Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Ask When You Grow Up
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I wonder if it's okay to go in... Probably not, right? It'd be rude.
Right in front of me was the door that Lapi had left open in her haste to flee.
Yeah... I'll just close it myself and wait. Following her in would be too much.
-Creaaaak...
Whoa, closing it slowly makes it let out this creepy sound.
The kind of noise you'd hear from a haunted house in a horror flick.
Not that I should say this, but the place is pretty rundown... so it fits perfectly.
I decided to squat down nearby and wait. Should've come a bit later if I knew it'd take this long.
Quietly waiting, I glanced around. Not that it matters now, but this place had changed a lot since before.
It was never exactly normal to begin with.
Groups of guys gathered, chattering noisily about stuff that wasn't exactly pleasant to overhear,
constantly picking fights with any passing beastkin as a basic pastime,
and some even dragging others into dark corners... talking about contracts or whatever, cornering them.
Saw the last bit when I went to beat down 'those guys' last time. Yeah.
Compared to that, things were different now. A lot messier, especially with the humans.
Regardless of beastkin or whatever, they were huddled together, whispering among themselves.
The main gist was, 'What the hell is going on right now?'
They were clearly talking about me, so I pretended not to notice and kept walking.
If by some bad luck I got tangled up...
...I'd just beat them all down, right? No big deal.
And the beastkin side had changed a tiny bit too.
They were still wandering the streets with half-dead eyes.
But since the humans weren't causing trouble anymore, they were full of suspicion.
Some froze up when humans approached them friendly-like, too broken to even run.
I'd bet those humans are the ones who came here after messing around on the bulletin board. Otherwise, no way humans here would treat beastkin kindly.
-Creaaaak...
"Whoa, scary."
Lost in thought, just taking in the scenery, when the door beside me creaked open again with that chilling sound.
The door cracked open just a sliver. Moments later, Lapi peeked her head out.
She looked around, spotted me squatting there, and jumped in surprise. But at least she didn't bolt this time.
The gray-haired puppy-girl fidgeted before finally speaking, since I wasn't reacting much and just waited quietly.
"M-Mister."
"Yeah."
"You're the one who came with Sis last time, right...?"
"Call me Aren. And you're Lapi, yeah?"
"Uh... why do you remember my name...?"
Calling her by name made doubt flicker in Lapi's eyes.
She probably figured there was no reason for me to remember hers.
"Why would I forget?"
"So that's why...?"
"Isn't that normal?"
"It doesn't have to be...! You can't just assume like that!"
Hm, up until a second ago she was speaking softly, gauging my reaction, but now words were tumbling out of her.
...Like she had a guilty conscience or something.
"Sounds like you forgot, huh?"
"..."
"Knew it."
"I-It could happen...!"
Lapi mumbled, pretending otherwise. Must be embarrassed.
Still, she seemed less prickly than last time?
Maybe because Ulpi wasn't here? Or had her guard gone down since I kept my promise and those guys hadn't bothered them?
Hoping it's the latter. Would hate for Ulpi and Lapi to have suffered in the meantime.
"So... why'd you come...?"
"Hm, you home alone right now?"
"..."
"Wait, wait, not like that."
Lapi silently pulled her head back in and started closing the door.
Her eyes peeking through the gap were full of contempt.
Yeah, my bad. Sorry for asking if a kid guarding the house alone was home alone.
"Got something to talk about with your sister."
"She's not here."
"Figured. Guess I'll wait then."
"...It's gonna be a while."
"Doesn't matter."
"Don't you have stuff to do, mister?"
"This is what I gotta do."
"...You're a weird guy, mister."
"Am I?"
I shrugged in response.
And to really sell it, I leaned against the wall and plopped down fully.
Even turned my gaze away from Lapi, toward the street.
Signaling my resolve wouldn't change no matter what she did.
But seeing this, Lapi's eyes shook like she was anxious about something.
Probably thought I was here to hassle Ulpi.
"Why're you bothering my sister...!"
"Bothering? Dunno... She seems happy to see me."
"That's...! True, but..."
Surprisingly honest about that. Lapi looked awkward admitting it.
Still, her spirit wasn't broken. Her tail stiffened up behind her.
"Anyway! Don't bully my sister! What'd she ever do to you!"
"Tried grabbing me to blackmail and squeeze money outta me."
"...L-Liar! Don't lie!"
Lapi shouted desperately, like a kid on the verge of her innocence shattering.
Like hearing Santa isn't real for the first time.
Hm, come to think of it, Ulpi probably never told Lapi how she actually made money. Sorry, Ulpi.
"Exaggerated a bit, but yeah, we had our friction."
"And you're here for revenge...? You're the worst...!"
"Nah, that's all settled. I'm here to help."
"...?"
"She even calls me 'bro' first thing. Would she if we were on bad terms?"
"..."
Complex emotions clouded Lapi's eyes.
Didn't like that. Wasn't the look a girl her age should have.
"Still... how can I believe you...?"
"Hm... lemme ask you one thing."
"What...?"
"Do you want to believe? That I'm a good guy who'll help you and your sis?"
"...What kinda question is that?"
"Honestly, I don't care what you think of me. Ulpi trusts me, and I'll live up to that."
Lapi's mouth flapped a few times before she pouted and looked down.
"...Then why ask?"
"Why ask, huh."
"You said you don't care what a kid like me thinks...?"
"Not quite. If you wanted, I'd try to earn your trust too."
"...Huh?"
"Won't act bad even if you don't, but if you wanna believe, I'd reward that faith."
"Why...?"
"Gotta do that much once you're grown up, right?"
Like sneaking presents under the tree if a kid believes in Santa. Not hard.
"So... how're you gonna make me believe...?"
"...Didn't think that far."
"You're so weird, mister..."
"Yeah."
Admitting it this time. Nodded in agreement.
"...You gonna keep waiting there? 'Til Sis comes?"
"Yup."
"Won't get tired?"
"Dunno. We'll see. Even if it does, I'll just do it."
"..."
"That answer your question?"
"...Mister."
"Yeah?"
"Come in. Wait inside."
"...Huh? For real?"
Lapi didn't reply, just opened the door wider and turned back into the house.
...Means it's okay, right?
"..."
"Hm..."
Second time at Ulpi's place.
Shabby as ever. Blunt, but that's reality.
I'd come in and plopped down in a corner. Guest privileges, y'know.
...But why was Lapi in the opposite corner?
Hugging her knees, head down. Looked so pitiful.
You're kinda the host here. Be comfy, why so...
"Uh, Lapi?"
"?"
"What do you usually do?"
"..."
Awkward to just sit like this, so I tried talking.
"..."
No answer. Though she did react.
"Don't wanna talk, huh? Got it. I'll stay quiet."
"...Nothing."
"?"
"I don't do anything."
"Oh, not that you didn't wanna answer. You really don't do jack."
Phew, at least she had some will to chat with me.
"Sis coming back soon?"
"Yeah."
"When's she leave and come back?"
"Strokes my head once in the morning when I'm still asleep, then goes."
"Gotcha."
"Back when the sun sets."
"...That's not soon."
"She spends the whole day with me once she's home?"
"Day's already over by then. What's the point."
Knew she worked long hours, but her saying "soon" gave me hope.
Nope. Obviously not.
"Not bored?"
"I am... but."
"Yeah. Why'd I even ask."
"Don't tease."
"Wasn't trying to... Hm... Anyway, long time 'til Sis gets back."
"She'll be here soon."
"Sun's right overhead."
"...! Time flies... She'll be here any minute..."
So much to say, but no clue where to start.
"Alright, wanna hear a story?"
"...What kinda story?"
"Fairy tale?"
"I'm not a little kid who needs fairy tales...!"
"Fair. I'll just talk to myself then. Listen if you want. Too noisy, just say."
"Hmph..."
...
...
"S-So...? What happened to Pira...?"
"She hugged the hero tight and wept sadly. For the hero lost in an endless sleep."
"Aah...! You're trash, mister...!"
"Hear me out. Pira wept bitterly for ages, unaware her warm tears and breath were thawing the hero's frozen body.
"...!"
"Pira felt someone wipe her tears. Then a voice whispered in her ear: 'Why are you crying?'"
"Hng...! Wooow...!"
She was hooked. By my third unembellished sentence, her indifferent facade cracked, eyes sparkling.
Improvised a classic hero-vs-demon-king tale, and she loved it.
Started with pure hero-princess romance for the little girl.
But she perked up at the female dog beastkin archer I tossed in casually, so I shifted focus there.
Even named her "Pira"—Lapi backwards. She ate it up.
Princess ended up the ultimate backstabber, poisoning the demon-slaying hero, but whatever. Audience immersion was peak.
"What next...?"
"Eh, exposed the princess's plot, threw her in jail, hero and Pira marry, happily ever after."
"Not that! Right after the hero wakes!"
"...Nothing much? Oh, yeah, confession time probably. 'You're the only one who protected a hero like me, who has to protect everyone. Marry me.'"
"And?"
"Love's kiss or whatever."
Technically kissing a poisoned, collapsed hero? Kid won't nitpick logic.
"Th-That...! Can't you... describe it... a bit more...?"
"...Lapi?"
"J-Just curious..."
She knew it was embarrassing—face red, voice shrinking.
Yeah... right at that age where this stuff piques curiosity.
Looks like Ulpi at middle-school age, probably is.
This much is fine... Better than bad knowledge.
And kissing ain't lewd. Keep it tame.
"Hnnnggg..."
"Satisfied, miss?"
Lapi buried her face after my detailed rundown, stomping her feet.
Went all-out pure romance, sweet enough to rot teeth. Special service.
Surely fully satisfied?
"N-Next...?"
"?"
"After the kiss... what...?"
"...Ask when you grow up."
"Why, whyyy...!"
That... no way.
Couldn't face Ulpi if I did.