VCAM 77

Chapter 77

 “The Bodyguard Squad’s Rampage”

It was lunchtime.
Lyrisia was nibbling on bread and soup in the school cafeteria when she suddenly realized that she couldn’t see the bodyguard squad.

“…Huh? Where did the nineteen of them go?”

A bad feeling gnawed at her.
And, as usual, her intuition was spot on.

—On the city’s main street.

The bodyguard squad was gathered around food stalls, inspecting every stand.
They were attempting “haggling negotiations,” which they had just learned from Kai yesterday.

“Big brother! Three skewers for one silver coin is too expensive!”
“My little brother! You’ve gotta say, ‘Won’t you give me a discount?’!”
“Won’t you give me a discount!? Right! Make it cheaper!”

The stall owner gawked in confusion.

“This bag of candy costs five copper coins!? No way! We’re students! Make it cheaper!”
“It’s a student discount! Candy is necessary for studying!”

Even Merryl raised her voice with utmost seriousness.

“When I was a rock, I didn’t need money! So I don’t get bargaining! But—make it cheaper!”

Gorum clasped his hands together, begging as if in prayer.
Overwhelmed by their intensity, the stall owner gave in, nearly in tears:
“…Fine, take it already!”

At that moment, Lyrisia rushed over.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Princess! We’re putting Mr. Cross’s lessons into practice!”
“You were told not to put them into practice!”
“But negotiation is a fundamental skill for learning!”
“This isn’t negotiation, it’s almost robbery!”

Passersby whispered to each other, “It’s the Cross group again.”
Blushing, Lyrisia dragged the bodyguard squad along and left the street.

◆◇◆

Back at the academy, Kai was waiting with his arms crossed.
“…What did you guys get up to in town?”

“Teacher!”
The bodyguard squad shouted in unison.
“We’ve mastered ‘Nandeyanen!’ and ‘Won’t you give me a discount?!’!”

“You don’t need to master that!”
Kai pressed his hand to his forehead and shouted.
“Listen up. Haggling depends on the time and place. You don’t cause a scene at a food stall. People’s trust is heavier than money!”

“…We messed up.”
Gorum muttered dejectedly.
The rest of the squad slumped their shoulders in unison.

Lyrisia sighed and collapsed onto the desk.
“Really… But somehow, it’s lively and never boring, isn’t it?”

Kai glanced at her small smile and gave a wry grin.
(These guys… seriously, what are they doing with their school life?)

And so, the bodyguard squad’s “Kansai Dialect Bargaining Rampage Incident” came to an end—but in town, a strange rumor had already begun to spread: “The Cross group is stingy.”