Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter 407.1: Dogeza

When I safely return to Ohii-sama’s building from Nora-san’s place, the first thing I see is Ohii-sama munching on a chocolate bar that she said was gone, even though it isn’t snack time. For a moment I don’t understand what is going on. I am usually the one making the other exasperated, but to think I will be exasperated by her, as one would expect from Royalty, Ohii-sama is truly a big shot. Even if you try to hide it, it is too late now……

I sigh and say to Ohii-sama who hides the chocolate bars while putting the chocolate in her mouth.

“Ohii-sama, you really are…… Oh well, whatever.” (Cry)

“…… Th-These are…… Mine!” (Alisha)

Stepping away from the door, Ohii-sama declares in a small, powerful voice.

I am not going to scold her for hiding the chocolate bars. In fact, I don’t really care if I cannot get any more chocolate bars.

Once I return to the Imperial Capital, I can find them everywhere, and although I love chocolate, I am not a chocoholic, so it will not be a big deal if I don’t eat any for a month. The reason I went out of my way to ask Nora-san about chocolate was for Ohii-sama’s sake――And to make it easier for me to protect her. It is true that I was bored too, but that is not really important.

In the first place, even if I managed to retrieve the chocolate bars from Ohii-sama now, there would be little point in taking them to Nora-san’s place. I already have the information I want.

Seriously, I wonder what is happening to me this time. I successfully found the thing I am looking for all by myself…… I am so capable that it scares me.

“Ohii-sama, I have figured out how to make chocolate bars. Nora-san told me that………… The King might be able to make them.” (Cry)

“Fueeh!?” (Alisha)

Ohii-sama opens her eyes wide, stares at my face, and *pachipachi* blinks rapidly. As expected, even Ohii-sama has probably never thought of this idea. As I *un, un* nod in satisfaction, Ohii-sama timidly asks me.

“S-So…… What should I do?” (Alisha)

“? Of course, ask the King. You can contact him, right?” (Cry)

In the first place, you should have asked the king from the beginning. The king holds the most power in this city. The only problem is that from the information the client gave us, the king is being imprisoned by the nobles, but there is the example of Nora-ojou, so I think it will be okay to at least give it a try. Ohii-sama gasps for a moment and speaks in a strained voice.

“………… I cannot ask such a thing to the great King of Code, who shoulders such a great mission and responsibility……” (Alisha)

How dare she say something like that, considering she had already contacted the king once to ask permission to have a chocolate bar sent to her.

“I can tolerate not eating chocolate bars for a while, so it is fine by me tho’.” (Cry)

“Kuh………… Cry, do you think you can bother the King for your own personal gain?” (Alisha)

Well, I understand what you are saying. Even I will not ask the King for something for my own personal gain. Even with someone like Gark-san, it would be pretty hard.

However, in this particular case, the circumstances are a little different. I cross my arms, sigh, and say.

“I understand what you are saying, but even if you call him the King, isn’t he still your father. If it is with my father, I will ask for his help when I need it.” (Cry)

Well, I don’t really have anything to ask my Tou-san1 for, because…… Before that, I have a very capable Imouto!

We help each other out when we are in trouble. That is what family and friends are for.

Ohii-sama frowns in confusion, but after a moment of silence, she sighs in relief and says.

“………… I asked, but he said no. After all, that is not the king’s job.” (Alisha)

I see, I see……

“That is because you asked it in a bad way.” (Cry)

“Eh…………” (Alisha)

“When you ask for something if you don’t get down on your knees and do a dogeza, you won’t get an OK even if it is something that would normally be OK.” (Cry)

I am not bragging, but I got down on my knees and did a dogeza in front of many angry clients. I am proud to say that my skills in that area are first-class. It may be possible that dogeza is absorbing all my Mana Materials (I have no idea what I am saying). Recently, my Alias has become too popular, so I have been doing less and less dogeza, but my skills have not gotten rusty. I am sure Ohii-sama understands this since she saw the example I made for Olivia-san. I also got down on my knees and did a dogeza to Nora-san, so today is really a day associated with dogeza.

Ohii-sama’s body is *purupuru* shaking as she asks me.

“!? I-I have to do, that weird thing?” (Alisha)

“Dogeza is the highest form of apology, you know. It shows your gratitude by deliberately putting yourself in a humiliating position. There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved by dogeza, you know. Come on, try it!” (Cry)

“…………” (Alisha)

Ohii-sama takes a deep breath as if she is preparing herself, then slowly kneels on the floor. Then she slowly stretches out her arms. As expected, her core seems firm, as she does exercises every day. But there is still some embarrassment in the gesture. The trick to doing a dogeza is to *gabatto* do it without hesitation. If you don’t do it all at once, you might lose your balance.

I *panpan* clap my hands and raise my voice, encouraging Ohii-sama, who is performing a 55-point dogeza.

“Look, keep your posture straight and don’t arch your back! Your arms aren’t at the right angle! I used to practice a lot too, for now, let’s try doing it ten times!” (Cry)

§ § §

Ohii-sama kneels and bows her head so deeply that her head touches the floor. After a moment, Ohii-sama lets out a sorrowful cry.

“I beg you. Please, make some chocolate for me. Here is my sincerity.” (Alisha)

“Un, un, that’s quite good. You have much more talent than Olivia-san. Alright, next, let’s do it for real.” (Cry)

Ohii-sama is so obedient that it is hard to believe she is a princess. And she has a good memory too. I am very pleased with her ability to do a dogeza, something that even ordinary people will find difficult to do, and nod.

There is something mysteriously noble about the way Ohii-sama kneels on the floor and exposes the back of her head. This is a strength of hers that I can never replicate. I am sure that even the King of Code, who has probably seen many people get down on their knees and do a dogeza, would be satisfied with this dogeza.

Hearing what I said, Ohii-sama *furafura* unsteadily stands up. Her eyes sparkle like jewels. Sweat is dripping on her white skin. She looks at me and quietly asks me a question.

“Will this…… Really going to work?” (Alisha)

“Yup, yup. I am not bragging, but I have basically made it all the way up to Level 8 just by doing dogeza alone.”

“Level, 8……?” (Alisha)

I really am not bragging, but if I may say so myself, it wasn’t just my own mistakes that I covered up with my dogeza. In the old days, I used to secretly get down on my knees and do a dogeza to apologize for any problems Luke or Liz caused. Good old times.

Ohii-sama says in a husky voice.

“………… What if, it doesn’t work?” (Alisha)

“We can figure out what to do when it doesn’t work out. For now, you should get down on your knees and do the dogeza. Doge-now.” (Cry)

“………… This is for the sake of chocolate, for the chocolate……” (Alisha)

Mutters Ohii-sama to herself and takes a deep breath.

Thanks for reading! Producer Cry helping future idol Alisha by training her. Will her training comes to fruition!? Will her dream of having a chocolate factory become true!? You will discover that in the next episode of Idol Code: Chocolate 4-eva!

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1. Tou-san: it means dad.