"By the way, Tohru, about the anime convention we talked about..."
Yuto remembered Tohru mentioning she wanted to go to an anime convention.
He told Tohru about what happened tonight.
After expressing they could go to the convention together, Tohru disappointed face turned excited and cheerful.
"Waa! The Boss is so nice~~~" Tohru hugged Yuto, rubbing against him and acting spoiled.
Although this feeling was good, Yuto still pushed Tohru away.
Perhaps giant dragons had no concept of the differences between men and women, but he couldn't take advantage of that.
Fortunately, the dragon maid was rather thick-skulled when she was happy.
She didn't say anything about Yuto's actions. Instead, she just kept smiling foolishly.
In the time that followed, Yuto made four dishes specifically for Tohru.
She still had her obsession with meat-wrapped rice. Tohru looked satisfied and happy while eating Yuto's meat-wrapped rice.
...
The clock ticked until it reached five o'clock as Yuto told Tohru she could head back.
Tohru thought for a moment and then said, "Boss, I think I'd be fine even if I stayed in this world forever."
Yuto was confused. "Why do you say that?"
"Because my father said I could stay here earlier!"
Yuto remembered the Emperor of Demise did say that to Tohru before leaving.
He hesitated.
"Is it really okay?" Yuto thought about it and asked again.
Tohru put her hands on her hips and proudly stated.
"I think it's fine!"
Yuto sighed. 'What do you mean 'I think it's fine'...'
This kind of unreliable-sounding guarantee was hard to believe.
Yuto felt the Emperor of Demise's permission before leaving was agreeing to let Tohru work as an employee in the restaurant.
Not proof that she could stay in this world permanently.
"Please, Boss~~~ Let me stay~~~~"
Seeing Yuto hesitating, Tohru turned into a soft and cute image and started acting spoiled toward him.
Yuto shook his head, feeling helpless.
"How about this, you go back first and get the Emperor of Demise's permission slip and I'll let you stay in this world." Yuto thought about it and felt he couldn't make such a hasty decision.
After all, Tohru's identity was the princess of the Chaos Faction in her world.
If she stayed in the human world so hastily, who knew if there'd be any trouble later.
It'd be better to let her communicate with her father first.
Hearing Yuto's words, the corners of Tohru's mouth drooped.
"As long as your father agrees, I'll agree." Yuto couldn't help but smile at the downcast dragon maid.
He gently patted Tohru's head.
Tohru's face became full of fighting spirit because of Yuto's words and touch.
"Alright! I'll definitely have a good talk with my father!"
In the past, Tohru wouldn't have dared to discuss staying in the human world with her father.
But the Emperor of Demise's behavior tonight gave her a glimmer of hope.
She resolved to give it a try!
"Mhm." Yuto smiled gently and nodded.
Then Tohru marched out the door, full of spirit.
Yuto couldn't help but laugh watching her leave. To speak his true thoughts, he was also willing to let Tohru stay.
After all, many things would be much more convenient this way.
For example, grocery shopping, chores, and things like that.
As a good employee, helping the boss handle chores is only natural, right!
Yuto was left alone in the restaurant.
It was almost time to close for the day.
Yuto thought about it, 'Reiko didn't come tonight.'
He wondered if something happened to her. If it were an ordinary girl, Yuto wouldn't be worried.
But Reiko... He couldn't help but feel worried inside.
Yuto sighed softly. He could only hope in his heart that Reiko was just tied up with trivial matters.
Yuto sat quietly, pondering the matter of world travel.
During business hours now, the time he could sit quietly alone and think was becoming less and less.
...
Time passed bit by bit.
Ainz and Rimuru also appeared and then returned to their respective worlds.
The two had finished their serious business.
Before leaving, they both solemnly begged Yuto once again about buying SAO for them.
They looked like they were ready to worship Yuto at an altar!
Clang— Clang— Clang—
The bell rang for seven o'clock as Yuto stood up from the bar counter.
He turned off the lights in the kitchen and the front hall, and took off his apron. Having lost its lights, the restaurant was left with only the light from the sky.
Yuto walked outside the restaurant door and flipped the open sign.
Then, with a rattle, he pulled down the rolling shutter door.
Now, it was time for the restaurant to rest.
He locked the restaurant door, pushed his bike, and walked up the steps.
The red-light district establishments on Ichinosuke Street also started closing and cleaning up. Some storefronts had already closed their doors.
The ones that hadn't closed yet were sweeping up their storefronts.
As Yuto walked by, those older sisters and brothers greeted him.
Yuto smiled and responded to each of them. From time to time, he could hear some words of surprise and admiration.
"I feel like Yuto-chan is getting more and more charming."
"Yeah, I feel like Yuto-chan has this special aura about him now. Ah—the more I look at him, the more I can't contain myself."
"You slut, you can't even walk straight when you see Yuto-chan."
"Tsk, speaking as if you're any different."
"Sigh, if I were ten years younger, I'd definitely go after Yuto-chan!"
"Day in and day out, why do you love daydreaming so much?"
Since they were mature older sisters, the words they spoke were rather bold.
Although they were whispering to each other, with Yuto's current abilities, he could hear these whispers.
Yuto kept a smile on his face.
Even though the older sisters' conversation was... bold.
Fortunately, he had already gotten used to it. He just took it as a compliment.
Passing by Hanako's karaoke bar, Yuto glanced inside.
He happened to see the scene of Hanako turning around to head upstairs. Even though it was just a glance, he saw that Hanako's expression wasn't right.
She seemed wrapped in disappointment and sorrow.
Confusion and worry rose in Yuto's heart.
Hanako had always treated him well.
After he transmigrated to this world with no one to rely on, she's treated him as her little brother.
The last time the Housen delinquents came looking for trouble, it was Hanako who took the initiative to help him.
Now, she clearly had something going on.
He couldn't pretend he didn't see it.
It just wasn't the right time to ask. He already had a plan in mind. Right now, it'd be better for him to go grocery shopping first.
With that thought, he left Ichinosuke Street.
Once outside the street, he hopped on his bicycle and rode all the way to the supermarket.
It had already entered the summer season.
The green of the trees along the road had begun forming waves.
Office workers hurried down the street, and a tide made of people began to flow.
After riding to the supermarket, Yuto parked his bike outside. There were people specifically watching bikes outside the supermarket.
They were familiar with Yuto too.
He walked into the supermarket, grabbed a shopping basket, and wandered around.
'Pastries, let's buy some. Maybe someone'll like eating them. Candy, let's pack some too. Little kids like Sakura would probably like them.'
Until he walked over to Granny's stall, Yuto had a weird feeling.
He felt the Granny's gaze on him was different from before. If he had to make a comparison, it was akin to looking at a cabbage.
"Yuto-chan, did you have fun playing with Megumi yesterday?" Granny asked, smiling at Yuto.
Yuto recalled yesterday, and his mind couldn't help but think of that girl with a weak presence.
Although yesterday was plain, the time spent with her was peaceful and serene.
Even thinking about it now, he'd feel quiet and comfortable.
Perhaps this was the unique charm belonging to that girl.
"Mhm." Yuto smiled gently and nodded.
After he nodded like this, Granny's face became even more joyful.
The old lady's hands couldn't stop putting vegetables into Yuto's basket.
Her mouth didn't stop either.
"I'm really thankful you could accompany Megumi to go shopping, Yuto-chan." Granny's tone carried a bit of gratitude and helplessness.
"You're welcome, Granny, it's just a small thing." Yuto shook his head and hurried to say.
Accompanying the girl shopping was a minor matter. It wasn't worth the old lady thanking him so much.
"Sigh, Yuto-chan, maybe you don't understand, but Megumi has had very few friends since she was little. It's always relatives like us who accompany her shopping for clothes. Since she grew up, she's always been going shopping and buying clothes alone. We're all very worried about her."
Granny's rambling words gave Yuto a clearer understanding of Kato Megumi.
He sighed softly inside.
It was loneliness as well, but the loneliness belonging to the girl was a more helpless and passive loneliness.
"Granny, you don't need to worry so much. Kato won't be lonely forever. Besides, I can be considered as Kato's friend now. If there's anything you need help with, just ask. I'll do whatever is within my capability." Yuto comforted the sad Granny in front of him.
Granny's complexion got a bit better.
She looked at Yuto kindly.
"Granny is very moved Yuto-chan.... Thank you so much," Granny said to Yuto with a deep tone.
"It's fine. Granny always takes good care of me, too. You don't need to thank me like this for doing this much." Yuto smiled and said to Granny.
"You're really a good boy Yuto-chan." Granny smiled and put the vegetables on the scale.
Yuto took out the money and handed it to Granny.
When Granny took the money, it was as if she remembered something. Suddenly, she looked at Yuto with expectation.
"Yuto, Granny has been troubled by something lately, and I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"Mhm, what is it, Granny?" Yuto looked at Granny curiously.
Granny first sighed faintly, then a bit of sorrow showed on her face.
This stirred Yuto's heart.
'It seems it really has troubled her for a long time, otherwise she wouldn't be like this,' Yuto thought.
"Yuto-chan, Megumi really wants to go to the movies lately, but Granny is worried about her safety going alone. Could I ask you to accompany Megumi to go?"
It was normal for a parent to worry about a girl going out to watch a movie alone.
"Do Kato's parents not have time to go with her either?" Yuto asked.
Granny shook her head.
"No, they just happen to be very busy lately, so I thought of asking you, Yuto-chan." Granny said helplessly.
"I don't have a problem with it, but would Kato be willing?" Yuto thought about it.
He didn't have much to do on ordinary days anyway, so watching a movie would be a good way to relax.
Hearing Yuto's words, Granny's face relaxed a lot.
A smile appeared on her face.
"Don't worry, I'll tell her. Megumi will definitely be willing." Granny waved her hand, seemingly confident with her words.
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