Chapter 9: Forces Converge (2)

Chapter 9: Forces Converge (2)Chapter 9: Forces Converge (2)

"Excuse me, but please don't disturb Big Brother Nik during my time!" A little girl cradled in Nik's embrace scrunched her brows and pouted cutely at Genta. The officer could only sigh. He had seen Mitsuko walk in and didn't want to return inside if possible. Meanwhile, surrounded by women and girls, Nik was a hard man to approach. Yes, he shouldn't feel ill-disposed to the family caring for a person in need while making his job convenient, but his Cousin, Kaya, always had something to complain about Mitsuko.

But onto more important things.

Genta realizes that Nik is beautiful in an aesthetic sense, but he finds his popularity hard to believe. After all, it has only been a day. His hugs cannot be that good.

'I'm not bad looking myself... sigh,' Genta sighed as he smiled at the girl weakly, "Can you allow your Big Brother to talk with me for a moment?"

"No!" The girl stuck her tongue out before burying her head in a wryly smiling Nik. Patting her head warmly, Nik looked at Genta and took the initiative to speak. Today might be Nik's only chance to converse with the man before he disappears for a week soon after.

"What can I help you with, Officer?"

Sighing, Genta glanced around and saw the irritated expression of those around him. Honestly, he felt somewhat irritated, too. There is no need to act so irrationally for hugs. Genta also takes a moment to glare back at them. He did not become an officer of the law by fearing others. Although, he and a few of his colleagues are battling a losing war against procrastination this autumn.

Still, Genta decided to keep his stop a quick one. It's not like Nik will vanish into the thin air before they find his identity. He is an amnesiac Bishoujo Hug Attraction device! He must have some cliches following him!

"Have you been well? Do you recall anything?"

Genta pulled Nik aside and questioned him about his experience with the Souma Family. The answers pleasantly surprised the well-natured cop. And he was happy to answer a few of Nik's questions as his cousin continued to converse with the store owner.

"What is the white box that blows air? Oh, you mean the air conditioner?"

"Ah, even learned a few Japanese words? You're a quick learner."

Genta would have felt suspicious of Nik If it wasn't for his enthusiasm as he relayed his tale of mundane days. The youth was as excited as a child revealing his accomplishments to an elder brother.

In the shop, Kurumi strayed from Mitsuko and walked toward Megumi near one of the corner ends of the store. There, the latter was returning books to their rightful slots.

The influx of customers also meant there were many individuals who did not contribute to the tidiness of the store. Megumi was quick to pick up the slack over prioritizing her training.

Staying close to Yuuko behind the counter, Kaya stared at Mitsuko, who allowed her gaze to roam around.

"He's really made a difference," Mitsuko praised in wonder. The numbers were not frankly astonishing. But tens of customers are all that made the difference.

"Yes, I never thought this would work so well," Yuuko glanced around. She was aware of a few gazes pointed in their direction by a few men in the shop. Every business required attraction in some form or manner to succeed— Be it beauty or service. There can be some exceptions, but those are rare.

With Kaya and Mitsuko close to her, they attracted the attention of the male customers who were initially attracted by the crowd of women— young and old.

"Hee-hee," Mitsuko suddenly giggled. Her bespectacled gaze found an aged, hunched woman browsing in the history section of the store. "He really is making waves in the market. I came here to buy a few things from Aunty Hun, but there she is. She is too carefree with her business."

Her words made Yuuko giggle softly, but the trio soon fell silent. A young girl, still in her school uniform, approached the counter and purchased a cheap magazine.

Kaya and Mitsuko glanced at each other again before they broke into soft smiles and chuckles.

'Ehhh... creepy,' Yuuko gulped and packed another book with a formal smile while cashing it in.

"By the way, Kaya-san, I'm sorry to hear about your husband." Mitsuko offers, "But I heard he has moved on to do better... women."

Kaya smiled in reply. "Me, too, about your husband."

"Oh, but we're together."

"I know. But it must be hard with all the business trips, right?" Kaya inclined her head with an understanding expression.

"He tries to make time for the family, but work is important, too."

"Right, work." The light-brown-haired bespectacled woman shook her head. "So where has he gone to work this time? If I am not wrong, even the locals have become more accepting of his role in society."

Mitsuko only offered an equally sweet smile in reply. On the other hand, Yuuko wished that the duo quit waving their dirty laundry out in the open like this— metaphorically.

"But I never took you for a bookish person, Mitsuko-san. Even in university... you were a bit wild. You did have Souko-chan at that time, right? How is she?"

"Souko is well," Mitsuko chuckled, "But I'm not here for the books. I came here to ask Yuuko if I could borrow Nik. He needs clothes."

"You're oddly familiar with Yuuko's employee," Kaya smiled.

"Well, of course. Nik is living with us for a few days."

"Of course he is." Kaya scoffed and adjusted her glasses a bit.

"Anyway," Mitsuko looked at Yuuko, "I hadn't expected such a reception for Nik in the market. It would be rude to interrupt your business without any prior notice, so, if possible, would you lend me your excellent employee, Yuuko-san?"

---

"Heya~ Ready to take me? Home, I mean, hehe," Souko giggled. Her jacket was disheveled, and the unbuttoned shirt from the top revealed the slightest bit of her damp cleavage. Her handbag barely hung from her body.

Fortunately, Yuuko was the one to pack up the store for the night... she didn't want Megumi influenced by such drunken behavior. Of course, the mother was unaware that her drunk self prowling the kitchen last night may have affected Megumi more than Souko ever could.

---

"Hey, come on, admit it. I'm the hottest in our family!" with her arm around Nik to support herself and his arm around her waist, Souko was beginning to realize why his hugs would be so popular. It wasn't just his face that was so 'yummy.' It was strangely his presence. The scent of her body hit Nik harder than the alcohol on her breath. She eagerly pressed her body into him. Her breasts rubbed against his chest. Her hot whispers brushed into the side of the ear. Nik would have already held her on his shoulders like a sac if this did not feel pleasant.

Souko tried to entrap him, and somehow, Nik felt it was precious.

Due to various reasons:

One, with Souko, only paying attention to him, Nik started to feed all kinds of small objects he found near his right hand. Most of them were trash cans he could reach without bending over and attracting Souko's attraction.

Two, Nik earlier affirmed his belief in living better than the values instilled in his previous life. While his job will see to his transportation to various worlds, he will always return here again. So, his relationship in this world mattered to him the most. Granted, he only had less than a week at the moment, but he still wanted to leave a lasting impression in various manners— Positive Impressions.

His experience concluded that being rebellious and rude would only get him so far. Souma Family, Genta, and Yuuko have been kind to him for their reasons. Knowing these reasons would not easily change his intent on living a good life here. And for that to happen, he must—

'Ooh! More AP!'

His thoughts were cut short. AP's benefits were still unknown to him as Infinity share information in bits and pieces, but seeing the numbers rise interested Nik greatly!

"Hee~ I know we can't converse, but some reactions would still be appreciated~" Souko blows hotly in his ear.

'Hmm... the mother uses a more subtle approach except for entering the bath and exposing herself. The youngest is the most reactive by constantly trying to vie for attention, and now the eldest just uses the ace: Alcohol. But... hadn't it been better to act a little bit dizzy-like to encourage the partner to try and touch her?'

Ever the Master of the 1000 Slutty Ways, Nik analyzed silently. To him, the odor of alcohol is barely noteworthy. He had faced the abyss... literally. And it did not smell good, so, his standards, unlike what his looks might depict, were absolutely low. No popular male escort is really allowed to have preferences. These privileges were for a few female counterparts that would help jack up the prices.

Gazing at Nik's profile with a smile, Souko began drifting into a stupor of sleep until he suddenly stopped. It was more like a jerk that even made Souko wake up momentarily, and there she saw a silhouette standing down the stairs of the street close to the corner of the turn where the street light happened to have the weakest range.

*Flicker*

*Bzzt*

*Bzzt*

The street lamp flickered constantly. The eerie buzzing noise of the street lamp filled the lonely street.

Under the flickering light stood a pale figure whose face could not be seen. Dark hair is all the duo could make out. A grey-white dress adorned the petite figure as she stood under the light.

Menacingly.

Nik and Souko glanced at each other for a moment. Fear transcended their language barrier.

Nik had decided to live a pleasant life, and that figure did not promise pleasure in any manner.

Caution was necessary, and both of them felt unwilling to move ahead and cross that figure.

"That's... so creepy," Souko whispered. Nik didn't understand what she said, but he could understand the emotion and agreed wholeheartedly.

Bracing against her dizzying sight, Souko straightened her back somewhat and tugged Nik away before walking toward the more acceptable path. They only sighed in relief once they encountered a group of construction workers returning from their jobs.

"What was that?"

Souko thought as the unknown pressure from her shoulder felt light, and she leaned against Nik weakly— who wasn't faring any better.

Souko felt that she might be seeing things. She was drunk, after all. It didn't take long for Nik to carry her on his back, but as the woman drifted into sleep. He continued their way home after Souko had made sure they were on the right track after making the long cut. He continued to find small items thrown out to devour. He could make his life difficult by devouring others' properties which might raise suspicion, but... why would he?

Yet, the encounter with the strange presence was etched in his mind.

A ghostly figure under the flickering street lamp.

A cold, chilling gaze that was locked on him alone.

Even the sight of his increased AP barely made him feel better.

[AP: 1.003/100]

He completed one objective before returning to the Souma Residence.

***

Alternate Title: The Mass Hugger; The Aged Hugging Assasin; No, You May Not Take Big Brother Nik Away!; The Freeloading Hugger; The Corner Educational Section; Kurumi is Totally Over Whatever it is— Not!; Dinner is the Ultimate Remuneration; The Ghost, The Drunk, and the Slut; Pale Encounters; Objective Achieved; Communication Barrier, Here I Come!