第７１８堀：元夫婦喧嘩と…… (Part2)
"Pay for the repairs of the hole you made here."
"...Huh?"
Lilishe took a moment to understand, but then her mouth immediately began to move.
"This is, like, the place Yuki lent to Faide, right?"
"Yes. That's right. I was told it was for a discussion with Lilishe. Well, as expected, it was the right decision not to lend out a conference room or anything. Now, pay for the repairs."
"Huh? Then, Faide should be responsible..."
"Of course not. You, Lilishe, made this hole. Or are you saying otherwise? Hey, hey, it's common sense in this world to take responsibility for your own actions, isn't it?"
"Ngh..."
...Amazing.
Lilishe was being talked into a corner.
"Wait, wait. Yuki can fix this instantly with his power, right? In that case..."
"Are you saying you don't need to pay for repairs? You're foolish. Repair costs include labor costs. Because I'll hire people. And there's a technical fee. If you make me fix it, you'll have to cover the cost as compensation for the rarity of my abilities and the time I spend on this repair. Surely, Lilishe, you're not running your church activities in Weed solely on in-kind donations and volunteer work without using money, are you?"
"...No, that's not it, but..."
"Then you understand, right? Or rather, cut it out. I'll have to arrest you for assault, property damage, disturbing the peace, and various other crimes. Everyone would be surprised. That Priestess Lilishe would cause such a commotion."
Saying that, Yuki took out a camera, as if to deliver the final blow.
Was he recording?
No, of course.
"So, with what face are you going to say, 'Love thy neighbor,' huh? Tell me, won't you?"
"Ah, um, Yuki. Let's calm down a bit. This could become an international issue, you know?"
"Hey, hey. You just told those two idiots over there that they wouldn't make an international issue out of something like this, and now you're saying it yourself? Well, fine, that kind of trashy attitude suits me."
"R-Right. Then..."
"Precisely why I can do this freely and comfortably. Information manipulation is my specialty, after all. So, what will you do?"
At that, Lilishe, realizing she couldn't win no matter what, quickly prostrated herself and apologized.
"I'm so sorry! But, um, I don't really have money for the repairs. I'm a priestess, so my salary is low."
"Then go borrow money from your friends around here. There are plenty who look rich."
"Huh? Isn't this the part where you forgive me because I'm reflecting?"
"That only works when you're a child. No, since there's damage, it's not forgiven even for a child. A parent or guardian would have to pay compensation instead. Oh, or will you fill it yourself?"
"You demon!"
"I'm not a demon. Next time, let's discuss things more calmly."
"There won't be a next time!"
"Oh. There's no way this will happen two or three times. I'm glad you said you'd meet calmly next time."
"Wait, you said 'meet next time'... No good. I'm retreating this time. I was planning to go home anyway. Nonoa! Hifi! Lend me some money!"
"...You're impossible."
"Haa, in a way, this is a good opportunity. I'll lend you the money, so please learn your lesson from this and be a little more well-behaved."
Saying such things, Lilishe left.
Somehow, the venom had been drawn out of her.
"Well. That turned into quite a boisterous discussion."
"Ah, you saved me."
"Indeed, it's quite a hassle. If the conversation had been a bit clearer, I might have been able to follow up more, but with that kind of talk... this was the best I could do."
"If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have been at odds until now."
When I said that, Yuki gave a wry smile and...
"No doubt. Well, try to avoid any damage from now on."
"I'd like to, but Lilishe..."
"She'll probably be quiet as long as she has debt. Do you think she'll pick a fight again over the letter?"
"No, that won't happen. While she might not be trustworthy in today's situation, Lilishe does consider those around her. Any damage only affects me. It wouldn't be Lilishe's intention to cause trouble for Yuki and the others."
"I see. Then I'm relieved. Well, if she's going to cause trouble for others, you can use this place. It's already full of holes from military exercises anyway."
"So, that's why you charged for repairs?"
"Well, I guess I can do at least that much. I did prepare this place, after all."
"Indeed. Well, we'll go take a bath."
"Ah, that's a good idea. You weren't much help, but you did try to protect Faide."
Saying that, he looked towards Nogosh and Noble, who were covered in dust from Lilishe's attack.
"It's on you."
"Ah, that much is fine."
In the end, my relationship with Lilishe hadn't changed.
Or rather, it remained as it always was.
An unchanging relationship, after all.
A story where not everything heads towards a resolution.
And so, they returned to intercontinental exchange.