Can You Believe It Then?

“Oh! A human with a nice scent!”

As I entered the room, which was set up like an office, a somewhat familiar Harpy pushed her body forward. From her colliding wings, bundles of money-

No, not money, but feathers fluttered down. With the thought that the drain would clog if she showered, I grabbed her shoulder and gently pushed her away.

In my mind, I pushed her.

She should have been pushed back, but perhaps due to her talons dug into the floor, she didn’t budge and continued to cling to me, sniffing. Only after Claudia, who entered next, met my eyes, did she hastily retreat.

Feeling a slight sense of self-reproach, I turned my head and saw the Male, who was presumably trying to persuade her, greeting Claudia with a brightened face.

“Oh dear… You’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for ages.”

“…I don’t think it took that long.”

“It’s just an expression… Haha….”

The shaggy-haired Male broke out in a sweat, then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped it away. His trembling gaze soon landed on me. His eyes filled with questions.

“You… didn’t you say you were bringing the creator?”

“I brought them.”

“This person…?”

“I barely managed to persuade them to come, saying they were busy….”

Claudia, who smiled chillingly as if saying, ‘You know the rest without me having to say it,’ was… an unfamiliar sight. It was a face I hadn’t seen even when I met her as Astarote Asha. She looked even more terrifying than when I saw her on our last Date. When our eyes met, she returned to her beaming smile and waved her hand warmly.

I felt strangely nervous. I swallowed hard and opened my mouth.

“Ahem, ahem. As Dia said, my golden time is flowing even now. What problem caused you to call me?”

The Male, who had been standing awkwardly with a nervous expression, replied with a slightly relaxed face.

“The Harpies… are refusing the Potion. They say they won’t take a Potion whose creator’s face and efficacy haven’t been verified.”

“So you called me for that?”

“Yes… that’s right.”

As could be inferred from the advertisement slogan that only naturally shed feathers were used, their treatment was predictable. Indeed, if they could communicate perfectly… they couldn’t be treated as monsters or livestock.

I don’t know about other places, but at least the Empire where I live was like that. So I could only assume that all the surrounding kingdoms were the same.

…There’s also the matter of those talons dug into the floor, I suppose.

Meanwhile, a voice filled with doubt flowed from the Male, who had hesitated for a moment.

“But… did you really make it?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

When I asked, tilting my head, the Male scratched his cheek.

“You look too young to have made it….”

“…I understand. Anyway, Harpy… do they have a separate name?”

“That friend is named Rena.”

“I see. So… if I persuade Rena-ssi, everything will be resolved?”

She flapped her wings when she heard her name. The Male replied with a voice that sounded slightly tired.

“Yes. Rena is the leader of the flock living here.”

“I see.”

I replied and looked at the Harpy called Rena. Her vermilion hair hung down to her shoulders. Her eyes, a similar color, shone brilliantly.

The unusual thing was… that large wings were attached where her arms should be. Her lower body was also closer to that of a bird. As I mentioned earlier, her talons were dug into the floor.

Rena was wearing loose clothing, just like last time, so if she moved incorrectly, her hidden skin might be visible.

Just then, Claudia placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered softly.

“Aren’t you staring too much? You saw her once before, didn’t you?”

“…I wasn’t really doing that.”

“Well… anyway. How is it? Do you think you can solve it?”

Watching Rena turn her pouting face away as the Male approached, I replied.

“…I don’t know why, but she seems to have a favorable impression of me… so I’ll try talking to her first.”

“Alright, if it doesn’t seem to work… it’s okay to just leave it. You’ve already done enough.”

Claudia said so, gently squeezing my shoulder and smiling sweetly. Somehow, the image I saw earlier came to mind. The contrasting attitude made me feel acutely that she thought of me specially, which made my mouth feel a little… bitter.

I’ll think about that later, for now… I need to talk to Rena.

When I called her name and beckoned, she approached me with a brightened face. As soon as she arrived, she sniffed me and smiled contentedly. Seeing that, I wondered if I had a special scent, so I put my nose to myself and sniffed… but there was no particular smell.

“So, what did you come for?”

Rena’s voice caught me as I was sniffing. I adjusted my clothes and replied.

“I heard that… you’re not taking the Egg-laying Inducer….”

“Oh, that?”

Rena crossed her wings and snorted.

“Why should we take a Potion whose safety hasn’t been verified, and whose creator we don’t even know? Well, of course… if the described effects are true, it is tempting.”

Unlike her earlier behavior of clinging and sniffing, she stated her reasons quite fluently and coherently.

…Actually, she wasn’t wrong. However, I was confident in my Potions, so I spoke boldly.

“I made that, and I guarantee its effectiveness and safety. I made it taste like your favorite fruit so it’s easy for you to take, so just try it once, even if you think you’re being tricked.”

“You made it?”

“Yes.”

When I nodded, her face showed surprise. She sniffed my body for a moment, then her expression changed to one of contemplation.

I didn’t know what scent she was smelling, but I calmly waited for her answer.

Not long after, Rena opened her mouth.

“Then, if you take it and there’s nothing wrong, I’ll take it too.”

“Huh…?”

“Did I say something difficult?”

What could I do?

I stared at her flapping her wings with that expression, then immediately replied.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“I don’t go back on my word.”

A man’s word is worth a thousand pieces of gold!

I replied that way, and before Rena could change her mind, I pulled out a prototype from my lab coat and boldly put it in my mouth. A sweet fruit flavor spread.

As I tasted it… I skillfully rolled it and hid it by my molars and cheek.

For now, since I was in a female body, I wasn’t lying.

…Of course, it didn’t contain any harmful ingredients. Still, it was unknown what effects it might have on a human, so… I did this.

I felt a little guilty for deceiving her, but… it wouldn’t harm them, so it should be fine.

It was absolutely not because of money.

Really.

When I even made a show of swallowing, Rena’s face changed to one of surprise.

“Y-you really ate it?”

…I felt a little guilty.

“O-of course, right?”

“Since you’re going this far, I’ll trust you once! I’m trusting you because it’s you, okay?”

“Uh, uh-huh….”

Rena suddenly wrapped her wings around me and shook me.

…Because of that, the pill went down my throat. Since I had already made it obvious that I ate it, I couldn’t make a fuss, so I trembled internally. I hoped my stiff face wouldn’t show.

After hugging and shaking me for a long time, Rena left with the prototype, saying she would test its efficacy. The Male also thanked me and rushed out, following Rena.

Claudia approached me with a peculiar expression.

“You really swallowed it, didn’t you… Are you okay?”

“…Probably.”

As if dumbfounded by my answer, she sighed and ruffled my light pink hair.

“…Don’t do that.”

“There was no need to go that far. If any unexpected side effects occur, tell me.”

“Aren’t you busy anyway? And… what would Dia do? I’m the one who made this, anyway?”

Claudia tapped my stomach and laughed.

“I meant tell me if it feels like it’s coming out. I’ve had experience helping a few times.”

“…That can’t be. I’m human.”

“It was a hypothetical. I’ll see you back, so let’s go home. Or should we go out for some fun to clear your head?”

“No. I have a mountain of work to do today too.”

“That’s cold.”

Claudia put her hands over her eyes as if hurt and sniffled. I was about to scold her for her terrible acting, but… the image I saw earlier came to mind, so I said something else.

“I’m busy creating time for Dates with Dia in the first place.”

“Was that it?”

A wry chuckle escaped me at her expression, which looked deeply moved as she stared at me.

“…I’m glad you realized it now.”

Of course, she probably has no idea Cecil is accompanying us.

Escorted by a smiling Claudia, I returned to the Workshop. Hoping for good reviews from the Harpies.

*

*

*

*

My stomach hurt.

Touching my Lower abdomen, I felt something hard like a stone. Cold sweat trickled down my back. Claudia, who was walking ahead, and Cecil, who was beside me, turned to look at me with questioning expressions.

“Shaa, are you feeling unwell?”

“Shaa-nim, your complexion doesn’t look good.”

I felt my hands trembling.

I felt terror at the unfamiliar sensation in my Lower abdomen.

Why… why is this happening to me… I definitely… lived a good life….

A wave of injustice welled up, and tears welled in my eyes. Seeing that, Claudia approached with a serious expression. Cecil also examined my body with wide, startled rabbit eyes.

To the two people making a fuss… I quietly whispered.

“…I think it’s coming out.”

“…What?”

“Shaa-nim?”

It was the moment when their eyes, previously filled with concern, filled with questions.