Night.
The inside of the restaurant is deserted and quiet.
The end of the day is just around the corner. It's always quiet at this time.
Magda is on her way to Newtown to drop Loretta off. The streets are dangerous at night.
...... Hmm?Magda?
There's no one in the 42nd district who'd dare attack him.
It's much safer and more secure than me dropping you off.
That's what I think as I look out at the common scene of every day.
Ah, I've worked hard all day, .......
The last order is over, the dishes have been put away, and the Sunlit Pavilion has not been able to begin ............ the closing process.
'Manager, may I have another cup of tea?
'Yes, sir. I'm home.
'Hey, you!
'What is it?'
Imelda is elegantly sipping her tea.
'What is it? No, no, no!
'Last order's over. Go home now.'
'Is that what you're saying to me, your customer?
'Get the hell out of here!
'It's a pity ...... that someone with such a bad eye is in the customer service business.
'The way you look at me has nothing to do with the way you talk to me!
What the hell?
What is this guy trying to do to me?
'Jeannette goes to bed early every night to maintain those huge breasts!
'It's not to maintain her breasts!
'Well, ......, those breasts don't look very energy efficient.
'No, it's not!
No, but with such a large object hanging from your body, you will probably lose a lot of energy.
I want to let her sleep as soon as possible.
'So, go home.
'Why are you treating the lady so cruelly!You don't have enough compassion in your vocabulary!
'You've got heavy titties there.
'Compassion, Yashiro-san!Also, it's not that heavy of a thing!
While Jeannette was barking something I didn't understand, I observed Imelda's behavior and noticed something.
It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life and the way you live it.
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. ...... He's stalling for time and planning something, isn't he?
What is it?
The benefits of staying here: ............
'Maybe you. Do you want me to stay here today?'
'No, of course not!
'In that case, there's a room available, so why not?
'........................'
She's wavering!
Imelda's heart is shaking!
I knew it.
She doesn't want to go home for some reason.
'......' What kind of bed is it?
'It's not very good, but it's made of straw. ......'
'Straw?
Imelda froze with a dramatic expression on her face.
...... Well, I was surprised at first, too. But once you get used to it, you'll love the straw bed.
I make sure to replace it with new straw every month. Straw smells good right after it's dried in the sun.
'That's impossible!I can't believe I'm sleeping wrapped in straw!
'No, you're in a position to stay at ......, aren't you?
'No, I'm not staying here, not in a place like this.
'Then go home.
'........................'
'What the hell is wrong with you?
I really don't understand what you want.
'............'
'What the hell, look at me.'
'............ Myuu'
'Why did you squeal?
'...... what the hell, seriously?
'Um, ...... if there's something wrong with you, could you please talk to me?If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it.
'...... Are you sure?
'Yes, of course.
It's also a good idea to take the easy way out in situations like this. ......
This is what Imelda is trying to say, you know?It must be a pain in the ass anyway.
He's got dozens of waiters in his house.
Just let them do it. I don't know what the problem is.
A few dozen waiters will usually solve most problems.
'Actually, there are no ...... waiters today.'
'There aren't any?
That was the moment when my solution was totally denied.
I mean, was that the problem?
'What the hell is wrong with you?
I took a seat in front of Imelda and decided to listen to her carefully.
If I don't listen, she's not going to leave.
'Actually, I was supposed to move in today. ......'
'Oh, so it was today.
I didn't know when you moved in because you've been showing up at the Sunken Pavilion a lot lately.
Well, the woodcutter guild's 42nd district branch, known as 'Imelda's House', was already in a livable condition, so he must have been coming and going as if he were staying in a villa. Of course, he had more than a dozen waiters with him.
'So, how did it happen that on the day of the full-scale move, there was not a single waiter?
'That's why the ............ waiters, all of them ...... together, said, "Well, the move is tomorrow, right?"' '!
'I think you're the one who blew it!
'It's outrageous that you all got the date wrong!
'You're the one who got the date wrong!
'I wanted to come here as soon as possible!
'You admit it!
Yeah, he's a ...... idiot.
'So, couldn't you have brought some people with you?
'That's because ...... 'No, we're also moving out of our current house and preparing to move!You can't just say that out of the blue! You can't just say that out of the blue!
'That's a very good argument.
You're the one who doesn't understand.
'The head waiter, who was the only one following me, also said, "Well, I also have to prepare for tomorrow's move ......," and went back to the 40th ward ......'.
'You should go home too. ......'
'I'm a woman who won't budge once I've made up my mind!
Ugh ...... annoying woman ......
'...... So, the real question is, what are you going to do about it?
Even if there's no waiter, we'll just go home and sleep. It's not like you can't handle it, but ............ if you leave this guy alone, anything can happen. ...... I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out. I thought she might do something like that.
'Don't worry. I have a strong ally!
'Allies?
Who is it?
Estella?
'Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm ......'
......Wow...... something, they're looking at me so hard............
'......What do you want from me?'
'Don't you think it's dangerous for a woman to be alone at night?
'Then let me stay here.
'I don't want to stay in the straw!If you really want me to stay here, please call Umaro-san and have him make me a luxury bed!
'...... you...'
What are you going to do?
Do you want me to kick you out?
'You just made a face like, "Should I kick you out?"'
What?
And Imelda is threatening me.
...... This guy's getting pretty nervous right now. I'm sure his nerves are overstimulated. He's mastered the art of mind-reading.
'Um, Yashiro-san. Can't you do something about it?
'You know, ......, don't think you can just tell me anything and everything, okay?
'I'm sorry ...... you're right. I've been relying on you a lot lately, haven't I? I'm not sure what to do.
No, that's not true, but ......
Then, I will take Mr. Yashiro for myself. Please use your skills as the head waiter to control the waiters.
'Aaah!You see, Yashiro is a very important person for the sunny pavilion,......, so you can't ...... that kind of thing,......, but Yashiro can. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.
'Relax, Jeannette. I'm not going to Imelda's.'
'Are you sure?I'm glad ...... you're here.
If you go to Imelda's, you're going to be in a lot of trouble every day,......, and you're going to go bald from the stress.
'But our waiters live in a dormitory, you know?
'Do you want me to live in that dorm too?
'Yes, that's right. I'll have a special room made for you in the girls' dormitory.
'............................... What kind of nonsense are you talking?
'You just had a pause, didn't you, Yashiro?Your mind wavered for a moment, didn't it?
'Hahaha, what are you talking about, Jeannette, really, you're a funny guy, hahaha.'
'Your words are too dry!
I was almost caught by the words ...... "girls' dormitory".
Because you. I'm sure you've heard of it.If there were such a book, you'd buy it, right?
You know what I mean?In a girl's dormitory, all the students go into the bathhouse and rub their tits together, right?You'll be lusting after them in the bathrooms.
But I held back!
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
It seems that reason is still the better part of the story, libido. I'm not going to let it get out of control like that.
............ "The Mixed Bathing Tale of the Otherworldly Girls Dormitory
I'm sorry.I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to do. Hang on, me!
And, Jeannette. What exactly are you going to do?'
'Well, if you don't like ...... straw beds, we can provide you with ............ something luxurious and fluffy. ..................Po......... ...popcorn: ......'
'I'm sorry, Imelda. I'll take care of it.'
'Please do.'
'Hmmm ...... sorry ............ I couldn't think of anything... ...!'
Ginette, I think your head is already more than half asleep.
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll do fine.
'Shall I take you to the forty district now?
'I can't walk from the forty-second to the forty-second ward.
'...... Exercise, you'll get fat.'
'Shh!I'm sorry!I'm at least exercising!
'What are you doing?
'.................. fast-talking'.
Isn't this guy half asleep?
'These, these muscles are really sore!It's going to burn a lot of calories!
He said, squeezing the area below her cheekbones.
If that's the only way to lose weight, all the girls in Japan would be talking very fast.
'My suggestion won't get us anywhere. Tell us what you want. We'll come up with a solution.
'There aren't that many requests ......, are there?
This is coming from a guy who's already rejected his bed of straw and his parents' house.
'I want to sleep in a soft bed.
'...... Omero?
'Who are you, Omero?
'The deputy head of the river fishing guild, with such a big body and such tiny bikini pants.'
'He's a pervert!He's undeniably a pervert!
Yeah, I can't deny that.
But it's so soft.
'I want to sleep in my bed!
'So you want to sleep in your own house?
'If that's how you see it, then maybe that's the way it is.
Why are you blurting it out?
Is there a penalty for honestly admitting it?
'Then I'll take you home, so get ready.
I'm not sure what to do with it.
...... this guy.
Do you think I'm going to be the wolf that sends you home?
That's rude.
'I'm not going to do anything.
''Please do something!
''What?
I and even Jeannette were shouting.
What are you talking about, young lady?
''Send me to the mansion alone,......, that dark and spacious mansion, throwing me out alone,............, are you still human?
In other words, this guy is ......
'Are you afraid of being alone in the house?
'I'm not afraid.
So ...... I'm wondering if there's a penalty for being honest.
'It's just ......'
Imelda's color was getting worse and worse.
It's all white now.
'............If the ghosts appear ............... ...'
Imelda begins to shake and shake.
Teacups and saucers clink on the table.
...... Yeah, too much shaking.
'Imelda, you're afraid of ghosts too, aren't you?
'Hey, Jeannette. Who else is that 'too' on?'
'Oh, no. I'm a little afraid of them myself.
Ginette smiled, still looking a little sleepy.
'But if you sleep as soon as you get home, the ghosts won't come. My grandfather told me that the ghosts appear to children who stay up late. So, if you fall asleep, you won't be afraid.
'No, no, I'm not afraid!I'm just ...... so!I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.
...... escort............ is a nasty word.
So, Yashiro-san!You're going to stay at my house for the night!
'No!
'You're saying it's okay for a young maiden to see and masturbate to a ghost?
'Don't wet yourself, .......'
'If there are men here, I'll be able to sleep in peace!
'I thought young girls didn't expose their sleeping figures to outsiders?
'Yashiro-san is now one of us.
'...... Stop it, I'm serious.
I can't stand to be recognized as a family member in a house full of muscle dalliances like that.
'In the first place, when you're afraid of ghosts, there's no way ............ I can be of any use.'
I admit it now.
I hate ghosts.
Ghosts?I don't care if they are or not.
I'm scared either way.
I can't, I can't!The industry term is ream-oo-su, ream-oo.
If Imelda were to say something like "caw" in the middle of the night, I'm confident I'd run away at the speed of ...... light. Of course, abandoning Imelda!
'Still, it's more reassuring than not being here!
'Ha-ha-ha!You don't understand, Imelda!When there's someone next to you who's more scared than you are, your fear doubles!
'Geez! How many times have you been startled by a scream?
I can't be relied upon to scream at the mere rustle of a convenience store bag on the street at night!
After all, I'm the guy who screamed in the middle of the night when a kitten said 'meow' to me!
You're crazy to expect it!
'So, shall I come with you?
I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.
She's asleep.
'No, you're already asleep, aren't you?
'Hmm. There's nothing wrong with .............'
You're not talking straight.
With his eyelids fluttering, Ginette is fighting hard against sleepiness, even though he's about to lose consciousness with a 'pop ......' if he's not careful.
...... It's dangerous to take him out in such a state. There are many.
I'll take Imelda home, you go to sleep.
Under the circumstances, we have no choice.
Normally, it would be reassuring if Magda came with me, but ...... I can't leave Ginette alone.
It's a dangerous time of night in this world.
In that respect, no matter what the situation, Magda is there to reassure me.
Ginette rubs her face in an attempt to wake up from her sleep.
It was a busy day, as the children's lunch was on the menu for the first time. We struggled with the unfamiliar menu, and ...... Ginette must have been very tired.
I'm sure you'll find that you're not the only one.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
It's not often that Jeannette looks so sleepy. It's not often that Jeannette looks this sleepy, maybe when she couldn't take it anymore and fell asleep on the day of the festival.That day, she woke up afterwards. ......
'Jeannette. Go to sleep now. I'll be back in the morning. See?'
'............ Mmm.'
Jeannette puffs out her cheeks.
It might be the first time she's ever looked like this.
'............ Please come back soon.'
And I've never heard her say something like this before: ......
'Oh, yeah. I'll take care of it.
I wonder if the drowsiness is causing me to show my true feelings, which I don't usually show.
Ginette seemed to be sulking just a little bit.
'So, please take care of Imelda-san. ......'
She bowed her head sluggishly with throbbing eyes.
Then, with a dizzy gait, he headed for the kitchen. I guess she's going back to her room.
Perhaps Jeannette herself is feeling the limits of her own strength. Even Roomba comes back to recharge his battery when it's about to run out.
With Jeannette gone, the sunlit pavilion became even quieter.
...... This situation alone is already a little scary.
Well, Imelda's here, so it's a little better.
'Magda will be back soon. If you don't tell her what's going on, she'll worry about you, so you'll have to wait until then.'
'I know, sir.
He said and sipped his tea again.
'...... As expected,............, I am aware that I am being selfish this time.... .........That,......I'm sorry.'
I'm not sure what to do.
I don't like to be pushed around by selfishness, but I don't mind being relied on if I'm in deep trouble.
'............'.
Imelda suddenly begins to squirm.
The sound of clothes rustling echoes in the quiet dining room.
'What's wrong?'
'That ...... I drank too much tea. ............'
'If you need to use the bathroom, go ahead. It's less scary in here, right?'
'But ............ the thought of being all alone in that small space ............'
'......You're not going to ask me to follow you into the bathroom, are you?'
'No, of course not!I'm not that inconsiderate of a person.
That's good.
'If I had to make such a request, I'd leak it right here!
'Hey, have some sense.
There's something wrong with this guy.
Well, his father's an a**h*le. It's unfortunate that you can't choose your parents.
'......Uh............'
The squirming is getting faster. '......I think you're nearing your limit.
'Just go ahead and do it.'
'But ......'
'I'll stay right in front of the door.'
'Oh, that's disgusting!
'Then what do you want me to do?
'...... Magda will follow you.'
''Aaaaah!
Suddenly, Magda appeared behind us without a sound, and Imelda and I both screamed. It's a scream.
''...... Imelda, I think you peed your pants.
'...... I'm home.'
'Oh, welcome back, Magda. ...... You scared the shit out of me.'
'......I'm home, I just lost my timing.'
...... You did that on purpose, I'm sure.
'.................. Oh, I can't. I'll apologize first.'
'Magda, take Imelda to the bathroom ASAP!
'...... aiaisa'.
Magda's speedy removal of Imelda from the bathroom saved the day. It's a relief that nothing happened.
'......I guess we can't just sleep ............ normally for a night and call it a night. I guess.
A vague sense of foreboding was swirling in the back of my mind.
I explained the situation to Magda, who came back, and I quickly prepared to go out.
Of course, I had to use the bathroom.
I don't want to use any other bathroom but this one.
Imelda's place is supposed to have flushes. It's best to use what you're used to.
'...... I'm worried about Yashiro.
That's what Magda said when she came out to see me off.
I wish I could follow him, he said.
However, with Ginette's situation in mind, I want Magda to protect the sunlit pavilion.
'It's just for today. Don't worry.'
'...... Just for today, I wish Imelda's tits would squish. ......'
'What are you worried about, man?
Don't worry, mistakes never happen.
I'm sensible, and Imelda is not used to such things.
Nothing is going to happen to you.
'...... Imelda won't let go of Yashiro until she's asleep.
'Well, I'm sure she will.'
'......After that, in a large unfamiliar house, Yashiro is all alone ............'
'......What?
'............I might be too scared to sleep. ............I'm worried.'
An unpleasant sweat broke out on his back.
............ I see. So that's what's going to happen. ............
'Da, da, da, I'm fine. I'm tired. Yeah. I'll be asleep soon.'
'......Yashiro..................Good luck'.
I've received some not-so-encouraging support.
...... Lamenting now won't change the situation.
'Well, I'm off then. Take care of the store and Ginette.'
'...... I'll take care of it.'
The only thing that helps is that the road from here to Imelda's house is light.
Otherwise, we wouldn't have even gotten there.
'Well, let's go.'
'Yes. Let's go.
I started walking, feeling a heavy weight on my shoulders.
Is this heavy feeling coming from the day's fatigue or from mental stress? ............ Well, I guess it's both.
I'm sure I'll sleep well today.
That's what I told myself as I made my way to Imelda's house.