Chapter 45

Translated by boilpoil Edited by boilpoil

Hopkin could have gone with the flow and dress Detective up in his identity, but he does not do so.

The scary thing about a lie is that it requires more lies to remain consistent. Like a rolling snowball growing and growing bigger, trapped in a vicious cycle. The fact is that the more lies there are the easier it is to be exposed. He would only have to maintain the original lie of ‘I’m the Detective,’ but if their identities are switched around, then he would have to cover up another fact that ‘curly-hair is not Gentleman,’ making it more troublesome and increasing the risk. Also, if any one of the two lies is exposed, Bright will immediately associate the identities ‘Gentleman’ with himself, and ‘Detective’ with curly-hair.

Therefore, he denies that curly-hair is Gentleman, so that it leaves him a bit of ground to work with. It will make the truth more convoluted giving him more freedom to do things.

Compared to the troubles the Detective is causing, Hopkin is more interested in the secrets of Bright. Why does he classify ‘Gentleman’ as his enemy? Where did he hear the nickname ‘Gentleman’ from?

Meanwhile, Bright is also pondering.

Did Hopkin lie to him?

After all, he is an Inner City aristocrat. Naturally, he will be on the side of his fellows. It would not be unreasonable for him to cover up the identity for curly-hair.

Then he rebukes this possibility, because he has no reason to lie here. He’s always managed to hide his animosity towards ‘Gentleman’ well, and managed to keep that original novel thing under wraps. Nobody should know that ‘Gentleman’ will become his lifelong nightmare.

Then he comes up with another hypothesis.

Is curly-hair the Shithead?

He makes him feel very dangerous, but more generally, which Inner City resident would not make him feel dangerous? Including Hopkin, who currently has a friendly relationship with him, but how much of this friendliness is actually just him relieving boredom? It’s probably about as much as you would give a poor, weak stray dog.

Bright digs up his memories of the Shithead and compares him with the curly-haired young man meticulously. The former is deep and unreadable, absorbing all light in it, like gazing into an abyss; the latter is more focused with a glittering hint of wisdom, observing and capturing all idiosyncrasies, producing the most appropriate action after analysis. If you have to compare it to something, then he’s more an actor.

It does not match up.

Without further information, Bright can only put question marks on the identities of ‘Gentleman,’ ‘Curly-hair,’ and ‘Shithead.’ He sighs.

To thank Hopkin for his information, Bright decides to cook for him.

Under Hopkin’s guidance, he orders ingredients on his smart chip. A drone arrives in 15 minutes, showcasing a logistics of delivery systems that not even can hope to match.

Bright indicates his surprise, “the community allows drones to enter as they please?”

Hopkin answers, “these drones are custom made. They’re all recorded and safe to use.”

“What about large objects?”

“It’s fine as long as the volume and weight limitations are not violated.”

So that’s how it is. Bright unpacks the packaging and starts preparing in the kitchen.

He’s already asked for Hopkin’s tastes when he ordered the ingredients earlier. Bright makes some Western meals following a recipe. The menu includes mushroom cream soup, seafood salad, grilled steak and spaghetti.

Hopkin stands at the entrance of the kitchen, and watches how the man is working inside. He notices that he is very experienced in handling the ingredients. His technique with the knife is not something one could acquire in a short time’s work. He finishes preparing the ingredients in only a few minutes.

Hopkin knew early on that Bright does eat meat, just not a certain kind——starmeat. He probably finds eating people repulsive. He does not express surprise at him eating something other than nutrient mixture, but he is curious about where he learned his cooking skills from. It’s not possible he learned it Outside with the conditions it has.

While thinking so, to his surprise, the man gives his answer indirectly.

“This is my first time, so I hope it’s not too bad.”

“You seem to be familiar with the techniques.” So much so that it can’t possibly be his first time. Hopkin is finding this suspicious.

“There’s probably some commonalities between the techniques? Using knives while fighting and also I’ve done a lot of barbeques out in the wild.”

Hopkin feels even more doubtful when he tastes the food. The quality is above average. It is something that would even earn a passing grade from him.

“I hope I didn’t disappoint.” Bright is referring to the meal.

“Quite the opposite.” Hopkin is playing a double-entendre. The man in front of him is like a treasure trove, making him want to dig deeper into him.

After the meal, Bright is dealing with the dishes. Hopkin is only watching from the side without any indication of trying to help. He looks on indifferently as the other person is busy working.

He thought he would feel tedium, but he actually has a relaxing time instead.

The man who is doing chores about the house has an aura of peace and serenity about him, making people want to get close to him. He can fight when working and he can cook when at home. He’s certainly talented and charismatic. He is like rain, sometimes violent, strong and wild, sometimes nurturing, tenderly and affectionate.

He doesn’t notice that he has been staring fixedly at him.

The man suddenly chuckles, dragging Hopkin’s mind back to the present. He looks towards where the man is indicating.

There was a plate that has its base made in the shape of a heart. Since it was wet it left a wet heart-shaped mark on the black marble surface.

Hopkin’s lips curve while sarcastically remarking, “the origin of the heart shape is from the curves of the female hips when they bend over.” And not related to the physical heart, and most certainly not love. It is sex-related in the end. Will he be going on about his laughable theory on love again? The man couldn’t possibly be that naïve.

Bright does not say anything. He uses the water on his hands and modifies the original shape a little.

Hopkin says, “… I should go.”

Bright starts laughing, his expression full of joy after a successful mischief.

Just above the heart, a new cylindrical shape can be seen. The heart-shape is no longer the heart, but has become a pair of balls.

It’s not that he doesn’t know how to drive , but he only offers his ride for a specific person.

Wolfie only comes out of his room after Hopkin has left. He has actually been awake for a long time, but seeing how Bright appears to be having a date, he doesn’t interrupt their time together.

He heard some of what they said inside his room, so Wolfie has a guess on who that person is, “is he your patron?”

Bright remains silent, not answering. The fewer people that know about his relationship with Hopkin the better. Wolfie does not mind that either, and instead is heading to the kitchen with starry eyes to look for food.

“I’ve been able to smell it from a while ago. You did leave some for me right?” He does not wait for an answer and immediately opens the lid of the pot. He gives it a good smell and cheers, “oh~oh, smells so nice!”

Bright made enough for three people. Hopkin did not eat a lot and there’s almost half still there in the pot.

“Delishus…” Wolfie is wolfing down his plate full of food while still eyeing fiercely at what’s left in the pot. Typical scummy behaviour.

Though the cook Bright feels this is the correct way to enjoy his meal.

A few uninteresting days pass. They’ll be back for the seventh episode the day after tomorrow, and the contestants are all like students whose holidays are almost over. They choose to go crazy one last time and enjoy life. Wolfie decides to stay up all night playing games, while Bright accepts an invitation from Beauty to visit his club.

As Beauty was acting as his yoga teacher helping him to deal with the violent trauma of his most recent ‘electrotherapy,’ to repay his kindness he accepted it after the other person invited him sincerely.

Beauty used to be the prima donna of the club, and he is currently a well-known contestant on the hottest reality show, and his popularity has exploded. People who are brought in by him are naturally going to be welcomed, especially when they hear the visitor is number 199. The club has arranged for a designated vehicle to pick him up, offering him VIP services. From the boss to the staff of the place are all very enthusiastic with him.

“Aaaaaaah ‘2Hr’ is here!” Someone screams as soon as he enters. Then it was pandemonium. Some are trying to contact Beauty, some have come to take a good look, some are even reapplying their makeup.

“I heard you like uniform play? What a coincidence, me too!” Someone is dressed only in a tie and wearing a military hat, throwing winks at the man. He is in the middle of his preparation for his job tonight and has come out even before finishing wearing his clothes——Bright guesses in good spirit, hoping he would at least wear a bit more.

“Move, bitches!” Beauty arrives then, and chases away the uninvited onlookers. He personally leads Bright inside while being the target of rolling eyes. He complains at Bright, “you should buy a smart chip. It’ll be easier to contact.”

Bright only has time to look at the interior design of the place then. The club is more like a bar, with a sizeable hall that has a stage, a dance floor and seats around them, with distinct levels of luxuriousness. There are several floors in the club, mostly underground. Yet the environment and quite Bright with fresh air, completely unlike the typical dingy and moist basements, and does not make one feel like they’re underground. One of the most significant features that contribute to the feeling would be the windows that simulate the outside scenery. You can see the blue skies and white clouds through the windows as if you are in the top floors of a skyscraper.

It’s not business hours yet. If you come to the hall later it’ll be very lively. There are different programmes every day.” The Beauty introduces as he guides Bright along, and first leads him to the boss.

The boss of the club is a Mama uncle. He has his ways of dealing with people and he is pleasant and kind to be with. He gives an earnest invitation to Bright, “if you’re interested, why not try to work part-time here? I’ll promise you the best conditions.”

Bright refuses resolutely.

Having greeted the boss, Beauty arranges a room for Bright. He says an important customer has suddenly turned up and Bright shows he understands. Beauty is slightly worried and tells him before he goes, “have some good fun, it’s on me. Just don’t let your guard down too much.” They’re all slutty succubus and incubus here with uncountably variable techniques.

Bright nods. He hasn’t come here to play anyway.

When the agreed time is reached, he walks towards the dance floor.

After the sixth episode aired, Bright’s popularity exploded from him fighting with the sharks. Both his points in the competition and his popularity are top-notch, and he has received a lot of attention. The animal protection group actively contacted Ococo about wanting to meet him urgently. Ococo told Bright afterwards.

So that the show does not suspect anything, they agreed to meet in Outer City, and the location is the club Beauty is in. This is the main reason he accepted the invitation from him.

Unlike what Bright has imagined, the meeting with the animal (terrorist) group turned out exceptionally well. There is no tenseness or hostility suggestive of gunpowder smell, nor the nervousness like that accompanying a gunfight. They just sat in the seats of the hall and chatted as they drank. Kind of like online friends meeting together in real life.

There’s four people who have come. A pair is… let’s call them a couple, with two bodyguards behind them. The couple sits opposite Bright, with the more physically imposing one hugging the smaller one.

What has caught Bright’s attention is how their bodies have been modified to a certain degree. The big guy has spikes inches long growing out of his head, its darkness glimmering in the dark. One of the bodyguards has his hands like claws of a crocodile, the other has dull, grey skin, with a gill on his face and a pair of whiskers. The one who is most animalised is the thinner one. His pupils are vertical like that of cold-blooded animals. Parts of his skin that are exposed are covered in silvery-white scales. He is holding a cocktail in his hand and a snake-like tongue shoots out the moment he opens his mouth, grabbing the cherry in the pomegranate-coloured liquid with speed and precision. Bright can see clearly that the tongue is not only long, but it is forked.

Put simply, Bright is facing a hedgehog, a crocodile, a catfish and a white snake.

A series collection on how residents of the City know how to have fun.

Author’s notes: The white snake is an Inner City resident. Can you guess who?

Read only at Travis Translations