Chapter 7 – The Red-haired Beauty (Part 2)
Inside the pale light, Estella was smiling fearlessly. The light weakened after a while before eventually disappeared. There, Estella was still in her human figure.
“Have there been cases of the Judgment of Spirits mistrials before?” (Yashiro)
“I’m a girl! It’s proof that I’m not telling lies!” (Estella)
“Yashiro-san, there’s no room for feelings and emotions in Judgement of the Spirit, so there can be no mistrial.” (Ginette)
Is that so? This means she really is a girl….
Thinking so, I turned her line of sight at Estella again.
Her face is indeed androgynous, but if I look more carefully, her face is more on the beautiful side. Her slender arms and long legs make her figure looks even more feminine. The problem is her chest. I mistook her as a man because of her flat chest….
“In this case, the fault lies on me and your chest. It’s 50:50.” (Yashiro)
“If I bring this case to the court, I’m sure it will be 100% my win!” (Estella)
The blue vein popped out on Estella’s forehead.
Even so, this girl is quite something. If it’s an ordinary girl, I would have been slapped once or twice already. Good manners and good language…. is she someone from a rich family? Speaking of which, her clothes looks like a high quality stuff.
“You’re using ‘boku‘ to refer yourself. Is this something related to your family situation?” (Yashiro)
“Hmm?” (Estella)
“I figured that you were speaking and dressed like a man because you didn’t want to be seen as a girl. But well, it doesn’t seem you want to hide your gender in particular though.” (Yashiro)
“Why did you think so?” (Estella)
“Why? I mean, anywhere, the rich families got a lot of complicated issue on their table.” (Yashiro)
“Hee……..” (Estella)
The number of words were reduced. Touched her chin, Estella was staring at me wordlessly.
Hmm, I guess I still can’t see her as a girl. I’m not feel excitement even when she’s staring at me like now. Instead, “What are you looking at, punk?” — I have that kind of feeling.
“Your head is sharp.” (Estella)
“Who are you calling a dangerous creature with sharp head!?” (Yashiro)
“I didn’t say that. I just praised you, but now I’m regretting it already.” (Estella)
Estella let out a sigh. She then stared at me with a sharp look different from before.
W-What? Do you want to fight?
“I’m sorry, Ginette-chan. May I borrow Yashiro-kun a little?” (Estella)
“Eh? Yes, I’m almost done here.” (Ginette)
“Thank you very much.” (Estella)
Having said that, Estella grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the kitchen.
“Oi, what do you want?” (Yashiro)
“Just come with me!” (Estella)
Do you want to invite me to fight outside? I’ll tell you this in advance, but I have no confidence in fistfight. If you let me be the only one who holds a weapon, I can make it a draw at least.
“I have something to talk.” (Estella)
“Do it here!” (Yashiro)
“There’s Ginette here, so….” (Estella)
“…….. is it an erotic talk?” (Yashiro)
“Why is that!?” (Estella)
“I mean, the topic that can’t be talked in front of the girls is only that.” (Yashiro)
“I’m also a girl!” (Estella)
“Judgement of the Spirit!” (Yashiro)
“This guy, I’m seriously going to punch you….” (Estella)
Estella who shined clenched her fist, hooked my neck with her arm, and locked it between her armpit. I was forcibly dragged out of the kitchen.
Strong! This power! This chick is stronger than me!
Ouch! My head is locked under a girl’s armpit, so why can’t I feel something soft on the back on my head!? Spirit God, are you doing your job properly!?
“Oh, it’s just a pretend fighting. Don mind us and enjoy your breakfast!” (Estella)
Estella said such words to the children with a smiling face.
I also want to enjoy the breakfast, though.
Out of the kitchen, I was taken out of the church. I was finally released from the headlock after we were outside.
“Hard!” (Yashiro)
“This guy, I’ll make sure you pay for all the rudeness you’ve done to me later!” (Estella)
I squeezed my neck that was fixed in a strange posture.
If there’s a sprained muscle, I will demand a compensation.
“You, are you aiming at Ginette-chan?” (Yashiro)
Suddenly, Estella asked such a question.
Aiming at Ginette, me? Don’t be stupid! What I’m aiming is the ownership of her restaurant…. It’s not like I can tell her that, though.
“I came to this city few days ago and there’s a lot of thing I don’t understand yet. So for a while, I will be troubling Ginette.” (Yashiro)
“Knowing Ginette’s personality, I’m sure she accepted you without a second thought.” (Estella)
Estella’s gaze sharpened.
“So far, there were a lot people who tried to exploit Ginette’s kindness.” (Estella)
Hearing that, I finally realized an obvious truth.
Ginette who’s at the very bottom of the food chain, is still roaming freely up to now. She has no money, but those big boobs…. there should be one or two people who aimed at her as a woman. I just couldn’t imagine Ginette’s able to drive them away. This means….
“I’ve driven those people away!” (Estella)
“You!?” (Yashiro)
“Yes. It’s just natural to chase off the bad insects that are trying to harm my friend.” (Estella)
I see. Ginette was able to live in peace so far, this is because Estella was looking after her from behind the scene.
“That’s good. Maybe it’s strange to hear this from me, but thanks anyway. I was somewhat relieved.” (Yashiro)
hen I found out the fact that Ginette has always been protected by someone, I felt a relief for some reason. However, Estella’s gaze was still sharp.
“From now, you’ll be one of the men to be driven away too.” (Estella)
“What!?” (Yashiro)
Wait a minute, I’ve never aimed at Ginette! Well, maybe the idea of taking over her restaurant did cross my mind, but that was never my goal.
“I just want to learn about this city. I swear I have no intention harming her!” (Yashiro)
“Judgement of Spirit!” (Estella)
“—!?” (Yashiro)
All of a sudden, Estella pointed her finger at me and triggered Judgement of the Spirit. My body was covered in a pale light.
Without any preface…. This girl is scary….
After a while, the light wrapped my body disappeared.
“You have no intention of harming her, huh. It looks like you’re telling the truth. For now, at least.” (Estella)
“That’s what I’ve been telling you!” (Yashiro)
That was dangerous. If had an evil feeling for those big boobs even a little, I might have been turned into a frog. My purpose is clear, “getting information about this city“, “food“, and “roof“. The matter about my eyes were always drawn to Ginette’s boobs seems to be within an acceptable range. Good thing I didn’t lose to my libido.
“Then again, it doesn’t mean I will acknowledge you.” (Estella)
“It’s not like I want you to acknowledge me.” (Yashiro)
“Let me be clear, I can’t trust you!” (Estella)
With a serious face, Estella flatly declared so.
“However, Ginette seems to trust you…. Oh well, unless you try to do something strange, I won’t do anything to make things rough.” (Estella)
“Why do you care about Ginette so much? Is this really because she’s your close friend?” (Yashiro)
This woman named Estela doesn’t seem to move with such a simple sense of justice. Those are the eyes of someone who’s looking at their own interests beyond the good intentions. Yes, they are the same eyes as mine — con artist’s eyes.
“Like I said, I’m addicted to Ginette’s cooking. I don’t want to lose that taste. I think this is a good enough reason.” (Estella)
“If so, you’d better stop trying to kick me out of Hidamari-tei.” (Yashiro)
“Why is that?” (Estella)
“Without me, that place will go out of business before long. The management is impossible for Ginette.” (Yashiro)
“Hmm, that’s true….” (Estella)
Estella folded his arm and nodded
“So, does this mean you’re going to rebuild that restaurant?” (Estella)
“To a level where I can live there without any inconveniences, that’s it.” (Yashiro)
To his answer, Estella zeroed her eyes and laughed. Then as though she had removed the iron mask she wore until a while ago, Estella genuinely smiled.
“You’re an interesting guy! You’re honest with yourself, honest with your desire, extremely stupid…. but also smart.” (Estella)
Estella returned to her serious expression and stared at me.
My instinct is telling me that I shouldn’t let my guard down around this girl.
“I will give you a suspended probation.” (Estella)
“Am I a criminal now?” (Yashiro)
“You’re a very important suspect.” (Estella)
“What a rude girl.” (Yashiro)
“You’re one to talk!” (Estella)
Estella puffed her cheeks like a little girl. It was surprisingly a lovely expression coming from her.
“I will observe you for a while.” (Estella)
“Can I use a picture diary?” (Yashiro)
“I’m not interested in your growth record! But if I sense a suspicious behavior from you, I will be ready to kick you out at any time….” (Estella)
Having said that, Estella turned around and walked toward the church alone.
That was a fair statement. However, even if I don’t have her permission, I will stay where I want.
“Hey, do you have it? The authority to kick me out of Hidamari-tei.” (Yashiro)
When I threw such a question on her back, Estella stopped walking and turned her face to side a little.
“It’s not Hidamari-tei, I will kick you out of the 42nd District.” (Estella)
Facing forward, she added this before started walking again.
“………… the pepper.” (Estella)
“—!?” (Yashiro)
Does she know it? Did she see my wanted poster before I scribbled on it? I have to confirm it. I have to make it clear.
With such thoughts inside my head, I immediately ran towards Estella, caught her arm from behind, and forcibly pulled her back.
“Hey, wait…!” (Yashiro)
“Eh, huh, whoa…!?” (Estella)
Estella who was about to enter the church, lost her balance and fell backwards. I caught Estella and supported her body using my own body.
* squeeze*
“Hinya!?” (Estella)
I felt a faint soft sensation on his palm. Looking at his left hand, he finally realized that he was holding Estella’s flat chest.
Yup, just a little bit longer……..
“Can I hit you now?” (Estella)
“No, this is, I was trying to help you. I think that something like accident, force majeure, or lucky moment, should not be condemned.” (Estella)
“Then, release me!” (Estella)
“Estella, there’s a saying in my hometown…. after five minutes.” (Yashiro)
Estella slapped my left cheek.
“I wonder if I should stop trying to trust you.” (Estella)
“Oh, on the contrary, I’ve decided to trust you. You’re indeed a girl.” (Yashiro)
“I’ve been telling that from the beginning!” (Estella)
Raised her hand, Estella lightly flicked my forehead this time.
Hmm, this feels somewhat gentle….
“I will forgive you this time, so be careful from now on!” (Estella)
Estella left me and went into the church. When I entered the church, Ginette was waiting for him with a red face, puffy cheeks, and raised eyebrows — she seemed to be angry.
“Y-You shouldn’t do that kind of thing to a girl! Please repent!” (Ginette)
Thus I was taken to the confession chamber in the back of the chapel, and was forced to repent for a while before breakfast. Even though I complained that it was an accident, Sister Bertina didn’t believe it and kept telling me to confess my sin.
“I’m sorry. I actually thought it felt good despite being flat chest.” (Yashiro)
I who was from the big breasts faction, admitted that I had been fascinated by the flat chest for a moment.
“You may go now.” (Bertina)
After letting out a very long sigh, Bertina finally released me. Thus my sin has been forgiven.