Hot and Fresh
Asha walked through the bustling streets, her waist firmly gripped by Claudia. Every few steps, Claudia's hand would slyly creep toward her ass, prompting Asha to finally speak up. Even if she'd once been a man, she knew women didn't just grope each other's butts like that.
"Isn't this a bit much?"
"Huh? What is?"
"Your... hand on my... butt..."
"Can't hear you. Could you say it louder?"
"...Let's just hurry up."
Pretending not to hear, huh.
As they walked, beastkin grew more numerous. Asha felt sidelong glances from all directions. Relations between humans and beastkin weren't bad, but the stares made her uneasy.
"Lady Claudia..."
"Yeah?"
"Um... is it okay for me to be here? The beastkin keep staring at me."
Claudia chuckled softly.
"They're just charmed by how cute you are. And..."
She turned to Asha, grabbed a lock of her hair, and sniffed it deeply. It looked just like someone plucking at cotton candy with their fingers.
"...What are you doing all of a sudden?"
"You smell sweet for some reason. That's why the flies are swarming."
Her cold gaze swept the surroundings, and the staring beastkin cleared their throats, suddenly finding interest elsewhere. Asha swallowed hard at the intensity but felt relieved as the eyes lifted.
"Better now?"
"...Yeah."
"Shall we keep going?"
"Sure."
They hadn't gone far when Claudia spoke again.
"By the way, what's your name, miss? You know mine, but it's unfair, don't you think?"
Asha hesitated, then replied.
"Um... Sha'a."
"Sha'a? Pretty name."
Pretty? It's just Asha backward... For some reason, she felt like she should be wearing red.
"Here we are. I went through hell reserving this place—hope you enjoy it."
The building looked expensive, massive. No sign suggested it was invite-only.
"What do they sell here?"
"That's the fun of finding out."
Following Claudia inside, the interior was dimly lit but cozy, not dingy. A beastkin server led them to a private room curtained off from the rest. Everything seemed ultra-exclusive.
...This place is even pricier than I thought. Hope I don't regret letting her treat me—but when will I ever afford this again?
Steeling herself despite the nerves, Claudia asked,
"Why so tense?"
"Ah... it just looks really expensive."
"Haha, who cares? It's on me. Relax—you'll get indigestion. You really take after your master, Sha'a. That old man's hands shook every time he commissioned pricey materials."
"..."
Did I?
"Enjoy it. It's not a big deal for me. Your master could come too if he dropped that stubborn pride."
"...Mm."
"Enough boring talk. Let's start."
Claudia tugged a cord, and soon a server entered—a harpy. Asha had sourced their materials before but never seen one up close. The blue-haired harpy, cheeks flushed, carried two fist-sized eggs. Another server set the table and placed the eggs atop.
The harpy cleared her throat and spoke in a beautiful voice at odds with the content.
"Freshly laid epicurean unfertilized eggs, still piping hot. Please enjoy them while they're warm!"
She left with the server. Asha blinked, processing the words, as Claudia laughed.
"Why the blank stare?"
"No, it's just... she said she just laid them..."
"Yep, you heard right. Not that special—they're unfertilized. No different from humans eating eggs. Just premium ingredients. These harpy eggs are seasonal only."
Now Asha noticed steam wafting from the shells.
"Pay extra, and you can watch the laying. Want to?"
Asha shook her head vigorously at the appetite-killing suggestion.
"Everyone new reacts like that. Better keep that curtain closed then."
...What's behind it? Kinda scary. Like Pandora eyeing her box—curiosity bubbled, but it screamed don't open. And why does she talk like we'll meet again?
"Eat before they cool. Wouldn't want to offend the harpy who laid them, right?"
"...Uh... yeah."
Asha picked up a spoon.
"How do you even eat this?"
"I'll crack it for you."
Claudia deftly shelled it, revealing steaming contents. Asha scooped some up tentatively.
It was... delicious. Sweet yet refreshing. Who knew an egg could taste like that?
Subsequent dishes were tamer. Maybe starting shocking built tolerance? Smart if intentional.
...The main looked like a massive lizard tail.
"Drake tail roast—the most flavorful cut."
After the egg, no qualms.
"I supplied this."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Good?"
"...Delicious."
"Worth bringing you."
Ice treats for dessert left her stuffed. All amazing—devoured despite recent appetite loss.
Time to handle business.
"Um... Lady Claudia?"
"Drop the 'lady.' Just Claudia. Or Dia if you want."
Closing the distance fast. Didn't say that to me before.
"...Dia, then."
"Yeah, Sha'a."
Good if she liked this body—increased odds of her helping. Not all bad.
Asha pulled the aphrodisiac prototype from her pocket and offered it.
Claudia took the box, puzzled.
"What's this?"
"Aphrodisiac prototype."
"Pfft!"
Water sprayed from Claudia's mouth, splattering her face. She dabbed it with a handkerchief from her gown.
"S-sorry, just... caught me off guard."
"...It's fine."
"Sorry again. Don't be mad."
"I'm not mad."
"...You look it. So? Why show me an aphrodisiac out of nowhere?"
"Well... I have a favor to ask."
"...You're mad. I'll hear you out, so cheer up."
Am I a negotiation genius? Should've been a merchant, not alchemist. Asha smirked inwardly.
"Fine. Dia, one request. This is new from our workshop. Want to verify effects. It's for men, so you can't use it, but could you distribute to contacts and report reactions?"
"Help with testing, basically?"
"Yes."
"Master Astarote's orders?"
Technically mine...
"Er... yeah."
"Hmm..."
Claudia eyed her meaningfully, summoned a server, whispered, then returned—sitting beside Asha.
"Why here...?"
"Your master Astarote... so unpredictable."
Claudia leaned in, breath hot on her skin.
"D-Dia? Too close."
"Sha'a, I'll help test the aphrodisiac."
"Really?"
"Sure. Right now, even."
"...Huh?"
Claudia opened the box, popped the pill on her tongue—seductively so.
"No, it's... for men!"
"Don't worry."
The pill vanished into her mouth.
Ah, no! That's expensive!!!
"Should work on me too."
"...?"
She shuddered briefly, then spoke huskily.
"...This stuff's potent."
Claudia shoved Asha down. The cushy sofa broke the fall, but shock lingered. Claudia pressed her ample breasts close, nipping Asha's neck lightly.
Something... dangerous wafted.
"Eek!?"
"Feels like... heat season hit."
"I get it, so get off!"
"Why? I'm helping test."
"B-but it's for men—"
Claudia grabbed her hand, guiding it hot against pale skin. It landed on...
"Bringing this on a date means you wanted this, right? More aggressive than I thought. If Master Astarote sent it, that's tacit approval."
What should be flat bulged noticeably, throbbing through fabric.
...I'm a genius. No, wait.
"Then... bon appétit."
Why does she have one?! Don't eat it!!!
Her first kiss—stolen. Not an adventurer, a bandit.