Reincarnated as an Instructor in an Adult Game

"Is the same ratio as last time alright?"

"...If that’s fine with you, I won’t complain."

"I don’t mind."

Both of them gave me exasperated looks and shifted their gaze to the side.

There sat Croana, happily drinking fruit juice. It was her break time, so she was resting at the same table as us.

Noticing their stares, Croana smiled cheerfully and spoke up.

"Oh dear, I never thought the day would come when I’d act like this. I still have a long way to go, huh?"

"...Headmistress, I’m not sure how to respond to that."

"Croana Headmistress, thank you very much for the underwear matter."

Marika stood up and bowed her head. Croana gave a wry smile, shook her head, and gently stopped her with a hand gesture. After confirming Marika had sat back down, she glanced sideways at me and said:

"That matter didn’t just help Raid’s grade — it’s helping the entire academy. As you know, this academy has a lot of female students. If anyone should be saying thanks, it’s me."

"There certainly are a lot of them. The survey results are supposed to show that the worldwide male-to-female ratio is equal, yet..."

"Last year’s results said the same, but for some reason there are more female students this year. ...The results this year might be different."

"In that case, Marika-san will get even busier."

At my comment, Marika gave a bitter smile while Erika stared at me with narrowed eyes.

Croana, sitting beside me, let out a quiet "kukku" laugh.

Well, more funds for Erika means more connections depending on how she manages it. I don’t think it’s something worth giving me that look...

Perhaps she read what I was thinking from my expression, because Erika let out a small sigh.

...Sighing so much at such a young age isn’t good for you, you know?

"Raid-san, it may sound like someone else’s problem to you... but when something happens, I’ll be counting on your help, okay?"

"...Hmm, that’s fine. But I don’t think I’ll be the only one lending you strength."

"...Eh?"

I couldn’t help but laugh at Erika’s dumbfounded face.

She usually carries herself like the perfect noble young lady, but those occasional reactions of hers are endlessly amusing.

I looked up toward the second floor, which offered a view over the entire first floor.

My eyes met those of a female adventurer. Her name was Satour, the leader of a female adventurer party.

All three members of her party had large breasts — not quite melon-sized, but around grapefruit level.

When Satour noticed me looking, she gave a wry smile and waved her hand back and forth.

Erika followed my gaze to the second floor and, still looking confused, waved back.

...You two are pretty cute, you know that?

I turned back to Erika and spoke in a tone that said, "See?"

"That’s what I mean."

"...I’m sorry. This time I really don’t understand."

"I see. So it really isn’t just Raid who can help."

Croana looked around the room, nodded in understanding, and spoke to Erika.

Marika seemed to already have a grasp of the customers and lightly bowed to the surrounding female and male adventurers.

Seeing that, Erika put a hand to her forehead and finally muttered in realization:

"What an incredible force..."

"Well, the adventurers gathered here are quite the collection of oddballs. It is a powerful force."

"...There’s no option to pretend I didn’t hear that, is there?"

"I make it a point to respond when I hear my name."

Erika finally let out a troubled laugh.

Yes, yes. Women look much more beautiful when they’re smiling.

Erika and Marika went home around 9 PM, while Croana stayed to help until midnight.

Since tomorrow was a regular holiday, we kept the tavern open until then.

Now she was sitting in the chair beside me, drinking the fruit juice Neemi had prepared.

Neemi and the two helpers were taking care of the cleanup.

Croana took a breath and began to speak.

"Were you surprised?"

"...Yeah, I was."

"...You know, I’m over 120 years old."

"Yes."

"I’ve been called ugly my whole life and have zero experience with romance."

"..."

"...It’s true."

Croana looked up at me. A faint blush colored her cheeks, giving her an air of mature womanhood that didn’t match her small stature. She gazed at me with serious eyes.

After a short pause, she spoke again.

"...Will you really... love someone like me?"

"I don’t say things like that as a joke."

I stood up, knelt on one knee in front of Croana, placed her cup on the table, gently took her small hand in mine, and spoke earnestly.

Seriously, who the hell called her ugly...?

"Croana... From now on, please never call yourself ugly again."

"...I told you to call me Croana, didn’t I?"

"Croana, I think you’re beautiful. I also think you’re cute... I already have two girlfriends, but..."

"I’ve already received permission from Neemi-dono and Felica."

Croana looked behind me.

I turned my head and saw Neemi standing there with a gentle smile.

With Neemi’s nod of approval, I turned back to Croana, looked her in the eyes, and said:

"I want you to become my lover."

"...How wonderful. So this is how happy it feels... to gain a lover."

Tears streamed down Croana’s face as she smiled happily. She looked truly beautiful.

I wondered how deeply she had been hurt and how many long years she had spent alone.

...I seriously wanted to kill whoever called her ugly.

I kept holding her hand until her tears finally stopped.

After closing the tavern, Neemi went into the house and the two helpers headed home.

I stayed outside to see Croana off.

With a height difference of over 40 centimeters, I couldn’t help but feel like I was completely looking down at her, which made me a little sad.

Croana smiled like a young girl and gestured for me to crouch down.

Without hesitation, I knelt on one knee. Her small lips touched mine.

It was a light, brushing kiss. Then she wrapped her arms around my neck, so I hugged her back.

Afraid I might crush her if I used too much strength, I held her small body gently but firmly.

She let out a happy "kukku" laugh and whispered in my ear:

"Tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you in the headmistress’s office."

Before I could reply, she gave me one more light kiss as she pulled away.

She then stepped back, floated into the air with magic, and flew off toward the academy.

...Her face was bright red.

Come to think of it, there was flight magic after all...

Recalling Croana’s girlish, overjoyed smile, I felt another surge of killing intent toward whoever had called her ugly — I’d lost count of how many times today.

I let out a sigh to calm myself and headed back into the house where Neemi was waiting.