Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Lynx's Tears
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The startled boys quickly bowed their heads, whispering to avoid making eye contact with the man.
"Wh-what is it? Why do we keep bumping into that big guy?"
"M-maybe he couldn't find the kids, so he just, uh, came here, r-right?"
The man swept his gaze across the now-silent shop, hushed by his entrance, then called out to the owner.
"Hey, owner, you closing up?"
"N-no, sir. Take any empty seat."
"Anywhere's fine? Where to sit... Oh, some cute little kids over here. The table next to them looks good. Way better than squeezing in with those stinky old uncles. I missed out on a cute baby rabbit and was feeling all glum... Hey, brothers, mind giving up your seats?"
The man brought up the kids while pressuring the customers at the table closest to where the children sat. Those men looked ready to protest the intimidation from someone who seemed so young, but they clamped their mouths shut at the sight of his bare hand crumbling the table's edge with terrifying strength. They hurriedly relocated.
"Oh, what kind brothers. Owner, a beer and your house specialty, please."
"Y-yes, sir."
Even amid the rough Sharton Street, the bear of a man stood out starkly. The boys began fretting over how to slip away with the little ones in tow, but surprisingly, he didn't spare the children a single glance.
Then the food arrived. Spicy grilled chicken skewers, crispy fried potatoes, perfectly dried fish crisps, and finally...
Tang!
"Get rowdy, and you're out on your asses!"
...two hefty mugs of beer slammed down with thudding force.
"Y-yes, sir..."
"..."
The boys, who had never touched alcohol before, stared blankly at the mugs the size of their own heads.
They could drink if ordered, but if their tolerance proved low, the little kids might end up in peril. Plus, they knew drunk adults got loud, savage, and downright ugly.
Dave whispered.
"Jane bro, you ever had booze?"
"N-no."
"...What now?"
"..."
Nihil let out a deep sigh as he watched the boys murmuring among themselves. He'd anticipated beer coming out, but not mugs quite this massive.
Nihil racked his brain.
Spill one pretending it's too heavy, and the other... fake being drunk and knock it over?
With his plan set, Nihil reached out, hoisted the mug—even larger than his head—and brought it straight to his lips.
He'd never been much for beer even in his old life, so the fermented barley stench hitting his nose made his brows furrow instinctively. But lingering to savor the smell was worse than just chugging, so down it went.
"W-wait...!"
The boys lunged in shock at Nihil's bold move, but the bearish man swooped in first, snatching the mug away in a flash.
The barely touched mug escaped Nihil's grasp and slammed back onto the table.
"Whoa, ki-kiddo, you way too young for this stuff, yeah?"
The man spoke through gritted teeth, seething over something.
The boys froze mid-reach, stiff from the abrupt intrusion, eyes darting nervously.
"...Tastes awful."
"Th-that it does."
Either oblivious to or ignoring the boys' tension, the man dragged his chair over and plopped down right beside them, hollering for the owner.
"Hey, owner! Bring my grub here. Oh, and toss in some fluffy egg dish for these adorable baby bunnies."
He boisterously added to the order, then turned to the boys. They trembled, overwhelmed by his sheer presence, even as dismay set in at his full-on joining.
Patrons at other tables peeked over at the minor commotion, only to avert their gazes under his intimidating aura. Fortunately deep in their cups, they soon tuned it out and resumed their rowdy chatter.
"Little guys, I get the rush to grow up, but big bro here's got the drinks covered. Cool?"
"Y-yes? Uh, y-yes, sir..."
Not even waiting for proper replies, the man drained one mug in a single gulp and slammed it down with a bang.
"Grr, that damn lynx had me burning up inside, but now I'm good."
"..."
By this point, the boys' curiosity peaked—what on earth had that lynx done to rile the man so?
Maybe a monster masquerading as one. If even this burly bear couldn't take it down, it had to be a beast of legend.
As the boys silently prayed for him to just leave, the man dropped his voice to a murmur.
"Lynx."
The boys puzzled over how to respond to this out-of-nowhere callout.
Dave figured he didn't know where the blasted lynx lurked, but if he could, he'd snag it and hand it over—maybe then the man would scram.
But before the boys could muster anything, the 'lynx' replied first.
"...Why."
Confusion washed over the boys' faces. They glanced back and forth between Nihil and the man, disbelieving.
The man's lips barely twitched as he ground his teeth and intoned lowly.
"Why'd you go and chug it."
"...Can't feed booze to kids."
"..."
"Planned to spill it after a sip..."
"..."
"For real."
As Nihil offered his not-quite-excuse, Evan sighed and rubbed his face. Meanwhile, our precious little kitten seemed thrilled by the puppy, grinning toothily from the side.
Evan scooped up the darling kitten onto his lap for pets. Unable to withstand those pleading eyes demanding why not cuddle his buddy too, he reluctantly plunked the damn lynx down as well.
The boys watched, dumbfounded. Jane finally spoke after gaping awhile.
"...Nil, c-can I, uh, ask who-who he is?"
Nihil shot Evan a blank stare at Jane's timid query, then blurted without much thought.
"Doggy."
"..."
"..."
Veins bulged on Evan's hand. Just as he reared back to smack the back of Nihil's head, Lianus jumped in with a correction.
"N-no, it's big bro."
"..."
Evan eased his raised hand down. He'd become the big brother to the world's most adorable prince, so one more shot at patience. Meeting Nihil's gaze twisted his face anew, though.
Nihil eyed Evan's sour mug and tacked on.
"Don't like him much."
"Ah..."
The boys sighed in unison. Figured despite the lynx feud act, he and big bro weren't tight.
Dave hastily scrapped his notion of offering up the lynx. Handing over Nil was a total no-go. Not that he could anyway.
Catching the boys' odd stares, Evan sputtered excuses in disbelief.
"Wh-why say it like that... When'd I say I don't like you...!"
"Then you like me?"
"You nuts?"
"..."
Nihil drooped at the blunt rebuff.
The kids gazed at him pityingly, prompting Evan's grumble.
"Ugh, damn lynx. Cut the act. Kids, don't buy it—this guy's just messing around. The pranks he pulls... Huh?"
Evan halted his exposé on the mischievous lynx, startled by the warm dampness trickling onto his hand's back.
Tears—or what seemed like them—plopped steadily onto his callused skin.
"You... cryin'?"
Evan reeled. Surely not tears—saliva from spite? Nah, the lynx wouldn't hawk a loogie.
"Why... won't you like me?"
The lynx mumbled, barely audible. Evan scrambled to discern prank from genuine, brain in overdrive. Prioritizing damage control, he shooed the staring boys toward the food.
Sensing prying eyes, he yanked Jane's chair over possessively, jamming it tight beside him. To onlookers, it looked like the brute was strong-arming the boys to poach their 'rabbits.'
With Jane's slight frame blocking views, Evan nudged Nihil's hood up. Tears streamed from those wide, limpid eyes.
Jane gasped sharply at Nihil's face—his first glimpse—then huddled closer to shield it from sight.
Evan floundered in turmoil, debating real tears versus ocular drool, before gently calling.
"Lynx...?"
The ash smudged on those lashes began melting away.
This pace meant a messy disaster inbound, eyes begging for irritation. He dampened a handkerchief and dabbed the face clean.
A snow-white crescent amid night skies brimmed with tears, gazing soulfully up at Evan.
Cheeks flushed hot too—could it be...
"...You drunk?"
No, seriously? Since when? How many gulps?
"Like me... too..."
"...Sigh, losing my mind."
Evan genuinely felt he'd snap at the lynx's whimpers.
Immune to most poisons, yet booze floors him? Probably clueless himself—else he'd have skipped it.
Mulling this while facepalming over handling the headache, a light thump hit his gut.
Expecting an irate lynx jab, he glanced down: the baby kitten, sniffling, swung feeble fluff-punches.
"Big bro made Nil cry!"
"Ah..."
"Big bro bad! Say sorry quick!"
"S-sor—no, sorry, d-don't cry..."
"Not to me—to Nil! Tell him you like him, now!"
Cold sweat beaded down Evan's back amid the cotton barrage. How to console weeping kittens? No clue.
How the hell had it spiraled here!
All his fault—not nipping the lynx's drinking in the bud.
Figuring the kitten would hush once the lynx did, Evan gingerly lifted and hugged him close.
The lynx sat limp, unresisting—no sniffles, no winces, just blank-faced tears flowing endless.
His gaze unfocused now, direction unknowable. Resigned? Soulless doll? An ineffable surge welled up.
Evan patted Nihil soothingly.
"Lynx, I like ya. Quit crying."
"Don't need it."
"..."
This punk...?