Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Senyora!
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Senyora!
Introduction. Set the atmosphere first.
"It was raining.
"Clouds gathered in the darkening evening sky as the sun slowly set and the moon began to rise.
"The streetlights came on earlier than usual.
"But since the rain wasn't too heavy, there were still plenty of people out on the streets.
"Some were heading home, looking forward to rest after a hard day's work.
"Kids who had gotten soaked were giggling and saying goodbye to their friends.
"Laughter and chatter leaked out from the restaurants."
Now for the contrast.
Time to introduce the protagonist, Senyora.
"And on the edge of that very street.
"In the shadows where the light didn't reach.
"In the gap between two buildings. There was a girl there.
"The girl's name was Senyora.
"Senyora had pulled the hood of her coat down low over her head.
"Was it because of the rain?
"To shield herself from it even a little?
"That was half right.
"Half wrong, because she wore the hood even on clear, sunny days with no rain.
"Inside the hood, cat ears poked up from the top of her head.
"Not human ears, but animal ones—specifically, a cat's.
"And without even needing to look closely at her ears, a white tail she hadn't managed to hide stuck out below."
...Hmm.
I want to describe her appearance in more detail.
A bit more... sensorily, you know.
"Ranyori."
"Yeah?"
"Can I take a closer look at your tail and ears?"
"Research?"
"Yep."
"Go ahead."
"Then, just for a sec..."
"..."
"..."
"...I never said you could touch them, though."
"Ah, sorry. Did that bother you?"
"Well... not so much that, but they're sensitive there."
"The tail too?"
"Yeah."
"Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
"Yeah... wait, keep it in mind?"
Useful info for later. Not now.
"Oh, while I'm at it, can I check out your eyes too?"
"Huh...? Oh, sure. But what do you mean by 'keep it in mind'—"
"Excuse me."
"...!"
I gently cupped Ranyori's face with both hands and peered into her eyes.
Pink irises. My reflection shimmered in them.
Her eyes darted around. Makes it hard to observe.
"When's it gonna end...?"
"Just a bit longer."
Beastkin eyes weren't all that different from human ones.
Still, they're pretty. Like the eyes of a perfectly crafted doll.
Clean white canvas. Drizzled with transparent pink paint.
"...Done now."
Ranyori squeezed her eyes shut.
Not just closed—tightly. Her eyebrows slanted like clock hands at 10:10.
And she was starting to sweat a little.
Hm, did I make her uncomfortable? Fair enough.
I let go and released her. She immediately buried her face in the sofa and flopped down.
...Come to think of it, her cheeks felt a little warm. Probably just my imagination?
Time to write. Got the info I wanted.
"Senyora was gazing up at the sky.
"Deep blue eyes, serene and profound like a small lake cradling water.
"Raindrops fell into that lake.
"Her ears caught the sounds.
"The patter of raindrops hitting the ground.
"Snippets of conversation from people nearby.
"With her head tilted up, raindrops occasionally brushed past her ears.
"Each time, they twitched alertly.
"Her white tail swayed too.
"Slightly droopy from the wet rain, yet still swishing contentedly, as if she didn't mind the situation at all."
Next. Time to briefly show Senyora's personality and how she's treated.
"... ."
"Senyora lowered her head.
"Then looked ahead and started walking again.
"Sticking to the unlit paths.
"Places with few people around."
Hm. Want to express that characteristic Beastkin way of moving.
"Ranyori."
"Whaaat..."
"Wanna step outside with me for a bit?"
"More research...?"
"Yeah."
"Sighhh..."
"She glided through the dark alley with light steps.
"Her footfalls were feather-soft, perfectly suiting the word.
"She pushed off the ground ever so lightly with her toes.
"Yet with that tiny motion, her slender body propelled forward effortlessly.
"Sometimes the path was blocked.
"No problem.
"She hopped up, scampering along the wall.
"Gracefully, bathed in the faint moonlight peeking through the clouds.
"Traversing the narrow path, then dropping back down.
"It was quite a height, but she landed without a sound."
First, showed the lit streets bustling with people.
Then, deliberately showed the protagonist walking through deserted shadows.
Now, time to reveal why.
"Suddenly, a shout came from the side.
"Something flew toward her.
"She hopped up and dodged.
"A glass bottle.
"A liquor bottle.
"It had been hurled at her.
"After landing, she glanced over.
"A flushed drunkard was there.
"He slurred a torrent of curses at her, tongue twisted in rage."
A scene where the Beastkin protagonist faces discrimination from a human.
Set him as a drunk to avoid backlash.
This next scene is the most important. How the protagonist handles it.
"Senyora wondered.
"He was cursing her because he knew she was a Beastkin.
"But how? Did he spot her tail?
"Impressive dynamic vision for a drunk, she thought."
Brushing it off casually.
"Senyora quietly raised her hand.
"And folded down her soft ears atop her head.
"It went quiet. Much better."
And show a light response to a serious situation.
"Oh.
"The man who had been spewing words staggered.
"That looked dangerous—and sure enough, he toppled over. Poor guy.
'I wanna go home...'
"Still, leaving him like that could be risky, right?
"She rummaged around and found a cardboard box and some newspapers.
"Then covered him with them."
Ending with her kindly treating even the guy who spat harsh words at her.
This sets the protagonist's basic personality, I think.
She faces discrimination as a Beastkin, but doesn't take it too seriously.
A personality that doesn't get hurt by such discrimination—
'...Though I might need to mull that over a bit.'
Is she naturally tough mentally?
Or has she been hurt so much she's numb to it?
Maybe she has unhealed wounds she's just not showing.
The first is straightforward.
The second could weigh down the later plot if mishandled.
But it opens up more story potential.
I'll decide later. Play it by ear as the situation develops.
Just don't nail it down too rigidly in description.
For now, portray her as not overly troubled by discrimination.
And wrap up by showing her fundamentally kind nature.
A few more episodes.
"Footsteps approached from ahead.
"Senyora quickly pressed herself against the wall.
"She didn't particularly want to run into anyone else.
"Especially after that weird drunk earlier.
"...The footsteps faded.
"Guess they're gone. She stepped out.
"...?"
"Nope. Someone was still there.
"Just quietly tying his shoelaces.
"Their eyes met properly.
"Feeling awkwardly embarrassed for no reason, Senyora scurried away to escape the spot.
"'What the...?'
"The puzzled voice from behind held no malice, yet it still flushed her cheeks a little."
Show a bit of her quirky side too.
"'Hey, kid!'
"...?"
"Almost home, someone called out from the side.
"'You're soaked through. Aren't you cold?'
"'...I'm fine.'
"It was the old lady running the little fruit stand here.
"Passing by often, they'd gotten somewhat acquainted.
"'Heading home?'
"'Yes.'
"'Good. Hurry inside and warm up with some hot water. And... here.'
"...?"
"'An apple. Take it. Sweet and delicious.'
"'...How much?'
"'How much? Just take it. This old lady's hands hurt.'
"'N-no, it's okay.'
"'Really? Sigh, guess I'll toss it then. Was gonna throw out unsold ones today.'
"'Wha...'
"'What's wrong, kid?'
"'Don't throw it away... You could eat it...?'
"'My teeth can't chew stuff like this.'
"'...'
"'Still not taking it?'
"'Pl-please give it...'
"'There you go. Eat it tonight or tomorrow morning, whatever.'
"'Thank you...'"
If only bad things happen to the protagonist, it might wear readers out, so toss in a kind character.
Keep describing in this flow.
Mixing in light daily life moments.
"She took a bite of the apple.
"...!"
"It's really good..."
Next.
"A butterfly.
"Chase and chase and chase, and finally caught it.
"...??
"...!"
"Someone saw her doing it.
"Looked like the guy from yesterday.
"She bolted right away.
"'Seriously, what...?'"
Next...
"'It was you! You stole it, didn't you!'
"The fishmonger grabbed her collar and shook her hard. Dizzying.
"Beside her, someone with bulging pockets reeking of fish whistled innocently, pretending nothing happened.
"He got away scot-free, and she became the suspect.
"Not all Cat Beastkin go crazy for fish.
"Even if she were poor enough to steal food, it'd be something else.
"Senyora felt a little wronged."
Next......
"Next to her, a kid was munching on some snack she'd never seen before.
"'Wanna?'
"Stared too obviously, maybe. The kid held it out and asked.
"'No thanks.'
"Senyora didn't have pride low enough to share a kid's snack.
"'...But where'd you get that?'
"'Over there!'
"Curiosity was curiosity, though."
"...Looks pretty old."
Time's flown. Got a good chunk written.
Can revise and flesh it out later.
Just decide how to end it.
Something intriguing—an incident or new character.
...Ah, decided. Do both.
"'I swear it wasn't me! It's a misunderstanding!'
"'Save your excuses for the station.'
"The area was noisy. What was going on?
"Unable to contain her curiosity, Senyora approached the street—unlike usual.
"A crowd had gathered.
"Fortunately, no one noticed her.
"At the center: policemen.
"And..."
Cut it here.
Don't know what incident happened.
Or who got caught up in it.
Future me can figure that out. Not my problem.
"Ughhh..."
Time to rest...
So damn tiring...