Otherworld Dagashi Shop Yahagi

Chapter 148: Brother and Sister

Michelle’s laboratory was a unique place to visit.

The door is decorated with a skull with a withered purple rose in its mouth, surrounded by a number of protective charms.

However, I’m not one to be perturbed by that.

Knocking lightly on the door, I waited for a reply.

[Who is it? State your name……]

A gruff voice answered.

It reminds me of the voice Michelle used when she was working under the alias Minerva.

[It’s me, Yuusuke.]

[Yuusuke!? Why? I’m lifting the barriers now, so wait for me? Don’t go home.]

After groan-like chants, the door creaked open.

[It’s kind of a tight lock, isn’t it?]

[There are dangerous books and chemicals in here, so I have to make sure not just anyone can easily get in.]

It can’t be helped then.

[I’m glad. Come in, I’ll show you around.]

[I’m interested too, but I can’t just sit back and relax at the moment.]

[Did something happen?]

I described Titti’s condition.

Even when she heard about Titti, Michelle remained indifferent.

It’s not an overly concerned attitude, but she’s not being cold or dismissive either.

And so, I didn’t say anything unnecessary about their relationship as sisters.

[That’s a bit tricky.]

[What is?]

[Titti is also quite cautious, you know? Most probably, even when she was living her usual life, she hadn’t neglected to prepare to resist curses. She even repelled my curse once.]

If that’s the case, does that mean a powerful magic-user casted that curse?]

[Hmmm……]

At this moment, it seems that Michelle couldn’t say anything definitive either.

[In any case, I’m going to check on Titti.]

[What about your work?]

[I’m going to cancel my afternoon classes. I’ll ask another teacher to cover for me.]

[Sorry.]

[It’s alright. I haven’t forgiven Titti for everything, but she’s doing her best for Luganda now. That much is true.]

After completing the necessary formalities, Michelle and I flew to Luganda.

Michelle, who was examining Titti with a stern look on her face, sighed loudly.

[I think I’ve pretty much figured out what’s going on. It’s similar, but this isn’t a curse. It’s a side effect.]

I was surprised, but Titti seemed to have understood what Michelle was saying and said nothing.

[A side effect?]

Michelle said with a repulsed look on her face.

[Yes. Titti, you’ve dabbled with Forbidden Spell Fusion, haven’t you?]

[Tsk…….]

A frustrated click of the tongue was a sign of affirmation.

[What’s that Forbidden Spell Fusion? Explain it so that even I can understand.]

[It’s one of the Forbidden Arts. In a nutshell, it’s a technique where different wavelengths of magic are mixed together to gain significant power. However, when you do it, the repercussions are huge, and if you fail, you get symptoms like this, as if you were under a curse.]

[Hmph, I was quite sure Michelle had secretly cursed me.]

Without any particular thought, Titti hurled back insults.

[Why would you even want to use Forbidden Spell Fusion?]

[………………..]

At my question, Michelle answered instead of the unspeaking Titti.

[Probably because of a chronic lack of mana.]

[What do you mean?]

[Healing Magic uses a lot of mana. With how much she works hard every day around adventurers, a night’s sleep might not be enough for a full mana recovery. This would eventually lead to a decrease in her total amount of mana.]

[And so, she used Forbidden Spell Fusion to try to manage that…… I’m sorry, Titti, for only relying on you for this.]

[It’s nothing for Yahagi to apologize for. It’s just something I wanted to try out.]

Titti turned away.

[I’ll treat you for the time being, but healing her from the root of the problem will take time. Gathering the ingredients for the cure is troublesome……]

Michelle gave a small sigh.

[A cure for it does exist then?]

p>

[There is, but it’s not something that has a dramatic effect. She’ll have to heal herself with it slowly and surely. And for that, we’d have to collect a lot of Amani Herbs……]

[Is there a problem?]

[It’s a herb that grows in the low levels of the dungeon, but it’s not the sort of thing being handled by apothecaries. Rather than a medicinal plant, it’s more of a weed.]

(T/N: Low levels here is talking about the areas where weaker mobs are, not low as in the deeper levels)

With no demand for them, there’s no one going out of their way to collect them huh.

[Then, I’ll collect it myself.]

[ [ Yuusuke (Yahagi) will? ] ]

The two sisters spoke in unison.

[I’m frequently diving into the dungeons anyway. I’ll look for them while I’m around there.]

[That’s dangerous. What if you’re attacked by a monster while looking for Amani Herbs?]

Michelle was apparently worried.

However, I can handle up to the 1st or 2nd Underground Floor without any problems now.

I also have my dagashis and toys.

[If it’s just around the low levels, I’ll be fine. I’m already quite used to that area. Besides…….]

[Besides what?]

Michelle is still against it, looking displeased.

[I’m about to marry Michelle, right? That means Titti will be my sister. I can’t just disregard her while she’s like that.]

When I said this, they both fell silent.

After a while, Michelle came to her senses and lightly poked Titti on her forehead.

[W- What are you blushing for!]

[I- I’m not blushing! Michelle’s the one blushing! You’re already too old to be acting all embarrassed!]

[That’s just because Yuusuke suddenly talked about our marriage. It’s you who shouldn’t get embarrassed just because he called you his sister!]

[You’re so annoying! I’ve only got a creepy Sister, so I was just longing for a proper Brother.]

[Stop fighting, okay? Anyhow, I’m going to search for those Amani Herbs.]

Michelle eventually agreed.

[Titti, how are you feeling?]

[Michelle’s magic and the medicine seem to be working. I feel much better than before.]

Her complexion does seem to have improved.

[If you get negligent, you’re in for a rude awakening. You’d regularly get headaches, dizziness, insomnia and hot flushes.]

[That kinda sounds like menopausal symptoms.]

[Why, indeed.]

[I’m not that old. Don’t you dare include a girl in her twenties on that!]

Titti started complaining.

That aside, in place of visitation gifts, I’ll give her some sweets.

Product name: Fruit Gummi

Description: Fruit gummies made from natural fruit juice. There are several varieties, including grape, strawberry and tangerine. The pomegranate flavor relieves menopausal symptoms.

Price: 100 rims

[Here, a visitation gift.]

[I told you I’m not menopausal!]

Titti was angry, but she looked much better than she had in the morning.

Michelle’s healing must have been a really good thing.

However, that was just a coping mechanism.

The fundamental cure depends on the Amani Herbs I collect.

Leaving her medicine and gummies behind, Michelle and I left Titti’s house.

<Translator’s Notes>

Fruit Gummi