer, are you alone?”
“Eh? Ah… Yes.”

While I was obediently standing in the queue, a man who looked like an employee talked to me with a smile.
When I nodded, confused over the situation where I was approached with a smile like an ordinary person, the employee said.

“Excuse me. The inside of the shop is crowded, so we would have to keep you waiting for a long time. Since you are alone… are you alright with sharing a table? If you share a table, I can sit you down immediately.”
“Ah, yeah…”
“Thank you very much. Then I will guide you. Please come inside.”

The employee nodded and guided me ahead of queued people. Nobody said anything. I guess they understood what was going on.
Queued before me were only families, couples, and friends, nobody was alone. I can understand the store’s idea to let people who are alone inside if there are single seats.

“Ooh…”

The store was more jammed with people than I expected. In the kitchen in the back cooks were busily moving around. An employee who cleaned the freed table recognized me and said with a smile.

“Welcome!”
“Welcome!” “Welcome!”

Following the employee, other employees also greeted me altogether. I was surprised by the scene I don’t see often, but it didn’t feel bad. If anything, it somehow felt good to have everyone smile.

“… Hm, so this is Princess’s store.”

The atmosphere in the store was bright and neat. It felt comfortable. Somehow it overlapped with Princess, I thought that the store and owner were similar.
The employee guided me to a two-person table in the back and spoke to a silver-haired man who had been sitting there first.

“Excuse me. May I ask you to share the table?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
“Thank you! Then customer, please sit here.”
“Yeah.”

I sat in front of the silver-haired man and was immediately handed water and menu. However, I had no idea what I should I choose. While I was confused, the man who was eating curry in front of me raised his face and casually spoke to me.

“First time in this store? Want me to recommend something?”
“Eh… No… Eh!?”
“?”

―― I’m good. I was about to answer that, but my words splendidly stopped.
The man in front of me had violet eyes and long silver hair tied at the back. He was casually wearing high-quality clothes. His beauty seemed like it’d attract women’s eyes.
That man’s face was familiar to an unpleasant degree.

―― No way. Why…?

“Nn? Is there something on my face?”
“N-No…”

I couldn’t speak. I had absolutely no idea of what to say.
Really, why is he here?
It’s so unexpected I feel dizzy.
Thinking about his social status or official position, he should definitely be in the Royal Castle.
Curiously tilting his head was Princess’s brother – Alexei von Vivoir.
The Crown Prince’s close aide and the heir to the preeminent ducal house. For some reason, such an important man was sitting in front of me.

◇◇◇

“N-No. I can do it myself…”

I pulled myself together and tried to decline the man’s suggestion, but he took the menu from me and began explaining.

“I recommend the spicy one.”
“N-No, I don’t really…”
“If this is your first time, that’s the most orthodox one… Nn? Are you okay with spicy things?”
“I’m okay with them, but… Not that!”

Please, leave me alone.
It was my sincere wish, but it wasn’t understood by the man in front of me. After listening to my preferences, he got an employee’s attention and began ordering by himself.

“… and, spicy… Oi, I ordered by myself, but it’s fine, right?”
“Yeah…”
“Then, that’s all.”
“Certainly!”

Just in case the man confirmed with me and smiled with satisfaction as he watched the employee leave.
Then he turned a favorable gaze to me.

“My bad. I ordered on my own. Actually, this store is run by my little sister. That’s why I wanted you to eat my top recommendation.”
“I… see…”

How else could I reply?
Feeling incredibly tired, I realized my terrible carelessness.

―― Aah… I absolutely didn’t expect to come into contact with Princess’s brother here.

In the first place, why is the man who has to be working in the castle carefreely having a meal in the curry store. I raised my face and stole a peek at the man.
The man with glittering silver hair and eye-catching beauty was happily eating curry.

“Nn?”
“U-Umm… Thanks.”

I more or less received his help. When I slightly bowed my head according to the manners, the man nodded.

“Yeah. I’d be happy if you liked the taste of this store.”
“Y-Yes. Umm, what was it…? You said it was your little sister’s store…”

I had no other topics, so I brought up Princess, but I shouldn’t have.
Perhaps wanting to talk very much, the man splendidly jumped at the subject.

“That’s right! Surprising, right? Even if I say my little sister, she became an adult last year. How should I say it, she suddenly started doing crazy things, or rather… she’s always leading her surroundings by the nose.”
“I-I see…”

Crazy. When I stopped myself from strongly nodding to that word and only answered to show that I’m listening, the man complained.

“I was really surprised. Just when I thought she was doing something secret, she got a shop behind my and Old Man’s backs. Since long ago, my little sister has had a strange ability to take action …”
“S-Sounds tough…”

As the man frowned while recalling something, I stared off into space, sure that Princess did something.
My master excels at leading her surroundings by the nose… Unconsciously.

“Well, having said that, my little sister is getting married soon, so I’m not worried about that. But, my little sister’s marriage partner… is a man madly in love with her, and he lets her do as she pleases… He’s a great guy… but when my little sister is involved, he becomes an idiot.”
“Idiot…”

This man is quite unusual too to call the Crown Prince of a whole country an idiot.

“Really, he’s too good for my little sister… Why did she catch that man? It really surprised me when she did… Haa…”
“C-Caught him?

I don’t know much regarding that. Since no names had come up, I thought it shouldn’t be a problem and asked for details. The man then leaned forward and said, “Good question.”

“Listen! She caught that man at an evening party…! Unbelievable, right? And who she caught was the best man possible, it’s seriously beyond my comprehension…”
“… Ooh.”

Caught… Is that so, Princess?
I didn’t hear about how things started with the Crown Prince, but apparently Princess caught the Crown Prince in an unusual way.
Somehow, it’s just like Princess…
The man breathed out tiredly.

“The caught man lost his head to her and came to our house. My little sister intended it to be a one-night stand, but the man wouldn’t allow that… Our parents agreed, so in the end it took form of marriage.”

The man paused the story there and then said with a serious face.

“Now they’re flirting so much it’s irritating.”
“…”

I very much wanted to shake his hand with the words, “That’s right! You don’t know where to look!” That feeling spilled into my words.

“… My master is… um, close with her husband too, but… they’re so close it’s troubling, or rather… I wish they’d be mindful of others’ looks, or rather… No, it’s good they’re close, but…”
“What! You too!”
“Ah…”

Damn. I didn’t mean to say it, and yet before I noticed it was too late.
While I felt flustered over my blunder, the man nodded again and again.

“I understand. It’s troubling! I work together with my little sister’s fiancé, so it’s especially tough. Moreover, my little sister’s fiancé is my close friend. The worst thing is I have to watch my little sister and my close friend flirt day after day! Do it without me around!”
“… I understand.”

I didn’t want to, yet I agreed.

“… It’s fine when it’s just flirting. But when they suddenly start doing it during daytime… If possible, I want to be spared it…”

I’m not particularly embarrassed by bedroom matters of men and women. Due to the nature of my job I’d seen such scenes many times, so I don’t feel agitated by them. But it’s different when my master is concerned.
When I think they’re flirting, they naturally continue to a bedroom scene. Recently it happens so often that I keep away from their room.
With a sympathetic face, the man asked.

“For you it’s… master? Well, yeah. It’s similar to my situation. It’s not that bad for me… but I’m tired of them passionately gazing at each other at work.”
“… Aah, um… Wouldn’t it be okay to leave to not disturb them?”

Come to think of it, Princess often goes to the office with the Crown Prince. Of course, it’s on the Crown Prince’s invitation, but I think the man should say something if it gets in the way of work.
But the man feebly shook his head.

“It’s irritating, but when he brings my little sister with him, he goes over documents faster. Enough! Isn’t it wrong!? Does he always cut corners!? The difference in speed is that big.”
“Y-Yeah…”
“Knowing that, it’s hard to tell my little sister to leave… There’s no overtime then, and disregarding my peace of heart, it’s better when she’s there…”

Peace of heart. Isn’t it in a sense the most important?
But for the man, documents processing speed seems to take priority.

“On days he brings her, I can go home on time. Shit! If only that wasn’t the case!”
“Aah… You have it tough…”

I scratched my cheek.
At that moment, curry was served. Saved by curry, I looked at it.

“Thank you for waiting!”

A mysterious dish was placed in front of me. It was a type I don’t see much. Something light brown and thick was poured on top of rice. It was fragrant… but it didn’t look good.
It… didn’t whet my appetite.
While I was unable to hide my confusion, the man talked to me again.

“Oh, it’s here. Oi, oi, don’t make such a displeased face! You never know until you try! Never mind, try eating it.”
“I know.”

It’s a masterpiece my master is proud of. It’s impossible that I wouldn’t eat it. I timidly scooped a spoonful of rice and light brown soup and brought it to my mouth.
The unfamiliar yet refreshing spiciness spread in my mouth.

“Ooh…”

Afterwards, my hand moved spontaneously.
How should I put it, the taste was addicting. Spiciness gathered inside my mouth, but it wasn’t unbearable, on the contrary it stimulated my appetite. It was so delicious I understood the reason behind its popularity.
The man began chattering.

“As for me, I also recommend cutlet curry. It’s a recent dish, but it’s perfect at times when the usual size is not enough. It’s a little expensive, but try it next time if you like.”
“Yeah.”

The man in front of me grinned at my nod. His smile was like sunshine. I can strangely see that he’s Princess’s brother by how he brightens his surroundings.

“It’s delicious, right? Rather, even though she messes up all the time, she really has many talents. I wonder if Freed fell for that gap…”
“…”

Oi, older brother.
Please don’t bring up people’s names.
Even though I made efforts to avoid them, it will come to nothing.
However, the name ‘Freed’ itself is not unusual, so one wouldn’t think of the Crown Prince without knowing the identity of the man in front of me.
Pretending not to hear with all of might, I silently stuffed my cheeks with curry.

◇◇◇

After finishing the curry, I paid and went outside.
I’ve had enough of walking around the town. While I was thinking of going back to Granny soon, for some reason the man was waiting for me outside. He said to me.

“Hey, got time after this?”
“Ha?”

What does he mean by got time? When our eyes silently met, his violet eyes suggestively narrowed.

“No, at first I only wanted to complain, but somehow I felt sympathetic while talking to you, so I wanted to talk more.”
“…”

Of course. I didn’t say it, but we were talking about the same person.
It’s natural that he’d feel sympathetic.
However, I didn’t want to be involved with Princess’s relatives anymore. I decided to refuse and was about to say it, but my arm was seized before that.

“Wah… Oi, what are you doing!?”
“It’s okay, so come!”
“L-Let go!”

The strength of his hand wasn’t high.
It’d be easy to shake him off by force. But this is the middle of town and the other person is my master’s brother. I don’t want to hurt him or make a fuss. Since it couldn’t be helped, I decided to give up.

“… Got it. I’ll keep you company, so let me go.”
“Oh, what? Suddenly you got obedient.”
“I just understood that nothing I said would reach you.”

Haa, when I theatrically sighed, the man smiled happily.
Really, he’s similar to my master. Especially in this…

“I’m Lucas. You?”
“… Cain.”

―― Ain’t that Princess’s and your father’s name?

I endured retorting. And although I was amazed by the man telling a pseudonym with a smile, I gave my name.
I’m only known as ‘Red Shinigami’. The name Cain is only known to a limited number of people. I decided there was no problem telling it.

“Cain, huh. How old are you?”
“… Sixteen.”
“You’re bold for being sixteen!”

It’s none of his business. I got irritated and said sullenly.

“I don’t want to hear it from you.”
“I’m twenty three.”
“… You’re quite childish for it.”
“Haha! You’re unexpectedly cheeky.”

When I looked at Lucas – no, let’s stick to Alex – with astonishment, he finished laughing and said.

“No, it’s fine. There aren’t many people who have talked to me like that recently, so it feels fresh. Aah… It’s nice. After all I need to go to town once in a while. I somehow understand her feelings…”

Her must be about Princess.
But I looked at Alex.
Are people with high status like the heir to the preeminent ducal house or the Crown Prince’s fiancée allowed to carelessly go out to town?
For me the common sense is that nobles live secluded to mansions, so I can’t help but think it’s strange.
From what I can see he has guards, nevertheless I can’t imagine he’s allowed to do it.

―― Well, he’s Princess’s relative.

In the end I gave up on thinking about it deeply.

◇◇◇

“Alright! Let’s go over there next!”
“Please spare me…”

I was made to go to various stores with Alex.

Street stalls, a precious metals store, a money-lending store. When I was taken to a brothel, I seriously wanted to escape, but his escorts were watching. In the end I couldn’t escape and ended up accompanying him to the end.

“Aah, it’s been a while since I’ve had so much fun! Thanks!”
“… You are a noble, right? What about work?”

It’s night already. We took too long to call it a break.
I’m sure work piled up in the Royal Castle. I asked him while thinking so, but Alex said, looking unconcerned.

“I have time off. My boss… or rather, my close friend I talked about before, has things to do today. So I took the afternoon off.”
“Time off… You don’t have time off, right? Rather, you have to do your boss’s part too…”
“… Well, don’t worry about minor details.”

I’m worried. I was incredibly worried, but I wisely held my tongue.
Besides, said Alex in a carefree tone.

“I have work outside. Oh… They finally showed up. Sorry, Cain. I won’t let you get hurt, so just wait there for a while.”
“…”

Together with Alex’s words, vagrant-looking thugs appeared.
Alex called out to men who had been following us ever since the curry store.
Of course I was aware of them… but it appears Alex used me as a decoy.

“… Oi.”
“Sorry. If I’m alone, they won’t come out no matter how long I wait. I got sick of it. I thought it’d be easier if I had someone who seemed like he could become a hostage. Haha. As expected.”
“…”
“It’s my bad. Don’t look at me like that. It’ll be alright. Leave it to me.”

When I scowled at him, he showed an unapologetic smile.
My anger got dampened. Being my master’s relative, I couldn’t get too angry at him to begin with.

“…”

When I silently stepped back, with the words, “I’m saved,” Alex drew the sword that had been hanging at his waist. I was honestly shocked by his behavior. I never would have thought he could use a sword.

“You can use a sword?”
“Well, that’s the common sense of nobility… Oh.”

Metallic sounds resounded. The thugs slashed at him in silence.
The thugs’ movements were amateurish. Guilds seemed unrelated to it. It might be a grudge towards Vivoir house, or towards him personally.
I didn’t feel like exposing my identity either, so I stayed quiet. In the meanwhile, his escorts appeared, and everything was finished just like that.

“―― Lord Alexei. What should we do with these men?”
“For the time being, lock them up in our prison. Afterwards, report to Old Man.”
“Certainly.”

The escorts silently bowed and disappeared with the tied-up thugs.
Alex returned his sword to his waist and, looking back at me, said.

“My bad. I got you involved.”
“… No. I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s not true. Recently, I was being followed all the time. It was irritating. There was no evidence and they wouldn’t attack easily. Cain, it’s thanks to you that we could quickly deal with them. Thanks.”
“I see. Then, I’ll be going.”

I pretended not to notice how the escorts called him ‘Lord Alexei’.
I truly don’t feel like making acquaintance with Princess’s big bro. I thought it’d be sensible to quickly leave, but for some reason my shoulder was grabbed.

“Wait.”
“… What is it?”

There should be no use for me anymore. I thought so, but Alex said with a grin.

“I’ll treat you to something as thanks for tagging along! Since you work, you can drink alcohol, right?”
“I can drink it. No, but I’m thinking of going home.”

An assassin being knocked out by alcohol is out of the question. I’ve trained, so I’m quite confident in my ability to handle it, but that’s not the problem. But Alex’s eyes sparkled happily.

“As I thought! Ain’t it fine? An annoyance has been settled and I don’t have to go back to my workplace today. Let’s go drink!”
“I refuse.”
“Well, it’s decided. I know a good store. It’s cheap, yet you can drink incredibly delicious alcohol there. This way.”
“I said I refuse? Listen to me!”
“Come, let’s drink.”
“Let go――!!”

And so, I was taken a cheap shop and drank heavily.
Alex let me go when the day had already changed.
Seeing me come back in a hurry, Granny laughed like something was strange.

“Ku… Kukuku…”
“Granny. You’ve been watching all the time…”
“Ah, it was quite an interesting show. Shinigami got messed with like that.”
“Shuddup…”

I limply flopped on the table. I wasn’t drunk, but I was extremely tired mentally.

“Ah…”

I casually picked up the hand-mirror I’d left as is. The black eyes gradually turned back red. With an expression of a witch, Granny nodded.

“Hum. Time’s up. You came back at quite a good timing.”
“… I completely forgot.”

Being led by the nose by Princess’s big bro, I couldn’t afford to worry about my eyes at all. While I spaced out, Granny said with a grin.

“Well, isn’t it great that you had fun?”
“Haa? Fun?”

When I raised my face as if I’d heard a joke, Granny tilted her head with, “Wasn’t it?”

“After all, weren’t you especially expressive the whole time you were with that child today? Even if you say it wasn’t fun, no one will believe you.”
“…”

I couldn’t find energy to talk back. I put down the hand mirror and sighed.
Certainly, it might have been a little fun because I don’t usually get to experience such things.
But, however.

“… I don’t want to get involved with such a troublesome man ever again.”
“Ku… Hahahaha.”
“You’re laughing too much… Granny.”
“Sorry. But… Hahaha.”
“… Spare me.”

Honestly speaking, no thanks for the second time.
In a sense, he was more tiring than Princess.
Seeing me frown, Granny again laughed happily in a loud voice.

◇◇◇

Bonus

The next day. A conversation between the older brother and little sister.

“Yesterday, I met a guy in town who I got along with incredibly well. We drank until late at night, I wonder if I can meet him again.”
“Older Brother… What are you doing?”
“No, really, he was a good guy. I said things that completely exposed my identity, but he didn’t press me about it at all.”
“Isn’t it because he didn’t realize? Stop doing dangerous things.”
“Don’t worry, I watch people properly. I can tell by looking whether someone realizes it or not. He noticed yet kept silent. It’s been a while since I’ve met such a good man.”
“Ooh, it’s something to be praised by you, Older Brother. What sort of person was he?”
“A man with black eyes and curly hair, and incredible guts. I met him at your curry store. Damn it. Since he noticed anyway, I should’ve given him my name instead of a pseudonym. No, I wonder if he used a pseudonym too. He might have.”
“Pseudonym… Older Brother, no way you still introduce yourself as Lucas, right?”
“Yeah. It’s troublesome thinking of another one.”
“… You never learn. Don’t blame me if Father scolds you. But, he’s an unusual person to normally hang out with you despite knowing who you are, Older Brother. I want to meet him too.”
“Stop. Freed will be pointlessly jealous.”
“… Too bad.”
“Oh, you are aware.”
“After all, we’re talking about Freed. I’m happy he’s jealous, but it’d cause trouble for that person, right? Yup, I’ll stop.”
“You better do… He said his name was Cain. Aaah. I wonder if we can meet if I go out to town again. I want to become friends with him. I wonder if he would agree despite me being a son of a ducal house.”
“Eh?”
“Nn?”
“No, it’s nothing. (Brother said his eyes were black, so I’m sure it’s another person.)”