Asch Albright's Card story – Highest Act of Generosity

[kozvme]

 

Dino: Pizza ♪ Pizza, pizza, I'm having pizza tonight~~~♪

(Now that the 1-year celebration party for rookies has ended things are now back to normal, but...
A pizza party works even at times like this. A pizza party for a perfectly ordinary day ♪)

Huh?

Oscar: ......

Dino: Heeeey, Oscar~

Oscar: !! Dino-san...

Dino: What's up? Has something... made you stop in your tracks?

Oscar: That's... A large number of some sort of suppliers has been coming in and out of the tower for a while now...

Dino: Suppliers? You weren't kidding... Are we renovating somewhere?

???: Oi, you're in the way. Move.

Dino & Oscar: ......!

Dino: Asch! ... And, a supplier?

Oscar: Are you the one who called them? What exactly are you doing?

Asch: Tch, the annoyin' bunch, just my luck...
I'm building resort facilities on the middle floor of the tower, that's why I called suppliers hereー

Dino: Resort facilities!?

Asch: Yeah, you heard right. A spa, a sauna, a pool, a beauty salon, and a buffet restaurant where you can enjoy meals made with high-quality ingredients from all over the world.
I bought a floor I didn't know what it was used for, and am renovated it to my liking.

Dino: W- Wait a second. Why the tower of all places?

Asch: .......

Dino: ... Asch?

Asch: I'm sure you remember the party we held to celebrate the rookies' first year here, right? Well, the old man suggested something truly annoyin'.
... He told me we should do something special for their first year.
So... I told him if we're gonna do it, I'd be in charge.

Dino & Oscar: Huh-?

Asch: This is why I am building resort facilities based on a plan I came up with from scratch.

Dino & Oscar: ???

Asch: What?

Dino: It's just... you jumped from A to B so fast, I'm a little confused...

Oscar: I get how it happened, but why resort facilities of all things?

Asch: Haah? What is it you don't get? This is my highest act of generosity.

Dino & Oscar: ......

Asch: The spa will be the main attraction. I plan to build several private spas that will be equipped with saunas that can be used individually in addition to the common tub.
You all can use 'em when you're tired of fighting over who gets to bathe first.

Dino: Ah... I know! East rookies said they wanted to go to a resort, right?
So, instead of going on a trip, you thought building the facilities at the tower would be faster... As expected, Asch! You're on a totally different wavelength!

Asch: Hah? Who would listen to some rookies' requests?

Dino: Huh?

Asch: No need to even ask. Do you really think someone's gonna be unhappy about these facilities?



AS IF!

Dino & Oscar: ......

Asch: What?

Oscar: I can't believe you're like this...

Asch: W- What the heck are you on about?!

Dino: Wait, Oscar.
Compared to how he used to be, Asch has changed. I'm super happy about that.

Asch: Haah?

Dino: I mean, with the way he was in the past, no... just a while ago, he wouldn't have done anything for the rookies, no?

Oscar: N- Now that you mention it...

Dino: Both the resort and spa are things you like, Asch. Your desire to give them as gifts is wonderful.

Oscar: Right...

Asch: So what the hell are you implying... Shit, you're starting to piss me off.

Dino: ... Asch. Do you mind if I give you a piece of advice as your former mentor?

Asch: The hell?

Dino: Although it's clear as a day you're about to tell me it's none of my business...
Could... Could you send the suppliers home temporarily and reconsider this?

Asch: ... Huh?

Dino: There's too much money involved in what you're trying to do, and it's way too out of the ordinary, no!?
I think you should start by researching their interests and likes if you want to congratulate them...

Asch: ......

Dino: Don't get angry, okay!? I believe your effort to congratulate them is great!

Asch: ... I ain't angry.

Dino: Huh...

Asch: Though you still get on my nerves when you pull the former mentor cardー

Oscar: Asch, it seems that the supplier is calling you.

Asch: ... Right.
Work's over. I'll pay you as promised, so get outta here.

Oscar: Is that alright, Asch?

Asch: No big deal. Money is a dime a dozen after all.
That aside... if there's something better than a spa, I figured I could do it. The research, I mean.

Dino: Asch...!

Asch: Just so you know, you won't get away with it if I don't succeed.
I'm not even sure if any advice I got from you has ever been useful.

Oscar: Oi, watch your wordsー

Dino: It's all good! I have a great idea!
When researching, it's critical to communicate. And I know just the right way to do that...
I communicated with you using the same method when I was your mentor.

Oscar: ? What are you talking about?

Asch: ... I have a terrible feeling about this.

Dino: Hehehe... it seems Asch got it all figured out.



THAT'S RIGHT!!! PLAYING CATCH!!!

Oscar: Ooh...!

Dino: I included that in the training menu to get along with you two as well.
Jay used a similar method, and you had the rookies practice that before, right?

Asch: ......

Dino: Play catch with the rookies and communicate!
I'm sure you'll find a way to make them happy by doing that! Yep, trust me!

Oscar: I see... As expected, Dino-san!

Asch: ......

Dino: Strike while the iron is hot! Give operation playing catch​ a try now!

Asch: Shit... Have the suppliers already left...?

Dino: Ask them to "play catch~✩"! You can do that, right, Asch?

Asch: ... I'll give it some more thought...  At least it's better than hearing about a pizza party, I guess?

Dino: Heeey, Asch? Are you listening?

Asch: Shut UP!!!
For Christ's sake... How long do you intend to bother me?