第１３３９堀：あがり症の治し方 (Part1)
Chapter 1339: How to Cure Stage Fright
Side: Yuki
I am currently walking through the commercial district of Weed, accompanied by Orelia, Hovis, Yayui, and Prol.
Today is a rare long weekend, and while I had initially thought about relaxing at home, Kirika insisted that I accompany Prol to help ease her nerves. So, we headed out here to work on that improvement.
That said, as for what we’re actually doing…
“Hwah…?”
I’m simply walking through the commercial district, pulling along Prol, who is letting out dazed little sounds.
Am I babysitting a child?
No, her face is flushed, so maybe it’s more like a date with an innocent lover?
…No, that’s not it. Orelia and the others are around me, after all.
Perhaps "escorting a prisoner" is a more accurate description.
“Um, is Prol-san going to be alright?”
“She’ll be fine~. She’s just feeling shy~.”
“B-but, even so…”
Even Yayui, who is known for her own stage fright, is looking on with a troubled expression.
She told me at home that she would try her best, and we managed to communicate, but the moment we held hands, she reverted to this state.
…Well, what should I do?
Should I show her an example?
“Hovis. Could you hold her other hand as a demonstration?”
“Sure~.”
When I asked, Hovis didn’t show a hint of shyness; instead of just holding her hand, she pulled Prol’s arm against her own chest.
Yes, her chest is large and soft, but it’s making it difficult to walk.
“Hey, Hovis. That’s disrespectful.”
“Y-yes, exactly.”
Orelia and Yayui hurriedly tried to stop Hovis.
Well, doing something like that to a boss who already has wives isn’t exactly commendable.
Just as I was thinking that…
“It’s fine~. Seraria-sama and the others told us to keep closing the distance~. If we don’t, she’ll just run away before we know it. You two heard them, right?”
“Mmph. True…”
“A-actually, she did run away before…”
Oh, they’re talking about that time she slipped away to play with Taiki, Taizo-san, and Sota-san.
There are some things that can only be discussed between men, after all.
However, it is true that she didn’t ask for permission.
I suppose this measure is unavoidable.
If so, I might as well take advantage of the situation…
“Prol. Why don’t you try doing what Hovis is doing?”
“Fueh!? T-that’s, t-too, e-embarrassing…”
“Kirika told you, didn’t she? This is practice to get used to me. You might just run away again otherwise.”
Under normal circumstances, forcing physical contact would be a sexual harassment case.
*Sigh*, I really have ended up in a strange position.
But this is for Prol’s sake.
I haven’t had a type like this among my wives before.
As for Prol, upon hearing my words…
“W-work, this is work…”
She’s trying to convince herself. Looking at the girl’s face—she’s not even 150cm tall, with light blue hair in a short cut just like Milly’s.
Her figure doesn't quite match Milly’s, but she has a chest that seems surprisingly large for her height.
She looks like a student trying a bit too hard to act like an adult.
Well, in this world, she is a full-fledged adult, but…
And even now, she’s tensing her body, thinking she should mimic Hovis’s behavior.
Seeing this, I decide there’s no need to force her. I’ll just take the initiative and hold her hand myself.
“Fuhya!?”
I start walking, pulling along the startled Prol.
“I-I’m not saying you have to get used to it right away. I’ve said that plenty of times, and I’m sure you’re tired of hearing it.”
“I-I am terribly sorry.”
She must have taken my words as a criticism. She bows her head.
Well, one could interpret it as me saying she’s hopeless for not following orders.
I have to follow up on that properly, or I’ll lose a talented subordinate.
After all, Prol is one of the few people recommended by my wives.
And personally, I don’t dislike her…
“There’s no need to apologize. Personality traits like this aren’t something that changes easily. Well, sometimes they do, but that’s not the case for you, Prol. And that’s not a bad thing.”
“B-but…”
“Well, I understand you want to meet everyone’s expectations, and there’s no doubt that this is hindering your work. But everyone is aware of that. I mean, if it were going to take years, I’d have to reconsider, but we’re nowhere near that point yet. Would you give up on training a rookie after just a few months?”
When I asked her that…
“No, I would give up on them,” she said firmly. Orelia and the others nodded in agreement.
“I agree with Prol-san’s opinion. I don’t think such a lenient mindset is acceptable.”
“That’s right~. A few months is giving them too much leeway~. One month at most~.”
“Y-yes. I, I think so too.”
They are offering some surprisingly harsh opinions.
I suppose this is normal in this world…
“Yuki-sama, you are too kind. Kirue-sama, Kirika-sama, Eris-sama, Milly-sama, and all the other wives say the same thing. While you certainly have decisiveness in politics and battle, you are too soft when it comes to human resource development. The fact that you’re willing to spend time fixing a defect like mine is proof of that softness.”
Well, I understand what she’s saying, but…
“I think you’re worth that much, Prol. The problem lies with me and my wives. We’ve judged that if we can fix this, you’ll be able to move forward even further. You understand that much, don’t you?”
“Mmph.”
“Indeed…”
“Well, that’s true~. Prol-san is very capable when she’s not around you, Husband~.”
“Ahaha, i-if you say that, t-then I’m not really…”
It seems my opinion is hard to deny.
“Prol, you’re frustrated and ashamed of your current situation, so you might be inclined to be harsh on yourself. But we are willing to take the time to improve things. So, I’m telling you to stop belittling yourself.”
“……Yes.”
“For now, I believe the reason you get nervous is the same as Yayui’s.”
“The same as Yayui-san’s?”
“Yeah? Do you think you’re similar?”