"What do you want at the rice malt factory at this time?"

　I was glared at by a suspicious boy.

"We were invited to visit by this koji craftsman. Are you a party here?"
「…………」

　a boy who bites his lips and bows Are you an outsider?
　How dare you say, "What do you want?"

"I'll call him Percy No. 2,"
"Don't... for either of them."

　In the Forty-Ward district, which is full of stalking spirit, one can see the inside of the building secretly from behind. (I think it's almost like the inhabitants of Forty-Ward.)It's Percy himself, the sugar factory manager (though it's his sister who manages the factory).

　...and the only thing Percy introduced that needs a supplementary correction is the "stalker" part...he's not good enough.

"Boy, live your life straight."
"What?"

　I'll give at least a little advice from my elders to the boy who is about to go the same way as Percy. The road you're going to take is a thorny one. ... unless you don't mind the cold glances of others, or if you're a little too bold, you'll be on the road to hardship.

"Are you a decent person?"
"Of course ... struggle!"
"Please refrain from making dangerous remarks."

　Estella, Natalia, Assunt, who took three people to block my mouth, which I tried to affirm with all my might. ... well, that's a good nerve.

"Be careful what you say and do in other wards. We don't know who the enemy is or where the threat lies."

　Assund whispered in a chilling voice.
　What do you mean by that? "Are you a decent man?" Do you want to say that if I answer "Of course," I'll be put to the judgment of the Spirit?

"My dear fellow,"

　Estella bends her back and looks into the boy, who is only a little shorter than herself.
　Then, he speaks gently with a gentle smile.

"Even if you're not a proper person, you can suggest that you live properly."
"Here, Estella," What's that advice?"
"No, I'm going to show you that you should respect your elders' opinions in some way."
"You're not going to proceed on the assumption that I'm not right,"

　If you have the will to respect the opinions of your elders, you should be willing to accept me. I don't look good, but I've lived roughly twenty years longer than you.

"Well, I'm not here with a guilty conscience,"
"It's not like an industrial spy,"
"Of course!"

　Slightly dissatisfied with Estella's question, the boy raises his voice.
　If you don't feel guilty...

"Are you here with a sweet heart?"

　dabble in adult jokes on a boy with stylish wordplay with…

"……………………, no, no, no, I suppose."

　You stammered!?
　What!? No way, there's a women's bath near here since early morning!?
　Oh, I see! OK! It's a girls' dormitory!? There's a girls' dormitory beside here, and there's a best spot where you can see girls' casual nightclothes and change clothes!? Right?

"Yasilo, even though you're silent, you're noisy."
"What do you mean, that!"

　Estella looks at me like a grain of rice stuck to my cuffs.
　This guy reads my mind a lot... ...to see through my poker face... ...can't be underestimated. He is the lord of the 42 wards.

"Mr. Jiro. As far as I can see, I don't see a women's bath that has been open since early in the morning, or a dormitory that looks like there are girls dressed in nightclothes."
"Hmm... Mr. Jiro's face speaks like a mouth that speaks a lot."

　What a bunch of bastards... ...every one of them saw through my perfect poker face... ...the three of them! They're the only ones I've ever had trouble with.

"Oh, man! I don't have that kind of naughty feeling. And, um... I don't think it's very good to think or say that sort of thing!"

　Somehow I was lectured seriously.
　to a stalker reserve peeping into private property early in the morning

"With a more pure heart..."
"Do you work here even if you ask.
"What!? Why did you break the peach?"
"Calm down. I can't say 'thought' and there's a peach that doesn't matter. Calm down once."

　I see.
　Was this stalker reserve acting like a criminal in the early hours of the morning, "I want to catch a glimpse of the child I love?" I see. He's not a reserve, he's a stalker.

"It's too late. It's too late."
"Don't decide, Jillo,"
"But, Estella," It's the same symptom as Percy's when you're satisfied with looking at your love from afar without pushing or pulling it out, and indulging in self-satisfaction by calling it 'pure love.'"
"... it's too late, indeed."

　My estella broke.
　There seems to have been no objections. That's probably the case. "Certified as Percy" is like declaring a serious illness.

`It's not too late!'

　The boy raises his eyebrows and retorts to our pity.
　It's like a lion desperately peeling its tusks, highlighting its ineffectiveness.

"The relationship between men and women is very delicate, but that's why it's so beautiful... so I just want to get closer step by step!"
"Step by step... So where are you now?"
"Well, first of all, I'm thinking of starting where my eyes meet mine."

　How many levels are there after that?
　Perhaps this is a happy time to see them.
　It's because I've never met eyes before that's why I'm starting......Oh, my God.

"You! If you're watching anyway, look forward to one of the punchras with a skirt flat against the wind.""Oh, come on, such a disgrace!? I think it's only after you get married!"

　I've never heard of Pancilla since she got married!
　Or a husband who is happy with his daughter-in-law's punchline, that's kind of scary.

"And she doesn't wear a skirt."
"Pants out!"
"I'm wearing pants! Seventh-length!"
"Yasilo... don't think obscenely of the boy's lover."

　A thin finger touches my neck lightly.
　Oh, that's not it. If you go too far, you're threatening to crush the carotid artery, because Estella is just a troll.

"I'm sorry, boy," I don't care what he says... and...

　Estella stops talking to me.

"Well... oh... oh... well...

　As soon as his open mouth swings, a strange voice breaks out.
　The boy's face was boiling red.

　Let's see.........

"Sweetly,"
"What!? No, no, no, no!"

　Clearly, a boy who turns red imagining the lover of the Pamoros.
　I can't believe there is such a pure boy these days."

"That's crazy, Estella... I can't face the boy because he's so bright."
"Why don't you learn from the boy and cleanse yourself a little?"
"Hmm, Mr. Estella. It's very easy to get rid of the dirt that sticks to it."
"Yasilo, let's use sodium bicarbonate."
"Am I a stubborn water stain?"

　You're the only ones to be cleansed by this boy's pure heart.

"Oh, well, well, I'm going to do this! And I'm going!"

　The boy's red face reached its limit, and as soon as he bowed his head, he turned around and ran.
　The boy's face, which seems to be shining faintly, draws a red tail into the still-dark morning darkness. ...like a tail lamp. I miss something.

"If it blinks 5 times, it could be a sign of love".
"What are you talking about?"
"Red, crimson, crimson, crimson..."
"That's a sign of ill health before I love you... blood circulation is going crazy."

　Estella may be a little out of her depth.
　I wish I had a more fashionable love affair.

"It's early in the morning at the koji factory."

　Assundo, who coughs away and says, "Love sickness must be tough," expresses his heartless feelings toward the boy's back.
　His face says, "Let's hurry in."
　It's dry, isn't it?

　After the boy disappeared, we went through the gate of the koji factory.






"Please wait here," he said, adding that the house had been built quite far down the property.
　You can get into a two-story, innermost reception room.
　Every piece of furniture is composed and astringent, not glittering, but luxurious.
　There is an apology that reminds me of an old inn.

　According to Assund, only those who have established a considerable relationship of trust can enter this inner building.

"At first I was led to a sort of stuffing-room by the side of the entrance."

　It is said that the building first came to an end after talking to the gatekeeper, talking to the person in charge of the station, and finally meeting with the koji craftsman, selling bean paste and soy sauce in a big way.

　It seems that it took so much enthusiasm and time that my soul was worn out.

"If it wasn't for bean paste, I probably wouldn't have met him."

　The koji craftsman here has a reputation for being difficult to please, and it seems that if he gets in a bad mood, he will not be able to meet with them at work, let alone meet them.
　I wonder what kind of babaa is coming... it makes me feel heavy when I think about dealing with stubborn babaa... but it's a money-making babaa. If you think of Kim Babaa, you'll feel a little depressed.

"Babaa, Babaa, Babaa, Babaa, Babaa, Babaa."
"What's the matter, all of a sudden!"
"Well, somehow, when I see a picture of Babaa, I feel like the word 'Babaa' is coming out of my mouth... I'll say it now."
"It's very dangerous, isn't it?"

　If you tell me now, I won't have to say "Babbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
　I'll leave a year's worth of babaa here.

"Oh? Ah... did you?"

　Ascent's eyes roll when he sees me like that.
　Then he loosened his cheeks and began grinning at what was interesting.

"... is it?"
"No, I was just admiring my own inadequacy. I can't believe that what I've done has failed to share information with you. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ." But, uh... like that... ...huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

　What a disgusting fellow!
　"Amazed" can be used for both joy and admiration, and for lamenting and grieving... ...in which sense did he admire?

　Sitting on a sofa with low legs, he glares at Assundt with a grin.
　Estella and I are sitting, but Assunt and Natalia are standing by the wall.

　I was wondering if he was the kind of person I had to stand to meet, when the door opened quietly and an old woman entered the room.
　The face is deeply wrinkled, with sharp, bird-of-war eyes and narrow eyebrows giving the impression of tightness.
　A sullen look is more severe than sullenness.
　She's the kind of old woman who would never have liked a teacher like this.

　He looks as if he would be convinced if he were the only craftsman in the world.
　Despite not having the dignity of Lucia's, the hardships are firmly built and persuasive to his age.

　As Estella and I sat up at the same time, the old woman quietly raised her hand and held us back, saying, "Stay." It seemed that we should sit down, and we obeyed.
　After taking in large amounts of oxygen through her thin, open mouth, the old woman said quietly, in a voice as tight as she had imagined.

"Mr. Libeka will be here soon. Please wait a little longer."

　bend one's back quietly after one finishes speaking
　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not this one?

　When dumbfounded, the old woman leaves the room as quietly as she did when she entered.

"She is Mr. Bertha Heywood, the right-hand man of malt. I'm in charge of all the arrangements and procedures for these meetings and the management of the factory."

　It is said that the koji craftsman put all his energies into the management of koji, and that the old woman named Bertha is responsible for all the other miscellaneous tasks and tasks.
　That's why you're so dignified it.

　I wonder if he can move that kind of person... he looks troublesome.
　Do you want to talk to him first and see what he does?


　--clatter!The moment the door opened quietly, the air in the room suddenly strained.
　Ascent tightened himself as someone came into the room.
　This body shrinks lightly so that it can be caught.

"I think I've kept you waiting a little while." I'm sorry, forgive me."

　When I looked at the door to see who had come in, I saw a white, fluffy object swaying just below my vision.
　Keep your gaze down slowly.

"You've had a hard time in the distance," I am Libekah Whitehead, the head of the malted artisan."

　Closing the door and standing in front of it was a very minimal little girl with white, lumpy ears.
　Are you a rabbit? Even so, it's small. It may be smaller than magda. More than Hammaro and less than Magda, about 110 centimeters in numbers.
　Her hands and feet are slender and her words are clear. Since she seems to have a clear opinion, she should normally be referred to as a girl, but when she sees her large round eyes and proud little smile, she feels like describing herself as a little girl.

"Hey, what's this little thing?"
"Yes, stop, Mr. Yashiro."

　I was patted relatively hard on the shoulder.
　Assunt looks at me with a merchant's face and sends me information in a low voice.

"That word is forbidden. No... I'll put it back as 'a word associated with it.'"

　I guess this little girl hates words like "child," "child," "child," "chinkin," and "estella level."
　A young girl is apt to hate being treated like a child.
　This little girl, too, must be that kind of little girl.

　It looks like I'm five to six years old.

"I hear you, Assunt,"
"What!? ... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It seems that you have a good ear.
"Well, that's fine, isn' for most people here are surprised to see me."

　a koji craftsman rumored to be difficult to please
　Anyone would imagine a person of their own age if they were informed before that.
　The first thing I imagined was a stubborn, gray-haired man.
　I can't believe she was such a young girl... ...that's surprising to anyone.

"But I feel that I like to look at the stupid faces of those who are surprised to see me." It makes me angry to be ridiculed, but pure surprise is meant to be a revelation."
"Yes, I suppose so." Therefore, I took you there without telling you anything. They were my dear friends and friends... I trusted them that they wouldn't be rude if I made a mistake, so I responded in this way."

　Well said! You said earlier that you had neglected to share information.
　You're a real merchant when you fall and you don't get up for nothing. He looks as good as he planned.

"He's a man who makes a hateful production..."

　Rebekah, a koji craftsman who grins and laughs.
　His beautiful gray hair swings in the name of Whitehead.

"I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I surprised you."

　Assault bowed lightly with no sign of remorse.
　I see.
　Did you make such a small point and take it in?
　For the time being, you are an "ojisan" who offers something interesting to the little girl there.

"Miss Libeka Whitehead. I'm late to say hello. My name is Estella Claremona, the lord of the Forty-Second Ward."
"Well, don't be stiff. I don't like being formal. You can make it easier."
"Well... then,"

　Estella looks at Assent.
　I wonder how easy it is to make it.
　In any case, he is the kind of craftsman who is rumored to be difficult to please. If you're offended, you're likely to be told that you're going to leave immediately or that you're not allowed to enter.

"He's the man,"

　Libeka talks to Estella in a casual atmosphere, unable to decide what to do with her.
　At that time, Libeka's fingers point at me.

"I'll give him permission to play with his face,"
"Whose face are you kidding me, dear?"
"Mr. Jiro,"
"Good, good, good. Don't get so angry. I'm in a good mood today. I'm not going to tolerate this kind of rudeness."

　Who's rude?

　However, judging from Assund's attitude, this young woman must really be a koji craftsman.
　Moreover, it is usually considered to be relatively strict.

"Mr. Jiro..."

　Gently, Natalia calls out from behind me.
　He was trying to convey something important by the way he hid his voice????

"If it's all right to play around as much as Mr. Jiro's face, you mean it's OK to dance like that?"

　either he came to say something stupid. Yeah. It was the latter.
　Give it a try, baby print dance.

"Well... may I call you Libeka-san, then?"

　Extremely careful, Estella asks Libeka.

"Hold it!" I don't care what you call me. except for "chan"."

Is "chan" no good?
　It'll suit you best, but 'chan.'

"I'm afraid I'm young enough. especially when compared to Versa."

　No, you're young, and Versa's an old woman, so it's obvious.
　But it's not good to judge by appearance.
　There is a beautiful Sister of unknown age in the Forty-Second Ward, and this little girl may look older than us."Assunt..."

　When I first met Bertina, I spoke informally and had a hard time.
　It's safer to act cautiously here.

"...is that Libeker much older than he looks?"
"That's a funny face!"

　Rebekah's long ears caught the secret that he had whispered to Assund.
　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"I've forgotten that a man in a peddler's guild, who once forbade me from going in and out, looked at me and said, "You look five years old."

　No, I can see it.
　I'm only about five years old. Is that why you're not allowed to go out of business.

"I seem to look quite young, apparently said he. Well, I'm a lot older than you know.

　I don't think it's sixteen by the looks of it, but...

"How old are you?"
"I'm nine years old this year,"
"You're a kid!"
"Mr. Jiro!"

　Assund snort "Piggy!" next to him.
　But this can't be helped!?
　You put on airs like nine years old!? You're right in the middle, kid!

"... ...baby, then?"

　Libeka's ears "bump!" and an angry expression emerges on her young face.
　...and that's not scary at all, but rather cute.

　But it's just before business negotiations. Do you want me in a good mood?

"No, I'm sorry," Correct it."
"Ho! Correction? What words are you going to correct? I'd love you to tell me how you can gloss over words full of malice such as "kiddie" with words enough to make me feel better!"

　whoosh!
　He sniffed vigorously and glared at me like a child in a fit of rage.
　It's hard work to appease a sulky kid, but... well, let's try it'

"Why don't you use words like 'kids' or 'daughter' that rub my nerves, or what? Are you going to run away with the obvious compliments of 'lady' or 'madam'?" Well, think about it with your head full circle. If you make the wrong choice, you'll be kept out!"
"Oh!?"

　Assund looks back desperately.
　Don't look so hard. It's lard out of your forehead, so just wipe it away, you know.

　He likes and dislikes Temae and tries to kick negotiations that will certainly turn a profit.
　This Libeka is not a difficult workman. It's just a selfish kid.
　Then there's a way to deal with it.

"Now I'll answer, man with a funny face! Tell me what you're going to say to me right now!"

　Rebekah points at me with a willful stare of no compromise.
　He kneels down in front of Libeka and takes her hand as respectfully as a knight does.

"Keep your temper, please." princess."

　Then gently kiss the back of the hand.
　... well, I'm a kid, so I don't mind giving you this much service.

"Princess.........well?"

　A low, muffled voice leaks.
　Then, the trembling Rebekah's hand tightens.

"Good! What a good sound!"

　Yeah. He seems to be in a better mood.

"Oh, my God! Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why

　Girls yearn for princesses, and not many girls don't like being treated like princesses.
　especially if you're a girl who doesn't like to be treated as a child

　What girls admire about princesses are beautiful dresses, gorgeous castles, gorgeous meals, colorful sweets......and cool knights who swear allegiance.

　The majority recognize a prince on a white horse as their opponent, but the fact makes the girl excited when she finds out that there is a loyal knight beside her.

　Think about it.
　Will a prince from another country make a mockery of himself?
　Will they obey any directions in ain a straightforwardly?

　Even if you're a princess, you're a royal.
　They're on equal footing. No, if they're princes, they're more likely to be weaker.

　But knights are different.
　swear allegiance to a princess and risk one's life on her behalf
　Order and you'll do it for sure, and give me a gentle smile if you want.

　What would happen to the princess, who knew that her own knight would be by her side... needless to say.

　Few boys offer to play the role of knights. Well, I don't think so.
　He readily obeys any order and keeps smiling softly all the while. That's impossible for kids in the prime of violence.
　You have to be as mature as I am.

　Knights work for girls of mature age.
　Knights don't treat princesses like children.
　The younger the child, the more fond the knight.


　So I treat Libekah like a child, and she's happily saying "muhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuhmuh
　That's simple.

"That's all right! I'm going to make a joke of the gaffe. Let's all sit down. We're going to start the business!"

　Libeka comes back to life, and Estella and Assent breathe out in an easy to understand.
　Ascent looks so pale that he's about to collapse.Well, if you're the type like Assault, you'll only get words like "You're mature," "You're intelligent," and so intelligent."
　That's why I find it difficult to negotiate with Libeka.

　It might be a compliment to say to a woman in her seventies, "You're young, aren't you? However, if you say the same thing in your twenties and thirties, you will find that quite a few people feel uncomfortable saying that they were treated like old people.

　It might be a little difficult for the Ossan who were selling flattery to Ossan. I don't mean to flatter my children. Children are more than a few of the races that merchants desperately want to be liked.
　That's why when people say, "Don't treat me like a child," it becomes an idea to praise me for being mature.

　However, compliments don't sound at all unless you do them according to your age.
"Don't treat me like a child" is the "fun adult experience" -- after all, "treat me like a child."


　The hard‐to‐find koji craftsman was just a child who got angry at an adult who didn't understand his child's mind.