Chapter 325
Chapter 325
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: After the Grand Success
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Business was over, and the modest party celebrating today's massive triumph had also wrapped up.
The host bar, which had been buzzing with crowds all day long, now lay quietly buried in the dawn air, as if it had never happened.
Siu, who had guzzled liquor heavily throughout the day and thrown back another round at the party, managed about two hours of shut-eye before waking.
Normally, he'd be rolling around in a hangover and exhaustion until lunch the next day, but having an astral body made things awfully convenient.
A sudden urge to wander around pulled him down to the first floor, where he spotted Takasho scribbling away with a fountain pen under the glow of a single gas lamp.
Judging by his clothes, he hadn't rested a wink.
"Still up?"
Takasho lifted his glass in response to Siu's call and flashed a grin.
"Yo, host bar ace. Up already? Wanna drink?"
"Nah, I downed like ten bottles of champagne today. My stomach's churning."
Serving 120 customers with fifteen minutes each would've thrown the schedule way off.
In the end, he'd handled several at once, even drinking every shot he recommended, leaving his gut in revolt.
"Whatcha doing alone with the light on?"
"Balancing the books, sorting customer lists, and organizing orders."
Sure enough, the table was covered in proper spreadsheets and order forms.
Everyone figured he was just a woman-crazed maniac, but they said position makes the man—after that chaos, overtime? Even as a friend, Siu couldn't help but applaud in admiration.
"Customer lists are key. Gotta track spending to spot the VIPs."
"Need a hand?"
"Nah, almost done."
Siu dragged over a chair, propped his legs on the table, and got comfortable.
"Siu, thanks. Tell Periwinkle I'm really grateful."
"Cut it out. Giving me goosebumps."
"Felt like all our prep went to waste. Never dreamed it'd bounce back so dramatically."
"So, think it'll work out?"
Truth was, he wasn't planning to stick around here forever.
The real test was whether Rose Glass could keep running without him.
Fortunately, Takasho nodded with a pleased smile.
"Over ten witches left cards saying call 'em when it's quiet. Double that promised to come back. That's a mega-hit on top of a hit."
"Music to my ears."
Only then could Siu finally relax.
After all, he'd taken on this unwanted host gig purely hoping Takasho would succeed.
"Not sure if I should say this, but it was more wholesome than I expected? Kinda weird seeing the guy obsessed with sex running a place like this."
"You bastard—asking if it's okay, then spilling it all anyway."
Takasho gave a wry smile and slammed stamps onto the documents.
"That's what makes it a top-tier host bar. Hosts aren't here to be dildos. Spots that push afterparties go bust quick."
"Sounds familiar. Think I heard it from you."
"Anyway, sticking to this policy. Once we get regulars, we'll run events—picnics by the lake or demos of modern goods."
Finishing the last of the paperwork, Takasho lit a cigarette.
He seemed wiped, his energy way lower than usual, but his face told the story.
He was having the time of his life.
"You've changed a ton too. Shin Siu, the pathetic virgin with zero game, toying with those snooty witches. Spill the secret."
"Dunno. Just kinda happened."
The guy who'd once stumped him on how to handle witches? Now he had the knack.
"Anyway, we're both dragons now. Trinity Academy ditch-digging slaves, rising proud!"
"You didn't dig, asshole."
"Hey, while you were on ditches, I was digging witches.
Saw it today—if you hadn't gone gonzo, we'd have been on ditches together. Me up front, you behind."
"Ugh... just thinking it sucks. We'd kill each other on eye contact."
Trading dumb jokes and cracking up eased his mind.
Then Takasho piped up like it just hit him.
"Oh, right. Your girlfriend cool with you working here?"
"Huh?"
"It's a host bar. No jealousy?"
Jealousy?
Permission?
Never crossed his mind.
"...Should be fine? Not doing anything bad."
Takasho blinked, then shook his head.
"Our Shin Siu's really grown. A real man doesn't hole up in one pond. Might as well snag Gehenna OBGYN VIPs while you're at it."
"Bullshit. Get some sleep. Prep starts morning tomorrow."
"Yeah. You?"
"Don't need much anymore. Even exhausted, a bit does it."
"Whoa, really turned witch, huh?"
Takasho didn't sweat whether Siu was a witch or not.
Just shrugged and stood.
"Drop by often after shifts. You're my only real talk buddy."
"List what to grab next time, I'll bring it."
"Appreciate it."
With a casual goodbye, Takasho shuffled off to the dorms.
2.
Magic is a complex discipline—not something you can master just by being smart.
Many witches liken it to composing an intricate symphony.
It's not mere rote knowledge; artistic inspiration is vital too.
Didn't they say the soul's elevation and transcendence come from art?
Thus, apprentice witches dive into liberal arts like music, painting, and dance from the start.
Diana Yesod, set to succeed Lucy Yesod, was diligent about her once-weekly ballet lessons.
Or more precisely...
Count Yesod believed she was.
"Phew... hot."
The Yesod estate's dance studio, built for one person alone.
Two walls featured massive mirrors under a ceiling over four meters high.
Spacious enough for futsal if not full soccer, a long sigh escaped Diana.
In one corner, cushions piled nest-like, Diana sprawled atop them.
Sweat-slick white tights teasing glimpses of skin, over a leotard and beige toe shoes.
She looked like she'd leap up for Degas himself to paint.
She'd feigned practice while Father peeked, but dropped it the moment he left.
"Seriously hate working out..."
Her topaz eyes gleamed with discontent.
Diana loathed exercise.
Shed wanted to sit and tickle piano keys forever, but ballet came courtesy of Mother's nudge.
It was meant to boost her hamster-in-winter activity levels.
But to her, pure hassle.
So, how tedious was ballet?
Even neatly tied ash-gray hair came undone.
Rigid toe shoes squeezed her feet mercilessly.
One song, and sweat beaded unpleasantly at her collarbone.
And this leotard, these tights.
Clinging so tight, the mirror made her blush for no reason.
Cute as a kid, but now a grown lady wondered, "Who the hell for?"
"Today's quota done."
Shed lounge here two hours, then lunch.
Lunch, nap, tea at three, garden leisure.
Dinner, three-hour bath soak, bed.
Plotting her ambitious day, chills prickled her.
A figure flashed in the wall mirror.
Countess Yesod, arms crossed, glaring at slacking Diana.
"Uh... Mom?"
Diana scrambled up to fake practice, but Mother's glare was terrifying.
Too late.
And today, she seemed dead serious.
"Diana, how long you planning that?"
"Just a quick break. I'll practice now. Wanna see a move, Mom?"
"Think I'm dumb? Watched you do nothing for an hour after I left! Promised you'd practice hard with me! Is that too much?"
Cute act failed; Mother kept arms crossed, unleashing nagging.
"Magic studies fine, but I told you to do something outside! Ballet's just four hours a week! Lazy there too?"
"...Sorry, Mom..."
Diana hung her head.
Hands dangling aimless, shoulders slumped in perfect remorse.
"Feet hurt too much mid-practice. Won't lie again..."
Her thin, trembling voice brimmed with sobs.
Tears trickled down her pointed chin.
Plan B: repentant tears, pulled when cute Plan A flopped.
Diana's near-infallible killer move.
Mother, geared for battle, twitched a finger.
Almost hugged and soothed her.
But no.
Stay firm.
Couldn't raise a sloth forever.
Wasn't she past kid age?
"Tears off! I know it's acting!"
"Sniff, it's not..."
Despite claims, tears faucet-shut, leaving Mother dumbfounded.
"Just get serious from now?"
"Of course not! Lazy, lies, acting? Wanna see me collapse?"
Killer ignored, icy scolding continued.
Sensing no brush-off, then came the bombshell Diana half-expected but still shocked by.
"Get out of the house."
"...Pardon?"
Stammering repeat.
"O-outside?"
"Yes! You'll just loaf in corners here—better out of my sight!"
"But... home's comfiest..."
"Tsk!"
Diana felt her insides burn.
Never dreamed such harsh punishment.
Her passive drained stamina proportional to distance from home.
Of course, doting Mother wouldn't fully exile her.
"Breakfast out, back for dinner! No baths!"
"Breakfast... to dinner..."
"Starts today. Now! Out!"
"Yes... Mom..."
This time, genuine despair.
Mother's heart ached at Diana's adorable, downcast back.
Such a lovable daughter, sent outside.
Chest tore apart.
Wanted to hug, coo "Mom loves you" endlessly.
"Sigh..."
But endure.
Soon stigma transfer—Diana faces harsh world solo.
Chronic laziness was illness.
Shed cure it, anything.
"Hang in there... my girl..."
Watching Diana trudge to changing room, Lucy Yesod bit her teary handkerchief.