Atelier Tanaka

Book 7: Chapter 1 (6)

Ordinary Day

Our journey to Kalis was completed in a short time thanks to the airship.

The desire I held to start my vacation hastened my steps toward the imperial palace. I was the first off the ship and on my way to the palace before anyone could speak to me. During previous meetings, it used to take me the majority of a day to get an audience with the King. However, now that I know how to handle myself in the capital and thanks to my relationship with the King, it didn’t even take me a full minute to get a meeting.

I passed straight through the audience chamber and was taken to the King’s private room.

“Welcome, Baron Tanaka.”

“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, Your Majesty.”

The King greeted me with a thank you for my efforts in Academy City.

He was smiling at me.

I wonder if something good happened to him.

“Please, take a seat.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I gave the King a slight bow and sat down in front of him.

This sofa is softer than even modern sofas I’ve sat on.

“So, how did it go in Academy City?”

“I arrived in the city just after Academy City’s own ambassador arrived from abroad. I’ve given my report to Duke Fitzclarence about what we discussed. I’d speak with him if you’d like further details.”

“Is that so? Then, I’ll have to meet with Duke FitzClarence.”

“Thank you.”

Great. It’s always nice when you can pass off work to your boss.

Thank you for your sacrifice, Richard-san.

“Incidentally, Your Majesty, you appear to be in a good mood.”

“Hm? Is it that obvious?”

“It is.”

“Well, since you asked, my daughter has…ah, no, I don’t need to bother you with that, Baron Tanaka.”

“As you wish.”

I’d like to know, but if he doesn’t want to tell me, I won’t force him. I don’t want to stir up trouble unnecessarily. He mentioned his daughter, so I’m sure it’s just a father being happy for his child. I’m more focused on confirming that I can take an extended vacation.

At least five days sounds good.

“Your Majesty, I actually have a request.”

“A request? Ask it.”

“I was actually hoping we to take you up on your promise–”

“Promise? About what?”

“No, umm, you mentioned I’d have a chance to take some time to myself once I returned.”

“Aah, that’s true. I did promise you that.”

Is it just a universal trait for superiors to forget the promises they make to their subordinates?

It’s a bit surprising.

I’d expect the King to at least remember the promises he makes to people, especially if he’s going into a meeting with them. I guess this being a fantasy world doesn’t have an impact on the people that get to hold power. I guess I don’t have room to talk. I forgot my promise to the loligon.

Sorry, loligon.

I genuinely feel sorry for her.

“Is that alright?”

“You’ve worked hard in the name of your King, Baron Tanaka. Working hard is important, but so is knowing when your body needs rest.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“With that being said, I’ll lend you one of the Penny Empire’s estates in a nearby leisure area used by the nobility. I’ll be sure to inform the workers there to expect your arrival.”

“I-Is that really alright?”

“It’s the least you deserve for your performance.”

“T-Thank you! I’m so relieved to hear it!”

His Majesty is amazing. I regret ever doubting him. He’s a man in control of an entire empire and it’s ridiculous to expect him to remember every conversation he has with his subordinates. If he concerned himself with every conversation he had in a given day, the Empire would come to a standstill.

Aah, he’s right. Rest is necessary.

I can’t wait to see what Tanaka’s exclusive vacation spot looks like.

***

As soon as I left the King’s private chambers, I asked one of the imperial guards about the vacation spot he had offered me.

I was told that the site is near the Great Holy Kingdom and has a temperate climate. He told me that it’s considered to be one of the best vacation areas on the continent and many well-known people from across the world have vacation homes there. It’s probably like the Dubai of this world.

I was left with high expectations after hearing the vacation spot described.

I was handed a letter with the royal seal on it. I was told that the staff would be awaiting my arrival and I was welcome to bring guests or travel there on my own. There’s apparently some form of magical communication in this world that allows them to get in contact immediately with the staff and there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings when I arrive. I’d hate to  get there and go through the awkward interaction of trying to convince them I’m the nobleman they’ve been waiting for.

“…this will be the best vacation ever.”

I left the imperial palace with a warm feeling in my chest.

I was never told how long I’d be able to stay there, but considering the travel time there and back, I’m hoping I can take at least ten days off. My vacation hasn’t even started yet and I’m already dreading returning to work.

“What’s the best way for me to get there…?”

I thought about my options as I walked to the dormitory.

The reason I’m staying at the dorm is because I offered Drill-chan and the masochist demon my usual accommodations in the capital. They’re both from the Pussy Republic so it would’ve been difficult to ask for accommodations from anyone else.

“….”

There’s also no chance we could stay at the Fitzclarence’s manor. I returned the two of them to her home as soon as we returned to Kalis. With Richard staying in Dragon City, there’d be less immediate risk of them returning home. Ester-chan’s grandfather, the power geezer, came out to greet us when we arrived.

He was as macho as ever and showed no signs of his age.

He’s still as intimidating as ever.

Sophia-chan left on her own to return to her parents’ home, Edita Sensei returned to her atelier, and the sadomasochist pair left ahead of me to return to my dorm. I’m glad I was able to leave Goggoru-chan and the loligon behind in Dragon City. The two of them are usually the hardest to deal with and it makes my life easier without them here.

“Carriages are out of the question….”

It would take nearly two weeks to reach the resort by carriage and a day or two by airship. It’s located near the Pussy Republic so it would be faster to set out from Dragon City, but it would still take more than a day.

Obviously, I could easily fly there on my own using my flight magic, but with Drill-chan accompanying me, I need to think of an alternative.

No, with the masochist demon coming as well, he should be able to fly her all the way there.

Flight magic would be even faster than using an airship.

Thanks to our increased chance to talk recently, I think I’ve gotten to know her better. I doubt she’d care about the method of travel. She seems like the type to have a more pragmatic personality. Personally, I find that almost motherly side of her endearing.

“It’s settled.”

We’ll travel there quickly using magic.

***

We arrived at the student dormitory.

After entering through the front door and walking down the hall, I was greeted by not only the sadomasochist pair but also , for some reason, Edita Sensei. I assumed she would already be back in her atelier, but it’s possible she forgot something back on the airship.

She was seated on one of the sofa’s, her back as straight as an arrow and looking at me nervously. The way she sat was beautiful in its own right. It made me want to hug her from behind. Her arms rested on her knees and her hands were tensely clasped together.

Her skirt was also in an optimal position to offer me plenty of glimpses of her panties.

Drill-chan, on the other hand, was completely relaxed as if she were in her own home. She was also sitting on a sofa with her legs crossed and the usual prideful look on her face. She was holding a glass of alcohol which she casually swirled around as she lounged on my sofa. I don’t even know where she got that from.

I would’ve had more to say if she were wearing a shorter skirt. She claims to be a virgin after all, so most of the skirts she wears are longer. Typically, below the knees. I would love to get a closeup view of her virgin pussy while she’s wearing a super mini skirt that doesn’t even go past her thighs.

“Araa, you’re finally home.”

“Yes, thank you. I’m back.”

She said this as soon as she noticed me.

I gave her the simplest greeting before turning my attention to Edita Sensei.

“I-I’m sorry for coming here unannounced! I wanted to talk about something!”

“You’re always welcome here, Edita Sensei. I’ll prepare some tea for you.”

That damn drill-chan only bothered getting a drink for herself.

Well, it was most likely the masochist demon that got it for her.

“No, t-that’s not necessary. I’d just like to talk about….”

Edita Sensei glanced over at Drill-chan and the masochist demon nearby her. I’m guessing she wants to talk about something in private. Then I shouldn’t let Drill-chan know that.

She’ll definitely make fun of us.

“Araa~n? Is it something you don’t want me to hear?”

I could see her sadistic eyes settle on Edita Sensei.

And I could feel those eyes causing something to stir in my pants.

“No, i-it’s not that I don’t want anyone else to hear. Umm, it’s just that….”

“Maybe we can talk in my room? It should be easier for you to calm down there.”

“Yes, what’s more calming than a man and a woman going into a bedroom together?”

“….”

I could see my blonde, thick-thighed, loli sensei’s spine tense up as Drill-chan spoke.

I need to be sure not to call her ‘drill-chan’ out loud. I don’t think she’d appreciate my nickname and I don’t want virgin loli to hate me.

Women tend to place a heavy consideration on how a man treats them and weighs that against how attractive they are. I need every advantage I can get.

That’s a part of her sadism if you ask me.

My life has been filled with traumatic events recently. The ruined memory I have of kissing the JC who turned out to be the shotachinpo and before that watching Pi-chan and Professor Bus in the library. I have always wanted to kiss a beautiful girl, but that desire has grown exponentially in me.

Even if it doesn’t lead to having unprotected sex, I still want to be able to kiss a girl. My tongue has suffered invisible wounds caused by the shotachinpo that can only be cured by a woman’s tongue. When it comes to french kissing, I feel like a virgin can still perform pretty well. I hope that a private chat with Edita Sensei can lead to that.

“No, we can do it here. There’s no issue with you being here.”

“Really? You could come back another time.”

“No, t-there would be no point if it’s not today.”

“I see.”

I wonder what this is about.

The nerves she was clearly displaying made me more than a little nervous.

“So, umm, what are you planning to do now?”

“What do you mean?”

“You came all the way here to the capital, right? I’m sure you came for a reason.”

“Yeah, well, I guess….”

I am planning on going on vacation as soon as tomorrow.

A vacation at a resort that a wage slave could only dream of.

Even so, it will be back to normal as soon as I return.

Aah, of course. If it’s something you can’t tell me, I won’t push you, but, well, that’s kind of why I’m here. You are always so busy, so I was hoping you’d have the time while we’re both together to have a proper lesson in alchemy. Yes, an alchemy lesson, that’s all.”

Something’s been off about Sensei since I first saw her.

She’s constantly fidgeting and stuttering.

“Why does this have to be now?”

“No, it’s not urgent or anything….”

“But you said it needed to be today earlier.”

“That’s because…b-because it needs to stay on track with the timeline!”

What timeline, Sensei?

“If you already have plans to go somewhere, I won’t force you to do anything, but, umm, if you can spare the time, you know. I’ve got plenty of free time, so I could even work around your schedule….”

What a wonderful sight. Sensei started rubbing her thighs together.

She lowered her head and turned her eyes up at me.

I didn’t think my blonde, thick-thighed, loli sensei could get any cuter.

This is the skill that comes from over a hundred years of experience.

“If that’s what you want, we can arrange something next month. I’m planning on being away from the capital for a length of time beginning tomorrow so I can attend to some business. I’m very sorry, but I hope I can take you up on your offer when I return.”

“Eh….”

Her eyes opened wide in shock as I told her the truth.

Her back had remained straight with her knees pressed together this entire time. After I gave her my answer, her entire body seemed to deflate. Her back arched forward as she slumped down onto her knees and the light faded from her eyes. It was like a sunflower shriveling up after losing all of its petals at the end of summer.

“…did I say something wrong?”

“No…i-it’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Are you sure?”

Sensei let out a brief sigh before standing up from the sofa.

“Umm, Edita-san?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Eh? Y-You are? I thought there was something you wanted to talk about….”

“…it doesn’t matter.”

What happened to all the nerves she had? It’s like she’s completely given up. She slowly staggered toward the hall leading to the exit and ignored all of my calls to her.

She quietly walked toward me and didn’t say anything as her shoulder bumped into me.

She continued toward the hall and left my dorm without saying anything.

“That Elf is strange.”

“Edita-san was acting differently today.”

Both drill-chan and I curiously tilted our heads.

This is one of those times I wish I had Goggoru-chan with me.

I might want to ask her about Edita Sensei once I get back from vacation.