Piping Hot

I walked through the Downtown, held by Claudia at my waist. She kept subtly trying to touch my butt, so I spoke up. Even if I used to be a man, I knew that women don’t just go around touching each other’s butts.

“Even so, isn’t this a bit much?”

“Hm? What is?”

“That… my butt…”

“I can’t quite hear you? Could you speak up?”

“…Let’s just go quickly.”

As if she didn’t hear me.

As we walked, the number of Beastfolk increased. I felt gazes furtively glancing at me. While the relationship between humans and Beastfolk wasn’t particularly bad, the furtive glances made me a little uncomfortable.

“Claudia-nim…”

“Why?”

“Um… am I allowed to be here? The Beastfolk keep staring at me.”

At that, Claudia let out a small laugh.

“It’s because the Young lady is cute. And…”

Claudia turned to me, took a strand of my hair, and began to sniff it. The sight was just like someone picking up and eating cotton candy with their hands.

“…What are you suddenly doing?”

“I don’t know why, but a sweet scent comes from the Young lady. That’s why the gnats are sticking to you.”

When she looked around with cold eyes, the Beastfolk who had been staring at me coughed awkwardly and pretended not to notice. I also gulped at her intensity, but the reduction in stares made me feel much more comfortable.

“Isn’t this a bit more comfortable?”

“…Yes.”

“Shall we go again then?”

“Alright.”

We hadn’t walked far when Claudia spoke to me again.

“By the way, what’s your name, Young lady? You know my name, don’t you? Don’t you think that’s unfair?”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to answer, then replied.

“Um… it’s Shaa.”

“Shaa? That’s a pretty name.”

Pretty? It’s just Asha spelled backward… For some reason, I felt like I should be wearing red clothes.

“Alright, we’re here. I went through a bit of trouble to make a reservation here, so I hope you enjoy it.”

At Claudia’s words, I looked at the building and it seemed quite expensive. Its scale was enormous. Given that there wasn’t even a sign, I wondered if it was a place only known to those in the know.

“What kind of place is this?”

“Let’s leave that as a pleasure for when you find out.”

Following Claudia’s guidance, I entered the establishment. The interior was generally dark, but it didn’t feel like a gloomy place. Rather, it even felt comfortable and cozy.

Following the Beastfolk attendant’s guidance, we entered a room. It was a room where something was hidden by large curtains. As I passed by, it seemed like all of them were private rooms.

…It seems even more expensive than I thought. I wondered if I might get into trouble if I just ate whatever was offered, but as I resolved that I might not be able to come to such a place again given my financial situation, Claudia asked.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“Ah… it just looks very expensive.”

“Haha, what does it matter? I’m paying for it. Relax, you’ll get indigestion. Shaa, you really resemble your Master a lot, don’t you? That person also used to tremble whenever they asked for expensive materials.”

“….”

Was I like that?

“Just enjoy yourself comfortably. This isn’t a particularly burdensome place for me. Your Master could also come here easily if they just gave up that strange stubbornness, you know?”

“…Hmm.”

“Let’s stop with the boring talk and get started.”

Claudia pulled a cord, and soon after, an attendant entered. It was a Harpy.

…I had occasionally received materials from them, but this was my first time seeing one in person. A blue-haired Harpy, with a slightly flushed face, brought two fist-sized eggs. The attendant who accompanied her set the tableware and placed the eggs on it.

The blue-haired Harpy cleared her throat and opened her mouth. A beautiful voice, and content that was anything but.

“These are piping hot, freshly laid Unfertilized eggs for your appetizer. Please enjoy them while they’re still warm!”

Then she left with the attendant.

While I was momentarily dumbfounded, unable to follow what she was saying, Claudia laughed.

“Why are you so stunned?”

“No, it’s just… she said ‘freshly laid’…”

“Yes, you didn’t mishear. Is there anything particularly special about it? They’re Unfertilized eggs, after all. It’s no different from humans eating chicken eggs. Though unlike chicken eggs, these are a high-class ingredient. Especially Harpy eggs from here, you can’t even eat them if the timing isn’t right.”

After hearing the explanation, it felt as if steam was indeed rising from the eggs.

“You can also see the laying process if you pay extra. Did you want to see it?”

At words that made my appetite plummet just by hearing them, I shook my head vigorously.

“Everyone who comes for the first time says that. Then it’s probably best not to open those curtains this time.”

…What on earth could be beyond there? I was a little afraid. Was this how Pandora felt with Pandora’s Box before her eyes? Curiosity slowly crept up, but I had a feeling it was something that shouldn’t be opened.

By the way, why does she talk as if there’s definitely going to be a next meeting?

“Alright, let’s eat before it gets cold. It’s still delicious when cold, but wouldn’t that be rude to the Harpy-yang who laid it?”

“…Uh… um, yes.”

At Claudia’s words, I picked up a spoon, but….

“How do I eat this?”

“I’ll crack it for you.”

Claudia took the plate and skillfully removed the shell.

I stared at the steaming contents for a moment, then scooped them up with a spoon and brought them to my mouth.

To put it simply… it was… delicious. It was a sweet yet refreshing taste, I’d say. It was amazing that an egg could taste like this. The dishes that came after were relatively normal.

Could it be that they showed the most shocking thing first to reduce my aversion to what came next? If that was truly the case, I thought they were quite clever.

…The main dish looked like a lizard tail. But for something shaped like a lizard tail, it was incredibly large.

“This is Grilled Drake tail. We’ve specifically used the most flavorful part.”

Perhaps because I had eaten the Harpy egg, I didn’t feel much aversion.

“I supplied this.”

“…Oh, really?”

“Yeah. How is it?”

“…It’s delicious.”

“It was worth bringing you here.”

After eating even the ice cream, which was usually hard to get, as dessert… I was very full. It was certainly all delicious. Especially considering I had been picking at my food just recently due to a lack of appetite, I had eaten everything.

I started to feel that it was time for me to take care of my business.

“Um… Claudia-nim?”

“What’s with the -nim? Just call me Claudia. You can even call me Dia if you like.”

…Look at her trying to close the distance. She never said anything like that to me before.

“…Then, Dia.”

“Yes, Shaa.”

Well, it’s a good thing that she feels favorably towards my current appearance. The more she does, the higher the chance she’ll grant my request. It seems my changed body isn’t entirely bad.

I took out the Aphrodisiac prototype from my pocket and handed it to Claudia. Claudia, holding the box she had received, spoke with a questioning voice.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a prototype Aphrodisiac.”

“Pffft!”

Claudia spat out the water she was drinking. A little splashed onto my face, so I took out a handkerchief from my gown and wiped it.

“Ah, s-sorry, I was a little… flustered.”

“…It’s fine.”

“I apologize again, please don’t be angry.”

“I’m not particularly angry.”

“…You don’t seem like it. So? Why are you suddenly showing me an Aphrodisiac?”

“Um… I have something I’d like to ask Claudia-nim.”

“…You are angry, aren’t you? I’ll listen, so please don’t be angry.”

…Perhaps I’m actually a genius at negotiation? Maybe I should have been a merchant instead of an alchemist. I smirked inwardly and opened my mouth.

“Alright, Dia. I only have one request. That Aphrodisiac, it’s a new one our Workshop just made, and I want to confirm its effectiveness. It’s probably for men, so Dia won’t be able to use it… But I’d appreciate it if you could distribute it to people you know and get their feedback.”

“In short, you want me to help with the testing?”

“Yes.”

“Did Lord Astaroth order you to?”

…If you think about it, I did order it, didn’t I?

“Uh… um, yes.”

“Hmm…”

Claudia looked at me with meaningful eyes. Then she called an attendant, said something, and returned to her seat.

No, she sat next to me.

“Why are you suddenly here…?”

“Well, Lord Astaroth is truly… someone I can never quite figure out.”

Claudia came so close that I could feel her breath. I could feel her hot body temperature.

“Um… Dia? You’re too close.”

“Shaa, I’ll help you with the Aphrodisiac test.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I can help right now.”

“…Huh?”

Saying so, Claudia opened the box and took out the Aphrodisiac.

“No, but… I said it’s for men, didn’t I?”

“Don’t worry.”

Claudia placed the pill-shaped Aphrodisiac on her tongue. Her appearance was somehow even seductive. Soon, the Aphrodisiac disappeared into her mouth.

Ah, no! How much does that cost?!

Claudia, who had quickly swallowed the Aphrodisiac, said.

“Because it’ll be effective enough for me too.”

“…?”

Claudia, who had twitched for a moment, opened her mouth with a voice that felt somehow heated.

“…This is amazing, isn’t it?”

Claudia pushed me down. Since it was a soft, sofa-like surface, it didn’t hurt, but I was extremely flustered. She pressed her ample breast against me and lightly bit my neck. Somehow… I smelled danger.

“Hmph!?”

“It feels like… my Heat cycle has arrived.”

“Ah, I get it, so get off me now!”

“Why? I said I’d help with the Aphrodisiac test, didn’t I?”

“B-but it was originally for men-“

Claudia grabbed my hand. Her hot hand led my pale one. And soon, where my hand landed was….

“Bringing something like this on a Date… means you had that intention, right? You’re more proactive than I thought, aren’t you? And if Lord Astaroth sent you, it’s safe to say it was an implicit permission.”

A place that should have been flat was clearly bulging. I could tell it had become hard and swollen even through the fabric.

…It’s me after all. No, it’s not.

“Then… I’ll eat well.”

No, why does she have one?! Don’t eat it!!! D-don’t eat it, please don’t-

Just like that, my first kiss was stolen. She wasn’t an adventurer, but a bandit.