Chapter 34: Until the Bottle is Empty

Chapter 34: Until the Bottle is Empty

◇◆◇

Things are going exactly as I planned.

I’ve already moved the hindrances, Merle and Mira, out of the picture.

Yuusuke was staggering as he walked with me holding him.

With him like that, he will fall asleep on the bed as soon as we get to a room.

Once that happens, he will be as I pleased.

Undress him, make him comfortable, and then...... enjoy Yuusuke’s sleeping face to my heart’s content.

For making him drink so much just to satisfy my own desires, am I perhaps a bad woman?

However, that’s alright.

The teacher at the institute said that top-notch researchers must be faithful to their own desires.

It would be more comfortable for Yuusuke if the second...... third button of his shirt is unbuttoned, right......

S- S- Should I hold his hand as well?

If he finds out, will I be reported to the police?

No, no, I have to be at least that proactive.

I’ve been passive in love my whole life.

I’m gonna say goodbye to my weak self!

◇

When I woke up, the place was dark.

This is...... not my room.

Ah, right, I should be in Minerva’s house.

I was convinced by the familiar scenery of the guest room.

It may be vague, but I remember the events last night.

The drunk me had stayed overnight at Minerva’s house.

I checked my appearance and found that my shoes and jacket had been removed and I was comfortably dressed.

The clothing taken off from me were carefully hung on hangers, so Minerva must have taken them off for me.

I’ve troubled him once again.

I’ll have to make it up to him by cooking breakfast tomorrow.

Even when I just make him coffee, Minerva already gets happy.

He may look and sound scary, but he has a cute side to him.

Outside the window, the stars were twinkling.

I woke up at an odd time, but my mind feels surprisingly clear.

I feel a little light-headed when I get up, but it doesn’t feel bad.

[I want some water......]

I must have used up all the water in my body to break down the alcohol.

Each and every cell in my body seemed to be asking for water.

[I am a friend of Minerva’s, Yahagi Yuusuke.]

[Yuusuke......]

[Yes, that’s my first name.]

Arehh, have I seen this woman somewhere......

Errr, I think I’ve seen her a few times.

Was she a customer of mine?

No, no, if that were the case, I would have remembered her clearly.

Then, is she an adventurer I saw in the dungeon?

I don’t think so either.

If I’m not mistaken, her image should be illustrated in a menko......

[............Ahh!]

I couldn’t help raising my voice.

After all, standing in front of me was the wanted witch Michelle.

Come to think of it, Minerva had mentioned before that she was acquainted with the witch Michelle.

Both of them are skilled adventurers, so they might have such a relationship.

[Ummm...... Are you Minerva’s friend or something like that?]

[Yuusuke, you’re mistaken......]

The witch Michelle looked somewhat familiar though.

[What do you mean, I’m mistaken?]

[It’s me.]

[Even if you say “it’s me”, we shouldn’t be acquainted......]

[I’m Minerva.]

Looking like she was about to cry, the witch Michelle said.

That means......

She’s Minerva without the silver mask!?

He...... She was my regular, someone who takes good care of me, my best friend recently, the person I’m with every day, someone who makes me dinner...... Even though she has a scary voice, she sometimes speaks like a girl, and before I knew it, her behavior had started looking suspicious, and the person who I entered the onsen with...... That Minerva was actually the witch Michelle!?

[There were a few times when I thought things were strange. But every time I thought about it, I reconsidered, thinking that there’s no way such a thing could happen......]

[I’m sorry. I think it was my Recognition Inhibition Magic that was making you do that. However, I wanted Yuusuke to realize my identity, so I’ve recently been reducing the power of my magic.]

Still, am I so thick-headed that I didn’t notice until she came out to me!?

[I never thought that the man I thought was my best friend was the witch Michelle......]

Minerva...... No, Michelle asked with a sad look on her face.

[Does that make you hate me now?]

I take out my mini cola again and throw some into my mouth.

I can’t count how many of these I’ve already eaten.

Chewing on it, the distinctive aroma of the ramune candy filled my mouth.

[It’s not like that. Sit down. You want some too, Michelle? This calms people down.]

Michelle took the bottle I offered to her and put some ramune candies into her mouth.

The bottle she returned to me was empty.