CH 7.5

3 Ojou ~Ryuse~

I hate those people who detest us.

I hate the town who detests us.

I hate this place that gives off a bad comforting feeling.

But.. Only her…

A nearby wasteland by the country border.

After a fight, I narrowed my eyes to the brightness of the sunlight.

The sun had completely risen, and in front of my eyes were stuff the bad people from the neighboring countries dropped.

“Oh! Ain’t this a ruby? What luck to find a jewel, I’m takin it-!”

It was probably something the bad people dropped. A bright red jewel was left on the ground. Its size was big enough to cover my whole palm, and it shone brightly when I held it up to the sunlight.

“Why don’t we pay with this today, ey? I’m going back first-!” I shouted out to Boss and the others who were catching their breath. Only Chise replied ‘Oh-‘.

Keeping the ruby in my pocket, I ran through the wasteland with all my might. While taking breaks in between, I steadily cut through the wind and continued on.

We would usually return while checking around for any enemy stragglers, but I also like how I can just run back like this. Keeping my balance with my tail, I continued running back to the hateful town.

Decently large in size, but with nothing in particular to be proud of: a mediocre town, Domskhasa.

Reaching town, I transformed into my human form.

Once again taking out the jewel in my pocket, I took a glimpse of it.

I knew it, it’s a ruby. I’m sure she will be happier if this turns into an accessory.

“Aaa, but…”

I think she won’t like it if I paid the bills with an accessory.

Actually, does she even like accessories? I do know that she wears a ring once in a while, but I heard that’s a magic tool. And she doesn’t wear any earrings, necklace or bracelets either.

And.. Would a ruby even suit her, I wonder…

Looking up at the blue sky, Rhonya’s name comes to mind. Imagining her wearing a ruby earring or necklace gives me a weird vibe.

Although most females would like it, I doubt that she will.

After a moment of deliberation, I decided to go to her shop directly without passing by an accessory shop. It’ll be better to ask her directly what kind of accessories she likes.

Judging from the position of the sun, it looks like it’s not twelve yet.

Would she hate it if I went to her shop now…

No, but, what’s more important is. What kinda attitude should I take when I’m alone? Aaaah- I dunno!!

…. Humans detest us Demis.

Even when they show favor to us in our human forms, they’ll distance themselves without hesitation once they see our Demi forms. It fills me with deep loathing. But, I like those who show me goodwill. I’ll want to be kind to those people, and I’ll give anything to them. And I don’t dislike my feelings during those kind of times.

….That girl… Rhonya… I think she’s weird.

Even when she knew we were Demis, she welcomed us with a smile. She doesn’t deny us entry, and even grills meat for us.

In the start, she said that she doesn’t need any protection, and I thought she’d let us stay in the shop as pseudo-guards, but I heard she chased away four guys with magic yesterday. It seems she really can protect herself.

An existence who treats us with goodwill, knowing we’re Demis.

“…..Aaah~”

My body started to heat up. I then went into a back alley, squatted down and started fanning myself with my shirt.

… How should I act around her… I don’t know…

Even though I can easily open up a conversation with any stranger female, I don’t know what I should do around her.

What if I do something wrong and she comes to hate me…. The thought of it makes me cower in fear.

After all this while, there’s no point in trying to make the townspeople come to like us. We’re just here because Boss is here. No matter how uncomfortable it is here, eveyrthing’s fine if we comrades are together.

….Even though I made myself think this way.

There’s nothing like that shop. A place we can stay in our Demi forms, a place we can pass time slowly, a place we can have delicious food and laugh together. It’s only possible in that shop.

The more I don’t want to lose that place, the more confused I get. What should I do to not be hated?

After thinking through it after some time, I stood up.

….Dammit, how lame. I’ll be hated for acting like this!

I thought of how meaningless it is to continue looking for the answer. If Sena and Chise can talk normally with her, I’ll be fine too.

I finally reached the shop. Café Mattari. But after realizing there were customers inside the shop, I hesitated to open the door.

Gradually, I could hear noises from inside the shop. It wasn’t Rhonya, it was another female customer I guess.

“Don’t tell me, is Tenchou-san interested in one of the Demis-? Especially the one with white hair! He’s superbly cool, isn’t he!”

Are they talking about me? My ears pricked up unconsciously.

“He sure is a charming and cool person.”

Rhonya is complimenting me. Again my body heated up and I tightly gripped my shirt.

I thought she had the worst impression of me, but to think that she said I’m cool…

“But don’t you dislike that he’s a Demi? It’s frightening to think that they could rip apart a human, much more to approach them…”

But after hearing the customer’s next words, my body turned cold.

….You gotta be sh*ttin’ me. Ain’t no way we ripped apart a human. Ain’t no way we’re gonna do such a crazy thing, and we ain’t thinkin’ about doin’ it, and I don’t even know any of us who’s gonna do that anyways.

Don’t you dare talk about weird things to Rhonya. This is why I hate the townspeople.

That really ruined my mood.

If Rhonya agrees with that, we won’t get to go into the shop anymore. That’s why I didn’t want to know the answer, and tried to move away.

“….I am not afraid of them.”

As I straightened my back, those words entered my ears. It was Rhonya’s voice.

“It just implies that they have that kind of strength, does it not? I have not heard of any incidents where people have witnessed them ripping apart a human. The members of the DemiMercSquad are nice Demis.”

A kind and gentle voice. I’m sure there’s the usual smile on her face.

“Why yes, I like the members of the DemiMercSquad.”

An existence who favors us. An existence who always warmly welcomes us.

My hand was on the door without realizing it.

*cling clang* as the doorbell rang, I came back to my senses. Even though I intended to enter after the customers left.

“Welcome” Rhonya smiled towards me, but I could not properly face her. I could only reply with a “….nn.”