Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 04

 Let's Talk Money... Wait, We're Living Together?!

"We have some sensitive matters to discuss."

With that, Shouko-san politely dismissed Dr. Saitou and Miyoshi-san. The two of us—me and Shouko-oneesan—were left alone in the hospital room.

"First, let's discuss your future, Kashiwagi-sama. In this accident, your family... your mothers, Kashiwagi Momiji-sama and Kashiwagi Kaede-sama... and your older sister, Kashiwagi Ayame-sama... have passed away, leaving you all alone."

"Ah... so they're both... wait, three of them?!"

"Yes. I was told your sister was still conscious when the ambulance arrived, but... unfortunately... That aside, is it possible you hadn't been informed about your family?"

"...No. I mean, I'd assumed as much... I was just scared to ask directly."

"That is... I am deeply sorry."

"No... honestly, I'm grateful. Having you tell me plainly like this is much better than some awkward, drawn-out explanation."

...That's not it! Eh? Momiji? Kaede? Ayame? ...Who... are they?!

My mom's name is Sae, my dad's name is Takashi, and I'm an only child! I don't have an older sister! This was so far beyond comprehension that I just stared in confusion, which only seemed to make the pretty lady look more apologetic.

No, it's not that I'm stunned from hearing my family died... well, not not that. It's just that my brain is completely occupied by the existence of this "family" I have zero memory of.

"Like I said, hearing the news is actually a weight off my shoulders... so please, don't worry about me. Um... so, what was this about my future?"

Just... not for the reason you're thinking, Shouko-oneesan. I mean, how am I supposed to grieve for a family I've never even heard of...? ...This clinches it. This "Japan" is not the world I knew.

"Right... yes. Um, as I was saying... With the loss of your family, Kashiwagi-sama, you are now alone. Your mothers' relatives... your grandmothers, from your perspective... have also already passed away, and your other relatives live far away... We cannot entrust a minor—and a male minor at that—to people with whom you have no close relationship."

Um... if my memory serves, my grandpa and grandma on both sides, and even my great-grandma on my mom's side, were all alive and kicking...

"This may be an inconvenience, but this is GENE's policy. I was dispatched here today to provide support for your life moving forward."

"That's... well... thank you for coming all this way. Um, when you say 'support,' does that mean I'll be put in a facility or something?"

"No, it does not. Of course, if that is what you wish, we would do our best to accommodate... but unfortunately, there are no male-only living facilities in this country."

Not that I'd want to go to some gross, sweaty place like that...

"Your options are as follows: you could continue to live in your current house... In this case, you would be alone, which presents a security problem. We would require some time to install the necessary countermeasures. The other option is for you to move into a high-security apartment building. This we can arrange immediately, but... we thought perhaps you'd prefer an environment you're used to."

No, between those two, it's the apartment. 100%.

"I'd like to move, if possible. Going back to the house I lived in with my (non-existent) family... (is kinda creepy, so...) ...it would be too much."

"I... see. To be alone in the house you shared with your family... (with all the happy memories flooding back...) it would be too painful, wouldn't it? I understand completely. In that case, we will have your new room prepared by the time you are discharged. ...That said, the main topic... starts now."

"Ah... This is about the hospital bill, isn't it? Right now, my finances are... well, if you shook me upside down, you wouldn't get anything but a nosebleed. If possible, I'd like to ask if you could wait for..."

"No, no, that's not it at all! GENE will, of course, be processing all hospital-related expenses, so please don't worry about that. ...Um... well... As you know... no, it seems you don't know. Residences where males live are, of course, monitored with high priority... ...but even so, for a male to live alone—not just you, Kashiwagi-sama, but any male—is extremely dangerous. Therefore, GENE has decided to dispatch personnel for... well, for your personal care, and your protection."

"...Um, so, does that mean... Shouko-oneesan... you're going to be like my 'visiting wife?' Is that what you're saying?"

"Sh-Shouko-oneesan?! ...And a 'visiting wife'?! Ahem... No... If you had at least one family member, a 'visiting' protection detail would be an option, but..."

"Eh? Does that mean... it's... c-c-c-cohabitation?!"

"C-C-C-Cohabitation?! W-Well... yes. I suppose you could call it that. I will be renting one room... we will be living together. ...Of course, if you find me... disagreeable... another agent can be sen—"

I thought I was going to be all alone after leaving the hospital, and now I get to live with a beautiful woman?!

"Is it even possible to think of anyone other than you, Shouko-oneesan?"

"I... I know. A tall, mean-looking woman with no cute traits... having someone like me around... eh? You... want me?!"

"A cool beauty with a model's figure is, like, my favorite thing ever, you know? In fact, I should be the one on my knees begging you for this, you know?"

"C-Cool... beauty... begging..."

After muttering that, her face turned bright red... ...then she just... crouched down on the spot. ...And Shouko-san remained "functionally ceased to operate" for a good half hour.

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