Encounter with an Unkind World
A single word popped out from the girl's small, delicate mouth.
"……Demon?"
My salesman's smile froze on my face. Ah, right. I'm not human. A new realization hit me. There are demons in this world. And I'm one of them. It wasn't exactly news to me—I already knew. Purple skin, horns on my forehead. How could I not notice? I'd just been thinking about it. No one would mistake me for a normal human. I'm not. Not anymore.
But even knowing it myself, even trying desperately to brush it off, hearing someone else point it out directly felt different. It stung in a whole new way.
"Uh, um."
The girl was waiting for a response, but I fumbled for words, my mouth hanging open. If it were just a little different, maybe I could deny it—but looking like this? Saying no would be worse than admitting it. Should I just say yes? But even in this body, I was a guy. A human. Definitely human...
"I, uh, that is..."
While I sat there speechless, the girl's eyes sharpened.
"Are you the owner here? Or is there someone else?"
At least it was a normal question. I answered as calmly as I could.
"Th-the owner went to bed."
As I spoke, a useless thought crossed my mind: Should've just said 'boss' instead of 'master' with all that formal honorific crap. No, with a body like this, it probably mattered even more. Was she thinking I was weird?
"I handle the night shift..."
My voice trailed off. Her face remained stiff as ever. Why's she been like this since she walked in? Is she really some novel-style 'noble lady' archetype?
"For real?"
I furrowed my brow slightly. What the hell? Why question it?
Then it hit me. Wait. She doesn't believe me?
"I'm asking if it's true."
Does that mean she thinks I did something shady? Why? Because I'm not human? Because I'm a demon?
"It's true. They're inside..."
I bowed my head, dropping my gaze. Even to my own ears, it was a tiny voice. Would she even hear it? But I couldn't check. The face I'd wanted to stare at earlier now terrified me to look at.
My nose stung. Suddenly, I felt so pathetic. Is this what racial discrimination feels like in a foreign land? No, probably worse. Demons, after all. Not even human. Not human.
"What're you doing?"
The girl didn't even give me time to hesitate. Her tone was curt. But I couldn't lift my head. In my lowered view, there was the wooden desk instead of the girl, my rough clothes, my pale lavender cleavage...
"Hey, you gonna serve the customer or what? Not open for business?"
"...N-no, of course."
No. Snap out of it. Don't get weak over this. She didn't outright accuse me of anything—it was just a word or two. Don't overthink. Don't be so negative for no reason. Just because I'm in a woman's body with huge tits and long hair doesn't mean my spirit's gone soft too.
Of course, it still hurt... but that's for later. Focus on the customer now. That's why I'm here—the owners let me crash in exchange.
I steeled myself, lifted my head, and faced her. Still a sulky expression, but no worse.
Smile at the grumpy ones, the old man had said offhandedly. He wouldn't say it if it didn't work. I consciously curved my lips upward.
"A-are you alone? Family coming later, maybe?"
I couldn't manage a bright smile, but I forced a grin and added a sweet, coaxing tone. No proper mirror to check, but as a succubus with this killer body, my looks should be fine, right? Even this prickly girl wouldn't spit on a smiling face.
"Hey."
But.
"Fuck. What the hell did you just say?"
The black-haired girl twisted her face into an outright scowl.
"Huh? Uh, um..."
"What did you say, you demon bitch?"
I was so shocked I couldn't even remember what I'd said. What did I say? Her face flushed red, breath coming in sharp huffs. Her slender shoulders trembled faintly. She looked ready to lunge.
"What the fuck's this family bullshit?"
"I-I, that is."
Why the sudden rage? Over family? Why? What about it? Nosy much? My mind went blank. A chill crawled up my neck. My legs started shaking.
But still. Why this of all things?
"I'm telling you. Can't you hear? Ears that long and still clogged?"
Her barrage made me yelp reflexively.
"S-sorry!"
I bowed so low my forehead nearly hit the desk.
"Sorry!"
"Really, I'm sorry!"
I had no idea what I was apologizing for. Was mentioning family such a huge offense? But it felt like I had to. Like I needed to grovel over something.
"Sorry..."
My massive chest heaved on its own in my deeply bowed posture. Off-balance, my seat felt unstable. Uncomfortable and embarrassing, but I couldn't bring myself to adjust with my hands. What if she said more? That scared me worse.
"...When's the owner coming out?"
Fearing another scolding, I rushed to answer.
"Tomorrow—er, this morning..."
My voice came out muffled from the bowed position. I heard her sigh.
"Haa... You're really something."
Tap, tap, tap. Creak.
"...Fucking huge tits, goddamn."
A low mutter of curses. Then—silence. Only my unfamiliar breathing echoed.
Did she leave? Realizing the quiet, I slowly raised my head. Hiding somewhere? I cautiously scanned around. Flickering lamplight. Pitch-black outside. The rickety door rattling, not fully shut. Cold wind whistled through the gap.
And no one there. Gone.
"Huuuuh..."
A long, deep sigh from the bottom of my soul. My whole body went limp. Exhaustion hit suddenly, aches everywhere like the flu. Wished the chair had a backrest. Wished hard enough it felt like betrayal.
Door would creak if anyone came. No customers all night anyway. Hope none come later either. I slumped over the desk. My upper body squished my breasts. Still, my body hovered a bit. Forehead didn't even reach. Folded my arms under my head for balance.
"Aaaah..."
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous this body seemed. Monster tits for real. Sure, as a guy I liked big-chested characters and art, but I never wanted this. Heavy. They jiggled with the slightest move. Even resting on the desk, their weight annoyed me. Useless. No, don't even want to use them. Shouldn't. Just cut 'em off.
Never been cussed at to my face before, and now this because of them.
"Tch..."
Still felt so unfair. What did I do wrong? Not because I'm a demon—because of my tits? The angrier I got thinking about it. Her small chest my fault? Did I ask for these boulders?
Or family? That set her off? Why? Bad relationship? Or maybe...
"No, ha. Haaa."
Another long sigh, face-down. Unresolved irritation, anger, depression, sadness—all knotted up. Wasn't pad-lipping on purpose... Come on, first time meeting, how would I know? Nah, it's because I'm a demon. That initial flinch said it all. Nothing I did pleased her.
How are demons treated here? If there's a rebellion, count me in. What if more like her come? Dizzy just thinking.
Family, family. Family... Ah, I miss mine too. Wanna go home. What happened to the real me? Mom. Ah, Mom...
"...Hey, hey!"
A distant voice. Tap on my shoulder.
"Ugh, uh?"
I lifted my stiff neck. Forced my glued-shut eyes open. A face right there, but blurry vision. Who? Familiar...
"Uh, M-Mom...?"
Lips wet, mouth dry—words wouldn't come. I mumbled.
"Kid, you okay?"
Unfamiliar voice snapped my eyes wide. Vision cleared. The innkeeper wife stood there. Desk lamp out, outside bright. Situation clicked. Did I fall asleep?
She peered closely at my face. Sudden anxiety. Kicked out for dozing?
"Uh, um. I..."
No excuse. Hers came faster anyway.
"Aigoo, must've been exhausted..."
She picked up the dead lamp.
"If you were tired, should've gone up at dawn. No one around anyway."
"...N-no."
Wiped my mouth late. Drool on my arm. Scolding indirectly? Hard to tell. Watched her face. No reproach, just pity.
"Left stew and bread in your room. Eat and sleep, okay?"
She patted my back. Rough hands, strong enough to make me vibrate.
"Go on. Good work."
Tone like handling a child, mixed with 'hurry up.'
"Is the owner in?"
"Ah, yes! Welcome!"
I hadn't even stood, but she prioritized the new customer.
"...Yes."
Mumbled as I scurried to my room, hiding from the guest. Because I'm a demon. After that girl, I knew the treatment.
The short nap made me wearier. Plump body wobbling. Slow, shuffling steps. Reached the end-of-hall room, opened the door. Knob took effort—how weak am I now?
Inside: one bed. Tray atop with wooden bowl of stew, slice of bread. Pathetic compared to my guy days. But now, I couldn't even handle that properly.
Approached, tiny hands wrapping the bowl. Other grabbed bread. Warm. Like sunlight through bars.
No scolding for dozing. No harshness like that girl. Treating demon-me like human. Warm.
Set tray gently on floor. No appetite—sleep first. Climbed slowly onto bed. Forced eyes shut. Morning sun dazzling. Turned head—horns might ruin pillow. Pulled blanket over head.
Sleep might cool that warmth. Or soften it. Maybe accept I'm not human anymore. A demon. Who knows. But I am human. Was a guy. How did this...
Eyes closed, picturing the already-missed face. Called the name from my half-dream.
"...M-Mom..."