Chapter 154. Griseo Is Greatly Shocked!
[We've picked her up.]
[photo.jpg]
Back home, Xander Masato tapped on his screen, messaging Cocolia and sending along a selfie he'd just taken with Griseo pulled close.
On the other end, Cocolia opened the photo and saw a gentle-smiling young man and, at his side, an adorable girl with delicate features and a slightly stiff, shy look.
A smile surfaced on her face at first, but she quickly froze, frowned a little, and typed.
[Griseo is still young. You mustn't make mistakes.]
Having reported in, Xander Masato had planned to rest a bit, but when he saw that, black lines practically filled his face.
He might like pretty girls, but he wasn't that desperate, okay?
By his count Griseo was only fourteen.
When Seele was fourteen he hadn't done anything, let alone with Griseo.
[Has my credibility really sunk that low?]
[I believe you. This is just a friendly reminder.]
What a "friendly reminder."
If you don't trust me, just say it!
Closing the chat, Xander Masato decided not to argue with a woman twelve years his senior.
Just then, a weak call for help sounded behind him.
"P-Please save me, Sir Knight…"
Sitting on the sofa, Griseo was being squished in the middle by Elysia and Kiana.
When they'd first gotten home and saw the super-cute Griseo at Xander's side, Elysia and Kiana—who'd been chatting in the living room—had rushed over at once.
After a quick introduction or two, he'd needed to contact Cocolia, so he left the two of them to show Griseo around.
The result, naturally, was a lamb into a tiger's den.
"Griseo is so cute, come let me hug you~"
"Same here!"
With that, the two of them, without so much as a by-your-leave, each hugged one side, sandwiching poor, pitiful, helpless Griseo in the middle.
Especially with that soft squish pressing in on her cheeks from left and right, which inflicted serious trauma on her tender heart.
At last she couldn't help calling out to Sir Knight not far away.
Turning back and seeing the scene on the sofa, Xander Masato almost burst out laughing.
If you swapped Griseo for a little shota boy, this would be a classic composition from a certain kind of book.
If Elysia were holding a PS5 in her hand, it'd be even closer.
She'd sway the PS5 and whisper temptingly: "Little brother, big sis has something fun at home~ Want to come play?"
But seeing how pitiful Griseo looked, Xander Masato decided he'd better help.
This kid was lively, yes, but also truly shy around strangers.
"Alright, alright, Griseo just got here. Don't scare her."
He gently pulled Griseo out from between them, and she immediately ran behind him, pinching the hem of his shirt as she cautiously eyed the regretful Elysia and Kiana.
"Eh? So stingy. We just wanted to bond a little with Griseo!"
Kiana complained in dissatisfaction.
"Yeah, yeah! Xander, you're mean. No hogging Griseo!"
Elysia also protested in chorus.
"Protest denied."
He raised his hand and gave each of them a light knife-hand knock on the head, then looked at Kiana first.
"Kiana, did you finish your vocal homework?"
"Uh… c'mon, why bring up homework out of nowhere? That's such a buzzkill!"
At the word "homework," Kiana's face immediately fell, and she glared at him resentfully.
"So that means… not done yet?"
"…Probably… not…?"
"Alright, looks like it's time to contact your vocal teacher."
When Xander Masato took out his phone, Kiana panicked at once.
She hurried to push his hand down and grinned awkwardly.
"Um, I'll do it right now, right now. No need to bother the teacher, okay?"
With that, Kiana bolted back to her room.
Only after she sat in her chair did she realize something was off.
Why did Xander feel like her elder all of a sudden?
Weird.
Wasn't she supposed to be the little sister-in-law?
What was she even scared of him for?
Living room.
Xander Masato turned his gaze to Elysia, and she proudly planted her hands on her hips.
"Hmph-hmph, I finished all the homework Eden assigned me, you know. Xander, you should be perfectly aware of that, because…"
Elysia bit her lip, watery eyes rippling.
"For that assignment, Xander personally experienced it with his body~"
"B-Body!"
Whoosh—Griseo's little face flushed scarlet in an instant.
She backed up several steps, eyes wide, glancing at Elysia and then at Xander, a tangle of complicated signals whirling in her gaze.
"Don't make 'listening to you sing' sound so weird!"
"Ehehe~"
He knocked Elysia on the head again, and she stuck out the tip of her tongue, playing dumb.
"Reward!"
She suddenly held out her hand to Xander.
"What reward?" Xander Masato was puzzled.
"Obviously a reward for finishing my homework on time~"
"…"
"I'm free all day Sunday."
Hearing that, Elysia's eyes lit up with sparkling anticipation.
She'd only been half-joking, but it seemed there was a pleasant surprise after all.
"I remember you said a few days ago you wanted to go to the amusement park."
"Mm-hm!"
"Then let's go."
He paused, then added under Elysia's ever-brighter gaze, "Just the two of us."
"Love you~"
Like a gust of wind, Elysia leapt from the sofa and threw herself into his arms.
Then, under Griseo's utterly thunderstruck eyes, she went straight in for a kiss.
T-This—broad daylight, the sun high in the sky—what kind of propriety was this!
So bad.
…One more look.
Both hands covered her face, but her fingers were spread wide, revealing misty violet eyes peeking through.
By the way, that girl was really beautiful.
And so she and Sir Knight… had that kind of relationship?
Hiss—tongue—so people really do use their tongues?!
Griseo was shaken to her core.
Noticing that persistent peeking gaze, Elysia looped her arms around Xander's neck and winked at Griseo, scaring the girl into slamming her fingers shut.
S-So bold!
After a little while of sticking close, Elysia was finally satisfied and let him go.
"Come on, let's help Griseo tidy up a room. Have her stay in the remaining bedroom on the second floor."
Two days ago, to make workouts more convenient, they'd moved the studio from the second floor to the third.
There's a separated room up there; step out the door and it's the gym, perfect for a good stretch after work.
That left an empty room on the second floor, just right for Griseo's bedroom.
"Okay~"
Elysia finished, then walked over to still-rosy-cheeked Griseo, bent down, and held out her hand.
"Little Griseo, come along too~"
At the invitation, Griseo hesitated at first.
She looked at the gently smiling Elysia, then raised her head to see Sir Knight's encouraging eyes.
At last, she shyly reached out and nodded.
The empty room already had a bed.
They swapped in a fresh set of bedding and did a quick tidy, and a clean room was soon in order.
Griseo's suitcase wasn't large, either.
It contained only two simple changes of clothes, plus some drawing tools she liked and a few miscellaneous items.
"Looks like we'll need to buy little Griseo some clothes~"
"You and Seele were planning a shopping trip on Saturday, right? Why not bring Griseo along?"
"Even if you hadn't said it, I would've."
Hearing them, Griseo naturally followed the arrangement.
Her gaze fell on the open suitcase, and she suddenly remembered something.
She hurried over, bent down, and fished out a card.
Then she trotted to Sir Knight, held it out, and offered it up.
"Sir Knight."
"Mm? What is it, Griseo?"
"T-This… Mom told me to give this to you."
"For me?"
Puzzled, Xander Masato accepted it and looked down.
"A bank card?"
A Schicksal Bank international card, with a sticky note attached.
"This is Griseo's lodging and meal allowance."
A password string was written below.
"Alright, then I'll accept it."
Smiling, Xander Masato crouched and patted Griseo's little head.
This card had to be taken, or else her family wouldn't be at ease.
Just then, Griseo took out her phone and asked, "Mom also said I should video call her now. Is that okay?"
"Of course it is."
"Mm!"
Griseo happily dialed.
It connected in a few seconds—she'd clearly been waiting for the call.
Soon, the screen showed a gentle-faced, blue-haired woman.
She looked very much like Griseo, only far more mature.
Seeing her, Griseo immediately found her backbone and showed a relaxed smile Xander and Elysia hadn't seen.
"Mom~"
"Griseo, it looks like you've arrived?"
"Mm-hm! Sir Knight picked me up!"
Hearing that, Xander Masato pulled Elysia along, walked behind Griseo, and stood where the camera could see them.
"Sir Knight? That's quite a unique form of address."
Xander had planned to greet her, but he suddenly wasn't sure whether to call her "auntie" or "miss."
She was Cocolia's friend, so by rights he ought to say "auntie," but she looked quite young, and calling her that seemed disrespectful and might sour her mood.
In the end, all he could manage was a dry, "Hello."
As if sensing his dilemma, Blanca smiled.
"Don't fret about what to call me. Even if you say 'auntie,' I won't get upset, truly."
"Don't fret," huh?
But your tone says you'd definitely fret!
Xander Masato grumbled inwardly, but kept his smile on the surface.
After a moment of smiles, Blanca's face turned serious.
"For the next while, I'll be entrusting Griseo to you."
"Don't worry. We'll feed her until she's nice and plump~"
Xander Masato took the bank card from his pocket, raised his hand, and gave it a little wave with a grin.
"Eh?!! No getting plump. I don't want to get fat."
At that, Griseo panicked at once and hugged herself tight.
"Then you'll have to train hard. Exercise more and you won't put on weight."
He patted Griseo's head.
She nodded earnestly.
"I understand!"
"Seeing you get along so well sets my mind at ease. If there's anything you need my help with later, please don't hesitate."
The sight eased Blanca's heart a little.
Seeing her daughter getting along so harmoniously with new friends lifted a weight from her chest.
"Mm. If the chance comes, we'll gladly impose."
They didn't chat long.
Xander Masato and Elysia traded a glance, held hands, and stepped out of the bedroom, leaving the rest of the time to Griseo.
"Use the money on that card to buy Griseo clothes on Saturday."
He took out the card and slipped it into Elysia's hand.
"I thought you wouldn't."
"It's not about the money. If we don't use it now, they'll overthink things."
Strictly speaking, this already counted as Blanca owing Cocolia a favor.
If they didn't use her money on top of that, her friend would only feel more uncomfortable.
"Didn't expect you to be this considerate."
Elysia poked Xander's cheek with a finger and smiled.
"Just experience talking."
"Sure, sure~"
Finding his slightly smug look amusing, Elysia hugged him.
Checking the time, she tugged his arm.
"Still going to the company today?"
"Only two hours to quitting time. No need to make a trip."
"Then… interested in a lovely date?"
"Of course~"
…
When Seele and the others got back, everyone held a little welcome party for Griseo, and Eden came at their invitation as well.
Seeing Eden at such close range, Griseo went a little dazed.
Then she suddenly felt that Sir Knight looked a bit familiar too.
When she snapped out of it and realized she was basically attending a senior-staff get-together for Gensokyo Company, Griseo was dumbstruck.
After the banquet, life returned to its usual rhythm.
As for how, when Xander Masato went to ask Theresa to help with Griseo's housing, he happened to catch her at home striking poses in a magical-girl outfit, and then got knocked out and sent to the infirmary—there's no need to dwell on that.
If it were teaching manga, he could do it, but compared to him, the more technically adept Eromanga Sensei was better suited for the instructor role.
And since she was also a girl, teaching would be more convenient.
Coincidentally, Sagiri was a shut-in alone at home.
Every day after Ms. Izumi's lesson time ended, the two girls—now friends—would chat across their screens.
It was just that sometimes, their topics felt a bit off to Xander Masato.
He suddenly worried Griseo might be led astray.
Time ticked by, and the Apex project proceeded methodically at Gensokyo Company.
In the meantime came the opening ceremony at St. Freya Academy, where Theresa asked Xander Masato to give a speech as the student representative.
His appearance naturally caused a stir, reminding everyone anew just how young the creator of Pokémon was.
Soon it was the end of the year.
Inside the recording studio—
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ chapters ahead of webnovel
Paid member can read 150+ chapters ahead of webnovel
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts