Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: We're Not Dating Yet
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‘?’
Ranyori was curious.
Why was Aren here?
Well, he could be. This was Aren's house, after all.
But still, she was curious.
Why was he sitting on the bed where she'd been sleeping, looking down at her?
Even if Ranyori was the one in debt to him—and even though she and Aren were very close—wasn't this a bit too careless?
Aren might see it differently, but Ranyori was still a girl, after all.
...Or was she wrong? Had Aren finally 'made up his mind'?
Then he should've come last night, not now...! What was he planning to do this morning...!
“Ranyori, if you're awake, untie your tail.”
“?”
“I can't get up right now.”
“Ah.”
It was a misunderstanding. Aren hadn't come to her; she'd been pinning him down with her tail.
Come to think of it, this was Aren's room. She must've fallen asleep here yesterday.
Hmm, what now?
“...”
“Ranyori?”
“Grrr...”
Blanket... cover up with the blanket...
Hide my face completely...
“Yeah, Ranyori. Thanks for not screaming, even in such a confusing spot.”
“...”
“But could you free my leg first? You can keep sleeping here.”
“...”
“Thanks.”
...Should've just pretended to be asleep from the start.
Aren might've impulsively stroked her hair once...!
Whatever. Ranyori was going back to sleep.
Escaping to dreamland...
Left Ranyori to sleep more and came down for breakfast.
“Aren~”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Didn't Ranyori say she was staying over yesterday?”
“She did.”
“But she's not here... Did she head back late last night?”
And the first thing Mother asked when she saw me like that?
This.
“No, she did stay over.”
“Where? I checked her usual room this morning like always, and she wasn't there. And she didn't crash in the living room either.”
“W-well, we talked late into the night yesterday.”
“Yeah, and?”
“It got so late that we dozed off.”
“...I can guess what's next. You two slept in your room?”
“Yes. But really, nothing happened. She passed out midway, and I only realized it this morning.”
“Hmm...”
Mother let out a low hum. Judging by the vibe... it wasn't that serious. She didn't seem suspicious or disappointed.
But she definitely had something on her mind. Carefully picking her words.
“...Can I ask one thing?”
“Yes...”
“You two aren't dating yet, right?”
“...Yep.”
She's coming in hot. Kinda suffocating.
“I can't boss you around, but don't take things with Ranyori too lightly. It's a precious bond, yeah?”
“Of course.”
“Good, that's it! Aren's always been such a thoughtful kid!”
Finally, breathing room...
“Son.”
“Yes, Father.”
Ah, phase two. Suffocating again. Wanna tap out.
It was Father's words, post-breakfast, newspaper in hand.
Still not looking up from it. Casual toss of words.
Yeah, casual on the surface, but heavy stuff incoming. Gotta stay sharp.
“Not in the mood for lectures. Just remember two things.”
“Yes, sir.”
“One: Whatever you do, own the consequences.”
“I am, and I will.”
“Good. Two: Don't put off what you gotta do just 'cause responsibility's tough.”
“Got it.”
“Alright, done.”
Somehow scraped by. Back to normal vibes.
Mother her usual bubbly self, Father his quiet norm.
They trust I'll handle it right. No plans to live carelessly. Quietly finished breakfast.
Heading to my room after, spotted Ranyori peeking through the slightly open door.
“Slept enough?”
“...Yeah.”
“Go eat breakfast, dummy.”
“Okay.”
Silent pact: pretend last night and this morning never happened.
Ranyori scurried past to the table.
“Ranyori~!”
“H-hello...!”
Excited Mom's voice from behind. Take your time.
Back in my room, to the desk. Time to work.
Pick up from the last bit I wrote.
Skip the travel scene switch—jump straight to Senyora arriving at Karen's house.
Senyora says it's fine, but no way that's fine; Karen drags her along anyway.
We've seen plenty of Senyora's poor life already.
Karen picking up on it ain't weird for her character.
So inviting her home flows naturally without killing plausibility. Probably.
Naturally, Senyora freezes up at the entrance, all hesitant.
Second time meeting this person, soaked to the bone in the rain—as a beastkin—can I really go in?
To her frozen self, Karen coolly goes, “What're you doing? Come in already.”
Like Senyora's worries don't even register.
「“Staying in wet clothes will just make you cold.”
“...”
“You made it inside the house—catching a cold now would suck. So come on in.”
“...Excuse me.”
“Welcome.”」
And... next, wanna write Karen telling her to warm up with hot water, prepping clothes...
Can't get too detailed, though. Can't even ask Ranyori for this.
Might wreck the mood too.
Atmosphere was super heavy just before.
Rika's mess unresolved, Senyora bolted, her headspace way shakier than the end of last volume.
Only better now 'cause Karen's helping without prying. Barely.
Detailed steamy scene here? Instant thrill, sure—but bad for the story's polish.
Dopamine fades, and boom: what's left?
'Just ditched Rika on a cliffhanger—what's this scene?'
Readers'll trash it for sure.
...Right? Or nah? As a reader, I forgot plots sometimes with scenes like this. Hmm.
Anyway, impossible. Can't tell Ranyori to 'research' by showering and throwing on baggy clothes.
Even she'd slap me. Nah, bite me. Same diff.
Just use what's in my head, keep it light.
I've read novels with this stuff before.
Focus narration on Senyora's awkwardness at Karen's kindness.
But definitely slapping an illustration here.
Awkward eye-aversion and baggy sleeves? Must-draw.
Then Karen keeps the kindness train rolling.
Food, rest spot. Heck, stay the night if you want.
「“R-really, it's fine... So to my place—”
“Just crash here.”
“I-if you'll do as I want—”
“Rain's pouring like that outside—'fine' my foot.”
“No...”
-Rumble!!
“Eek...?!”
“Stay over.”
“Y-yes...”」
Little episode to lighten the mood for the overnight stay.
Key bit: All this kindness till nightfall, zero prying into her story.
Senyora's thrown. Was stressing how to handle it.
Ends up asking first. Aren't you curious what happened?
...And why help me?
Answer's simple: Curious, yeah—but won't ask if you don't say first.
Helping reason? Past favor payback? Nah, beyond that. Just 'cause.
「“Someone as kind as you deserves it. Not about settling last time's score.”
“...”
“Helping folks like that? Totally normal.”」
So whenever you're ready to talk—or need more help—just say.
Karen wraps up, flips off the light to leave.
「“...Um.”
“?”
“I'll tell you.”」
They talk in the dark room, sensing each other by warmth.
Karen hears it all, opens up more; Senyora gets comforted.
Karen vowing to help after the full story? Early highlight, right?
How? Slap in that she does legal work.
Held off setting her job clear in vol. 2 for this. Paydirt.
Then smooth cut to next morning.
...Just rip from yesterday and today?
Talk till sleep, wake to cat beastkin snoozing beside?
That'd be fun...