Chapter 9

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Chapter 9 – Moonless Night, Oversleeping and a Reunion

 

“Haa…… engaged or married.”

 

Kouka murmured quietly and ruffled her hair with an irritated expression.

 

“I’m sorry for mentioning wanting to go to a more adult-oriented place.”

 

When we were talking at work, she warned me that it was a place full of scums who wanted to get it on. I was the one who forced her to take me there.

 

“No, that bar isn’t like that. The owner is a nice guy.” Kouka replied.

 

Right then, I pictured the bartender’s expression. He lent me some help and was clearly a nice man. In addition, Shurin also told me that Kouka informed her that the bar was not intended for socializing in the first place.

 

“Kouka doesn’t like married people as well.”

 

I’m a little amazed that Kouka frowned at Shurin’s words.

 

“I don’t know what it is, but some of my drinking buddies are having affairs. Although I think it’s their freedom, the current me don’t have that kind of leeway.”

“—Ah, I don’t like it.”

 

Shurin said so and began dancing joyfully on the roadside. I was curious about her dance. Standing next to her while watching her dance, I talked to Kouka.

 

“But if you get entangled physically with someone compatible with you, it seems like it would be easier to aim for that person.”

 

At my genuine statement, Kouka looked at me. While worrying about Shurin, I also turned to my side and looked back at her. I was puzzled by her reaction.

 

“It’s not often that people instantly clicked with each other, instinctively.” She stated. “However, I believe that people should explore each other, and if they like each other, they can start dating.”

 

The different stories from the bartender and Shu-ring confused me.

 

“Eh… But Shurin said that she and her husband get physically initially?”

 

Kouka smiled as her big eyes fluttered.

 

“Yeah, Shurin is sure lucky. Even if Kouhei was about to get into heat, that person who seemed uninterested invited you out of his own accord, didn’t he? That’s why I thought it hit me hard.”[1]

 

“…I see,” I replied and looked at Shurin, who was still dancing happily. The torches lit by many stores illuminated the alley. It seemed impossible that she could be lost.

 

I recalled the time I met Taizen. I assumed he was drunk and that he was hot, but I wondered if I had been drawn to him instinctively. But I’m not a beastman, so I’m not sure if Taizen felt the same way as me.

 

“I’m not a beastman to begin with, so I’m not sure if that theory holds water[2]. Besides, just because one of us is pyun[3] (instinctively know) doesn’t preclude the other from knowing[4].” I said this as I looked at Shurin, spinning around on the side.

 

“Well,…… I’m unfamiliar with the human race, so I’m unsure what I know about it. But if Kouhei-san instinctively attracted (knows) like us beastmen, then the opposing party should feel the same. That’s just the way things are.”

 

“Is that how it is?”

 

“Yes, that is correct.”

 

I let out an ironic smile to Kouka’s affirmation, and gazed at the stars hanging in the sky. No matter how far my eyes wandered, searching for the moon. The sky was all stars but moonless.

 

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Tired from oversleeping, I stretched my neck as I stared at the large, low-transparency bottles lining up on the grocery store shelves.

 

Yesterday, I was able to escort Shurin home. Afterward, I declined Kouka’s invitation for drinks at another familiar bar and went home alone.

 

When I got home, I mulled over what everyone had said to me about Taizen. Then, I had difficulties falling asleep, and when I did manage to doze off, it was nearly evening when I awoke.

 

Since I woke up late, I didn’t feel like cooking something, so I went to the grocery store looking for something to eat right away. However, I was frozen in front of a jar full of something I didn’t recognize.

 

[Should I have gone to the food stall area if this was the case?]

 

When I was contemplating, suddenly, a person stood next to me. Thinking I was hindering that person’s view of the products in front of me, I shifted my body to the side. But he called out to me for some reason.

 

 

 

“Long time no see.”

 

Surprised by a familiar voice, my head turned to my upper left, and I saw Taizen, a beautiful beastman smiling gently at me.

 

I froze with my eyes wide open. Then he tilted his head and deepened his smile.

 

“Are you shopping?”

 

As usual, I nodded unconsciously while admiring his lovely smile.

 

“Oh, yes……. but I don’t know what to get”

 

When I answered honestly, he looked at me with interest.

 

“What are you making?”

 

I shook my head in response to his question. “No, I wanted something that I could eat right away.”

 

Taizen beamed at my response.

 

“Then, how about we eat together?”

 

I nodded slowly at Taizen’s unexpected invitation, having not eaten and being hungry.

 

 

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“Ah… It’s delicious!”

 

I let out an unintentional gasp as I looked at the fish dish in front of me, already tipsy and in a good mood.

 

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do you enjoy eating fish?”

 

I noticed Taizen tipping a glass of wine-like beverage next to him. He was drinking at the same pace as I was, but there seemed to be no difference since the time we met at the grocery store. He must be a heavy drinker.

 

“Yeah…  I like meat too, but I’m more of a 50-50 kind of guy.” I explained.

 

“I see.” Taizen nodded in agreement.

 

I immediately casted a glance at the nearby waiter. The sophisticated waitress who approached me slowly, the private room-like space, and the comfortable chairs all reminded me that this had to be an expensive restaurant.

 

And I’m worried about my wallet for the umpteenth time.

 

Taizen familiarly ordered from the waitress. I gazed at his beautiful profile when he turned to me, asking “Kouhei-san, do you want something to drink?”

 

“Oh, the same one, please.”

 

In my panic, I responded reflexively.

 

“Yes, sir”

 

The waitress responded respectfully and walked away. I returned his stare and secretly resolved that if I needed more money, I would borrow it from Taizen.

 

He then returned his face to the table and drank the remainder of his glass. He became even drunker.

 

“I thought you hated me.”

 

He abruptly whispered in hushed tones. I immediately faced him in surprise.

 

 

[1]  I think Kouka is emphasizing that there’s people with fateful encounters such as Shurin and Kouhei here. They both have partners or (soon-to-be partner) at first meeting? This is just my speculation though.

[2]  If the theory works.

[3]  ピューン = The sound of something flying at high speeds. LOL. I don’t know how to translate this, but I think its similar to Hotel Transylvania movie though. You know, ‘Zing’?

[4]  Kouhei said so because he thinks even if he is attracted to Taizen, Taizen wouldn’t know.