“Shizuku reminds me of my old self,” said Kiyone, smiling at the nervous iso-onna. “So, as her self-appointed older sister, I want to give her a push in the right direction.”
Shizuku bowed awkwardly. “N-Nice to meet you.”
“I-I’m Kikui,” I replied, uncertain. “It’s nice to meet you too. I apologize, but, um, I just started this job and don’t know much about ayakashi. Once I’ve heard a little bit about you, would you mind if I consulted with Shinozaki before advising you?”
Shizuku’s face turned bright red. “Oh, uh, um,” she stammered, seeming even more panicked than me. “I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. M-Maybe this was a bad idea!”
Witnessing our flustered exchange, Kiyone laughed and patted Shizuku on the back. “I knew you would refuse their offer and try to escape once Shinozaki got involved. That’s why I set up this meeting with Kikui! Have a little faith in yourself, why don’tcha?”
“Ugh…” Shizuku peered at me timidly. Despite her hesitance, her eyes radiated an earnest desire. “I’ve, um, never left Keya before. Honestly, I have no idea what sort of job I’m cut out for. Even so…I want to start working and making money.”
I squared my shoulders and pulled out a notebook. We sat, and I gathered as much information as I could. After receiving word from Shinozaki that we could prepare a response by the end of the day, I returned to Tenjin.
Hainuzuka had already left by the time I arrived back. And apparently, Yoru was attending a gathering of cats before going home.
Where is Yoru’s home, exactly? He’s not talking about my bedroom, right?!
So, as dusk approached, Shinozaki alone waited for me at the office. During the train ride home, I’d sent him notes on my conversation with Shizuku.
“I see,” he said, examining the report on his phone. “She wants to find a job that will allow her to live on her own in the city.”
“Sorry about this,” I fretted. “I visited Itoshima to introduce myself but wound up bringing back a new case.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad Shizuku felt comfortable enough to rely on you. She must have found you easy to talk to.” Shinozaki turned to his computer and pulled up several files. I’d already entered Shizuku’s basic data into our system, and he easily found her case profile. “Let’s see,” he said. “She wants to live by herself in the city and has no specific career preference. Since this will be her first job in human society, an employer that welcomes inexperienced workers is ideal. Does that sum things up?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Additionally, she would much rather work in an all-women environment. Any job that requires interaction with lots of unfamiliar men is off the table. Why is that, do you think?”
“Because sea-dwelling, female ayakashi unconsciously seduce human men. Iso-onna from the Sea of Japan and Western sirens eat them.”
“Yikes! W-Will you be okay?!”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like a human?”
“I guess not.”
“There’s your answer.”
Shinozaki clicked the “Print” icon. Before long, a few job listings slid onto the output tray. “We should be able to find a role that fits her preferences,” he said. “Let’s set a date for her to tour a few job sites.”
“Isn’t that a little fast? She doesn’t have any experience living among humans.”
“That’s precisely why we need to act now. Her lack of any specific preference indicates an inability to form a clear vision for her future. A casual tour of the area will help her visualize life in the city in better detail.”
“Oh, good point.”
I had almost no experience diving into an unfamiliar environment. Although I struggled to conceive its true magnitude, the difference between the life of a city dweller and that of a mermaid had to be immense. I could think of nothing kinder than his suggestion.
We texted Shizuku and received an immediate response. She could come the following day. My heart raced with excitement at the prospect of my first real assignment. I must have been tensing my face unconsciously, because Shinozaki clapped me on the shoulder.
“I’ll go with you tomorrow,” he promised. “I won’t butt in, so handle the job however you like.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Just then, a pleasant scent tickled my nose. I looked up at Shinozaki, scrutinizing his face.
His beautiful eyes blinked back at me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing. You just smell nice.”
“Sexually harassing your boss?”
“Absolutely not!” I cried. “I’m so sorry!”
Shinozaki shrugged, his eyes twinkling. “Only joking.”
I averted my eyes from his unexpected smile. He kissed me not too long ago. In this very office…
“What’s wrong?” he queried again.
“Eeek!”
“Holy overreaction. What just happened? You suddenly zoned out.”
“Well, um, you see… No, never mind.”
He leveled a searching gaze at me. Based on his mischievously narrowed eyes, he’d deduced the reason. Something in my expression must have tipped him off. “Kaede.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Is there something you want?”
“Huh?”
“You’re helpless,” he teased, flicking his tail in my direction. “You want to pet my ‘floof,’ right? Go ahead.”
“…Is that what you got from my expression?”
“Did I misread something?”
“No, no, not at all,” I said. “Well then, don’t mind if I do.”
I spread my hands and sunk all ten fingers into his soft tail. My eyes widened in astonishment. “Wh-Whoa. Your tail looks like a Shiba Inu’s but several times bigger, and its sheer fluffiness…is on a whole different level. Wow. I can’t believe this.”
After stroking his tail backward, I smoothed it down again. I became completely engrossed, losing track of time to the delightful sensation. Shinozaki’s occasional, ticklish spasms couldn’t have been more endearing.
“Ugh,” he groaned, and a loud thud rang out. He’d slumped over the desk, gripping the edges for dear life. His shoulders rising with each breath, he twisted to glare at me. “Are you done yet?” he grumbled.
“Th-Thank you!” I squealed. “That was amazing!”
“Well… I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He pulled his tail from my grasp with a swish, then began to hand-comb his ruffled fur in an aggrievement. I, meanwhile, felt wholly refreshed by the experience.
“If you’re done, let’s head out,” he said. Wobbling away from the desk, his ears drooping, he closed the sliding window. I started to tidy up as well.
🍁🍁🍁