Chapter 14

In the middle of the shopping district.

“Wow, there are so many people. It’s so annoying.”

I don’t hate people. I’m not some demon king who goes, “I hate humans! Let’s kill them all and clean up!” or anything crazy like that.

I just dislike noisy places. It’s more like I hate the sensation of people brushing past me.

“So, don’t let go of your cute disciple’s hand. Unless you don’t mind getting lost, of course.”

“Are you treating your master like a child now?”

“Honestly, Master, you can’t even fold clothes properly, and your cleaning skills are terrible. So, yeah, you’re basically a child.”

“Wow, the nerve of you, talking like that to the master who changed your diapers.”

After giving Airi a light knock on the head, I looked around and saw several clothing stores.

I picked the one that looked the best and went in, only to find a familiar face inside.

“Is that Werner… and the leader’s daughter too.”

Camelian Peony, who was looking at gloves, approached me.

Airi had already apologized for her rudeness to Camelian Peony last time, so there shouldn’t be any more issues.

“Oh, Sister, you’re here shopping too? I came to buy some clothes for my disciple since she said she had nothing to wear.”

At that, Airi tightened her grip on my arm. Ouch, that’s gonna leave a mark.

“…You said this was a date.”

“Yeah, a date, a date.”

Camelian Peony chuckled lightly and patted both of our heads.

“It’s nice to see such a close bond between a master and disciple.”

Airi’s expression quickly soured, and she spoke in a wary tone.

“But, uh… Sister, what brings you here? Weren’t you supposed to leave?”

She was about to say “auntie” but stopped herself. That much was clear. But she corrected herself so smoothly that it was hard to call her out on it. That’s some high-level skill.

Camelian Peony, with her years of experience, didn’t even blink at the provocation.

“The leader and the others asked me for a favor.”

“Father and… the other uncles and aunts?”

Why does she call everyone else “uncle” and “aunt” so respectfully, but act like this with Camelian Peony? Did Garitos-sensei reincarnate as a tsundere beauty?

“Yeah, they asked me to look after the youngest, Werner.”

“Oh, Sister, you’re so strong. Shouldn’t you be helping Father with what he’s doing?”

Airi is such a filial daughter. She’s trying to send the person who’s supposed to protect me to help her father instead. Such a filial daughter deserves a monument.

“By the way, Sister, honestly, like Airi said, wouldn’t it be better to go help the older brothers and sisters…”

“And they told me to pass this message to you, Werner.”

“What…?”

Camelian Peony relayed the messages from Werner’s comrades, the older brothers and sisters who had looked after him since he was young.

[Youngest… I couldn’t stop the rumors about overprotecting you because I’m weak. Even my own daughter is a handful… Please don’t get hurt.]

[Youngest, if you mess around and get hurt, I’ll really hurt you. Listen to Camelian Peony before I fold you in half.]

[Youngest, I’d love to break your limbs and send you to the rear, but I’m holding back.]

[Youngest, I still remember you running away the day before your wedding with my daughter. If you don’t want me to hold you accountable, listen to Camelian Peony.]

The rest of the messages were similar. They wanted to come and make sure I was safe, but since I’d hate that, they’re holding off for now.

Instead, they sent Camelian Peony as a proxy for my safety, so I better listen to her. Otherwise, they’ll come and chop me into pieces and feed me to the dogs.

Wow, the title of this novel must be “My Older Brothers and Sisters Are Obsessed With Me.” The tag would be yandere. I don’t need this kind of obsession, dammit.

It’s kind of refreshing to be treated like a child in diapers at 29 years old.

“But don’t worry too much, Werner. Like the others said, I’m not planning to stick by your side 24/7.”

That’s a relief. If I were under 24-hour surveillance for my safety, I’d definitely go crazy.

Camelian Peony is definitely one of the more sensible ones.

“That’s a relief, Sister. By the way, have you found a place to stay?”

“Your house.”

“Huh?”

What the hell? I never put my house up for sale! This is my house, why are you saying you’re moving in? Is my house being NTR’d?

I turned to Airi.

“Disciple, did you lose my house in a bet? If not, don’t gamble with it… or at least win if you do.”

“Master, stop talking nonsense.”

“Then why is Sister suddenly saying she’s moving into our house?”

First, I need to sort this out. Above all, I need to stay calm and rational.

“Look, I never sold my house. So there’s only one possibility: my house was used as gambling collateral. But I don’t gamble… so the only remaining possibility is…”

Airi pinched my wrist with an angry expression.

“Ow, that hurts!”

“Master, calm down and listen… I was surprised too.”

I turned my attention back to Camelian Peony.

“It’s exactly as I said. I noticed your house has quite a few empty rooms.”

There are quite a few empty rooms, but only my room and Airi’s room have proper beds. That’s why I let Camelian Peony sleep in my room last time.

“Well, it’s a house I renovated from a failed inn… but that doesn’t mean I can just let anyone move in.”

I said firmly. Just because there are empty rooms doesn’t mean people can just move in.

This is why Werner finds his older brothers and sisters annoying. They’re not even related by blood.

“I’ll pay rent every month. The others also said they’d send you an allowance every month as financial support.”

“I’ll have a bed ready by tonight. So you can move in by tomorrow.”

As expected of my older brothers and sisters.

Blood is thicker than water, but melted gold is thicker than blood.

Where else would you find older brothers and sisters who love their youngest so much?

“Airi.”

“Yes, Master!”

“I’m going to buy some furniture for the room and bed.”

“But what about my clothes?”

“Honestly, as a man, I’m a bit clueless about women’s clothes. Camelian Peony would know better.”

“…Alright.”

Airi looked visibly sulky.

I guess I’ll have to use my secret weapon. My wallet will be in better shape for a while, so spending some money shouldn’t be a problem.

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I bought some decent-quality furniture at the store and had it delivered home.

When I came out, it was already late afternoon.

Airi seemed pretty upset, so I needed to get her a gift. But if I only got her a gift, Camelian Peony might get upset, so I needed to prepare something for her too.

While I was at it, I thought I’d also get something to calm down my angry fiancée, Glacia.

With that in mind, I browsed a jewelry store and found a stall selling some nice items.

“Miss, how much are these ribbons?”

What caught my eye were three ribbons.

One was a gold ribbon with a bird-shaped decoration in the center.

Another was a blue ribbon with a flower-shaped decoration in the center.

The last one was a ribbon with a snowflake-shaped decoration in the center.

The middle-aged lady chuckled and slapped my shoulder.

“Oh, calling me ‘miss,’ you smooth talker. Alright, I’ll sell you all three for the price of one.”

“Thank you so much!”

After paying a satisfying price, my steps felt lighter on the way back.

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While I was preparing dinner, Airi was glaring at me with puffed-up cheeks.

“Master, you’re such an idiot.”

“If I’m an idiot, then you’re on the same level as a frog.”

Airi then came over and poked my side hard.

My side stung, and my face automatically scrunched up.

“Ow, that hurts…”

“You promised today was for me… but you spent the whole day decorating that sister’s room… and only got her a ribbon…”

Airi looked really upset. Honestly, this was part of my plan.

“Was our disciple feeling left out?”

“A date? You spent the whole day with that sister and didn’t even get me a gift…”

When her disappointment reached its peak,

I pulled out the gold ribbon with the bird-shaped decoration from my pocket.

“I was going to give it to you after dinner, but you’re scaring me so much I can’t even eat.”

“This is…”

“You like birds, right? And the gold color reminded me of your eyes, so I got it.”

“Master…”

“Honestly, the one I gave to Sister was just part of a set. I gave it to her before we parted. Don’t tell her, though. I’ll die if she finds out.”

“Okay, Master!”

Airi smiled brightly and pinned the ribbon to her chest.

Honestly, I did give Camelian Peony the blue ribbon with the flower-shaped decoration, but I also slipped a note into her pocket.

The note said:

[Sister, I was buying a gift for my disciple and thought this would suit you.]

[Your name is a flower, right? And the blue color reminded me of your eyes, so I got it.]

[Don’t tell my disciple, though. She’ll get upset if she finds out.]

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but seeing Airi so happy, I think it’ll work on Camelian Peony too.

People usually like it when they feel they’re being given something special.

Now, I just need to send the last one to my fiancée.