Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Heretic of the Magic Tower (8)
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Leimi sis had completely lost it. No joke—she'd been agonizing all by herself in the cafe, and the instant our eyes met, she'd bolt away like a scared rabbit. Lately, the things she said or the topics she brought up felt like she was hinting at romantic interest in me, but I had no clue why she'd suddenly started acting this way.
We might not see each other as romantic prospects, but as people, we'd had a great relationship.
So why the sudden acceleration out of nowhere?
As I pondered this while sniffing a sample from Eli—one roasted with heavy firepower—Cosetica sis pushed open the door and walked in.
Looking as exhausted as ever today, she plopped down at the bar counter and ordered her usual Einspänner.
"Ugh... I'm dying."
"What about Mina sis? You left her behind and came alone?"
"Mina's still finishing up work."
"That's so unfair... ditching your friend like that?"
"No, no. We just have separate tasks. I didn't ditch her."
"But didn't the guild master originally split the work between you two?"
"Y-Yeah, but we agreed to handle it separately!"
Watching Cosetica sis make lame excuses with a flushed face made me chuckle. Karin definitely hadn't shown up lately due to some issue, Leimi sis kept running away, and Mina sis was so swamped she hadn't even poked her head in.
In the end, the only ones sticking around for a proper visit were Mr. Dras, who came by every evening or afternoon after work, and Cosetica sis, who showed up alone despite claiming to be busy, leaving Mina sis behind.
Of course, my goal wasn't to make visitors uncomfortable, so I let it slide and changed the subject.
"This is a freshly roasted batch. Want to give the aroma a sniff?"
"Cat beastkin noses are sensitive, you know."
"That's exactly why I'm asking you to check it."
Cosetica sis obliged, pressing it to her nose for a moment before perking up her ears and speaking.
"It's coffee, but with a super sweet smell. Like peaches or some fruity mix."
"Right? I have some lighter roasts too, but those need time for the gases to off-gas. Heavier roasts mature faster."
"Oh ho."
Since the topic came up, I figured I'd brew some properly. I ground just enough for a drip coffee pour-over and poured hot water generously over the V-filter.
Natural or honey-processed beans shine with fruit pulp and fermentation flavors that build body and aroma, but paper filters soak most of that up, killing the best parts.
Well, if you want just the clean remnants, paper's fine—but that's not for me.
I brewed the drip coffee the usual way and offered it first to Cosetica sis's nose before taking a sip myself. After a few sniffs, she remarked on the intriguing sweet-and-tangy aroma.
"...Just as I thought. Sweet, with a heavy body and aroma."
"Still bitter, though?"
"Yeah."
"Hing. Can't drink it."
I was satisfied; it hit the target flavor. Lighter or medium roasts might even bring out citrus notes.
Either way, promising results.
Watching my expression and eyeing the coffee enviously, she rested her chin on the table once I set down the cup.
"That massage last time was great."
"That's meant for cats, you know."
"...For real? Explains why it worked so well."
"Want another?"
She hesitated at my offer, then nodded and relaxed her body.
"T-The tail area too."
"Back or belly?"
"...Just the back."
"Got it."
I started the same as before: face massage. From the glabella, sweeping slowly over the forehead to the nape.
Then hands over the eyes, pressing lightly from top to bottom, inner to outer.
Finished with a light lymph node massage by human standards.
Next, the back. Pinched the trapezius, lifted and lowered her arms repeatedly.
Then slipped hands under the armpits, circled firmly through armpits, sides of the belly, and hips.
Finally, the tail joint at the base of her buttocks—pressed hard into the slight dip to wrap up.
Anything more would mean touching breasts or butt directly, so I stopped and massaged her hands instead, fingertips included.
Once done, Cosetica sis's face entered sage mode.
"Cafe manager... adopt me..."
"Don't say weird stuff."
"Feels like becoming a pet."
"Isn't that taboo among beastkin?"
Historically, beastkin had high average combat power but over-glorified strength, failing to organize properly. Humans hunted them en masse, flooding the slave class with beastkin.
Ancient history now—no one drags it up weirdly anymore—but like Germans avoiding Nazi symbols, humans and beastkin alike avoid slave or pet talk out of courtesy.
"Ugh... so sleepy."
"Lots of folks doze off during or after massages."
"But I can't sleep. Resting is fine, but if I nap while Mina's suffering, she might kill me later."
"Then go help her. Instead of staying here."
"Don't wanna."
She poked at the spots I'd massaged, then propped her chin back on the table when the feeling didn't linger.
"It's been extra quiet lately."
"Still a bit till Mr. Dras shows up."
"What about Leimi?"
"She ran off."
"Huh? Why?"
I debated telling the truth but kept it simple and Leimi-friendly.
Listening with uncharacteristic seriousness, Cosetica sis straightened her usual loose speech and spoke up.
"So, cafe manager, you planning to settle down here? Marriage, kids, the works?"
"...Long-term, yeah."
"And now?"
"Call it lingering attachment if you want."
Killing Crasis recently brought back old memories, finally clarifying why I couldn't fully cut ties with the academy.
I couldn't forgive 'that kid,' but didn't wish her dead either—like how I never saw that damn Christoph as 'deserving death.'
Pay for mistakes, sincerely repent, live anew. If enough time passes for me to laugh it off, maybe we'd share a drink.
They were impossible to accept now, but I never hoped they'd drop dead.
So if I'd fully distanced from the academy, oblivious to events... if Rias, Ermina, Justina all died, and things spiraled beyond my control... I couldn't forgive myself.
Twice now, across lives.
I'm the type to torment myself over it.
"Once more time passes and the world's at peace, I'll actively stabilize my life."
"You need time, huh."
"Yeah. Simple condition, but no set timeline. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but pushing marriage now would be trouble."
"Mm. Got it. Mostly. I'll sort things with Leimi."
"...For real?"
"Hahng. I'm a girl too, y'know? I get girl hearts."
Is that so?
Anyway, seeming to grasp my future vision her way, Cosetica sis asked for head pats. I stroked her cat-style.
Forgetting her own words, she soon purred and dozed off. Entrusting Leimi's issue to her felt uneasy, but guild master mode handled work fine—I decided to trust that.
Stroking her soft sleeping hair, she let out cat-like sounds contentedly.
"...Playing with a different girl again today, huh."
"Oh, Mr. Dras."
"Ease up, or you'll get stabbed in the back, cafe manager."
"Not spending time with that intent."
"Problem is how others see it."
Fair point. Physical contact between opposite sexes isn't everyday stuff. This is Labyrinth City Astraea; adventurers here are mostly adults, older than my early twenties.
I treat sis casually, but others might misread it.
Memo: Be more considerate of surroundings from now on.
"The usual brew today?"
"Mm. Good. Cafe's quiet lately—nice for relaxed chats. Might linger a bit."
"Of course. That's what cafes are for."
With her purring breaths as background, Mr. Dras and I chatted idly. His latest machine project, drive principles—fun discussion.
"Hwah! Slept too much!"
Not sure if our voices woke her, but as Cosetica sis got up to leave, Mina sis appeared like the grim reaper and dragged her off toward the guild.
"No slacking on shared work, pig."
"You don't keep time promises either, Mr. Dras."
"That's why I work alone."