06. Self-Inflicted (1)

In stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the shop, Marie had stiffened up completely.

In a way, it was only natural.

I’d gotten used to it since we lived and ate together, but to Marie who worked in the flower garden, Jane was just a difficult person-a noble magician.

Whether Marie was nervous or not, Jane paid no attention and kept her gaze fixed solely on me.

It felt like my ribs might cave in from the pressure, but what could I do?

This wasn’t a one or two-day occurrence.

I’d just have to get used to it.

“Here are the food and beer you ordered.”

A waiter carrying a large tray full of food broke the awkward atmosphere.

After the waiter left, I stared at the wooden beer mug before raising it overhead.

“Cheers!”

“”Huh?””

Don’t they do toasts in this world?

I glanced at other tables-everyone was clinking their glasses.

It was just that Jane and Marie weren’t accustomed to such settings.

If we started playing drinking games, they’d probably freak out.

“You raise your glass and clink them together.”

“”Ah.””

The two, who had been tilting their heads in confusion, looked around before finally raising their glasses at my urging.

“Cheers!”

-Clink

It wasn’t the clear ring of glass, but the wobbling sensation felt nice.

Riding the momentum, I took a big gulp of the long-awaited beer.

“Bleh!”

Lukewarm, fishy, and with a bitter aftertaste.

I’d vaguely imagined the crisp, refreshing beer from my past life, but reality betrayed me.

Still, the sensation of alcohol hitting my system felt good.

After wetting my throat, my gaze returned to the table.

Jane had clearly ordered light dishes, but the servings were at a banquet level.

Especially the meat dishes.

Surely they weren’t trying to rip off a magician?

That shallow thought vanished the moment I saw Marie’s sparkling eyes.

Despite gulping down saliva repeatedly, Marie hadn’t reached for the food.

Hmm, she must have been well-trained in etiquette.

With no one making the first move, I finally took the initiative.

I tore off the most delicious-looking roasted chicken leg and placed it on Jane’s plate.

“Master first.”

“Thank you, Lily.”

Jane gave a faint smile as she picked up her fork.

But instead of eating it herself, she sliced off some meat and offered it to me.

“Ah.”

“Uh… ah~.”

It seemed Marie wouldn’t start eating until someone took a bite, so I quickly accepted.

After much ado, the meal finally began.

All that walking and running must have made me hungrier than I thought.

I ate the meat Jane offered, took a sip of beer.

Dipped bread into the soup, took another sip of beer.

Only after my stomach was sufficiently full did I slow down a bit.

If I only played the role of a buffer, I’d truly be worthless.

There were things I genuinely wanted to ask.

-Gulp

After clearing my mouth, I spoke to Marie, who was silently filling her stomach.

“Marie, how are our shop’s products?”

“Huh?”

Marie’s eyes widened at the sudden question.

The reason for asking?

Naturally, because I wanted [Fairy’s Playground] to do well.

Maybe because I’d spent a month there?

Somehow, I’d grown attached to [Fairy’s Playground].

I wasn’t entirely accustomed to the shop’s… unique inventory yet.

But the fact that it was Jane’s shop played a big part.

Marie swallowed the meat she’d been chewing.

Despite the abruptness, she fell deep into thought.

“Hmm, I bought the lube and contraceptives before.”

“That’s right.”

Jane, who had been watching only me, turned her gaze to Marie’s mouth.

A natural reaction for a shop owner.

Marie chugged her beer-perhaps her throat was dry.

After sneaking glances at Jane, she finally fixed her eyes on me.

Yeah, it’s probably easier not to make eye contact.

“The lube is really good. The slippery viscosity lasts long, so it’s comfortable, and it washes off easily with water, making cleanup a breeze.”

“It does sell well.”

“The other girls only have praise for it, especially since it’s so affordable. Ah, I use it a lot myself. Maybe because I got used to it when I first started taking clients? It’s hard to work without it now.”

A bittersweet expression, as if she’d lost something.

Offering premature sympathy might hurt Marie, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Don’t look at me like that. I was pushed into it a bit, but it’s the job I chose.”

“Ah.”

My thoughts must have shown on my face again.

Expression control, expression control.

Marie chuckled dryly.

“That aside, I’m not sure if it’s okay to have this kind of conversation with Lily. Isn’t it too early for you?”

“Huh?”

“It’s still far off for you, right?”

“What?”

Something, something about this conversation felt off.

She seemed to be misjudging my age.

The one who broke the chain of misunderstanding was Jane, who had been quietly sitting beside us.

“Lily is a 20-year-old adult.”

“Whaaat?!”

Marie’s jaw dropped in shock.

Was it really that surprising?

And why am I 20?

“Jane. I’m 26.”

“No, Lily is 20.”

My body might be 20, but my mind is that of a sturdy 26-year-old man.

I had no intention of denying my identity.

“I said I’m 26?”

“Lily is 20.”

“Jane is 21, so you should call me oppa. Come on, say it.”

“Lily.”

Jane, visibly displeased, called my name in a slightly lowered voice.

Let’s stop walking this tightrope.

I immediately raised the white flag.

“Marie, Lily is 20.”

“Ah… yeah, okay.”

The sight of me bickering with Jane must have been shocking for ordinary Marie.

Ignoring the earthquake in her pupils, I asked,

“How old are you, Marie?”

“I’m 20 too. The kingdom doesn’t allow selling flowers until you’re an adult.”

“Same age then. Can I speak casually?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I was a little worried she might be offended by the difference in status.

Fortunately, Marie nodded readily.

“I thought Lily was much younger.”

“Eh, do I look that childish?”

“….”

“Marie?”

“Ahem, what were we talking about earlier?”

I felt like I’d just been insulted, but as a man, I decided to let it slide.

I’ll never forget this humiliation.

“The advantages of the lube? You said it’s hard to work without it because of habit.”

“Ah, right. Anyway, take that as meaning the lube is essential for us.”

Instead of answering, I looked at Jane.

The slight upturn of her lips.

She seemed pleased by the praise for her product.

“What about the contraceptives?”

“Ah, that…”

Marie’s expression darkened instantly, making my heart sink.

Now that I thought about it, Marie always had a bitter look when buying contraceptives.

“Did something go wrong? Were they defective? That can’t be, right?”

We only sold items that passed inspection, so defects were unlikely.

After briefly glancing at Jane, Marie slowly shook her head.

“To be honest, I’m scared every time I use them. Because I know they’re addictive.”

“What?”

My head spun as if I’d been struck.

Addictive?

I looked at Jane, who nodded slowly.

“You knew?”

“The main ingredient of the contraceptive is poison.”

Jane admitted it matter-of-factly.

A surge of betrayal welled up inside me.

She knew it was poison but kept selling it all this time?

And how can she be so calm about it?

I didn’t say it out loud.

But Jane clearly understood exactly what I wanted to say just from my expression.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have made such a gloomy face.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Marie floundered and shook her head.

“Uh, Lily. I think there’s a misunderstanding… The contraceptives we use now are much better than the ones before.”

“But you said they’re addictive.”

“At least they don’t kill you. A few years ago, for every one person who used the medicine, three would just die.”

“Good grief.”

“Even if you get addicted, you recover after a few days off. They’re much safer now.”

“Ugh.”

My ears-no, even my cheeks-felt burning hot.

I wanted to crawl into a hole from embarrassment.

It would’ve been so much better if she’d explained upfront that they’d improved.

I jumped to conclusions without knowing anything.

I felt a little resentful of Jane’s tendency to become almost mute around others.

“Grrr.”

Unable to bear the awkwardness and guilt, I downed the remaining beer in one go.

“The magician even saved some of the sisters who were dying from the old medicine.”

“Jane did?”

“Yeah, and sometimes she sends us herbs that help with addiction too.”

“Heeh…”

Marie kept praising Jane nonstop.

With each compliment, Jane’s ears turned progressively redder.

Seizing the moment, I took Jane’s hand.

“I’m sorry, Master. For getting angry earlier.”

“It’s fine. It was a situation where misunderstandings could happen.”

Fortunately, Jane coolly forgave me.

Phew, almost got punished again.

***

“Lily, is it good?”

“Nuh-uh! Not at all! It’s nasty!”

“Then should we stop drinking? It’s not tasty.”

“Nooo! One more beer here!”

“Hmm…”

-Gulp

“Ugh, cold beer is the best. Jane… make this cold for meee.”

“You should really stop drinking.”

“Whaaa, you keep telling me to stooop…”

“Sigh… I’ll make it cold, but this is the last one, okay?”

“Where’s Marieee?”

“She left earlier. You’ve already asked three times.”

“Why isn’t she drinking with meee!!”

“Because you’re drinking too much?”

“Whaaa!!”

-Gulp

“Ughhh… this is the beest~. This is how beer should be~.”

“Sigh…”

“Master!! Cheers!!!”

***

An unfamiliar ceiling-

No, a familiar one.

“Ugh… my head…”

It felt like someone was tap-dancing madly inside my skull.

My throat was parched, and my stomach churned.

Classic hangover symptoms.

“If I drink again, I’m a dog, a damn dog.”

I staggered out of the room and headed to the kitchen.

I might vomit if I drank water, but the thirst was unbearable.

“Huh?”

The clothes I was wearing were different.

A large shirt I usually wore as pajamas.

Did I change myself?

Goosebumps rose all over my body.

I must have gone crazy drinking.

Marie was taken away by someone she called “unnie.”

Then we drank a bit more before leaving the tavern…

“Gasp.”

I collapsed flat on the ground.

Jane sighed and carried me on her back.

Feeling like my insides were turning, I ended up…

-Creak

“Eeek!”

The door slowly opened.

Jane’s stiff expression.

Her naturally dull black eyes were as dark as a light-absorbing black hole.

“Did you sleep well, Lily?”

At Jane’s chilling morning greeting, I closed my eyes.

I’m screwed.

The last memory from last night.

Jane’s icy voice, barely holding back her anger, echoed in my ears.

-Be prepared when you wake up, Lily.