Chapter 320
Chapter 320
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 320
Chapter Title: Gehenna's Host Bar (3)
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1.
Takasho stepped into the office and immediately poured champagne.
Uncharacteristically, champagne.
A uniquely shaped bottle with a shield emblem.
Even Siu, who had no particular interest in alcohol, recognized it at a glance.
Moët & Chandon's Dom Pérignon.
"Drink."
Takasho pulled out cigarettes one after another, so Siu took one too.
He had come lightly, thinking they might do some love counseling.
But the atmosphere was like this.
-Pop!
Takasho skillfully popped the cork with practiced hands and poured the champagne side by side into tall, slender glasses.
Bubbles rose prettily, fizzing away.
Siu didn't refuse and took a sip.
A sensation like drinking stars washed over him, followed by ecstatic, sweet fruit flavors bursting on his tongue.
He knew it was quite expensive, and it lived up to the price.
It was incomparable to the drinks he occasionally shared with Eloa.
Truth be told, they mostly drank cognac or whiskey, so direct comparison was tough, but either way, it was excellent.
"By the way, what the hell happened?"
"How much did Paul tell you?"
"Just that there are no customers and it's running at a loss?"
"...Really?"
Takasho let out a groan at Siu's cautious words.
He had known Siu for nearly six years, but this was the first time he'd seen him like this.
He seemed like the type who would laugh heartily even if the sky fell.
Siu stood up and slapped Takasho's back with a resounding smack.
"Argh! What the fuck is this bullshit, you prick?!"
Takasho clutched his head and convulsed dramatically.
"Stop being so damn proud and spill it already. You gonna act like we're not friends after all this time? You told me about sending that dick pic to your crush, so why hide this?"
"I appreciate it, but this ain't that simple. If I drag you into worrying too, what the hell happens to me, Takasho?"
"Champagne."
"Huh?"
"I'll cover the cost of the champagne."
Takasho stared blankly at Siu's curt response.
Then he bit his lower lip from the inside and made that classic heroine face, holding back tears.
"Siu... Siu... Takasho is..."
"Can you look away and cry or something? It's making me nauseous."
"I love Siu so much!"
"Gaaah!"
Takasho shot up from his seat and pulled Siu into a bear hug.
Siu screamed at the monstrous strength hidden beneath that suit.
The two carried on their farce for a good while before finally settling back down.
"Fuck... you're still freakishly strong."
"Believe it's the power of love for Siu-kun?"
After hearing the basic rundown from Takasho, Siu had a plan.
There was a much better solution than him trying to handle it alone.
"Anyway, I need some backup. Got a remote comm orb?"
"Got one for business. Why?"
"Spare me a sec. I know the perfect person for this."
Leaving the bewildered Takasho behind, Siu wasted no time calling the contact on the business card.
2.
Not long after.
The host bar's grand door swung wide open.
"Welcome!"
-Clack clack clack
Sharp heel strikes echoed as today's relief pitcher took the mound.
Noble navy-blue hair and eyes.
A magenta velvet dress caressing her voluptuous curves.
A fur shawl draped over her chest and shoulders.
Sky-high heels that looked ready to snap an ankle.
A luxury handbag tucked under her arm—the lucky witch herself.
Kybele Periwinkle.
In truth, Siu was a bookish shut-in even in the modern world, clueless about business and such.
He figured consulting on running a high-end place like this would need an expert.
And the person who flashed through his mind was Periwinkle.
Sure, she acted like a spoiled chaebol heiress, but she owned and managed a world-famous hotel brand.
She arched an eyebrow slightly and glanced around.
It took just three seconds to size up the situation.
Her sly smirk faded.
She'd clearly been pondering how to hold her luxury bag more elegantly, but now she just slung it casually over her wrist.
Her poised posture suddenly shifted to pigeon-toed.
Periwinkle shot Siu a dissatisfied glare.
"It's an honor you accepted the invitation, Periwinkle-nim."
"Hey, Shin Siu. You trying to die?"
Siu, now changed into the tuxedo Takasho had given him, greeted her politely.
Periwinkle scratched her head with a deflated look before snapping at him.
"Dressed to the nines thinking it was a date invite. Look at this cheeky little shit."
Her voice and gaze were razor-sharp.
Takasho, of course—and even the hosts who'd greeted her—froze stiff.
Everyone instinctively knew the one throwing a tantrum was a witch, and no ordinary one at that.
"Didn't you say call you anytime, anywhere? Come on in. Haha."
The second shock hit.
The hosts had no idea who Siu was.
To them, he was just Madam Takasho's friend, a guy favored by witches.
In front of an enraged witch, when groveling on the floor apologizing wouldn't even cut it, he was cracking wise.
It was like shoving your head into an open alligator maw.
Some were already closing their eyes, murmuring prayers.
"...Gulp..."
It was a tense moment.
That terrifying witch was glaring daggers at Siu.
The anxiety mounted that everyone here might get swept up if things went south.
"Sigh, what is this? Got new clothes fitted, even ditched the bra."
"That's a bit too much info."
"One more word, and I'm out."
"I'd be so disappointed. A chance for some alone time with the world's most beautiful Periwinkle... wasted like this, unavoidably."
Siu launched straight into flattery.
Periwinkle's eyebrow twitched upward.
"Lay it on thicker."
"Truth is, I didn't want to waste that chance either. But I'm stuck on a problem I can't solve alone. I know a few witches, but you were the first who came to mind."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes. It's this blind faith that Periwinkle-nim would see through the mess and hand down the clearest solution."
Siu had her figured out by now.
Surprisingly, she liked his bold, cheeky vibe—like a little brother bantering with big sis.
With her straightforward personality, if he played it straight, she'd roll up her sleeves happily.
"Alright, you pass! Let's head in."
"Want me to hold the shawl?"
"No shawl, and my nips'll show. Told you—no bra."
"Ah, never mind then."
Takasho stood frozen amid the completely unforeseen chaos.
In truth, what Siu had just pulled off was something Takasho could've done without breaking a sweat.
But the fact that who did it was pretty damn shocking.
Back in his slave days, Shin Siu was a clueless fool who clashed with Assistant Professor Amelia to the bitter end.
Fine, Amelia had hounded him mercilessly, so resentment was fair.
But the Siu Takasho remembered was a total shy mo-sol.
No way did he have the skill to handle a woman's heart like that.
Experience changes people, huh...
Only after Periwinkle vanished from sight did the rest exhale in relief.
"Uh, bro..."
"......"
"Bro!"
"Huh? What?"
Liam, who had been murmuring prayers earlier, sidled up.
The other hosts, who'd been trembling, gathered around Takasho one by one.
"Who the hell is she?"
"Looks tight with the witch."
"Handles that picky witch like a baby..."
"Rolled her around like candy in his mouth."
Takasho hid his admiration for his protégé.
Instead, he spoke in a solemn tone.
This was because he'd just witnessed the ideal form of a host right before his eyes.
"Listen up, kids—that's the pinnacle, the zenith every host should aim for. We're not just providing sexual fun; we build emotional bonds. Engrave what you saw today deep in your hearts."
"Yes, bro!"
"The ultimate host..."
"Anyway, back to work. Gotta join that talk."
Takasho hurried after the two toward the bar salon.
3.
Periwinkle, answering the call for help, naturally plopped right next to Siu.
Not to mention her secretive hand stroking his thigh possessively.
"Hello. I'm Mima-ya Takasho, madam of Rose Glass. It's an honor."
Takasho didn't flinch at the sight.
With a low, calm voice and poised gaze, he greeted elegantly and took a seat opposite.
Come to think of it, this guy had probably lived by charming witches too.
"Madam? Host bar, as expected."
"Yes. My friend just opened this place, but business is tough. That's why we've gathered you here for your management consulting."
"Hm, don't do freebies..."
Truth was, by this point, she'd already decided to grant Siu's request.
Still, Siu knew why she was dragging her feet.
"One night, two days."
"Two nights, three days."
"Then sleepover-free two days it is."
"Nah, was gonna be sleepover-free three days originally."
She wanted to lock in some steamy time with Siu.
Of course, Siu had zero downsides.
Sex with an easy noona like Periwinkle? He welcomed it anytime.
Maybe because they'd already hooked up once, but resistance was weirdly low.
And Sharon wasn't collapsed anymore either.
But just handing over the reins completely? Where's the fun in that?
Siu wrapped an arm around Periwinkle's waist, nibbled her ear, and whispered huskily.
"Get greedy, and you'll get punished. You sure about that?"
"Puhahahaha!"
Periwinkle, who usually covered her mouth demurely when laughing, burst into full-throated guffaws.
She laughed so hard she kicked the table several times.
Put her on the floor, and she'd probably roll around.
"Wh-what was that...! Hahaha!! Doesn't suit you at all!"
Nearly out of breath from laughter, Periwinkle finally reined it in after three minutes, clutching her belly like a shrimp before speaking.
"Haa... tears are flowing. Siu, you see some weird shit online? Can't pull that crap."
"Ahem, kinda embarrassing now."
Truly embarrassing.
If it had been ■ ■ ■, she'd have blushed beet red and nodded meekly.
As he grumbled thoughtlessly, Periwinkle nodded with a smile full of mirth.
"You got a good laugh outta me, so fine—sleepover-free two days, like you said. Forty-eight hours?"
"Yes, got it."
Takasho couldn't believe his eyes.
Was that really Siu?
A slightly over-the-top joke (a sex drip, no less) drawing belly laughs from a witch—and nailing a hookup date to boot.
Hell, it'd be more believable if Mima-ya Takasho saw the vanity of the world and became a monk.
"So, what's the problem, Madam? Explain it step by step from the top."
Half-dazed by the bizarre scene unfolding before him, Takasho nodded frantically.
Still.
If that brainiac Siu called her, she was definitely a huge help for this mess.
The shop's survival hung in the balance.
Takasho spread the envelopes from his pocket across the table and began his confident briefing with steady eyes.
"Yes, I'll explain with the materials I've prepared."