The bench she put out in front of the shop is my favorite place now. The chats we started having while it’s still light out, as a little break, end up lasting until right before the shop opens. When I think that I can complain tomorrow to Haru and the others about the stuff I hate today, I can look for the funny stuff and be a little more positive.
...Although it’s a bit—well, pretty lonely with Shequraso gone.
But I made a new friend, Kiyori. We bust out of the brothel to go to Sumo’s cafe and drink tea, and I’ve met more people.
I’ve started to think that maybe I could live a little freer like Haru.
Then one day...
“I think I’m going to take some more time off.”
Haru announced that at one of our regular tea parties. Lately she’s been hanging out with this famous adventurer, Widge, and apparently she’s been going with him into the forest.
She’s not a Sister, so why was she going to a place like that? What was she doing there? I know Madam has said we’re not allowed to do any work outside the brothel, so of course, I reminded her.
“Sorry, Lupe. I’ll make sure to come back, so forgive me.”
Yet she wouldn’t even tell me why she was going. That annoyed me.
It annoyed me, but I’m not good at expressing my dissatisfaction at times like that. Mama was the only one I could be selfish with, and I hate how put out people get if you try to say what you want.
If I couldn’t get through to her by listing the rules and lecturing her, then nothing I could say would get through, so I just accepted it.
“Don’t worry, I’m going along this time. I’ll protect Haru even if it costs me my life.” Kiyori was really putting a lot of energy into this and getting a bit excited.
“Even if it costs me my life”? You know that might actually happen, so why do you say it so casually? Chiba told me there’s such a thing as a “death flag.”
Kiyori is going to die. She’ll be betrayed by Haru.
Nah, that won’t happen.
But oh, so she’s going along.
Hrrm, I thought.
My anxious feelings swelled, and I felt them drop into the pit of my stomach, but all I could do was smile, contrary to how I actually felt, and say, “Got it. Take care.”
Then Haru said, “We’ll catch you a virgin monster (the suspicious-acting demon rumored to be shaped like male genitalia) as a souvenir.”
I told her with a straight face that I really didn’t need one.
“Of course I’m still doing that boring-ass training like you told me to, Mama, but lately it seems like the monsters in the forest have leveled up, and I’ve seen some new types. It made me wonder if maybe the demon lord has finally noticed I’m around.”
I realize that it’s partly just me assuming that I’m the one who taught Haru not only about being a prostitute, but even just common sense. And she talks about herself so much she’s almost too open, so I felt like we didn’t have secrets in our relationship. But when I realized I was moping because I had only convinced myself of that, I decided I was being pretty self-centered.
“I’ve been doing bondage in the woods, too. Err, I mean—not like that. I mean like tying up one part of my body. Ah, that sounds even weirder, but basically the idea is that I give myself a handicap when I fight. It’s super dangerous. I only do it at the entrance to the forest, though, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
There are things I haven’t even told Haru. Like about before I became a prostitute. Everyone has things like that, but especially women doing this sort of work. It’s important to know what you can say and what you shouldn’t.
“In other words, if I remove the bandage from my right hand, the ogre princess will be unleashed—that’s a new part of my backstory. Cool, right? I even fight in the arena using only my left hand, so I think I’m getting stronger. Maybe I really am a genius. I don’t tell anyone else, though—that would be bragging.”
It’s hard to trust people who ramble on about themselves. Their insides seem somehow cheap, or maybe it’s more like they’re just empty.
If Haru felt she could tell Kiyori but that it would be better not to tell me, she must have thought it over, so it was probably the right decision. I’m glad I didn’t get nosy.
So I’m not going to fret about Haru anymore. She has her own life. I should do my best too. Yeah.
“Hey, Mama, are you listening?”
“Uh, yeah. But what happened to your right hand? Your bandage is coming off. You have to wrap it properly.”
“I told you, it’s the seal...eh, whatever.”
I rewrapped his ratty black bandage. Chiba’s doing his best, too. He didn’t seem to be hurt, but he had it wrapped all the way around his fingers. It seemed like it would be hard to even eat.
What a clumsy kid.
“Are you eating? You’re exercising, so you need to make sure to eat a lot.” I fed him some meat off of my plate—“Open wide.”
Chiba glanced around and then quickly ate it up.
He’s just like my little brother—down to the way he pretends to be embarrassed even though he’s a mama’s boy.
That reminded me, since Haru and Kiyori were gone, I’d been having him eat with me sometimes. I needed to tell him he didn’t have to come every day.
When lunch time rolled around, he’d be waiting outside the shop like a puppy. I told him he could come in and ask for me, but he said he was nervous to go in when the shop wasn’t open.
He’s pretty shy. Once you get to know him, though, he talks so much he doesn’t have time for a break. I actually think it’s kind of cute how the first thing he does when he comes to the shop is look around for Haru or me. Although I don’t tell him that because sometimes men get mad if you call them cute.
“Today’s my treat, so order whatever you like, Mama.”
I said, “I feel bad getting treated every day, so just come now and then.”
But Chiba pushed back harder than necessary. “It’s fine. I only ever eat out, so it’s just convenient. No problem.”
He didn’t mean anything bad by “while I’m at it.” He just didn’t know any other way to say it. But he had decided to treat me every day—since he was at it anyway.
“Thanks. But don’t you have anyone else you want to eat with?”
“Huh? Why would I?”
He looked to the left. I could tell he was lying.
And I noticed something during the panty-thieving incident. I think he’s seeing that girl. And since it’s her, she told him not to tell anyone. Especially not Haru or me.
I can imagine what sort of relationship they have. Maybe Chiba is teaching her naughty games. But I’ll pretend I don’t notice. It’s like a silent agreement we’ve built up over all the years we’ve been together. I can’t make any judgments about what she does.
“Well, it’s not as if other people don’t invite me, but I wanna eat with you, Mama!”
Apparently he used to pester Haru to go live with him. I heard that when he was dating Kiyori he made her cook and clean for him. I couldn’t really imagine what it must be like with her. He’s never said anything like that to me. He probably doesn’t want to show me inside his house—because he’s a slob.
He’s happiest when he’s with Haru, puts on the most airs when he’s with Kiyori, and tries to act all kind and cool when he’s with me. The strangest thing about Chiba, I think, is how he acts differently around different women; that’s rare for a man.
I think I’ve educated him as a customer, but people’s personalities don’t change so easily, and the parts I don’t understand remain incomprehensible. In his case, there are still lots of times I have no idea what he’s talking about. But he has a very active imagination, so his stories can be surprisingly interesting.
He doesn’t seem to have many friends, but I feel like if he wanted to, he could get really good at being social. Maybe even turn into a popular prostitute.
But he doesn’t seem to take that much interest in other people. Unless you move toward him, the distance won’t shrink. In that way, he’s the opposite of Haru. She’s more the type to come to you.
They say they’re from the same village, but I wonder what sort of place it is. How does it end up producing two people who are so different?
“It seems like you weren’t listening, so I’ll say it one more time—you’re the one who’s most important to me, Mama!”
“Huh? Err, sorry. I was listening. Thank you!”
“Heh-heh.”
Chiba watched the corners of my mouth closely as I ate. For someone who lies so much, he’s awfully suspicious and controlling.
The more experienced prostitutes told me what to look for in guys. He fits the criteria so well it’s funny, but there are still plenty of times I wonder what he’s thinking.