Since I had no other choice, I decided to wash them myself. I took the whole bunch to my house and scrubbed each pair one by one, but it took a while because I kept thinking stuff like, Whoa, this is so lewd, and, Holy crap, this is what Haru and Mama Lupe wear?
And then after confirming no one was around, I was going to put them near the drying pole when I got caught in that most classic of traps, a pitfall.
“Oh, it’s you? You walking sexual curiosity.”
Why are you some kind of violent Showa-era heroine? I’m begging you—please read contemporary manga and light novels. Update your image of a powerful woman!
And I got treated like a panty-thief, which was totally bewildering. I would never do that! I’m not even interested in panties! They’re just scraps of the best fabric ever.
But when the commotion started drawing the other employees, I saw Kizuha among them and gave up. Dammit, I’ll let you handle this. Hide Dick somewhere. He might get agitated from all the hubbub and go wild.
I never thought eye contact would work, but Kizuha nodded and disappeared off somewhere. Haru shocked me with her turtle shell-style bondage skills and then threw me straight into the shed where Dick used to be. Good thing we moved him.
Now all I need to do is rip apart this rope....huh?
Why do I feel so weak?
She had wrapped me up perfectly. It wasn’t too tight, but she had all the important points under pressure. I couldn’t move my joints, and it seemed like I would never be able to slip out.
Isn’t she a bit too good at bondage? Do prostitutes learn this sort of thing at work? Do they take requests? I’ll have to make an order before heading into the shop.
I heard the back wall open, and light poured in. You finally showed up, buddy? Took you long enough! But I appreciate it.
“...” Kizuha looked crankier than I’d ever seen her before. “So, I know you spend on Lupe, but do you sleep with that sassy chick, too?”
“Mm, you mean Haru? Well, yeah. A long time ago.”
Well, I was sleeping with her, but frankly, she was my first. And we hadn’t been doing it since we had a fight that one time. I think it’s because things are going well between me and Mama.
“I can’t believe this. I hate her, and I hate any guy who sleeps with her.” Kizuha got even more irritated and came to grab the nape of my neck. No, how about you undo these ropes instead? Whether you get along with her or not has nothing to do with me!
“She’s always palling around with Lupe. Lupe’s so nice to everyone, but she took advantage of that and is hogging her for herself—even though Lupe’s going to be my mama! She’s trying to steal her away from us! It’s so unfair!”
I don’t know what kind of lives they live normally. But I don’t think Mama Lupe and Kizuha get along.
True, Mama is kind and admirable, and though she looks like a loli, she has such strong maternal instincts that her life itself is sacred. But she nitpicks pretty harshly, and I also know that she chooses who she spends time with and isn’t so nice to just anyone.
I thought at first that Kizuha seemed like Haru. But now I know that they’re totally different.
I don’t think Mama Lupe likes Kizuha. I mean, for a new character, her personality is too intense. What is this, the Dragon Quest V remake or something?
“She probably annoys you too, right? I think we should drive her out of here already. Why does she think she’s so important even though she’s new?”
But it’s not as if Kizuha doesn’t understand other people. She just wants to think in ways that are convenient for her. That’s pretty common. There are definitely people like that. I’ve known some.
Ahh, I think I figured out why I can’t see Kizuha as a woman. Not that I would ever say it aloud.
“Yeah, Haru does annoy me. I’m always being nice to her, but she doesn’t understand me at all. She still only sees me as an otaku stereotype even though I’ve changed here. I’ve been learning and growing too.”
“Right, I totally get what you mean.”
“She just has a knack for handling stuff, so she thinks she can do anything herself. She doesn’t even know how much I contribute to her ability to lead a peaceful life. And when she was a new low-level prostitute, I’m the one who helped her learn. And she doesn’t even understand that! How would she ever get along in this other world without me?”
“Yeah... Huh?”
“But I think maybe that’s what has changed about her since coming here. I observed her every day in the classroom, so I know what I’m talking about. She’s stronger now, or maybe she’s the real Haru now? I’m not about to let her get ahead of me, but when I look at her, sometimes I wonder if I’ve developed as much as I think I have. It’s like...sometimes she seems to really shine here.”
“Umm, what are you even talking about? Say things I can understand, thanks.”
“Basically, I’m too far behind to be able to talk shit. I’m the one who knows the most about her. Haru Koyama is my friend.”
Kizuha squinted. Prostitutes are capable of showing that much emotion?
This is why you’ll never sell.
“...So you’re taking her side?”
“I’m not an enemy or an ally. I’m just more than a classmate, less than a soulmate. And that goes for you, too.”
“Huh?”
“If I heard someone bad-mouthing you, I’d probably feel sick. It’s the same. I don’t want to hear it, that’s all.”
Kizuha sighed and moved away from me. Then she took out a flask of poppybat blood and took a swig.
“Ahhhhh...” A sensual exhalation. That’s great and all, but could you untie me?
“You’re so weird. ‘Don’t bad-mouth people.’ What are you, a little kid?”
“Shut up, you’ll make me blush.”
“About the only girl who doesn’t talk shit is Lupe. I can’t be as strong as her. It’s impossible for me.”
Mama Lupe is an angel, so it’s only natural for her to be like that. A normal girl doesn’t have a soul that pure, so yeah, it’s impossible.
But Kizuha said, “I know.” When I looked up, she had come closer. “If you don’t like it, then fine, I’ll stop. But in return, you can’t talk about her anymore. Only talk about me with me.”
She took a sip of poppybat blood and leaned in.
“Mngh...”
Her tongue went in, and I blacked out.
Still turtle-tied.