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Nanana’s Buried Treasure Volume 9 Intermission

Interlude

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The big fight between <<Matsuri>> and the Korunald family finally came to an end when Jougo Yama knocked Jurus Korunald down.

After a brutal two-hour brawl, the chapel of the Grand Hotel was left littered with coprses. (Actually everyone was just unconscious) There was no trace of its former beauty, enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.

「You shouldn’t have started a fight if you weren’t serious about it」, Sougo spat out in frustration at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed man sprawled out on the chapel floor.

「I just couldn’t forgive myself.」

Jurus looked up at the ceiling.

「Even so, this plan was pretty sloppy considering you came up with it, Jurus.」

「I didn’t.」

「?」

「This is all Ulysses’ plan.」

「Huh?」

Sougo was honestly impressed, even though he misread the situation.

「And Ulysses knew you would see through her, and that you’d turn a blind eye to it too.」

「……」

「Ulysses said that you, Sougo, are probably the one who would buy it the most.」

Hearing that, Sougo burst out laughing. A hearty laughter. He never imagined that he would back down voluntarily or involuntarily.

Sougo Yama then became serious and let out a heartfelt sigh.

「Oh man, what a loss.」

He missed out on playing the best hand he had this time. Well, what’s past has passed, so Sougo changes his mind.

「So, Jurus. Didn’t you ever even consider asking me for advice?」

「You want me to ask you for money because I can’t put out the fire in my ass? How can I do something as pathetic as that to my best friend?」, Jurus declares as he stands up.

「That’s why you’re my best friend.」

So Sougo continues, 「I won’t lend you money. Borrowing and lending money that changes your fate will destroy our friendship, but I’ll introduce you to jobs instead.」

「To jobs?」

As if on cue, Sougo’s phone rings in his pocket.

「Hello, it’s me… Ah, good timing. Got it, I’ll hand it over now.」

Sougo then hands the phone over to Jurous.

「Who’s this?」

「My wife. And the person on the other end of the line is your future client.」

「What?」

「You should be grateful for my wife’s negotiating skills. She even offered a large advance. That should calm the debt collectors down for now.」

「Who is the client?」

「Alpamest Corporation.」

Jurus’ eyes widened at the mention of that name.

「So that’s what this is.」

「That’s it. If we adults were to invade that island, the quickest way would be to do it from there. Let’s form a united front for now, Jurus. But first come, first served for the treasure.」

Jurus’ heart leapt with excitement at Sougo’s words as he grinned. The spirit of a treasure hunter that had resided within him since birth. That’s why Jurus Korunald laughed.

「Very well. By the way, how will <<Matsuri>> attack Nanaejima?」

「From inside and outside. But there will be no coordination. We’ll have to adapt to the situation.」

「It’s the same for us. Let’s hope for the best from our sons.」

「If you want to, go ahead. I won’t be doing that.」

「You’re still as stubborn as ever.」

「Shut up.」

He bluntly thrusts his phone at Jurus, and he holds it to his ear.

「Hello, this is Jurus Korunald.」

A young woman’s voice came from the other end of the phone, claiming to be the representative of Alpamesto. The request made to the Korunald family is to train and assist for the <<ruins>> invasion forces that Alpamesto will be preparing for the invasion of Nanaejima.

「Understood, Fuwa-san. Let’s set a date for a formal business meeting.」

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「Myaa myaa…」

In Happiness dorm on Nanaejima, Shiki was sleeping comfortably drunk in the landlord’s house at the back of the property when her phone suddenly started ringing.

Disturbed from her sleep, Shiki was annoyed but looked over at her phone screen which read ‘future husband’.

By the way, Shiki has no recollection of registering such a contact name.

「Hello?」

「Good evening.」

As expected, it was a familiar voice.

「Stop hacking into my cell phone Fumika.」

The person on the other end of the phone, Fumika Sanada, mutters, ‘sorry’.

「Where are you now?」

「Somewhere.」

「That doesn’t make sense.」

「Somewhere on this island that you can’t reach.」

At this, Shiki’s expression goes blank.

「Well, that’s fine. So what?」

「I have a favor to ask of you.」

Shiki, who had been busy rummaging around, is surprised.

「Oh, you are asking me for a favor Fumika?」

「Actually, as a resident of Room 201 of Happiness dorm, I have a request for the landlord.」

She sighed.

「You know, even though you’re paying your rent, I’m not sure what to do with a tenant who is never at home…」

Ding Dong

The doorbell then rings.

「Go away.」

「Why?」

「It’s a box of golden sweets from me.」

「What’s that?」

「I thought you’d be thirsty after waking up.」

Shiki immediately opens the front door.

「Got a delivery, please sign for it.」

A smiling delivery man hands her a cardboard box full of ice-cold beer.

Gulp gulp, 「Ah, it’s so good. It really hits the spot. Summer beer is the best.」

「I’m glad you like it.」

「Damn. That was just a reflex.」

「If you can call that series of actions a reflex, then you have a major problem.」

Without any thought, she opened the cardboard box, pulled up on the tab of the beer, and poured it down her throat, so she couldn’t complain.

「So?」

「There are two children who would like to live in my room.」

「Why?」

「Tinkerbell’s role.」

「I don’t understand what that means. What is your relationship with those kids?」

「Complete strangers.」

「?」

「Don’t worry, they don’t know anything.」

「Do you think I can trust them?」

「I swear, I wouldn’t lie about this.」

「Swear to who?」

「I swear to the living Kasumi.」

The can of beer in Shiki’s hand was crushed. Of course the contents of it were already in her stomach. Shiki Maboro decided to believe what she said though.

「What about the rent payment?」

「Those kids will pay.」

「So you’re ending your residence at the Happiness dorm and making those kids the tenets instead?」

「Yeah.」

「…I won’t pay you back the rent you paid in advance.」

「It’s ok. You can have it, I’m not short on money.」

「I’m jealous. But even so, I’m impressed that you contacted me, even though you might be caught.」

「This action doesn’t directly lead to me being killed in the future.」

「Huh? What’s, that?」

「This is what I called to say. So what’s your response?」

「Okay, fine.」

「I appreciate it.」

「So what are their names?」

Hearing the names come out of Fumika’s mouth, Shiki frowns.

「Is that a joke?」

「I wish it was.」

「Hmmm. Well, whatever. So, how’s Kasumi?」

「Apparently she’s living a relaxed life on the mainland.」

「Oh. What about you, Fumika?」

「I’m still living my life in hiding.」

「You should get some sunlight every once in a while.」

「I’m trying my best to not die.」

「Oh, and…」

Blam blam blam blam

The phone suddenly went dead.

Shiki stood up and picked up the other cell phone that was on the table.

「Hello, Honami? Did you trace it back? …you failed? I was so close.」

She must have been tricked.

「Advisor.」

「No, don’t worry about it. Thank you for responding to my email on short notice. See you later.」

After hanging up the phone, Shiki thought for a while, but then stopped.

「Well, it’s okay. She doesn’t seem like she wants to talk either.」

Shiki immediately reaches for a second cold beer.

The person on the other end of the phone was Fumika Sanada. She is the former resident of Room 201 at the Happiness dorm. A member of the original Adventure Club of the Third High School. Owner of a Nanana collection. Nanaejima’s best information broker, and like Kasumi Kanjou, one of the people who knows the secrets of Nanaejima intimately.