IPDT 4

“Well… generally the other party seems to handle the financial procurement, but you, Master, have no financial shortcomings.”

That is right. There was no way that I, the great one, would have any financial shortcomings. I was not an impoverished dragon.

“Alright, so I alone am more than enough. Ah, Fleabag, tell me again how to raise a human.”

I opened a subspace and took out paper and an ink pen. Once I had finished preparing to write, Fleabag puffed out his chest and began to ramble on about humans.

*

“From what I have observed, a human’s life from birth to death can be divided into several stages. For example, from ages 2 to 12 is childhood, up to age 14 is adolescence, and up to age 21 is young adulthood. Judging by the fact that this human is a troublemaker, I suspect he may be going through adolescence.”

“Then is the black-haired one 14 years old? He’s too big for a 14-year-old, isn’t he?”

“Of course, he is probably not 14. Among humans, there are many pathetic beings who act like 14-year-olds even after they are over 14. I call such humans scoundrels.”

By the time I had heard all of Fleabag’s stories, quite a bit of time had passed. I sent Fleabag, who must have been chattering away excitedly, out of the bedroom and stretched. After yawning, I picked up the paper I had placed on the floor. The paper on which I had written down Fleabag’s words was packed with letters.

“Hmm, to summarize, humans in adolescence are sensitive, so they must be handled with care. First, they are embarrassed to sleep together, so you have to make a separate room for them… and you have to let them do everything themselves. Then he probably didn’t like it when I used the cleaning spell yesterday, right?”

Is that why he choked me as soon as he woke up? Tch, if he doesn’t like it, he should say so. In any case, he was a human like a wild animal.

“And to raise an adolescent human correctly, the master’s affectionate attention and continuous education are necessary… Hmm, hmm.”

I frowned and nodded my head. I was keenly aware that raising a human was a more laborious task than I had thought.

“But what should I do for affectionate attention and continuous education?”

No sooner had I started to ponder than numerous wrongdoings of the black-haired one came to mind. For instance, biting my finger, choking me, kicking me, and falling off a cliff while running away like a headless chicken.

“Hmm.”

The problem was not that there was nothing to teach, but that there was too much to teach.

“Alright, then let’s start by teaching him not to bite the master.”

I chose the most urgent matter. Once the plan was set, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. I lay on my stomach on a cloud, swinging my legs, and glanced down at the human below me.

“In nine years, when you return to the human realm, I’ll make you a human worthy of everyone’s respect.”

I reached out and poked the black-haired person’s cheek. The black-haired person was sleeping soundly, oblivious to whether I was poking his cheek or not. To be asleep alone when the master is awake, he’s so insolent.

“Hurry up and wake up, you troublemaker.”

I wished the black-haired person would wake up soon. The only thing he did when he was awake was cause trouble, but while the black-haired person was awake, I never had a moment to feel bored. Poke, poke. I poked the black-haired person’s cheek until he woke up. Finally, the black-haired person’s eyes twitched and he woke up.

“He’s awake.”

I quickly dispersed the cloud and stood on two feet. The black eyes, which had been hazy just after waking up, flew wide open. The black-haired person shot up from the bed, looked around, and then saw me. His eyes were a chaotic mix of question and caution.

“Ah, is it because you fell off the cliff? Don’t worry. You’re not dead yet.”

「If it is because you fell from the cliff, there is no need to worry. You are not dead.」

Confusion clouded the black-haired person’s eyes. His face showed that he clearly fell from a cliff, but he did not understand how he was still alive.

Should I tell him that I flew and carried him? As I was tilting my head, I noticed that the human’s hair was a mess. The unevenly grown hair was covering his black eyes.

Why is he covering up something so pretty, what a waste.

I reached out my hand with the intention of moving it. The black-haired person’s body trembled noticeably. Huh? In the moment I hesitated, the black-haired person snatched my hand and immediately bit my arm.

“Ouch.”

It hurt as much as a paper cut, that is how hard he bit. To bite again while I was off guard. This was the time to teach him not to attack his master.

How should I go about educating him? Should I give him an electric shock every time he bites me? Since his behavior is like that of a wild animal, using electricity would be the most efficient method if we’re only considering effectiveness.

Hmm, hmm, yes. I nodded my head and was about to summon electricity when the words ‘affectionate attention’ suddenly flashed through my mind.

Ah, right, he said both ‘affectionate attention’ and ‘continuous education’ are necessary. I quickly dissipated the electric power. An electric shock was not exactly on the affectionate side. Then what should I do? Should I try to soothe him with words?

“You know, the place you bit hurts.”

「It is painful.」

I met the human’s eyes. His black eyes, having lost their reason, glared at me fiercely. No, on closer inspection, it seemed less like he was looking at me and more like he was staring at a distant place. I’m right here in front of him, where is he looking? I got annoyed and waved my arm around.

“I’m not lying. It really hurts, you know? Look at this, it feels like a piece of my flesh is going to fall off.”

「It is not a lie. It is truly painful. It feels as if a piece of flesh is going to fall off.」

Only then did focus return to the black-haired person’s eyes. Not missing the opportunity, I lifted the arm the human was biting so he could see it clearly. Look closely, black-haired one. You shouldn’t bite your master so carelessly.

“…”

The strength went out of the biting mouth. The grip on my arm also loosened. Gasp, could it be that just talking really works? My heart pounded at the visible progress.

“Can you let go of my arm? I just wanted to move your hair out of the way. Don’t be scared, okay?”

「Release my arm. I wish to move your hair. Do not be frightened.」

The black-haired person stared at my face. Does he not believe me? I’m really just going to move his hair.

I put on my most trustworthy expression. The human sharply averted his gaze. So insolent. Though that part is also amusing.

“I’m pulling my arm out now, okay?”

「I shall withdraw my arm.」

I carefully pulled my arm out. Although his eyes were still on high alert, the black-haired person obediently let go of my arm.

Looking at the silent black-haired person, I clasped my hands together tightly. So just talking does accomplish something. There are so many humans who do not listen even when you speak kindly. Could it be because he is a unique human, he’s different somehow?

“I’m going to move your hair now.”

「Now I shall move your hair.」

I spoke first before extending my hand. The monolidded black eyes watched me quietly. Does that mean it’s okay for me to move his hair?

I cautiously reached out my hand. As I gently moved the hair that had fallen below his eyebrows, the black-haired person’s brow furrowed fiercely. Veins stood out on the human’s fists, which were placed on his knees. He looked ready to punch me in the face at any moment.

I was tense, wondering when the fist might fly, but fortunately, the black-haired person did not hit me. I clapped my hands as I looked at the clearly revealed black eyes. A smile came out on its own. For the first time, I touched the black-haired person’s hair without being attacked. Just by talking a little!

“You’re truly perfect.”

「Perfect.」

The human’s expression became strange, as if my crouching down and swaying from side to side was odd. Of course, I did not pay attention to every little thing like that. I carefully examined the result I had created and nodded in satisfaction.

Grumble.

Then a small sound was heard. Huh? When I lifted my head, I saw that the black-haired person’s cheeks were slightly flushed. He seemed both flustered and ashamed as he shrank back, half-covering his face.

“Are you hungry?”

「Are you hungry?」

The black eyes turned towards me. A complete black without any mix of other colors. For a moment, I was unknowingly captivated. Looking at it again, it was a really, really beautiful color.

“…”

I must have been spacing out for too long. The black-haired person started to look at me as if I were strange. Hah, I need to snap out of it. I straightened my crouched legs and stood up.

“Wait just a moment. I’ll bring you something to eat.”

「Wait. I shall bring something to eat.」

I left the black-haired person in the bedroom and came out. I ran to Fleabag’s room and threw the door open with a bang.

“Fleabag!”

“Master?”

Fleabag, who had been curled up in a ball on a cushion, lifted his head with a start. His pointed ears perked up.

“Fleabag, come out quickly.”

“Yes, Master.”

At my urging, Fleabag hurried out of the room. I pointed with my finger towards the kitchen.

“The black-haired one is hungry. Prepare some food.”

“…Excuse me? You mean food for a human?”

“Yes. Why? You don’t want to?”

“I, it’s not that I don’t want to! It’s just that I have to prepare food for a human…”

It’s not that he doesn’t want to, he just doesn’t want to. I snorted and patted Fleabag’s shoulder, pat, pat.

“It can’t be helped. You’re the only animal in the lair who can cook. Now, hurry up and go make it.”

“…”

Fleabag walked to the kitchen with his tail and shoulders drooping. Having solved the problem, I immediately ran back into the bedroom.

At that, the black-haired person, who had been rummaging through the bedroom like a little mouse, flinched his shoulders and turned to look at me. Why is he so surprised? He can look around every nook and cranny without being self-conscious. There was nothing to hide or be ashamed of in my bedroom.

“You’ve waited a long time. The food will be here soon.”

「Have you waited? The meal will be here soon.」

I approached the human who was rummaging through a storage box full of jewels. I was planning to take his arm and seat him at the table.

However, as soon as I raised my hand, the black-haired person’s eyes turned fierce. It looked like his clenched fist was going to plant itself right in my solar plexus this time.

Gasp, right. Speak and then touch! I almost forgot.

“I’m touching your arm now, okay?”

「I shall touch your arm.」

Perhaps the translation was strange, because the black-haired person’s expression contorted bizarrely. Instead of explaining a second time, I grabbed the black-haired person’s arm. And I sat the human, who flinched, down at the table.

The black-haired person, seated in the plush chair, looked up at me. No, he looked me over. As if to size up this great intelligent being. I stood with my shoulders squared. Whichever way you looked at it, I was perfect. There was no reason whatsoever to hunch my body.

“…”

The human, who had been silently looking me over for a long time, turned his gaze away. I loitered around the silent black-haired person. Does he not have anything to say after looking at me? Strange, he should, shouldn’t he? At least an exclamation of admiration should have come out?

When the desired reaction did not come, my mood soured. But I was not disappointed. I was not a narrow-minded dragon who would get angry just because a human did not put on a little show.

“You’re really quiet, aren’t you?”

「You are quiet.」

Though I could become a bit surly.

I stopped pacing around the black-haired person and went to sit in the chair on the opposite side. The human stared at me.

Hmph, even if you act all pretty like that, my mood won’t improve. I crossed my arms and pretended not to look at the black-haired person, when the state of the black-haired person’s language suddenly came to mind. Come to think of it, the human did not know how to speak the continental common language at all.

“You know. You can’t understand or read the continental common language, can you?”

「You cannot hear nor read the continental common language, is that correct?」

The black-haired person, who had been quiet even after hearing my words, gave a small nod.

“Hmm, hmm, so that’s how it was?”