Chapter 13

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<h1>Chapter 13 – A Secret Story, Invitation during Mating Season and a Distant Place</h1>

 

I used chopsticks to pick up the expensive-looking meat in front of me, dipped it generously in the accompanying sauce, and popped it into my mouth. The umami of the meat spread in my mouth as I chewed. It was delicious.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

Taizen’s question elicited a nod from me. I drank a sip of the sake placed beside the plate. It was a union of meat and sake. Taizen looked at me, enthralled, and smiled.

 

I thought to myself as I looked at his smile, [We’ve become very good friends]. For the past two and a half months of getting to know each other, we already had dinner together weekly as if we were lovers, albeit with no physical relationship, as I previously expressed to Shurin and Kouka.

 

While pondering about our relationship, I remembered something Kouka had told me the day before.

 

[Come to think of it, they both became drinking buddies…]

 

I asked Taizen about his handsome thick-bushed brow companion, as Kouka requested from me at the bar half a month ago.

 

Sonken, was Taizen’s colleague at work, and he wasn’t having any relationship with anyone. So I introduced him to Kouka without incident. However, the two appear to have settled down as drinking buddies rather than lovers.

 

“We are also friends who get along well.”

 

Taizen’s lovely face was transformed into a wry smile. Certainly, when I imagined those two, side by side, I thought they would get along very well. They are two people with flashy looks who seem to like being lively.

 

Then, as if by chance, I remembered Taizen’s visit to the bar half a month ago, which led to the meeting between Kouka and Sonken. And once again, I thought it was an incredible coincidence.

 

“Even so, I was surprised to meet you by chance at that time,” I said while picking up my glass and taking a sip. Taizen didn’t reply, so I glanced at him and noticed he wore a complicated expression on his face.

 

“What’s the problem?”. I set my glass down and asked. Taizen smiled wryly and reluctantly opened his mouth.

 

“Actually, I went to that restaurant because I saw Kohei……”

 

“Oh, is that so…” In a surprise, I widened my eyes. I was a little surprised, but I reasoned anything could happen.

 

Even when I was in Japan, my boss or senior staff would come in when I was having a drink near my office. Juniors would occasionally approach me and offer to buy me a drink. But, while I was feeling a little uneasy at the time, Taizen was not. [Rather, I was a little,.. no quite happy that you came to see me.]

 

Thinking that far, I felt worried that I was thinking maiden thoughts again.

 

“After that,…”

 

When I was trembling with anxiety, Taizen appeared extremely hesitant to say anything. However, he opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

 

“Actually, the night before we met again at the grocery store, I went to the bar right after Kohei, and the others left. The owner is an acquaintance, and he told me about your scent. When I pressed him for more information, he told me about Kohei.”

 

I opened my mouth to the fact that I didn’t know at all. I mean, what does that mean? I have a lot of question marks in my head.

 

“But I think the owner told me because I was really depressed. I don’t usually do that.”

 

In my mind, I saw the face of a nice-looking bartender. And then I remembered a man who approached me before telling me he was married or engaged.

 

Certainly, that bartender would say it if he thought it would help him. Even so, I was surprised that even a transcendent beauty like Taizen would be depressed about a mediocre partner like me who escaped the morning after their one-night stand. For some reason, it made me happy.

 

“ Then, when we finally met again, did you already know why I ran away?” I inquired a little flirtatiously, and he laughed.

 

He stated, “I didn’t get everything, but I got most of it. I apologize for not informing you.”

 

Taizen apologized, but I was grateful to the bartender in my heart. I was thankful for telling Taizen that it wasn’t his fault I had fled.

 

“That’s right…I’m grateful for that.” When I said that, Taizen looked surprised.

 

“I didn’t know you talked a lot today” When I casually continued to say this, he lowered his gaze and gave a wry smile with a hint of sadness. While I was skeptical, Taizen slowly returned his gaze and opened his mouth.

 

 

“Kouhei, I know your mating season is approaching……Will you spend that time with me?”

 

My heart throbbed when I stared at those serious-looking golden eyes.

 

The fact that Ω and α spend their estrous period together means that they will have sex over and over again for a week during the period. In addition, if you apply for a leave, both the alpha and omega will be exempted from work during that time.

 

However, I don’t need alpha semen because the grass suppressant worked fine. Although it was a one-night stand relationship, having a casual fling with a friend felt shameful. Above all, I thought it was a pity I had to take a week off from work and be detained.

 

Besides, I thought it was a pointless gesture because Taizen, who was opposed to unmarried mothers, would never give me a child.

 

When I gathered my thoughts together, I put on a clumsy smile as if to deceive my trembling heart.

 

I was curious if he was concerned about me.

 

“I’m perfectly fine. Although I’m a little horny, my suppressants are working well, and I can do my job normally.”

Taizen’s face contorted for a moment in response to my response, but his expression became unreadable. I was confused because I didn’t understand the meaning of his expression. But somehow, I had a bad feeling. [Was it because I was drunk? Words suddenly came out of my mouth].

 

“Come to think of it, there’s something I didn’t talk about either.”

 

Taizen looked up and gazed at me with an indecipherable expression. I was irritated with my drunken head and thought about the continuation of the words I had said. When it came to stories that would have such an impact, all I could think of was telling him that I was from another world and that my engagement was called off due to infertility. Both pieces of information were quite depressing.

 

However, suddenly I was reminded of Taizen’s soft golden eyes when he had asked me in broad daylight at the park if I could tell him why I really wanted to have a child. I decided to tell Tai-zen about my infertility and a broken engagement. Looking at the brown liquid in my glass, I smiled and opened my mouth.

 

“I used to date a woman, and we even discussed marriage. You know, I was engaged. But it seems that I couldn’t impregnate a woman. So… ” I lifted my glass and took a sip. I couldn’t look at Taizen’s expression.

 

“But when I discovered that it was possible to get pregnant if one is an omega… I was ecstatic.” When I quietly looked at Taizen’s face, he was listening to me with a serious look on his face. I was frightened by the atmosphere. [Was it wrong to tell this story?]

 

His golden eyes and my gaze intertwined for a while, but I quickly looked away from Taizen.

 

“…That was sad.” With a complicated expression, Taizen said in a quiet voice.

 

When he said that, the days that followed my broken engagement in Japan ran through my head.

 

Involuntarily, tears welled in my eyes.  My ex-fiance, my parents, and the other’s parents were the only people I had ever told directly that I was infertile. I don’t remember the specifics of their first words because I was so nervous, but I knew they weren’t words of sympathy.

 

“…But if you get pregnant, you’ll need someone’s help. Kouhei said he doesn’t have any family or old acquaintances nearby. I think it would be too difficult…You said you didn’t have many opportunities to interact with children, and I wonder if anyone close to you is pregnant.”

 

The image of someone at work which was pregnant came vaguely into my head. But other than that, no one in my close family has been pregnant or given birth.[There was someone at work, but… since our job was different, I didn’t get a closer look].

 

I saw several pregnant women at work, but the one I was most familiar with was the woman in the next department. But I only remembered two things about her pregnancy. While she was pregnant, I had the rare opportunity to talk to her about work. When I was talking to her, she accidentally dropped her pen in front of me.

 

When she realized I was standing and sitting, she shrunk her giant belly and picked up the pen on her own. I wished I had done it myself because it appeared to be a lot of work. Then I recall her being very good at her job and responsibilities, but she was frequently absent due to illness.

 

“I believe you should…… talk to someone close to you and think about it.”

 

I turned my face downwards at Taizen’s sincere advice, as I had done before.

 

I don’t know much about this world’s social welfare system, but it doesn’t appear to be any better than modern Japan. I had no idea what it would be like to be pregnant, give birth, and raise a child on my own while earning a living for myself and my child.

 

Although I wanted to be an unmarried mother, I hadn’t been able to put myself in a position to give birth. It wasn’t until I was told this that the harsh reality hit me.

 

[But I couldn’t imagine starting a family with a man, so what should I do? If I couldn’t have a family, I’d have to give birth and raise my child on my own. Or does it mean that Taizen will become a partner?]

 

I was terrified at the thought of my own thoughts. Then I looked up and saw Taizen, the handsome beastman. I reasoned that even if such a man would spend the mating season with me out of pity, he would never build a family with me. Then my heart began to ache, followed by a wave of annoyance flooding my pigeon-holed mind.

 

“I know…” I said, squeezing the words out of my throat, even though I had no idea what I was talking about. Taizen gave me a forlorn wry smile.

 

“I’m afraid I can’t assist you.”

 

I opened and closed my eyes several times, unable to grasp the significance of his words all at once. I repeatedly opened and closed my eyes, then made a small sound.

 

Taizen grimaced and slowly opened his mouth. ‘I’m moving away to Yangshuo soon… I’m done with my business here.”

 

I took a deep breath and stared into his beautiful golden eyes.

 

*******************

 

Translator’s Notes:

 

I’m glad that Kouhei finally revealed his intentions on why he wanted a child. But, when we finally get to emotional development between these two characters, Taizen’s moving away??!

 

So, what do you think Kouhei will do? `(*>﹏<*)′

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