kscans

After submitting my report on the defeat of Hades, my work was finally done for the day. I mentioned that I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, but they had already transferred the reward to me.

“Well, if it was impossible for you, it would be impossible for anyone else. Good job. The reward has already been deposited,” they said.

Apparently, they had already transferred the reward while I was facing off against Hades. It’s not like we’re that close to call it trust… I don’t know what they think, but to me, they are just the client for the job. With my work finished, I headed straight to the health spa.

Why, you ask?… Don’t make me say it, it’s embarrassing.

As I soaked in the hot bath, my thoughts were not on Hades, but on Chika-san. It had been about a month since our unexpected reunion… Since then, she had been inviting me out for meals and drinks quite often… Specifically, about four times a week. I could just say no, right? But hey, I’m only human.

(Just because she became Chika-san doesn’t mean all our memories were erased)

Her invitations over the phone were dangerous. The lonely voice on the other end when I declined… I could even imagine her expression. It’s impossible, impossible. I can’t bear to see her sad face. But diving headfirst into it is also impossible. Although it has faded, the blue spring of my youth still burns behind my eyelids, and I can’t endure it.

(If it’s just going out for a meal, it’s fine)

You might think I’m being overconfident by saying that, but I have solid evidence. First of all, whenever we meet, she always takes off her ring. The only time I saw her wearing it was when we first met at work. And also, this happened the other day when we were drinking at an izakaya… I saw it, her panties. It was a coincidence, right? Well, maybe it was a coincidence? Anyway, I saw her underwear. She was wearing something amazing. I got really excited. I masturbated when I got home. I wanted to die. It’s definitely an invitation to an immoral fantasy (adultery). She’s trying to drag me into an extraordinary world. I’m doing my best to endure it for various reasons, but man…

(I can’t trust myself)

It’s about how far I can go. No, not in a sexual sense. Anyway, I declined today’s invitation because I have some cleanup to do for a shady job. Instead, we decided to go out for drinks tomorrow.

(That’s tough…)

While thinking that, I feel a sense of self-loathing deep inside me. You know, I used to think about it when I was a kid, looking at miserable adults. How dull. How pathetic. I won’t become like that. But now that I’ve become an adult, I understand. Being an adult is tough. One problem after another arises. Your own weaknesses become apparent.

(Hey, the me from my teens. Can you believe it? Today, I actually wet myself)

Well, it’s not the first time. When I was a fresh-faced company employee, I drank too much and fell asleep… It happened back then too.

(I’ve heard that tear ducts become fragile as you become an adult, but it seems like the urethra becomes fragile too)

Thinking such foolish thoughts, I finish my bath and leave the health spa. The warm breeze of April makes my cheeks relax involuntarily.

(Before I eat… maybe I should take a little walk)

Even though I’m pretending to be on a business trip, it’s not a problem that I’m actually in Tokyo. I’m away from the office, and I’ve made sure not to be recognized as myself.

“Phew…”

I buy three bottles of fizzy lemonade at a convenience store along the way and head to the park. Sitting on a bench, I gulp down the refreshing drink, and a pleasure that could make me ascends to the heavens overwhelms me. Right now, I could probably go to the moon.

“Damn, this is amazing. What’s become of me, being me and all?”

My vocabulary is dying. After talking so much about the hardships of being an adult, I realize that being an adult also brings happiness.

“What should I eat…”

Since I’ve been snacking on dried food since morning, I’m in the mood for a hearty meal. Ramen with gyoza, and fried rice. Tonkatsu doesn’t sound bad either. But wait, steak is also a good choice. Rice with butter… no, garlic.

“But yakiniku might be good too. Lots of white rice and just meat, meat, meat, no vegetables. Just grilling meat on the grill.”

Leaning back on the bench, I gaze absentmindedly at the crimson sky, lost in thoughts about food. To others, I may look like a middle-aged loser, but personally, I feel quite fulfilled. And then, it happened.

“Hey, hey, mister.”

A sweet, cloying voice of a girl that tickles the nose reached my ears. Hey, hey, hey, do I look like someone who falls for that kind of thing? Feeling a slight shock, I shift my gaze and…

“Mister, are you alone? If you want, let’s go eat or something.”

I was speechless. A short-haired girl with a slightly upturned nose. Her adorable face resembling a cat. A slender figure.

(Chika-chan…?)

A girl who looks exactly like Saionji Chikage, but slightly younger, is staring at me provocatively. She must be around fourteen or fifteen years old. Chika-san doesn’t talk much, but I remember her saying she’s in middle school. It’s not just a coincidence… It’s not just her appearance, but also her presence. Chika-san is special, born with special powers. It’s not something that just anyone can have. Without a doubt, this girl who shares the same temperament as her is Chika-san’s daughter.

(U-Uwaa… Uwaa…)

A girl who makes me feel like we shared our youth together. A woman with whom my relationship has become complicated in many ways since we reunited.

(Is it even possible for someone’s daughter to make such a bold move on their dad…? Is this really happening?)

I cried in my heart. What? What is this? What am I supposed to do with this complicated mess of emotions?

“Hey, mister, are you listening?”

The girl pouts and puffs up her cheeks. I feel sorry for her, but that’s not the issue here. Well, you know, I’ve played around quite a bit within the limits of the law, so I understand. This girl hasn’t crossed that line yet. Yeah, that’s right. People change after they gain experience. Both men and women become a bit more jaded. But this girl doesn’t have that kind of atmosphere at all. It’s probably just about treating her to a meal or something. But normal middle schoolers don’t do that.

“What the hell am I supposed to do about this…?”

Can I even say this to Chika-san? Like, “Your daughter tried to seduce me, what should I do?” No, I can’t. But I can’t just leave it alone either. As an adult. If I can’t be caught, she’ll just go fishing for another old man… I have to do something.

“…Young lady, what’s your name?”
“Nakajima Rika, but… what about it? Can you take me out for a meal?”

…I’m glad it’s today. After the secret job, I always withdraw extra cash and spend it freely. I hand Rika-chan an envelope I took out of my pocket.

“Huh?”
“There’s a million yen inside.”

Rika-chan is shocked by those words and checks the contents of the envelope. Then she visibly starts to panic.

“Oh, no… um, I didn’t mean it like that…”

I gave her that much money. She must have thought I wanted something in return.

“I’m not asking for anything in return. I’ll give you that.”
“Wh-what?”
“If you’re around your age, there might be times when you don’t want to go home.”

I never had that kind of time. You know, back then, I was in a protagonist-like position. My parents were on a business trip abroad, so I never had that feeling of being annoyed by my parents or anything like that.

“But let’s leave it at this. At least until that person is gone.”

Otherwise, she might end up in a bad situation somewhere, so I imply.

“And this.”
“…A memo and… a business card?”
“If you need a place to sleep, go there. If you give them that business card, they’ll let you stay for free. Use the money for living expenses other than accommodation.”

It’s a lodging facility that the underworld uses for their own purposes, but I have connections, you know. If someone from the surface comes with my introduction, they should take care of them. …There’s a possibility of running into someone who knows Saionji Chikage, but I think it’ll be fine. If they realize we’re related by blood, they’ll definitely keep their distance to avoid provoking me.

“It’s not a bad thing to run away.”

But you can’t run away forever.

“There will come a time when you have to face it. Don’t forget that.”
“Okay.”

I lightly pat her head and leave the park.

(It may not be a perfect solution.)

I did what I could.

(But, I’m going out for drinks with Chika-san tomorrow… This is going to be so awkward.)

It’s too soon for me to face it… Let me run away a little longer.