Chapter 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: What Goes Around Comes Around
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. It's not fully night yet. There should still be shops open.
Let's go... Looks like I'll be getting home a bit late today.
I never imagined I'd be taking a beastkin out for food on my way home at this hour.
Walking in silence felt awkward, so I struck up a conversation.
One thing I learned: she's younger than me. By about two years.
And hearing that sent a slight chill down my spine.
Whew, that was close. The direction was different, but this was way more dangerous than getting grabbed by the collar...
Because I only became an adult not long ago.
What does that mean? She's not even an adult yet.
"Still a kid, huh..."
"Yeah."
"But why are you so tall?"
"Dunno. I've been like this since I was born."
Is this a racial difference...? Well, once you're past puberty, you've pretty much hit your full height anyway.
More importantly, there's something I need to do first. That's actually why I asked her age.
"So, I can drop the formalities, right?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, let's get along, Ulpi."
"Casual and informal are different things..."
"I'm definitely more comfortable this way."
"Oh."
Honestly, if a younger kid is speaking informally to me, isn't it fine for me to do the same?
I'm not demanding formal speech, and it's not rude, right? Probably.
"But don't you have any other clothes?"
"No."
"They look... really worn out."
"Picked up something that was thrown away."
"I see..."
That was her answer when I asked about the ragged, tattered clothes she was putting back on.
No wonder they seemed like men's clothes. She must've just grabbed whatever oversized rags she found...
This might be worse than I thought. I knew beastkin life was tough, but this bad?
The beastkin lives I knew were based on Ranyori's stories.
And even Ranyori's life hadn't been smooth. Not at all.
But... most of the reasons were discrimination from humans.
They were hated, couldn't eat properly, got beaten by humans.
But aside from that, they had the basics to live a normal life.
For example, even if they couldn't attend the academy—equivalent to a university—they still got basic education.
Compared to that, Ulpi in front of me... it seems even that was hard for her.
...For now, I won't pry. We haven't even known each other a full day.
"Let's go first. I'll buy you something to eat."
"Can I really come with you?"
"Didn't you say you hate being alone? So we'll go together."
"Is it really okay for me to go?"
"...What permission are you looking for? I'm not just saying it to be nice."
"People will hate me."
"...?"
I get the worry, but... it's kinda out of left field?
Beastkin do have a bad rep, but there aren't many people around right now.
We're just grabbing some quick food. Is there really that much to worry about?
And beastkin perceptions have improved lately. Thanks to my novel, though I hate to brag.
"I shouldn't go out..."
"Out?"
We're already outside, aren't we? I don't get what she means.
"Just come on. It's no big deal."
"...Okay."
Ulpi finally nodded. And then...
"...What are you doing?"
"Getting ready to go out."
"..."
She put on her outer coat—no, she wrapped it around her body like a cloak.
Pulled the hood down low. Completely hiding her ears. Tail tucked away too.
"Let's go."
"..."
Hmm. Yeah. I described stuff like this in my novel.
Hiding to avoid drawing eyes, to keep their beastkin traits secret.
Ranyori even got a cloak later and tried it out.
...But seeing a beastkin actually do it to hide their identity from others...
It's rarer than I thought.
"Hey, just take that off."
"Huh? No way. People will stare."
"That ratty outfit will draw more eyes."
"..."
"Or I'll leave you here."
"Okay... I'll take it off..."
It sounds like I'm making a kid do something weird, but it's necessary.
"Let's just toss those clothes. They're too worn."
"Then I won't have anything to wear."
"It's not even cold out. What's the point of draping that over you?"
"What about winter?"
"In winter, that thing wouldn't help anyway. Too thin. Full of holes."
"..."
"I'll buy you a proper one later."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
"Ooh..."
We could finally go.
Ulpi trailed behind me, hunching her body like she was using me as a shield.
"Walk beside me. You'll get lost."
"No, I won't get lost."
"Just do it. I get anxious if the person I'm with isn't visible."
"...Okay."
Of course, I wouldn't allow it.
"And straighten your back and shoulders. Why walk like that? It's uncomfortable."
"You sure have a lot of demands..."
"I'm the one buying you food."
"Oh."
We headed to a busier area with restaurants.
Some places were still open. Mostly taverns selling booze.
We decided to get takeout instead of eating there.
I bought a bottle of liquor too. Felt like it might look suspicious otherwise.
"I can't drink alcohol..."
"? I'm not giving you any. Don't worry."
"Oh."
Like I'd give booze to a kid.
I'll drink it later myself or give it to Dad.
Ulpi said she'd wait outside while I went into the restaurant.
Dragging her in seemed like too much trouble all around, so I agreed.
What if people gave us dirty looks when I confidently brought her in? There were already some drunks around.
When I came back out, I saw Ulpi glancing around nervously.
"It's amazing."
"What is?"
"People aren't paying attention to me."
"That's normal."
"The rules must be different here."
"...Hmm."
That's a worrying thing to say. But she probably won't tell me even if I ask now.
Anyway, they packed the food generously.
Enough to save for later. I picked stuff that'd still taste good cold.
"Why so much...?"
"It's just one serving."
"But there are multiple dishes for one serving...?"
"Boss must be generous."
"...Thanks."
"No prob."
"I'll definitely repay this kindness."
"Sure. Become a fine adult in two years and pay me back with interest."
"Can't promise that..."
"Then pay me back in a hundred years."
"Are you immortal?"
"Nah. Human."
"What kinda nonsense is that..."
What else? It means you don't have to pay me back at all.
Time to head back. I'll walk her home at least.
"Hm? This the way home?"
"...Yeah."
We were heading straight back the way we came.
To that alley where I got grabbed by the collar.
"I'll go now."
"I'll see you to your door."
"No. It's farther from here. And dangerous."
"...So you live in a dangerous place?"
"Yeah. You know it."
"Hah."
Hearing that makes me want to go with her even more.
...But she'll probably bolt if I do. She's super wary.
Nothing for it. It's late anyway. Instead...
"Hey, come out here tomorrow morning."
"...Why should I?"
"I'll buy you clothes and food."
"That was real...?"
"Of course."
"Liar."
"Why would I trick you?"
"To mess with me."
"Then you'd already be reported. I'd have gone to the cops."
"Oh."
"So come out."
"...When?"
"Whenever's convenient. I'll be here no matter what."
"...You better keep your promise."
"Yeah."
Ulpi slipped into the dark alley.
Guess there's living space back there too.
I got home late, got a bit of a lecture from my parents, had a late dinner. Even Ranyori joined.
And the next morning. I got ready early and headed out.
To keep my promise. Figured I'd go early and wait.
"...You kept your promise."
"Why are you out already?"
"I was worried."
"Hmm."
Ulpi was out before me. And I'd left super early.
"How long you been waiting?"
"Just got here."
"Exactly when?"
"...Around sunrise?"
"That's not morning, that's dawn. Aren't you tired?"
"I'm fine. I always wake up early."
"Hmmm... Okay then."
Lots I want to ask, but first things first—let's go.
"Yesterday."
"Yeah?"
"It was good."
"You ate it all?"
"Yeah. Finished it."
"...Wasn't it a lot?"
"No."
I'd gotten extra generous portions, and she ate it all. Must've been starving.
So this time, even more.
"Let's eat here today."
"Huh? Why...?"
"Haven't eaten yet. Rushed out too fast."
"C-can't we just get takeout?"
"Why? People don't care about you anyway."
"...Can I get the leftovers to go then?"
"Sure, why not."
...And at that, she acted all surprised.
"..."
"Not eating...?"
"Yeah. I'm full."
-Grrrowl...
"Hey, come on."
"..."
"Am I burdening you too much?"
"No. That's not it."
She only took a few bites and stopped. Clearly starving though.
...Fine. There's a reason. She left most of it, and I packed it all up.
She looks happier now than when the food came out.
I bought her clothes too. Yesterday we had to toss just the outer layer, but today I got full women's top and bottom sets. Her underclothes were ragged too.
"Feels weird..."
"Why?"
"So soft. It tickles..."
"That's normal."
"Smells nice too..."
"That's normal too."
New outerwear, some winter stuff...
"S-stop..."
"Why?"
"I can never repay this..."
"Just pay me back in a hundred years."
"Why are you doing all this?"
"For the interest."
"..."
"Just take it. I've got money to spare."
They don't say "earn like a dog, spend like a prime minister" for nothing.
Though I earned way better than a dog, anyway.
"Really... thank you so much..."
"No prob."
"I'll head out now..."
"Okay."
Ulpi greeted me like yesterday and headed into the alley with the stuff I'd bought.
And I followed.
"...?"
"..."
"Why are you following...?"
"Our paths just happen to overlap."
"Liar. I'm not falling for that."
"Fine, yeah, I'm following you."
"!"
"Might as well carry that for you since I know. Hand it over."
"Wha...?"
I took her bags and headed deeper in together.
"It's dangerous here..."
"Don't worry. I'm probably more dangerous."
"..."
Ulpi tried to stop me several times, but failed.
She couldn't run off anyway since I had the food.
Deeper in. Even narrower, darker alleys.
And then, suddenly, an open space appeared.
"Oh ho."
"..."
People live in places like this too, huh.
Lots of them. Humans, beastkin.
Ulpi probably lives here.
Overall... it looked pretty rundown.
Better than before, but still dim, no light. People—human and beastkin alike—looked depressed, worn down by hard lives.
Bit rude to say, but it was kinda intriguing. I looked around, turning my head this way and that.
"...Ngh!"
If a hand hadn't suddenly shot out from a nearby gap and grabbed Ulpi's collar, dragging her away, I'd have kept sightseeing.
"Hmm."
Isn't that exactly what happened to me yesterday? Is this what they call putting yourself in their shoes?
I idly pondered as I slowly walked toward where Ulpi had been dragged.