Chapter 9

"Alright, that's enough for the morning work. Let's continue after the evening."

"Huh? You're not working during the day?"

When I finished the morning work and returned home, Seram tilted her head and said.

"It's too hot to work during the day; it's dangerous."

Even in the countryside, the temperature rises terrifyingly during the midsummer day.

It's safer and more efficient to work when the temperature drops rather than working in the scorching sun.

Of course, that's only if you have the luxury. If you don't, you have no choice but to work in the heat.

"Thanks to your help, the work is progressing smoothly, so it's fine to take it easy until the evening when the temperature drops."

"R-really?"

When I said that, Seram's face relaxed slightly, and she started wiping her sweat with a towel.

I did the same, wiping my sweat with a towel and heading for the mugwort tea in the refrigerator when the front door opened with a creak.

Turning around, I saw Seram in the living room.

"It's not me?"

"Looks like it."

Seram also seemed surprised by the sudden sound of the door opening.

So, someone must have come in uninvited.

Curious, I headed for the entrance and found a man standing there with black hair dyed halfway to gold.

He had piercings in his ears and was dressed in a cool-looking shirt, shorts, and sandals, typical of midsummer.

The man, who had a stern expression, changed his face to a friendly one when he saw me.

"Hey, Jin!"

"It's Kai, huh..."

This man, who dressed like a local, is Daiba Kai, a childhood friend I've known since I was young. In other words, a childhood friend.

We didn't have any contact when I was working in the city, but since I came back, we've been hanging out from time to time.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I came to see the rumored foreign wife! They say she's incredibly beautiful!"

When I asked what he was here for, Kai said excitedly.

"How did you know about that?"

"I heard it from Miharu."

"It's only been a day since yesterday! Even in the countryside, where news spreads fast, this is too quick!"

"I was surprised that Jin, who was on the path to lifelong bachelorhood, got married, and to a beautiful blonde foreigner! Of course, everyone would spread the news!"

From his words, it's clear he was one of the ones who spread the news.

"Lord Jin, do you have a guest?"

Just as I was about to scold Kai in my mind, Seram appeared from the living room.

"Yeah, this is my friend, Daiba Kai."

"Ah, Lord Jin's friend! Nice to meet you, I'm Seraphim. You can call me Seram for short."

When Seram introduced herself, Kai had a stunned look on his face.

"...Kai?"

After waiting for a response for a while, Seram became confused.

After about ten seconds, the frozen Kai pointed at Seram.

"......Is this person Jin's wife?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

When I confirmed it, I felt a bit embarrassed, but I couldn't deny it since that's how it is.

"I didn't hear anything about such a beautiful wife! What the hell! I'm jealous! Where did you find such a girl!"

"In the rice field."

"What!?! Don't joke around! If I could find such a cute girl, I'd happily do farming!"

I was just stating the facts, but Kai seemed to think I was joking and got furious.

To Kai, who is also single, it must feel like a betrayal.

"Sorry."

"Damn, you're usually the one to tease me, but what's with this kindness! Don't say such serious things! It just makes me feel worse!"

If Seram were really my wife, I would have teased Kai, but in reality, it's just a facade, and she's not a real wife.

Because of this guilt, my safe response was misunderstood by Kai.

"Hey, bro! I can't be left in charge of the store!"

While I was thinking about how to calm down the collapsed Kai, another person came in through the open door.

"Lord Jin, who is this person?"

"This is Kai's sister, Natsuki."

The woman, with bright brown hair slightly curled at the ends, looked more sophisticated than the typical countryside appearance. She is Kai's sister, Daiba Natsuki.

It seems she came to take her brother, who had skipped work to play, back.

"Sorry, my brother is bothering you... Wow, this is Jin's wife!? She's incredibly beautiful!"

Natsuki was surprised when she saw Seram.

From her reaction, it seems she knew about Seram and was curious about her.

"I'm Seraphim. You can call me Seram."

"I'm Natsuki, Kai's sister. Nice to meet you."

Despite the chaotic situation, the introduction with Natsuki went smoothly.

"Hey, bro! Get back to the store quickly!"

"No, I have a mission to deepen my relationship with Seram—"

"You took over the store, didn't you? Then take responsibility! Come on, let's go."

"Damn it. Jin, I'll be back!"

Kai, kicked out by Natsuki, muttered and trudged away.

"What kind of store?"

"He runs a candy store."

"Candy? Like the yokan and water manju from yesterday, in large quantities!?"

"Not exactly, but it does have a lot of sweets."

"That's amazing!"

Sera, who had become completely fascinated by sweets, had her eyes shining.

In her mind, she must be imagining a store filled with Japanese sweets.

"...Hey, Jin. Come here for a moment."

"What's up?"

Called by Natsuki, who had a very serious look on her face, I approached cautiously.

From the way she wasn't speaking openly, it seemed she didn't want Seram to hear.

Maybe she suspected something like a marriage scam because Seram was too beautiful. If so, I need to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Seram, isn't she not wearing any underwear?"

My body shook at Natsuki's unexpected comment.

Seram, who had just finished field work, was wearing one of my old tracksuits.

Her chest, which was pushing up the fabric, was clearly not wearing a bra.

"......Yeah."

The moment I confirmed it, Natsuki's gaze turned very cold.

"You knew and just left it? Or are you enjoying this kind of play?"

"No! There's a complicated reason why she couldn't prepare it. I knew she needed to get it soon, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. She's not used to Japan, and I can't let her go shopping alone."

I desperately tried to explain to avoid being misunderstood.

I didn't want to be treated as a pervert who forces his wife to go without a bra.

I wasn't leaving it because of any perverse thoughts.

"Then, you should go with her—though, it would be embarrassing to go with her for underwear. Jin, you're not good at that kind of thing."

After I explained, Natsuki's gaze gradually warmed up.

As Kai's sister and a childhood friend, she has known me for a long time. She must have understood that I'm not that kind of pervert. That's a relief.

"Got it. Then, I'll go shopping with Seram."

"Really! That would be a big help!"

"In return, I want some clothes too..."

Natsuki tilted her head and looked up at me with her eyes.

She knows exactly which angle makes her look cute. Very cunning.

She's going shopping with Seram. I should allow the expense.

"Just not too expensive, okay?"

"Yay! I understand, I understand. I'll stay within reason."

The way she takes advantage of the situation makes me doubt her sense of reason.