Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: A Tumultuous Date with a Beastkin and a Demon (1)
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Nighthaven was a free city with an officially tallied population of several million.
It was a kind of autonomous city-state, belonging to no nation.
If you are meta Human, you belong.
If you are a metahuman, come here.
Under this philosophy of the immensely powerful Dragon Mayor, metahumans from other worlds could enter and leave the city with ease, without any complicated procedures.
Thus, all sorts of talented metahumans began to flock to Nighthaven like bees to a flower.
They were drawn to the city, a place for metahumans who had been battered by excessive discrimination in human society.
However, this rather radical policy had a double-edged nature that wasn't entirely positive.
An influx of uncontrollable metahuman criminals came along with them.
Vampires, beastkin, demons, orcs, ogres, tree spirits, and more.
Those who found human rules bothersome and wanted to act as they pleased caused all sorts of trouble, easily throwing the city into chaos.
Their shameless attitude was that if this was a city for metahumans, they should be able to live as they wished.
"-We will expand our police force and strive to maintain public safety within the city. Phew... These damn criminals! Just let me catch you! I'll split all your heads in half!"
"-M-Mr. Mayor... the mic is still on."
"-W-What? A-Ahem... That's all! That concludes today's announcement. Edit this part out, quickly!"
Fortunately, perhaps thanks to the influence of the Dragon Mayor, who had declared he would smash the heads of anyone who openly challenged him…
The endlessly soaring crime rate was gradually showing signs of subsiding.
No matter how much one wanted to run wild, no one wanted to face a walking natural disaster with a dragon heart pumping magic through its body.
But in the end, it’s not a crime if you don't get caught.
Unresolved problems still festered in the nooks and crannies of Nighthaven, beyond the reach of eyes and hands.
It was inevitable when so many different species, each with their own unique personalities and tendencies, gathered in one city.
Still, despite this darkness, Nighthaven remained an attractive city for metahumans.
Just as cats would have gone extinct long ago if they weren't cute, Nighthaven, despite its rampant criminals, still retained its characteristic freedom.
And among Nighthaven's many attractions were its outstanding urban aesthetics and ample recreational spaces.
Casinos, theme parks, large stadiums, concert halls, art museums, hot springs...
There were many things to enjoy without ever leaving Nighthaven, and the parks, designed for citizens to enjoy nature, were also quite popular recreational spots.
Central Park III.
Unlike Central Parks I and II, which were close to City Hall where the Dragon Mayor worked, this one was located far away and wasn't as popular.
Compared to the other two, which were packed with people, this place felt almost empty.
Still, as one of the few places in this city of skyscrapers and neon signs where one could enjoy nature, it was often used as a meeting spot for nearby residents.
Well, since it was winter with snow falling heavily, there really wasn't anyone coming or going right now.
I stood under the eaves of the park's information center, watching the quietly falling snow.
The snowflakes, gently descending from the sky, were a pleasant sight in themselves. It felt like time was passing peacefully as I watched them blankly.
*Whoosh!*
Suddenly, a snowy gust of wind brushed past me.
The cold air seeping through the gaps in my maid uniform's skirt was quite sharp.
It really is cold. Should I have worn something thicker?
I felt a shiver run down my spine and rubbed my thighs for no reason.
I want to get inside somewhere, fast. When is Sabrina going to get here?
As I was thinking this and blinking blankly, I suddenly saw someone running urgently from a distance.
The figure, which had been a small dot, quickly grew close enough to recognize—it was none other than Sabrina.
You're late. I was about to turn into a snowman here.
"Pant, pant... S-Sorry! The subway suddenly stopped because of an accident... I was late because I had to run!"
"..."
What, the subway stopped?
It seemed there was a reason she'd left me in this cold weather for an hour.
Well, I guess it can't be helped. It's not like Sabrina wanted to be late.
In fact, it might even be impressive that she managed to get here within an hour by running all the way.
'Still, I'm a little peeved...'
I strode up to Sabrina, who was fidgeting with a guilty look on her face.
And as she squeezed her eyes shut at my sudden approach, I grabbed her hand firmly... and forcefully pulled it into my coat pocket.
"Ah, eek...! Y-Yuria?!"
"..."
How's that, cold, isn't it? I sentence you to the punishment of becoming my hand warmer.
Feeling the warmth of Sabrina's body, which had gone strangely stiff, I used my other hand to gently brush the snow from her bangs as if to say, "Good job."
For her body to be this warm in the dead of winter, I could only imagine how hard she must have run.
I was starting to feel a little sorry myself.
'By the way... Sabrina's really dressed up today.'
Then I suddenly noticed that Sabrina looked different from usual.
Her usual single braid was let down, her hair flowing behind her, and her previously makeup-free face had a dewy look, as if she had applied something minimal.
Her clothes had also changed from her typical boyish shorts to a fluttering, knee-length one-piece dress with thigh-high socks. It was a complete departure from Sabrina's usual casual style.
Did she get this dressed up just to meet me?
That means... she's a sincere and earnest bear-beastkin, through and through!
Even for a simple meeting to apologize, she was showing an incredible amount of sincerity.
"Um... hey... Ah, it doesn't suit me, does it? Me wearing something like this..."
"...!"
As I was inwardly admiring Sabrina's surprising charm, did she take it the wrong way?
She hunched her shoulders and muttered, avoiding my gaze as if she didn't know what to do.
No, it suits you incredibly well...
Unable to speak, I stamped my feet, wondering how I could convey this feeling.
Then, I grabbed Sabrina's other hand, made her look at me, and shook my head from side to side.
You look so cute right now, you're the most beautiful girl ever!
It was a gesture filled with comfort, meant to convey something along those lines.
"Oh, um... really? It's not too bad?"
"...!"
"Ehehe... I-I see..."
Fortunately, it seemed my intentions got through.
Sabrina, who had been feeling guilty for being late and insecure about dressing up, instantly brightened. Yep, everyone looks better with a smile.
After we met up, we leisurely left the park.
I came here today without any plans. I was going to leave everything to Sabrina. Besides, I didn't know what was around here anyway.
"Well, it's still a bit early for lunch. Let's go to a café. Reine told me about a new dessert café that opened up around here..."
The snow falling from the sky piled up on mine and Sabrina's heads.
But maybe because we were holding hands tightly inside my coat pocket...
My legs were chilly, but I felt much warmer than before.
***
The dessert café Sabrina led me to was a place that sold cakes.
There were plenty of seats, so we were able to find a spot in a corner away from the foot traffic.
Cake. I haven't really had a proper cake from a dessert café like this before.
But my tongue, which generally likes sweet things, would probably love it. I'm excited.
As I was contemplating between a standard strawberry shortcake and an orange tart, Sabrina, sitting across from me, muttered with a deeply troubled expression.
"Ugh... what's good here..."
Ah, you're not used to places like this either, are you?
Come to think of it, with her personality, she'd spend her time training instead of hanging out with friends, so there's no way she'd come to a dessert café.
Feeling a greater sense of kinship, I chuckled softly and pointed my finger at a very standard egg tart to show her.
Honestly, there's no way this can be bad. Even people who don't like dessert will love it.
At my recommendation, Sabrina nodded as if to say she'd have that.
After a short wait, our desserts arrived along with the drinks we ordered.
I had the shortcake with a large strawberry on top. Sabrina had the golden egg tart.
"...!"
"Mmm! Delicious!"
And as we put our respective desserts into our mouths, we couldn't help but let out sounds of admiration.
It was so breathtakingly delicious that our eyes flew open.
As expected of an expensive specialty dessert café!
It was a taste worthy of a personal recommendation from Sabrina's sister, Reine.
To be honest, I was a little hesitant because of the price before we ordered.
But it definitely felt worth it. I don't regret spending the money.
As I was thinking this and nibbling on the strawberry I'd speared with my fork...
Suddenly, from the side, there was a clatter as something overturned, followed by a scream.
"Hyaaaaaah!"
"...?!"
"Wh-What..."
Naturally, Sabrina's and my heads turned to the side.
There, a blue-skinned woman had overturned her tray and fallen to the floor.
What in the world... is happening?
Naturally bewildered, we could only look at each other and tilt our heads.